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

OCTOBER 2005

The Pastor’s Message

Worship Times

Our Sunday worship is at
9:00 and 11:00 AM.

Sunday School is at 9:45 AM.


October 2
Extreme Home Makeover #2
Build to God’s Specifications
Ex. 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20 Mt 5:1-11

 
October 9
Extreme Home Makeover #3
Lifetime Home Maintenance
Ex 32:1-14; Phil 4:1-9


October 16
Laity Sunday
Bruce Muncy, Patty Oshida, Bobby Sandel, speakers
Ex 33:12-23; I Thess 1:1-10; Mt 22:15-22

 
October 23
Prosper the Work of Our Hands!
Psalm 90: Mt 22:34-46 


October 30
 Step Into the Promise!
Joshua 3:1-4a, 7-17


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

    When disaster strikes the church responds.  A number of you have asked what the United Methodist Church is doing to respond to the disaster created by Hurricane Katrina.  The following is an early update on the outreach of the United Methodist Committee on Relief from their internet website:
    UMCOR is able to provide relief and meet real needs only because of the faithful support of United Methodists. That support has taken many forms: heroic, radical, and quiet service.
     Last week UMCOR set up call centers in three states to match resources with local needs, today, they are receiving calls and helping people throughout their regions. Over the past three weeks disaster response consultants have provide guidance and support to annual conferences in the disaster zones to help them form their own disaster response ministry. Since before Katrina struck United Methodists throughout the US have been responding to help the nearly one million people displaced by Hurricane Katrina. UMCOR is able to provide relief and meet real needs because of the faithful support of United Methodists. “UMCOR is us,” said Bishop Hope Morgan Ward to the Mississippi United Methodist Advocate.   (UMCOR, GBGM, posted September 13, 2005)
   UMCOR Disaster Response is a three phase process. The emergency stage is the present stage and is anticipated to last for up to 10 days. During this time rescue efforts and infrastructure repair are carried out by official agencies.
     In the second phase, the relief phase, assistance is provided to home owners who need to "muck out," assess damage, receive emotional and spiritual care, and begin their long road to recovery. During this time the local churches are very active, acting as shelters and support areas for the community.
    The third phase, long-term recovery, involves a holistic approach to people who have suffered losses, covering everything from seeking them out in their neighborhood to providing information and advocacy about their federal and state assistance rights. In coordination with other religious bodies and community service agencies, UMCOR will participate in repairing and rebuilding of homes, and assistance with living expenses.  (UMCOR, GBGM, posted August 30, 2005)
    Please continue to pray for the victims of this disaster.  Your church is encouraging contributions to UMCOR as well as the Red Cross and Salvation Army (mark your offering appropriately and it will be immediately sent).  By Homecoming Sunday we received 100 Comfort Kits and $5,092 in contributions.  Your leaders are also seeking discernment on how best to appropriately respond to the housing and rebuilding needs.
    May God bless us and our United Methodist Church as we respond to God’s call to be a neighbor to those in need!

Rev. Bill

YOUTH NEWS

    We missed those of you who were unable to attend the Wallace farm retreats. What a blast. Of course many of us had little to no sleep, the night games and group interaction made up for it.

    October has a variety of activities planned for both Jr. & Sr. High. Senior High will canvas the neighborhood October 2nd to prepare for the Pumpkin Patch first weekend. We need you to plan to be here.

October 5th at 4:00 p.m. pumpkins will be delivered. We will need youth and parents to help unload the truck. The Youth will cover the first weekend and into the first week. Our dates are October 7-14, we will need youth to volunteer after school and help from parents to cover day shifts. We will work it again the last week of October (24-28). Make sure you sign up to help with coverage.

October 28-30 will be our Haunted Cabin@Wintergreen Retreat. We will need to have as many of you as possible sign up as we need 15 to cover all the duties. This retreat is for 8th - 12th graders. However, we will have Youth Group, Sunday the 30th, as we will need to close the Pumpkin Patch down that evening. The weekend of October 14-15, we will party in the Pumpkin Patch. Look for those plans at a later date.

JR High Choir is in development as well as a potential instrumental choir. Please let either Joe or Paula know if you would like to participate. More information will follow.

Remember - Friends are always welcome!

Peanut M&M News

3rd - 5th grade are invited to attend on Thursdays from 3:30 - 5:00. On the first Thursday of each month, we will plan a fun outing and not return until 5:30. Drop off is from 3:00 - 3:30 each Thursday, depending on when the participating school release each participant. I want to thank the Longs for inviting us to come and swim at our kick off meeting, September 15th. We had a great time. Also thank you to Barbara Barbour for preparing our first semester snack schedule. I appreciate each of our families who share in this ministry. We look forward to a great year.

ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP

MISSIONS SPEAKER

Our annual trip to Capon Springs!  Join us on October 5-7 as we relax in the mountain beauty and enjoy the changing colors of the trees, go for an easy walk or a hike, feast on the scrumptious food (Thursday is steak night!) or take a ride on the Potomac Eagle train through the mountains.  Cost is $250 + 1 meal on-your-own.

Our monthly luncheon will be on October 20 with the program “Westward Ho! With the Kennedys”. Using a Power Point presentation, we will show and tell about our summer trip through the west. Relive your trip from earlier years across this magnificient country as you see our pictures and here our stories of this adventure.

See our fall schedule of activities and sign up on the lists outside the office. Adults of any age are welcome at these events.

On October 2nd,  the Wesley Sunday School class invite all adult and youth  Church School classes to the main social hall immediately after the 9 a.m. worship service  to  meet a visiting Turkish professor of Political Science,  Dr. Omer Genckaya.  He is a visiting Fullbright Scholar at Roanoke College for 6 weeks,  till the middle of October.  Dr. Jon Crawford,  R.C. Director of International Studies, asked for opportunities in the Roanoke Community to hear Dr. Genckaya speak.  He is eager to discuss the relationship of Islam to Christianity, seeking understanding and tolerance.  Turkey is the only democracy and secular Muslim nation in the world.  It is an important  bridge for creating Peace in the Middle East between Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
   Join with us, prayerfully, in our search for understanding and friendship with other children of God.

FALL FAMILY FUN

THE PUMPKINS ARE COMING!

   SRUMC Family Ministries committee is planning an event that will be fun for all ages. A “Halloween Hoedown” will be held Sunday, October 23 at 5:30, in the fellowship hall.

    Join us for a BBQ supper followed by square dancing. Caller Don Townsend will be here to instruct our group so no experience is necessary. Spectators are welcome but all will be encouraged to “grab a partner and do-si-do”. There will also be fun activities for children.

    Call the church office to sign up or look for sign-up sheets in October bulletins. There will be a small fee for supper. Come to eat, dance and enjoy some fall fun!

    The pumpkin truck will be here on October 5 at 4:00. We need lots of help to unload the pumpkins. It is quite a sight to see all those pumpkins being unloaded!
    Our pumpkin patch will be open this year from October 6 - October 30. Different groups in the church will be sharing in the work. We sell pumpkins from 10 AM-7 PM everyday. If you would like to help with this great project, please call Terry Wilkinson (772-0490) or Paula Coker-Jones (344-4437  Ext 16) to sign up.
    Profits from the pumpkin sale will be spent on Hurricane Relief efforts in the gulf states as well as other mission projects of several groups in the church.
    Make your pumpkin dollars count! Buy your pumpkin from SRUMC!

HELP FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS

HABITAT HOUSE

Please note that when contributing funds for any disaster through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief), 100% of the amount donated goes directly to the cause for which it is given. For the present need please make checks to South Roanoke United Methodist Church and mark “Katrina Disaster”.

We will help build a house on Saturday, October 8!  Join with our Methodist Men at 1719 Burrell Street for one or two shifts (8 am-12 noon; 12 noon-4 pm). This Habitat for Humanity home is supported by our Roanoke District. The church bus will leave at 7:45 am! Call Bruce Muncy (982-3680) or email muncyphoto@cox.net

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

     The children’s  program at Trinity UMC is in need of volunteers through the school year.  This an opportunity to work with children who live at or below the poverty level on Thursday evenings.  They run in 6 week sessions so you can pick the time that is convenient for you. Call Katherine Witt (772-1680) for information.
    Also, the PATHWAYS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM of the Presbyterian Community Center is in need of tutors who meet with the students weekly. Call Dot Dunn (774-3560) for information.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

  Question:  Jesus Calls  a)  Church goers   b)  Religious people   c)  Disciples

    Answer:  c.  Jesus wants you to believe. He wants to be close to you and in your life. He wants disciples - those willing to commit with their prayers, presence, gifts, and service to a deeper understanding of salvation. On August 30, several of our church leaders met to start putting together a comprehensive stewardship program that calls all of us to be better stewards in keeping with the vows we made to South Roanoke UMC - to support the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service. During each quarter of the coming year, we will emphasize a different aspect of discipleship. The annual gifts campaign will kick off the first week of October culminating on Dedication Sunday, October 23. Watch for your personal letter and pledge card in the mail soon, and please prayerfully consider your opportunity to support the church with your pledge.

 News Briefs

The deadline for articles for the November issue of the Tower Times is October 15. Send articles to Joe Kennedy, or email to   joesrumc@aol.com. Articles can be sent at anytime prior to the deadline. 

The Aftercare Social Club will meet on October 11 at 6:00 PM for Talent Night.  For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).

The Friendship Circle of the United Methodist Women of the United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at 10:30 AM in the Terry Wimmer Room.

The United Methodist Men will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 15, at 8:30 AM. The speaker is Dr. Phillip O’Hara. His program will be “Economics of the Kingdom of God”, Dr. O’Hara is a retired United Methodist Minister and the husband of the new President of Roanoke College, Mrs. Sabine O’Hara

OCTOBER 2005
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday


 

   
 

    
  
 		   
 
 		   
 
  
 		  
 
 1
 
2
 
Worship Service

Youth & Choir activities		 3

7:00 Council on Ministries
 
 4

7:00 Stewardship Committee		 5
 
12:00 Midweek Prayer
4:00 Pumpkin delivery
University of Faith		 6
 
AFG Trip to Capon Springs
3:30 PMM's
6:45 Praise Team
 		 7
 

8
 
8:00 UMM Work on Habitat House
9
 
 Worship Service
Youth & Choir activities		 10
 
7:00 CPR (Preschool)
 		 11

10:00 Friendship Circle

6:00 Aftercare  
 		 12

12:00 Midweek Prayer
6:00 Youth Leadership
University of Faith		 13
 
3:30 PMM's
6:45 Praise Team
7:30 Choir		 14
 
 

 		 15
 
8:30 UMM Breakfast

 Youth Haunted Hayride
16
 
Worship Service
Laity Sunday 
Youth & Choir activities		 17
 
 
 18




19

12:00 Midweek Prayer
 		 20
 
12:00 AFG Lunch
3:30 PMM's
6:45 Praise Team
7:30 Choir		 21
 
 		 22
 
 
23
 
Worship Service
5:30 Family Ministries Dinner & Dancing
 		 24 
 
7:00 Finance Committee
 		 25 
  
6:00 Council on Ministries Retreat		 26
 
 12:00 Midweek Prayer

University of Faith		 27
 
 3:30 PMM's
6:30  Choir & PT dinner & rehearsals		 28
 
 Wintergreen Haunted Cabin		 29
 
Wintergreen Haunted Cabin
30
 
Worship Service

Daylight Savings time ends		 31


Halloween

          

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 SEND ARTICLES for the November issue of the Tower Times by October 15 to Joe Kennedy, or email to joesrumc@aol.com. Articles can be sent at any time prior to the deadline. 

CHILDREN (ages 3 through 1st grade), may meet the acolyte to recess to Children’s Church. Please ask your child to line up behind the acolyte who will lead all children out together. After the worship service, parents must pick up their child in the Children’s Department; children will not be allowed to leave the room until their parents arrive. 

WELCOME! We're glad to have all who have joined us for this time of worship. Especially to our guests and visitors, we welcome you to South Roanoke and to our fellowship. We invite those who have no church home to make South Roanoke your church and add your witness to ours. 

THE ANNUAL METHODIST HOME BAZAAR will be held on Thursday, October 13 from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Roanoke United Methodist Home on Old Country Club Road. Please bring any donations of books, attic treasures, furniture, antiques and collectibles, jewelry, crafts, needlework, decorations, clothing, jams, jellies, snack bar, plants, or bake sale items to the church office. If you would like to purchase lunch tickets for $7.00 each please call Doris Cutright, 772-9454. 

The Friendship Circle of the United Methodist Women will resume their regular meeting starting on Tuesday, October 11, 2005, at 10:30 AM in the Terry Wimmer Room. 

THE UNITED METHODIST MEN will meet in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 15, at 8:30 AM. The speaker is Dr. Phillip O’Hara. His program will be “Economics of the Kingdom of God”, Dr. O’Hara is a retired United Methodist Minister and the husband of the new President of Roanoke College, Mrs. Sabine O’Hara.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Council on Ministries on Monday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m. in the library/conference room. 

THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB will meet on Tuesday, October 11 at 6:00 PM for Talent Night. If you would like more information regarding our Social Club call Bonnie Dayton, 981-0237.

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Stewardship Committee on Tuesday, October 14, at 6:00 p.m. 

PEANUT M & M’S will meet each Wednesday at at 3:30 p.m. All 3rd-5th graders are welcome!

SRUMPS FALL CLASSES: There are still a few openings in South Roanoke United Methodist Weekday Preschool for this fall. SRUMPS serves children ages twelve months to five years of age. Enrollment in classes is limited so that each child can receive individual attention from our highly qualified and experienced staff. Our innovative curriculum stresses the necessary skills for a successful kindergarten experience. For further information contact Debby Rattenbury at 982-3707 (Preschool office) or 343-9485 (home). 

DO YOU PLAY A MUSICAL INSTRUMENT? You are invited to help lead our worship of God with Graceful Praise, our 9 am Praise Team! We are especially in need of A DRUMMER and GUITARS. Call Director of Contemporary Music Rev. Cheryl Harrison-Davidson if you are interested, 342-4074. 

IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE HEARING IN THE SANCTUARY please take advantage of our “personal receivers” that pick up the audio signal from our sanctuary sound system. Each unit has a personal earpiece. They are available in the “ushers’ drawer” in the narthex or you may ask any usher to assist you in its use for the worship service. Please remember to return them to the ushers following the service. 

IF YOU WANT TO STAY IN TOUCH with what’s happening at the church, please keep your email address up-to-date. Check the booklet in the narthex to see if we have your correct email address. If not, please write down the correct one. That way you will be able to keep up with everything that is happening at South Roanoke Church. DON’T FORGET! Whenever you change your email address, let the church office know.