2330 South Jefferson Street
Roanoke, Virginia 24014

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

As the Virginia Annual Conference concludes on June 15 and Bishop Charlene Kammerer appoints me to my third year here at South Roanoke I give thanks to God for the grace given us in our ministry together.  In my first two years we have sought to discern together the vision and mission to which we are particularly called in this time and in this place.  I want you to know what a privilege it is to serve a congregation who understands its mission so clearly:  As Christ cares, we care.  I am especially encouraged by the “Priorities for Ministry” that we have set before us.  As you know, from these priorities I discern a congregation intent upon growing in discipleship.  To that end I am committing the focus of my pastoral leadership.

In seeking to live out this mission I pledge again to you my energy, spirit, and love that God may lead us to the fulfillment of the calling we serve.

May God bless you this summer as you may find time for renewal and refreshment of your spirit.  Travel safely and return to this community of faith with all the devotion your Lord can surely instill in you to grow more fully as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

NEW  FELLOWSHIP  OPPORTUNITY

Gather ‘round the Coffee Bar
8:45 AM to 9:40 AM
 In the Fellowship Hall

YOUTH NEWS

Congratulations to our seniors: Emily Wallace, Nancy Woody & Will Steffe. We are so proud of you. The Youth and Youth Workers spent the latter part of May sharing with our graduating seniors both at Roast & Toast and our annual Senior Dinner. The youth wish each of you the best as you prepare for Washington & Lee, James Madison & University of Kentucky and want you to know that you will be in our thoughts and  prayers.

I want to thank each of you for participating in our Roast & Toast. I also want to thank Terry & Steve Wilkinson, bonnie & Tim Dayton, Hal & DeCille Adkins, Cameron & Jeff Huffman, Mark Knopf & Evan Jones as well as Rachel Wilkinson, Randy Dayton, Katherine Witt & Laura Long for all your help in preparing for Roast & Toast.  All your hours of help truly made this year’s celebration a success. I also want to say a special thank you for each of our youth preparing elements of our program. You were wonderful.

This year’s Senior Dinner was held at the home of Terry & Steve Wilkinson. What a wonderful time. Thank you Hal & DeCille, Susan Dorsey, bonnie & Tim Dayton and Steve & Terry for preparing a wonderful meal. Thank you Terry and Lee Anne for all your work on the scrapbooks, each of them looked wonderful. Thank you Polly Roberts for preparing desserts. Thank you Spenser Borthen for your beautiful portraits of each of our seniors. We owe the great night to each of you.

Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, June 1 @ 6:00 PM  Youth Worker Meeting
Sunday, June 5 @ 6:00 PM  Youth Dinner for Susan Witt
Thursday, June 15 - Sunday, June 19  Junaluska
Sunday, June 26 @ 12:30 PM  Jubilee Meeting**

This summer we will have programming at the Youth House. Please look for information in your Sunday Bulletin for the start date as well as available hours.

UMY is always on the look our for additional Youth Workers. Please contact Paula (344-4437 or 344-1105) with any questions or if you would like to help in this capacity.

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 April issue of the Tower Times by March 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. 

STAFF RETREAT-Our church staff will be on retreat together for team-building and goal-setting under the leadership of Rev. Franklin Gillis, Jr., of Four Seasons Ministries from noon May 31 until noon June 1 returning to the office by 2:00 p.m. They are grateful to Bob and Dot Roth for their gracious hospitality. 

The Friendship Circle of the United Methodist Women will not meet again until September

The Aftercare Social Club will meet this Summer on June 14, (picnic and hayride at the Wilkerson's) July 12, (picnic and water activities at Smith Mountain Lake) and August 9 (Bowling). For information regarding the Social Club, call Bonnie Dayton (981-0237).

THE UNITED METHODIST MEN will not meet during the Summer

THERE WILL BE a meeting of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee on Wednesday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m. in the library/conference room. 

CREATING HEALTHY CONGREGATIONS WORKSHOP: SUNDAY, June 5, 12:30-5:30 (rescheduled from January snow postponement!). All are invited! This experience has proven to be very helpful in our continuing effort to enhance communication and unity here at South Roanoke Church. If you have not yet shared in this workshop please note that all church leaders, members of committees, councils, boards as well as all interested church members are encouraged to attend. Led by our Senior Pastor, the cost for lunch and materials is $12.00. Please register in the church office. 

KITS FOR CONFERENCE: Local churches are encouraged to gather items for HEALTH KITS AND SCHOOL KITS to aid tsunami victims through Church World Service. Kit contents are listed in the May newsletter (can also be viewed on the church website www.srumc.com) or equivalent donations ($12 one Health Kit; $11 one School Kit) can be contributed. Prepared kits and donations should be delivered to the church office by Sunday, June 5. 

YOU ARE INVITED TO A YOUTH CONCERT on Tuesday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. hosted by the Community Outreach Program at Trinity UMC (305 Mountain Ave., SW). The 80-person Youth Choir from Northside UMC in Atlanta, GA will present the original musical, “It’s All About You...Jesus.” This is a terrific way to celebrate the end of school and the start of summer!!! Call Susan Witt (772-1680) for additional information. 

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP and others will be joining with the people at Cave Spring UMC to attend the Blue Ridge Dinner Theater production of Jack Tales. We invite all adults to go with us to this innovative, imaginative presentation of Appalachain stories and songs. The program is at Cave Spring UMC on June 16 with a potluck lunch at 12:00 and performance at 1:00. Cost is $10. Please signup on the list near the church office.

IF YOU HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE GRADUATE please call the church office so that they can be recognized in an upcoming bulletin. 

Vacation Bible School - LOOKING FOR A ROARING GOOD TIME? Then join us for our Serengeti Trek, July 11-15, where kids are wild about God! If you’re interested in volunteering for this great VBS experience, contact Cameron Huffman at 772-6912 or Heidi Christopher at 774-3672. (Nursery will be provided for volunteers who need it.) 

JUBILEE PROJECT is July 31—August 6. Cost is $150.00. Sign up with Paula to serve with this mission project

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.