South Roanoke United Methodist Church

South Roanoke United Methodist Church

2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

The Tower Times

April 2002

The Pastor's Message

Worship Times

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

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

Sermons For April

April 7
Joy Deeper Than a SmileI Peter 1:3-9

April 14
Rev. Bob Garner

April 21
Charlie Brown and the Pitcher’s Mound
I Peter 1:17-23

April 28
A Precious Cornerstone
I Peter 2:4-9

You are asked to read and study the text each week in preparation for worship

Easter brings to mind so many thoughts – bunny rabbits and jelly beans, Maundy Thursday Communion Services, Friday Choir Cantatas, large numbers of persons celebrating the resurrection in their churches on Sunday morning, egg hunts, flowers and attractive outfits. You can, no doubt, add to this list of activities and ideas.

To me, the central theme of Easter is that God raised our Savior from the dead. Humankind now has the promise of eternal life – on earth and in heaven. How did God raise Jesus from the dead? I can not, in all honesty, explain it. But I do believe the Biblical story of the Resurrection. Why? Jesus is available to me and to us all as we share with Him our experiences of pain, laughter, praise and thanksgiving.

My experience in life has convinced me that Jesus is alive. One hymn writer put it this way: “You ask me how I know He lives – He lives within my heart!”

I pray that each of us, this Easter, will experience the story of the Cross in such a way that we will be drawn even closer to the Jesus who came to forgive, save and show us the ultimate expression of unselfish love. What a smile there will be on God’s face, your face, my face and the face of the world when we learn to live a little more unselfishly!

See you at the celebration on Easter Sunday!!!

     In Christian love,
     Amos Rideout

The Council on Ministries’ Monthly Focus
Weekday Preschool ——————————

A long established part of South Roanoke United Methodist Church, the Weekday Preschool and MDO programs are an intricate part in our mission to serve Christ through educating children. We are most happy to be a part of this mission and welcome the many children and their families who enter our church through the Preschool doors.

SRUM Preschool and Mother’s Day Out (MDO) offers classes for children from 12 months of age through five years of age. We operate daily during the school year (September – May) from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Classes are divided, based on age groups and are conducted on a selected days – Preschool classes meet either three days or five days per week; MDO students can sign up from one to five days per week. We also have extended care programs, which operate from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. (Early Bird) and from noon until 1:00 p.m. (Lunch Box Kids). We currently have 46 children enrolled in our program with classes for MDO; Two year olds; 3 year olds and 4-5 year olds (Pre-K). We have a staff of eight teachers and aides and one director.

Our Preschool and MDO programs operate on the philosophy that we will provide the experiences necessary for proper social adjustments and improvement of physical and academic skills that will be needed for future learning. Specifically, what we strive to obtain is:

Proper social adjustment through positive interaction with peers

Development of self-confidence and acceptable work habits

To acquaint each child with the responsibilities required to work within a group setting

To strengthen eye and hand coordination; fine and gross motor skills

To teach the child to think for himself or herself and to communicate verbally

To temper the experience so that he or she may learn to be creative and expressive

And most importantly - Maintain a learning experience for each child in an atmosphere of Christian love and understanding with emphasis on maintaining our Christian values.

We welcome all children regardless of race, creed, religious or ethnic background.


The Preschool Committee, which is the governing body of our school, is comprised of 10 church members who are supportive and actively involved in our program. We are most grateful to have the leadership provided by: Stephanie Williams, Chairperson, Colleen Marston and Steve Wilkinson – Financial Administrators; and the following committee members: Terry Wilkinson, Heidi Christopher, Dawn Long, Norma Ruble, Barbara Sherertz and Cameron Huffman.

We are most fortunate to have the following volunteers assist us with our enrichment classes – Rev. Amos Rideout and Tim Dayton with our weekly Chapel; Dawn Long with our weekly Music classes.

Our Preschool and MDO program are grateful to all the members of South Roanoke United Methodist Church and would like express our gratitude and sincere appreciation for your wonderful support. The quality of our facility and program would never be possible without you - the church. You are an intricate part in our school and in the future of our world – through our children. To understand this better, please take a moment to read the following responses that our 4 year old class made when asked, “What is your favorite thing about preschool?”

“Making things at school and taking them home to show my Mommy” - Mackenzie Comer
“Playing with fun toys” – Eric Trampe
“Being with my friends” – Ashleigh Morstad
“Building things with blocks” – Bo Poole
“Doing art to take home and letting my Mom and Dad see it” – Kyra Jamison
“Playing with puzzles” – Ryland Barnes
“Cool toys to play with” - Donnie Young
“Playing with trucks and my friends” – Luke Marston
“Painting and doing Art” – Reid Williams
“Coloring – I love to color!” – Gary Wayne Webb
“Playing with blocks and trucks” – Seth Perkins

Our children – our future – our hope! ! ! What a wonderful mission!

Come and join us - be a part of our Preschool and MDO programs! ! ! Registration for the 2002-03 school year is now open. Contact Cathy Bear, Preschool Director (982-3707), for information and/or a registration form or to arrange for a tour of our school.


News Briefs

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

The United Methodist Men will meet on April 20 at 8:00 AM at the church. Program to be announced.

The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. For information regarding the Social Club, call bonnie dayton (981-0237).

Nancy and Ken Motley thank Amos and all their other wonderful friends for their prayers and support before and after Ken’s mother’s death.

You can help the Weekday Preschool whenever you shop at Food Lion. How? Simply enroll in the Lionshop and Share Program and select South Roanoke Methodist Weekday Preschool as your designated charity. Each time you shop at Food Lion and use your MVP card, a portion of your total grocery purchase will be donated to our Preschool.

To enroll: Go to www.foodlion.com web site or call 800-210-9569, and enroll in the LionShop and Share program using your MVP card and complete the information requested on the web site. That’s it! Once you are registered and whenever you shop at Food Lion – you will be helping our Preschool. Your support is greatly appreciated!


United Methodist Women New Church Directories
The United Methodist Women’s circles will resume meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. They will meet at 10:30 AM and have an open invitation to all women of the church, and those who wish can go out to lunch following the meeting. Abbie Banister will be the leader. New church directories will be printed soon. If you have a change of address, or any additions or corrections that you would like to make to the directory, please call the church office (344-4437) as soon as possible.

The Adult Fellowship Group Health Screening

We have many people with in our congregation who have had interesting experiences in their lives and are generous in giving of their time and talents. This month we will hear from Bob and Margie Berry as they tell about and show slides of their work in Nepal.

Our April trip is to Raphine, VA to visit Wade’s Mill and the Buffalo Gap Herb Farm. We will leave the church at 10:00 AM to tour Wade’s Mill and have lunch at the farm house. Next, we will explore the Herb Farm and then those who are interested will have an opportunity to visit the Yarn Shop. We plan to arrive back at the church by 4:30 PM. Cost is $15. Please pay Penny.

We have 18 reservations for our trip to Ashe County and Old Salem on May 15 and 16. Cost of the trip will be approximately $120. Help with the planning by indicating your interest as soon as possible.

On Wednesday, April 24, South Roanoke Church will offer four health screenings to members of the congregation, as well as people in the community. The screenings that will be offered are: carotid artery scan, abdominal aortic aneurysm screening, peripheral arterial disease screening and osteoporosis screening.

Theses tests are non-invasive, and completely painless screenings for vascular and bone disease using the most advanced Doppler ultrasound technology. You are invited to come to the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 14 at 9:30 AM to hear a representative from the Life Line Screening Company to explain the reasons for having these tests done, as will as answering any questions that you might have. As Amos says, “I’m not only interested in saving your souls, I’m interested in saving your lives.”

 

 

APRIL 2002
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
 

 

1

OFFICE CLOSED

2
2:30 Youth Bells
5:30 Disciple Bible Study

Totally Tuesday

3

7:00 Contemporary Worship Service

4

 3:30 PMMs

7:30 Chancel choir

 5


 6
7
Daylight Savings Time - Set clocks Forward one hour

11:00 Order of Worship

5:00 Choir and Youth activities 		8

7:00 AM Prayer Meeting

7:00 Council on Ministries		 9

10:30 UMW Circles

2:30 Youth Bells
5:30 Disciple Bible Study
6:00 Aftercare

Totally Tuesday 		10
 


7:00 Contemporary Worship Service

 11

10:00 Adult Fellowship Trip

3:30 PMMs

7:30 Chancel choir

 12
 13
14
9:30 Health screening info. meeting

11:00 Order of Worship

5:00 Choir and Youth activities 		15

7:00 AM Prayer Meeting

Tower Times deadline for May articles 		16

2:30 Youth Bells
5:30 Disciple Bible Study
7:00 Music Committee

Totally Tuesday 		17



7:00 Contemporary Worship Service
7:45 CWS Committee
7:45 Preschool Committee 		18

 12:00 Adult Fellowship Lunch

 3:30 PMMs

7:30 Chancel choir		 19
 


 20

8:00 UM Men
21

11:00 Order of Worship

5:00 Choir and Youth activities 		22

7:00 AM Prayer Meeting

 23

 2:30 Youth Bells
 5:30 Disciple Bible Study

Totally Tuesday		 24
Medical Screening

 5:30 Dinner
7:00 Contemporary Worship Service 		25
 

3:30 PMMs

7:30 Chancel choir		 26
 
 27
 
28

11:00 Order of Worship


5:00 Choir and Youth activities 		29
 
7:00 AM Prayer Meeting

7:00 Finance Committee		 30

2:30 Youth Bells
5:30 Disciple Bible Study

Totally Tuesday		        

 

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 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 2002 SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION at Camp Alta Mons for 1st thru 12th grade youngsters has begun. Registration forms and brochures are available on the bulletin board by the church parlor. You may also register your child online at www.altamons.org

THE ROANOKE DISTRICT SINGLES FELLOWSHIP will meet on Sunday, April 7 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Greene Memorial United Methodist Church. If you would like more information about this group, call Terri Allen, 725-1991.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Weekday Preschool Committee on Wednesday, April 17, at 7:45 p.m. in the preschool office.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Contemporary Worship Service Committee on Wednesday, April 17, at 7:45 p.m. in the library/conference room.

THE UNITED METHODIST MEN will have their monthly breakfast meeting on Saturday April 20, at 8:00 AM.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS: On Wednesday, April 24, South Roanoke Church will offer a health screening to members of the church, as well as to the community. There will be three non-invasive, completely painless screenings for vascular disease and one screening for osteoporosis. You will be hearing more about this in the following weeks. In the meantime if you have any questions feel free to call the church office, 344-4437.

PLANS HAVE BEEN MADE for a trip to Ashe County, NC and Old Salem on May 15 and 16. The price of $120 will include transportation, motel, donations, gratuity, and ticket to Old Salem. Meals are not included. There is a poster outside the church office with information and sign-up space. Help with the planning by indicating your interest as soon as possible.

FERRUM COLLEGE invites you to the Tenth Anniversary of United Methodist Women's Day on Saturday, June 8, 2002. This will be a day for celebrating commitment to Higher Education, while honoring the ministry and retirement of Ferrum College Alumnus and Danville District Superintendent, The Reverend Robinson "Bob" McAden and Ferrum College President Dr. Jerry M. Bo9one. A worship service in Vaughn Chapel will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Bishop Joe Pennel preaching. A complimentary lunch will be served at 12:00, and at 1:30 "The Odd Couple" production will be performed at the Blue Ridge Dinner Theatre. The cost for the play will be $6.50 per person. for reservations for lunch, or more information you may call 540-365-4286.

NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES will be printed soon. If you have a change of address, or any additions or corrections that you would like to make to the directory, please call the church office (344-4437) as soon as possible.

YOU CAN HELP THE WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL whenever you shop at Food Lion. Simply enroll in the Lionshop and Share Program and select South Roanoke Methodist Weekday Preschool as your designated charity. Each time you shop at Food Lion and use your MVP card, a portion of your total grocery purchase will be donated to our Preschool. To enroll: Go to www.foodlion.com web site or call 800-210-9569, and enroll in the LionShop and Share program using your MVP card and complete the information requested on the web site. Once you are registered and whenever you shop at Food Lion you will be helping our Preschool. Your support is greatly appreciated!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL will be held June 24-28. "God’s Great Gallery" is our theme this year. We need your HELP! Please call Christy Nichols, 982-6611 for further details.

THE LENTEN OFFERING this year will go to the ASP Mission Project and the Agape Mission. The goal is $12,000.00. Anything received over this amount will go to local missions. Make your check payable to SRUMC and place it in one of the Lenten envelopes in the pew racks and then put it in the offering plate. To date we have received $7,081.00 in contributions.

PLEASE CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE if you have a youth graduating from high school or college so that we can recognize them in an upcoming bulletin.

OUR NEXT COMMITMENT to hosting the families of the Interfaith Hospitality Network starts May 12th so please be thinking about how you might help us make it a memorable week for our guests. We still do not have anyone to take over as Coordinator here at SRUMC after this May host week. Diane D’Orazio will be in Kenya on the Agape Mission Project during the next host week July 28th through August 4th. If we do not have someone in charge by then, the network will be forced to put the families in a hotel and pay for meals that week. This would deplete the funds the network uses to help the families settle into new homes. The same thing would happen our host week in October. As of January when the schedule for 2003 is made, we would no longer be in the network. We pray that this doesn’t happen. Please, please contact Diane D’Orazio (725-9886) if you are interested in preventing the loss of this valuable ministry in the life of our church.

IT’S TIME TO CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS again and just in time to help support the yard sale SRUMC will be hosting on Saturday, June 8th in the Fellowship Hall. The proceeds will go to support the Agape Children’s Ministry mission which Diane D’Orazio will be joining to go to Kisumu, Kenya in July. The Agape Children’s Home in Kisumu provides a future for 110 former street children who were the victims of the AIDS epidemic and abuse. If you have items you would like to donate to the sale, please contact Diane D’Orazio at home: 725-9886 or by cell phone: 797-9886. The church fellowship hall will be open the week before the sale for you to drop them off or call Diane and she can arrange for them to be picked up. We will need folks with some time and a pickup truck or van to help move items from Diane’s house to the church during the week before the sale. Also, people are needed to help price items during that week and to help sell the day of the sale. Please let Diane know if you can help in these ways also. Thank you!!!!

EVERYONE IS INVITED to the UMYF Roast and Toast on Sunday, May 5, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This year’s roast will be the largest ever. There are seven seniors this year: Hadley Adkins, John Budd, Elizabeth Green, Courtney Minton, Jan Steffe, Matt Wallace, and Lauren Woody. Come enjoy pictures, yearbooks, skits, awards and lots more. Bring a dessert to share.

FIVE OF OUR YOUTH are working on their God and Church Awards. They are: Catherine Witt, Michelle Woody, Laura Long, Katie Cain, and Andrew Dorsey. They will receive these awards at the year end celebration for youth ministry on May 5.

THE CHERUB AND HOSANNA CHOIRS will have an end of the year party tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. (No Adult Handbell rehearsal).

THERE ARE 14 YOUTH who will be eligible to be confirmed at our 11:00 a.m. worship service on May 19. There will be a reception immediately following the service.

THE PEANUT M & M’S will celebrate their year of ministry with an overnight at the Wallace’s farm in Fincastle on May 3 and 4.

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED will meet for May Friendship Day on Friday, May 3, at High Street Baptist Church. Registration will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Bible study, program and lunch. Cost of lunch is $5.00. To make reservations please call Betty Epps at 982-1734.

GOLF OUTING - THURSDAY, MAY 16 at Hunting Hills Country Club. Tee time is 1:00 p.m. with clinic at 12:15. All are invited. Cost is $50.00 for non-members and cart fee for members. If you are interested call Dicky Linkous at work, 345-5100, or home, 344-5311.

SOCCER SHOES ARE NEEDED! If you have any used soccer shoes your kids have outgrown, please consider donating them to the kids at the Agape Children's Home in Kisumu, Kenya, one of Roanoke's seven Sister Cities. These kids are currently playing soccer barefoot. Diane D'Orazio and Robyn Dayton will handcarry these shoes tot he Agape Home when they travel to Kisumu with a mission group this July. Please bring your donations tot he church office.

TRINITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH is in need of high chairs and baby walkers. If you have any you would like to donate, please call Barbara Duerk, 343-1616.

THE ROANOKE VALLEY INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK needs volunteers to help collect donated furniture items and assist in moving families into their new homes. If you are interested, please contact us at 343-9982.