2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

Phone: (540) 344-4437
Fax: (540) 345-8041

Worship Times
Our regular worship time on Sunday is 11:00 AM.

There is a Contemporary Praise Service each Wednesday at 7:00 PM

     In just a few days, someone will probably ask you, “Have you made your New Year’s resolution?” A typical response to this question usually centers around weight loss and exercise; spending more time with family; the need to demonstrate more patience with people’s spiritual growth; job performance improvement; forgiveness; working on making ones marriage and filling out tax returns earlier to name just a few examples.
      While I invite you to add your own unique resolutions to the list above, let me encourage you to make regular attendance at Sunday School and worship a priority in 2002. This challenge is issued not because I am a statistical hound, but because in the words of the late Rev. Roy Everette, “You need the church and the church needs you”. Our challenge as Christians is to make visible the love of Christ. It is in the “gathered” community of believers that we are prepared to “scatter” and serve the world.
     Recently, I read the article below in the December issue of the Aldersgate Agenda, Charlottsville, VA. May it help us all to put things in perspective.

A church goer wrote a letter to the editor of the newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church

every Sunday. “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and, in that time, I have heard something like 3,000 sermons, but for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”
     This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
     “I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time, my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals, but for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. However, I do know this: they all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!
     When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
     Best wishes to you on the year ahead, May the nourishment that God provides sustain us in all things.

We are currently conducting a search to find someone to fill this position. We have also reviewed and updated job descriptions for both the Minister of Music and Youth Minister

We start the new year with a day trip to the Apple Ridge Farm in Copper Hill. We will leave the church at 10:00 AM to journey up Bent Mountain to tour the farm and facilities for community use, and learn about their programs for helping troubled youth. On the way back, we will stop for lunch at the Brambleton Deli.

We know in his retirement Bob continues to preach and teach, and has just joined our staff as Minister of Evangelism. All are invited to join us for this entertaining time to learn the real scoop on Bob.

The Fall stayed busy for our youth. Here are a few of our highlights:

Our senior high youth sent out “care” packages to 25 of our college youth as part of the Campus Ministry being set up by Tallulah Gregory. She has also set up penpals for all of our college students and is setting up an internet newsletter. If you have a college age student in your household, you may want to contact Tallulah and make sure she has your information.

Our Jr highs went out to Brandon Oaks and were given a wonderful tour by Natalie Carter. The Jr highs have been studying the importance of relationships and what could be more important than our grandparents and their friends.

You already heard that several of our youth helped to lead over 1700 youth from across the Virginia Conference to a closer relationship to Christ during our conference retreats. What you didn’t hear is that several of our youth lead workshops at these retreats. Emily Wallace taught liturgical dance, Brian Bear lead a workshop on “Christian” cartooning, Steven Dayton helped with outdoor games, and Randi Dayton lead a workshop entitled – Let’s Talk. During one of our sessions, David and Austin Mundy along with the Roanoke District Worship Team lead a group of 900 youth and adults in praise songs.

Our ASP mission application was completed, sent in, and we have already been accepted! We will be going on this week long mission trip from July 28-Aug 3. We have room for 25 youth and adults. Please sign up with Tim by giving him your $25 registration fee. Spots are given on a first come, first served basis.

It’s time to gear up for our Youth Service scheduled for February 24th. It is our hope that every youth in the church (6-12 grades) will come and take part in this service. Not to mention, that we hope that everyone in our congregation will come and join us in worship. We’ll spend the entire month of January preparing for our youth service by studying scripture and developing our service. As part of this process, our senior high youth will participate in the Sr. high Spiritual Retreat at the Peace Pagoda, January 18-20.

If you have a 7th or 8th grader, please put February 15-16 on your calendar. We will bring in a “specialist” to lead our youth and their parents on a Sexuality Retreat. You will be receiving an official invitation in January.

Sundays – Our Jr highs have Sunday School every morning starting at 9:45. Our senior highs have been participating in a video voyage through the Bible in Tim’s office. There is a rumor that another class may be starting soon. I’ll keep you posted as I hear more about it. Don’t forget, open gym every Sunday night from 5-6, thanks to Dickey Linkous. Dinner at 6:30 followed by worship and UMYF until 8:00. Our theme this month stems around Matthew 14:22-33.

PM&M’s – Our 3-5 grade group of youth meet every Thursday from 3-5:00. Our highlight in December was making Christmas tree ornaments that we then took to our church members at Brandon Oaks. Jeanne Hogan, Natalie Carter, Lucy Fink and Elsie Kennett were gracious hosts. We missed a few folks, but don’t worry, “We’ll be back”. We only met twice in December, but we’ll come back strong in January, including a fun day!

UM Men will meet on January 19 at 8:00 AM in the gym. The speaker will be Rev. Warner Crumb, retired minister and retired Navy chaplain.

PIZZAS ARE COMING! Sales begin December 31 and pick-up will be February 2, 2002. The Wesley Class will be making pizzas Super Bowl Weekend. Please see one of the members of the Wesley Sunday School Class to place your order.

The deadline for articles for the February issue of the Tower Times is January 15. Send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com.

An area singles group has been formed. They meet at least once a month in various area Methodist churches. If you would like more information regarding this ministry, you may call Terri Allen (725-1991).

The church office will be closed January 1, 2002 for the New Year’s Holiday.

The new Flower Calendar for 2002 is on the bulletin board by the church parlor. If you would like to remember or honor a loved one by placing flowers on the altar, please sign on the calendar or call the church office (344-4437) as soon as possible.

New members will be received on January 20. If you would like to unite with the fellowship of South Roanoke United Methodist Church, please speak to the minister, or call the church office (344-4437) to make the necessary arrangements.

New dinner groups will be formed by February 1. If you would like to join a group or need to change your status, please call Terry Wilkinson (772-0490) or Colleen Marston (989-0623) by January 25, 2002.

There will be a Memorial Service for Fran Argabright on Saturday, January 5, at 10:00 AM in the church Sanctuary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

GUESTS and VISITORS are welcome to join us at South Roanoke for worship and fellowship. We invite those who have no church home to make South Roanoke your church and add your witness to ours.  And for a modern worship experience, join us each Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. for our contemporary service.

THE CHURCH OFFICE will be closed on Tuesday, January 1 for the New Year’s Holiday.

THE CHANCEL CHOIR will resume rehearsals this Thursday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m.

THE CHILDREN’S CHOIRS and Adult Handbells will resume on Sunday, January 6.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee on Sunday, January 6, at 8:00 p.m. in the library/conference room.

THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB will meet on Tuesday, January 8 at 6:00 p.m. They will take the Social Club members shopping at Wal-Mart. We have currently collected $475.00 of the $600.00 needed to spend on our club members. If you would like to contribute to this fund please make your check payable to SRUMC and earmark it "Aftercare," and place it in the offering plate, or mail it to the church office.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Committee on Nominations and Personnel on Sunday, January 13, at 8:00 p.m. in the library/conference room.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Council on Ministries on Monday, January 14, at 7:00 p.m.  All members are asked to come prepared to discuss the ongoing implementation of our planning retreat goals.

DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES for the February issue of the Tower Times is Tuesday, January 15. Send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com.

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will start the new year with a day trip to the Apple Ridge Farm in Copper Hill on Thursday, January 10. They will leave from the church parking lot at 10:00 a.m. and return around 2:00 p.m. On the way back, they will stop for lunch at the Brambleton Deli. On January 17, they will meet at the church at 12:00 noon for a catered lunch. Bob Garner will be the guest speaker for the day. If you would like to sign up for either of these events, please sign up on the board by the church office.

THE UNITED METHODIST MEN will meet on Saturday, January 19, at 8:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The guest speaker will be The Reverend Warner Crumb, a retired Methodist minister, and retired Navy Chaplain. Sign up sheets will be in next weeks bulletin.

OUR NEXT NEW MEMBER SUNDAY is scheduled for January 20. Those who wish to affiliate with our church on that Sunday are asked to attend a new member orientation session on January 13, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the church library.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee January 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the library/conference room.

CIRCLE #5 WILL MEET in the Aldersgate Sunday school class at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 22.

THE NEW FLOWER CALENDAR for 2002 is on the bulletin board by the church parlor. If you would like to remember or honor a loved one by placing flowers on the altar please sign the calendar or call the church office, 344-4437, as soon as possible so you will be assured of the date that you would like.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO SIGN UP on the Flower Calendar. If you would like to remember or honor a loved one by placing flowers on the altar please sign up on the calendar in the hallway by the church parlor, or call the church office, 344-4437. We want to be assured of having flowers on the altar each Sunday morning. January 20 and 27 are currently vacant.

THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY is open on the Flower Calendar for 2002. Please sign up to remember or honor a loved one by placing flowers on the altar in January. We want to be assured of having flowers on the altar each Sunday morning. You may sign up on the Flower Calendar on the bulletin board by the church parlor, or call the church office, 344-4437 as soon as possible.

DONATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING ACCEPTED for gifts for the Aftercare Social Club members. Each year we try to give each of the members $50.00 to spend at the after-Christmas-sales at Wal-Mart. If you would like to contribute toward this cause, please make your check payable to SRUMC and earmark it "Aftercare" and place it in the offering plate. (Update: 1/6/02 - We have currently collected $475.00 of the $600.00 needed to spend on our club members.)

NEW DINNER GROUPS will be formed by February 1. If you would like to join a group or need to change your status, please call Terry Wilkinson, 772-0490 or Colleen Marston, 989-0623 by January 25, 2002.

THE WESLEY CLASS is now taking orders for Pizza for Super Bowl Weekend. Pick up date is February 2.  If you are unable to eat pizza, please consider buying one and donating it to the Ronald McDonald House. Please see one of the Wesley Class members.  

IF YOU ARE LOOKING for a way to serve South Roanoke United Methodist Church, please consider being a monthly Altar Guild chairman. No flower arranging skills necessary, just a little time on the phone and at the church to ready the altar for Sunday. All training is provided. Call Natalie Rude, 345-1634 or Tallulah Gregory, 982-2535 for questions or to serve. Thanks!

CIRCLES OF THE UMW are in the process of reorganization. Our UMW group is now considered inactive, but several of the circles would like to continue to meet. On Tuesday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m. any ladies of the church who would like to meet for fellowship are asked to come to the Wimmer classroom to discuss the possibilities of a monthly Bible study, or other alternatives. Please plan to come if you are interested in being a part of this group.

THE HIDDEN VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL is collecting Christmas cards for their Special Education Program. You may take your cards directly to the school, or you may bring them to the church office and we will see that they are delivered.

ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund may do so at any time of the year. This fund is used to help families in our own congregation who may need a little extra help. The fund was used over Christmas, therefore depleting it somewhat. Make your checks payable to SRUMC and earmark it "Pastor’s Discretionary Fund."

BEGINNING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 27, the Weekday Preschool will open registration for the upcoming school year to all current students and to South Roanoke Methodist Church membership. Registration for the public will begin during the second week of February.

AT THE SEVENTH ANNUAL Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Banquet of the Roanoke Chapter of Southern Christian Leadership Conference Barbara Duerk will be one of several to receive special recognition. The honorees are people who have put into practice their belief in equal rights and justice for all people regardless of race, creed, and color. If you would like to be a part of the Duerk table at the banquet, please contact Barbara at 343-1616 right away. Cost for dinner will be $30.00 per person.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED will meet on Friday, January 25 at 10:00 a.m. at our church. The guest speaker will be Shannon Abell from the LOA who will speak on Medicare Fraud. If you need more information you may call Dottie Walker, 982-1706 or Virginia Shaver, 343-6079.

CIRCLES OF THE UMW are in the process of reorganization. Our UMW group is now considered inactive, but several of the circles would like to continue to meet. On Tuesday, February 12 at 10:00 a.m. any ladies of the church who would like to meet for fellowship are asked to come to the Wimmer classroom to discuss the possibilities of a monthly Bible study, or other alternatives. Please plan to come if you are interested in being a part of this group.

A HUGE THANK YOU to our South Roanoke Methodist family for your support of our Advent Angel project. You provided Christmas gifts for an amazing 110 children, including 42 kids on our most needy list. Those 42 children received all of their Christmas gifts from us. With many families in Franklin County and rural South Roanoke County (Clearbrook area) out of work, this project was desperately needed this year. Your response to these children was so generous that we had enough money left over after shopping for gifts that we were able to provide grocery store gift certificates to some families who needed help! We are so fortunate to be a part of such a loving, caring church family. Thank you!             -The Advent Angel Committee

THE WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL IS EXPANDING! The Mother’s Day Out program will be expanded to 5 days, with a new Tuesday/Thursday class beginning February 5th. This class will be a MDO class but geared to two-year old children. This may open up some spots on Monday, Wednesday or Friday. The MDO program is open to children 15 months through 2 years. There will be a limit of 8 children maximum and 5 children minimum for the class. If you are interested in joining this class, know of someone who may be interested, or have questions, please contact Cathy Bear, 982-3707 (school) or 981-0216 (Home) ASAP.

THE YOUTH SERVICE is scheduled for February 24. The youth will spend the next month creating and practicing for this service. You won’t want to miss it!!!

THE DATES FOR APPALACHIA SERVICE PROJECT have been set. It will be July 28-August 3. You don’t know how truly blessed you are until you "experience ASP. There is room for 25 youth and adults. Please sign up with Tim by giving him your $25.00 registration fee. Spots are given on a first come, first serve basis.

JOIN SOME OF THE MEN in the church for basketball on Monday nights from 9:00-10:00 p.m. You don’t need talent, just the desire to get some exercise and have some fun with your fellow church members. Ask Brett Marston or Tommy Whitaker for more information or better yet, just show up.

THE SUNDAY OF JANUARY 27 will be Scout Sunday. All Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts are invited to wear uniforms and meet in the Fellowship Hall at 10:40 to participate.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: I pray that I may carry good things into the year ahead. I pray that I may carry on with faith, and prayer and with hope.
     -Twenty-Four Hours a Day

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: I pray that God will guide me one day at a time in the new year. I pray that for each day, God will supply the wisdom and the strength that I need.
     -Twenty-Four Hours A Day