Randy and Ellen were back 9/07September 14

Harriette was back 9/07.

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

A)     Today’s News: Birthdays, H and H and H H, Social, BBQ, Habitat, Thank You's, Stephen Ministry, Training Session, 9:45 Services, 10:35 lesson ending time, Wheelchairs, Mowers, treats, Help Wanted Board, computer help, Objectives,  Lesson.

 

B)    One more time: It has been suggested we modify  (again) our Class Description to :

The Ownbey Sunday School is primarily a discussion class of singles and couples ages 40 and up. It designs its own curriculum of Bible study, applied theology, life management issues, and a range of other topics. The teachers are experienced  in leading discussions and knowledgeable in the subject matter.

From

The Ownbey Sunday School Class is primarily a discussion class which chooses its own curriculum including Bible study, applied theology, life management issues, and a wide range of other topics. Knowledgeable teachers. Ages 40 and up. Singles and couples

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Remember our  Objectives are:

 

The Objectives of the Ownbey Sunday School Class are to expand Christian beliefs through learning and discussion  and to provide Christian fellowship.

 

C)     News: :

1)      Lessons:

¨       Ace Walker (9/14) replaces Willard as he prepares for the Habitat Blitz,  continues Jesus against Christianity. Gaston Gage (8/31) began with Lou Bledsoe (9/7 -  Lou, sorry you did not get to even half your flipcharts). Ace was scheduled for 9/21 to finish the book but that might change.  W we move to the International Series  for two sessions with Paul Guthery (9/28) and Barbara Barden (10/05)

·   Thanks for a good job on the book so far to  Gaston and Lou.

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

2)      Social:

·   (9/07) Chair Jim Hatfield distributed a survey asking for suggestions for the  50th Celebration. Jim also used email for the survey. More to follow. Date set for November 07, 2003.

·   (08/24)  Class voted for  a separate event. 

·   Signup  and pay by 9/21 for the 9/26 B B Q at the Copelands. $12 cash or check payable to  Carol Douglas soon. 33  signed  so far.

3)      Helping Hands:   Skip Heintzelman lead a discussion of a proposal for several possible Helping Hands projects. The full text of the  proposal follows

Ownbey Helping Hands Service Opportunities

1  Hospitality Stations - Champion Builders Weekend

On Saturday October 11 our youth group in association with the Southside church will make needed repairs and improvements at the residences of 8 to 10 selected church members. We would set up hospitality stations at all, or many of these work sites. We Mould provide two people per location, a card table, a cooler, water, sodas and a selection of snacks. Also be prepared to run errands, if necessary. The time frame is probably from 9:30 AM until 2:30

2. Snacks and Lunch for Habitat Building Team

On Saturday September 27, we would provide snacks and lunch to 15 members of our Habitat building team. The snack would include donuts, fruit, water and Gatorade. The lunch would be sandwiches or chicken. chips or potato salad, fruit, desert, water and ice tea. We would also be responsible for napkins, cups, plates and forks and spoons.

3. Participate in both the Champion Builders Weekend and the Habitat Building activities.

 

 In any of these opportunities, we will require money for food and person - power to serve at the sites. Are you willing to serve?.

¨       The class voted to provide the morning snack and the lunch meal for our Habitat building team on Saturday September 27. It was agreed that we would make arrangements for additional BBQ from our Friday evening social for the lunch.

¨       It also voted to ask for signups for helping provide hospitality station and snack help for our youth group in their Champion Builders Weekend 10/11 (9:30 – 2:30).

¨       Skip emphasized these activities require money and  our presence

  1.  Habitat:

·   (08/31) Willard Gourley reminded us of the need for workers and especially traffic directors for Habitat 9/13+.

·   (08/31) Joyce Allen discussed the opportunity to provide meals for the workers and left a schedule. Call 553-0331.

4)      Training Session for Sunday School yesterday 9/13/03, Thanks to the big  five at the session including Bill Pearce, Ginny and Wes Soule, and Reatha Andrew:

¨       Dr. Howell kicked it off reminding us of the  objective of serving Jesus in many ways and of course through the Sunday School.  He reminded us that John Wesley had “Sunday School” classes similar to AA in as participants came and told how they sinned and the others helped them so they would not sin again.

¨       Barbara went through the latest version of the Sunday School Handbook. Changes include policy of no cancelled class – always combine with another class. Also, the Sunday School start time is officially 9:45 and the new lesson ending time is 10:35. As you know they are trying to make changes to accommodate parking and crowds. We all know the policy is that if there is to be a joint SS, notice must be given at least 45 days before. The next one is 11/09 with John Holbert from SMU Perkins speaking as part of the  Luther Snyder Symposium. We are forming more Sunday School classes to meet ion present class rooms at 10:45 – not in Ownbey however.

¨       The subject of all the overlaps  in the SS hour were discussed. After the meeting, one person suggested to me that SSs meet once a month. That will save parking,  eliminate space problems, resolve the overrun issues, and give time for the joint sessions and all the meeting held during SS hour.

5)      We failed to mention in a  Reader that  Anne and Allen  Maxwell were given their Most Valuable Member Nametags on 09/07/03. On 09/07 they celebrated  their 46th Wedding. Anniversary . Way to go! .

6)      Margaret Ann Schrum  received her Most Valuable Member name tag on 09/07. Lois Wilson and Paul Guthery received their Most Valuable Member name tags 9/07.

7)      Syd and Grace Elkin celebrated their xx anniversary on 9/6.

8)      Welcome Back Randy!. (9/07) Good to have Randy Harris  back to class. He and Ellen received their Most Valuable Member Name Tags 9/07.

9)      Welcome Back Harriette! – (9/07) Good to have Harriette back. Hear she fell on her bike in Aspen and messed up one of her fingers, but today she played  flawlessly as far as I am concerned.

10)  Town Meetings – Church Talks with the Ministers

¨       Several on 9/07, 9/10/, 9/11/, and 9/17. The one Sunday night 09/07 was attended by only 22 people but 4 were from Ownbey.

¨       You should go, if you want to get an idea of what is going to happen here and have a say in what is going on.

¨       I made my plea for the need to support Sunday Schools more and that I felt the 9:45 service announcement was the latest indication of lack of support. They said other churches do it, that previous experience at Davidson showed SS attendance actually increases as folks get accustomed to coming to church, that we need to accommodate all the crowds better, etc.

¨       We are going to move or start some Sunday School Classes at 11 (maybe 10:45).

¨       They made the point we did lots of good things at MPUMC and he was complimentary. He felt that our efforts in going out in the community and helping the poor were lacking. He mentioned some of the things we do but I felt he was saying they were not much and that bothered me for I know many people who do what he is talking about already.

¨       They said they had talked to lots of people and done surveys about what they are doing. The only survey I know of is the one done by Worship Committee to a controlled small group followed by a meeting where only a few of the items mentioned in the survey were discussed and SS was not one listed to be in the vote.

¨       Other subjects were discussed including the suggestion again that we should ask the poor into our homes for a meal, that preaching 4 times a day (just 15 minutes each time) was not as tiring as a day like today when he visited a Sunday School class for an hour and did a Church Talk.

¨       I noticed the session was video taped: if you want to see ask,  Steve James.

¨       If you went or go and want to share your thoughts with the class, let me know.

¨       Closing Remarks at 9/8/03 Administrative Board Meeting: Dr Howell said he was in the middle of a series of  Town Meetings “where people come and we talk about the church. People are telling me about their love and passion for the church, the dreams they have for the church,  and asking questions.  It has been good so far and I encourage (the Board members) to come to one of the meetings. If not, as you have thoughts about the church … things you care about … and have issues and dreams, come and we can meet for breakfast, lunch, coffee,  all day …   It is a treasure to me because you tell me what the church has meant to you over the years and I am moved by that .. Just recently I met with an older member of the church   who is so grateful for the ongoing love that she receives from people in this church … and I want to thank you for doing that. Not all churches get that done …. And I am so moved by the way you care for folks. It is my privilege being your pastor. This is an exciting time and I am loving being here with you.”

 

  1. Health and Happiness: Randy Harris  joined us for class 9/07. Welcome Back! Update from Reatha: Our new member, Twala Kruger, will  have some surgery followed by radiation and chemo.  Bun Collingwood received mixed news with good test results but tumor  larger.  Ruth Heintzelman waiting on test results for continuing intestine problems; spent month in tests which only helped eliminate what it is NOT. Carol Needy and Cristina were in class 8/31 and looking good. Chip mowed the lawn recently. Dottie Tobias continues to improve, was at Church singing at 11 on 9/7, coming A+ next week and maybe to SS. We keep these folks in our thoughts and prayers.
  2. September Birthdays: Durward Owen (08/30), Nancy Hatfield, 09/02, Anne Buker 9/08, William Webb 09/07, Ellen Chason 09/08, Dopttie Bridgeman 09/09, Linda Webb 09/11, Joyce Witherington 09/18, Heathy Walker 09/18, Evelyn Clark 09/27, Frank Gossett 09/28.
  3. (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
  4. Mowers – Carol Needy thanks the mowers for their help,  and it looks like Chip can do it from now on. Thanks to the team of jim hatfield, anne and bob lumadue,  reatha andrew, willard gourley, len chason, durward owen, wes soule, chick thompson, skip heintzelman, don redding.
  5. We are looking for computer  helpers for next year when yours truly term is over. Let Bill or Don know if you  have an interest in being an  editor or publisher, etc.

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D)    Ownbey Calendar+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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

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

¨       09/17/03 Church Talks 6:30-8

¨       09/17/03 Health Care Choices 6:30-8, Library

¨       09/21/03 9:45 Services Begin

¨       09/26/03 B B Q at the Copeland’s 

¨       09/27/03 Ownbey Helps with snacks and  noon meal for Habitat

¨       09/29/03 10/01/03 Adults Plus! Spiritual Life Retreat, Steve James, Lake Junaluska.

¨       0?/0?/03 50th Celebration 

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

¨       10/09/03 Ownbey Helps  with hospitality and snacks for Youth Champion Builders

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

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

¨        11/11/03 Adults Plus! Planning Retreat, Tree

¨        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 Christmas Breakfast at Thompson’s

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

¨        Other Volunteers Needed: Ownbey needs in italics: 

¨        Habitat food and workers

¨        Treats

¨        Guides / Greeters Sunday Mornings

¨        Help get Library Started. See Barbara

¨        Youth need sofas, piano, keyboard

¨        Help Wanted in 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