The Communicator ~ September 2016
Church Life
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
September Friendship Connection Join this fellowship group for retirees on Tuesday, September 20 for guest speaker, Harry Tatum. Harry is a member of Sardis and has turned his love of flying into a volunteer ministry. Come and learn more about the different ministries such as “Angel Flights” and “Young Eagle Flights.” You won’t want to miss this inspirational story! Join us at 11 a.m. in the Sardis House for lunch and fellowship, and learn more about having a passion and making a difference. Reservations for lunch ($8/person) need to be made by noon on Friday, September 16. To make your reservation, visit at www.sardis.org or call 704.926.1590. Questions? Contact Alice Johnson at alice.johnson@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.
Sardis Fish Fry! The famous Sardis Fish Fry is back! Invite your friends and neighbors to join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, September 10. Our live country band will kick off at 5:15 p.m. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy live music, dancing, and kid’s games. The menu will include fried fish (flounder), fried chicken, fried corn on the cob, country style baked beans, hush puppies, a variety of desserts, and southern iced tea and lemonade. There will also be kid’s food. The cost is $7 per adult and $3 per child (ages 4-10). Register and pay at www.sardis.org using MySardis. Or call the reservation line at 704.926.1590 to register and pay at the event.
Women of Sardis Fall Dinner – Tuesday, October 25 Our guest speaker is Kristan Seaford. Our evening will start with punch at 5:45 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., and Kristan will begin at 6:45 p.m. Her presentation is entitled “Kristan Seaford: A Story of Hope.” She endured a debilitating infection and speaks of her faith during this time in a manner that is uplifting and inspiring. The dinner is $10 per person. Register online or call 704.926.1590 to pay at the door. Deadline is October 21.
Our Church Family
New Member Classes New Member Classes will be held on three
Our Christian Sympathy: to Susan Smith upon the death of her
Sundays
on
brother, William Earl Hixson; to Beth Parrish upon the death of
September 11 and ending with the joining
her niece, Terri Hamilton; to Lynne Howell upon the death of
Sunday on September 25. All classes will be
her father, William Connor; to Linda McKechnie upon the death
held in the small dining room located near the
of her father, Don Marsh; to William Sloan upon the death of his
Fellowship Hall and will meet at 10:00 a.m.
father, Harry Sloan; to Lucinda Myers upon the death of her
If you have any questions please contact
father, Max Sigmon; and to Cile Woodliff upon the death of her
Rev.
niece, Joyln Ferguson.
in
Alice
September
Johnson
at
beginning
704.366.1854
or
alice.johnson@sardis.org. 2
The Communicator ~ September 2016
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Church Life
Congrats, Jared! Congratulations to our Minister of Music, Jared Daugherty, on the completion of his DMA (Doctor of Musical Arts) in conducting with concentration in choral music, from the University of Georgia, Hugh Hodgson School of Music on August 5, 2016. Dr. Jared Daugherty will be honored in Worship at the 11:00 a.m. service on Sunday, September 18, 2016 with the presentation of his robe. Your gift of appreciation for Jared’s ministry will go to help defray the cost of his robe and hood. Donations should be made to the church and noted for Jared. You may donate online at sardis.org, choose “Other” under the Donation Type, then make note of what it is for in the description.
Peter McKechnie—Guest Preacher on September 25 Born into a dedicated family of ministry, The Rev. Peter J. McKechnie is a second generation PCUSA pastor with 15+ years experience, serving churches throughout the South. As he’s often told he looks like his mother but sounds like his father. Peter’s folks, as you’ve guessed, are our own Linda and Dave McKechnie! Recognized as a Member-at-Large in the Presbytery of East Tennessee, Peter is currently in the official Call Process as he faithfully discerns the Lord’s next chapter of his life and ministry. Married to Mindy McKechnie for 14 years, Peter is the proud father of two handsome young boys, Baker (10) and Bo (5). They’re based out of Knoxville, Tennessee.
STEWARDSHIP: Answering Godʹs Call with Gratitude
Jason Solomon
Do you think this call happens often at Sardis? [Bea]: Hello Ann Onymous, this is Bea Leaver from Sardis Pres. [Ann]: Hi Bea, what can I do for you? [Bea]: Well Ann, as you know Sardis is always happy to receive your [time/talents/contributions], and do you think you would be willing to [fill in the blank]? [Ann]: Well Bea, let me [think about it/get back to you tomorrow/jump right in/give you double]. I know Iʹve received that call. And Iʹm sure you have too. And the challenge for me, given all that competes for my time, attention, and tithes, is in answering the way I know I should - from a place of gratitude for all that God has given to me, my family and my Sardis community. Sometimes I have to remind myself that while it’s Bea on the phone, the message she is delivering is coming from God. And that usually makes it a whole lot easier to pick an answer to Beaʹs question. So the next time Bea calls, join me in making it a point to answer the call with gratitude.
The Communicator ~ September 2016
3
Church Life
Ministry is about life in Christ which aects everything we do.
Mustard Seed Groups The small group ministry at Sardis is known as Mustard Seed Groups (MSG). Time and time again, members of MSGs report that being in a Mustard Seed Group is one of the best things they do at Sardis. A MSG is a place for Bible study, fellowship, prayer and sharing, service, and growing in faith. If you are not in a Mustard Seed Group and are interested in experiencing a meeting, the following groups invite you to join them for an open house:
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The Communicator ~ September 2016
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Church Life
From Allegro Foundation Dear Sardis Presbyterian Church, It is with many blessings that we send this letter! When I moved back to Charlotte (my hometown) from Los Angeles, I remember my sister, Jane Fastje, saying ʺYou have to come to church with me and meet the Sardis members.ʺ The rest is history... After closing down Allegro in Los Angeles and relocating to Charlotte, I had to start all over with a new board of directors. Rev. Alice Johnson was on the founding board in Charlotte in 2000, and over the years, many Sardis members have been instrumental in helping Allegro grow. We started our first class of eight children living with disabilities at Sardis and have now grown to serve over 700 children living with disabilities in the community. We continue to hold our outreach program here at Sardis and have expanded to host a class at Novant Medical Center as well for our more medically fragile students. We also travel to public schools, for a total of 24 programs. We have continued to be good stewards of the funds Sardis gives to Allegro. We are so grateful for Sardis as we are not a United Way agency and do not receive any government support. Thank you, Sardis. In Christ, Pat (Founder/President) and Jane (Chief Operating Officer)
Sardis Hope Team Update In 2008, Peggy White put together the first Hope Team from Sardis. The Team Members were Stephanie Vanderford, Sallye Brown, Bill Norris, Bill Harwood, Beth Parrish, Anne Sweeney, and Susan Hudson. It was new in the Charlotte church community and was called the Wish Program. Itʹs still operating but has combined with other groups like the Charlotte Housing Authority. Along with a social worker and guidance from Lisa Howell (MP Presbyterian), we mentored a family consisting of a single mom and two daughters, aged four and 14 years old. A big part of our job was to assist with transportation, because they had no car in the beginning. We celebrated birthdays, had dinners and helped with after-school activities. It was quite a learning experience for all of us. The hardest lesson we learned was that our ʺjobʺ was not to fix all their problems, but to help them get more organized to take care of their own needs. This May, Jai, who is now 22, graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C. with a degree in Psychology. We are all so proud of her and they are all doing well. We had a celebration/birthday reunion in June and it was so good to get together and renew old friendships. Some of you may have met them, as they attended many church events and helped with Room in the Inn. This is just one of the many kinds of outreach that happens at Sardis every year.
The Communicator ~ September 2016
5
Church Life
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Fall Bible Studies Covenant Bible Study Wednesday mid-day : 12 – 1:30 p.m. – Sardis House (bring a sandwich) – led by Katie Harrington Wednesday evenings: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. – Room 211/212 – led by Jane Fobel 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 them is “Creating” and will examine how Covenant community is created and established, the following 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 and order a book, 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 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 Rev. Dr. Jane Fobel at 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.
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The Communicator ~ September 2016
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Church Life
Year of the Bible This past January, many began reading the Bible using James Davison’s schedule in his book, The Year of the Bible. Even though three quarters of the year and three quarters of the Bible has been read, it is not too late to join. Copies of Davison’s book are still available. Want to discuss what you are reading? Come join other readers for a discussion of what has been read on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., in room 104.
Adult Sunday School Opportunities for the Fall Looking for a class this fall? Consider joining one of the following on September 4: •
Bible Study for Women, meets in the parlor (sanctuary building) – will be studying the book of Acts.
•
Discussing Bible, Books and Topics, room 111/112 – will examine Adam Hamilton’s book and video series, Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Thing the Bible Doesn’t Say.
•
Crossroads, meets in room 213/214 – a lecture/discussion class studying Second Corinthians.
•
Robert Pharr Men’s Class, meets in room 215, discussions led by class members and guest speakers, focused on Bible Study.
•
Java, meets in room 216 – a class, of singles and couples, focused on building community through and in which issues of faith and life are discussed.
•
Reading for Reformed Reflection, meets in room 217 – will read and discuss William Willimon’s book, Fear of the Other: No Fear in Love. (book cost $10)
•
Contemporary Christian Issues (CCI), meets in the Sardis House – will begin this year with a revised format that will continue to welcome speakers from the community on important community issues, but will include time for interaction between class members and hands on engagement. The series in September will examine homelessness with speakers from the Urban Ministry Center, including someone who has been homeless, a class focused on a simulation of poverty, and a time to explore ways to be part of a ministry for the homeless.
Questions? Contact Rev. Dr. Jane Fobel at jane.fobel@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.
Clerk’s Ministry Update The Clerk’s Ministry is tasked with filling all of the ministries’ rosters for the coming year. The church’s ministries orchestrate the month-to-month work of Sardis which keeps our church operating in a smooth and coordinated way. We need members to agree to serve on ministries of the Session and the Diaconate, as well as on special Commissions such as Property and Sardis Gift Trust. You may go to the Sardis website starting on September 1 to read about any ministry which might be of interest to you. If you are interested in serving, please contact Tim Eichenbrenner at teichenbrenner@gmail.com, or call him at 704.442.1291. The Communicator ~ September 2016
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Church Life
Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.
Fall Mission Trip to Columbia, SC—October 21-23 On this trip, we will participate in the continuing repair work that is needed in the Columbia, SC area, 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 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. 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. An information meeting is scheduled for September 11, immediately following the 11:00 worship service, in room 211/212.
Loaves and Fishes
Red Cross Blood Drive netted 21 pints in July!
spaghetti sauce donations
Great result for our slowest month of the year. October 23 is the
totaled 45.6 pounds last month.
next community blood drive.
Music Opportunities 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. Contact Jared, Kaitlyn, or Jacob to learn how to be involved. All rehearsals are held in the rooms listed below in the Administration Building. Find your rehearsal time below: Sanctuary Choir - August 25, 7:30 p.m. Choir Room · Childrenʹs 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
Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org under the News & Events tab.
July Financial Highlights July
July Expected
This year so far
This year so far expected
$174,573.22
$125,869.57
$1,227,041.02
$1,161,294.67
Expenses
$171,065.96
$169,626.00
$1,278,921.08
$1,299,570.43
Net Total
$3,507.26
($43,756.43)
($51,880.06)
($138,275.76)
Pledges, gifts, and other revenue
Annual Budget: $2,241,000 8
The Communicator ~ September 2016
Lay Ministry
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.
Crisis Assistance Ministry
The Church Mouse Program:
Fall-Winter Clothing Drive
Ministering to Our College Students
It is that time of year again! Time to clean out
The Church Mouse Project is designed to help college students
those closets and donate the clothing you no
continue to feel part of the Sardis family while they are away
longer wear to Crisis Assistance Ministry.
living on college campuses. Collegians interested in having a
Sardis’ Fall-Winter Clothing Drive begins on September 26 and ends on October 10. Just drop off your clothing donations in the collection bins in the hallway by the Library in
“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.
the Education Hall. You will be helping those
For
less fortunate to have warm clothes to wear as
Georgia
we move into cooler weather.
presslyga@aol.com.
more
information, Pressly
at
please
contact
704.364.9299
or
Sardis Soup for the Soul “Sardis Soup for the Soul” is a special Sardis outreach program that delivers soup to families who could use the help after a surgery or death in the family. It is Sardis members taking care of Sardis members. Sardis Soup for the Soul is looking for volunteers of all ages to help prepare the soup, and volunteers to help deliver the soup to families in need. This is a perfect opportunity for families, Mustard Seed Groups, Sunday School classes, or for someone looking for a way to be involved without a large time commitment. Want to be involved? Contact Barbara Lansche at 704.975.1941. More information is also available at www.sardis.org.
Cross-Town Trekking Fourteen of your fellow “Sardinians” have been making weekly treks across town on Thursdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The “tour” includes picking up empty back packs from the Student Services Office at Rama Road Elementary School, then driving downtown to the Second Harvest Food Bank Warehouse on Spratt Street, loading 20-30 filled bags into your car, and delivering them to Rama Road School (unloading via a wheeled grocery cart). On Thursday or Friday afternoon, these bags go home with children whose families qualify for the most needy for basic “tide-over” staple goods. Under Sardis’ Senior Link Ministry, this rewarding cause “costs” only two (2) hours, your energy, and the gas to make the round-trip once a month. We each enjoy a productive commitment to help “some of the least of these…”. CMS Schools begin on Monday, August 29, 2016; the first delivery date is not likely to be until Thursday, September 15. For this school term, we have weekly volunteers lined up with a GREAT list of substitute drivers as-needed. Thank you Sardis, for this part of the Planting Seeds of Hope partnership.
The Communicator ~ September 2016
9
Youth ministry
“…set an example for the believers… 1 Timothy 4:12.”
Cooking Camp Cooks! Twenty youth participated in a cooking camp led by Chef Ron Ahlert from the Community Culinary School. The participants learned how to properly use a knife, cook different foods, and they learned about safety and sanitation in the kitchen. The participants ended their camp by hosting a banquet for the staff at the church.
Middle School Sabbath Middle School Sabbath, our Wednesday night program of food, fellowship, and devotion, returns on Wednesday, September 14 in the Youth Room. Come join us as we examine Scripture through a devotion based on music and video. A pizza dinner is first (please bring $3 to help offset the costs of the meals) followed by the devotion and then free time for fellowship and fun. Come join us on Wednesday nights in September!
High School Friday Night Frenzy
Upcoming Dates
All high school students and their friends are welcome
September 9
HS Friday Night Frenzy
to attend our new Friday Night Frenzy program on
September 14
MS Sabbath Begins
Friday, September 9 from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. We will play
September 16-18 Confirmation Class Opening Retreat
games in the gym, Education Hall, and our newly renovated Youth Game Room. Friends are welcome!
September 23-25 HS Beach Retreat
Come during or after your football games for a fun
For a complete listing of all of the summer activities,
night of fellowship and games with adult leaders and
please download our fall semester calendar from
other youth.
either the weekly e-letter or our website.
High School and Middle School Youth Serving Others In August, both the High School and Middle School Youth Ministries participated in service work. The middle school students took a morning and served at Friendship Trays, which makes Meals on Wheels meals. After working in the kitchen all morning, they then delivered a route for Meals on Wheels, sharing what they made with others. The high school students served at Alexander Youth Network, playing kickball and doing nails with the children who live there. After kickball and nails, they then served ice cream to everyone to end a wonderful afternoon. Both the High School and Middle School Ministries were grateful for the opportunity to serve others! 10
The Communicator ~ September 2016
“Let the little children come unto me.”
Childrenʹs Choir Childrenʹs Choir sets sail on Thursday, September 8 at 5:15 p.m. Running from September through May, the children will learn about Godʹs grace and explore praising
God
through
song,
instruments,
and
movement.
Save the Date!
The children will contribute to selected worship
October 22 from 4-6pm
services throughout the year. This year, we look forward to a Christmas musical, singing in the Community Christmas Concert, and a spring musical. We meet on Thursdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. in the Administrative Building Choir Room. Register your child
Elementary Fellowship We
are
working
on
creating
with
Kaitlyn
Davros
by
emailing
kaitlyn.davros@sardis.org. new
fellowship
opportunities for our elementary school-aged kids! We want to provide an environment to make new church friends, serve the community, and grow in their faith. This new program will begin in January. Please let Katie Harrington (katie.harrington@sardis.org) know if you’d like to help be on the planning team!
THANK YOU, SARDIS! Thanks to everyone who contributed school supplies for Rama Road Elementary School students. A special thanks to the Vacation Bible School attendees for their donations! The total number of supplies collected in this year’s drive was amazing. Thank you for
your
continued support of Rama Road!
The Communicator ~ September 2016
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The Communicator
Non-Profit Org.
Published monthly by
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Sardis Presbyterian Church
Charlotte, NC
6100 Sardis Road Charlotte,
NC
Permit #1059
28270
www.sardis.org
12
The Communicator ~ September 2016