Archive - September 2008

The Tower Times September 2008
September 2008	The Pastor’s Message Three Simple Rules. That’s how John Wesley described the Christian life to folks who first came to the faith by his preaching. Follow these three simple rules, he said, and you are well on your way to growing the life that is given to you by Jesus. Three simple rules: Do No Harm Do Good Stay in Love with God Called the “General Rules” of the Methodist Movement (a spiritual revival John Wesley started in the 1700’s in England that is now our United Methodist Church), these are basic guidelines for living. We begin our fall schedule on Kickoff Sunday, September 7. You will want to be with us for Continental Breakfast, Sunday School and worship followed by a church-wide Barbecue dinner! We will present Bibles to our children and introduce them to the Scriptures with the “start up” of our weekday children’s programs. We look forward to our choirs, praise team, and newly-formed youth orchestra as they get together that week. Our fall youth ministry also begins that evening. Join us as I share a sermon series on these three simple rules beginning Kickoff Sunday! I will also teach a Sunday School lesson series with our adult classes on this topic throughout the upcoming year. *Rev. Bill* P.S. If you would like to know more about our United Methodist Church and the Christian Faith, join me for my Pastor’s Inquiry Class offered during Sunday School beginning September 14.
Worship Schedule September 7 17^th Sunday after Pentecost HOLY COMMUNION PRESENTATION OF BIBLES KICKOFF SUNDAY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUNDAY Sermon Series 1—Three Simple Rules for Living: Do No Harm Romans 14:8-14 September 14 18^th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon Series 2—Three Simple Rules for Living: Do Good John 11b; Luke 6:27-28 September 21 19^th Sunday after Pentecost Sermon Series 3—Three Simple Rules for Living: Stay in Love with God Psalm 105:1-11 Colossians 2:6-7 September 28 20^th Sunday after Pentecost A Change of Mind Philippians 2:1-13 Matthew 21:23-32 You are asked to read and study the listed Bible chapters and verses each week in preparation for worship.


SINGLE YOUNG ADULTS Rev. Bill would like to invite our single young adults to the parsonage for a time of fellowship and refreshments. If you are interested please contact him or the church office.	WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF PRAISE AND PRAYER Wednesday service of praise and prayer 6:30 PM begins September 10 for four weeks and will be an informal time of worship in the sanctuary with contemporary music, prayer, and testimony by church members. Join us!

FOR OUR WORSHIP BEGINNING KICKOFF SUNDAY	THE COUNCIL ON MINISTRIES
September 7 we will provide the order of worship, words for our singing, and new visual emphasis for the sermon by the use of “powerpoint” projection of words and pictures on the left wall.	will meet Monday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m. in the library/conference room

THE CHURCH OFFICE	THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB
will be closed for the Labor Day Holiday Monday, September 1.	will meet on Tuesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m. for a cookout at the home of Steve and Terry Wilkinson. Call Bonnie Dayton, 981-0237 if you would like more information about our social Club.

THE SOUTH ROANOKE PLAYERS Rev. Bill would like to form a drama group for occasional “reader’s theater” presentations during worship and other occasions. The upcoming schedule includes two “vignettes” as a part of the sermon of September 28 and the play The Velveteen Rabbit for worship on October 26. If you are interested in drama and would like to be involved in one or more please contact him or the church office (344-4437) .	DEAR SOUTH ROANOKE FRIENDS. Our lives changed drastically on April 1, 2008, when our daughter and granddaughter Libby was diagnosed with leukemia. The first thing we heard was that the road to recovery would be long and at times difficult. With God’s help and the support and love shown by Rev. Bill and the congregation through calls, emails, cards, gifts, and prayers, we are getting through this one day at a time. Special thanks for Polly Roberts and the Project Libby Kitchen Angels who have provided not only food for the body but for the soul as well. It has been a tremendous blessing to our family to witness so many acts of kindness and generosity. Blessings…Jenn and Troy Jamison; Sandi and Dick Clemmer.

IF THE WORLD WERE A VILLAGE of 100 People while maintaining current ratios the demographics would look something like this -- The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific. 51 would be male, 49 would be female, 82 would be non-white; 18 white. 67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian. 80 would live in substandard housing, 67 would be unable to read, 50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation, 33 would be without access to a safe water supply, 39 would lack access to improved sanitation, 24 would not have any electricity. Of the 76 that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night. 7 people would have access to the Internet, 1 would have a college education 1 would have HIV, 2 would be near birth; 1 near death. 5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth; all 5 would be US citizens, 33 would be receiving and attempting to live on 3% of the total village income. Submitted by Ellie Clark, Missions Co-Chair	PASTOR’S INQUIRY CLASS For those who are curious about the United Methodist Church or want to learn more about the Christian faith join Rev. William G. Davidson Sundays 9:30 am—10:00 am In the parlor Schedule of topics Sep. 14 “What is God Like?” Sep. 21 “The Bible: You Can Take It At Its Word” (1) Sep. 28 “The Bible: You Can Take It At Its Word” (2) Oct. 5 “What Time Is It?—The Christian Calendar” Oct. 12 “The Sacraments: Signs of God’s Love” Oct. 19 NO CLASS Oct. 26 “United Methodists: Connected and Called” (1) Nov. 2 “United Methodists: Connected and Called” (2)

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Wimmer Class (Senior Adult) - The International Lesson Series in the Wimmer Room Wesley Class (All Ages) Aldersgate Class will be continuing the 12 Apostles in September. Hope everyone had a good summer Pathfinders Class Inquiry Class led by Rev. Bill in library.	CIRCLES TO MEET The Mary Circle will have their fall planning meeting on Monday, September 15, 2008, at 7:30 p.m. at the parsonage. New members are welcome. Please contact Anne Ferguson for more information. The Dottie Walker Circle will meet Tuesday, September 9, at 10:30 a.m. in the Terry Wimmer Classroom. The Upper Room Circle will meet Tuesday, September 2 at 10:30 a.m. in the Aldersgate room and Tuesday, September 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the parsonage for study, fellowship, and lunch. Anyone interested in joining is welcome! Call Dawn Long, 989-2837.

FACILITY NEEDS ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007 THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TOOK ACTION on the Recommendations of the Facility Needs Task Group. The Task Group’s recommendations, as called for by our “Five Year Plan” adopted November 29, 2004, are based on suggestions received from the congregation over the past several months. Of the Task Group’s fifty-two (52) recommendations the Trustees are actively addressing twenty-six (26) of them at this time. CHURCH BUILDING—COMPLETED ►Painting sanctuary interior; ►Handicapped ramp access to gym front entrance and sidewalk repair 24^th St. walk-way to kitchen door; ►Youth house windows replacement PARSONAGE—COMPLETED ►Parsonage kitchen and first-floor bath renovation, refinishing hardwood floors, landscaping CHURCH BUILDING—TO BE COMPLETED ►Hallway ceiling replacement; ►Painting hallways, office, supply room, and fellowship hall interior, and youth house interior; ►Repair, patch, and paint Education wing rooms as needed (and mural); CHURCH BUILDING—UNDER CONSIDERATION ►Handicapped-accessibility from fellowship hall level to sanctuary level ►Bathroom updating; ►New hallway flooring. PARSONAGE—UNDER CONSIDERATION ►Floor tile repair, and driveway repair. PROJECT FUNDING ►Available annual church budget funds designated for facility needs ►Charitable bequests made to our Endowment Funds by members of our congregation. We are deeply grateful for these enduring gifts to our Endowment Funds that are making these much-needed repairs and improvements possible. For information on how you may include your church in your will, please contact the church office or any member of the Endowment Committee (Jack Burrows, Bill Brenton, Mark Hall, Carl Sherertz, Bill Wallace).

ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will meet for lunch at the Roanoker Restaurant (Dutch treat) on Thursday, August 28 at 12:30 p.m. This will be a great time to “catch up” with each other and help plan our activities for the upcoming year. Please sign up on the bulletin board at the office entrance or let the church office know if you can attend. THEN….The ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will kick-off its fall activities on Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 12:00 noon with lunch in the fellowship hall catered by The Country Sweet Shoppe. Cost for the meal will be $8.00. Our own Director of Music, Rafael Scarfullery, will present the program that day with his classical guitar. Reservations must be made by Sunday, September 14, 2008. Sign-up sheet is outside the church office on the bulletin board. Plans are indefinite for October. For those who signed up to go on the NY trip with Cave Spring UMC, you will receive details on the trip. Hopefully, the November activity will be a tour of the new Taubman Art Museum and lunch at their new café. The November 20th date is to be confirmed at the beginning of October. Watch the bulletin board for updates. With such a tremendous response to the outing at Hotel Roanoke last December, plans are being made to return there on either December 4th or 11th. Again, check the bulletin board, the Sunday bulletin, and The Tower Times, for more information as it becomes available on these activities. Everyone is invited to participate in these activities, and friends are welcome!!! If you have any questions, contact Norma Ruble (890-1718 or twrnsr@cox.net).	ULTIMATE RECYCLING OPPORTUNITY Clean out your closets, attics and basements because it’s almost time for the “Miracle of Missions” rummage sale at SRUMC. The Kisumu Sister City Committee will partner with SRUMC to raise money for missions in Kisumu, Kenya Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. We will be accepting donated items from Sunday, September 14th through Wednesday, September 17th. We will not be able to accept large appliances or computers. Also, we will not accept clothing unless it is new because we don’t have enough display space for them. Any items that don’t sell will be donated to the Rescue Mission or the Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop. We can use your help if you have some free time the week of the sale. Any hours you can contribute to helping us sort and price items in the days leading up to the sale would be greatly appreciated. Also, we’ll need lots of help both days of the sale. Our goal is to raise $3,000 for the Kisumu Medical Fund and to help the KSCC bring an exchange student to Roanoke in December for a 3 month internship. The fellowship of this sale is the best blessing of all so I hope you will join us. If you have any questions about the sale, please call me at 797-9886 (cell on during the day) or 725-9886 (home on at night). I want to thank everyone at SRUMC who helped welcome our friend Pastor Phoebe Onyango who visited Roanoke for the first time July 23-29th. Thank you for allowing us to have a reception for Phoebe in the fellowship hall July 26th and thanks to all who attended that evening. Her testimony touched many hearts and your hospitality touched hers. Diane D'Orazio, Chairman Kisumu Sister City Committee

VOLUNTEER IN MISSION TEAM TO MISSISSIPPI Hurricane Katrina Relief effort Please be in prayer October 19-25 when our team partners with a team from Fairview UMC (Rev. Cheryl’s congregation). Team members: South Roanoke UMC: Bill Davidson, Romona Williams (Disaster Relief Coordinator), Bill Clark, Ellie Clark, Everett Holland, Donald Sorensen Fairview UMC: Cheryl Harrison-Davidson, Wayne Dickerson, Vickie Rowe Baptist and Episcopalian friends Betsy Barker from Salem, Marty Kamm from Daleville	GUITAR CONCERT Presented by our own Rafael Scarfullery On Tuesday, September 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary,. Followed by a reception in the fellowship hall. This will be the first in a series of concerts. Invite your family and friends to come with you.

News Briefs
¨ Newsletter schedule: The deadline for articles for the October issue of the Tower Times is September 15. Send articles to Kate Garrett or email to kgarrett@benefitsmanagement.com. Articles can be sent at anytime prior to the deadline. ¨ The Aftercare Social Club will meet on Tuesday, September 2, at 6:00 p.m. for a cookout at the home of Steve and Terry Wilkinson.. If you would like more information regarding our Social Club please call Bonnie Dayton, 981-0237. ¨ The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day. ¨ COMMITTEE MEETINGS: Monday, September 8 - 7:00 p.m. - Council on Ministries; in library /conference room

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.

THE DEADLINE for articles for the October issue of the Tower Times is September 15. Send articles to Kate Garrett or email to kgarrett@benefitsmanagement.com. Articles can be sent at any time prior to the deadline.

AVAILABLE IN THE NARTHEX: The May/June Upper Room, large print United Methodist Hymnals, individual hearing enhancement equipment, and children’s bulletins (ages 3-12). Please ask an usher to assist you.

THE RESCUE MISSION REPORTED that the “Back to School” backpack/supplies project our VBS helped with was a GREAT success. They gave out 520 loaded backpacks to a bunch of very excited kids. The line stretched around the block for those waiting for the supplies.

WEDNESDAY SERVICE OF PRAISE AND PRAYER 6:30 PM begins September 10 for four weeks and will be an informal time of worship in the sanctuary with contemporary music, prayer, and testimony by church members. Join us!

THE SOUTH ROANOKE PLAYERS: Rev Bill would like to form a drama group for occasional “reader’s theater” presentations during worship and other occasions. The schedule includes two “vignettes” as a part of the sermon of September 28 and the play The Velveteen Rabbit for worship on October 26. If you are interested in drama and would like to be involved in one or more please contact him or the church office (344-4437).

A GATHERING OF SINGLE YOUNG ADULTS: Rev. Bill would like to invite our single young adults to the parsonage for a time of fellowship and refreshments. If you are interested please contact him or the church office.

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will meet for lunch at the Roanoker Restaurant (Dutch treat) on Thursday, August 28 at 12:30 p.m. This will be a great time to “catch up” with each other and help plan our activities for the upcoming year. Please sign up on the bulletin board at the office entrance or let the church office know if you can attend.

THE ANNUAL METHODIST HOME BAZAAR will be held Thursday, October 9. Please bring yard sale type items to the church office as soon as possible to donate to this sale. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

FOR OUR WORSHIP BEGINNING KICKOFF SUNDAY, September 7 we will provide the order of worship, words for our singing, and new visual emphasis for the sermon by the use of “powerpoint” projection of words and pictures on the left wall.

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“Pastor’s Inquiry Class”
For those who are curious about the United Methodist Church or want to learn more about the Christian faith with Rev. William G. Davidson Sundays 9:30 am—10:00 am in the parlor

Schedule of topics
     September 14     “What is God Like?”
     September 21     “The Bible: You Can Take It At Its Word” (1)
     September 28     “The Bible: You Can Take It At Its Word” (2)
     October 5         “What Time Is It?—The Christian Calendar”
     October 12       “The Sacraments: Signs of God’s Love”
     October 19         NO CLASS
     October 26       “United Methodists: Connected and Called” (1)
     November 2   “United Methodists: Connected and Called” (2)

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ULTIMATE RECYCLING OPPORTUNITY: Clean out your closets, attics and basements because it’s almost time for the “Miracle of Missions” rummage sale at SRUMC. The Kisumu Sister City Committee will partner with SRUMC to raise money for missions in Kisumu, Kenya Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall. We will be accepting donated items from Sunday, September 14th through Wednesday, September 17th. We will not be able to accept large appliances or computers. Also, we will not accept clothing unless it is new because we don’t have enough display space for them. Any items that don’t sell will be donated to the Rescue Mission or the Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop.

We can use your help if you have some free time the week of the sale. Any hours you can contribute to helping us sort and price items in the days leading up to the sale would be greatly appreciated. Also, we’ll need lots of help both days of the sale. Our goal is to raise $3,000 for the Kisumu Medical Fund and to help the KSCC bring an exchange student to Roanoke in December for a 3 month internship. The fellowship of this sale is the best blessing of all so I hope you will join us. If you have any questions about the sale, please call me at 797-9886 (cell on during the day) or 725-9886 (home on at night).

I want to thank everyone at SRUMC who helped welcome our friend Pastor Phoebe Onyango who visited Roanoke for the first time July 23-29th. Thank you for allowing us to have a reception for Phoebe in the fellowship hall July 26th and thanks to all who attended that evening. Her testimony touched many hearts and your hospitality touched hers.
Diane D’Orazio, Chairman
Kisumu Sister City Committee

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JOIN OR VISIT AN ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS!
Wimmer Class (Senior Adult) - The International Lesson Series in the Wimmer Room.
Wesley Class (All Ages) - Study and Fellowship—”Faith Sharing” led by Rev. Bill Davidson (Wesley Room).
Aldersgate Class (Middle Adult) is reading and discussing A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. Anyone is welcome to join.
Pathfinders Class (Young Adult) is currently discussion Christian Relationship as our topic of study. This course of study will continue through February. The areas of focus include: communication, healthy conflict, respect and overall influences of religion on relationships. The Pathfinders are also focusing on increasing attendance to Sunday School for good discussions and fellowship.

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CHILDREN’S CHOIRS

Children’s Choirs meet on Sundays at the start of Sunday school. The Cherub and Hosanna Choirs meet every Sunday morning from September-June. Cherub Choir is for children ages 3 years to 5 years old and Hosanna is for K-5th grade. The next time the children will sing for Sunday worship service is February 17th at 10:30 a.m. Mark your calendars now for Children’s Sunday on April 29th.The children will lead worship that day.

SEPTEMBER 2008
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
	1 Labor Day Church Office Closed	2 Roanoke City starts school 10:30 Upper Room Circle 6:00 Aftercare Cookout	3	4	5	6
7 Worship Service KICKOFF SUNDAY	8 7:00 Council on Ministries	9 10:30 Dottie Walker Circle	10 6:30 Service of Praise	11 12:00 Adult Fellowship Lunch	12	13
14 Worship Service	15 7:30 Planning meeting for Mary Circle	16 10:30 Upper Room Circle	17 6:30 Service of Praise	18	19	20
21 Worship Service	22 Deadline for Jr. High Retreat sign up	23 7:30 Guitar Concert in sanctuary & reception	24 6:30 Service of Praise	25	26	27
28 Worship Service	29	30

South Roanoke United Methodist Church

2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

P.S. If you would like to know more about our United Methodist Church and the Christian Faith, join me for my Pastor’s Inquiry Class offered during Sunday School beginning September 14.

FACILITY NEEDS

SEPTEMBER 2008

South Roanoke United Methodist Church

2330 South Jefferson Street Roanoke, Virginia 24014 Phone: (540) 344-4437 Fax: (540) 345-8041

P.S. If you would like to know more about our United Methodist Church and the Christian Faith, join me for my Pastor’s Inquiry Class offered during Sunday School beginning September 14.

FACILITY NEEDS

SEPTEMBER 2008

2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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