The Trinity Torch Pastor: Rev. Stuart Albee, pastortumc2@embarqmail.com

Administrative Assistant: Donna Lowery

Financial Secretary: Jim “Chip” McKenna

Director of Music: Jerry Long aijhlong@embarqmail.com

Director of Youth: Amy Brown amybrowntumc@gmail.com

Director of Children: Jennifer McHan jennifermchantumc@gmail.com

Custodian: Tim Cansler

Office e-mail: trinity8888@embarqmail.com Office Phone: (423) 638-7521

Trinity Library: tumclibrary@embarqmail.com Web Page: www.trinity-um-church.org

DECEMBER

2012

Pastor’s Remarks

SOME REALITIES… The year of 2012 is quickly coming to an end and it is important for our congregation to be aware of some harsh realities

with regard to church finances. Contributions to the church in 2012 have been well short of what was anticipated in our

budget of $357,342.00. At the end of the month of November, total contributions to the general fund of the church in

2012 have been $263,467.00. Since contributions were not sufficient for the first nine months of the year, spending far

exceeded income. In October, a freeze on virtually all discretionary spending was implemented by the Finance Commit-

tee. Even our denominational obligations were deemed “discretionary” and no payments have been made to our Confer-

ence Fair Share since August. As we begin December, $7,155.00 is due on our Conference Fair-Share and another pay-

ment for the month of December will be due shortly after the first of the year.

To help address the problem, the Church Budget has been reduced by 9% to $325,338.00 for 2013. Most of the

reduction was made in payroll expenses, but even that will not be enough if contributions do not significantly increase.

On the positive side, approximately $4,100 was raised through your support of our Breakfast and Silent Auction. All of

the proceeds from this will go to our general fund. You might also want to know that through your generosity, we have

contributed $7,165 to various mission and outreach ministries.

We ask that each person consider a tithe(10%) of their income as a guideline for contributions to the church. Did you

know that if everyone tithed, we would have no financial shortfall? If you are behind in your tithe or even on what you

had planned to give, December will be an excellent time to catch up. An excellent December, financially speaking, will

go a long way in replacing our much depleted reserves and getting caught back up in our denominational obligations.

…BUT A GREATER REALITY It was into a world of harsh realities that God came over 2000 years ago. It was a world filled with poverty, disease,

financial challenges that He visited. He became flesh and lived among us for a while. He was totally involved in our

world and was truly “God with us”- Emmanuel. I am glad that this greater reality is what we celebrate this season. I

believe that it was Dr. E. Stanley Jones who remarked many years ago that whenever he was surrounded with frustrated,

desperate people saying “look what the world has come to”- he always replied “Look what has come into the world.”

Church budgets and shortfalls can be a source of frustration and a distraction, so I am glad we can look to the One who

has come to our world- Emmanuel, God with us. Pastor Stuart

________________________________________________________________________________________

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE- through November 26 We are grateful for your participation in Stewardship Sunday. If you were not able to be present in worship on November 18,

or have not returned your stewardship materials for other reasons, please return them to the church office by the end of the year.

To date we have received Commitment Forms from 65 youth adults and children acknowledging their commitment to uphold

our church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Further, we have received Estimate of Giving Cards from

59 households (so far) estimating that they will contribute $198,984.00 to our church in 2013.

This compares to 64 cards received last year totaling $211,041.00 in contributions.

Please keep those cards and forms coming in!

Prayer List DECEMBER 2012

For Our Armed Forces Kenneth Kelley Jay Burns Brian Benton Jamie Moseley

John Penland Joseph D. Carson

Justin Walter Steven Ayers

Thomas White David Jones

Steven Sams Stanley Keselicka

Clay Yancey Jackson Jeter

Josh Baker

For Trinity Members & Constituents

Helen Jeffers Terry Miles Frances Million

Eric Waldroup Will Waldroup Patsy Dority

Charles Fisher

For Family Members & Friends Susan Crum Vance Rev. Jim Dougherty

Bobby George Martha Reynolds Karen Johnson

Joann Cooper Betty Bradley Cori Killion

Everette Duncan Leslie Whitson Ray Morrison

Elizabeth Bennettt Mark Douthat Jill Parker

Bob Greer Revis Blakeney

Church in Mission Fran Lynch Baxter-Willow, AK

Steve Geegbe/Richard Tefley - Home in Liberia

For the Persecuted Church around the world.

For the Ministry of Our Church, Its Leaders,

Pastor Albee & Staff.

For Our Known Bereaved

The Family of Ken Foster

Healing Needed from Cancer

Ronnie Hooten Ed Stalcup

Hugh Wells Benny Goodwin

Karen Broyles Payne Earnestine Gray

Albert Rasnake Victor Knapp

Carl Lacher Bill Ward

Rick Felton Stanton Whittaker

Richard Arwood Charlotte Nicodemas

Roger Solomon Jimmy Carter

Viola Rollins Jerry Hackney

Evelyn Blake Michael Renfro

Patty Guinn Max Cox

Darnell Marie Barker Alan Eldridge

Billy Kelton Avery Armstrong

Edna Cutshaw David Lamons

Hugh Allen Shipley Danny Starnes

Teresa Krause Jewell Hughes

Becky Monk James Boles, Jr.

Brenda Loveday Families and Caregivers of those with cancer

For Our Nursing Home &

Assisted Living Members: Helen Phillips Anna Belle Hankins

Beryl Smith Mabel Philbeck

Iva Walker Carolyn Tilson Frances Million

For Our Homebound Members: Bobby George Kitty Knittel Belva Drake Faye Reynolds

Norma Cureton Virgie Gray

Doc Dowden Patsy Reynolds Helen Jeffers Mildred Wallin

2012-13 Brooks Scholarship Recipients

We congratulate the following students who received scholarships

from the Buel & Mildred Brooks Bequest for 2012-13!

George Blalock: Tusculum College

Molly Kate Brannock: Milligan College

Mark Edwards: Carson-Newman College

Katie Fields: East Tennessee State University

Becka Gregory: Tennessee Tech University

Allison Marie Hall: Tusculum College

Tammy Knapp: East Tennessee State University

Hannah Mae Lowery: Walters State Community College

Mary Ann Murphy: The University of Tennessee

Ian Sayler: Vanderbilt University

Seth Sayler: Mars Hill College

Betsy Shaw: East Tennessee State University ____________________________________________________________________________

BROOKS BEQUEST NEWS

Scholarship applications for 2013-2014 are now available on line.

The application may only be accessed on the

Trinity website: www.trinity-um-church.org

The deadline for the scholarship applications is February 15, 2013.

And the Word became flesh

and lived among us, and we

have seen His glory, the glory

as of a father’s only son, full

of grace and truth. John 1:14

DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday Jesus!

12/03 Brabson Gregg

12/03 Sue Rollins

12/04 Meredith Miles

12/04 Rita Garland

12/04 Tammy Street

12/05 Margaret Edwards

12/05 Terran Ayers

12/06 Faith McDonald

12/06 Mary Ann Ritter

12/06 Samuel R. Jones

12/07 Chris Horner

12/07 Cheryl Bounds

12/08 Barbara Sell

12/08 Robin Edwards

12/09 Jessica Freshour

12/11 Chris Thorpe

12/11 Kathy Myers

12/12 Lucille Cutshaw

12/13 Joan Cook

12/13 Patricia Reynolds

12/14 Ken Miller

12/15 Rick Wills

12/15 Tracie Wilhoit

12/16 Paul Moore

12/16 Jennifer McHan

12/18 Donna Lowery

12/18 Caitlin McHan

12/21 Annetta Long

12/22 Carmen Gamble

12/22 Tonia Harmon

12/23 Emalee Gross

12/23 LeRoy Moon

12/23 Pat Rotan

12/23 Todd Wilhoit

12/23 Holly Hope

12/24 Ricky Paxton

12/25 Bart Gregg

12/26 Larry Neas

12/27 Amy Barham

12/27 Gracie Moore

12/27 Peggy Byrd

12/27 Revis Blakeney

12/28 Logan Sluder

12/28 Star McHan

12/28 Tiffany Walker

12/28 Grady Reed

12/29 Angel Carter

12/29 Tyler Miles

12/30 Gregg Sayler

12/31 Jaxon McHan

DECEMBER YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Amy Brown - Youth Director

During the Month of December we are asking you, our

church family if you will help us help a family in need.

Starting November 28 we will have our angel tree up in

the Large fellowship hall near the office. Please select an

ornament off the tree and buy that gift, wrap it and

return it to the church by December 16. Thank you!!

December 2: We will have a regular youth meeting. We will

finish our series "Dug Down Deep."

December 5: Come out and support the Hanging of the Greens

on Wonderful Wednesday!!

December 9: Youth Council Meeting @ 5:00, Samson House.

We will be having our Youth Christmas Party @ 6:00!!!

December 12: Come and support the children as they perform a

musical concert.

December 16: NO YOUTH

December 19: We will be delivering our Angel Tree gifts to our

family. We will have a pizza party afterwards. Be at the church

by 5:30.

December 26: No Wonderful Wednesday

December 30: A fun outing will be planned!!!

All details are TBD.

DECEMBER CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES:

Jennifer McHan

Children’s Director

DECEMBER 5-

“Hanging of the Greens”

The Children will hang the Chrismons in the Sanctuary.

DECEMBER 9 @ 4:00

last practice for our children's program

DECEMBER 12 @ 6:30

Children's Program and the last Wonderful Wednesday

until January 9.

Wishing you all a blessed and very Merry Christmas!

The Pastor’s Village

By David Veley

Mark Your Calendar!

This year’s Christmas music is

Journey of Promise

Presentation Date: December 16

th 9:30am with

Chancel Choir Orchestra and Handbells

Please bring a friend!

December 2012 Departure My last worship leadership among you will be the Christmas Eve services this year. Annetta and I are at the same time looking forward to ‘real re-tirement’ yet knowing we will miss our moments with the TUMC family.

To all musicians and a wonderful congregation,

‘Thanks for the memories!’

Jerry & Annetta Long

Trinity United Methodist Church 524 Tusculum Boulevard Greeneville, TN 37745

RETURN SERVICE

REQUESTED

2 0 1 2

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Greeneville, TN 37745

PERMIT 135

On Friday Evening, December 7

the ECHOES group will be having their

Monthly Dinner Meeting & Program @ 5:30, SFH.

MENU: Baked Ham, Green Beans, Slaw, Desserts,

Tea & Coffee

R.S.V.P w/ Lucille Cutshaw

Entertainment: Tommy Collins

_______________________________________________

Monthly Item Trinity’s Food Bank item being collected during

December is MACARONI & CHEESE

Donations can be placed in the cardboard boxes provided in either the Large Fellowship Hall or the Old Narthex outside the Sanctuary.

Pick up will be January 6, 2013.

UMW News Ruth Group Christmas Party - December 10 @ 6:45, SFH

(Please Bring a Finger Food) Hostesses: Georgia Lister & Nancy Chandler ; Speaker: Bette Dowd

Shalom - December 11 @ 6:00, Debbie Oldenberg’s Home Maude Landmesser - December 13 @ 11:00, Ellen Boles' Home

________________________________________________

LISTER CIRCLE News Lister Circle meets Wed. Dec. 5 & 12 at 5:10

in the junior high room. (All junior high, senior high and college aged girls welcomed.)

Lister Circle will resume Jan. 9th

______________________________________________ Crusaders Class Christmas Party - Dec. 9 @ 5:30, SFH/K

_______________________________________________________

Beacon Light Journey Christmas Party - Dec. 15, SFH/K

____________________________________________________ If you would like to receive the Torch Newsletter by email only,

please email the church office with your request.

Instead of ordering a number of poinsettias for individuals to take home,

this year we will adorn the altar Sunday, December 23rd with a

Poinsettia Arrangement in memory or honor of our friends and loved ones.

Please give as you are able. All proceeds will go to the Worship Committee/Altar Guild for future projects.

Thank you for your participation in making our church beautiful this time of year.

In Memory of: In Honor of: Given by:

Please have all your lists in by Monday, 4pm, December 17, 2012 to allow for publishing time. (Make checks payable to Trinity UMC & in the memo line please write Altar Poinsettias.) Many Blessings.