The Communicator | September 2020

The Communicator ~ September 2020

Church Life

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

Congregational Phone Calls

We have been making phone calls to our congregation to check in with each of you and your families. Did we miss you? We may not have your most recent contact information. Please contact Danelle Kime (danelle.kime@sardis.org) to update the ways we can get in touch with you. We look forward to

Connect in a Time of Disconnect!

connecting with you!

Help minister to our college‐aged youth by becoming a church mouse!

Keep our college‐aged youth connected to Sardis through cards, small gifts, and prayer. What a wonderful way to find connection during a time that feels so isolating.

Ready to become a church mouse? Contact Georgia Pressly at 704.364.9299 or presslyga@aol.com. College‐aged youth who would like to have a church mouse, feel free to contact Georgia too!

Stewardship

Tim Alba

During this time of COVID, I sometimes fall into focusing on what I can’t do… Then I see how Sardis is continually moving forward. And that helps let me focus on what I can do.

Sardis has online worship, twice each Sunday. There are MSGs, youth and elementary fellowship events, virtual Sunday School and a variety of ministries/committees that routinely gather, supporting one another and fulfilling the Sardis mission. Sardis actively supports the greater community in Charlotte and abroad, with volunteers and financial assistance such as Families Forward, Rise Against Hunger, Food Pantry, Roof Above (Urban Ministry), Loaves & Fishes, Rama Road School and international missionaries. Just look at the opportunities listed in this issue of The Communicator.

Recent Sunday sermons have focused on the story of Joseph. When life gave him lemons, he made lemonade…. We seem to be working on a lemonade recipe at Sardis, too.

Lemonade needs sugar, hundreds, maybe thousands of little granules to transform something that isn’t necessarily pleasant (lemon juice) and make it something desirable. Then, just add some ice and enjoy. To an extent, our gifts to Sardis are like the grains of sugar. Our gifts of time, talent and treasure enable transformation. Together, we can convert even more lemons to lemonade; to help those in our congregation and our community find hope. Thank you for your gifts! Thank you for Exploring Faith, Changing Lives.

2 The Communicator ~ September 2020

Church Life

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

September 20: Virtual Congregational Meeting

Session has called a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, September 20 at noon for the purpose of electing the next class of Elders and Deacons and for electing the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. The meeting will take place on Zoom. Please plan on contributing to the quorum we need so that we can keep moving forward Exploring Faith and Changing Lives!

Zoom Information:

Meeting ID: 858 6373 6661 Passcode: 674717

hapel Open for Prayer C

We are all seeking ways to connect with God during these hard times. Therefore, we are opening the Sardis chapel for prayer so that you can reconnect with God on our beautiful campus. Appointments may be made for Tuesdays and Fridays beginning Tuesday, September 1. Please make an appointment at sardis.org or by calling the church office at 704.366.1854. Those living in the same home may come to an appointment together. A member of the facilities team will greet you to take your temperature before you enter. Please wear a face mask and sit in the pew marked with your appointment time.

The Communicator ~ September 2020 3

Church Life

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

CLASS OF 2023

The Church Officer Nominating Committee is pleased to present the names of this year’s nominees for the Session and Diaconate of Sardis Presbyterian Church. A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, September 20, at 12:00 p.m. via Zoom to vote on the nominees. Zoom ID will be provided in your weekly emails.

Nominees for Deacon Henry ʺChickʺ Byrd Spouse: Carolyn Grew up: Charlotte Hobbies: Golf, tennis, fly fishing, reading, travel, Habitat construction

Dan Norman Spouse: Jean Grew up: Minneapolis, Minnesota Hobbies: Riding motorcycles, bird watching

Previous and current involvement at Sardis: mission trip to New Bern, Sunday school (some teaching), Room In The Inn, soup kitchen Children: Cowdenhris Byrd and Suyzanne C

Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Habitat for Humanity, Membership Ministry, usher, 9 a.m. greeter

Cathy Lankford Spouse: Andy Grew up: Charlotte Hobbies: Running, dancing, spending time with my family Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Deacon, youth advisor, high school Sunday school teacher, nursery volunteer, preschool Sunday school teacher, Mustard Seed Group participant Children: Molly

Mary Simpson Spouse: Tom Grew up: Ironwood, MI Hobbies: boating, skiing, golf, renovation projects Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Youth advisor, Circle 5, Sunday school teacher, RITI, various ministries: MMO, Preschool, Worship, Personnel, Fellowship, Youth, Family Mentor program, Bible Study group member/leader, Women’s Retreat Committee/Chair

Youth Deacon Nominee serving a 1‐year term

Micah Martin Grew up: Athens, GA Hobbies: Playing tennis and watching football Previous and current involvement at

Sardis: I attended Sabbath on Wednesday evenings, I am in the youth choir and bells, and I attend Youth Ministry Sunday Night Fellowship

Brenda Woodcock Spouse: John Grew up: Winston‐Salem, NC Hobbies: Reading, crafts, cooking Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Mustard Seed Group, Rama Road Partnership Children: Jason, Meredith, Natalie, and Nate

The nominees are respectfully submitted by the 2020 Officer Nominating Committee: Deborah Barkley, Aric Beals, Marilyn Dougherty, Brad Helms, Laurie Hoots, Martha Ellen Ingles,,

Joyce Long, Lucinda Myers, and Bill Taylor.

4 The Communicator ~ September 2020

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

Church Life

Nominees for Elder

Chuck Bohlen Spouse: Karen Grew up: Northern NY Hobbies: Camping, travel, DIY home improvements, hiking, wine tasting Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Past elder, basketball coach, Personnel Ministry, Mustard Seed Group leader, Visioning Committee (for the Ministry Information Form), Organ Committee, Sunday school teacher (Crossroads) Children: Charlie and Jack

Doug Powell Spouse: Carolyn Humphrey Grew up: All over the Midwest, but mostly Michigan Hobbies: Working on the house, tennis, coaching soccer, and visiting National Parks Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Senior Pastor Advisor Committee, youth advisor, Contemporary Worship Experience, Personal Purpose Development, youth basketball coach Children: Olivia, Leah, and Jackson

Leigh Sellers

Spouse: Todd Grew up: Spartanburg, SC Hobbies: Hiking, photography, live music Previous and current involvement at Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Deacon, RITI coordinator, Sardis: Women’s Retreat Planning Nomination Committee, Clerks Committee for the second year, taught adult and children’s Ministry, Membership Ministry, Rama Road lunch buddy, Sunday school classes, served as a youth advisor for Mustard Seed Group middle school youth, and various ministries.

Children: Allison, Charles, and Joe Children: Stephanie and Clay Charles ʺBusterʺ Cox Spouse: Deirdre Grew up: Mt. Airy, NC Hobbies: Fitness and golf

Kelly Cruse

Spouse: Matthew Grew up: Crown Point, IN Hobbies: Cycling, reading, swimming, walking on the greenways

Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Both of my children attended Sardis Weekday School, and I was the chair of the SWS Parent Committee for our last two years there. I am currently a member of the Sardis Weekday School Steering Committee and typically attend the 11 o’clock church service when church is in‐person.

Children: Jack and Olive

Bruce Simpson Spouse: Kathy Grew up: Union County, NC Hobbies: Tennis, yard work, walking/ entertaining dog, reading Previous and current involvement at Sardis: Former deacon and elder, Sunday school teacher, Chair of Personnel, Chair of Fellowship and Recreation, Associate Pastor Search Committee (Chris Herrin), Room In The Inn driver and helper, nursery helper, various committees and ministries, coaching basketball and baseball, Chair of Sardis Gift Trust, high school sunday school teacher, Rama Road math tutor and homework helper

Youth Elder Nominee serving a 1‐year term Sarah Beals Grew up: Charlotte Hobbies: playing and listening to mu‐ sic, scouts, hanging out with friends

Sept. 20 12:00 p.m.

Previous and current involvement at Sardis: bells and choir, basketball, The Communicator ~ September 2020 5 Youth Ministry activities, scouts

Church Life

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

How Do You Like Them Apples?

This summer, some of our older members partnered with our 2nd and 3rd graders as pen pals! It was a win‐win scenario: connection for everyone, reminders of our church family, and good writing practice for young writers! Some of these connections have continued throughout the summer and developed into great relationships. One pen pal even bought a childrenʹs prayer book to send to her special pen pal. I know that it will be a treasured gift!

Would you be interested in partnering with a family as a prayer partner throughout this school year? You could choose to send letters or cards, or just take a minute each day to lift up a particular family. Sarah Dianne Jones would love to connect you with a family! Contact her at sarahdianne.jones@sardis.org.

Teacher Training

Sarah Dianne will be hosting a teacher training via Zoom on September 2 and 9 at 7:00 p.m. (itʹs the same training, two times!). You can learn Zoom tips and tricks, how to access our childrenʹs curriculum, ways to adapt curriculum and activities to a virtual format for children, and also get a refresher on our child protection policy!

Links to sign up will be in the weekly emails!

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

July Financial Highlights Thank you for contributing to Christ’s work through Sardis Presbyterian Church.

July

July Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gi s, and other revenue

$92,646.80

$121,866.66

$1,261,166.92

$1,157,066.62

Expenses

$153,852.33

$156,888.58

$1,036,661.48

$1,133,585.34

Net Total

($61,205.53)

($35,021.92)

$224,505.44

$23,481.28

Annual Budget: $2,026,250

Our Church Family Our Sympathy: to the family of Violet Lindsay; to the family of Bettye Hutchison; to the family of Carl Todd; to the family of Betty Mullen; to Cathie DeCramer on the death of her mother, Peggy Cromie; to Bob Watson on the death of his father, Robert Watson, Sr.; to Glenn Crossley on the death of his mother, Evelyn Crossley; to Robert Bell on the death of his mother, Ann Field and his father Mason Bell; and to the family of Mary Lou Mason.

Congratulations: to Anne and Ed Shoaf on the birth of their grandson, Maxwell Edwin Hattery.

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

Church Life

Sardis Staff Spotlight—Sam Johnson and Dennis Easter!

My name is Sam Johnson, and I am a custodian at Sardis and have been here two and a half years. I set up for events, clean bathrooms, and clean classrooms.

I make sure the church is locked up and make sure the people of the church are comfortable.

I was born in Alexandria, Virginia. I have three kids: two girls, 25 and 11, and a son who is 15. I love watching football and basketball.

I am a San Francisco 49ers fan and a Philadelphia Sixers fan. I also love Virginia Cavaliers football and basketball.

I am Dennis Easter and am a custodian at Sardis. I have been at Sardis four and a half years. I lock and unlock the building, set up for worship and events, and help keep the facility in working order. I also keep Sardis’ lighting maintained, set up and break down worship during basketball season, and assist people when on campus.

I was born in York, SC and raised in Clover, SC. I like to ride street bicycles and watching the NFL—5 time Super Bowl champions DALLAS COWBOYS!

I have written two books, one of which is a science fiction novel for ages 18 and up that is available on Amazon.

September Friendship Connection

Dreamer. Doer. Seeker. Thinker. These are some of the ways Kathy Izard describes herself. She is also the author of “The Hundred Story Home,” an inspiring book of courage, determination, faith and love.

Please join the Friendship Connection on September 15 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom as Kathy shares her remarkable journey that began when she met Denver Moore, a formerly homeless man, in 2007 and continues today.

Zoom link and meeting ID found in weekly e‐mails. We hope to see you there!

The Communicator ~ September 2020 7

Youth ministry

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

Parent Seminar

Virtual Kick‐Off

On Sunday, August 23, the Youth

On Sunday, August 30, the Youth

Ministry sponsored a virtual parent

Ministry had its first ever virtual

seminar with Jonathan Hetterly from

kick‐off! While it was very different

Southeast Psych. Jonathan spoke to

than being in person with a dunk

parents about how to help our children

tank, it was nice to see people on

cope during this time of isolation and distance from one another. He had

Zoom

and

explain

upcoming

some great tips and suggestions for parents as the pandemic continues to

program opportunities. For more

drag on. The session was recorded by Adrian, so if you are interested in

information, or to watch the videos

viewing it (either again or if you missed it), please contact Adrian Martin

about each of our programs, please

(adrian.martin@sardis.org).

contact Adrian Martin.

Fall Plans

As the world continues to adjust to COVID‐19, the Youth Ministry continues to adjust as well. This semester, we will focus on smaller group activities and assisting families in this time. Our regular weekly program is detailed below, but we will also have opportunities to connect through role‐playing games, fantasy football, book club, racial equity challenge, and so much more! Come be a part of our ministry!

Sunday School Middle School will meet via Zoom from 10:00‐10:45 a.m. led by Linda and Doyle Williams and Kristi Gallimore.

Join us each week as we walk through the book of Acts and see how the early church met and see if we can learn from them how our church can continue to meet!

High School Sunday School will also meet via Zoom but from 12:00‐12:45 p.m. led by Tim Alba and his wonderful crew of teachers: Liz Alba, Carolina Alba, David Blackley, Steve Hoots, and Bruce Simpson. We will be talking about the lectionary passages each week; the lectionary is a three‐year cycle of Scripture passages that are assigned to a particular Sunday so readers will have a comprehensive understanding of the Bible after three years. The lectionary is what the preachers use for their sermons each week, we will be able to dig a little deeper each Sunday after worship.

Sunday Night Fellowship Beginning Sunday, September 13, the Youth Ministry will resume in‐person Sunday Night Fellowship on the South Lawn. High school and middle school will alternate which Sundays they are on campus. The high school youth will meet every 1st and 3rd Sunday and middle school will meet 2nd and 4th, with both meetings taking place from 5:00‐6:00 p.m. We will meet in person for fellowship, games, service, and personal check‐in time.

Sabbath The Wednesday Sabbath program will resume on Wednesday, September 9 from 6:00‐7:00 p.m. via Zoom. High school and middle school will have separate programs that focus on age appropriate discussions. Join us for this mid‐week spiritual program and bring your own pizza!

8 The Communicator ~ September 2020

“Let the little children come unto me.”

2nd‐3rd Grade Bible

Presentation

On September 13, our 2nd and 3rd graders will be presented with their very own Bibles!

During

Equipping

What Will Fall Look Like for Children at Sardis?!?

This fall, we will kickoff a fun filled, connection‐based semester. Our K‐5th graders will have Zoom Sunday School at 10 a.m. each week starting September 13. Preschoolers are invited to Virtual Chapel via Zoom each Wednesday morning, and elementary schoolers will have the opportunity to join us for Elementary Story Exploration each Wednesday night at 6 p.m.

Young

Sprinkled throughout every week are one‐on‐one visits for your family with

Disciples, the Bibles will be

Sarah Dianne! We are excited about the chance to engage with children in

prayed over and presented,

meaningful ways even when we cannot yet be together. Email Sarah Dianne

and then from 1‐2 p.m., our

with any questions!

2nd and 3rd grade families are invited to come pick up their Bible (and a blessing!) at the Sardis

Weekday

covered walkway.

School

Visit With Sarah Dianne!

During this time it has been fun to engage on Zoom and realize we can connect even when weʹre apart, but I miss those chances to see our Sardis kids in person! So let’s set up a time I can have a socially‐distanced visit with your child in person. Email sarahdianne.jones@sardis.org to receive a link to my calendar and find the best day and time for you. The event will be added to my calendar and Iʹll see you at the scheduled time!

Sardis Weekday School

The Sardis Weekday School is thankful for the Facilities Team (Alfredo, Sam, and Dennis) who are working on every detail, so the Weekday School will be ready for when we open for the school year. We are looking forward to the day of when we can all be back together again. Thank you to all our families who constantly show steadfast support for our school and staff. With many blessings. ‐The Preschool with Heart

The Communicator ~ September 2020 9

The Communicator

Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 www.sardis.org

10 The Communicator ~ September 2020