Dear Church Family,

Since school is out, and Thanksgiving is upon us, and many people are out of town, this week's e-note will be brief. First, I want to wish you a happy, gratitude-filled Thanksgiving. I am grateful for many things this year, including the privilege of serving at BUMC. Second, I want to thank all of you who have turned in your pledge cards for

2012. To date we have received 725 pledge cards totaling $3,300,010 in pledges, for an average pledge of $4,550. Hundreds of additional pledge cards will come in during the weeks ahead. Since our Finance Committee uses this information to plan next year's budget, it would be extremely helpful for you to bring your pledge to church this Sunday, or mail it in this week, or pledge online right now by clicking here. If you prefer, you can call in your pledge to our Director of Finance, Lisa Gray at 324-8201; or our Financial Secretary, Joyce Brown at 324-7246. Third, this weekend begins the sacred season of Advent. As we begin this Advent season, our organist Gregg Bunn asked me to share the following information with you.

New banners will grace BUMC's Sanctuary throughout the holy season of Advent. These banners, beautifully designed by BUMC member Sandy Schou, reflect the spirit of each of the four Sundays of Advent: hope, peace, joy, and love. In addition to Sandy's artistic creativity, many other church members played a role in the delicate construction of the banners: Sue Powell, Doris Waldschmidt, Beata Cunningham, Kathy Gregory, Brenda Wenk, Fran Massey, Deese Bearden, Linda Homan, Karen Dreier, Jeannie Williams, and Ann Nussmeyer. We give thanks to God for their faithfulness in creating visual symbols of our faith that will enhance our worship experiences through God's gift of art for many years to come.

Gregg Bunn, Church Organist Finally, it was good to receive Avery Elizabeth Allen as a new member. Welcome to our church family. I hope to see you this weekend as we begin the journey of Advent together. In Christ's Love and Service,

Martin