(Reprinted from the Discipleship Ministries page of the United Methodist Church)
In 1663 Richard Alleine, a Puritan, published Vindiciae Pietatis: or “A Vindication of Godliness in the Greater Strictness and Spirituality of It”. In 1753, it was again published in John Wesley's A Christian Library. Wesley used one chapter, "The Application of the Whole," on Monday, August 11, 1755, in what probably was the first real celebration of the Covenant Service in the Methodist movement.

Wesley found the service rich and meaningful, as expressed in his Journal: "Many mourned before God, and many were comforted" (April 1756); "It was, as usual, a time of remarkable blessing" (October 1765). "It was an occasion for a variety of spiritual experiences ... I do not know that ever we had a greater blessing. Afterwards many desired to return thanks, either for a sense of pardon, for full salvation, or for a fresh manifestation of His graces, healing all their backslidings" (January 1, 1775). In London these services were usually held on New Year's Day. Around the country the Covenant Service was conducted whenever John Wesley visited the Methodist Societies.

After the time of Wesley several versions of the Covenant Service were developed, gradually giving Wesley's material less place in the total service. The present service follows our Basic Pattern of worship, enables the congregation to participate more fully, and updates language. Most significant, the liturgy beginning with the Invitation is taken directly from Wesley's service of 1780.

The heart of the service, focused in the Covenant Prayer, requires persons to commit themselves to God. This covenant is serious and assumes adequate preparation for and continual response to the covenant. Leaders of worship must take seriously the need to prepare the congregation for this service, possibly through study sessions and prayer.

The leaders must also assume responsibility to assist persons to be faithful to the covenant, possibly through meetings for spiritual discipline.
The Covenant Service is most commonly held on New Year's Eve or Day and therefore is sometimes called a Watch Night Service. Historically, a Watch Night Service would be three hours or longer, including readings from Scripture and hymn singing. This Covenant Service would also be appropriate on one of the Sundays After the Epiphany, during Lent, on a church anniversary, or during a revival or preaching mission. Ideally, the service should be used only once a year on the same Sunday. Red is an appropriate color for paraments and vestments.

If you want more information on this service and would like to celebrate it yourself on New Year’s Day or share it with your family, CLICK HERE.

The 2023 Children's Celebration of Christmas was a big success due to your help and participation. We gifted 80 children from our community with a hot meal, photos with Santa, a nativity-based program, gifts, and filled stockings, and we sent home boxes of food and the ‘red bags.’   We fed at least 160 guests and several dozen worker/servants.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your hard work and support.  It was amazing!  Many Holy Moments filled our lives and our hearts.

As I read Holy Moments by Matthew Kelly, I have reflected on the Holy Moments in my life, those in which I have engaged as well as those I have missed.  It is amazing to think about all the small opportunities we have that can make a difference in the lives of others and in ourselves.  When I joined RUMC, I was deeply aware of the church’s commitment to missions at home and abroad.  As a retired educator, I was particularly interested in the Nourishing Children in Catoosa (NCIC) program. 

Many people may not realize that 41% of people in our region who are food insecure are children. As of September 2023, 54.9% of children in Catoosa County Schools qualified for free/reduced lunches. In light of these statistics, it is easy to see how something as simple as packing a snack pack can impact the lives of so many children. NCIC offers an opportunity for us to engage in a Holy Moment as we serve the children in our community.

For me, NCIC was a way to serve. Each week volunteers from our church and community join to pack approximately 1700 snack packs, which are distributed to 13 schools in Catoosa County.  These snack packs contain 7 nutritionally balanced food items to support children during the weekend. 

We meet every Monday during the school year to pack snack packs.  You can be a part of this ministry by volunteering or by donating.  Currently, our costs are approximately $10,000.00-$13,000.00 a month. Together we can make a difference.

As 2024 begins, what will be your Holy Moments? Which ones will you seize?  There are so many opportunities in our church and community to impact others. What is the good you can do?

If you would like more information about NCIC, please contact Janet Cumbee at cumbeejanet@gmail.com.

The next Supper with Sally will be on January 7th at 5:00 p.m. in the gym of RUMC. Teresa Duzan will prepare lasagna and alfredo. This is a RE-GIFTING white elephant event. All ladies are invited to attend.

Watch for two new ministry opportunities coming in the new year.  The first is Faith Works.  This will be an opportunity for hands-on mission and ministry work right here close to home.  Details are being worked out.  Our efforts around the world are wonderful testimonies to God's love, but let's be sure we also focus on finding the needs closer to home and doing what we can to be God's hands and feet at home as well.

The second new ministry opportunity is called 'Friends at Home."  This is something of which every person/family can be a part.  We have several members who are no longer able to attend in person worship and we want them to know they are still important to us.  While final details are still being worked out, this will likely involve you or your family being matched with one of our friends at home and contacting them two times a month (maybe one visit, one phone call).  This can be a ministry that deeply touches our friends at home as well as all those who participate in the ministry.  Watch for more details and let Sally know if you are interested in being a part of this great opportunity for ministry.

Ministry isn’t just a clergy endeavor; all Christians are called to serve! But you don’t have to preach a sermon to be an integral part of the church. Lay people serve on the front line of evangelical living on many levels. Let RUMC help you explore and discover your unique call in serving God, helping your neighbor, and strengthening the local and worldwide church with the Lay Servant Ministries Basic Course. This proven 5 Sunday evening study is for everyone, college age through senior adult, who wants to learn more about United Methodism and how to better serve God through leadership, communication, and service to others.

A new series will begin January 21st from 5 – 6:30 PM.

Call Marty at 423-227-7209 or email marty@ringgoldumc.org by January 7th to reserve a seat. We will order your study guide for you for only $11.00 and deliver it to you one week before the first Sunday session.

Our next 49er’s meeting will be January 9th at 1:00 PM at Fiesta Mexican Restaurant, 110 Kristin Drive, Ringgold, GA.

RSVP Kay Harrell.  423-504-2737.

New Year’s Eve Morning Service
10 AM Combined Service

Supper with Sally
January 7th, 5 PM

49er’s 
January 9th, 1:00 PM Fiesta Mexicana

Growing Stronger Exercise for Older Adults
Tuesdays/Thursdays 10-11 AM, RUMC gym

Recovery @ Ringgold
Thursdays at 6:30 PM in the MPR

RUMC Quilters
Thursdays at 8:30 AM - 2 PM, Room B-8

Sew What?
2nd and 4th Mondays at 10 AM, Room B-2

Women in Faith
3rd Friday of the Month, 1:00. Room B-10

General Budget
Full Year Budget: $610,500
Budgeted in November: $50,875
Received in November: $37,207
Spent in November: $48,801
Budgeted November YTD: $569,281
Received November YTD: $475,636
Spent November YTD: $552,311
 
Mortgage Payment
Mortgage balance: Zero!

In Person :
9 AM: 100
11 AM: 78
 
Online:
9 AM: 48
11 AM: 26

Building Fund
In Memory of Herman Rieben by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

In Honor of Joe & Barbara Barger by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

General Fund
In Memory of Dan Seaman by:
Carroll & Janet Cumbee

Recovery@Ringgold
In Memory of Tom McMillen by:
James & Karen Haddock

In Memory of Tim Clark by:
James & Karen Haddock

NCIC
In Honor of Ann McMillen by:
Carolyn Turner

Teachers Partnership
In Honor of Janet Cumbee by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

In Honor of Geraldine Winburn by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

In Honor of Kay Steele by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

In Honor of Cheryl Davis by:
Con & Beth Kellerhals

Benevolence
In Memory of Bobby Gordy by:
Jerry & Margaret Watkins

In Memory of Sam Dills by:
Jerry & Margaret Watkins

In Memory of Tom McMillen by:
Jerry & Margaret Watkins

In Memory of Tom McMillen by:
Porter & DeeDee Buff

In Honor of Ann McMillen & Family by:
Porter & DeeDee Buff

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

Chris Bryant, Senior Pastor
Sally Ensley, Minister of Care
Britta Alton, 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