November Newsletter

Author

Peggy Nunley
November 01, 2025

November Newsletter

As we step into November, our hearts naturally turn toward gratitude. This season invites us to pause and recognize God’s blessings—both big and small—that fill our days. Whether through family gatherings, the beauty of autumn, or the quiet moments of prayer, may we take time to thank God for His faithfulness and to look for ways to share that same love and generosity with others.

Sunday Morning Worship

Here’s what’s coming in the weeks ahead…

November 2: “The King’s Program” - Matthew 10:7-10

November 9: “Room @ the Table…for Everyone” - Luke 22:14-23

November 16: “Room @ the Table…for the Forgotten” - Luke 14:1-24

November 23: “Overflowing Blessings” - 2 Corinthians 9:11-15

November 30: “Gift Exchange… Despair for Hope” - Psalm 121:1-8. (First Sunday of Advent)

Mission Update

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:37-40

Join us as we pack over 46,000 meals in just a few hours!

The name Project 216 comes from 3 sources…

  • Every Project 216 box that is shipped contains 216 meals.

  • Every 2 hours at a packing event each volunteer will average 216 meals designed to help the hungry thrive.

  • James 2:16 says, “if one of you says to those in need, ‘Go in peace, keep warm and well fed’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”

When: Saturday, Nov. 8 from 8:30 to noon

Where: Covenant UMC, 10001 Coldwater Road

Help Us Stock the Shop

We are collecting new or gently used items to support Kekionga Middle School’s Holiday Shop.

Through this special program, students earn “Warrior Bucks” by demonstrating good behavior and positive choices.  They can then use those bucks to “shop” for gifts to give their family members — allowing them to experience the joy of giving this Christmas!

Items needed:

  • Games

  • Toys

  • Jewelry

  • Body lotions/Body spray

  • Hats and mittens/gloves

  • Gift bags & Tissue paper

Please place donations in the gift box in the Hospitality Room by November 16th

Responding to Growing Needs at Home and Abroad

Hurricane Melissa has left families in Jamaica struggling with lost homes, crops, and clean water. Our mission partners need our help. In the coming weeks we will be taking a special UMCOR offering. (United Methodist Committee On Relief)

Right here at home, local food pantries are also seeing more families in need due to recent SNAP cuts. As soon as we determine what is needed most, we will let you know.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you. Thank you for your generosity in fulfilling your 2025 pledges and for submitting your commitments for 2026—your faithfulness allows our church to continue its mission and ministry.

I am also deeply touched by your kindness and generosity to me during Pastor Appreciation Month. Your thoughtfulness and support mean more than words can express.

It is a joy and blessing to serve alongside such a caring and faithful congregation. Thank you for all that you do! Blessings, Pastor Peggy

Pastor Peggy’s Ponderings

By the time you are reading this newsletter, I will be 2,682 miles away in Panajachel, Guatemala serving the beautiful Mayan people of that area with “Mission Guatemala”.

I first learned about Mission Guatemala in 2013 when a fellow United Methodist pastor, Tom Heaton, approached the church my husband and I served in Newburgh, Indiana, with an opportunity to partner with the mission in starting a pharmacy at their clinic.

The following year, I traveled with others from that church to Guatemala to see not only see the clinic and the pharmacy the church was sponsoring, but to work side by side with the Mayan people on other projects sponsored by Mission Guatemala.

With that being my first mission trip, I was a little nervous and quite uncertain of what to expect. However, I am so glad I went! I must say that trip was one of the most transformative things I have ever experienced! My entire world view was changed, and I fell in love with the people and the place.

Several years ago, I was working alongside one of the members of the mission’s construction crew, Frederico, whom I had worked with on many projects over the years. As we were talking (he in his broken English and I in my poor attempt at Spanish) he asked me how many years and how many projects I had worked on with Mission Guatemala. As I recounted the many projects, I said to Frederic, “you are mi, amigo” (you are my friend). He looked at me and said, “No, not mi amigo! You, mi familia”. (No, not my friend, You’re my family).

And now, as I sit here and write, I am counting down the hours until I am able to return to my family and my “home away from home”— to this place that has changed me.

Top photo: one of the many volcanos that surrounds the lake. Left photo: homes in one of the villages I have worked in over the years. Right photos: that white hat in the middle of the children is me playing a game with the children at one of our worksites. The 2 little girls are children at one of the schools Mission Guatemala supports. (the on on the my left is Manuela-the child I sponsored for many years.

Looking ahead…

  • November 4- NO Room @ the Table Small Group

  • November 8- Project 216 Food packing at Covenant UMC

  • November 11- Room @ the Table Small Group

  • November 18- Last Room @ the Table Small Group

  • November 23- Gratitude Sunday

  • November 30- Hanging of the Greens immediately following worship

  • December 6- Christmas Cookie Walk

  • December 24- @ 7pm Christmas Eve Worship