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

February 2004

The Pastor’s Message

Worship Times

Our Sunday worship is at 11:00 AM.

Sunday School is at 10:00 AM.

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

February 1
It’s Not What You do But Who You Are
Jer 1:4-10; 1Cor 13:1-13

February 8
Have You Seen God?
Is 6:1-8

February 15
God Makes It So
Luke 6:17-26

February 22
Youth Sunday

February 29
Rev. Cheryl Harrison-Davidson

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

 “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return”
A Service of Worship for Ash Wednesday, United Methodist Book of Worship 1992, p. 323

With these words the church invites each of us to a season of prayerful preparation and penitence called Lent. From the Anglo-Saxon word lecten, which means spring, Lent is historically a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts. Currently it is a shared experience of penance by all Christians.

The season begins on Ash Wednesday (February 25). Drawing from the early experience of people of faith who covered themselves with sackcloth and ashes as a sign of repentance before God, ashes mark the sign of the cross upon the forehead as an appropriate symbol of repentance and reconciliation.

The church will gather on February 25 at 7:00 PM for our annual Service of Worship for Ash Wednesday. As we anticipate this moment of spiritual growth in our lives I would invite you to mark this special occasion on your calendar. A complete schedule of our Lenten activities will be published in the March newsletter.

It has been my experience that this service of worship and the season of Lent can bring much healing, wholeness, and hope to our lives. It is a time when our Lord invites us to leave the frustrations, shortcomings, disappointments, and stresses of the past behind. It brings us the promise of fulfillment and joy in its conclusion at Easter! May God bless you through this important spiritual journey.

Rev. Bill

The Adult Fellowship Group

Preschool & MDO News

February 12, 2004
This is an opportunity to see some of the treasures of our valley that as residents it is so easy to miss. We will leave at 9:45 to arrive at 10:00 AM for a tour of all the organizations at Center in the Square. We will see the Mill Mountain Theater, the Art museum, the History Museum, and the Science Museum and their current exhibits. We will spend 2 to 2½ hours on the tour. The cost is $8 for the tour, and lunch will be at a local restaurant TBA. Check the bulletin board for our new list of upcoming events. Sign-up now! All adults of the church (of every age) are welcome to these programs/trips.

The 2004-05 Preschool/MDO registration begins January 26 for all currently enrolled students and SRUMC members. Registration for the public will open February 9. Call 982-3707 for information. 
The teachers at the preschool were busy last fall getting child CPR and First Aid certification. Penny Haynes taught our classes with 90% of the staff attending.
Our students learned the true meaning of Chistmas by collecting non-perishable goods for the Ronald McDonald House and adopting an Advent Angel.

UMCOR Responds to Earthquake in Iran

Please Save Those Empty Printer Cartridges!

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has sent emergency grant to Bam, southeastern Iran, for installation of tents for about 4,000 persons affected by the deadly earthquake there. “UMCOR’s excellent experience following the earthquakes in Turkey and El Salvador puts the organization in a good position to provide help in Iran,” said Paul Dirdak, UMCOR’s chef executive. So far, the Iran quake has claimed more lives than any other major earthquake in the last decade, according to a chronology compiled by Reuters. Dirdak urged United Methodists to respond in two key ways. The agency expects to provide health kits and school kits, among other supplies, to Iran in coming weeks. Specifications for assembly may be found online at http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/kits.cfm. Gifts to a newly established UMCOR Advance #624315, Iran Earthquake, will underwrite additional humanitarian assistance to stricken families.

Did you know that 400 million empty inkjet cartridges make their way into landfills each year? Do you cringe each time you have to throw away an empty cartridge wishing you had another way to dispose of them? Well, here it is! The Kisumu Sister City Committee who has a number of members at our church is collecting empty inkjet cartridges to raise money for their Kenyan projects. The projects include supporting the Agape Children’s Home, a home for former street boys in Kisumu, Kenya. Soon we will have a box at the church where you can deposit your empty cartridges. By doing this, you can help our environment and at the some time, improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in Kenya. For more information, call Diane D’Orazio (725-9886). Thank you.

SPRING LAITY SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT

Thank You from the Davidsons

The Virginia Conference Annual Spring Laity Retreat will be held April 17-18 at the Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, Blackstone.  Dr. Evelyn Laycock, immediate past Director of the Lay Ministry Center at Lake Junaluska, N.C.,  and Professor Emeritus of Religion at Hiwassee College, will lead this event entitled, "Come Unto Me and Take My Yoke." Cost is $68.  Registration material is available in the church office.

The parsonage family would like to thank you for the wonderful support you are giving us following Cheryl's knee injury on the ski slopes of Massanutten.  Your cards and calls have blessed us, the meals have nurtured us both in body and spirit, and your prayers have sustained us.  Bless you all!
In Christ's love,
Bill, Cheryl, George and Salina

Pathfinders Class Study

Beginning in February, we will begin studying and discussing Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life. We will take turns leading the discussion (we will circulate the list of Sundays to lead the discussion over the next couple of weeks). This book looks like an excellent guide for Bible-base study and in helping us to get our lives focused on our faith and our every day life. The books and other resources are available at Sam’s, Walmart, or on the website-www.purposedrivenlife.com.

VA Delegation Meets to Prepare for General Conference

The Virginia Delegation to General Conference will be meeting on February 14, and March 6, 2004 to discuss important General Conference agenda items. Topics will include new pension legislation, restructuring of the General Council on Ministries, proposed budgets, and issues concerning ordination. The public is invited to attend these meetings at the Virginia United Methodist Center, 10330 Staples Mill Rd., Glen Allen, VA., from 10 AM to 3 PM each day. A boxed lunch may be reserved for $5. Contact Darlene Amon at 757-484-2943 or <DVAMON@aol.com>. The delegation has also endorsed the Rev. Clarence R. Brown, Charlottesville District Superintendent, as the candidate from the VA Conference for election as Bishop at the quadrennial Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference this summer.

Youth News

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

 Our annual Youth Service is scheduled for Feb. 22nd at 11 AM.  This year we are blessed to have ten seniors who will be speaking.  So, we have added three more youth services to be held in conjunction with our Wednesday night contemporary worship services.  Our youth will be leading services on February 4, 11 & 18, as well as the 22nd.  I hope you will come out and support our youth during these services.

Spirituality Retreat:  By the time you read this, our senior highs will have spent a weekend at the Roth's exploring Methodist doctrine and Biblical teachings on "What Comes Next". This will have been our 9th consecutive Spirituality Weekend.

Summer is coming:   Hard to believe, but we will have planned our summer programming by the time you read this article.  Please watch for dates on Jubilee (our mission week)  Methodist Madness (our church camp), VBS (Vacation Bible School) and our many other summer youth ministry opportunities.

Duke Youth Academy:  Once again, Duke University is offering rising juniors and seniors an opportunity for Christian Formation.  Last summer Thomas Oshida and Brian Bear attended this intensive two week program run by Duke University Staff.  Contact Tim if you are interested, or get on line at DuYouth.Duke.edu.

Confirmation classes are set to start on Sunday, April 4. All unconfirmed youth in grade 6 and above are invited to attend. Please sign up with Penny in the church office.

Tim Dayton, Youth Ministries

 News Briefs

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

The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, February 15 at 6:00 PM to have pizza and play Bingo. For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).

 The Friendship and Upper Room Circles will meet together in February and March for the study of the book, The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.  Meetings will be in the Terry Wimmer Classroom on Tuesday, February 10th and 24th at 10:30 AM.

FEBRUARY 2004
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1
 
11:00 Worship Service
 
3:45 Praise Team Reh.
Youth and Choir activities 		2 
 

 3 
  
7:15 Disc. Bible Study		 4 
 
7:00 Contemporary Worship Service		 5 
 
 3:30 Youth Handbells
3:30 PMM's
7:00 Preschool Comm.
7:30 Adult Choir  		6 
 
8-9 grade retreat - World Religions 		7
 
 
8
 
11:00 Worship Service

3:45 Praise Team Reh.
Youth and Choir activities 		9

7:00 Council on Ministries Comm 		 10
7:15 Disc. Bible Study		 11
 
7:00 Contemporary Worship Service
  		 12
 
9:45 AFG Trip

3:30 Youth Handbells
3:30 PMM's
7:30 Adult Choir 		 13
 
 
14
 
6:30-9:30 Valentines Banquet
15
 
11:00 Worship Service
 
3:45 Praise Team Reh.
Youth and Choir activities 		16

7:00 Finance Committee
 
Deadline for February Tower Times articles		 17

7:15 Disc. Bible Study		 18
7:00 Contemporary Worship Service
 		 19
3:30 Youth Handbells
3:30 PMM's
7:30 Adult Choir		 20
 
 

 		 21
 
10:00 - 2:00  Youth Rehearsal
22
 
11:00 Worship Service
 
3:45 Praise Team Reh.
Youth and Choir activities		 23
 
  
 24

6:00 Pancake Dinner
7:15 Disc. Bible Study


 		25

7:00 Ash Wednesday Service
 		 26
 
3:30 Youth Handbells
3:30 PMM's
7:30 Adult Choir 		 27
 
 		 28
 
 
29
 
11:00 Worship Service
 
3:45 Praise Team Reh.
Youth and Choir activities		  
 

 
 		  
 
 		  
 
 
 		  
 
 		  
 
 		   
 
 

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 Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, February 10 at 6:00 PM to have pizza and play Bingo. For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).

The Adult Fellowship Group will get together on Thursday, February 12, at 9:45 AM to go on a tour of all the exhibits at the Center in the Square. The cost is $8 for the tour and lunch will be at a local restaurant TBA.

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

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Finance Committee on Monday, February 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the library/conference room. 

The FRIENDSHIP and UPPER ROOM Circles will meet together in February and March for study of  “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren. This study requires daily reading (short) and weekly group discussion. We have decided to meet every other week and cover one week of study at each meeting. Books may be purchased at Sam’s or any book store. There are also devotional journals for sale. The meetings will be on Tuesdays at 10:30 in the Wimmer classroom, February 10 and 24, and March 9 and 23. If you have questions call Terry Wilkinson, 772-0490. 

DINNER GROUPS: New dinner groups will be forming by February 15. If you would like to join a dinner group or need to change your dinner group status, please call Colleen Marston, 989-0623 or Terry Wilkinson, 772-0490 by February 10. 

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will have a catered lunch on Thursday, February 19, at 12:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Please sign up on the board by the church office if you would like to attend. This is just a wonderful time of fellowship and good food. 

YOUTH NEWS:
     Our 8th and 9th graders will be at Massanutten next weekend (Feb. 7 & 8) for a retreat on World
         Religions (and skiing.)
     The Youth Service will be Sunday, February 22 at 11:00 a.m.
     Dress rehearsal, Saturday, February 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
     Our Senior High Youth will be speaking at the CWS on February 4, 11 and 18.    

2004-05 PRESCHOOL/MOTHERS’ DAY OUT REGISTRATION began January 26th for all currently enrolled students and SRUMC members. Registration for the public opens February 9th. Call the preschool office at 982-3707 for more information. 

THE ROANOKE DISTRICT VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WORKSHOP will be held Sunday, February 8, at 2:00 p.m. at First UMC, Salem. All VBS teachers and leaders are encouraged to attend. 

THE DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY CLASS began meeting on January 20th. This study will continue every Tuesday evening at 7:15 p.m. in the Wesley Class. Three spots are still available. To date there are eleven participants. If you are interested please call Patty Oshida, 989-4880. 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP CAMP ALTA MONS with their Paul Bunyan Day on February 21st, please come to the camp at 8:30 a.m. for a continental breakfast. They will be cutting and splitting wood for up-coming summer camps, and they will also be removing trees that are a potential hazard. Please wear warm clothes and a pair of gloves, and bring any chain saws or wood splitters that you might have. A lunch of hot chili and sandwiches will be served with the day ending at about 2:00 p.m. 

A NURSERY WORKER IS NEEDED for Sunday evenings from 4:45-7:45 p.m. and Wednesday evenings from 6:45-8:00 p.m. Pay is $10.00 per hour. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested please call Colleen Marston, 989-0623. 

THERE IS A new greeter sign-up calendar on the bulletin board by the church parlor. Please check your schedules and sign up to serve as a greeter one or more Sundays during the year. 

THE WESLEY CLASS would like to thank everyone for supporting the “Annual Pizza Project.” Through your purchases and donations, we will be able to send at least 10 deserving CHIP children to Camp Alta Mons and provide meals for the Trinity United Methodist Church Children’s Outreach Project (C.O.P.) THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 

FAMILY MINISTRIES is looking for volunteers to help with upcoming events. This is a fun and rewarding way to be involved with the life of the church. If you are interested, please call Bittsy Hall (982-6725), Becky Austin (342-8101), or Lee Anne Steffe (344-4477.) 

CONFIRMATION CLASSES will begin Sunday, March 7 for all 6th and 7th graders or older who have not yet been confirmed. Please call Tim Dayton, 344-4437, if you would like to sign up to participate. 

NEW MEMBERS WILL BE RECEIVED on Sunday, February 29 at the 11:00 a.m. worship service. There will be a new member orientation class at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22 in the Terry Wimmer Classroom. If you would like to unite with South Roanoke United Methodist Church at this time please call the church office, 344-4437, or The Reverend Robert H. Garner, 774-0550, to make the necessary arrangements.

2004-05 PRESCHOOL/MOTHERS’ DAY OUT REGISTRATION began January 26th for all currently enrolled students and SRUMC members. Registration for the public opened February 9th. Call the preschool office at 982-3707 for more information, or to register your child. 

IT’S SNOWING!  IS CHURCH OPEN?  In most cases of inclement weather on Sunday mornings or Wednesday nights Sunday School and worship services will be held as scheduled.  If travel is determined by the National Weather Service to be too dangerous (e.g. ice on roads) church activities will be cancelled.  This decision will be made by 7 a.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. Wednesday.  Cancellation announcement only will be made on:
  --the church answering system (344-4437),
  --the church website (www.srumc.com), and
  --television stations WDBJ 7, WSET 10, and WSLS 13.
In the event of the cancellation of Sunday morning activities all Sunday activities are also
cancelled.  In other words, if there is no announcement, we are open!  

THE VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE will sponsor a Spring Laity Spiritual Growth Retreat at the Assembly Center in Blackstone April 17-18. The theme will be Come Unto Me and Take My Yoke. If you would like more information please call the church office, 344-4437. 

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN the Aldersgate Sunday School class as we begin a new study of the book, Forty-Sixty: A Study for Midlife Adults Who Want to Make a Difference. The book combines information about aging (Yes, we admit that we’re getting there!) with biblical and personal reflection. Issues addressed in the study include children and grandparents, spirituality, aging parents, losses, and giving back. You will find us in the room above the kitchen each Sunday morning.