The Communicator | July 2021

The Communicator ~ July 2021

Church Life

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

Families Forward Charlotte

Carrie Christian

As we move into Summer, our community further opens up, and we get back to some semblance of normality, the Families Forward Charlotte team is working harder than ever to offer services to more families. We are also excited to start offering in‐person workshops again, where we can provide childcare and an opportunity for peer support. Our partnership with Sardis is instrumental in transforming lives.

As we expand the reach of our program, we need dedicated volunteers to mentor local parents looking to obtain economic stability. I hope you are interested in getting involved. See what your fellow church members, Niki and Brady Koesel, say about this volunteer opportunity! Use your smart phone to open the QR code and view their video!

Clear Glass Vases Needed Following

our

worship

services,

Be a Church Mouse! the

two

flower

Help Sardis’ college students

arrangements in the Sanctuary are broken down into four

stay connected, through letters

smaller arrangements that are distributed to Sardis

and prayers! If you would like

homebound members. We are in need of clear, clean glass

to become a church mouse or

vases, as shown in the picture (no bud vases, please). If

are a college student that would

you have any vases that you would like to donate to this worthy cause, please

like a church mouse, contact

drop them off in the Sacristy located next to the Historical Room in the

Georgia Pressly at 704.364.9299

Sanctuary building. Questions? Contact sue.chowning@sardis.org.

Normal?

or presslyga@aol.com

Chuck Bohlen

In March, I wrote about our longing for the day when we can return to some sense of our “old normal”, when we can see our friends and family in person, and even dare to hug them. I went to the 11:00 worship service last week in the Sanctuary, and it was as close to normal as I could have hoped. I was actually able to see the smiles previously hidden by masks, and I was embraced in real hugs and handshakes. Thanks be to God! If seeing Vicky Hovis standing in the Narthex hugging everyone who wanted a hug doesn’t fill your heart with the Holy Spirit, then I don’t know what will!

I realize that our younger members are still waiting for the vaccine. I realize that many have lost loved ones, and many are still recovering, and our prayers are with you. I realize that we still can’t make a joyful noise to the Lord during our favorite hymns without being stifled by a mask. But, it feels as though we have taken a huge step in the right direction.

If you have been hesitant to come back to Sardis, or if you are just too comfortable on your couch on Sunday, then I encourage you to give in‐person worship a try. It’s the freedom that we have all worked so hard to achieve! The great work of Sardis continues, and giving is still as important as ever as we continue to maintain our great facilities, pay our amazing staff, continue to be generous with mission, support our children, confirmands and youth, and start to enjoy a triumphant return!

2 The Communicator ~ July 2021

Church Life

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

APNC Update

Gloria Hall

On behalf of the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, I want to update you on our process, and give insight into our search.

While our committee is called the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, we were tasked with searching for either an Associate Pastor or a Worship Director for Contemporary Worship and Community Building for Sardis.

For both positions, we started with posting our job with our Charlotte Presbytery and have reached out to regional Presbyteries as well. We have reached out to local colleges and universities and spoken with music departments and alumni associations. We have reached out to contacts each of us had, as well as contacts you have shared with us. We have posted with local and national job boards. We have called seminaries about soon‐to‐be and recent graduates. Suffice it to say, we have left no stone unturned!

As for the position, we seek a candidate to revitalize our contemporary service into a more vibrant and meaningful service. This person would either lead the music or find someone to lead music while overseeing our small group ministry (Mustard Seed Groups) as well as our mission work. Not an easy task, nor an easy find! We have been fortunate to speak with and interview many candidates from all walks of life, both lay people and pastors.

While specifics may not be shared, we want you to know our search has been fruitful, and we are confident we are reaching the end of our search. We hope to be able to share our final choice with you by the beginning of fall.

As always, thank you for entrusting us with this task. Please continue to pray that we are able to discern exactly who God has chosen for us at Sardis Presbyterian Church.

Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org/publications.

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

May

May Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gi s, and other revenue

$159,907.14

$140,283.33

$859,125.42

$757,316.65

Expenses

$121,526.32

$141,855.58

$644,484.04

$733,498.12

Net Total

$38,380.82

($1,572.25)

$214,641.38

$23,818.53

Annual Budget: $1,892,050

Our Church Family Our Sympathy: to the family of Evelyn Castles; to the family of Edgar Harris Walker, Jr; to Patti Kramer on the death of her brother, Jim Kuralt; to Steve Hoots on the death of his mother, Madeline Hoots; to Stacey Vanderwel on the death of her father, Jerry Spears; and to John Woodcock on the death of his father, John Woodcock, Sr.

The physical and virtual Sardis offices will be closed

Congratulations: to Phyllis Thompson on the births of her great‐

on Monday, July 5 for the

grandchildren, Dean Gabriel Goldenberg, Penelope Jane Byer, and Robert

Independence Day holiday.

Paige Thompson.

The Communicator ~ July 2021

3

4

The Communicator ~ July 2021