🍁 Seasons of Gratitude, Remembrance & Courageous Faith: November at Union

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Union Lutheran Church’s November 2026 newsletter opens with a reflection from Pastor Heidi Punt on a phrase we usually say lightly: “outstaying your welcome.” Drawing on Ecclesiastes 3:1, she reminds the congregation that life is lived in seasons. Sometimes we linger in comfort zones, old grievances, or familiar habits after God has finished with them. She offers three ways to discern your season: examine your spiritual fruit, release the past with gratitude, and lean into holy discomfort. As Thanksgiving approaches, she encourages members to be deeply grateful for where they have been while keeping their eyes fixed forward, “into a season of courageous faith.”

🕊️ All Saints, Remembrance & Gratitude

November begins with All Saints Sunday on November 1, when Union remembers those who ran the race of faith before us. The newsletter lists the members of Union and extended family members who have died since last All Saints’ Sunday. Altar flowers are given in memory of Sue Taylor Eagle, Jerry Taylor, Kay Taylor Edmiston and Michael Taylor, and in honor of Phoebe Taylor Nunn. Worship that morning is followed by the Horah Family Reunion at the Old Pine Center.

The month also holds space for gratitude. Veterans are recognized in worship on November 8, and on Veterans Day, November 11, the congregation pauses to honor all who have served. The church office will remain open that day. On Tuesday, November 10, Union hosts A Liturgy of Table and Truth at 10:00 a.m., a worship celebration of Martin Luther’s birth. It gives thanks to God for the recovery of the Gospel rather than elevating the man himself.

🗳️ The Annual Congregational Meeting

The congregation gathers in the Sanctuary on Sunday, November 15, at 12 noon for the Annual Congregational Meeting. Voting members will elect a 2027 Vice President, three Church Council members, six Nominating Committee members, and delegates to the Carolinas Mission Region Convocation and the NALC Convocation in Orlando. They will also adopt the 2027 Ministry Support Plan & Benevolence.

Members will also vote on the Church Council’s recommendation, developed with the Finance Team, to distribute $70,000 (10% of the property land sale proceeds). One-third would go to NALC 2020 Vision, one-third to the North American Lutheran Seminary, and one-third to be shared equally between Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and the Spiritual Orphans Network. Voting by proxy or absentee ballot is not permitted. Council President Pete Nguyen asks the congregation to keep the meeting in prayer.

🤝 Mission, Outreach & Caring for Neighbors

November’s benevolence focus is Congo Mission International, led by NALC pastors Stéphane Kalonji and David Nuottila with Global Worker Pastor Didi Panzo. The mission trains pastors, seminarians and youth leaders. It also pays clinic bills to free newborns held for non-payment, provides clothing, food and eyeglasses, and delivers Bibles in local languages. On Sundays, November 8 and 15, the congregation is invited to make a joyful “Noisy Offering” of loose coins, dollars and change to support this work.

Hands-on service takes center stage on Saturday, November 14 with The Great Rake. Volunteers meet at 8:30 a.m. with rakes, gloves and leaf blowers to help church and community neighbors with fall yard work. Families are welcome, pizza may be served at noon, and the rain date is November 21. Anyone needing yard help can contact Thad Mulkey or the church office.

The first deposit deadline for the 2027 International Mission Trip to Guatemala also falls on November 1.

📖 Learning, Fellowship & Community

💃 Line Dancing meets Mondays (Nov 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30) at 6:00 p.m. in the Old Pine Center. No experience or partner is needed.
📚 Catechism for youth in 7th grade and older meets November 4 and 18 at 6:30 p.m. There is no class on November 11 or 25.
☕ Book Bible Study continues at Juice Life on Fridays, November 6 and 20, at 9:00 a.m.
🎶 Chancel Choir rehearses November 4 at 6:30 p.m. and November 8 at 10:15 a.m., and new singers are always welcome.
🧺 Mary & Martha Circle gathers November 10 at 2:00 p.m. to prepare care baskets for sick and shut-in members.
🍂 Good Timers meet November 12 at 10:00 a.m. for games and spiced cider, then lunch at Lakeview Restaurant.
🌟 Worship & Music Committee plans for Advent and Christmas on November 12 at 6:00 p.m.
🕯️ Altar Guild & Communion Assistants hold a combined meeting and training on November 17 at 6:30 p.m.
🌍 Mission Outreach Team reviews 2026 projects and casts a vision for 2027 on November 19 at 6:00 p.m.
📋 Christian Education Umbrella meets November 22 at noon (bring a bag lunch) to begin planning 2027 programming.
🍽️ Thanksgiving Service & Potluck is hosted at Christiana Lutheran Church in Salisbury on November 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Christ the King Sunday, November 22, closes the church year. The prayer list will be refreshed that day, so members are asked to resubmit their requests to the church office.

🕯️ Looking Ahead: Advent & Christmas

The Altar Guild and volunteers begin transforming the Sanctuary and Fellowship Halls after Christ the King Sunday, and all are invited to help “deck the halls.” Advent begins Sunday, November 29, with greenery in place of flowers as a sign of quiet anticipation.

The December preview includes:

Advent Tuesday Meals & Series (Dec 1, 8, 15 & 22) on Voices from the Shadows: The Untold Nativity, exploring Zechariah, Elizabeth, Simeon and Anna
Firemen’s Banquet honoring Union Fire Department, December 4
Women’s Advent Tea at Holy Trinity, Troutman, December 5 (RSVP to Cathy Painther by November 5)
Community Christmas Caroling, December 6 at 2:00 p.m.
Holy Trinity Christmas Cantata at Union, December 13
Christmas Eve Candlelight Services at 4:00 p.m. (informal) and 7:40 p.m.
Lessons & Carols, December 27

Luminary and poinsettia dedications are due December 13. Members who want to opt in or out of 2027 offering envelopes should contact the church office by November 29.

🎉 Looking Back at October

The newsletter also celebrates a full October:

The Yard Sale Fundraiser raised $1,373.00 for Mission Outreach and the Emergency Response Team, thanks to 10 vendors and many donors.
The church celebrated Pastor T.C. Plexico’s 75 years as an ordained Lutheran minister.
Samuel Malachi Nguyen was confirmed on October 25, and his Statement of Faith is included.
Volunteers installed a new metal roof on the Picnic Shelter.
Union Youth served at the Carolinas Mission Region Youth Mission Day in Columbia.
The congregation welcomed neighbors at Trunk or Treat on October 30.
Members were recognized for completing Spiritual Fitness, and the church held its annual Blessing of Domestic Animals.

Congratulations go to Richie Lyons III and Ashley Teal on their October 17 wedding. The congregation extends its love and sympathy to the family of Jean Edwards Kluttz, who passed away on October 3 and whose obituary is included. Memorial and honorarium gifts, the prayer list, and the November birthdays and anniversaries round out the issue.

✨ A Season of Courageous Faith

November invites Union to remember with gratitude, give generously, serve neighbors, and prepare hearts for Advent. As Pastor Heidi reminds us, seasons change, and God is always calling us forward.