Perhaps I am one of a select few that hit 'skip' on my Christmas music playlist when the 12 Days of Christmas comes on. Personally, I find the song a bit too repetitive and annoyingly detached from my experience. I wouldn't want to receive any of the gifts listed in the song, nor would I give them. The repetitive nature of the song probably harkens back to its likely French origins as a ‘memory and forfeits’ game, where if you got the repetition correct you’d win a small prize. However, it does not seem to be historically accurate that this song is a coded memory game for persecuted Christians.

But the song isn’t a countdown to Christmas! The song recalls what is for Christians... Read the rest of Rob's message here.

Services are livestreamed to YouTube and to our Website and posted later to Facebook

Deadline for registration is Friday, January 21, 2022. Contact Debbie Sampiller if you would like to register. For more information, click on this link.

Worship in this timeframe will be online only; no in-person worship, as well as no classes, studies or groups onsite. Look for updates from your group leaders for groups and studies. Contact information for each group can be found on the church calendar.

Please check future Messenger emails for updates on this project. Questions? Contact Debbie Sampiller.

Every 1st Sunday in 2022 needs 2 Acolytes. Sign up for January 2, 2022 or other 1st Sundays in 2022 with Jane. Acolytes arrive at 8:30 am on Sundays to get robes, practice lighting, and a brief prayer. Please sign up with Jane at jsiarny@att.net or by phone/text at 630/715-8590.

Attention all high school seniors and college undergraduate and graduate students! UMCG scholarship applications are now open. You can find the application form on our website under sign-ups or click this link. The deadline to submit your application is May 6, 2022 at 11:59 PM. No application will be accepted after that date, and all parts of the application must be received by May 6. This year, the scholarship committee will only accept official transcripts, so please plan accordingly so that the transcripts are received prior to the May 6 deadline. Please contact a committee member with questions or if you need help: Colleen Fasbender, Barb Pribble, Suzanne Zefron, Gwen Powell, Don Mendenhall, and Nancy Tweed. 

Photographers Needed: We are a busy church with lots of great activities and events. Carolyn Burnham is looking for people that can help photograph activities held by the church including some in-service photography. You don't need to be a pro, but would love some people that enjoy photography to help out from time to time.

Livestream Volunteers: We are looking for people that might be able to assist Alex Johnson during worship services from time to time. We are still setting this up, so if you want to get in on the "ground floor" or can help later, let us know.

Contact: Carolyn Burnham

Spirits & Studies is taking a break for the remainder of December. We welcome newcomers as we meet again on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. We'll be wrapping up our time with Kissing Fish by Roger Wolsey. Whether you've read some chapters or none of it, you will enjoy the fruitful discussion if you attend. For more information, contact Mary Gay McKinney, Coordinator of Congregational Care.

For more information, contact Mary Gay McKinney, Coordinator of Congregational Care.

During January, Tuesday Prayer Partners will gather via Zoom on Tuesdays at 1:00 pm. Reach out to Mary Gay McKinney for the Zoom link. We pray for 30 minutes and we welcome YOU!

Are you a caregiver for a loved one? The Caregivers Support Group welcomes newcomers to monthly meetings. We'll meet on January 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. Check with Nancy Harrington or Mary Gay McKinney for details.

Thanks so much for being a part of her big day. Contact communications@genevaumc.org for her address.

The NIC weekly eNews is here.

The NIC December/January Reporter is available here.

Submit information each week by Wednesday at 12pm for inclusion in Bulletin Announcements or the Weekly Messenger.  Please use the submission form. This form can also be found on the sign-ups page on our website. You may also send them to communications@genevaumc.org. Information sent to this email goes to Carolyn, Debbie, and Lorie.