<Last Week Next Week>>

September 07 and August 31, 2003 (updated 9/2/03 4:04 PM)

(On line Update  at http://donredding.com/reader.html)

A) News: Please send in “news.”

1. Lesson: 

· Durward (8/24) finished Jesus and the Land by Charles Page.

· Gaston Gage (8/31) began Jesus against Christianity with Lou Bledsoe (9/7)and Willard Gourley (9/14) to follow.

· Thanks for a good job to Durward and Gaston.

· Jesus against Christianity is not your normal Sunday School book. I encourage you to read some of it before class and join us for some lively discussion and interesting viewpoints.

2. Health and Happiness: Carol Douglas said her friend Twala Kruger will be having some surgery followed by radiation and chemo. Keep Twala in your thoughts and prayers. Also, we hear Bun Collingwood received some good test results but then learned the tumor was larger. Elaine asked for our prayers
3. Address Correction –Twala Kruger’s telephone number is 366-7107. My error. Madeline Stanford’s new address is 4001 Quail Forest Drive, Apt B, 28226. Please change both on the yellow sheets.
4. Error Correction #2. I wrote in a draft that Reatha would be willing to serve again as Social Chair next year. Oooops, I should have said Health and Happiness Chair. Sorry.
5. Habitat:

· Willard Gourley (8/31) reminded us of the need for workers and especially traffic directors for the Habitat Blitz Week (Week of 9/15+).

· Joyce Allen (8/31) discussed the opportunity to provide meals for the workers and left a schedule.

6. Helping Hands: Skip 08/31 said would consider the Habitat meal request at Helping Hands Committee meeting held after class. He reported parts have been found to repair the wheelchair, and cost will be about $100 and ready in two weeks. In process of acquiring the new wheelchair. Report coming 09/07.
7. Social:

· Chair Jim Hatfield discussed the 50^th celebration on 08/24 and whether it should be at planned event (9/26 BBQ or Christmas Party) or a separate event. The class voted for a separate event. More to follow.

· On 8/31 a signup sheet was started for the 9/26 Bar B Que at the Copelands. Cost is $12. Make check payable to Carol Douglas soon.

8. Anne Lumadue on 08/24 read a devotional in the form of a poem on the aftermath of 09/11 and the anticipation of Christmas. It was recently published in a book and was written by husband Bob. Way to go Bob. Please share copies with us, ok.
9. This reminded us of the book co authored by Wilma Miller with her late husband, Frank, on blueprint reading which recently went into a second printing. We gave her an on 8/24 an Outstanding Member Name Tag. (The Lumadues already have received theirs.)
10. Chick Thompson 08/10 asked qualifications to receive Outstanding Member Nametags; the president explained they went to outstanding class members. According to a survey , all Ownbey members are outstanding, and we want each member to know it.
11. We are finishing the Articles of Religion . What do you think of them.
12. Don Redding and Bill Pearce 8/24 mentioned a special Training Session for new officers, chairs and leaders of MPUMC Sunday Schools and organizations to be held Saturday, 09/13/03. We hope for Ownbey to be well represented. This led to further discussion including the possibility of deciding our 2004 chairs and officers soon:
1. The Nominating Committee co Chair Grogans repeated other committee names of Len and Ellen Chason and Ted Bryant .and encouraged class to think of nominees for President, VP, Sec, and Treasurer.(New president then selects Chairs.)
2. VP Pearce (in the event he is elected president) encouraged present committee members to consider serving a second year and encouraged new volunteers. He said Don Hammer recently agreed to be for 2004 Curriculum Chair, Reatha Andrew H and Hl chair (sorry I had said Social chair by mistake once), and Skip Hentzleman Helping Hands Chair.
3. Rev Barden has sent a questionnaire to SS classes asking for feedback for the 09/13 training session. Don Redding on 8/31 briefly discussed the draft (copy a part of this Reader) of a response to Barbara for the Training session.
13. Barbara also asked for help in the Library. The Grogans and Pearces have helped and more help needed. Call Barbara
14. All Readers are on line at http://donredding.com/reader.html. Send your News to Don or call 527 3510. .
15. Visitors welcome to all: 8/31 Lynn Macleod, 5324 Newgate Ct, Charlotte 28226. 8/24 David Owen (son of Durward and Connie); 1582 Fawn Creek Road, Brentwood Tn 37027. 8/17: Bill Grigg,16092A Reap Rd, Albemarle NC28001; Richard and Catherine Gibbs, 2700 Dalford Court, Raleigh NC 27604; Karen Funderburk, 1120 Scaleybark Rd., 28209
16. Addresses – Julian and Becky Aldridge’s new address, in case you are interested in telling them they may be gone but not forgotten, is 2440 Winterbrooke Dr., Matthews NC 28105 704 847 8070
17. September Birthdays: Durward Owen (08/30), Nancy Hatfield, 09/02, Anne Buker 9/08, Ellen Chason 09/08, Linda Webb 09/11,Joyce Witherington 09/18, Heathy Walker 09/18, Frank Gossett 09/28.
18. Camp Tekoa weekend September 5- 7 is great fun. Take your grand Children
19. A number of other calendar additions, see calendar below. 
20. Upper Room Bill Pearce encouraged us 8/17 to visit on line at www.upperroom.org. Don’s (ex)-sister- in law is Managing Editor, Mary Lou Redding.
21. Health and Happiness: as of 8/26

· Cristina Halpern continues to do well

· Dottie Tobias making progress, out walking.

· Carol Needy: Chip mowed the yard 8/21 –progress..

· Allen Maxwell doing well after gall bladder surgery..

· Eleanor Harris brings greetings 8/17 from Randy who hopes to join us soon,

· Willard Gourley looks fit after vacation angioplasty

22. H& H (2).
23. (YELLOW) Roster and Lesson. Add Harrises if not dated 8/10/03 or later as I left that listing off when printing. Correct Twala telephone and Madeline’s address
24. The air Extra:.

· When I arrived a little before 8 Sunday, it was very hot. The coffee man said that he had heard "administration" was trying something different by turning on the a/c later than had been as "administration" was trying to control the power bill. As the minutes went by, it seemed to me to be getting cooler so I thought all was under control. The class of course was uncomfortable and to top it off, someone moved the control in our room from Medium to High. Experience shows that Medium gives more cool air. I did not catch that until the last few minutes of class.

· As I was leaving around 11:15 I saw Business Manager Wayne Harrison who said there was a malfunction and when I asked him about what "administration" had said, he said oh no it was a malfunction AND HE WAS NOT CALLED until 9:15! Of course we all saw the a/c trucks around but I thought I saw them before class. As for controlling Power expenses, he said they had turned the temperature down to 70 from 72 a couple of weeks ago, got so many complaints that they went back to 72 but that had nothing to do with Sunday's problem. The repairs will be under warranty but, still, think about when not under warranty. I love the new building, but as time goes by we are seeing things the architects "overlooked" or miscalculated (sound in Jubilee Hall, the A/c, the security issues, roar of the a/c units in old 109, etc.)

· On class I made an executive decision that was wrong. Virginia Gourley asked if we could open the windows. I thought and said that I believed the humidity would increase and I did not do it. Mistake. It was cooler outside than inside. Sorry Virginia, I will listen better next time.

· It would not have been so bad had we known the a/c was not going to work. We would have dressed differently because we all are accustomed to it being cold in most of the building. By the time class was over, or rather when I stopped moving around and sat down before the lesson, my clothes were wet. I was determined not to let the heat get my coat off and it was drenched as were my shirt and pants (since all had been just cleaned, probably $10 of cleaning wasted). Oh well, next week will be better, I bet.

.

A) Ownbey Calendar+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

¨ Aug/Sept Bethel and Disciple signup / begin 

¨ 09/03/03 or 09/15 Wired for Ministry 201 and 301, call 295-4822

¨ 09/03/03 Hot Wednesdays return, 5:30 6:45 376-5520 x5600

¨ 09/04/03 Thursday Morning Ladies Bible Study begins again 10:30 – 11:30, room 032, Barbara Peacock 849 0599

¨ 9/05-07 Camp Tekoa weekend is great fun. Take your grand Children 

¨ 09/07/03 Les Ackerman and the Brass Act Quintet, 7pm, Sanctuary

¨ 09/08/02 Women’s Choir (UMW) 10:30 a.m. or  7p.m.

¨ 09/13/03 Habitat begins bconrad@carolina.rr.com or call Willard. 

¨ 09/05/03 Stephen Ministry Training

¨ 09/07/03 Goodness Gracious! Opens, 9 a.m.

¨ 09/13/03 8:30 – noon, Adult Leaders Training Event

¨ 09/15/03 for 6 Monday nights, ..Soup.. Transition.. learn to “let go, contact Carol Grinham

¨ 09/17/03 Adults Plus! Mile and Luralee Bailey, Experiences in ministry in Netherlands.

¨ 09/26/03 Bar B Q at the Copeland’s 

¨ 09/28/03 10/01/03 Adults Plus! Spiritual Life Retreat, Steve James, LakeJunaluska.

¨ 0?/0?/03 50^th Celebration 

¨ 10/05/03 Dr. Howell on Prayer, 6:30 p.m. followed by optional study groups in following weeks. 

¨ 10/15/03 Adults Plus! Peter Smolowitz, Observer, Iraq War

¨ 11/09/03 John Holbert from Perkins SMU 9:45 joint SS on Psalm 

¨ 11/11/03 Adults Plus! Planning Retreat, Tree Tops for adult Teachers, officers, leaders, call Barbara

¨ 11/19/03 Adults Plus!. Dr. Howell.

¨ 12/05/03 Christmas Party @ Hatfield’s (Tentative)

¨ 12/07/03 Adults Plus! Christmas Party with Les Ackerman

¨ 12/14/03 Breakfast at Thompson’s

¨ 01/21/04 Adults Plus! Bikin Mike Gordon

¨ Other Volunteers Needed: Ownbey needs in italics: 

¨ Help get Library Started. See Barbara

¨ Youth need sofas, piano, keyboard

¨ Help Wanted to several Service Areas in the Church, 295-4841

¨ Urban Ministry needs towels and washcloths

¨ Family Partner needed for the Robinson’s Habitat House.

¨ CHAMP Volunteers needed -joe@mpumc.org

¨ Hospital Visitors See Rae Haney 

¨ Elementary School Buddies  343-5427 

¨ Ushers for Church in the Round. Tell Jan Nomina, Hospitality Chair. 

¨ New Church Member follow-up. Need Volunteers

¨ Home Bound and Hospital Visitation Teams - See Rae Haney

¨ Goodness Gracious Gift Shop - September 6+, see Linda Shull 366-0403  to work in Shop

B) Articles of Religion +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

· Of Sanctification Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanest from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy commandments blameless.

· Of the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of which they are citizens or subjects or in which they reside, and to use all laudable means to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.

· The 25Religion were written by John Wesley for the Discipline of 1808.According to Mark Edwards recently, "you cannot be a Methodist without believing them all.” Do you agree?

· We have finished them all.

· To see all at one time, go to Articles of Religion at http://www.cresourcei.org/creed25.html

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

….

Connie, David, and Durward Owen Anne and Bob Lumadue

<Last Lesson schedule is at http://donredding.com/2003b.html

Version: 09/02/2003 4:04 PM

September 07, and August 31, 2003, Ownbey Reader

Articles of Religion.

• The 25 Articles of Religion were written by John Wesley for the Discipline of 1808. According to Mark Edwards recently, "you cannot be a Methodist without believing them all.”

John Wesley : An On-line Exhibition

John Wesley (1703-91) - the founder of the Methodist Church

John Wesley was one of the greatest evangelists in the history of the Christian Church. A preacher of great power and an organiser of genius, he founded Methodism in the face of intense opposition and laid the foundations of future world-wide expansion. 

The following images have been selected from the extensive Wesley collection of manuscripts contained within the Methodist Archives at the John Rylands University Library of Manchester.
(For a closer look, click on the image.)

1. John Wesley (1703-91)

John Wesley - twentieth-century portrait
by Frank O. Salisbury 

2. Epworth Rectory Fire (1709)

This nineteenth-century engraving shows one of the most dramatic incidents in the childhood of John Wesley, when at the age of six he was rescued by a neighbour from a burning room in his father's rectory at Epworth. This narrow escape left such a deep impression on Wesley that he often referred to himself in later life as a 'brand plucked from the burning'. 

In the bottom left-hand corner of the illustration can be seen Wesley's parents and younger sisters. 

3. The Charleston Hymnal (1737)

This was the first collection of hymns compiled by John Wesley and has the additional distinction of being the first American hymnbook - previous American publications had contained only metrical psalms. Very few copies were printed and only two survive today, of which the only complete copy is in the Methodist Archives in Manchester.

C) The Twenty-Five Articles of Religion
Methodist

Dennis Bratcher, ed.

The Twenty-five Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church, from the Discipline of 1808 collated against Wesley's original text in The Sunday Service of the Methodists, 1784.

These 25 Articles of Religion were Wesley's adaptation of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion from the Anglican Church in which Wesley had been a priest. Several of the Articles are aimed directly at distinguishing the beliefs held by Wesley, as well as by Anglicans, from Roman Catholicism.  These especially relate to the basis of religious authority (Articles 5-6), justification by grace through faith (Articles 9-11), the nature of the church (Articles 13, 22), the rejection of the doctrine of purgatory (Article 14), the rejection of services in Latin (Article 15), the nature of the sacraments and the rejection of the concept of the Mass (Articles 16-20), and the rejection of a celibate clergy (Article 21).

Two of the articles (7, 8) also clearly reject Pelagianism, a heresy contending that human beings are capable of choosing God by exercising their own inherent free will without the necessity of grace.  While Wesley never held this position in even a modified form, he was often accused of doing so by Calvinists promoting total predestination and the lack of any role for the human will in salvation (see Article 8 and TULIP Calvinism Compared with Wesleyan Perspectives).

There are also included two provisions adopted by the Uniting Conference of 1939 that produced the United Methodist Church (US).  These are not properly a part of the Articles of Religion, but are included as additional statements of belief. The article Of Sanctification was from the Discipline of the Methodist Protestant Church, one of the three major groups that came together to form the United Methodist Church (US). The article was preserved, but not adopted as a new Article of Religion. The article Of the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority was adopted to clarify and interpret for worldwide Methodists Article 23, Of the Rulers of the United States of America.

The Articles of Religion of the Methodist Church

Article 1—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity

There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Article 2—Of the Word, or Son of God, Who Was Made Very Man

The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Godhead and Manhood, were joined together in one person, never to be divided; whereof is one Christ, very God and very Man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual sins of men.

Article 3—Of the Resurrection of Christ

Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men at the last day.

Article 4—Of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.

Article 5—Of the Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation

The Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scripture we do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament of whose authority was never any doubt in the church. The names of the canonical books are:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the Greater, Twelve Prophets the Less.

All the books of the New Testament, as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.

Article 6—Of the Old Testament

The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man, being both God and Man. Wherefore they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses as touching ceremonies and rites doth not bind Christians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity be received in any commonwealth; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience of the commandments which are called moral.

Article 7—Of Original or Birth Sin

Original sin standeth not in the following of Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly talk), but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that continually.

Article 8—Of Free Will

The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that good will.

Article 9—Of the Justification of Man

We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings. Wherefore, that we are justified by faith, only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.

Article 10—Of Good Works

Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.

Article 11—Of Works of Supererogation

Voluntary works besides, over and above God's commandments which they call works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than of bounden duty is required; whereas Christ saith plainly: When you have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.

Article 12—Of Sin After Justification

Not every sin willingly committed after justification is the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives. And therefore they are to be condemned who say they can no more sin as long as they live here; or deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.

Article 13—Of the Church

The visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men in which the pure Word of God is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

Article 14—Of Purgatory

The Romish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, worshiping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the Word of God.

Article 15—Of Speaking in the Congregation in Such a Tongue as the People Understand

It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.

Article 16—Of the Sacraments

Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God's good will toward us, by which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm, our faith in him.

There are two Sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.

Those five commonly called sacraments, that is to say, confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacraments of the Gospel; being such as have partly grown out of the corrupt following of the apostles, and partly are states of life allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, because they have not any visible sign or ceremony ordained of God.

The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith.

Article 17—Of Baptism

Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it is also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The Baptism of young children is to be retained in the Church.

Article 18—Of the Lord's Supper

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that, to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.

Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is faith. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshiped.

Article 19—Of Both Kinds

The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the parts of the Lord's Supper, by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to be administered to all Christians alike.

Article 20—Of the One Oblation of Christ, Finished upon the Cross

The offering of Christ, once made, is that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is commonly said that the priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and dangerous deceit.

Article 21—Of the Marriage of Ministers

The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God's law either to vow the estate of single life, or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve best to godliness.

Article 22—Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches

It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's Word. Whosoever, through his private judgment, willingly and purposely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies of the church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the Word of God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like, as one that offendeth against the common order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.

Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edification.

Article 23—Of the Rulers of the United States of America

The President, the Congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and the councils of state, as the delegates of the people, are the rulers of the United States of America, according to the division of power made to them by the Constitution of the United States and by the constitutions of their respective states. And the said states are a sovereign and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any foreign jurisdiction.

Article 24—Of Christian Men's Goods

The riches and goods of Christians are not common as touching the right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast. Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth, liberally to give alms to the poor, according to his ability.

Article 25—Of a Christian Man's Oath

As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ and James his apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and charity, so it be done according to the prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.

Of Sanctification

Sanctification is that renewal of our fallen nature by the Holy Ghost, received through faith in Jesus Christ, whose blood of atonement cleanseth from all sin; whereby we are not only delivered from the guilt of sin, but are washed from its pollution, saved from its power, and are enabled, through grace, to love God with all our hearts and to walk in his holy commandments blameless.

Of the Duty of Christians to the Civil Authority

It is the duty of all Christians, and especially of all Christian ministers, to observe and obey the laws and commands of the governing or supreme authority of the country of which they are citizens or subjects or in which they reside, and to use all laudable means to encourage and enjoin obedience to the powers that be.

Ownbey Sunday School Class

Myers Park United Methodist Church

Charlotte NC 28209

August 28, 2003

Reverend Barden:

Attached is the response from the Ownbey Sunday School Class to your questionnaire in preparation of the Training Session September 13. This completed questionnaire is on the web also at http://donredding.com/20030913.html. Included separately are several attachments including our class handbook, our pictorial, class roster, list of teachers, and schedule of lessons for 2003.

All our officers and chairs have had a chance to review this response.

Please let me know if you need anything else.

Donald Redding

President, Ownbey Sunday School Class

527 3510

August 28, 2003

Training Session Preparation for 9/13/03

(This questionnaire is on the web at http://donredding.com/20030913.html)

Date: August 21, 2003

To:  Class Presidents From: Barbara Barden

Re:  Adult Leader Training Event September 13

I am writing you to share the details of the event planned for all adult Sunday school class leaders and teachers on Saturday, September 13 and to ask for your help in making this the best opportunity for everyone that it can be by encouraging your folk to attend and by completing the enclosed sheets and making sure they are returned to me no later than Wednesday, September 3. I am sending this by email (to those of you with email) and am also putting a hard copy in your class box. This information will provide a great resource for exchange and discussion in the small groups on the 13th. Here is the schedule for the morning:

8:30 — 9:00 a.m. Registration, continental breakfast, browse curriculum and resource tables

9:00 — 9:20 a.m. Opening keynote remarks by Dr. James Howell

9:20 — 9:55 an. A review of our revised Sunday school leader handbook, with particular attention to several new items of procedures and policies

9:55 — 10:05 a.m. Break and move to small groups

10:05 11:15 a.m. Groups

Click on Group #  for Survey and Ownbey's answers
Group 1 - Teachers/Curriculum —

participants will be introduced to many exciting new tools both in print and online to enhance your teaching and to help persons charged with selecting curriculum. There will also be time to share ideas and ask questions.

Group 2 — Outreach/Special Projects — participants will explore ways the importance of Sunday school class participation in outreach. Learn about some of the many ways our church is involved in outreach in our community and around the world and how classes are already or can get involved.

Group 3 — Socials / Fellowship — participants will explore together the importance of these formal and informal gatherings both in and outside of class review the basics of how to schedule rooms and make any special kitchen and maintenance requests review discipline policy on what is and what is not appropriate for gathering that are publicized as MPUMC

and why get some new ideas as classes share what they have done.

Group 4 — Membership! Hospitality! Attendance/Greeters — participants will review the importance of turning in weekly, accurate attendance figures, explore ways to invite and make guests feel welcomed when they visit, participate in a discussion on ways to improve the Sunday School greeter program and ways to make your room a welcoming space. Also discussion will focus on ways to encourage regular attendance, ways to follow up with visitors and absentees. This group will also look at the important ways we care for those in our classes who are sick, in the hospital, lose a loved one, and how we celebrate joys of members such as birthdays. anniversaries, new babies, etc.

Group 5 — Communications — this group will be led by two members of the web ministry team who are available to classes to help set up and train persons to maintain a class web page. Participants ‘will get to see what some classes have already done, learn some basics of web page maintenance and explore other important ways to communicate class happenings both with class members and others. Another important part of this group will be to review the type and limits of support available from the education office and procedures to follow to get information about your class in the Cornerstone, bulletins, and web.

Group 6 — Other Issues - We summarized and added issues.

Group 1 Teachers/Curriculum back to top

Please attach a list of teachers and studies from this past year (if you don’t keep a record just list as many as you can). Also include a list of current teachers and curriculum plans for upcoming weeks.

· Attached is or schedule of lessons for 2003. They are also on line at http://donredding.com/2003b.html for last half of 2003. The first half is at http://donredding.com/2003.html and 2002 is at http://donredding.com/2002B.htmland 2001 at http://donredding.com/ownbeysundayschoolclass.html

How are teachers selected recruited?

· Below is  a section from our class Handbook:

Selection of Teachers

The Curriculum Committee Chair maintains and supervises a staff of competent teachers, supervises the protocol of Ownbey’ s discussion oriented format, selects a curriculum of varied topics which are thought-provoking, challenging, and represent a broad spectrum of point-of view.

Members of Committee: Class members who are teachers. The President and Minister of Education are  ex – officio members of the committee.

Teachers teach at least two Sundays a semester.  Therefore, the class generally has 13 teachers.  Since each quarter generally has one or more special event Sundays, 12 teachers suffice.  When the number declines below 12 the Curriculum Chair places this issue on the agenda of the semi-annual curriculum planning meeting or calls a special meeting, invites committee members to bring suggestions and prepares several suggestions personally.  All candidates are put before the committee and a candidate is determined by consensus just as the teaching topics are determined by committee recommendation and formation of consensus. 

The members of the class frequently provide feedback to the chairman and class officers about the curriculum and the teachers.  The chair must be responsive and bring suggestions about curriculum to the committee.  If there is considerable  feedback concerning teachers who are not following the protocols of the class, for example, (if they are) lecturing rather than following the protocol of leading a discussion, then the chairman's responsibility is to discuss diplomatically the matter with the teacher, offer suggestions and coaching, provide encouragement, and supervise the teacher's growth until the feedback subsides.  We all have our gifts. If the unhappy feedback continues, it is clear that the teacher’s gifts are not in harmony with what the class wants from the teachers. The chair should discuss this with the teacher and lead him or her into some work for the class which is a better fit for that person’s gifts.

Who determines the topic of the lesson and which curriculum will be used?

· We have Curriculum Committee Meetings at least two times a year for six month lesson planning, and the meeting is open to all class members as well as the Curriculum Committee members.. The teachers / committee members recommend books, discuss their merits, volunteer to teach, and assignments and dates decided.

Have you had some particularly outstanding lessons/teachers this past year? Please list below and give a brief description.

· Yes, most. See list!

Other comments or questions?

· The run over of the 9 a.m. Jubilee Hall session is disruptive to the Sunday School classes, its lessons, and it  treats Sunday School class experience as a second class citizen. We need to change hours if the Church in the Round cannot end early or at least on time per Don Redding.

· We need to limit more the overlap of special sessions and meetings of ushers, crematorium info, long term care, etc., during the Sunday School hour.

· Reconsider the  cancellation / joint sessions of the Sunday School classes in the Summer months.

Please complete and return to Barbara Barden on or before Wednesday, September 13.

Group 2  Outreach/Special Projects  back to top

Does your class participate as a class in mission or outreach projects during

•the year? Please all that you participated in this past year.

· The class has supported various causes, more recently helping purchase a Defib unit, a wheelchair, providing partial scholarships to students, providing Stephen Ministers, giving to various causes such as the fund for the emergency worker Hays, contributing to Medcad, Habitat, Room in the Inn, and Arosa House (not in 2003) a home for children, and to other causes.

Does your class have a special project to which you contribute financially? Please describe.

· From our Handbook:

Helping Hands Committee: (Projects Committee) Chair:  Skip Heintzelman Responsibilities To identify and/or investigate service opportunities that could warrant financial or time and talent participation of the class.  Members 2003: Skip Heintzelman, Chair, Ellen Chason, Willard Gourley, Don Hammer, Judy Stinson, President and Treasurer ex – officio..

Ownbey Class Helping Hands  Project Committee Guidelines (approved 08/00/03)

Name:   The committee and the class activities will be know as The Ownbey Helping Hands.

Purpose:  To identify and/or investigate service opportunities that could warrant financial or time and talent participation of the class. Operation:   The committee is made up of five class members. The president and the treasurer are ex-officio members.

All requests for class participation in any service opportunity will be directed to one of the committee members. After investigation, the committee will review the information and determine if the project is appropriate for the Ownbey Class. Qualifying service opportunity will be presented to the class for their approval. Funding:   The initial funding of The Ownbey Helping Hands resulted from an anonymous contribution of $1,500. It is suggested that as the balance in the fund approaches $0.00, the class. will finance any approved opportunity by taking up special collections until the required money has been raised. Special contributions to the fund such as memorials, recognitions of achievement, special gifts etc. should be promoted and encouraged. Focus:   The financial commitment to any one project should not exceed $500. We will seek out short-term projects (not to exceed 6 months duration). Our efforts should be limited to class member assistance, our church and church supported needs and those of the Charlotte area community. Reports:   The committee will present a financial and status report to the class twice each year. The committee will also report to the class whenever it has screened and selected an additional sharing opportunity for the group's consideration.

•  Other comments, questions°

Please complete and return to Barbara Barden on or before Wednesday, September 3

Group 3 Socials / Fellowship back to top

List and briefly describe the formal and informal ways that your class members gather before and after class and in settings outside the Sunday morning class time.

· Before class the members gather to talk. Many like the coffee, some bring their own, some make their own from the hat water, and some do neither. Occasionally we have  treats, paid for by individuals. Run over of the 9 a.m. services hurts this time however.

· After class, many continue visiting.

· Away from Class, we have several socials a year  and in 2003  a BBQ, theater together, restaurant meals, informal study groups, breakfasts at members’ homes, a garden party, a fourth of July Party, Christmas Party, Christmas Breakfast and Sunday School at a member’s home, Advisory meetings of class with meals, meals after class, etc.

Who plans and coordinates these activities.

· We have a Social Committee responsible for ideas and planning.

Other comments or questions?

· We recognize contributions of members. Certificates have been given this year to members for their service in various way including Room in the Inn, planning and hosting events, Attendance, teacher recognition. Each member over the course of the year will receive an “Outstanding Member Nametag.” We tried to find records of officers of the class over the years. While we can determine who served, say, as president of the class, records back 10 years or more do not say when.

· For several years we have dedicated hymnals in memory of deceased members.

· An important part of our class is our “Health and Happiness” activity as we want to share the good times and bad times together. During periods of crisis, we try to provide support through contacts, assistance, meals, etc. under the guidance of the Health and Happiness Committee and The Meal Coordinating Committee.  

Please complete and return to Barbara Barden on or before Wednesday, September 3.

Group 4 Membership/Hospitality! Attendance/ Greeters   back to top

We needed a question about how we encourage new Church members and people attending the Newcomer Orientation to join a Sunday School Class.. The procedures have changed.

· In the previous administration we received a memo with name, address, age, employment, children, etc. Until the 8/17/03 service we had received no information on the new Church members. For 8/17 we followed up with Steve James for the information and contacted some of the new members. We were told to coordinate with Janice Brady. There was no reception, and it was hard to meet the new members at the front of the church where it is crowded and difficult to get to people.. Receptions emphasize how important the event is.

Please attach a current list of class members

· Our Roster may be found at http://donredding.com/ownbeyroster.html Also list attached

What is your average attendance?

1997		36.14
1998		36.16
1999		36.18
2000		36.12
2001		34.77
2002		33.73
2003	Before Jubilee Hall
January		33.7
2003	In Jubilee Hall
February		46.8
March		46.4
April		39.0
May		41.8
June		36.6
July		43.0
August		42.0
September
back to top

What criteria do you use to determine who is a member of your class?

· If the persons says they want to be a member of the class or , if already a member, say they want to remain a member, they are!

· We  do a survey  several times a year to confirm membership status and to get feedback and suggestions.

Do you track individual class members’ attendance?

· Yes

Do you have a plan of follow up for absentees?

· Yes, we write, call, send info they missed and generally be sure we know why they are missing and let them know the class misses them.

Does your class participate as Sunday school greeters? Please give any feedback of how it is or is not working along with suggestions for improvement.. (We assume this question refers to the program of various Sunday School Classes serving each month as greeters at doors between 9:30 and 10 on Sunday mornings.)

· We participate each year as scheduled . The main issues the month (February) we did it was the change in class locations and the information was not current.

· As a suggestion, we find that it better to be a good distance outside the doors to get to people easier and be more welcoming; also can cover both doors easier. Need two people at the Jubilee Hall entrance as we noticed only one at times.

· Need good maps.

· Need special parking areas for Visitors.

Do your class members wear nametags? Do you provide nametags for guests?

· In the past we used name tags and we have a board, etc. to do so; but no, we do not now use that system.

· We occasionally give “Outstanding Member Name Tags” to members as recognition.

· We give “Outstanding Visitor Nametags” to visitors.

· We provide a pictorial of the class to members which helped more than nametags we feel.

Do you have a specific plan in place for greeting guests to your class and follow up after a first time visit?

· Yes, we learn their names, get their addresses and emails, have them sign our Visitor Book, introduce on class, tell jokes about them if we know enough, follow up with letters and information including the Reader in which they are mentioned, provide class information, encourage class members to write, sometimes visit, add temporarily to email list, and often send them pictures of their visit.

Do you recognize birthdays, anniversaries, births, and other special occasions? What do you do?

· Yes we recognize many occasions with seasonal cards, birthday cards, listing of birthdays for the month on the class bulletin board, recognition of birthdays and other events on class and in our Reader.

· We communicate with birthday cards and seasonal cards to our “extended family” of shut ins and parents.

When a member of your class is in the hospital, recuperating at home, or suffers the death of a family member how does your class show care for them?

· An important part of our class is our “Health and Happiness” activity as we want to share the good times and bad times together. During periods of crisis including death, we try to provide support through contacts, assistance, meals, etc. under the guidance of the Health and Happiness Committee and The Meal Coordinating Committee.  

· We keep the class informed of members’ condition, as appropriate, by communication through email, phone calls, on class announcements..

Questions, issues or concerns related to this area.

· What are procedures for class participation at funerals, such as sitting together?

Please return this completed form to Barbara Barden on or before September 3.

Group 5  Communications Web page/emails/newsletters   back to top

How does your class presently communicate with class members?

· Telephone of course

· Email – About 75% of our members have Email.

· Web Page – We put most communications on our web page found at http://donredding.com/church.htm  We also have a web page on the Church site that  is not yet linked to the MPUMC pages. It http://www.mpumc.org/ownbey/home

· Telephone Committee at times calls everyone but usually members without emails. President calls those missing several Sundays.

· Postal Mail – Mailings go to all members on occasion. After most Sundays, info about the class activities often are postal mailed to members missing class.

· Advisory Meetings are open to officers and members. Two were held in  2003. January 9 (mainly officers and chairs of class attended a dinner meeting) and May 21 (everyone invited, 26 attended a dinner meeting.).

· During Class between 9:45 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. calendar items are discussed, projects, health and happiness, etc

· Weekly or bi weekly class newsletter called the Ownbey Reader. It includes an outline of class for the day, a summary of the previous class, a calendar of events, etc.

· Ownbey Sunday School Class Handbook – Has about all one would want to know about the class, its purpose, its objective, its history, teachers, members, and activities, etc. Found at

· Surveys to get feedback from the class. Four so far in 2003.

· The Health and Happiness Chair sends birthday cards to members and sends cards to sick members and to our “extended family” of shut ins and parents.

How does your class communicate with those who are not members

· Visitors – The president and others in the class write and or call all visitors . We email also.

· We have flyers about the Ownbey Class to give to prospects and place the flyers at various locations at times.

· We participated in the Neighborhood Get together early in 2003.

· See comment above about new church member procedures.

Does your class have a web page? If yes, who maintains your page?

· The Ownbey Class has two web pages at http://donredding.com/church.htm and http://www.mpumc.org/ownbey/home

· They are maintained by Don Redding for 2003.

What questions, comments do you have related to the area of communications for your class.

· Are there set procedures, guidelines, or time for material to be placed in the Sunday School mail boxes prior to Sunday’s classes.

· Who is Contact for help with the info on MPUMC web. We call Barbara probably too often.

· Why not a Web training session.

· Printed instructions for the web page creation would be helpful. A manual is on line but cannot one be printed for MPUMC specifically.

· MPUMC is of sufficient stature to use more current media facilities, at least radio if not TV.

Please complete and return to Barbara Barden on or before Wednesday, September 3.
back to top

Group 6 — Other Issues .

· (Mentioned above) Procedures for new Church members and Sunday School information.

· (Mentioned above) Run over of Church in the Round into SS hour, combined SS classes, cut back of SS in Summer.

· Financial controls and procedures should be discussed. Last year we mentioned some items for followup.

· (Mentioned above) Need a copy of reports filed after SS class listing collections and attendance.

· (Mentioned above) Web training and Instructions. Glad we will have a representative and that is a start.

· Names to contact for rooms (Tori Collins), meals (not sure), Web Page (Barbara?), church emails, calendar, Cornerstone, Sunday Bulletin, wedding arrangements or questions, funeral arrangements, etc. These could be listed on the web site.

· (Mentioned above) What are procedures for class participation at funerals, such as sitting together?