The Vine - News Blog

Grief Support Group: February 25 Through April 1

 
A six-week Grief Support Group will meet Wednesdays, February 25 through April 1, 2015 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in Room 212. This group is designed to provide individuals who have lost loved ones with a comfortable environment to express their thoughts and feelings regarding their loss, find a sense of hope for the future, and equip them with the tools to help others.
 

Through group discussion, prayer, Bible study, and journaling, the participants examine a variety of factors that play a role in blocking their ability to adequately grieve. For more details, contact Melissa Austin-Weeks.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Place to Belong: “Year of Biblical Womanhood” Study Feb. 26 - May 21

Place to Belong (Arborlawn’s study and fellowship group for women who worship alone) is studying Rachel Held Evans’ “Year of Biblical Womanhood” February 26 through May 21. The group meets Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in Room 214. For more details on Place to Belong, contact Bette West.
 

Strong-willed and independent, Rachel Held Evans couldn’t sew a button on a blouse before she embarked on a radical life experiment – a year of biblical womanhood. Intrigued by the traditionalist resurgence that led many of her friends to abandon their careers to assume traditional gender roles in the home, Evans decides to try it for herself, vowing to take all of the Bible’s instructions for women as literally as possible for a year.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Children’s Music Experience: Sunday Evenings 5:00-6:00 p.m.

 
Children’s Music Experience (for kids in 1st through 5th grades) meets on Sundays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Room S-18 in the SAM Building (the Handbell Room).
 

This program is an exciting time of singing, handbells, instruments, and acting. C.M.E. is taught by Karen Gossett and Jerry Westenkuehler. Join us for the fun, fellowship, and learning!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Church Family Missions Day: Kids Against Hunger, Sunday, February 15; All Ages Welcome and Encouraged to Participate

 
Our next Family Missions Day will be held on Sunday morning February 15. All ages will be gathering together and working side-by-side as we prepare “meals in a bag” for the worldwide mission Kids Against Hunger. This missions service opportunity is for the entire church family at Arborlawn, so please consider joining in this fun and rewarding effort.
 

The three shifts on February 15 are 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., and the assembly lines will be in the Family Life Center. Some Sunday School classes have already signed up to participate, and we encourage other classes, small groups, and gatherings of friends to join us as we participate together as a congregation to answer Christ's call to serve in mission together.
 
It’s important for us to know how much food to order, so please register in advance if you want to participate. Look for signup sheets at the Connection Center in the Lower Commons outside the Sanctuary between worship services. If you cannot signup at the Connection Center, please email Donna Crawford with your shift preference to get your name on the list; or let her know if you have any questions about this mission project.
 
The bags we will be packing contain a variety of dry ingredients that are eventually mixed with boiling water to provide a nutritious meal. While many of the meals are shipped overseas, some groups in our own area are also recipients. This mission event is about providing finished bags to the Kids Against Hunger organization.
 
As a part of this mission we are also raising money for Kids Against Hunger by collecting quarters in an effort called Change for Change. We're intentional about quarters, because each of these meals costs a total of only 25 cents! Our goal on February 15 is to pack 12,000 bags, so that comes to $3000 we are hoping to raise.
 
Thank you in advance for working together to feed the hungry!

Arborlawn Welcomes New Preschool Director, Kathy Wymer

 
Arborlawn Children's Ministry is pleased to announce our new Preschool Director, Kathy Wymer.
 

Kathy is currently the Director of Camp Fire Child Development Center. Kathy graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Elementary Education with a Kindergarten Endorsement and Math Specialization. Kathy served as a preschool assistant director and later started a private church preschool. She also has worked as the director of a specialized non-profit preschool for children with hearing impairments. Kathy was named as the 2014 Administrator of the Year for the DFW area. Arborlawn is so pleased to have Kathy start our new preschool.
 
Please look for more details about the preschool and when you can register coming next week.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Connecting With Arborlawn: February 8, 15, and 22

 
Guests, please join us for Connecting With Arborlawn Sundays, February 8, 15, and 22 from 9:50-10:40 a.m. in the Gathering Area outside the Family Life Center. During these three weeks we spend time getting to know one another, sharing our stories, offering a background of Arborlawn and the United Methodist Church, and helping you to find points of connection to spiritual growth, service, and fellowship. Come and meet our clergy Ben Disney, DeAndrea Dare, Bayard Pratt, Dave Brower, and Verne Fuqua.
 

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ArborlawnUMC.org

Revelation: Bible Study Class

 
From Anton Jacobs: The Bible Study Class has started a study of Revelation, so why not come and join us? Our teacher, Ken Bittiker, has spent two weeks making an introduction to the last book of the Bible. The class meets Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 270. The class has a bridge group and a “42” group that meets monthly. We have a class party at least once every six months. The class has supported the Snack Sacks program monthly for over ten years and also supports other local outreach programs. Come and join us on Sundays for a Revelation.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Seek God for the City 2015: Lenten Devotionals from the Prayer Ministry

 
Arborlawn’s Prayer Ministry invites and encourages everyone to participate in the annual Seek God for the City Lenten devotional series.
 

Booklets are provided free of charge; a gift to the congregation from the Prayer Ministry. Look for them at the Welcome Kiosks and in the church office. Read more about Seek God for the City at Waymakers.org. This year's theme is “Prayers of Biblical Hope.”
 
You might also be interested in the smart phone app for this project. It’s available in both Apple’s App Store and from Google Play and costs $0.99. Read more at Waymakers.org/app. The app is great for those times when you're away from your booklet.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

The Ascension Garden Project

 
Raised to date: $210,779
Estimated goal: $400,000
 
The proposed Ascension Garden project of Arborlawn is a dedicated and sacred space connecting the main Sanctuary with the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel. The project will include a beautifully designed columbarium, prayer labyrinth, and meditative garden, and will feature the Resurrection stained glass window from the former Westcliff campus.
 

Many of you may know that our own Paula Thomas was the catalyst and driving force behind the effort to create the Ascension Garden. It was her vision and passion to create a sacred and beautiful space so generations of people would have a place to honor their loved ones, to draw closer to God, to deepen their walk with Christ through prayer, contemplation, and meditation, and to secure a place of peace and quiet while surrounded and strengthened by the visible reminders and symbols of our Christian faith.
 
Those of us who knew and loved Paula have committed ourselves to completing the good work that God began in her. We promised her we would. That means we have work to do and promises to keep.
 
To date we have raised $210,779 in gifts and pledges toward the completion of the project ($50,000 for Niche Reservations). The total cost of the Ascension Garden project is estimated to be $400,000. If you wish to contribute to the general Ascension Garden fund, make a tribute gift (potential naming opportunity), reserve a columbarium niche, or if you would like additional information please contact the church office or speak with Kelly Keller or Ben Disney.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Kids Hope: One Hour a Week for Something Amazing

 
Do you have an hour a week for something amazing?
 
My name is Megan Madewell and I have been a part of Arborlawn UMC for many years. In fact, Ben Disney married my husband and me. He also baptized both our children. When I was sitting in church one Sunday morning, I heard Dave share Kim’s story about Kids Hope. It definitely got my wheels turning. I prayed about it and then I remember thinking, “I am not religious enough to help someone.” “How would I have time for that?” Or, “I am not old enough to have such wisdom that a child would need.” Then I heard from God, “You can do this.”
 

Fast forward and it’s now the second part of the school year and I have been meeting with my Kids Hope boy since September. I go the same time and the day of every week. We usually go outside and get the wiggles out and then our time seems to go so quickly. Week after week I look forward to seeing him. I have been feeling for some time now that I am not making a difference to him. Sure he likes to see me and we have a great time, but I didn’t feel like he cared if I was there or not.
 
Something was different last week. I went to the office to get him. He came down the hall, he saw me, his eye lit up, and he started smiling. I started waving to him. He came right up to me and gave me this incredible hug, which is something that he has never done. Then he grabbed my hand and said, “Let’s go.” On the way to our room, he looks at me and says, “I missed you.” My heart is full, and I then realized he changed me.  
 
That’s all it took. One hour a week.
 
[Editor's Note: If you are interested in becoming a Kids Hope mentor, please contact Laurie Ryan or Shirley Watkins.]
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Family Missions Day: Kids Against Hunger, Sunday, February 15; All Ages Welcome and Encouraged to Participate

 
Our next Family Missions Day will be held on Sunday morning February 15. All ages will be gathering together and working side-by-side as we prepare “meals in a bag” for the mission Kids Against Hunger. (You might remember this was one of the missions projects we worked on as part of the CTC Annual Conference held here in June 2013.) We encourage all individuals, families, and Sunday School classes to participate as we come together as a congregation to answer Christ’s call and serve in mission together.
 

It is important that we know how many people will be working on this project so we know how much food to order for the assembly line process. Look for signup sheets at the Connection Center in the Lower Commons starting Sunday, January 25. There will be two shifts on the morning of February 15, and each will last about an hour. Your efforts in this Family Missions Day project will provide low-cost meals for thousands of people at a cost of about 25 cents per meal. Thank you in advance for working together to feed the hungry!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Fellowship Class: “Sacred Parenting”

 
The Fellowship Sunday School Class is studying "Sacred Parenting" by Gary Thomas on Sunday mornings. What if one of God’s goals for you as a parent isn’t about raising perfect children, but about you becoming more holy?
 

This study will help you and your children grow closer to Christ as you learn to: freely enjoy your kids for who they are; reduce the pressure for your kids to turn out perfect; manage negative responses toward your child’s behavior; and increase your sense of worth as a parent. Fellowship Class meets at 9:45 a.m. Sundays in the Worship Center.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

UMW General Meeting February 3; Rev. Ben Disney Speaking

 
The Arborlawn United Methodist Women group will meet on Tuesday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. in the Worship Center for a program and business meeting. The speaker for this meeting is Rev. Ben Disney who will be discussing "Arborlawn: A Missional Church."
 

The mission emphasis for February is UMCOR with financial gifts to UMCOR appreciated. Lunch ($5 each) of taco salads and desserts follows in the Gathering Area, hosted by members of Jeanne Ntambo Circle.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

United Methodist Women Circles: Fellowship, Study, Mission

 
Arborlawn’s United Methodist Women group meets monthly (except during the summer months) for its general meeting (see notice for the February meeting in this issue). The UMW also has several small groups called Circles which also meet during the school year.
 
The UMW organization is organized for the purpose of reaching out to those of God’s children who are hurting in some way, and the Circles help focus this effort through Fellowship, Study, and Mission.
 
Fellowship: It is easier to get to know people in smaller groups, and the circles are organized to do this. Individual needs are better known and addressed in a small group. For example, the Circles often provide meals for members when they have health issues or other needs.
 
Study: As important as it is to care for Circle members, the small groups also try to gain a wider vision of needs through studies. The national UMW organization provides study material in three categories: Spiritual Growth, Social Issues, and Geographical. Last year's Geographical study was on the Roma of Europe. Next year it will be on Latin America. Understanding of different cultures equips UMW members to help in a meaningful way. This year's Spiritual Growth study is called “How Is It With Your Soul?” and is aimed at deepening the spiritual base of the participants. The Social Issues study this year is “The Church and Those With Disabilities.”
 
Mission: Members of various UMW Circles participate in a variety of hands-on missions activities with existing missions at Arborlawn (such as packing Snack Sacks) and providing funds for specific missionaries.
 
[Editor’s Note: This article is adapted from a talk presented during the recent Cynthia Ceballos Circle meeting.]
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Arborlawn Children Collecting for Souper Bowl of Caring on Sunday, February 1; WestAid Seeking Food Donations

 
Kids from Arborlawn’s Children’s Ministries will be collecting money once again this year for Souper Bowl of Caring. Look for them in the Lower Commons on Sunday, February 1 after each service. They will have collection soup pots, and donated funds go directly to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
 

Each year on Super Bowl Sunday many churches collect money to help local food banks. Last year Arborlawn Kids collected $460. Thank you so much for your support of this worthy cause!
 
Also, our friends at WestAid are having a Souper Bowl of Caring drive this year. If you are interested in donating, they are looking for macaroni and cheese, cornbread mix, canned pasta, canned pork and beans, and dried ramen soups. Please bring your WestAid donations to Room 230 (adjacent to the kitchen).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

KinderConcerts: “My Many Colored Days” Friday, February 20

 
Enjoy our annual KinderConcerts Friday, February 20 at 9:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Fort Worth Symphony (conducted by Daniel Black) joins with Kids Who Care in exploring the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss’ “My Many Colored Days” and the way feelings are expressed through music and colors.
 

KinderConcerts are approximately 35 minutes and are appropriate for children ages 3 through 6. Tickets are $5 per person and are available online or by calling the Fort Worth Symphony Box Office at 817-665-6000.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Merrymakers: Potluck Wednesday, January 28; Bingo Saturday, January 31

Merrymakers (Arborlawn's Seniors Group) is holding its next 4th Wednesday potluck luncheon on January 28 at 12:00 p.m. in the SAM Building. Come join the fellowship, and stay for games afterward. For more details, contact Marilyn Anderson.
 
The group is playing Bingo on Saturday, January 31 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the SAM Building. Enjoy popcorn, cookies, and lemonade. Prizes will be awarded, including the grand prize of two movie tickets. Please bring a friend. For more details, contact Janet Roberson.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Samaritan House Supper Club 2015: Service Opportunities Remain for Classes and Small Groups

 
We continue to seek Sunday School classes and other small groups as we strive to meet our commitment of service to the Samaritan House Supper Club for 2015. In this mission, the groups prepare and serve dinner on a specific night to residents of the Samaritan House. Arborlawn has volunteered to serve the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. Of the available months for the fourth Thursdays, only June and October remain uncommitted. The second Thursdays of April, June, July, August, September, October and December are available for service.
 

A special thanks goes to the following classes and groups who have volunteered so far: Sojourners, Fellowship, New Hope, Friendship, Ben Feemster New Testament, Cornerstone, Faith Bible, Beyond 90 Days, Women of the Word (WoW), and the Missions Team.
 
For us to meet our commitment for this year we are asking groups to serve twice if at all possible. Sojourners, Friendship, and the Missions Team have already volunteered to be of service twice. Please give this your prayerful consideration as we all want to be a part of Arborlawn's missional outreach. For more details on how your class or group can serve, contact Don Pope (donpopett@aol.com).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Fellowship Class: “Sacred Parenting”

 
The Fellowship Sunday School Class is going through the “Sacred Parenting” Bible study. What if one of God’s goals for you as a parent isn’t about raising perfect children, but about you becoming more holy? 
 

Come join the Fellowship Class as we discuss “Sacred Parenting” by Gary Thomas. This DVD-based Bible study will help you and your children grow closer to Christ as you learn to: freely enjoy your kids for who they are; reduce the pressure for your kids to turn out perfect; manage negative responses toward your child’s behavior; and increase your sense of worth as a parent. Fellowship Class meets at 9:45 a.m. Sundays in the Worship Center.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Pastors' Bible Study: “Lost and Found”

From the Lost and Found Department of the Bible:
Surprising Stories of Loss and Redemption
 
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) transports millions of passengers each year through New York City’s expansive bus, train, and subway system. In their rush to reach their destinations travelers often leave things behind. A lot of things. On any given day there are approximately 150,000 to 200,000 items in the Lost and Found inventory. On a typical day in July 2014 the lost and found items included 147 bicycles, 370 personal diaries, 67 airline tickets, 23 saxophones, and 19 death certificates.
 

The Bible has its own collection of Lost and Found stories. Stories of lost hope, lost causes, lost health, and lost people. But also stories of people finding their way, finding new hope, and reclaiming what they thought was lost forever. Join us for this tour of the Bible’s Lost and Found Department. The series is offered on Wednesday evenings through February 11 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and Thursday mornings through February 19 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org