Dear Asbury & Wesley Oak Family,
We're coming off of a tremendous Sunday with Shane Claiborne that has us excited about the future. We're already talking about doing more with Shane, especially around the issue of gun violence. As Shane said last week, "We are not against guns. We are against gun violence." Our church has tried to help our city and community take this problem more seriously for many years. Then after the tragic shooting at Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston, we have been putting orange ribbons on our courtyard fence along with the names of the victims of gun violence in Savannah. And now we have a unique set of circumstances that seem to be Wow Moments (or God moments) calling us to take further action. Consider this: 
  • Church member and police officer Kurt Purtee is now on the Savannah City Council and sees gun violence as a major issue.
  • Linda Wilder-Bryan is now the Alderman on the City Council for the church's district (District 3). Linda lost her 23-year-old son, Lawrence, when he was shot multiple times and killed in 2015. This issue is something she obviously knows and preaches about every day.
  • Church members Anne Allen Westbrook and Jennifer Lindsay,are leaders in Mom's Demand Action for Common Sense Gun Laws and have worked tirelessly on this issue.
  • Our associate minister, Rev. Claire Marich, is a chaplain for the Savannah-Chatham Police Department, so she is a wonderful connection with the police force.
  • And finally, in all my years of ministry, I have never seen so many clergy of different faiths, denominations, and colors working together as I have in the past three years. And these clergy know how critical this issue is.
I imagine God is saying, "What else do I have to do in order for you to see that I am calling Asbury Memorial to take action? Perhaps I can send a national speaker who specializes in gun violence—someone who can teach you how to turn guns into plowshares."
There is no doubt in my mind that God is in this journey with us, and I am looking forward to going where God is leading us.
Important Church Meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Please, please, please attend our Annual Congregational meeting this Tuesday, December 14th at 6:30 p.m. I will be presenting the work of the Nominating Committee. We need your vote of confidence for those persons who will be taking leadership positions on our Church Council and on the committees that make up the Church Council. One of the other things we'll be doing is thanking those who have led and served our faith community but will be rotating off this year. This will be a Zoom meeting, and the Zoom information for connecting to the meeting is in the December Newsletter. We'll also be emailing out the information on Monday and Tuesday. Just to be clear...this is not just a meeting for the Church Council. This meeting is for every member of Asbury Memorial/Wesley Oak Church.
Children's Nursery & Children's Church are Back!
Just a reminder to all parents and grandparents that we have started back with our programs for children. Our nursery will be available for infants and toddlers, and we'll also have Children's Church for elementary age children. People working with our children will be vaccinated and will wear masks. Children older than two years old are also to wear a mask. 
Wesley Oak is also offering nursery care and Children's Church during the 9:30 a.m. service.
You may not be a parent or grandparent, but you may know of a family with children who do not have a church. Please invite them to one of our church services and programs for children.
If you have any questions, call the church office or contact Ellie Covington, our Director of Children and Family Ministries.
Coffee Hour in the Courtyard!
We are now having coffee and hot chocolate in the courtyard after our Sunday services (weather permitting). It has been so good getting to spend time reconnecting with everyone. We hope you will stay and fellowship with us as we sip our warm beverages together. Be sure to say "Hi" to Candace Jenkins, our Connections Coordinator, who will be under the tent in the courtyard. 
Christmas Eve & Caroling
If you haven't heard, we will be having an in person Christmas Eve Service this year! It will be at 6:00 p.m.—the earliest we've ever had the service. We are hoping the earlier time will make it easier for families with children to participate. Also, we'll be able to start caroling in the neighborhood a little earlier after the service. Hope you will join us!
Stewardship Update
Thank you to each of you who made your financial pledge to God for the ministry of the church for the coming year! I can't tell you how much this matters as it helps shape what we can do in ministry next year If you haven't made a pledge for 2022, and you consider Asbury your church home, you can still make it by bringing it to the church on Sunday, by mailing it in, or by calling Claudette at the church office. Thank you!
Third Sunday of Advent: Making Room for God
Our themes for the first two Sundays of Advent have been, Making Room for Creativity and Imagination and Making Room for Others. Tomorrow, the theme will be Making Room for God. We'll be singing the hymn, "Spirit of God", which is one of our congregation's favorites. We haven't sung this wonderful hymn together in such a long time. I can't wait to sing it with you! The choir's anthem will be the hauntingly beautiful, "We are Not Alone". It's one of my favorite songs that our choir sings—one of many, of course! Our biblical text, which will be read by Pam Sears, will be Luke 1:26-38. And lighting the Advent Candle and doing the Advent reading will be Margaret Clay and Judy Jones. 
It's going to be another great Asbury service! Hope to see you on the corner of Henry Street and Waters Avenue!
In Christ’s love,
Billy