2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

     As members of this congregation, will you faithfully 
participate in its ministries by your...presence?

  I welcome you to the next “season” of our year-long emphasis on “stewardship.”  As you know, our Comprehensive Stewardship Plan calls for us to grow in our spiritual maturity through the four vows of stewardship affirmed by all members of our congregation:

   February—April  The Stewardship of Prayer
   May—July  The Stewardship of Presence
   August—October  The Stewardship of Gifts
   November—January  The Stewardship of Service

  Presence is the essence of stewardship.  It is the unique witness of the church that the experience of God is known primarily in the community of faith through worship, learning, fellowship and sacrament.  God is known and experienced in our individual acts of personal devotion, but those experiences can only find their validity and sustenance by active participation in the life of the community.  It is the simple faith of the church that, in order to experience the presence of God, you must be present!

  Our Stewardship Sundays May 7, 14 and 21 will challenge us to full participation in the life of the church.  It is my conviction that every member of the congregation ought to identify one ministry in the life of the church in which to be involved.  I look forward to the opportunity for each of us to personally express our desire for active involvement in the church during this emphasis.

  The highlight of this emphasis is our JOINT WORSHIP SERVICE on Sunday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. (preceded by coffee and continental breakfast in the fellowship hall at 10 a.m.).  This special service will feature our Chancel Choir, brass instruments, percussion and congregational singing in a unique experience of worship with Ceremonial Hymns by internationally known contemporary British composer, John Hotchkins, under the direction of our Minister of Music, Joe Kennedy.  Plan to be present, invite other members and friends to attend and let’s make this Sunday the highest attendance of the year!  That would celebrate the Stewardship of Presence in  a most appropriate way!

SPECIAL JOINT SERVICE OF WORSHIP
SUNDAY, MAY 21

10:00 a.m. Coffee, continental breakfast, and fellowship in the gym.
10:30 a.m. Worship in the sanctuary featuring Chancel Choir, brass, percussion and congregational singing.
Ceremonial Hymns by internationally known contemporary British composer, John Hotchkins
Note: There will be no 9:00 a.m. Praise Service and no Sunday School on May 21.

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY
Sunday, April 30 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Our children will lead our worship
Children’s Handbell Choir, Peanut M & M’s singing
Youth Minister, Paula Coker-Jones Will preach

YOUTH NEWS

We had  a great Spring Break.  Kinner Ingram, Sarah & Kathleen Kennedy, Bryce Miller, Sabrina Rackow, Zach Whitaker, and myself and members of the VMI team worked at Alta Mons on Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday, the Steffe’s graciously opened their home on the lake to the youth for a day of lake sports. What a wonderful time.  The weekend brought a retreat for a few of the youth and we were given the opportunity to hear David Burke speak on Leadership and the qualities of a good leader.

Thank you Dr. Roth, Boyce Cook, Gene Swartz, Joe Kennedy, Dick Hancock, Dr. Nolan, Charlie Cash and Dot Roth for being filled with patience and encouragement while working alongside of the youth at Alta Mons.  I want to thank Lee Ann, Jack & Kemper for opening your home to us on Thursday, many of the youth who were there have stated how much fun they had that day.

Thank you to Rachel Wilkinson and Taylor Dayton for giving up your last weekend of Spring Break to attend and work the Youth Advocate for Christ retreat.

May events include:

Sunday May 7th  ROAST & TOAST  6:00 p.m.

We invite the church to join us as we graduate 7 seniors & 8 8th graders.  We are having a Potluck dinner and ask you to bring your favorite dish to share.  Dinner will start at 6:00 p.m. followed by the program @ 6:45 p.m.  We hope to see you there.

Sunday May 21st  SENIOR DINNER 

More information will follow.  This event is scheduled for the graduating seniors and their families.  We look forward to a time of celebrating this milestone.

YOUTH FOR HIRE
Do you need help with your Spring Cleaning Project?  Do you have yard work you need help with?  Do you have painting projects to do or would you like help moving furniture or cleaning that trouble spot?  We can help!  And you can help us!!

For a donation to the DCLA fund, which is the unique opportunity for youth growth and fellowship this summer, we can send youth to help you with those projects.  Please give Paula a call to schedule your project.

meeting Wednesdays
Confirmation Sunday June 11

UNITED METHODISTS expect to be involved in Gulf Coast Hurricane recovery work at least until 2012.  As of Feb. 28, the denomination had raised $63.8 million through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), in response to the 2005 hurricane season.  In addition, $7.6 million of relief and emergency supplies were shipped to the Gulf region.  UMCOR is the lead agency in Katrina Aid Today, a $66 million initiative sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and is training 3,000 professional staff and volunteers who will assist 100,00 displaced families.  Other hurricane-related grants allocated by UMCOR directors are $1.8 million for the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference for Hurricane Katrina work; $1.58 million to the Florida Annual Conference for its long-term disaster recovery program; and $102,000 to the North Carolina Annual Conference for its Hurricane Ophelia recovery program.
  —Sunday Advocate, April 23, 2006

Brochures are available in the church office.  Located near Shawsville, this United Methodist outdoor ministry provides a Christian camping experience for children and youth (rising 3rd graders to high school seniors).  You can get more information about the summer sessions and register online at www.altamons.org

Volunteer-in-Mission Report
by Dr. Bob Roth

Done with vim and vigor! Three SRUMC Volunteer-in-Mission (VIM) Teams reached out beyond the Roanoke Valley to be the hands of Christ.

November 12-19th, 2005, Church members: Bill & Ellie Clark; Prentice Moran; Jesse Beavers (Prentice's grandson); Rev. Bill Davidson; Dr. Bob Roth; Dr. Lee Anne Steffe; and friends: Karen Alley (VaTech); Kenny Bowman; Nolan Jackson (Salem) performed clean-up/ debridement of several homes in Kiln, Waveland and Bay St. Louis, MS, coastline communities devastated by hurricane Katrina on August 30th. The enormity of the destruction defies description. The appreciation of those aided and the compassion among great numbers of rescue teams from across America were felt in the heart, as well as the mind, to be the working of the Holy Spirit which united us all.

April 8-15th, 2006, again transported by our church van, Church members: Bill & Ellie Clark; Prentice Moran; Everett Holland; Romona Williams; and friends Mary Kamm (friend of Romona); Ellen Verrier and Ward West returned to Waveland. This time the focus was on reconstruction. They re-built most of the drywalls of an entire house. Once again, all returned safely, an answer to congregational prayer.