November 6 is All Saints Sunday. We remember members of Williams

Memorial UMC who have passed away this year. It is a beautiful service to celebrate all the company of saints of God.

If you have someone who should be listed and you have not been

contacted by the church, please call Amy Kirk.

Sherri Preaches at Cornerstone

Sunday, November 6 is also when I will preach at Cornerstone

Retirement Community. That service is at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel. This is one of the opportunities on the path of ordination for me.

Mission Trip with the Bishop

In October, I attended the Conference Mission trip with Bishop Janis Riggle Huie, the Cabinet, and all the other ordination candidates.

We worked for three days rebuilding four homes that were damaged in the last hurricane. It was a productive time, and a great chance to know those in clergy leadership in our conference.

Advent Begins

Sunday, November 27 is the beginning of Advent. We celebrate the waiting time to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus Christ anew in our hearts.

Hanging of the Greens

Sunday, December 4, we will celebrate Hanging of the Greens at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary.

This is a great family celebration as we prepare our worship spaces and our church family. It will be followed by a light reception in the parlor.

- Sherri Waters

Our Town is typically performed with little more than the cast on stage. David Zwirn, a DYT veteran, feels that this presents an interesting challenge. “You truly have to use your imagination. There are no props. There is no set. You really have to use your body and your face to convey all of what you are doing. It’s challenging, but it’s a good discipline to be able to have as an actor.”

The play will be performed in the Fellowship Hall of St. Luke’s, which is a small but friendly space. Action will take place in and among the audience, instead of on a stage from a distance. Howard Coley, a member of the DYT and of St. Luke’s, says “Our Town is a very traditional play, traditionally very popular, and the DYT is bringing something new to it, and that is an intimate experience. The audience won’t be a part of the play, but in another way they are, because the actors will be so close.”

The DYT is an outreach ministry run by Forrest Garrett, who is the pastor at St. Luke’s. “As we do more things like this youth theater here,” says Rev. Garrett, “we can reach out to the community surrounding St. Luke’s, which is a lot of families and children.”

Our Town will be the first official DYT production performed at St. Luke’s, although several members of the DYT were involved in a Holy Week dramatic presentation in the Spring. “This is our first experience of having a theater ministry in the church,” Howard Coley says. “I believe that the church members are excited and hoping to draw more people there to St. Luke’s, and hoping that this will serve as the outreach ministry that it is intended to be.”

The show times and ticket information for Our Town will be announced in the bulletins for the Sanctuary and Xperience services as well as in the Texarkana Gazette, so keep an eye out for your chance to see this production. More information will be available at the St. Luke’s office, (903) 793-3464.

I can’t wait until Kids Choirs start meeting again!! I have missed y’all this summer! Our first rehearsal will be Sunday, September 18.

Kids Choir meets during Alive @ Five, our children’s programming that takes place on most Sunday nights during the school year. If you have participated in past years, welcome back! If your family hasn’t joined choir before, then this is the year to begin! We have lots of super fun songs and movements to learn so that we can present them in worship services this fall.

If you have any questions about your child participating in children’s choirs at Willliams, please call me at 903-276-8576 or email me at amykirkmusic@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you! Also, if you would like to assist in the kids choir room, or start a new choir, I would love to help you do that! Call me!!

In His Love,

Amy Kirk

Choir practice is in session, and we are preparing for a special September 11 service. We will sing Mark Hayes “Te Deum” or “To God Be the Glory.” We will have instruments as well for this special service. We glorify God as we remember this day that tragedy struck America. We join with those around the world in worship during this day of remembrance and hope.

Back to Church Sunday

September 18 is National Back to Church Sunday, and we invite all prospective, former and current choir members to come Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. to prepare a fun piece for this great celebration. We will meet in the choir room.

Handbells

Wesley Ringers begin rehearsals Monday, September 12.

Christmas Cantata

Cantata rehearsals for Chancel Choir begin Wednesday, September 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the choir room. All are welcome. It is a great experience to sing during the Christmas season. The cantata will be sung December 11 at both 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. services in the Sanctuary.

On Sunday, June 19 at 5:00 we kick off camp with a concert from Zambian Vocal Group.

Monday through Wednesday kids will participate in crafts, drum lessons, and African dance.

Times are 11:00 – 2:00 and lunch will be served.  Registration forms are available in the Welcome Center.

Call Amy Kirk or Sherri Waters in the church office for more information. (903.832.8663)