Hi Folks.

Look forward to your joining us at our Celebration on November 07. We expect a good crowd. Gathering is at 6:30 and the food line opens at 6:50.

 

If you are not registered, let us know and we will handle it.

 

Don Redding 704 527 3510 ,  November 02, 2003.

<Last Week  Next Week>> (Update 10/30/03 8:52 AM)

Sunday, October 26, 2003, Ownbey Reader

Saturday Draft of 10/26/03

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

A) Invitation and Reminder - 50th Celebration November 07.

 

Friday, November 07, 2003,

6:30

Jubilee Hall

 

 

¨        The Ownbey Sunday School Class celebrates its 50th year Friday, November 7th.  The gala Golden Anniversary celebration will be held in Jubilee Hall, beginning at 6:30 PM.  Sydnor Thompson will be the featured keynoter.  Harriette Thompson will  lead our music.  All current and former class members, prospective members, and friends are welcome. 

¨        Payment deadline is Tuesday, November 04, 2003. Cost: $8.  (Ministers and their guests free!)  Checks to Carol Douglas, 2110 Radcliffe Ave, Charlotte 28207-2406.

¨        For information or to register, contact  Jim Hatfield (704-552-5619 or hatfield.je@pg.com) or Don Redding  (704-527-3510 or don@donredding.com )

¨        Meal catered by Jordon’s Catering, the firm that does the large meal preparation for MPUMC.

¨        Menu of Chicken Cordon Bleu, Shrimp and Salmon casserole, rice, salad, pie (apple and pumpkin), drinks.

¨        Gathering at 6:30 and meal line at 6:50.

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B)      This Week:   Elections, Name Tags, Lesson switch, 50th $$$, $$$ Challenge, Curriculum, Time Change, Roster Changes, Holiday Workshop, 22

C)    News: :   

1)      Lessons: (Note Ace and William switch 10/26 and 11/02):

·   10/26 Don Redding “introduced” the speaker, William Webb, noting

Þ      William claims he does only a little consulting at this time, but his main occupation, if, indeed, he has one, is Coordinator of the Stephen Ministry program of our church.  He is responsive to six Leaders, 3 Small Group Supervisors and 25 Stephen Ministers who are ministering to 21 Care Receivers, and finally 11 new trainees who will be commissioned in November. “This is the kindest, most caring, most competent and most conscientious group of people I have ever worked with.  Some are in our class.  What a satisfying occupation to have during the so-called ‘Sunset’ years.  It feels more like ‘Sunrise’ to me.”

Þ     William has been our outstanding Chair of the Ownbey Curriculum Committee for several years, serving an extra year at my special request. We thank William for the job he has done, and we look forward to his continued leadership in the class as he accepts the Vice President post. Thanks a million William.

·    William Webb continued Speak What We Feel - Not what we ought to say - Reflections on Literature and Faith as he discussed Shakespeare’s King Lear and related it to some of our current struggles. The book cover says, "in this compelling book, the great contemporary spiritual writer Frederick Buechner plumbs the mysteries and truths behind literature    ...  focusing on  ... how to face morality, failure, and tragedy ...”

·   Thanks to Chick Thompson who got us off to a good start last week.  Chick discussed ideas of Mark Twain and  G. Manley Hopkins. ..

·   Ace Walker 11/02/03 starts 3 sessions on  Beyond Belief, the  Gospel of Thomas followed by Willard  (11/09) and Gaston (11/16)

2)      Budget Issue: Skip Heintzelman, Chair of our Helping Hands Project Committee, brings tidings of great joy and good news to the Ownbey Class.  .A class member has issued this challenge to the Ownbey Sunday School Class:

When the Ownbey Class and Class Members make contributions or pledges totaling $5,000 or more to help cover our anticipated 2003 operating budget deficit, the anonymous class member will match $5,000 of those contributions/pledges. The challenge period to pledge or make payment on this matchable contribution ends November 07, 2003, the date of our 50th Celebration. Results will be announced at the Celebration.

¨       We want everyone to understand that any size gift is needed and appreciated and that no gift is required if that is your choice.  But what a generous offer this is! Let us work together to do what we each can to take this donor up on his promise.

¨       Mr. Harrison reports that we raised $3,850 through Monday, 10/20/03, from 17 class members. This amount counts toward our challenge gift of $5,000. We look forward to an update from Skip Sunday.

¨       The logistics of making a contribution or pledge are: Deliver your checks, cash, or increased pledges to the office of Wayne Harrison, Parish Life Building, 2nd floor, room 250 or mail to Wayne Harrison at MPUMC, Box 6161, Charlotte 28207. His telephone number is 295 4844. Checks should be payable to the Church. In order that Wayne can identify that the contribution to the church's operating deficit reduction is coming from our class, please mark, “Ownbey Helping Hands."

¨       We understand the donor said that he feels blessed and wants to share. Hopefully, others of us feel that way too.

3)      Election of 2004 officers–

o        Nominating Committee includes

¨       the Grogans as Chairs,

¨       Ted Bryan,

¨       Len and Ellen Chason as members

¨       president and VP as “consultants”

o        Nominating Committee reported their recommendations; there were no nominations from the floor. Campaign speeches were called for, but none made and the class applauded.

 

 

o        The 2004 slate, elected by a standing round of applause, include:

¨       President – Bill and Marie Pearce,

¨       Vice President – William Webb,

¨       Treasurer – Ginny and Wes Soule

¨       Secretary – Nora Moreno

4)       Curriculum Meeting, Thursday, November 06, 2003.

¨       All members welcome

¨       Especially the teachers who are members of the Committee!

¨       Here is your chance to help plan what we discuss.

5)      Daylight Savings Time ends today – returns 04/04/04

6)      Nametags – We have new name tags for our 50th Celebration. We tried them out on 10/26. Sorry for misspellings, we will correct. Thanks to Marie Pearce, Ted Bryan, and Jim Hatfield for working on them.

7)      50th Celebration:  is Friday, November 07, at 6:30 p.m.

¨       Remember to get your checks to Carol Douglas by Tuesday November 4 for the 50th Celebration, to invite and let us have names of former members, and give suggestions for the event to Social Committee (Hatfields) or me.

¨       Planning continues: We met to test the media equipment and plan the menu Monday (10/19) and to final plan Friday 10/24 In Jubilee Hall at 10. Thanks for joining us.

¨       We have received checks from most members already and also from former members including the Sales of Marietta Georgia. We are sending Readers and other info to them and former members Barbour, Blackburn, Berry, Cariaga, Cathey, Collins, Crutcher, Davis, Glenn, Harvey, Johnson, Montgomery, McAdams, McCullough, McNinch, Gibson, Grigg, Hicks, O’Neil, Smitherman, Sparling, Walthall. Tell others about the event. Let us have more addresses, and we will put on mailing list. We have invited current and former ministers of MPUMC and we look forward to having James and Lisa Howell, Melvin and Anita McIntosh and others. We are not calling on them for sermons and want them to enjoy the evening.

¨       Let us borrow some oldie (25 years+) pictures for a background slideshow. (No Connie, Durward is not an “oldie.”

¨       The class voted 10/05 to have the meal catered for the 50th Anniversary at a cost of $8 each. This was in lieu of a covered dish meal. Former members will be invited to join us (at the $8), but special guests will not be charged. Meal will be catered by Jordon’s Catering, the firm that does the large meal preparation for MPUMC.

¨       Give your money or mail to Carol Douglas, 2110 Radcliff Av, 28207-2406 soon to eliminate last minute rushing. Thanks. Final deadline for payment is Tuesday, November 04.

¨       Over 60 people signed up already. 

¨       Sydnor Thompson will be our main speaker.  Harriette will be accompany us in some  Fifties songs (no, Syd will not be singing solo)

¨       Class members have volunteered to pay for Sanctuary flowers on the Sunday before the celebration (11/02); cost is $125 and we enough contributors now. Thanks. It is all Saints Day and the flowers will be mostly white. After the service, the florist will pick up the flowers, refresh with some colors maybe, and return to Jubilee Hall for our Celebration on the 7th.

¨       Anne Buker is working on the table decorations and I imagine she will be asking for some help. Thanks Anne.

¨       We have a Display Table in Lobby of Parish Life Building, per suggestion at Advisory Meeting 05/21/03.

¨       Thanks Ted Bryan who is helping us with our audio and video needs for the event. Watch for your candid pictures on the huge screen. Send to me quick if you have a favorite.

 

 

6)      Christmas Party: The Social Committee, led by the Hatfields, has confirmed the host for our Christmas Party will be    ....  The …… Hatfields! It will be a covered dish affair, and we will start getting sign-ups after our 50th is over. Keep the date open - it is Friday, December 5. The Hatfields have done a wonderful job this year leading our socials, and it is way beyond the call of duty for them to volunteer to be our December hosts as well. Thanks so much, Jim and Nancy. It will be a great way to start the Christmas season.

8)      And remember the ever popular Breakfast at Thompson’s is scheduled for Sunday, December 14. Thank you, Harriette and Sydnor.

9)      News Flashes:

10)  Health and Happiness:

¨       Reatha’s sister, Claire, had knee surgery recently and we have her in our prayers.

¨       Visitors 10/26 included Robert Blum, Chip Billings, and Lou Jones. Glad to have you folks here.

¨       Durward and Connie celebrated their 51st Anniversary October 17.

¨       We miss the Owens as they travel South to visit family.

¨       We miss the Lumadues as they go South to visit family

¨       We miss the Chasons as they have fun in the East.

¨       We miss the Soules as they have fun out West.

¨       The Gourleys were present as they had fun some where else out West last week.

¨       We miss the Stinsons as they attend a wedding out West

¨       We miss the Halperns as they visit Buenos Aires through 11/11. After an uncomfortable flight, they have arrived safely. The Mother is almost 100 I think.

¨       Bun Collingwood has been in hospital and is home again.

¨       Please provide Reatha with other H and H news.

 

11)  Helping Hands: 

¨       As a reminder, Helping Hands is the Committee / function of the Ownbey Class whose purpose as approved 08/03/03 is “to identify and/or investigate service opportunities that could warrant financial or time participation of the class.” The chair of Ownbey Helping Hands is Skip Heintzelman and the members are Ellen Chason, Judy Stinson, Willard Gourley, and Don Hammer. The ex-officio members are the Class Treasurer and president.

12)  Class Talks:  On the heels of Dr Howell’s Church Talks, Ownbey has Class Talks before and after SS class.  No attendance requirement. Your call. I will be here if you want to chat 8after 9:00 and 10:40

 

13)  Thanks to Connie Owen and her telephone committee for calling prospective new class members who joined the church recently. Don Redding and Bob Grogan went to the New Member Orientation Monday night (10/20/03).

14)   “..Creating a Meaningful Holiday Experience.” Workshop  on 11/19/03  6:30 – 8 p.m. 704 295 4834

15)  Adults Plus!

¨       Next program 11/19/03 with Dr. Howell. Please come

¨       New Web Page at http://www.mpumc.org/mpumc/adults or http://www.mpumc.org/adultsplus

¨       Asked to sponsor “meals on wheels” type function for Lakota Indians. Asking for info on how our previous gifts have been spent. See info at http://donredding.com/20031015lakota.html

16)  November  Birthdays –  Virginia Gourley 11/03, Ownbey SS Class 11/07,  Bill Pearce 11/09, Joyce Gosset 11/14, Twala Kruger 11/15, Lou Bledsoe 11/17, Linda Myers 11/19, Jim Hatfield 11/21

17)  October Birthdays:  Connie Owen 10/04, Tonsie Lee 10/10, Wes Soule 10/11,  Ginny Soule 10/17, Tom Stinson 10/18, Anne Lumadue 10/21, Helen Hackney 10/22, Ken Buker 10/23, Mary Katherine Vass, Allen Maxwell 10/27

18)  The Witherington’s shared a flyer of information about a trip to the “Wonders of Turkey and Egypt” with their son, Ben III, May 24 – June 3, 2003.

19)  Roster Change – Syd and Grace Elkins have new email address of elkins3330@aol.com. Their new home address is 3800Shamrock Dr. Unit 3300, 28215 704 532 7194. Please change your roster.

20)  Roster Change – Wilma Miller’s email is wrong in roster – it is wilmabmiller@aol.com

21)  Charlie Justice, #22, died last week.


 

F)     Ownbey Calendar++++++++++++++++++++

¨        10/24/03 – 11/02/03 Arsenic and Old Lace, Theatre Matthews

¨        10/28/03 Flu Shots

¨        11/02/03 Bloodmobile

¨        11/02/03 Library Grand Opening

¨        11/06/03 Ownbey Curriculum Committee Meeting

¨        11/07/03 50th Celebration , Jubilee Hall 6:30

¨        11/09/03 and 11/10/03 John Holbert from Perkins SMU 9:45 joint SS on 10 Commandments Sunday night, and Monday night.

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

¨        11/19/03 Adults Plus! Dr. Howell.

¨        11/19/03 Workshop on “...Creating a Meaningful Holiday Experience.”

¨        12/03, 4 -  Adults Plus! Trip to Barter Theater, Virginia

¨        12/05/03 Christmas Party @ Hatfield’s

¨        12/14/03 Christmas Breakfast at Thompson’s

¨        12/17/03 Christmas Music with Les Ackerman and Adults Plus!

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

¨        Other Volunteers Needed: Ownbey needs in italics: 

¨        Ushers

¨        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 -  see Linda Shull 366-0403  to work in Shop