Grand Valley United Methodist Church
December 2025 Newsletter
In this newsletter:
1. From the Pastor
2. Donation
3. In Loving Memory
4. Special Services
5. Mission Minute
6. Poinsettias
7. Birthdays
8. Calendar
9. Group Details
10. Church Reports
11. Just for Fun
From the Pastor….
The story of Mary and Joseph looking for a place to stay brings back memories of a summer vacation. We were in the Niagara Falls area and thought we would stop early at a motel with a pool. Every time I went in to register, they would say, “Sorry, we are full.” Somewhere in Ohio we found a room at the Miracle Motel. Well, the Miracle Motel was no Holiday Inn and had no pool. It was a stressful time trying to find a place to sleep.
When I was looking for a place for my family to spend the night all the no’s I received were from strangers so I didn’t take it personally. For Mary and Joseph the no’s were personal. During the time of Mary and Joseph hospitality was a religious virtue among the Hebrews. So, to not find a welcome would be a peculiarly painful hurt to a sensitive soul. Though the word “Inn” suggests a public stopping place to us, it is believed that it means a “guest-chamber” in a private house. Since Bethlehem was both Joseph’s and Mary’s ancestral home, it would only be logical that they had relatives in the town. Maybe the guest-chamber was already taken by those who had come earlier, or perhaps Mary’s condition made her presence intolerable. Thus, the only accommodation that could be found was one of the natural caves in the hillside against which a stable had been built.
I can only imagine that Joseph was relieved when someone directed him to the stables. At least he had a place for Mary to have the baby. I also wonder if Joseph hung on to the frustration with family members and their rudeness? Or did the birth of Jesus fill him with such joy that nothing else mattered?
We are entering the holiday season filled with shopping, baking, company, sending out cards, wrapping gifts and of course singing Christmas carols. All of this activity lends itself to stress overload. One of the ways to reduce our stress is to make room at the inn. Let’s stay focused on the reason for Christmas and that is the coming of the Prince of Peace. During this advent season, send the stress packing so you can start making room for the Prince of Peace and the joy that his arrival brings.
Your Brother in Christ,
Michael
Donation
We would like to thank Diane Meyer – the artist who did our large stained glass window in the front of the Sanctuary – for her donation of a smaller stained glass window that is now hanging in the Sanctuary. It’s a beautiful addition!
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Bonnie Gana. Bonnie fought the good fight with cancer, and on Wednesday, October 29th she finally succumbed. She will truly be missed by all.
We are sad to announce that we also lost Phil Gibson just after midnight on November 5th. Our thoughts go out to Karen and the family – Phil will be missed. A service was held on Saturday, November 8th in Craig, Colorado.
We also were notified that Cricket passed away in September. Apologies for the late notice.
Please join us for a Longest Night Service on Sunday, December 21st from 5:30-6:30. This is a time for those longing for a touch of inner peace during the holiday season. This is a non-denominational service of prayer, lighting candles of remembrance and fellowship.
We will hold a candlelight service at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24th. This is a very special, very beautiful service and we hope you will join us.
Mission Minute
Join us for our Christmas dinner on December 25th at 1:00. Ham and mashed potatoes will be provided, and we ask that you bring a side or dessert to share. All are welcome – invite your friends and neighbors!
Our annual tradition of having poinsettias for our Christmas Eve Service continues. If you would like to bring a poinsettia in honor of or in memory of someone, please fill out the form at the end of this newsletter and get it to the office no later than Friday, December 19th so the information can be put on the insert for that service. These forms will also be available in the bulletins for Sunday worship starting December 7th.
We ask that you bring your poinsettia to the church between 9-noon on Tuesday, December 23rd or Wednesday, December 24th.
This is always a nice addition to the Sanctuary, and we hope that you will be a part of this tradition.
Due to Christmas being on Thursday, the office hours for the week of December 21st will be:
Monday, 12/22 – 9-noon
Tuesday, 12/23 – 9-noon
Wednesday, 12/24 – 9-noon
Thursday, 12/25 – CLOSED
Friday, 12/26 – CLOSED
Special Giving Sunday
Sunday, January 18th is a Special Giving Sunday – Human Relations Day.
Human Relations Day is a special Sunday focused on fostering better relationships and supporting community and youth outreach. On the Sunday before Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, we take up a special offering to help bring his vision of a “beloved community” to life. Your gifts support important programs like Community Developers, United Methodist Voluntary Services, and Youth Offender Rehabilitation. We invite you to give through your local church or online, helping us continue this vital work together.
December Birthdays
5 – Randy Jorgenson
10 – Delcia Orona
17 – Deb Trujillo
18 – Carol Donaghue
Our Seekers Class(Adult Sunday School) meets every Sunday morning at 8:30. We invite all to attend.
Our Tuesday Bible Study group meets at 10:30 every Tuesday and are studying the 23rd Psalm. Join us!
Choir meets at 4:00 Wednesday afternoons and bells meet when necessary. We are always looking for participants, so if you would like to join either of these wonderful musical groups, please contact the office at (970)285-9892 or by email: office@grandvalleyumc.com or let Laurel know.
Prayer Partners meet the 1st and 3rd Thursdays at 10:30. If you have anyone that you would like to add to the Prayer Partner list, please contact the church office.
Church Council Report
The meeting was called to order by Ron Olson on Tuesday, November 11. Those attending were: Ron Olson, Penelope Olson, Michael Ingersol, Michelle Foster, Dan Temple, John Chapman, Laurel Koning, Len Allen and Lee Allen. Michael led is in prayer.
John moved the minutes of the last meeting be approved, Michelle seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer: Penelope reported that we are very stable. We are doing well for the year’s end.
Finance: We have the budget for next year.
Mission: Laurel said the garden has been turned over for the year, and we have wood chips to put down to control weeds. We will provide Christmas for 125 children this year.
Music: The Bell Choir and the choir are preparing music for the Christmas season. The piano has been tuned. Kim Whelan asked to pay the tuner in return for the use of it for her annual recital in the church.
Trustees: John reported just general maintenance. The stained glass donated to the church by Diane Meyer has been hung. We will be sending her a thank you.
Memorial: John moved that the money to provide a stone for Bonnie Gana and Phil Gibson be taken from the General Fund. Dan seconded. Motion carried.
Worship: The committee will meet tomorrow to finish making plans for Christmas Eve, and the Longest Night. The church will be decorated on November 29th at 9:30 followed by Chilli and Corn bread.
Pastor’s Report: Michael talked about the weeks after the first of the year that he will be away. He is lining up people to fill the pulpit when Randy is not preaching.
Old Business: Penelope mentioned the Directory. It was decided to gather pictures of the congregation and print them on paper to staple together. It was suggested we ask Janie King to help us with the pictures. Penelope will look into that possibility.
New Business: Penelope presented the 2026 Budget. Laurel moved we accept the budget. John seconded. Motion carried. The letters for pledges will be going out soon.
There being no further business to come before the council, Dan moved we adjourn. John seconded. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lee Allen, Secretary
Treasurer
Nice Financial Surprise
During October, we received a check for $5,100 from the TEP Rocky Mountain lawsuit of which we were a part of in a class-action. The suit had been brought because it was contended that TEP improperly deducted some expenses when they calculated the royalty income. The amount of the check we received was unexpected, and a nice addition to the Church’s checking account.
This check made October a month that was in the black by $4,760. And year-to-date, the Church has net income of $12,300. Since we had expected to be in the red at this point by ($3,900), this is a very good position.
The financial statements, as always, are posted on the bulletin board outside the Fellowship Hall. Please feel free to review them.
Give to the Church and Save Taxes at the Same Time!
Must you make a required minimum distribution (RMD) from an IRA? Are you at least 70 ½? You can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to the Church and reduce your taxes at the same time. To do this, have the IRA custodian send your contribution directly to the Church. This is important; you cannot take the full RMD yourself and then write the check to the Church. It must come directly from the IRA custodian. Then at tax time, your RMD is reduced by your QCD, lowering your adjusted gross and taxable income. Of course, if you itemize, you cannot take that QCD as a contribution as you have already taken it by reducing the RMD.
The most advantageous way to do this, if you take a lump-sum distribution, is to have the IRA custodian send your total yearly pledge to the Church when you take the RMD. Also, you won’t have to be concerned about remembering each month to give your pledge to the Church. So, save yourself some taxes and use a QCD if you can.
There is the story of a pastor who got up one Sunday and announced to his congregation: “I have good news and bad news. The good news is, we have enough money to pay for our new building program. The bad news is, it’s still out there in your pockets.”
While driving in Pennsylvania, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign…..
“Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass.
Caution: Do not step in exhaust.”
A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, “Boys and girls, what do we know about God?”
A hand shot up in the air. “He is an artist!” said the kindergarten boy.
“Really? How do you know?” the teacher asked.
“You know – Our Father, who does art in Heaven….”
A minister waited in line to have his car filled with gas just before a long holiday weekend. The attendant worked quickly, but there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the attendant motioned him toward a vacant pump.
“Reverend,” said the young man, “I’m so sorry about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until the last minute to get ready for a long trip.”
The minister chuckled, “I know what you mean. It’s the same in my business.”
Church Contact Information
PO Box 125
Parachute CO 81635
(970)285-9892
office@grandvalleyumc.com
www.GrandValleyUMC.com
OFFICE HOURS:
Wednesday – Friday
9:00 – noon
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS
You are invited to help decorate our sanctuary for Christmas Eve with poinsettias. Please complete the following and place it in the collection plate. On Christmas Eve there will be a bulletin insert acknowledging all our Christmas poinsettias. You may designate your poinsettia(s) in memory of a departed loved one, or in honor of a loved one still living.
______________________________ will provide poinsettias for Christmas
(Your name)
Please use one line for each poinsettia you intend to provide.
One plant may also be used for more than one person.
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
In memory / honor (circle one) of _________________________________
The last day for notifying the church of your Christmas poinsettias is Friday, December 19th.
Please deliver your poinsettias to the church on Tuesday, December 23rd or Wednesday, December 24th between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon. Also remember to put a small tag with your name on your poinsettia(s) so you may take them home after the Christmas Eve service.
