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
Email:  SRUMC2000@aol.com

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The Tower Times

December 2011 - January 2012

  Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, at least that’s what the song says.  I cannot get over how rapidly time gets by us and low and behold, another year has gone by.  This year for Advent and Christmas we have scheduled many different ways we can celebrate the season.  From the lighting of the candles on the Advent wreath, to the Children’s Christmas Musical on December 11th, to the Christmas music our choir will present on December 18th, we will ring in the season once again.

This year we have an added treat.  On Sunday afternoon, December 18th at 4:00 p.m., everyone is invited to a special Christmas concert, featuring Judy Clark our organist, Ric McClure on trumpet and some “surprise” guests that will thrill you.  Mark it on your calendar now.

This year is a special year because Christmas Day actually falls on Sunday.  What a great way for believers to come together to worship the birth of Jesus.  Recently I was reminded of some of the ancient symbols used to depict the birth of Jesus.  One powerful symbol that you may see on altars, stoles or book marks is the Chi Rho symbol.  It consists of the P within the X.  The symbol goes back at least 1600 years.  The symbol is derived from the first two letters of the Greek word xpictoc (pronounced Christos).  The letters abbreviate the name of Christ.  The X is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ.  Therefore when we sometimes read Merry Xmas, it does not mean someone is leaving Christ out of “Christmas” instead, the X plainly is an abbreviation for the word Christ.

This year is also special in that the very first day of the New Year will be on Sunday too.  What better way for believers to begin a “New Year” than by coming together to share in Holy Communion that day.

So, come and join us during this “most wonderful time of the year” indeed!

Yours in Christ,
Pastor Stan

THE ANGEL TREE

THE ANGEL TREE is up.  We will have at least 80 angels on our tree, most of them are from Henry Fork Service Center in Franklin County. The children that the center serves come from a low income neighborhood outside of Rocky Mount. The Center is a mission of the United Methodist Church.

Please consider adopting an angel for Christmas this year!

Questions? call:
   Terry Wilkinson ---> 772-0490 or
   Dawn Long ---> 989-2837

PRESCHOOL

     South Roanoke UM Preschool is practicing for our annual Christmas program on Dec. 16th at 9:30 AM in the gym.  Please join us for the performance and reception.

      As we look forward to the new year, South Roanoke Preschool is looking forward to some exciting additions to our program.  Beginning with the 2012-13 school year we will be offering a full day option.  Of course the half day program is still available along with Early Bird and Lunch Box Kids.  We want to meet the early educational needs of our preschool and church families and feel like the extended day offers that opportunity.   Contact Debby in the Preschool office, 982-3707 or srumps@srumc.com  for more information on hours and fees.

Debby Rattenbury
 Director

INTERFAITH  HOSPITALITY NETWORK

SRUMC will be hosting IHN in our Youth House on Dec. 26—Jan.1. We will be joined in this endeavor by a wonderful group from Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. We will also be blessed to have an individual from First Pres. to carry the full load for one night,  Helen Dean.  We are hoping that First Pres. changes their minds and joins our group in the coming year.  We are hoping to recruit new people in our congregation to help. 

 

On October 30th at 9:30 in our sanctuary there was a presentation given by Stephen Niamke, Director of Guest Services for Roanoke Interfaith Hospitality Network. He brought with him some wonderful people who had benefited from the IHN program, who were willing to share how the program helped them get back on their feet. We hope the people who attended this presentation got a lot of information about the workings of IHN.  We will try to schedule another presentation in the future for those who were not able to attend.

IHN Schedule for 2012
February 12-19
April 1-8
June 17-24
September 9-16,
November 18-25. 

Please check your calendar and see how and when you could help your church with this mission.

 

IHN Coordinators
Pat Kuelz (C) 353-8246 (H) 774-8446
 
Diane D’Orazio (H) 725-9886
(C) 797-9886
Meals

Ellie Clark (H) 721-3340

Overnight

Prentice Moran (H) 725-8498

Supplies

Dawn Long (H) 989-2837

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Aldersgate Classwill be starting an Advent lesson at the end of November called "Christmas Gifts that Don't Break" by James Moore. Hope to see you there.
 Kathy Cain
Coordinator

Wesley/Wimmer Class:  Meets in the Wesley/Wimmer room outside the fellowship hall. All are welcome!
Betty Leach / Regina Rackow
Coordinators

Pathfinders Class: Meets in the church Parlor across from the church office.  All are welcome. The class will be studying "Prophets of Advent"
Stan Wright
Teacher

CIRCLES TO MEET

MARY CIRCLE 
The Mary Circle will
meet on Monday January 16, at 7:30 PM in the church parlor. For further information, call Anne Ferguson at 345-2436.
Anne Ferguson
Coordinator

UPPER ROOM CIRCLE 
The Upper Room Circle meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Look for details in weekly bulletins.  Contact Dawn Long at bdljlong@cox.net or call 989-2837 for information.
Dawn Long
Coordinator

THE DOTTIE WALKER CIRCLE
Will meet on Thursday, December 15 from 11:00-1:00 at the Roanoker Restaurant for their Annual Christmas Luncheon. All women of the church are invited to come. Contact Doris Cutright at 772-9454 for more information.
Doris Cutright
Coordinator

AN EARLY CHRISTMAS

Christmas isn't here yet, but I feel like I have already been gifted with so many prayers and wishes and support of all good kinds while I've been recovering from recent surgeries, that Christ's coming is very real. "As He cares," you really do care.

Thanks to you all.
Ruth DeVerter
  (and my patient caregiver, John)

CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED

On Friday December 24 and Monday December 26 for the Christmas Holliday. The office will also be closed on Friday December 30 for New Years Day and on Monday January 16 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

CHRISTMAS CD

South Roanoke's own Christmas CD!

These CDs are available now for you to purchase just in time for Christmas gifts. $15 for a great stocking-stuffer!  The CD includes "O Holy Night," "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Silent Night", some selections by the GREAT violin/viola duo who have played for church before, plus a smorgasbord of organ solos. It's a wonderful gift for music lovers.

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS RECITAL

       DECEMBER 18th at 4 PM. We will have a candlelight Christmas recital, featuring Judy Clark on organ, Ric McClure on trumpet, Kevin and Bryan Matheson on strings, the South Roanoke Choir, and SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST Scott Williamson, tenor.  Scott is currently General and Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke and a wonderful singer. Child care will be provided, and the program should last approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Make this part of your holiday plans!

CHRISTMAS SERVICE

        OUR CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE will be at 5:00 this year. This will be a candlelight communion service.

PUMPKIN PATCH

To everyone who worked the pumpkin patch. We raised 11,500.00 in sales and got to keep 33% of the profits. I can’t tell you how many times I heard how much this event means to the neighborhood around us. Thank you for giving your time to unload the truck, work a shift (or  two) and assistance cleaning the patch up at the end of the month.

MEETINGS THIS MONTH

DEADLINE

Monday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. – Church Council

 

THE DEADLINE FOR ARTICLES for the February issue of the Newsletter is January 15. Please email all articles to Emil Kuelz at kuelzek@infionline.net.

TO BACH AND BACK

As you read this, I realize several weeks will have passed since our Music Ministry presented CELEBRATE LIFE. Hopefully, that presentation helped us prepare for the beautiful and meaningful Season of Advent and the Celebration of Christmas. I recall these melodies and the text of..There Is A Great Joy A Coming...He's The Wind I Soar On...Hello Baby...and others. Here are some music events of the season ahead to lead us to worship in that spirit:

December 11 The Children's Choir presents their Christmas musical Hooray For Baby Jesus. These SONshine Singers will bring a smile and a prayer of gratitude. Pastor Stan will be Mr. Christie as he encourages the children to share the spirit of Christmas. Judy Clark and our Youth Praise Band will accompany.

December 18 The Chancel Choir in the morning service presents Christmas Tide a collection of familiar carols with beautiful orchestral accompaniment including O Holy Night. We will have in our ensemble, several members of the Valley Chamber Orchestra, which I am privileged to also conduct.

December 18 at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon Our fine organist Judy Clark will present a Christmas Concert. See the article elsewhere in this edition of the Tower Times. CD's are available in the church office. She has worked hard to prepare this wonderful concert for our church and guests.

As we come into January I am reminded of what a fine time that is for new folks to visit choir rehearsal. The fellowship is outstanding and we would love to welcome many new folks to visit to see how it fits your schedule. We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and will resume rehearsals January 4 after a Christmas break for December 21 and 28.

Debbie and I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas  and  HAPPY NEW YEAR

 Ric McClure
Director of Music Ministries

ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP

THE ADULT FELLOWSHIP GROUP will go to lunch at the Hotel Roanoke on Saturday, December 3rd. The bus will not be available that day so we ask that everyone meet at the Hotel at 11:30. There is a signup sheet on the AFG Board by the church office. We need to make reservations with the Hotel so you need to sign up if you want to go. We will also take the opportunity to see the beautiful Christmas trees that decorate the Hotel during December.

Next year the group will meet on Thursday, January 19th at 12:00 PM in the fellowship hall for a catered lunch and program. Please look for the sign-up sheet on the AFG board by the church office. We will need a head count to order lunch. Remember that if you sign up we have to pay for your lunch whether you come or not. So if you need to cancel call Penny, 344-4437 ext. 10.

Jeff Roscoe
Coordinator

ADVENT OFFERING

Please consider prayerfully supporting the Advent Offering.  This is our moment, our chance to reach out to our National and World wide missions with our love at this most beautiful time of the year.  Sharing our gifts, our Christ like love is the very heart of Christmas.  

 

We will have some Mission Moments throughout the Advent season.  Below is a list of our Missions outreach.  Offering envelopes will be found in the pew racks for your contributions, and are included in this mailing.

Ellie Clark
Missions Chairperson

National and World Missions
 
Covenant Missionary Support (Hodges in Sudan)
$3000
Volunteers in Mission (VIM) (World)
$2500
Advance Special National (Jubilee -Tennessee)
$1000
Advance Special - Conference (Ferrum)
$200
Advance Special - Conference (Society of St. Andrew - Potato Project)
$500
Advance Special - UMCOR (Emergency Relief)
$500
National Needs Response
$250
World Needs Response
$250
Maua Methodist Hospital (Kenya)
$1000
Kisumu Christian Ministries (Kenya)
$1000
Bishop's Appeal
$200
United Methodist Special Offerings
 
World Communion Sunday (Oct)
$200
United Methodist Student Day (first Sunday in Advent)
$200
United Methodist Family Services (Dec)
$200

TOTAL: 

$11,000

CONTRIBUTIONS

       TO HAVE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS included in 2011 they need to be received in the church office no later than December 22nd.

 

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS RECITAL

        DECEMBER 18th at 4 PM. We will have a candlelight Christmas recital, featuring Judy Clark on organ, Ric McClure on trumpet, Kevin and Bryan Matheson on strings, the South Roanoke Choir, and SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST Scott Williamson, tenor.  Scott is currently General and Artistic Director of Opera Roanoke and a wonderful singer. Child care will be provided, and the program should last approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Make this part of your holiday plans!

THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB

THE AFTERCARE SOCIAL CLUB will meet on Tuesday, December 6th, at 6:00 PM in the fellowship hall. Our Boy Scout Troop will be serving dinner and the group will enjoy BINGO after dinner. The next meeting is on Tuesday, January 3rd at 6:00 PM to go Christmas shopping at Bonsack Walmart.

If you need more information about our Social Club, call bonnie dayton, 981-0237.

bonnie dayton
Coordinator

CHRISTMAS WREATHS AND POINSETTIAS

CHRISTMAS WREATHS AND POINSETTIAS can be ordered to remember or honor a loved one this Christmas season. They will be used to decorate our church for the Christmas holiday. Inserts will be available in the bulletins for you to sign up, or you can call the church office, 344-4437 ext. 10 to place your order.

CHURCH CLEAN-UP DAY

We had 40 people help with the First Annual Clean Up Day. We were able to clean out the basement, garage, stage crawl spaces, library and other spaces throughout the church. The chandeliers were cleaned, pews polished and foyers organized through out the day. We also want and need to thank Wayne Van Dyck for his tireless work in organizing the day. The church staff truly appreciates every one’s hard work. THANK YOU.

FLOWER CALENDAR

THE NEW FLOWER CALENDAR for 2012 is on the bulletin board by the church parlor. If you would like to remember or honor a loved one on a special day, please sign up on the calendar, or you can call or email Penny to reserve your Sunday, 344-4437 ext. 10

or email pennyhaynes@srumc.com.

THE ANGEL TREE

    THE ANGEL TREE will be up by Sunday, November 20th. We will have at least 80 angels on our tree, most of them are from Henry Fork Service Center in Franklin County. The children that the center serves come from a low income neighborhood outside of Rocky Mount. The Center is a mission of the United Methodist Church.

Please consider adopting an angel for Christmas this year! Questions? call Terry Wilkinson-- 772-0490 or Dawn Long-- 989-2837

SRUMC CHILDREN'S NEWS

Junior Mints ~ TUESDAYS

This program meets on Tuesdays
from   3:00—4:30.

Children in K-2nd grades are invited to attend & friends are always  welcome. Each Tuesday, this group participates in music, snack, craft, indoor & outdoor games, Bible lessons and fun…

We hope you will join us soon.
I look forward to seeing you.
Please make sure to pick up a
Permission Slip for each child.
Snack schedules will be out
beginning Oct. 4th.

PMM ~ THURSDAYS

PMM ~ 3rd - 5th grade
THURSDAYS ~ 3:00 - 4:30

With the exception of the  1st Thursday of the month, which is our fun day & will end at 5:30 p.m. 

This program teaches principles used in our daily lives. We learn about compassion, faith, love, responsibilities, encouragement & respect

Our first fun day is October 6th

Fun days have a $10.00 charge to cover the cost of the activity. Please bring that on the first Thursday of each month beginning on October 6th. See you there!!!

 

CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL

This year we will have three classes available for 3 yrs.—5th grade. The groups will meet upstairs in the children’s wing.

Your child will be led in music, Bible lessons, drama, crafts and free play based each week’s theme. We are blessed to have Ms. Patty with the 3’s—pre-k and Ms. Bittsy back this year with the K-1. We are also blessed to have Tim Johnson and Evan Jones to join the teaching ranks with the 2nd—5th graders.

Thank you for your willingness to lead our children. We appreciate you!!!

 

Jelly Bellies

Do you have a child ages 3—5?
We have a program just for you!

Each Wednesday from 1:00—2:15

Your Child is invited to join us as we learn about God, play, sing, participate in craft and cooking activities, and develop friendships.

Please call Paula if you are interested in this program. We hope to have Jelly Bellies up and running by 10/13/11.

SEE YOU THERE!!!

Tiny Tower Times
February 2012

2012-13 Class  Registration for current students, siblings, and SRUMC church members has begun.  We will have a closed registration until February 6 at which time registration will be open to the general public. This time frame allows our current students and church members to have the best choices and opportunity to sign up for classes. Please return your applications ASAP. There will be a waiting list for any classes that fill up and registration will continue until all spots are filled.  The registration fee is $50 for the first child and $30 for siblings.

    In order to accommodate parents’ work schedules, we will offer a full-day option for your 2 1/2-5 year old children.  The hours are 7:30 am-5:30 pm.  We will also offer a half-day program in all of our age groups from 9:00 am-noon.  Early Bird is available at 7:30 am and Lunch Box Kids from noon until 1:00 pm.  I look forward to your children returning in the fall.

    Contact Debby at:  982-3707 or srumps@srumc.com with questions.

OPEN HOUSE

   Please join us for Open House on February 20 from 4:00-6:30 pm. Come visit your child’s teacher and see some of the children’s art work displayed.  Bring a friend!

Director’s Notes

Kindergarten Registration for Roanoke City Schools will be held on March 8 and 9.  Please take your child’s birth certificate, health/immunization record, and proof of residence (utility bill) with you when you register.  Call your home school for more information.  The Smart Beginnings February Parent’s Page lists registration dates in the Roanoke Valley.

  Inclement Weather Policy

   School closings and delays will be announced via public service announcements on local radio and television stationsWe will follow the delay and closing decisions made by Roanoke City Schools.  If Roanoke City Schools are closed, SRUMPS is closed. 

  In case of delays, if Roanoke City Schools have a two hour delay, SRUMPS will open at 10:00 am.  There will be no Early Bird on days of a delayed opening, but Lunch Box Kids will be available.  Parents should use their own discretion regarding driving conditions.

  If it starts to snow (or if there is other severe weather) after school is in session, please listen for announcements of an early closing, look for an e-mail notice from the director, or call the Preschool at 982-3707. 

     Mother’s Day Out

  Well who thought February would come so fast?  Not me!

   As a result our activities are picking up.  We have been painting, gluing,  studying the alphabet, colors and properties of objects.  We’ll start our first science project this Friday to watch crystals grow.  I have other experiments planned, such as making slime.

   With this glorious weather our outdoor play has barely slowed down.  They enjoy climbing and sliding down the slide, but in the gym the riding trikes and cars are very popular too.

   I rotated the manipulatives to more advanced ones and the play dough activities continue to be a favorite; they cut it, roll it, put it through the press, and stamp it.

   The children are happy,  well adjusted and learning quite a bit through rich play and activities.

Fondly,  

  Miss Lori

OLDER TWO’S

    We are very excited with Valentine’s Day coming up!  The children will be learning all about it, as well as the shape heart, color pink, and letters Q, R, S, and T.  “Ring Around the Rosie” and “Roses Are Red” are our first two rhymes this month.  After Valentine’s Day, we will switch to the semi-circle shape, and the rhymes will be “Rub-a-dub, dub” and Rain, Rain, Go Away”.  Our class “party” will be on Monday February 13th, during snack time, with a card exchange, all provided by the pre-school.  The focus will be on expressing love, rather than on candy.   Happy birthday wishes go out to Jairdan, as well as our “Miss Lori” this month!  Have a fun and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Warmly,
“Miss Sara” & Ms. Cox

PRE-KINDERGARTEN and THREE’S

     February is here and the Pre-kindergarten class is ready for some fun!  We welcome our friends from the 3 year-old class full time. They have already made a smooth transition.  The class will be continuing the alphabet with the letters P, Q and  R.  We will be having a Pizza Party on the 10th and a Valentine’s Day Party on the 14th (3-day students are invited to come to school on the 14th). 

   We are planning a field trip to Famous Anthony’s on the 28th to work on our manners and “R”estaurant skills.  I hope that the children are enjoying our time together as much as I am.

Mrs.Fisher 

LOOK FOR AN ARTICLE ABOUT SOUTH ROANOKE PRESCHOOL IN THIS MONTH’S South Roanoke Circle.

 

1

Young Life Blow Out

 

7:00 p.m.

meeting at PH

Parking Lot

 

Should be a lot of fun. See you there

2

3

Jelly Bellies

1:30—2:30

 

Small Groups

5:30 Gals

7:00 boys

Meet @ youth house

4

Junior Mint / PMM

3:00—5:30 w/ choir

 

5:45—6:45

Youth Praise Band

 

 

5

Sr. High Eagle Eyrie

$130.00*

 

Meet and Leave @ 5:00

 

* This will include dinner on Friday and lunch on Sunday

 

 

6

Sr. High Eagle Eyrie

 

7

9:15  Sunday School

10:30  Worship

 

5:00—5:45   Orchestra

5:45—7:30    SRUMCY**

 

Sr. High Eagle Eyrie        return by 3

* We will have Youth Tonight for the Advent Angel practice

 

 

 

8

Youth Leadership

6-7

 

 

COM (Kemper)

7:00 p.m.

 

9

DYC

MEETING

7:00 p.m.

10

Jelly Bellies

1:30—2:30

 

Small Groups

5:30 Gals

7:00 boys

Meet @ youth house

11

Junior Mint / PMM

3:00—5:30 w/ choir

 

5:45—6:45

Youth Praise Band

12

13

14

9:15  Sunday School

10:30  Worship

 

5:45—7:30    SRUMCY**

ADVENT ANGEL        

PROGRAM

15

16

17

Jelly Bellies

1:30—2:30

 

Small Groups

5:30 Gals

7:00 boys

Meet @ youth house

18

Junior Mint / PMM

3:00—5:30 w/ choir

 

5:45—6:45

Youth Praise Band

19

Youth fundraiser ~    

 Parent’s night out

6:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m.

20

21

9:15  Sunday School

10:30  Worship

 

6:00—7:00 

Church  Music Program

7:00—8:00

Youth Diner & Christmas

Celebration

22

Christmas Holiday

23

 

Serve

Breakfast at the Rescue Mission

5:45—8:45

24

 

No Programs

 

Christmas Eve Service

25

 

MERRY

CHRISTMAS

26

 

27

28

Youth Lock In

7 p.m.—7 a.m.

29

Christmas Holiday

30

31

 

No Programs

January 1

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

January 2

 

 

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