2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

...let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds...
Hebrews 10:24

At this writing I have just yesterday preached my sermon, "What I Have Learned About South Roanoke Church." In summarizing the conversations 128 of us had together during 10 "Neighborhood Gatherings" hosted in the homes of the members of our Staff-Parish Relations Committee I attempted to name your best hopes for the church as well as greatest challenges you feel the church faces right now as you shared them during our gatherings. The sermon is posted on our website www.srumc.com (as is every sermon since Oct. 5) and I would welcome your continued discussion together on these issues.

 Your hopes for your church run deep and find expression in the potential growth of our ministry together. You believe the greatest challenge our congregation faces has to do with communication and unity. As I shared in the sermon I mention again here. Let us covenant together as a church (and in our homes and in our relationships with others in our daily life) to never say anything more about one another than you are willing to say to one another. Healthy communities, families, organizations, businesses, and churches follow this simple practice and thereby promote unity through clear and genuine communication.

So let us give one another this great gift this Advent season. Our Lord Jesus Christ was born to bring peace on earth. Let us embrace that peace in our lives through this same Savior as we welcome Him again into our hearts this Christmas!

LIFT EVERY VOICE SUNDAY Emphasis
Grows Our Vocal Choirs!

Teacher of the Fall Quarter 2003

     South Roanoke United Methodist Church is fortunate to have many dedicated teachers involved in its Sunday school program.  One of those very special teachers is Patty Oshida.  Patty grew up in Lorain, Ohio and began teaching Sunday school in her home church at the age of sixteen. She taught this class before and after college.  She continued teaching until she moved to Roanoke in 1985. Patty taught her first Sunday school class at SRUMC in January of 1986.  She has been teaching Sunday school classes in our church for the past seventeen years.  During this time she has taught many different age levels, but for the past five years she has taught the three and four year olds.  Patty says this is her favorite age group because of their sweetness, innocence, and general excitement about learning.  Patty says she has a great group of youngsters who are a delight to teach.  She has a wonderful assistant, her son Thomas.  All the children love Thomas.  Patty says getting to work with her son is a definite plus.  Thomas is seventeen years old and is a remarkable young man.  Our church cannot say enough about Patty and her son.  They are essential to the success of our Sunday school program.  We thank you both for the wonderful job you are doing. We applaud you.  You are blessed to be a blessing.

    Our Sunday school program is always ready to provide people with the opportunity to serve their Lord.  If you are feeling the need to respond to God’s calling, please consider serving as a teacher or helper in our program.  We are flexible, for example, some of our teachers teach for one quarter, some two, some three and some for the entire year.  We only have a few like Patty who teach non-stop for years, but we would love to have more!  We can always use substitutes on a Sunday to Sunday basis.  We can find a place for you to serve, to fulfill your need to give back some of the blessings with which you have been blessed.  However we believe you will find instead of giving back you will continue being blessed while in service for your Lord.  Serving gets you more involved with your church family and enhances your own religious experience.  So come on and join the fun.  If you are not currently attending a Sunday school class, please join us in making SRUMC one of the best programs in the Roanoke Valley.  The more we have involved the better program we will provide for the purpose of bringing people to know and love our Savior Jesus Christ.  As Christ Cares, We Care. We Care for Everyone and We Care for You.

Youth News

Our Junior and Senior High youth sponsored 6 Angels from our Angel Tree and will be dedicating these gifts at our Advent Angels program on Dec. 7th.

Several of our Senior Highs will be attending the Senior High Conference Retreat in Lynchburg on Dec 5-7th.

The UMY will celebrate Christmas on the 21st with parties at several of the youth's homes.

Please mark your calendars for the Senior High Spiritual Retreat to be held at the "Peace Pagoda" on January 16-18th. Our annual youth service will be on February 22nd.

Our PM&M's sponsored one of our Angels and will be dedicating their gifts during the Advent Angel Program on Dec. 7th. The PM&M's are planning on visiting folks at Brandon Oaks on Dec 18th from 3:45 to 4:45 PM.

Celebrate the Christmas season at
South Roanoke United Methodist Church 

Advent Angel program
Sunday, December 7 - 6:00 PM
We will begin the evening with a pot-luck family dinner and then be treated to a musical program by Terri Allen and friends and the Senior High Youth, and conclude in the Sanctuary as we dedicate the Advent Angel gifts
 

A Service of 
Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 14 - 11:00 AM
Join us for a service of readings and carols lead by the
Chancel Choir, organ and handbells 
 

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Festive Advent Worship
with The Roanoke Chamber Brass
December 21 - 11:00 AM
A festive service to usher in the season with
the Chancel Choir, Brass quintet and organ 

Christmas Eve
Candlelight Communion Service
Wednesday, December 24 - 5:00 PM
We celebrate the birth in a service with music by the Chancel Choir and soloists, Praise Team singers, the Adult Handbell Choir, a message by Rev. Bill, and concluding with communion.

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!

The Council on Ministries will meet on Monday, December 1 at 7:00 PM.

The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, December 9 at 6:00 PM at the church for a Christmas dinner and crafts time. For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).

The Friendship Circle will meet on Tuesday, December 9, at 10:30 AM in the Terry Wimmer Classroom.

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

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will meet for a catered lunch in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, December 18 at 12:00 p.m. when Joe Kennedy will present a short program of favorite carols played at the organ. All adults of the church (of every age) are welcomed. Sign up on the list on the board by the church office if you would like to attend. 

THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK needs your extra suitcases and duffel bags for homeless families. If you have one to donate, please call 343-9982.

SPECIAL ADVENT OFFERING FOR OUR CHURCH STAFF—GOAL $7,660.91
As most of you are aware by now, your church staff will not receive any raises again next year due to our current budget restraints. We are concerned that our staff received no increase in 2002, received only about a 1% increase in 2003, and will again receive no increase in 2004. We are also concerned that “continuing education” has been denied our full-time staff since funding for those opportunities was removed from the church budget two years ago. In that light, your Staff-Parish Relations Committee has been granted permission to receive a special Advent offering that will support our staff members. This offering will help us grant as a “bonus” this year the 2004 salary increases we originally recommended for them based upon their performance evaluations. It  will also allow us to make funds available for their “continuing education” next year. Place your gift in the offering plate (marked “Staff Christmas”) or mail it so that it will be received at the church office by Friday, December 19.                               -Staff-Parish Relations Committee 

ED TAYLOR, former minister of South Roanoke UMC has had a stroke. Anyone who would like to send cards may do so at the following address: 2300 Pimmit Drive Apt. 214, Falls Church, VA 22043-2833. 

MIKE AND ANNE FERGUSON wish to thank the congregation for their kind outpouring of love, prayers and cards during Mike’s surgery and recovery. Mike is doing well and continues to make progress every day. 

THE WIMMER CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held on Monday, December 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Brandon Oaks. Everyone is welcome. Cost is $13.00 per person. Reservations must be made by Friday, December 19. Reservations should be made with Natalie Carter, 776-2118 or Lucy Fink, 776-2142. If paying by check please make your checks payable to Natalie Carter. 

THERE WILL BE NO Contemporary Worship Service on Wednesday, December 24. We will celebrate the birth of Christ with a Holy Communion and candlelight service at 5:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary.