The Family Ministry team of NSUMC invites you to our Advent Festival on Sunday, Dec. 4th at 11:00am (following our 10am service). We will have our artist-in-residence, Janet Flournoy, offer directions and support in making ornaments for Advent.

Advent is the season prior to Christmas when we spend four weeks preparing for the coming of the Christ child. NSUMC would like to help you and your family prepare by giving you creative elements to help create a nativity clear glass ornament. All supplies are free. We only request your smiling faces and conversation. We will also be serving sweets!

This event is FREE and open to the public.

The Sanctuary decoration will take place on Saturday, November 26th at 9am. Volunteers are welcome (and bring a friend)!

​Blue? Yes, blue as in the blues. As in "I am feeling blue." Not everyone is up and cheery for the Christmas holidays. Dealing with the death of a loved one, facing life after divorce or separation, coping with the loss of a job, living with cancer or some other disease that puts a question mark over the future, and a number of other human situations make parties and joviality painful for many people in our congregations and communities. This traditional-style service will feature a time to lift up the deepest concerns on our hearts, as well as preparing for the holiday season to come. Copies of "Blue Christmas: Devotions of Light in a Season of Darkness" will be freely available to anyone desiring a daily resource for the Advent season (while supplies last). While this service is rooted in the Christian tradition, all are welcome and encouraged to participate, regardless of religious affiliation. It is our hope that this might be a place of healing for all.

On December 7th, the Wednesday morning Bible study group will begin an Advent Study, titled All the Good: A Wesleyan Way of Christmas.  A group of diverse Wesleyan scholars usher us into an Advent journey that is guided by the practices in John Wesley's means of grace.  Advent offers us time and space to prepare for the coming of Jesus at Christmas through reflecting on the story of salvation. John Wesley's emphasis on practices of piety and mercy, or good works, drew from the larger Christmas tradition. We will study these 4 subjects during this 4 week study: preparing the way for God, the impact and significance of prayer, the substance of good workers and caring for others, and sharing God"s mission to the world.  Gail Yates will be teaching the class.  Feel free to contact her here.  Books are available from Amazon and Cokesbury.  The class will join in a luncheon after the first class on December 7th.  Details forthcoming.

Looking to serve as an usher or greeter during our worship services? There will be a short training session for worship service volunteers after the service this Sunday, November 20th. You can also sign up for available slots by visiting nsumc.com/volunteer.

Your one-stop shop for all things Christmas at NSUMC is up and running. You'll find information about our Blue Christmas service here, as well as our annual Cantata, and the plethora of Christmas Eve services we have planned. If you need a place to spend the holidays, you're welcome here. Click the picture above or visit nsumc.com/christmas.

The November-December issue of The Northwind, the newsletter of NSUMC, is available now. Check it out!

Your one-stop shop for all NSUMC Advent events and activities is now live. Within the hub, you will find daily readings, book recommendations, and links to events such as Poinsettias With A Purpose. This hub will be regularly updated so be sure to check back often! Visit nsumc.com/advent.