2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

As Christ Cares, We Care"

At this writing the new year is drawing to a close and I reflect on my first six months as your pastor. In my brief time here I believe I have experienced the real heart of this congregation. When we presented before God Christmas gifts for 143 needy children ("Advent Angels") that amounted up to or more than $10,000, I experienced the real heart of this congregation. With the goal of a significant Advent Offering in support of our staff easily within our reach, I experienced the real heart of this congregation. When our Preschool accepted into our "Mother's Day Out" program at no charge the infant child of a mother whose husband lies in a coma, I experienced the real heart of this congregation. With our United Methodist Apportionments set to be paid in full again this year, I experienced the real heart of this congregation. When 20 or 30 of us came forward to be commissioned to again host the homeless at our church through the Interfaith Hospitality Network, I experienced the real heart of this congregation.

I believe you understand ourselves to be and desire to be known as a generous, giving, caring congregation. That is certainly my experience of you in my brief service among you.

As we begin the new year together we will share in two special moments in worship that can provide us renewed commitment to Christ. On the first Sunday of the year we will share in John Wesley's Covenant Service as we prepare to celebrate the Lord's Supper. On the second Sunday of the new year all baptized persons will have the opportunity to renew the covenant made at their baptism, receiving the sign of the cross with baptismal water and the blessing, "Remember your baptism, and be thankful!" Let this new year bring for all of us renewed commitment to the vision we claim for our ministry together:

"As Christ Cares, We Care"

    We begin the new year with lunch at the church on January 15 at 12:00.  Our speaker will be Office Susan Camper of the Roanoke Police Force giving us information on home and personal safety issues. She will give advice on ways to protect ourselves from telemarketing fraud, scams and con artists, and home security. This is important information for all of us!

The Wesley Class will begin selling pizzas now through January 17. Pickup date will be January 31, 2004 just in time for the Super Bowl. If you can’t eat pizza and would like to participate in this project, pizzas may be donated to the Ronald McDonald House or the Rescue Mission. Proceeds benefit local missions.

Thank You from the Staff

Interfaith Hospitality Network

Merry Christmas from the Davidsons

At Christmastime your parsonage family has through the years prepared a Christmas Card to be sent to all church members. In recent years, however, the congregation seems to have found it more meaningful for us to make a donation on their behalf. In this spirit we have made a contribution in your honor to South Roanoke's World Service and Conference Benevolences apportionment over-and-above our 2003 apportioned amount. This will help supplement sister churches whose financial circumstances may prevent their full payment this year. It will also
provide for our church's inclusion on the Roll of the First Mile, a designation recognizing congregations whose apportionment support is 101% or more. We are deeply grateful to you for your warm welcome and your prayerful support as we share in ministry in this community

Advent Angels Up-date

South Roanoke Church has provided Christmas love and gifts for 103 children this year (86 through the Henry Fork Service Center and 17 of the Clearbrook Community in Roanoke County). 60 angels were on the tree designated to receive one gift only. 42 were on our most needy list – families who would be unable to provide any gifts for their children. An average of $150-200 was spent on each of these 43 angels. Additionally, more than $2000 was given by church members to support this effort. A special thanks to Terry Wilkinson and Dawn Long who coordinated this generous effort again this year. It is quite possible that our church generously shared up to or more than $10,00 in Christmas love this year!

START THE NEW YEAR OFF RIGHT AT SOUTH ROANOKE!  

First Sunday of the New Year, January 4, 2004, 11 a.m.
Covenant Renewal Service and Holy Communion
A worship experience of John Wesley for persons of faith to recommit their lives to Christ.

 Second Sunday of the New Year, January 11, 2004, 11 a.m.
Reaffirmation of the Baptismal Covenant
As the water of baptism is blessed, all baptized persons are invited to come forward and receive the sign of the cross on their foreheads with the blessing "Remember your baptism and be thankful."

 SCOUTING SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 11 a.m.
We celebrate the ministry of scouting as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts related to our congregation take part in the leadership of our worship service. Join us as we give thanks to God for this vital ministry and those who volunteer in leadership.

Youth News

Youth Sunday will be February 22 – please mark your calendars!

 Spirituality Retreat:  Our senior high youth will be studying What Comes Next at our annual spirituality retreat. We will be meeting at the home of Bob & Dot Roth on January 16-18.

Our Sunday night youth activities will resume on January 11.