CONNECTIONS
UPUMC
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia, Wednesday, December 21, 6:30pm, Errol Stephenson Hall.
• Caroling and Cocoa, Thursday, December 22, 6pm.
• Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 11pm, December 24.
• Christmas Morning Lessons and Carols, Rev. Dick Burden, 10am, December 25.
• No children’s Sunday School on December 25 or January 1.
• No Supper and Movie on Wednesday, December 27.
• New Year’s Day Food and Games, Sunday, January 1, Noon, Errol Stephenson Hall.

THE LARGER CHURCH
• Metro District Leadership Event, Saturday, January 21, 9am-3pm, Portland First UMC, 1838 SW Jefferson.

THE COMMUNITY
• Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Holiday Serenade, Sunday, December 18 at 2pm. Kaul Auditorium at Reed College. Call 503-226-2588 or www.pdxgmc.org for more information.
• Portsmouth Neighborhood Association Forum, Tuesday, January 3, 7pm, Columbia Cottage.

FUTURE EVENTS, FOR YOUR CALENDAR
WEEKLY AT UPUMC
• Choir practices Sundays at 9:30am, Tuesdays at 6:00pm, Sanctuary.
• Men’s Group, Tuesdays, 10am, Narthex.
• Alcoholics Anonymous, Narthex, Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays at 8pm, weekly.
• Morrison Child and Family Center, Wednesdays, 4-6, weekly.
• Supper and Movie, Joan of Arcadia episodes, Wednesdays, 6:30pm, weekly.
• Overeaters Anonymous, Wednesdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 3pm.

THE NURSERY IS STAFFED DURING WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN SCHOOL AGE.

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN ARE INVITED INTO THE SANCTUARY UNTIL THE PASSING OF THE PEACE; THEN THEY GO TO SUNDAY SCHOOL.

CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Plan to go Christmas caroling on Thursday, December 22. We will gather in Errol Stephenson hall at 6pm for a simple chili dinner, travel to 4 or 5 homes of members in North Portland to carol, and return to Errol Stephenson Hall for cookies and cocoa. Bring your warm wraps, musical instruments or voices, and a love for singing together and plan to have a wonderful time. Please let Betty Cruson know [home phone is 503-735-2604] if you plan to attend.

CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
The songs of Christmas, classic and contemporary readings, a message of hope, and everyone gathered in candlelight to sing “Silent Night�, followed by fellowship, hot cider and holiday breads and treats—if this is your cherished ending to Christmas Eve, do join us at 11pm on December 24 in the sanctuary. Everyone is welcome to this service when we recognize and celebrate the rebirth of the Love of God amongst us.

JEANNE ON MEDICAL LEAVE
As most of you know, I injured my knee at church in August. I’ve been through a long process of physical therapy and orthopedic examinations, leading to the decision that I will be having surgery on Tuesday, December 27. The surgery will involve a long period of post-surgical rehabilitation, so I will not be able to serve as a church pastor during that time. The Staff Parish Relations Committee, which functions as the church personnel committee, has asked me to promise that I won’t return to regular work until I have been cleared to drive, work, and do steps. I will honor that promise.

I had thought that I would work until the time for surgery, but the knee pain has been growing much worse in recent weeks. Consequently, Marcia, the SPRC, and I have agreed that, as of Monday, December 12, 2005, Marcia has taken the role of full-time pastor and I am on medical leave.

I will not be preaching, attending meetings, participating in neighborhood activities or doing anything else that would cause pain. I hope to be able to attend worship and some Wednesday nights, using the church wheel chair for mobility and avoiding all stairs. I may continue to edit UP-words if I can do it from home. I will continue to stay in touch and care about what is going on for people, but I won’t be making appointments to meet people for consultation. My biggest job will to do every thing I can, including rest, to help my knee to heal well and effectively. I thank you all very much for your understanding and prayers.--Jeanne

WORD OF EDNA RIDDLE
Edna Riddle is continuing to recover from surgery after breaking her left hip on September 24. She has now been approved to use her walker on the rug floor in her room so she can make the trip to the bathroom by herself. She is lifting weights with her left leg to strengthen it. “It seems slow and pokey,� she says, “but the therapist says I’m getting better each week. Tell everybody ‘Hi’ for me.� She will see her orthopedist again on December 28. Edna is keeping her spirits up and enjoys visits and notes. You can reach her at Crestview Nursing, Room 64; 6530 SW 30th Ave.; Portland OR 97239; 503-892-3128.--Jeanne

WORD OF AN ATM SCAM
Jennifer Herbach sends word of a scam for taking ATM cards and pass words. The scammer inserts a thin piece of notched film into an ATM slot, taping it in place so that it is not visible from the outside, and then leaves the near vicinity of the ATM machine. When the next customer comes to use the machine, the slotted film catches the card so that it won’t eject after the transaction. At this point, the scammer comes nearby, sees the problem and offers to help, suggesting that the victim do different things, including entering his/her PIN, to make the card come out. Of course, none of the attempts are successful, at which point the customer might leave to go talk to the bank and the scammer quickly detaches the taped film loop and pulls it and the ATM card out of the ATM machine. A quick reinsertion, using the PIN number that the customer used in his/her presence, and the scammer walks away with cash taken from the victims account. Bottom line: if your card becomes stuck in an ATM machine, do not use your PIN number in the presence of someone who shows up to help.

SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
On Jan. 22, 2006, a Service of Prayer for Peace with Iraq, the first of five interfaith peace services, will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Avenue, Portland. The service is scheduled for 4 p m. Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and a number of peace fellowship groups in the Metro Area. For information, contact Augustana Lutheran at 503-288-6174 or EMO at 503-221-1054.


CARING ENOUGH TO INVITE
“Studies indicate that 80% of unchurched Americans say that no one has ever invited them to church. We may think we have invited them because we have signs outside our churches, we have ads in the yellow pages, and we may even send flyers around the community. But unchurched people say that no one has cared enough to invite them personally. Over half of those unchurched Americans say that if someone ever did invite them, then they would probably go to church.� – Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Indiana Area, United Methodist Church.

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