IN-SPIR-ER November 2017

A WORD FROM OUR PASTOR

Be Grateful

For more than 20 years, Oprah Winfrey has been keeping a Gratitude Journal – and has promoted that the rest of us do so, too. Oprah encourages us to write down five things that we are grateful for each and every day. She says in 1996 she “made gratitude a daily priority. I went through the day looking for things to be grateful for, and something always showed up.” If you have ever heard Oprah speak about this daily habit, you have heard her talk about how this gratitude practice has impacted her – not only mentally and emotionally – but spiritually. It has increased her happiness quotient, and helped her grow closer to her creator. She says: “whenever there’s a grateful moment, I note it. I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your personal vibration. You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you’re aware of all you have and [are] not focusing on your have-nots.” Yes, it’s true. Gratitude can bring you closer to God. It can positively impact your spiritual life. It can bring you joy and peace. It can eliminate stress and calm anxiety.
“Psychology Today” lists seven “Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude:”
1. Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
2. Gratitude improves physical health.
3. Gratitude improves psychological health.
4. Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
5. Gratitude improves sleep.
6. Gratitude improves self-esteem.
7. Gratitude increases mental strength.
Have you ever kept a Gratitude Journal before? Are you doing so now? How did/do you feel when you keep the journal?
It’s worth a try. Don’t you think? Let’s all take the challenge during the month of November and list 5 things each day for which we are grateful. Let’s see how gratitude can affect your spiritual life and your relationship with others.
Please share with others your results!

Elders:
Nov. 5th: David Smith
Nov. 12th: Caroline  Cox-Smith
Nov. 19th: Trudi Ellison-Kendall
Nov. 26th: Kate Peterson

Deacons:
Linda Duncan
Steve Duncan

AIDS MEMORIAL QUILT

Are you interested in health care? How about sexual health? Infectious diseases? Needle exchange programs? Want to learn more about the history of HIV/AIDS? Need volunteer hours. Then volunteer for the AIDS Memorial Quilt!
 In an effort to promote HIV education and awareness to the Indiana University Bloomington community, the IU AIDS Memorial Quilt Committee will be hosting a section of the AIDS Quilt in Alumni Hall at the IMU from Tuesday, November 14th, 2017 through Thursday, November 16th, 2017. We are looking for volunteers starting November 13th for setup through November 17th for breakdown.  Possible tasks could include greeting, staffing an information desk, reading names, revealing the panels, and much more! We will also be providing all volunteers with a free t-shirt!! Be part of a historical event by volunteering a small portion of your time.  
 Please sign up at: http://goo.gl/forms/yZjiR3P8zNiDkHWS2
 The AIDS Memorial Quilt is comprised of 49,000 panels designed by friends, family, and partners to commemorate the lives affected by AIDS and transform their loss into hope and healing. For this event we are looking for hard working volunteers to help staff the event and assist with a wide range of duties.
 Thank you for your dedication!
Meredith Short
Community Health Services Coordinator
Indiana University Health Bloomington Hospital
Phone Number: 812.353.3153

Ordination and Installation of Nic Cable

On Sunday, November 12, at 4:00pm, North Christian Church will host the Ordination and Installation of the new pastor at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Nic Cable. Nic’s mother-in-law is a former member of North’s staff: Amy Bertschausen!
We have long had a collaborative relationship with UUCCI – even sharing our sanctuary with their congregation when their new building was under construction.
Along with First Presbyterian Church, our three churches lead the city of Columbus in speaking out on social justice issues, LGBTQ inclusion, and human rights.
And speaking of First Presbyterian…their congregation will cater the reception in North’s Auditorium and Lounge!
Other denominations will be represented in the service, with a clergy processional and laying on of hands.
This will truly be an ecumenical/interfaith event. Please mark your calendar now and plan to attend!        

Love Chapel Christmas Pantry

This year North Christian Church will provide 500 cans of fruit (any kind of fruit: fruit cocktail, pie fruit, etc.)  as gifts for Love Chapel's Christmas pantry. Our needy neighbors shop at the pantry; they make fruit salads and pies and such for their families at Christmas. Their hearts are warm. Our hearts are warm. God smiles.
Please donate all canned fruit by November 26.

Higher Education Offering
From the very beginnings of the movement, Disciples have founded institutions of higher learning, encouraging students in their intellectual pursuits.  The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is still committed to higher education. Currently, over 50,000 students attend our fourteen Disciples related colleges and universities or seven seminaries and divinity houses.  And in the past twelve months, over 12,000 students have graduated from these fine schools. 
On November 12 and 19, Disciples churches across the US and Canada will collect the Thanksgiving offering.  Your gift to the Thanksgiving offering helps to support the work of our institutions of higher learning in many ways: financially supporting Disciples related schools, providing undergraduate scholarships and support for spiritual life offices, and providing scholarships and support for those pursuing theological education. 
This November, please give generously to this year’s Thanksgiving offering.  Your gifts make a world of difference as Disciples continue our legacy of supporting education and our institutions of higher learning.

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Birthdays:
Nov. 3rd: Mary Beth Matheny
Nov. 4th: Kate Hamilton
Nov. 12th: Geneva Timmons
Nov. 15th: Karen Whitson
Nov. 26th: Joan Shaw

Anniversaries:
Nov. 26th: Jerry and Sharron Karr