2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

Ever wonder what really makes you happy?  Ever wonder why we never seem to get the sense of satisfaction we expect of the choices we make?  There is a reason for that.  Recent scientific studies* have revealed much about the human spirit that the church has known for some time.  My upcoming sermon series, Whatever Makes You Happy (beginning September 10) explores this reality in the light of the hope of the Gospel.  I am preparing this series of messages for our upcoming KICKOFF WEEKEND.

 Come to KICKOFF WEEKEND!

 I hope the summer has been a time of renewal of your spirit and your relationship with God.  There is no better place to get back into life’s more regular season than the church.  There is no better community to help us keep focused on the important things of life than the community of faith.

 I invite you to KICKOFF WEEKEND!

 On Saturday, September 9, we reach out to the families in our neighborhood with a BIKE RODEO with the Roanoke Police Bicycle Patrol.  Our United Methodist Men are preparing now to sponsor this morning of races, safety checks, and prizes.

 KICKOFF SUNDAY September 10 begins with the coffee bar at 9:30 a.m. (there will be no 9:00 am Praise Service on September 10), followed by Promotion and regular classes at 9:45 a.m. Sunday School, and worship at 11 a.m..  We look forward to our churchwide BBQ DINNER (furnished by Bastians BBQ).  When you get to church you’ll smell the chicken smoking on the grill and enjoy smoked pork as well!

 I am especially looking forward to our new children’s Sunday School event called BLAST!  Wanna have a blast?  COME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!

 Your church is eager to invite new folks to this adventure of faith.  You will be receiving postcards in the worship bulletin and mail to give to others as an invitation to join you for all the festivities.  Please pray for and bring a friend with you KICKOFF WEEKEND!

* The Senior Pastor’s sermon series Whatever Makes you Happy beginning September 10 draws upon recent scientific insights referenced in the following books:

The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Swartz (Harper Collins, 2004)

Satisfaction: The Science of Finding True Fulfillment by Gregory Burns (Henry Holt, 2005)

Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert (Alfred A. Knopf, 2006)

Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children in an Indulgent Age by Daniel J. Kindlon (Hyperion, 2001)

YOUTH NEWS

SRUMC YOUTH ~ HELLO & WELCOME BACK!!

  I am so excited that it is kick off time. The Youth program will begin on September 10th, 2006 with a fun packed night starting at 5:00 p.m. We will have activities from Dave’s Moon Walk and our house Praise Band will lead the night with a variety of music. Dinner will be provided. The activities will begin at 5:00 p.m. and end by 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there.

PARENT’S MEETING:

  September 17th at 5:00 p.m. will be our annual kick-off meeting. You will receive calendars and program details. Your youth members $50.00 semester donation will be due at that time. I look forward to welcoming you back to another fun-filled year. We will discuss Pumpkin Patch and the coverage needed for this year. As you know I will be having a baby in October so we will need extra help this year.  See you then….

WALLACE FARM RETREAT:

  We will have our annual “Kick-Off” Retreat on September 22-24 this year. Our schedule will be different this year. Friday Night will be a joint youth retreat, which will include 6th—12th graders. Saturday Night will be Senior High only. We will meet at 5:00 on Friday night and make two return trips with Jr. High returning on Saturday and Senior High returning on Sunday. Please check your youth newsletter for detailed times.

YOUTH CONNECTION BREAKFAST

  This year we will be trying something new with a sponsor pairing between our 6th & 9th graders and our 7th & 10th graders. To kick this off we will host a breakfast on September 16th from 9:00 a.m.—11:00 a.m.  This will be a great opportunity for our youth members to make additional connections this year. I hope to see you there.

5th QUARTER

 We will host our first 2006-07 5th Quarter on 9/29 from 8:00—12:00. This will be a visitor outreach activity. We hope to see your youth member there for pizza, music & games. Cost is $3.00 at the door

FALL CHOIR SCHEDULE

  The fall choir program starts with rehearsals for the Praise Team (6:45) and the Chancel Choir (7:30) on Thursday, September 7th. 
 We will be singing each Sunday after that. 

  The Adult Handbells and Cherub Choir will start on Sunday, September 10th
  The children’s choirs will be on a new schedule this year as we combine their music with the weekday activities on Tuesday for the K-2nd graders and Thursday for the 3rd-5th graders. 

THE WALKER-RAGLAND MEMORIAL FUND HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Saturday, November 11, 2006   8:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m.

  The Adult Fellowship Group will be sponsoring a Holiday Bazaar to raise money for a memorial for Dottie Walker and Mary Ragland.  These funds will be used for upgrades to the childrens’ Sunday School area including a wall mural in the Sunday School hallway.  Our goal is to raise at least $750.00.  Included in the bazaar will be baked goods, arts and crafts, a white elephant table and other items.  Free hot coffee and tea will be served.

  We will also be featuring the Walker-Ragland Memory Lane display.  For this we want to ask anyone who has a specific fond memory of Dottie and Mary (as a friend or former student) to write your memories in a short paragraph and submit it to Nancy Leslie or the church office by Sunday, November 5th. 

  We would also like to encourage anyone who can donate items in any category for the bazaar to bring them to the church by noon on Friday, November 10th.  Any monetary donations will also be thankfully accepted and appreciated.  Also, we will greatly appreciate any offer to help in organizing and setting up on Friday and manning the tables on Saturday.

  Questions? Want to volunteer?  Call Nancy Leslie at 343-3831.

  We look forward to seeing everyone participating in this year’s events.  All adults in the church are welcome.  Bring your friends.  We always have fun!!

DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT
CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY?
DO YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? 

  United Methodist Community Outreach Program, a Church and Community Location of the UM General Board of Global Ministries, is in need of volunteers for the upcoming school year. 

CHILDREN NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2006

PMM  WILL BEGIN ON SEPTEMBER 14TH:

In order to meet the changes in the City school schedule we will follow an adjusted schedule this year. Our schedule will include games, music, instrumental music with bells and boomwhackers and weekly lessons. We will have fun days the first Thursday of the month beginning in October. We look forward to seeing you there.

Below is a weekly schedule:

2nd-4th Thursday of the month:
3:45 – 4:00  Children Arrive
4:00 – 4:15  Snack
4:15 – 4:30  Music with JOE ~ hand bells/boomwhackers
4:30 – 4:40         Music with Bill ~ music
4:40 – 5:00  Games (outdoor & indoor)
5:00 – 5:25  Lesson Activity
5:25 – 5:30  Joys and Concerns
5:30   Pick-up

First Thursday of the Month is Fun day. Schedule changes to 4:00-6:00
3:45 – 4:00  Children Arrive
4:00 – 4:15  Snack
4:15 – 4:30  Load Vehicles / Travel time
4:30 – 5:40  Activity
5:40 – 6:00  Load Vehicles / Travel
6:00  Pick-up

************************* NEW THIS YEAR **************************** 

OUR NEW K – 2nd grade PROGRAM WILL BEGIN ON 9/12/06

and will follow a 4:00 – 5:30 schedule with the goal of offering our K-2nd graders an opportunity for learning, growth and fun during our school week. We will study lessons, learn music, play outdoor and indoor games and have opportunities for hands-on learning through cooking, crafts and drama.

 Our weekly schedule includes:
3:45 – 4:00  Children Arrive
4:00 – 4:15  Music class with Joe
4:15 – 4:30  Snack
4:30 – 4:50  Games (outdoor & indoor)
4:50 – 5:10  Lesson Activity
5:10 – 5:30  Group Activity (based on lesson)
5:30 – 5:45  Joys and Concerns / Pick-up

We hope to see you there.
Please call Paula at 344-4437 with any questions or  concerns.

Come have a BLAST in Sunday School!
 Bible  Learning Adventure Stations

  It’s an exciting new concept in Sunday school for our children and youth!  In September, at South Roanoke UMC, our children will embark on a new adventure.  Using the rotation workshops approach, a format similar to Vacation Bible School, our kindergarten through eighth grade Sunday school classes will visit six different stations over a six week period.  During that time, the lessons will concentrate on one Bible story and various experiences to reinforce the story.  We will gather in the sanctuary at 9:50 each Sunday morning and move to the learning adventure stations by age group.  This approach is kid-friendly with many exciting activities and experiences, and it’s teacher-friendly with a commitment of only three weeks at a time and less preparation required than before.  Be sure to join us as we “BLAST” off a new year in Sunday school!  For more information contact Dawn Long, 989-2837, or Heidi Christopher, 774-3672.

2006 Virginia 224th Annual Conference Report 

    presided over by Bishop Charlene Kammerer

     This year’s conference preacher was Bishop Gregory Palmer, Bishop of the Iowa Conference. Preacher for the Service of Remembrance was Dr. Young Jin Cho, superintendent of the Arlington District UMC.  Bible Studies were lead by Dr. Bruce Birch,  Dean and Professor of Biblical Theology at Wesley Theological Seminary.  Over 3,000 Laity and Clergy were in attendance.

  Ron Hardman retired after 18 years as Lay Leader for Virginia and Shirley Cauffman was elected as the next conference lay leader. 

  Over $250,000 in donations received will be spent on— Brazil projects - $100,000; Mozambique-$50,000; Russia-$50,000; Virginia Projects of the Children’s Initiative-$50,000

  42 new Ministers were licensed plus 25 probationary members
  36 Ministers retired and 17 died

  Rev. Frank Jennings “disaster pastor” thanked the Petersburg District for creating a traveling shower on a trailer and the more than 3,000 volunteers who have traveled and worked on the Gulf Coast.

  4 tractor trailers were sent to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) carrying a total of 41,359 kits (health, school, bedding, flood, layette kits) made up by volunteers at Virginia United Methodist churches. 

  Larry Burian, new conference president of the United Methodist Men (UMM) challenged men to be “standing on the promises” or merely “sitting on the premises.”       

  “Weaving a Courageous Past into a Bold Future” was the theme of 50 years of full women’s clergy rights.

  Nineteen resolutions were sent to conference but only seven were voted on because of time restraints.

    Resolution 1 - Requesting resolutions be posted on the Web Site for 8 yrs  -  Failed.
    Resolution 14 - Hymnal Reinstatement of “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” -  Passed.
    Resolution 15 - Strengthening the Inclusivity of the UM Publishing House in it’s Ministry of Print and Media Resources and Curriculum - Passed.
    Resolution 16 - Resolution on the Integrity of Membership in the UM Church - Passed as substituted.
    Resolution 17 - UM Church Funding of World Council of Churches - Failed.
    Resolution 18 - Reconsidering our relationship with National Council of Churches - Failed.
    Resolution 19 - UM Global AIDS Fund - Passed. 

    Membership of Virginia UM churches stands at 341,346, down 540 from last year. Worship attendance stands at 123,161 down 4,135 from last year. 8 of over 18 districts showed membership growth. Six new congregations were announced. Over 500 churches had no new members added on profession of faith, programs will be developed to assist with evangelism efforts.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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.