Archive - September 2003

The Tower Times
September 2003	A Special Message
Worship Times Our Sunday worship is at 11:00 AM. Sunday School is at 9:45 AM. September 7 Right Where You Belong Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9,22-23 James 2:1-10, 14-17 Mark 7:24-27 September 14 The World’s Best Savings Plan Mark 8:27-38 September 21 Bishop Kern Eutsler Homecoming and 50th Anniversary Service at 10:30 AM You are asked to read and study the text each week in preparation for worship.	Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes. Our congregation’s finance committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year. New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?” During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world. Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he of she chooses not to fill out a card. We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship. We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and governing board members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship. Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events. E. Deal Tompkins, Chairman Stewardship Campaign


The Adult Fellowship Group	Neighborhood Gatherings
On September 11 we will have a day trip to Fincastle, Breckenridge Mill and Sheep Farm. We leave from Stanley Ave. at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be on your own at The Fried Pickle. Cost for transportation and admittance is $4. Our lunch at the church on September 18 will feature Bill Davidson as he tells us about his life and family. Sign up on the board outside the office.	You are invited to attend an informal “Party with the Pastor” hosted by members of the Staff-Parrish Relations Committee. Come and chat with Bill and Cheryl in a small group setting. You may choose the time and date that best suits your schedule. More details will follow very soon.

CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP SERVICE TO BEGIN AGAIN OCTOBER 1!
The Contemporary Worship Committee, following extensive discussion with our new pastor, Rev. Bill Davidson, is pleased to announce that the Wednesday night Contemporary Worship Service will begin again on Oct. 1, 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. Rev. Bill will bring the message for the service on October 1.

FROM THE PASTOR How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord...Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise... Psalm 84:1-2a, 4 The Psalmist is very sure of himself. He is bold to declare where it is you can find true happiness in life. Like the small clown fish in the movie, "Finding Nemo," we can only be truly happy and fulfilled if we live in our natural habitat. For human beings who have been created in the image of God, we can only be truly happy in God's presence. As I shared in my sermon on August 24, I deeply believe that all Christian people need to find every way they can to be in the presence of God. That is why I believe you ought to be in Sunday School. That is especially why I believe every child needs to be in Sunday School regularly. In this spirit the church has been praying for the past several weeks in preparation of CELEBRATE SUNDAY SCHOOL! on September 7. With an attendance goal of 150 for this special day you are invited to be a part of a class (see the listing and announcement elsewhere in this issue!). If you are already a part of a Sunday School class you are invited to bring a friend with you. Now that the summer is over and we are all getting back to our usual fall/winter/spring schedules, PLEASE MAKE SUNDAY SCHOOL ONE PRIORITY FOR YOUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH THIS YEAR!!! Please allow your children to learn the "Sunday School habit" right along with the soccer, music lessons, and other vital activities so important to their lives. I look forward to the beginning of our Sunday School season as we "kick it off" on September 7. Remember, CELEBRATE SUNDAY SCHOOL! Rev. Bill
Pictorial Directory Committee Do you like looking at pictures? How do you feel about graph paper? Do you always have a camera in your hand? Would you like to get a first hand look at the new pictorial directory? The Pictorial Directory Committee needs you. We are looking for any and all volunteers who would like to help pick a cover, design activity pages, organize proof photos, schedule appointments and so much more. I guarantee we will have fun. We will need to meet a couple of times in September and then about once a week in October. Please consider being a part of this ministry as it does involve everyone in the church and reaches out to all of us. Call Jeanne Whitaker at 989-5551 for more details. Pictorial Directory On October 7 through the 11, we will be taking pictures for the 2003 Pictorial Directory. Appointment sign-ups will be held on the first two Sundays in September. Please come by one of the directory tables. On September 7, we will be set up in the fellowship hall from 9:30 to 10:00 AM and then after the worship service in the front of the church and also in the education wing. On September 14, there will be tables set up after the worship service at the same two locations. Sign-up early to schedule a time that is best for you and your family. Other times in the church office. Should you have any questions, please call Jeanne Whitaker at 989-5551.
Submit Your Pictures We are looking for pictures taken during recent church events or those in the near future. The Pictorial Directory Committee would like for you to submit your photographs for consideration as a part of the many activity pages that will be included in the new directory. Please place them in an envelope with your name written on it and leave them in the church office or give them directly to Jeanne Whitaker. We will return them to you once the directory is completed in October. Get out your camera and catch some fellow church members busy at work and play.

CHURCH STAFF ON RETREAT SEPTEMBER 8-9

If you call the church office and hear the voice of a friendly volunteer who answers the phone please be aware that your church staff (Bill Davidson, Penny Haynes, Tim Dayton, and Joe Kennedy) are meeting together for a "Staff Retreat" on September 8-9. Graciously hosted at the lake home of Bob and Dot Roth, your church staff will meet overnight for a time of getting to know one another and developing a team approach in our ministry together. Rev. Dr. Franklin Gillis, former Superintendent of the Richmond District and noted seminar leaders on church staff relationships, will guide the event. Please be in prayer for your staff as we seek to find the way in which God would have us best serve the ministry of South Roanoke Church.

A DAY IN OBUNGA

    I never knew her name. She was one of hundreds of children living in the largest slum in Kisumu, Kenya. The Obunga slum had the reputation of being a place of subhuman existence. I was there to meet some of the teenage mothers helped by a ministry called TEMAK (Teenage Mothers Association of Kenya). I was there to see for myself this hell on earth and to see if God had abandoned this place. My church, South Roanoke UMC, had donated money to help TEMAK through it’s annual “Miracle of Missions” yard sale. The congregation had also provided the funds and prayers my husband and I needed to safely travel to Kisumu. I wanted to be able to show my church family the people they were helping.
    As I walked through the slum, I was aware of a child following us. When I would turn and smile at her, she smiled back. Eventually, she would come and put her hand in my hand and walk along with me as I visited several homes. She didn’t speak English, no doubt too poor to afford the fees to go to school. She was the only one not afraid of this “mzungu” (white person). Holding hands was our communication. I knew it was enough.
    The first home we visited belonged to Jane a community health worker trained as a midwife. Her mud home had three rooms, one where she delivered the babies of the women of Obunga, one where she kept supplies and cooked meals, and one where she cared for her brother dying of AIDS. On the wall was a magazine cutout of Jesus which seemed to be looking at me and saying, “See, I’m here”. We sat on old wooden stools and talked about the disease ravishing her community and the atrocious conditions in the slum. I found out the only water supply to the Obunga slum came from a sewage pipe discharging water waste from the adjacent Tuskers beer brewery. It formed a large river that had worked it’s way through the middle of the slum. Children were bathing in it as women washed their dishes and clothes. There were only a few dilapidated pit latrines available for the several thousand people in the community. The people had become accustomed to relieving themselves whenever and wherever they chose. Jane explained to me that the government would occasionally send in health inspectors to evaluate the conditions in Obunga, but then expect bribes to prevent them from reporting their findings.
    Jane had been a soldier for Jesus for many years. I could see in her eyes the heavy load she had carried. She felt it was her mission to care for the women in Obunga and to provide them with hope through the love of Christ. I asked what I could do to help. She said she needed medical supplies and prayers. I promised to help with both. The 1000 Kenyan shillings ($15) I gave her would provide enough supplies to last for several months. The prayers would continue.
    Jane took me to visit the home of one of her teenage patients. Ruth was 20 years old and had 3 children all under the age of 4. She was dying of AIDS. Her eyes were already dead. She had lost one child just 4 days before we arrived. Now her only wish was to gather enough money to return to her village to die. I gave her 200 Ksh which allowed her to do that. Later, I learned Ruth had accepted Jesus as her saviour the same day she died.
    It’s hard to visit a place like Obunga and not ask God why He is allowing people to live like this. I have to remind myself that God didn’t create this river of sewage, the corruption in the government, or the complete disregard for human dignity. He must be crying too. It’s overwhelming to think that Obunga is only one slum in Africa. But God is in Obunga working through some amazing people who dispense love along with their skills. One by one, Jesus is reclaiming His own.

Youth News

UMY starts on Sunday, September 7th.
      5:00 Grades 7-9 meet
      6:00 Dinner
      6:30 Grades 10-12 meet

PMMs will begin on September 4 with a pool party at the Wheelock’s.

Totally Tuesdays for 6-8 graders begins on September 16. Contact Tim for more information.

Our Goals for 2002-2003

1. To grow closer as a group and to support one another.
2. To be directly involved in helping others.
3. To take Bible passages and relate them to everyday life.
4. To incorporate youth into the overall life of the church.

Music Ministry Schedule

We will begin all rehearsals the week following Labor Day. We invite children, youth and adults to join in us for musical fun and growth. Call Joe Kennedy (344-4437) for more information.

Thursday:
      3:30   Youth Handbells
      7:30   Chancel Choir

Sundays:
      5:00   Adult Handbells
    6:00   Cherub choir
    6:00   Hosanna choir

Scholarship Awards

This year the Scholarship Committee awarded three scholarships to members of the church. The scholarships went to Cathy Bear, Robyn Dayton and Ashley Ingram. Congratulations to each of you.

Playground Up-date

Thanks to the very generous support of the congregation, and families in the weekday preschool program we reached our goal of $29,000 for new playground equipment. The new equipment will be installed in the next few days and ready for our children to enjoy. Thank you to everyone who met this challenge, and helped us actually exceed our goal.

News Briefs

	The deadline for articles for the October issue of the Tower Times is September 15. Please send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com.
	If you have anything stored in the garage of the Youth House, please speak to Tom Ruble (890-1718) no later than September 13. After that date the garage will be cleaned out, and items that are not claimed will be taken to the dump.
	The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, September 9 at 6:00 PM for a cookout at Roanoke Mountain with music and a hike. For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).
	The Friendship Circle will meet on Tuesday, September 9, at 10:30 AM in the Terry Wimmer Classroom.
	The The United Methodist Men will meet on September 20 at 8:00 AM. in the Fellowship Hall.
	There will be a Spirituality Retreat sponsored by the Virginia Conference on November 7-9. Contact Prentice Moran (725-8498) for information.

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.

PLEASE SIGN UP on the bulletin board by the church parlor to serve as a greeter. There are still several Sundays open during the summer months. All that is required is to be at the front door 15-20 minutes before the start of worship. Please check your calendars and volunteer to be a greeter!

MEMBERS WHO HAVE FAMILY who grew up in South Roanoke United Methodist Church are asked to turn their names and addresses into the church office as part of our 50th Anniversary Celebration.

EXCITEMENT IS IN THE AIR at South Roanoke’s Weekday Preschool! The decision has been made to put in a new playground for the weekday preschool and children’s division of the church. Financially, this is a tremendous project, and everyone is being given the joy and opportunity to be a part of this “Love Project.” A very generous bequest to the Weekday Preschool ($20,000) is the seed money for the project. This will take care of two-thirds of the cost. Patrons of the weekday preschool have pledged almost $1,200. Tax-deductible gifts may be made until August 15, 2003. Please make checks payable to SRUMC and earmark them for the “Playground Project.”

YOUTH POSSIBILITIES: A trip to Busch Gardens is being planned for the weekend of August 16. The UMYF will be going to the Wallace’s farm the weekends of August 29-31 and September 5-7. Call Tim Dayton, 344-4437 if you have any questions about any of the activities.

A NEW PICTORIAL DIRECTORY will be made this fall. Please set aside these dates on your calendars now so that everyone may be included: October 7-10: 1:30-9:15 p.m. and October 11: 9:00 a.m.—5:30 p.m. Appointment signups will begin Sunday, August 24.

PLEASE SEND ARTICLES for the October issue of the Tower Times by September 15 to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com.

ATTENTION DINNER GROUPS OF SOUTH ROANOKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH!!! New dinner groups will be forming on or about September 1. Everyone is welcome. If you are interested in joining a dinner group or if you need to change your status in dinner groups, please call Terry Wilkinson, 772-0490 or Colleen Marston, 989-0623 no later than August 27, 2003.

WE NEED ALTAR FLOWERS!!! The following Sundays are open on the Flower Calendar: September 7, October 26, and November 2. If you would like to remember or honor a loved one, please sign up on the flower calendar in the hallway by the church parlor. We want to be assured of having altar flowers each Sunday.

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will travel to Capon Springs, WV October 6-8. The approximate cost will be $250.00 per person. If you would like to sign up for this trip see the board by the church office. Also, if you would like more information see the board by the office, or you may talk to Romona Williams or Joe Kennedy.

AN ALTAR GUILD CHAIRMAN IS NEEDED for the month of September. Training will be provided for you if needed. Please call Natalie Rude, 345-1634 if you can help.

SEPT 2003	Youth News			Volume I Issue 1
TENTH ANNUAL WALLACE’S FARM GROUP BUILDING WEEKENDS!!!
Sr High Wallace Farm Sept. 19-21 (all 10-12th Graders) GROUP BUILDING TRUST GAMES BONFIRE SWIMMING CAPTURE THE FLAG NIGHT DEVOTIONS SUNDAY WORSHIP HEARTS & SPADES	Cost: $15.00 (check payable to SRUMY) Adkins Diet!!! Bring: Plastic drinking cup, sleeping bags, flashlights, bathing suit & towel, extra clothes, tennis shoes, toiletry items, & your Bible Optional: footballs-frisbees-soccer balls, guitars, playing cards.. Our Fincastle phone # 473-3321 Must have Medical Form!!!! SIGN UP SUNDAY NIGHT			Jr High Wallace Farm Sept. 12-14 (all 6-9th Graders) GROUP BUILDING TRUST GAMES NIGHT HIKE CAPTURE THE FLAG NIGHT DEVOTIONS SUNDAY WORSHIP SPOONS KILLER

Sunday Night UMY Starts Sept 7 5:00 7th-9th grades 6:00 Dinner 6:30 10th-12 grades	FRIENDS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME			CONSECRATION SERVICE & YOUTH KICK OFF September 28th 6-7:30 (start in the gym)

Coming Soon	CELEBRATE SUNDAY SCHOOL			Happy Birthday
9/7 Celebrate Sunday School 9/12 Jr. Wallace Retreat 9/19 Sr. Wallace Retreat 9/21 50th Anniversary 9/28 Youth Kick Off 10/6 PUMPKIN DROP 10/26 Mission’s Night	Sunday, September 7 Join us at 9:30 for breakfast and then come to Sunday School. Susan & Calvin Witt invite you to join them every Sunday. Isn’t it time you came to Sunday School?			J Nancy Woody J Anna Joppich J Noah Borthen J Calvin Witt J Susan Witt J Hal Adkins J Dauer Ellis J Jamie Ellis J Rachel Dorsey J Robert Bear	8/27/86 8/31/91 9/9/85 9/11 9/21 9/22 9/24/87 9/24/87 9/25/85 9/25/91

Junior High +
We have created two groups this year. The first is our 6-7th graders (Clearly Junior High youth). And the second is made up of 8th and 9th graders (clearly not junior highs). So, I need you guys to come up with a new name for these groups.

6 & 7th Graders
Counselors: Cameron & Jeff Huffman We are using: “Everyday Object Lessons” September UMY 7th Pool Party (Wheelocks) 14th No Youth (Wallace) 21st Cook Dinner for Interfaith Outreach 28th Covenant Service			Totally Tuesdays (from 2-5 PM) Sign up with Tim Airick awaits our afternoon trips… (pick up at school)

8 & 9th Graders
Synago Bible Study How about an afternoon Bible Study?? We hold it at your houses. Let’s Talk		Counselors: Susan & Calvin Witt We are using: “Jesus Christ for Youth” September UMY 7th (Cici’s) 14th No Youth (Wallace Farm Rtrt) 21st Serve 50th Anniv.

SENIOR HIGH
Jubilee 2003 Thanks for an awesome mission experience this summer. We have tentative plans to go down again this fall. If you are interested… tell John D. Put October 26th on your calendar as “Mission Night”. There will be a pot luck supper and a time for pictures and remembering.				New Times 6:00 Dinner 6:30 UMY For 10-12th grades
10th Graders Counselors: Bonnie & Tim Dayton We are studying the “Parables of Jesus” September UMY 7th Leader’s choice 14th Parables 21st no youth (Wallace’s) 28th Covenant Service			11 & 12th Graders Counselors: Beth & Todd Abbott We are studying the “13 Questions” September UMY 7th Famous A’s 14th #1 21st no youth (Wallace’s) 28th Covenant Service
Soccer 2003 Looks like our 10th graders have a team again this year. 9/3 Mt Pleasant @ 8 9/6 Green Hill @ 12 9/8 Rivers Edge @ 7 9/13 Hollins @ 1 9/15 Rivers Edge @ 7 9/29 Merriman @ 6			Synago Bible Study Noah is looking into starting a Bible study. I hope!! Let’s Go For It.
PM&M News 3rd ANNUAL WHEELOCK’S BACK TO POOL PARTY Sept. 4 from 3:30-5:00 Meet us at the Wheelock's at 5270 Flintlock Road. Bring your bathing suit and be ready to have fun. Parents and Siblings are welcome to stay—but not required. New Members: Kara Williams, Jacob Long, Eliza Gaylord, & John Dorsey. Directions: Enter Hunting Hills on Crossbow, directly across from Walmart. Follow Crossbow to Hunting Hills Dr. Turn right, then next right on Flintlock and another quick right on to Flintlock again . Third house on the left. PARENTS MEETING Sept. 25 from 4-5:00 Join us for fun and games. Come and meet your counselors, fill out your forms and get hold of a calendar of events. Margaret Knopf, Dawn Long and Terry Wilkinson will be our counselors.
CONGRATULATIONS To our high school 2003 Graduates! Where are they?? Chris Davidson– Marines Randi Dayton - Guatemala Tanner Hall UVA Ashley Ingram VT Doug Scott UT Ashley Wilburn VCU (EMAIL ADDRESSES COMING) Youth Bells - Thursday Afternoons - 3:30 PM Contact Joe Kennedy if you are interested in participating. (344-4437)
UMY starts on Sunday, September 7th. 5:00 Grades 6-9 meet 6:00 Dinner 6:30 Grades 10-12 meet PMM's will begin on September 4 with a pool party at the Wheelock’s. Totally Tuesdays for 6-8 graders begins on September 16. Contact Tim for more information. The Junior High Retreat is on September 12-13. The Senior High Retreat is on September 19-20. Youth Kick Off and Dedication Service is on September 28, at 6:00 PM in the church gym. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend. We will present calendars, update forms, collect fees, meet counselors, and answer questions. Goals for 2003-2004 #1 To grow closer as a group and to support one another. #2 To be directly involved in helping others. “Hands On Ministry”. #3 To take Bible passages and relate them to everyday life. “Bible Study” #4 To incorporate youth into the overall life of the church. “Comprehensive Youth Ministry” To contact Tim… call the office at 344-4437, cell phone at 588-3910, home phone at 981-0237 or email him at tghdayton@cox.net

SEPTEMBER 2003
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1 OFFICE CLOSED	2 10:00 50th Anniversary Committee	3	4 3:30 PMM's 3:30 Youth Bells 7:30 Choir	5	6
7 11:00 Worship Service Youth and Choir Activities	8	9 10:30 Friendship Circle 6:00 Aftercare	10	11 10:00 AFG Day trip to Fincastle 3:30 PMM's 3:30 Youth Bells 7:30 Choir	12 Junior High Retreat	13 Junior High Retreat
14 11:00 Worship Service Youth and Choir Activities	15 7:00 COM Budget Requests Due Deadline for October Tower Times articles	16 2:00 Totally Tuesdays	17	18 12:00 AFG Lunch 3:30 PMM's 3:30 Youth Bells 7:30 Choir	19 Senior High Retreat	20 Senior High Retreat 8:00 United Methodist Men's Breakfast
21 10:30 Worship Service Homecoming and 50th Anniversary Youth and Choir Activities	22 Interfaith Hospitality Network Week	23 2:00 Totally Tuesdays	24	25 3:30 PMM's 3:30 Youth Bells 7:30 Choir	26	27
28 11:00 Worship Service 6:00 Youth Dedication Choir Activities	29	30 2:00 Totally Tuesdays

South Roanoke United Methodist Church

2330 South Jefferson Street Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Phone: (540) 344-4437 Fax: (540) 345-8041

SEPTEMBER 2003

ANNOUNCEMENTS

2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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