I remember a few years back, there were nine of us gathered around the table for our Thanksgiving meal: Katie, me, our four daughters, a fiancé (that was something new), and Katie’s mom and brother. For just a little while we pretended that we were a 19th century family instead a 21st century one. Between us we had 8 smart phones, one flip phone, several laptops, and even a couple tablets. But we pretended they didn’t exist. We ate our meal and enjoyed each other’s company without an electronic device in sight. Then, just as we got to that part of the meal where we were mostly finished, there was some point of discussion, some question that needed to be answered, and out came the first phone ( I think it was that fiancé!) and then the phones started appearing as if from nowhere. Where these kids were hiding those things, I have no idea. Katie shook her head and said “Well that didn’t take long” and I said “I’m surprised our peace lasted as long as it did.”

Actually, I can’t blame the kids too much. We are used to our phones. Today, I can’t believe we used to leave the house without a phone. We are a communicating people, we can’t help ourselves, it is literally written into our DNA to speak to each other. We define ourselves by our conversations. We judge others by how they talk. The world of human beings moves by the messages we send.

I am reminded of one of my favorite Christmas scriptures, the story of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-23, 57-66). Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth had no children and were ... as it says in the King James Version, “now well stricken in years.”  So much for sensitivity toward our elders!  But it gets the point across. The one great hope of their lives had been disappointed.
 
But then the angel Gabriel came to tell Zechariah that not only would he have a son, but his son would be among the great prophets of Israel. Zechariah, in an unfortunate moment of unguarded honesty, asked Gabriel to prove that what he was saying was true. Gabriel responded by taking away Zechariah’s power of speech until the day his son, John the Baptist, would be born.

And so Zechariah waited nine long and frustrating months (although I suspect that his wife Elizabeth might have enjoyed the quiet during that time). And then the baby boy was born. His naming day came and Elizabeth said that he would be called John. The minute Elizabeth said that, the relations started arguing with her, after all, no one in their family was named John. Zechariah waved for a tablet (not the Apple kind mind you) and wrote down what the angel had told him, “His name is John!”

And then, as we read in Luke:
Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began to speak, praising God... “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
He has raised up a mighty savior for us he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, that being rescued from the hands of our enemies, we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness all our days.”

We are a communicating people. But how often do we take this gift for granted, or worse, misuse this gift? Zechariah reminds us that we are called to share good news of great joy! During this Christmas season, along with swapping gift ideas and ordering holiday meals, we need to use our voices (or texts, or tweets, or instagrams, or whatever) to share God’s message of hope, joy, love and peace. Let our voices ring!

This Christmas season, give the gift of hope and health with a beautifully handcrafted ornament, made with love by artisans in Haiti. When you purchase one of these special ornaments, you are contributing to a life-changing initiative - healthcare at the medical/dental clinic that RUMC supports in Momance, Haiti.

Each ornament is $20 and the proceeds will pay for a free medical or dental exam plus the medications for a member of the Momance community. To purchase an ornament, just choose one from the tree in the lobby, then either pay online or with a check. Please remember to mark your donation for Haiti.

Each ornament carries with it a story of resilience and perseverance, making it the perfect gift for loved ones who appreciate a meaningful, socially responsible present. You could also make a donation in someone’s honor - $400 will sponsor the monthly medical clinic and $250 will sponsor the monthly dental clinic.

Let’s make this Christmas season not only merry but also meaningful.

News Flash!!  December’s 49er’s meeting will be a special event you won’t want to miss. We will meet December 10 @ 6:00 pm in the MPR room for Christmas dinner catered by the local restaurant, Farm to Fork. After dinner we will be treated with Holiday music by a local Jazz band.

Important reminders: There is no cost to you for this celebration and there is no need to bring a covered dish. However, it is important we know how many plan to attend to ensure we have enough food and table set ups. Please click the response button below by December 5.

If you would like to attend but are not comfortable driving after dark, please let Marty McGee know and he will make sure you have a ride to and from the church that night. We want all 49er’s to share the Holiday spirit on December 10.

December 14th is almost here!!! This date will mark our annual Children’s Celebration of Christmas, a ministry our church began over 40 years ago!  Invitations have been given to the school counselors at 5 of our local elementary schools as they have been asked to distribute those invitations to the families that they feel would most benefit from this ministry. We have also invited those who attended our Best Week of Summer VBS this year as well as members of a Relative Care Giver group which meets monthly at our church.

We have already received almost 40 red bags back from our members to filled them with personal care and paper products. We thank you already for such a tremendous response! If you have not already filled a bag, we would encourage you to now help us with a food collection. One local school supports this ministry by having a food drive each year, but even with this, last year we had to purchase a lot more food at the last minute so we could complete  the food boxes that we give away. If you can help by bringing in any type of can food or making a monetary donation to CCC, that would be wonderful!  All donations are needed no later than Sunday, December 8th.

Giving towards this ministry is very important and is always appreciated. Maybe this year, you want to also physically help with the event?!? Sign-ups to serve are on the app. Many servants are needed the night of the even (Saturday the 14th), ranging from helping Santa with pictures to working in the kitchen, to being a hall monitor that helps with directions, to cleaning up afterwards. There is something that EVERYONE can do. You will also have the opportunity to help on the Wednesday before the event by sorting and packing food, wrapping presents and organizing the gifts for easy pickups. That opportunity will be on the app also.

One last word is that this year, we want to invite all families with children to come and be a part of the evening. You will be some of our special guests and will have opportunity to celebrate Christmas with your family in a special way that night. All we ask is that you let us know you are coming so we are sure we have enough food for our meal that evening.  

All in all, Children’s Celebration of Christmas promises to continue to be another great mission of our church. I encourage you to be a part of it!!!

Celebrate the joy of Christmas Day with our second annual RUMC Christmas Special! This festive production is our take on a classic holiday TV special, showcasing performances and messages from our family, worship, and arts ministries.

Livestream: Christmas Day at 10 am
On-Demand: Available anytime after
Where to Watch: Facebook, YouTube, the RUMC app, or our website

Enjoy music from our chancel choir, children’s choir, worship band, and Ringgold Ringers, along with special messages from our ministries. Share the joy of the season with your loved ones—tune in and celebrate with us!

Over the past three years we have started an annual tradition in which we host a block party during the Ringgold Downhome Christmas Parade. We are excited to announce our annual block party will be returning again this year. The parade is Friday, December 6th, and its technical start time is 6pm although our location along the parade route normally has the parade getting to us closer to 6:15 or 6:30, but you’ll want to get there early to get a good parking spot and seat along the road. Bring lawn chairs if you want somewhere to sit!

Our festivities for the block party will start at 5pm including free hot chocolate, candy canes, fire pits, music, caroling, and more! This year, our men’s ministry will also be selling BBQ plates as a fundraiser to purchase bibles and fund scholarships for students within our church. Soon you will be able to sign up to serve through the church app if you’d like OR just come for fellowship and a great time!

Christmas Family Movie Night
Wednesday, Dec 4 • 6 - 7:30 pm

Christmas Parade Block Party
Friday, Dec 6 • 5 - 7:30 pm

December 49ers
Tuesday, Dec 10 • 6 - 7:30 pm

Children's Celebration of Christmas Wrapping Party
Wednesday, Dec 11 • 6-7:30 pm

Christmas Cantata
Tuesday, Dec 17 • 6:30 pm

Youth and Kids Christmas Parties
Wednesday, Dec 18 • 6-7:30 pm

Ringgold Ringers Christmas Tour
Sunday Dec 8 • 3 pm • St. Gerard Catholic Church
Sunday Dec 15 • 3pm • St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church
**Sunday Dec 22 • 5 pm • At RUMC**

Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship
Tuesday, Dec 24
5 pm Contemporary
9 pm Traditional

RUMC Christmas Special • ONLINE ONLY
Live on Christmas Day • 10 am
On-Demand anytime after

New Year Sunday • ONE COMBINED SERVICE
Sunday, Dec 29 • 10 am
Brunch to Follow

Have an article that you would like to contribute to an upcoming The Communicator newsletter? Email it to: newsletter@ringgoldumc.org

For an article to be included in the January edition, it must be submitted by December 17th.

General Budget
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in October: $50,875
Received in October: $45,479
Spent in October: $51,080
Budgeted October YTD: $508,750
Received October YTD: $474,013
Spent October YTD: $504,224

In Person :
9 AM: 72
11 AM: 52
 
Online:
9AM: 19
11 AM: 12

Recovery at Ringgold
In Honor of Jerry Smith
by Aubrey and Donna Greeson

NCIC
In Honor of Sally Ensley
by Kathy Burton

Benevolence
In Honor of Con and Beth Kellerhals
by Aubrey and Donna Greeson

In Memory of John B (JB) and Kathryn Buff
By Porter and Deedee Buff

CARES
In Honor of Donna Greeson
by Kathy Burton

Ringgold United Methodist Church
706-935-4777 | www.ringgoldumc.org
7484 Nashville St
Ringgold, GA 30736

David Cott, Senior Pastor
Sally Ensley, Minister of Care
Kirsten Lankford, Director of Children’s Ministry
Michael Arnold, Worship Band Leader
Kodi Lowry, Director of Preschool
Taylor Lankford, Executive Director of Worship and the Arts
Marty McGee, Coordinator of Senior Adult Ministries
Pam Blaylock, Office Administrator
Drew Sherrill, Communications and Technical Director
Jamie Smith, Director of Youth Ministry
Carolyn Turner, Organist
Ann McMillen, Pianist