oriental-united-methodist-church

Live Nativity 2025 - Children's Theater Workshop

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:03:50 GMT

Our live nativity presentation brought the Christmas story to life with heartfelt performances and beautiful visuals. Our community came together to experience the joy and wonder of the season as they shared this timeless tale presented by the Children's Theater Workshop. For those of you who could not attend, watch the video and pictures below. Video by Jimmie Fisher, photos by Hiram Lupton.

December Events

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 18:52:22 GMT

Advent 2025: Waiting with Joyful Anticipation

Advent begins on Sunday, November 30th this year, and what a joyful season we have ahead of us! Not because of the decorations, food, and gifts - although those are all good things - but because we receive the most important gift of all, Jesus, our Savior! The theme for OUMC's 2025 Advent season is "All Earth is Waiting" as we look back at the Incarnation and forward to the day when the kingdom of heaven comes to earth. We are all longing for the redemption, salvation, and transformation that Jesus came to earth to offer to us.

This year's Advent devotional is shaped around our theme, and includes a scripture lesson, prompt for reflection, and a prayer for each day. We're invited to practice breath prayer, an ancient way of praying with the rhythm of our breathing to help us focus on God. In keeping with our theme, each booklet will come with a small globe stress ball to hold as we pray, to help us remember that "All Earth is Waiting" for Jesus in our lives.

During Advent, OUMC and other nearby churches will offer many activities in addition to services, including the following:

Sunday, November 30: The first Sunday in Advent , with the Hanging of the greens in the Sanctuary, followed by a chili luncheon hosted by the Sara Veal Circle in the fellowship hall. During the service, Sally Belangia and Holly Dunn Russell with share Oriental Christmas memories. At 6 p.m. there will be a fifth Sunday Christmas sing at Holts Chapel AMEZ Church on Kershaw Road.

Sunday, December 7: During the second Sunday in Advent , OUMC will sponsor Communion at the Gardens of Pamlico at 2 p.m. followed by a meditation and Christmas Singalong for all who wish to join.

Monday, December 8: The Community Youth Group meets at OUMC at 5:30 p.m. for a meal, games, and a gift-making session to create Christmas gifts for residents of the Gardens of Pamlico.

Friday, December 12: During the Spirit of Christmas, the Pamlico Chorale performs Christmas carols and music in the OUMC Sanctuary at 7 p.m.

Saturday, December 13: The Old Theater's Children's Group presents a Live Nativity performance at 3:30 p.m. on the OUMC grounds, a traditional Christmas favorite!

Sunday, December 14: On the third Sunday in Advent , OUMC spreads Christmas cheer as its members, along with members of Pierce Chapel AMEZ and Holts Chapel AMEZ, go caroling throughout the village. Meet at the church at 3 p.m. for cider and cookies and break into groups. Suggestions of Oriental residents who would enjoy carols should be made to the OUMC office by December 10th, including name, address, and phone number.

Thursday, December 18: The Pamlico Community Band performs its Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church.

Sunday, December 21: During the fourth Sunday in Advent , OUMC will have a no-rehearsal Christmas pageant during the service. Everyone is encouraged to bring their children, grandchildren, and neighbors to laugh and participate. Also on December 21st , at 4 p.m. we will have a Longest Night service in the sanctuary. In this powerful service, we acknowledge that sometimes we get lost in the holidays when we are dealing with grief and loss. Even so, God is with us. Come for a quiet time of prayer and worship.

Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Communion and Carols at 7 p.m. in the OUMC sanctuary. The young and young-at-heart are welcome to wear pajamas.

Sunday, December 28: OUMC and St. Thomas Episcopal Church hold a joint service of Lessons and Carols at 10:30 a.m. in the St. Thomas sanctuary, our traditional service for the first Sunday after Christmas.

The Chrismon Tree

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:04:58 GMT

the chrismon tree at oriental United Methodist church

On December 1 st , the first Sunday in Advent, worshipers will be awed by the beauty of a 12-foot tree sparkling with white lights and adorned with Christian symbols at the front of the sanctuary. The word “Chrismon” is actually a combination of the words “Christ” and “monogram” or symbol, dating back to the times when early Christians had to worship in secret and used symbols such as the fish to mark the way to hidden places of worship. In the United States the practice of decorating a Chrismon tree began at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension in Danville, VA, in 1957. In Oriental, however, Wanda Forrest, a lifelong member of the church, remembers that back in the 50’s, her father, Alston Spruill, would choose several cedar trees on his land and groom them all year until Advent, when the best one was put in the sanctuary in a big tub, which had to be watered constantly. In 1975 Jackie Mason returned from Coast Guard service and helped him with the task. Because of Alston’s fear of fire, the tree was always sprayed with fire retardant; but Wanda laughs to remember that when it was taken down and a match lit to it, it blazed up immediately.

Chuck Forrest and Al Spruill carried on the tradition of grooming a live tree until 2000, when Sharon and J. P. Morgan donated an artificial tree, which was used until three years ago. At that point a new 12-foot tree was bought with funds from the Sand Dollar Circle’s Soup and Sandwich Luncheon.

The custom of decorating a tree in the sanctuary with Chrismons began around 1978, when Sylvia Roberts, an original member of the Sand Dollar Circle, brought the idea from her grandmother’s church. Cynthia Delamar recalls that circle members would gather at the Oriental Marina Topside Restaurant, now the site of the Oriental Marina Inn, on Sunday afternoons and make the ornaments. The pastor at that time, Rev. David Lupton, and his wife Freda, were also very involved. Sunday school children and UMYF young people also made ornaments. Taking a closer look at the tree, one can see all levels of skills, from cotton-ball sheep to elaborate counted cross stitch and beaded ornaments. The tree skirt is also part of the history of the tree, since Mary Spruill, Wanda and Cathy Dunbar’s mother, was extremely particular about it, insisting that it be cleaned every year. This year’s celebration of Advent is set to be a joyous one, which will be enhanced by the Chrismon tree, holding the memories of generations of OUMC worshipers.