Yes, it is indeed time to for another Grief Group.

Life is ever changing and we all will eventually experience grief due to the loss of a loved one. If you are struggling, please plan to attend the Grief Group facilitated by Rev. Dana Norton beginning February 26 for 6 weeks (12:30 – 3:30 p.m. with adjustments for other church events).

If you have attended in the past and feel that you would benefit from a second group, please feel free to attend again. If you consider yourself a ‘graduate’, please contact Rev. Dana Norton in the church office (972-255-4185 or dana@ppumc.org) to volunteer for this class.

Not all our youth are cradle Methodists who attend PPUMC with their parents. Many of our students begin attending PPUMC at the invitation of a friend. Many have stayed to make this their church home, often bringing parents and younger siblings with them.

We currently have a number of students who don’t fit the criteria for our “traditional” Confirmation Class. To bring them fully into the church, we will be holding an Older Youth Confirmation Class during the Sunday School hour for four weeks—Feb 5, 12, 26 and March 4. Confirmation Sunday for this class will be on March 25.

You may get more information on either of these classes from Peg at peg@ppumc.org or 214-762-9198.

Grace Children's Hospital of International Child Care in Port au Prince, Haiti is a mission of the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

USA ICC Director Ketih Mumma, will present information about this incredible mission to children on February 5 from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the Activity Room.

You won’t want to miss hearing about this UMC Mission.

The Memorial Service for James Aleman will be at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 21 in our Sanctuary. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial be made to United Way or the Chosen Heritage Christian Adoption Services in Duncanville. Addresses are available in the Church Office. Please remember Edna, Sergio and the entire Aleman family in your prayers.

Hi Ladies! We’ve received lots of good interest & feedback from our survey in Nov. about forming NEW Circles for the ladies of PPUMC through United Methodist Women! In fact several more were suggested: Theater related activities with the Music Circle (Irene Jackson has offered to lead this group), a Movie Goers Circle, and a Photography Circle to learn, share, and enjoy activities related to photographing God’s amazing world.

If YOU are interested in participating in any of these Circles, COME to the Planning Meeting(s) listed below. Come help get these exciting new groups get started! Each small group or Circle will decide WHEN their group will meet, HOW they want it to function & a name for the group. Circles may meet at church, in members’ homes or wherever they choose. Choose morning, afternoon, evening, weekend or weeknight. Most Circles meet once monthly and some meet in the summer months. Each of these can be easily shaped to include a service project as well as fun! You are welcome to attend all that interest you. Bring your ideas to share w/other ladies looking for fellowship, growth, service and Fun!

Cooking	Saturday, 1/21	1:00 p.m.	room 102
Painting	Saturday, 1/21	1:30 p.m.	room 104
Scrapbooking/Paper Art	Saturday, 1/21	2:00 p.m.	room 102
Movie Goers	Saturday, 1/21	2:30 p.m.	room 104
Clown Ministry	Saturday, 1/21	3:00 p.m.	room 102
Photography	Saturday, 1/21	3:30 p.m.	room 104
Music/Theater	Saturday, 1/21	4:00 p.m.	room 104
Fun Only Exercise	Wednesday, 1/25	9:00 a.m.	Fellowship Hall
Exercise the Psalms	Thursday, 1/26	9:00 a.m.	Fellowship Hall

NEW CLOWN MINISTRY! LADIES, a truly GOLDEN opportunity is before us: PPUMC member and professional clown, Tiffany Monday is willing to teach us a few basic ‘tricks’ of her ancient art of Clowning to help us create a Clown Ministry! Imagine the fun and delight you and your new friends could bring to ill children, seniors, or the handicapped while you give a little of your time. Come help this important group develop into a wonderful outreach! It might even develop into a church-wide ministry!

The Cooking Circle can look forward to ONE cooking lesson by Larry Clements as well as other great ‘chefs’ in our church! And how about a ‘field trip’ to the Dallas Cordon Blue Cooking School’s restaurant? Fun will always be on the menu as this Circle discovers new ways to pursue ‘Bon Appétit’!

In the Painting Circle beginners or advanced artists will enjoy learning and sharing the art of painting to sooth souls with this expressive art.

Scrapbooking and Paper Art is a relatively new hobby that has flourished w/ excellent papers, tools and albums that allow even novices to easily create fun and attractive results. Preserving memories for our families and friends, reaching out to acquaintances w/ custom cards or creating novel paper items is fun and meaningful. Maybe you know someone who would like to attend full time or periodically to teach us some of their techniques

Music & Theater Circle: Our Metroplex is blessed with an endless supply of moderate or even free Music and Theater experiences. So join Irene and old and new friends in sampling what’s available!

Exercise for the Fun of It! Create a really fun group who wouldn’t even notice the work but just enjoy each other while exercising together. Follow a teacher, exercise video or how about 30 to 60 minute walks at each of Irving’s Wonderful Parks! Maybe stop off for a yummy smoothy and a devotional!

Exercising the Psalms suggests a time of exercise with friends as well as augmenting your prayer time. Create a connection between your focus on prayer with stretching, balancing and promoting physical health in a low pressure environment.

Movie Goers Unite! Rather like a book club, why not meet w/ friends each month to see and study the meaningful movies of our times?

The Photography Circle could learn and share how to take special pictures in numerous settings. They could learn how to organize their photos by computer or without a computer.

Please call or contact Marty Graham for any questions at 214.535.8004 or m.s.graham@mindspring.com.

Have you ever wanted to have a say in the calendar planning at PPUMC? This is your chance. Come to Northgate United Methodist Church on Northgate, Saturday morning, January 21. All persons who are on a committee for the 2012 calendar year will have their first committee meeting that Saturday morning, at 8:00 am and set their program calendar for meetings and events. Around 10:30 am all will gather to complete an all church calendar for the year 2012. Come early for the committee meetings or later to participate in the all church planning calendar. Child care will be provided.

The Registration deadline is January 29, 2012!

In anticipating our 7th Annual Ladies’ Retreat for Plymouth Park United Methodist Church, we celebrate yet another wonderful opportunity for the ladies of our church and community. We are thrilled to have Linda Douty, former member of PPUMC and Las Colinas Women’s Association, who now lives in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme for this retreat is “HOW CAN I KNOW GOD’S WILL: Methods of Discernment & Prayer.”

Linda is a teacher, retreat leader, speaker, and writer on topics related to spiritual formation and personal growth for Upper Room, Alive Now and the website explorefaith.org. She attended Memphis State University majoring in English and pursued studies in religion, philosophy, and Bible at both Lambuth University and Southern Methodist University. Linda completed the Academy for Spiritual Formation and serves on their leadership team. She is a graduate of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Guidance. She is the mother of two grown sons and has five grandchildren. Linda is the author of four books: How Can I Let Go If I Don’t Know I’m Holding On? – Setting Our Souls Free. How Can I See the Light When It’s So Dark? – Journey to a Thankful Heart, How Did I Get to Be 70 When I’m 35 Inside – Spiritual Surprises of Later Life, and Praying in the Messiness of Life – 7 Ways to Renew Your Relationship With God.

Upon meeting her, Linda quickly becomes a delightful and inspiring friend who is very gifted at relating to her audience as an everyday woman searching for answers to the very questions of faith that you seek. Her wisdom and depth are as endearing as her charm and humor.

Gather your girlfriends and come and make new friends. Join us for a time or Refreshment, Nurturing and Fun!

Information on attendance and pricing options is available in the Ministries Center on Sunday mornings or by contacting Marty Graham at m.s.graham@mindspring.com.

Kid’s Club

The menu this week is Steak Fingers, Cream Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Toss Salad, and Dessert. Please let me know if you will be coming.

Sunday School

We are still looking at the book of Ecclesiastes. This week Kid Kingdom will be making sand hourglasses in art to show that there is a time for everything (Eccl 3:1-8). Club 345 will be playing cooperative games to show that two are better than one (Eccl 4:9-12). If you can help either of these two weeks please let me know.

Planning Meeting 

Don’t forget about the All Church Planning Meeting this Saturday from 8-12 at Northgate UMC. All Children’s Council members should plan to attend but everyone is welcome. This is the time we will plan out our year so your input is valuable. If you can’t come and want to e-mail your ideas/suggestions please do so. We will include them in our discussions. Right now I have one child care worker coming. If you need child care please be sure to let me know so that I can add another person on if needed.

Chimes Choir

The Chimes Choir will play again on Palm Sunday, April 1. Rehearsals will be February 26, March 4, 18, 25 from 4-4:30pm. This is open to all 3rd-6th graders whether he/she is in the choir or not.

Acolytes 

Daniel and Naomi

Thank you to Trevor who stepped in at the last minute on Sunday. I really appreciate it. Parents: please remember that it is your responsibility to find substitutes if you cannot be here on your assigned Sunday.

Save the date:

Mother/Daughter Tea Party

Come and celebrate the connection of mother and daughter (grandmother, aunt, special friend) at our 4th annual tea party. We make crafts, learn a little something about the Bible, and have great food and tea. I will be sending out invitations at the beginning of February but feel free to invite others (just let me know they are coming!)

Have a blessed week!

Cori Bell

Join the fellowship of the Young at Heart at 10:30 am, Thursday, January 19 in the PPUMC Fellowship Hall. There will be time for crafts, games and fellowship followed by a noon meal of Homemade Corn Chowder, Sandwiches and Dessert.

Our meals are being catered and so we would greatly appreciate your RSVP when possible. Just email Rev. Dana Norton (dana@ppumc.org) or notify her through the church office. We thank you for your continued support through your ‘love offerings’.

CPR AND AED Certification Class Offered

What: AHA, CPR and AED Certification
For Whom: PPUMC Ushers and all those interested
Location: PPUMC, room 108
Date & Time: January 14, 2012, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Thomas Mullins through Harris Methodist Hosp. and American Heart Assoc.
Cost: $35 (you will receive your card as you leave)
We will be working on the floor, so dress appropriately. Think I will bring my gardening knee pad.
Reservations or questions: Call or email Marty Graham by January 6 (m.s.graham@mindspring.com)