In the Church, we know that Advent is meant to be a season of hope, joy, peace, and love - but in the world around us, the time leading up to Christmas is often one filled with stress. This is especially true for those who work in food service and retail. For the weeks of advent, beginning on December 3rd during the 9am Sunday School hour, we will be forming a new small group called Acts of Joy, who will meet each Sunday to visit shops around NDUMC and spread joy through giving out baked goods and other treats to workers. More information coming soon through the newsletter! Contact Stephen Walker if you have any questions!

NDUMC will be participating in Friends of Refugees’ “Winter Festival!” We will have a table where we will be making friendship bracelets with folks from the refugee community in Clarkston. We are in need of 4 adult volunteers to join us from 12pm to 4pm on December 9th. Please email Dan by December 2nd if you are interested in being a part of this event where we can be better connected to the refugee community around us.

This advent season marks the start of Evening Worship - a new worship service rooted in modern music and NDUMC's inclusive attitude. This service at 7pm on Sunday evenings hopes to be intentionally open to the ways the Holy Spirit might move creatively in the service from planning to practicing. The service will be held each Sunday night of Advent, with the exception of Christmas Eve, December 24th. 

From November 12 - December 10, we will be collecting toys for the International Community School’s annual Holiday Toy Market! The Market gives low income families the opportunity to buy Christmas presents at a reduced price rather than simply receive donations, empowering them with agency and dignity. North Decatur participated last year, and we hope to collect even more toys this year to help out ICS and their families. The final toy drop-off date is December 11, so the Sunday, December 10th is our hard cut-off for receiving toys. We look forward to receiving your donations! 

NDUMC will be hosting our Longest Night service on the longest and darkest night of the year, Thursday December 21st at 7pm. The service will be led by the Evening Worship worship team.