2016 August Communicator

The Communicator ~ August 2016

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Blessing of the Animals

Blessed are the animals! Gather your beloved pets and join us on the Francis Property on Saturday, August 20 from 9:30‐ 11:30 a.m. In blessing animals, we acknowledge that Godʹs love for humanity is revealed through them, and we acknowledge our own responsibility in caring for Godʹs creations. All are welcome.

Questions? Contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854 or alice.johnson@sardis.org.

Pastor Nominating Committee Nominations

The Task Force to Nominate the Pastor Nominating Committee has been elected by the Session and includes: Wendy Beauchemin, Penny Frazier, Ruth Harris, David Leonard, Jason Solomon, and John Waller. The Task Force is seeking suggestions from the congregation for candidates to be considered for the Pastor Nominating Committee. Please send the name(s) of your nominations, along with why they should be considered, to Robin Medlock at robin.medlock@sardis.org. The deadline for nominations is August 16.

August 14 Congregation Forum

The Visioning Task Force and TAG Consulting invite the congregation to an information session on Sunday, August 14 at noon. They will provide an open forum for the congregation to learn more about the Discovery and Visioning Reports and their recommendations as Sardis begins the next phase of calling a new Senior Pastor. This is open to everyone and will take place in the Fellowship Hall. More information at www.sardis.org.

Sardis Fish Fry

Women of Sardis Fall Dinner

Saturday, September 10 at 5:30 p.m.

The Women of Sardis Fall Dinner will be held

Cost: $6 per person

Tuesday, October 25 at 5:45 p.m. Our guest

The famous Sardis Fish Fry is back! Come

speaker will be Kristen Seaford. The cost is

enjoy a 226‐year tradition at Sardis. We will

$10 per person and registration will be

enjoy a traditional fish fry at the Sardis

available at www.sardis.org or by calling

House. Registration will be available online at

704.926.1590.

www.sardis.org or by calling 704.926.1590.

The Church Mouse Program: Ministering to Our College Students

The Church Mouse Project is designed to help college students continue to feel part of the Sardis family while they are away living on college campuses. Collegians interested in having a “mouse” apply, and members of the congregation volunteer to be “mice.” The mice then anony‐mouse‐ly send cards and inexpensive items to their collegian several times during the year. For more information, please contact Georgia Pressly at 704.364.9299 or presslyga@aol.com.

2 The Communicator ~ August 2016

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Porte Cochere & Drop‐Off‐ We Are Almost There!

Thank you to all who have shown excitement and support for the proposed Porte Cochere and drop‐off. We have received $100,000 in donations toward our $160,000 goal. The proposed project will take approximately five months to complete (two months for planning and permitting). We hope to reach our goal soon enough to complete the project by Christmas 2016. Donation envelopes are located in the basket under the rendering in the Narthex. Questions? Contact Mark Slimer at 704.366.1854 or mark.slimer@sardis.org.

Congrats, Mark!

We offer our sincerest “Congratulations” to Mark Slimer, our Facilities Director.

Mark recently earned the designation of Certified Facilities Manager from the National Association of Church Facilities Managers, a national organization dedicated to the educational advancement and networking opportunities for facilities management professionals. Mark received training through workshops and submitted a research paper to earn his certification. His dedication to ministry through the facilities at Sardis is greatly appreciated.

Stewardship is a Gift

Kimberly Weber, Stewardship Ministry

Based on Colossians 1:15‐17 and Matthew 25:14‐30, I was reminded that EVERYTHING we have is a gift. As members of an affluent church, it is easy to think about the homes we live in, the vacations we take, and the “must have stuff” we purchase, but I speak of spiritual gifts. From a Newspring Church devotion, “Stewardship takes the idea that everything we have is a gift to its logical conclusion. If all that I am and all that I have is from God, then how should I care for and use it?”

As my husband Mark and I enter empty‐nester‐hood, I am reminded of those that gave their gifts so generously and made such an impact upon my family. Whether it was Vacation Bible School volunteers, Sunday School teachers, Youth leaders and advisors, or Confirmation teachers and partners, our kids were the recipients of priceless wisdom, countless adventures, and incomparable character building. Never did I anticipate such great things to result. The devotion continues to add, “We have been given body, knowledge, resources and relationships, not to squander as we wish, but to glorify God. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’”

God was purposeful in placing me here in this time and in these circumstances. While I ponder how I may use my gifts wisely at Sardis, my intention is to use them so as to honor God in all I do. This would include taking care of friendships and using knowledge and education in the best way possible. Obviously, that challenge will not be met overnight! Reading his Word and listening to the Holy Spirit seems to act as my “reset button”. What about you? What are your gifts? How can you spend your wealth so that it honors God?

The Communicator ~ August 2016 3

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Fall Bible Studies Covenant Bible Study

Wednesday evenings: 6:30‐8:00 p.m.—Room 211/212

Using the Covenant Bible Study, we will explore the Bible and strengthen our bonds as a church family. The Bible study will be divided into three major themes with eight sessions each. The first 8‐week unit will begin on September 14. The publishers describe the themes in this way:

The first theme is “Creating” and will examine how Covenant community is created and established. The follow‐ ing 8‐week units are “Living”, which focuses on how the community lives out their Covenant in faithful love – how it’s applied to actual relationships in everyday life. The third theme is “Trusting” and will look at the crises that sometimes call Covenant life into question and how we are restored to trust in God when troubling things happen.

As the authors state, “Covenant is an in‐depth Group Bible Study in which participants read and discuss the Bible together, learning how to love God – and each other ‐ better.“

Each session will have a 20‐minute video. There is a participant book that will help flesh out the biblical material to be examined and provide some background. The cost of the participant book, “Creating”, is $10. For questions or to register for the class, contact Rev. Dr. Jane Fobel at jane.fobel@sardis.org

Deuteronomy: Standing on the Border

Thursday mornings: 10:00‐11:30 a.m—Sardis House

This fall, the study will be based on one of the Old Testament books most quoted by Jesus, Deuteronomy (only Psalms exceeds Deuteronomy, but only by one verse.) One biblical scholar has written, “There is no book of more importance in the Old Testament and no Old Testament book more basic for understanding the New Testament than Deuteronomy” (E. Achtemeier). The book of Deuteronomy is comprised of a collection of sermons that Moses delivered to the children of Israel on the plains of Moab, on the border before they were to cross over into the Promised Land. Deuteronomy is a foundational book to be studied any time. It is also a significant guide in times of transition.

The first class will be on September 15. For questions or to register for the class, contact Jane Fobel, jane.fobel@sardis.org

Can’t Attend on Thursday Mornings? Participate Online.

Each week, that week’s lesson, background and study questions, will be posted on the Sardis website.

4 The Communicator ~ August 2016

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Church Life

Music at Sardis

The Music Ministry at Sardis welcomes all skill levels and strives to enrich spiritual growth through music. Opportunities to learn and share your musical gifts are available in vocal, handbell, and contemporary ensembles for all ages to support our two worship services. Here at Sardis we celebrate that people come from various walks of life and, through music, we cultivate these differences by teaching them to use their talents to the Glory of God. Youth and children are the future of the church. We explore the process of music making and learn how, at any age, we can be leaders in worship. Contact Jared, Kaitlyn, or Jacob to learn how to be involved. All rehearsals are held in the rooms listed below in the Administration Building. Scheduled rehearsals begin soon! Please see the start dates and times below.

Sanctuary Choir – August 25, 7:30 p.m. Choir Room · Children’s Choir – Sept 8, 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Choir Room

Coventry Ringers – Sept. 7, 7:30 p.m. Bell Room · Alpha Ringers – Sept 14, 9:30 a.m. Bell Room

Youth Bells – Sept 11, 4:30 – 5:15 p.m. Bell Room · Youth Choir – Sept 11, 5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Choir Room

Is Your Group’s Meeting on the Church Calendar?

Just a friendly reminder, if your group, class, or ministry will not be meeting at the regular scheduled times, please let the office know so we can save energy dollars by not heating or cooling the rooms. If you have a group that took the summer off from meeting on campus, please let the office know when your group will start meeting again.

To add or delete an event from the church calendar, you may contact Danelle Kime at danelle.kime@sardis.org .

Fall Mission Trip to Columbia, SC

A work trip is planned for October 21‐23. We will travel to Columbia, SC on Friday night so that we can begin work early Saturday morning to assist in the continuing repair work that is needed following the severe flooding in the fall of 2015. We will be assigned to a work site by Home Works of America, the organization that is scheduling work teams for this recovery effort.

We will travel to Columbia by church bus on late Friday afternoon, departing the church parking lot at 4:30. We will check into our hotel, have dinner together and an evening devotion. After our work day on Saturday we will have an evening of fellowship and devotions. On Sunday morning we will worship with a congregation in the flood‐affected area. After lunch, we will return to Charlotte, arriving mid‐afternoon.

For this trip, Home Works of America requires that workers be at least 18 years old. Contact Jenny Kaeppler, jftkaeppler@yahoo.com, or Rob Brownlee, robert.brownlee@gmail.com, to indicate your interest.

The Communicator ~ August 2016 5

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

VBS Cave Quest Recap

Sardis was filled the week of July 11‐15 with the sights and sounds of children, youth, and adults learning and sharing the Vacation Bible School theme of the week: Cave Quest: “Following Jesus, the light of the world.” One hundred ten children attended VBS and were assisted by approximately 60 adult volunteers and over 30 youth helpers. Forty‐six of the children were not members of Sardis making VBS a wonderful outreach program to the community, limited only by our need for volunteers!

Vacation Bible School does more than teach children about the love of Christ and the word of God. It is a platform for creating memories, friendships (both among children and adults) and a place where multiple generations of families can come together in service to him. There were at least six families with three or more generations represented!

Storytellers Diane Wilkes, Stacey Vanderwel, Nancy Finlayson and Susan Ashworth taught the children five lessons over the course of the week. Using the Bible story of the prophets foretelling the coming of Jesus, children learned that he gives us hope. They learned that Jesus gives us courage as we listened to the story of Peter being called by Jesus to walk across the water to him. That he gives us direction, using the help of Radar the bat, was discussed using Matthew 5‐7, the Sermon on the Mount, where he laid out so many instructions of how we are to treat people. The story of his death and resurrection assured them that he gives us love, and we ended the week by talking about his words to us at his ascension, imploring us to be his witnesses, equipped with his power.

All of these concepts were learned at storytelling, and explored using music, art, recreation and snack time.

Opening and closing assemblies were times that Kaitlyn Davros and Jared Daugherty (Clark, as the children know him) could use drama to help the children understand some of the concepts of the day, and Jacob Hare and the Youth Praise Band could reinforce the lessons with music, creating a rocking concert atmosphere that the children and adults alike loved! A favorite moment of the week during closing assembly was when Professor Albert (Nick Davros) performed a science experiment demonstrating that the only way sin can be washed away clean is with the addition of Jesus into our lives. Amie Davidson and her assistants taught the children song lyrics and movements to emphasize visually the meanings of the songs. Lora Zalaquett led an incredible art program as children made lanterns, headlamps, stained glass, a Tic‐Tac‐Toe game, a picture frame and a Prayer Rock that doubled as a familiar treasure from our own childhood – a Pet Rock. Adrian Martin used games to support the learning process too, and videos shown during snack provided real world situations that helped the children see Jesus’ hope, courage, direction, love and his power outside of Sardis.

Shepherds led the children from activity to activity and were always a helpful resource to use what they learned and saw themselves, to back‐up the concepts and serve as a consistent presence for the children through the week.

Our directors were there from beginning to end, recruiting, planning, suggesting, advising, decorating and serving as a consistent presence through the week to help things run smoothly. Kitchen assistants prepared snack for the children, as well as hungry youth and adults, all of whom loved the S’mores for snack as a last day treat, of course appropriate for the Cave theme!

VBS is a program that could not run without the help of so many individuals, and we are always looking for more, as the more we have, the more children can benefit from the week at Sardis! Please let us know if you are willing to join us next summer! ~ Katie Harrington and Heather Eddy 6 The Communicator ~ August 2016

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Church Life

Thanks to our 2016 VBS Volunteers!

Directors: Gloria Hall, Kristi Gallimore, Elizabeth Hansen, and Kelly Cruse Director of Art and Decorations: Lora Zalaquett Directors of Music, Assembly, and Worship: Jared Daugherty, Kaitlyn Davros, Jacob Hare Musicians and Music Support: Amie Davidson, Karen Carpenter, Beth Dale, Mary King, Riley Methner, Tim Naumann, Chase Riddell Director of Recreation and Youth: Adrian Martin Technical Arts/Photography Support: John Nipe, Thomas Wilkinson, and Emma Kaeppler Communications and Administrative Support: Nikki Bolton, Danelle Kime, and Robin Medlock Pastoral Support: Dave McKechnie, Jane Fobel, Alice Johnson Property Support: Mark Slimer, Alfredo Mendoza, Ricardo Mendoza, and Dennis Easter Purchasing and Finance Support: Jennifer Childers and Sylvia Zwick Decorating Assistance: Michael Eddy, Chandra McIntyre, Michelle Nunziata, George Zalaquett, Adam Zalaquett, Catherine Newman, Lissa Archer, Lyn Sutterlin, Michele Steele, Sydney Brownlee, Hayley Brownlee, Amelia Brownlee, Max Harrington, Josie Harrington, and Alfredo Mendoza Storytellers: Diane Wilkes, Stacey Vanderwel, Nancy Finlayson, and Susan Ashworth Kitchen Support: Linda Tucker, Beth Parrish, Vicka Conder, Sue Chowning, Susan Hudson, and Suzanne Fernandez Art Support: Telitha Hight, Brooke Neale, Laura Stewart, Jewell Leslie, Suzanne Fernandez, Annette Old, Kirsta Yount, Andrea Shedd, Melody Adams, Penny Bridgeman, Sue Docherty, Alma Jo Langston, Christie Brown, Helen Denny, Brenda Gajowski, Amy Abig, and Natalie Ramirez Recreation Support: Stephen Yount, Kirsta Yount, Cynthia Nolan, Wayne Docherty, Lynn Barnhill, Jon Hansen, and Tracy Dean Class Leaders: Stephanie Vanderford, Susan Morgan, Maryanne Morgan, Janice Abluton, Mary Abernathy, Christa Sumwalt, Lauren Klinkert, Nikki Vandiver, Lin Leslie, Michele Steele, Lyn Sutterlin, Joe Sutterlin, Nancy Williams, Catherine Newman, Lissa Archer, Gil Ramirez, Kathy Ramirez, and Elise Ramirez Youth Helpers: Grace Armstrong, Caroline Banks, Sydney Brownlee, Jarrett Kaeppler, Sophia Abig, Charlotte Abig, Matthew Wilkinson, William Seaborn, Micah Martin, Todd Rose, Maddie DeCramer, Jenna Brown, Anna Carpenter, Barbara Tucker, Caroline Connell, Cecilia Zoutewelle, Leeka Rose Gudzunas, Charlie Tucker, Leah Powell, Del Barnhill, Caroline Barnhill, Jeremy Abig, Lili Bowen, Meredith Newman, Savannah Stewart, Sarah Carpenter, Sara Steven, Morgan Nelson, Olivia Powell, Katie Duncan, and Kylan Odean Snack Providers: Lindy Andresen, Melanie Shea, Drew Heid, Ann Gieser, Joan Kleinman, Brie Hollingsworth, Carrie Christian, Cara Pearsall, Shelby Moyer, Tara Meek, Jill Edquist, Kirsta Yount, Michelle Heller, Jason Spangler, Linda Tucker, and Michelle Nunziata

New Member Class

A New Member Class begins on September 11 and runs through September 25. For more information, contact Rev. Alice Johnson at 704.366.1854 or alice.johnson@sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ August 2016 7

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Sardis Gift Trust: World Wide Mission Fund

An anonymous donor in 2014 allowed the Session to establish an endowment fund to support missions anywhere outside our local community. Two donations since then have increased the fund but it is still very small. Our hope is that other donations will come and grow the fund to become an important funding source for service work beyond what is provided by the annual budget. Everyone is welcome to add to the principal balance of this fund at any time. Memorials, bequests, and planned giving instruments can be designated to grow this fund.

In addition, gifts of any amounts during our lifetimes are welcome. If you feel pulled to give to this endowment, feel free to contact Ed Shoaf, Chair of the Gift Trust, Jennifer Childers, Director of Administration, or email gifttrust@sardis.org. We thank you for considering this fund as a way to leave a legacy to Sardis.

Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org under the News & Events tab.

June Financial Highlights

June

June Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$224,413.32

$151,633.99

$1,052,467.80

$1,035,425.10

Expenses

$222,890.52

$231,372.29

$1,107,855.12

$1,129,944.43

Net Total

$1,522.80

($79,738.30)

($55,387.32)

($94,519.33)

Annual Budget: $2,241,000

Budget Update

While the summer months are often hard on the church budget, we had a very promising June. Thanks to the generosity of members who paid their pledges early, caught up from past months, and who continued their regular giving, we greatly exceeded our expected receipts for June. This has greatly helped the church with our cash flow this summer. Your gifts make a difference! Thank you for your generosity!

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to the family of Dr. Martha Anne McKnight

8 The Communicator ~ August 2016

Lay Ministry

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.

Join the Prayer Shawl Ministry Join other “stitchers” in knitting and crocheting shawls to be donated to local hospitals and nursing homes.

They meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at 2 p.m. in the Parlor.

Contact: Peggy Baird at 704.366.3282.

Sardis Soup for the Soul

“Sardis Soup for the Soul” is a special Sardis outreach program. It is Sardis members taking care of Sardis members. Volunteers (men, women, teens, Sunday School, or Mustard Seed Groups) prepare soup for delivery. As we become aware of a family in need, our volunteers are contacted to deliver the soup. In order to sustain this program we need volunteers to cook and deliver soup.

Volunteers can donate as little or as much time as they have to the ministry. What a wonderful way to lift up our fellow Sardis members and let them know we care!

Questions? Contact Barbara Lansche at 704.975.1941. More information is also available at www.sardis.org.

The Communicator ~ August 2016 9

Youth ministry

“…set an example for the believers… 1 Timothy 4:12.”

Middle School— The Great Escape

From June 12‐17, 24 youth and four adults traveled to Lee College in Tennessee for a week‐long conference called The Great Escape. During the week, the participants played games, sang songs, praised God, prayed, and studied the Bible.

You may learn more about this conference on August 7 when one of the participants shares experiences from the conference during worship.

High School Mission Trip to New Orleans

On June 19‐26, 19 youth and four adults traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild houses that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, almost 11 years ago. Some of the poorer sections of New Orleans have been slower to recover and our youth helped with the construction of a home in the Gentilly area. During the week, we caulked, primed, painted, mudded drywall, and installed HardieBacker boards

Middle School Mystery Day

All middle school students are invited to participate in a day of mystery and adventure on Saturday, August 6. Participants will be given a list of items to bring and meet at the church at 9:00 a.m. with no idea what the day ahead holds. It will be a wonderful way to spend some time with our awesome middle school friends! To sign up, please contact Adrian Martin at 704.366.1854 or adrian.martin@sardis.org.

that will eventually be tiled over.

Upcoming Dates

Learning valuable skills as well as contributing to the area,

August 6

MS Mystery Adventure Day

our youth made a meaningful impact. You may learn more

August 12

MS Friendship Trays Service

about

this

mission

trip

either

through

our

blog

(https://neworleansmissiontripblog.wordpress.com/) or on

Project August 20

Sunday,

HS Alexander Youth Network Service Project

August 7 when

August 27

HS Whitewater Adventure

one of the

August 28

Youth Ministry Fall Kick‐Off

participants

shares about the

For a complete listing of all of the summer

experience

activities, please download our summer

during worship.

calendar from either the weekly e‐letter or our website.

10 The Communicator ~ August 2016

“Let the little children come unto me.”

Confirmation Begins

Confirmation begins August 28 and goes through May 21, 2017. A required parent meeting is August 31.

Confirmation information has been mailed to rising 8th graders. If you were not on our list and your youth wants to participate, please contact Georgia Pressly at 704.516.6276.

Sardis Youth Needed to Give the Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Prayer of Thanksgiving is given after the offering at both services every Sunday. The Worship Ministry would like to invite all Sardis youth to participate. There is no age limit – any child who reads well and is comfortable in front of the congregation is welcome.

The prayer is provided to the reader each Sunday. This is a wonderful way for the Sardis youth to participate in the worship service. Please contact Pam McLean at pammclean@carolina.rr.com or 704.258.5157. A Signup Genius will be sent to those who are interested, and dates can be selected that fit your family’s schedule.

SMASH Youth to Lead

Spark Rotation Sunday School

Worship August 7

Rotation Sunday School is back for our elementary (K‐5) disciples! Each week, beginning on August 28, we will gather in Room 205‐206 for a gathering time together. Then we will divide into class groups to rotate through different workshops.

In our first rotation, we will be exploring Creation in Genesis 1‐2. Our workshops will include music, a service project, art, cooking and games. Join us as we celebrate how amazing God’s

creation

is

and

discover how God is calling us

Sunday, August 7 the children who attended SMASH and youth will lead the worship service. This is a service you will not want to miss! The children will present the musical they have worked all week on, “The Sailor’s Bible: Jonah and the Great Fish” and the youth will share highlights from their mission trips and retreats.

to create!

Sardis Weekday School Updates

We are preparing to welcome our students back to school! Our school year kicks off on August 29, the same day as CMS. We follow CMS calendar dates.

There are spots available for the 2016‐2017

Save the Date for our Fall Consignment Sale

school year! Please contact Louise Lippi for more

Saturday, October 1 at 8:00 a.m.‐ 12:00 p.m.

information or to schedule a tour at 704.366.9681

For more information, please visit

or louise.lippi@sardis.org.

www.sardisweekdayschool.org

The Communicator ~ August 2016 117

The Communicator

Non‐Profit Org.

Published monthly by

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Sardis Presbyterian Church

Charlotte, NC

6100 Sardis Road Charlotte,

NC

28270

www.sardis.org

12 The Communicator ~ August 2016

Permit #1059