2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

As you know our church this year has set ambitious goals for our ministry for the next five years.  To guide us toward those goals we have before us this year a number of priorities for our ministry.  Eight priorities guide the mission of our church for 2005.  The first two Ministry Priorities, I believe, help define our particular focus for the life of our congregation just now.

 Ministry Priority #1 is Membership Involvement.

 Ministry Priority #2 is Spiritual Formation and Growth for all Ages

 We’re talking about discipleship!  Discipleship…that is the focus of our congregation’s life right now.

 A number of Task Groups have been addressing the priorities.  In the month of April we will implement a new program designed to grow our discipleship.  Our new University of Faith Wednesday night church-wide dinner and spiritual life groups begins April 13 (see more detailed announcement about this six-week series in this newsletter).

 A number of you have expressed keen interest in a mid-week spiritual opportunity to “help get you through the week.”  Our congregation will benefit greatly from a regular fellowship opportunity to enhance our unity.  We will all find meaning in growing discipleship through this experience.

I invite you to be a part of our “University of Faith!”

NEW  FELLOWSHIP  OPPORTUNITY

9:00 A.M. Praise Service

April 24th, in the Fellowship Hall

A Festival of Hymns: The Writers Tell Their Stories, is an historical overview of hymnody, featuring eleven significant hymn writers, from fourth-century Bishop Ambrose through twentieth-century Sydney Carter, telling their own stories in the first person. After each character is introduced, a representative hymn is sung. Congregational participation is at the heart of the service. All hymns but one involve the congregation. A special bulletin will be available which includes the words and music for the congregation. The musical leadership will be by the Chancel choir, Hosanna choir, brass quartet, handbells and organ.

ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP

Do you have a favorite memento - something that has special meaning to you? Was there a particularly special event in your life? Are you a collector? Do you have a hobby or special interest? Do you play an instrument? Please bring a selection to share on Thursday, April 21 with your friends after lunch!   Cost: $7.00

SERMON SERIES:  “WE BELIEVE IN LOVE”

YOUTH NEWS

THE WALK TO EMMAUS

The Walk to Emmaus is a weekend (Thursday night through Saturday) retreat for personal spiritual growth sponsored by the United Methodist Church. Designed with fifteen "talks" given by clergy and laity, the celebration of Holy Communion, and  Christian fellowship, this experience has enriched the faith of a number of South Roanoke members.  If you are interested, please contact the church office. Future dates:

Men's weekends:  April 7-10, May 19-22

Women's weekend:  April 19-17,  May 26-29

2004 GIFTS FOR SPECIAL OFFERINGS

Our congregation was very generous last year in our “second mile” gifts.  We give thanks to God for the sacrificial giving of God’s people!

  2004 Lenten Offering                                       $13,806
  2004 Advent Angels                                          13,060
  Church Bus                                                       19,187
  “Change for a Quarter” World/National Mission  7,685
  Christian Education Fund                                       400
  Samaritan Fund                                                     215
  United Methodist Family Services                          347
  World Communion Sunday                                     55
  United Methodist Student Day                                20
  World Service and Conference Benevolences
  (Roll of the First Mile)                                           200
  TOTAL                                                        $54,975

GIFTS FOR TSNAMI RELIEF

The inauguration of our new Praise Service on Palm Sunday was a great success with almost 90 folks in attendance!  Many thanks to everyone who helped create an inviting worship space, who planned and sang, who made coffee, and greeted, and just praised God!  WE NEED YOU to help make this service warm and inviting for the nonchurched or less actively churched that we hope to attract!  If you are willing to help with any of the following , please call the church office (344-4437):

Summer Camp Registration is now in Progress
The 2005 summer season will soon be here. Campers of all ages have already begun sending in their choice of seven different week-long session. This year there are new options for 3rd 6th and 9th graders. If you have not received your summer camp brochure, you can call the camp office (540-268-2409) and one will be mailed to you. You can also register on-line by visiting the registration page of the camp's web site at www.altamons.com/Registration  where you can check on dates and availability for each session. The camp will be ready to host about 800 campers this summer so bring a friend or make new friends. Come and be a part of the many new and exciting things happening at Camp Alta Mons this summer. 

God's Calling will be the theme for the summer of 2005. Counselors and program staff will be relating scriptures and stories about God calling His people (that's you and I) and specific individuals down through history (Anna, Samuel, Lydia, and Jesus' 12 disciples). 

NEW! Nature Program Added This Summer
Adam Regula, from Ohio and a rising junior at James Madison University, will be on the summer staff as the nature resource staff. This is a new program position on the summer staff. He will work with camp counselors and campers on a daily basis in planning activities which will bring about a better awareness and appreciation of God's creation and beauty that is around us every day. Adam's background in graphics science and his own interest in the environment will add a new dimension to stewardship. Adam states that "My faith provides me with ethical and moral guidelines for my actions, particularly to treat the people around me with love, compassion and respect. I also take very seriously my responsability as a steward of God's earth."

Open House Weekend
Would you like to see Camp Alta Mons again? Or perhaps for the first time? Then plan to come the last weekend in May, the 27th - 29th (Memorial Day Weekend). You can bring your family and friends for the day or overnight. Reservations are required for overnight guests (the earlier the better). There is no charge for lodging or programs offered during the weekend. The available activities will include swimming, wagon rides, crafts, campfires, fishing, hikes and much more. Meals will be offered in the dining hall at children's rates for anyone desiring food service. Remember, Friday - Sunday, May 27th - 29th.