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The Bellringer: Ringing against Injustice

Friday, December 15, 2023

 

Dear friend,

For those who have experienced loss, the joy of the holiday season can often feel elusive and out of reach. As a result, churches around the world have adopted the practice of having a “Blue Christmas”’ or a “Longest Night” service during the Advent season, typically on Dec 21. These services are designed to provide space for prayer, reflection, and remembrance amidst the twinkle lights and holiday hustle and bustle.

Friends, this service is for you. We will gather on Thu Dec 21 at 6 PM. Bring your grief. Bring your weariness. Bring your fatigue, and allow yourself a quiet space to reflect and draw near to God. We hope that this worship can be a gift, providing a space of calm, quiet, and healing. May you find peace in your journey.

Brunch With Santa

Santa Claus is coming to Allendale for a delicious brunch buffet on Sat Dec 16 from 10 AM – 12 PM in the Community Center. Join us for food, Christmas crafts, reindeer games, and pictures with Santa! Tickets are $5 or whatever you can afford.
Get tickets at: www.allendaleumc.org/santa.

Cookie Exchange

Sun Dec 17 before or after Worship at the refreshments table. Leave cookies and take some cookies! You don’t have to bring cookies to enjoy cookies.


DIGITAL BULLETIN

Download a PDF version of our weekly bulletin containing an order of worship for our Sunday service, updates on our church family including birthdays and prayer requests, and more.

DOWNLOAD BULLETIN PDF


GIFTS

Give online:  www.allendaleumc.org/give
Text-to-give:  Text amount to 727-312-0808

Ongoing Classes

Sunday Morning Book Study – Sun at 9 AM

Grief Support Group – Every other Sun at 9 AM
Next Classes Dec 17 & 31

Scripture Class on Zoom – Mon at 6 PM
Join via Zoom: www.allendaleumc.org/online

Wednesday Night Classes – Wed at 6 PM
Classes Resume on January 10

The Longest Night

We will gather in the Sanctuary at 6 PM on Thu Dec 21 for a Worship Service on the Winter Solstice (the longest period of darkness all year), specifically creating space for grief, sadness, loss, and hope.

Impromptu Christmas Pageant

Bring your children dressed as any nativity character/animal or borrow a costume from us during the service to help us tell the nativity story. Saturday, December 23 at 6:00 PM. It will be chaotic, messy, inclusive, and beautiful, just like when Jesus was born.


WEDNESDAYS

Dinner 5-6 PM ($10 or pay what you can)
RSVP for Dinner and Pay Online
Activites begin at 6 PM
Classes being offered this semester

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER MENU

We’re on Christmas Break
Dinner and Classes will Resume on January 10!

Homeless Memorial Service

On Fri Dec 22 at 4 PM, join Celebrate Outreach, in cooperation with Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas and other faith groups at the Unitarian Universalist Church (100 Mirror Lake Dr). This interfaith memorial service will remember those who died in Pinellas County while experiencing homelessness. The service is part of the observance of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.

WANT TO JOIN ALLENDALE?

Our next New Member Sunday is on January 14 at 10:30 AM
Sign up at www.allendaleumc.org/join


ONLINE WORSHIP

Check out last Sunday’s worship service!
Join us online every Sunday at 10:30 AM on Facebook Live or Vimeo.
Our Archive of past services can be found here.

And check out our new YouTube Channel
for Sermons and other clips.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Visit www.allendaleumc.org/events for more details on upcoming events.

Sat Dec 16 10 AM – Brunch with Santa
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Thu Dec 21 6 PM – Longest Night Service
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Sat Dec 23 6 PM – Impromptu Christmas Pageant
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Sun Dec 24 6 PM – Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Sun Dec 31 10:30 AM – 5th Sunday Drag Gospel Worship
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Sun Jan 14 10:30 AM – New Member Sunday | Join Allendale!
Sign up at www.allendaleumc.org/join
Fri Jan 19 6 PM – Gwendolyn Reese Book Event
Learn more at www.allendaleumc.org/events
Jan 26-28 SingFest 2024 – a festival for those who identify as women
Learn more at www.singfestfl.com

VIRTUAL GATHERINGS

In addition to worship being offered in-person,
we also live stream our worship on Sundays at 10:30 AM.
Watch on Facebook Live or Vimeo.
Our Archive of past services can be found here.

We also offer studies, classes, and other virtual gatherings via Zoom.
View a list of virtual events and when they occur.

YOUTH GATHERINGS

Youth (6th-12th grade) meets on Sunday nights from 5:30 PM-8 PM

If you have any questions contact Theresa Frost, our Director of Student Ministries.

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Instagram

Website

Vimeo

Copyright © 2023 Allendale United Methodist Church, All rights reserved.
Stock images from Unsplash
Allendale uses Enfleshed for our liturgy
CCLI# 1101995

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