Altar Flowers This Week
The altar flowers are given in honor of Bill and Jane Preskenis for their wonderful care of SUM’s entry drive garden!
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Combined Worship Service and Church Council Meeting - This Sun. Nov. 8th
Sun. Nov. 8th Combined Service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a church council meeting in Wesley Hall to review the Ministry Blueprint you received via email or pick up a hard copy on Sunday.
Ministry Blueprint Next Steps: Discussion Nov. 8th after the Combined Service. The Ministry Blueprint is the final product of the Understanding SUM Together Initiative begun in July. Based on members’ insights and input, that leadership team created a list of focal areas for the coming years. They fall under Organizational Structure & Decision-making, Financial Stability & Stewardship, and Intergenerational Belonging. Please help the Leadership Team select the first few focal areas from the longer list, to start on now.
There will be no church school on Sun. Nov. 8th
Please enjoy the special music featuring SUM Youth!
Pledge Update
As of Nov. 5, we have received 22 pledges with a total of $110,000 pledged. Please submit your 2027 pledge today!
Susannas Host Dementia Expert Tuesday
The Susannas will meet this Tues. Nov. 10th at 6:00 p.m. Our program “Understanding Dementia” will be led by Patty O’Brian who is a dementia specialist with the Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging. Please note we will be meeting in Wesley Hall, not the annex. The doors will be open at 5:50 p.m. Feel free to bring a friend!
Days for Girls Opportunity
DFG will meet this Sat. Nov. 14 from 9:00 a.m. - noon in the Annex. Come help girls around the world. There are plenty of tasks - some sewing, some non-sewing. If you have a favorite machine, bring it. Thanks!
Annual Church Conference
At Avon United Methodist Church Nov. 15th starting at 2:30 p.m. Members of the churches in the Farmington River Cooperative Parish Council are invited for fellowship (2:30 p.m.) and worship with District Supervisor Heather Sinclair (3:00 p.m.). Then each church will separately conduct important business at their Church Conference. Avon United Methodist Church is located at 867 West Avon Rd, Avon, CT.
SUM Fall Clean Up: November 21st, 8:00 a.m. -Noon (Rescheduled from Nov. 7 due to weather)
Join us for a time of fellowship and service as we work together to clean up the exterior of our SUM campus. It is a wonderful opportunity to connect with one another while caring for our shared space. We'll be raking up leaves and cleaning garden spaces. Please bring gloves, a rake, a leaf blower if you have one, and dress for the weather.
Donuts, cider and coffee will be provided. If you have any questions please reach out to Cyndy Reynolds or John O'Neal.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
The Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service will be held at the Farmington Valley Jewish Congregation-Emek Shalo (55 Bushy Hill Road in Simsbury) on Sun. Nov. 22 at 6:00 p.m. Due to security concerns, you will need to sign up if you wish to attend. Please email or call the church office.
Christmas Celebration and Pageant
It’s that wonderful time of year again! We’re excited to announce our Annual Christmas Celebration and Pageant, and we would love for your children to be part of this special event. This year’s pageant will be held on Dec.6th after the 10:30 a.m. service. Rehearsals will be held during Sunday School time during the 10:30 a.m. services. Please contact Bridget Scarlato or Cheryl Langin for more information.
New Class Offering: Monday Discipleship Class with Susan Samuel & Tami Lepage
Nov 2nd through the 23rd in the Annex 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Join us as we study Common Ground by Amberly Neese. You will learn to live at peace with others even when you disagree, by studying biblical stories of rivalries. These stories point us to peace and reconciliation in all our relationships, reassuring us that it is possible to find common ground with everyone—despite our differences.
NEW Advent studies beginning soon
Advent Can Still Change the World by Josh Scott in the Monday Discipleship class with Lee McGivney Nov. 30 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. in the Annex. This four-week Advent study invites you into the historical and cultural world of the nativity narratives in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
To Live Again: An Advent Journey using the Christmas Classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ by Sheila Jacobs available in two time slots and two approaches:
Tuesday morning 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. starting Dec. 1 with Bruce Hale in the Annex (WITH BOOK) OR Wednesday 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. at DDD starting Dec. 2) with Eileen Brogan in the Annex (NO READING REQUIRED)
Accessibility Project
If you wish to make an “early bird” pledge toward this project, Trustees Chair Steve Langin would be happy to hear from you at your convenience: trustees@sumct.org. Details on the formal fund-raising campaign are being worked out.
Usher Team
Thank you to those people who have signed up to join the Usher Team!! We are always looking for more volunteers. The sign-up sheets will be on the front and back credenzas in the sanctuary and on the stage in Wesley Hall. If you have any questions about oining the Usher Team, please contact Jessica Bogdan or the church office. Thank You!
Acolyte Team
We had a wonderful Acolyte Team meeting and training! If you missed the meeting and would like to serve as an Acolyte for an upcoming Sunday, or if you have served as an Acolyte already and want to get the sign-up sheet for this year to chose your Sunday service, please reach out to Jessica Bogdan or the church office.
Praying for the Entire SUM Family
Each week, we will pray for members of our SUM community. This week, please pray for the following: The Driscoll Family: Beth, Katelyn, Meghan, John; The Shaw Family: Joyce and Russell; Shirley Droege; Patricia Dudley; Deborah Dunn.
The Prayer Chain is Ready for Your Requests:
In seasons of trial or uncertainty, please know that you don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Our Prayer Warriors are a dedicated team ready to lift your needs, heartaches, and joys before the Lord with care and confidentiality. Please email prayers@sumct.org with new requests and updates. We care about your journey. If your situation changes or you have a praise report to share, please let us know.
Upcoming Worship Schedule Nov. 15:
8:00 a.m. - Early Communion Service
9:00 a.m. - CAYA Come As You Are Service
10:30 a.m. - Traditional Worship Service