<Last Week Next Week>> (Update 12/8/03 1:03 PM)

Sunday, December 07, 2003

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

Season Greetings to our members and friends missing on December 07, 2003:

o We had a good class and missed you as our attendance dipped to a recent low as folks are traveling and shopping, I guess. We want you to know we need you with us the rest of December.

o Next Sunday Breakfast at the Thompsons is 8:30 a.m. 12/14 (call them if not signed up yet). On 12/21 Lou Bledsoe does his famous Christmas Readings Class, and we have invited the Genesis Class from next door 109 to join us for sausage biscuits and the lesson. Come early for food and fellowship with our neighbors.

o Sunday 12/07 we showed a video highlighting the Ownbey year. You missed it, but we have copies for you to borrow. In addition to Ownbey highlights, we recognized and thanked officers, chairs, members, and friends for making this a year of good Christian Fellowship in Ownbey. See 12/28/03 Reader for script.

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“Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men.”

(Have you figured out the images below?)

A) This Week: Thanks to our officers, chairs, and helping members for ’03; hymns; lesson.

B) News: :

2) Call up for Sunday, 12/14, Breakfast at Thompson’s.

1) Christmas Party: Great time Friday at the Christmas Party at the Hatfield’s. Good crowd, but many missing folks. Food excellent, and Hatfield hospitality outstanding. Check out some fun pictures and Santa at http://donredding.com/pi.htm and then on Photo Island click on” ‘03OwnbeyChristmasParty12/05”

2) Lessons:

¨ Our lesson leader 12/07 was Paul Guthery. Paul grew up in Charlotte. The day Eastover School opened, he was there starting the first grade. After AG, Central High and Davidson, he spent a couple of years in the service and fought in Korea. He returned to UNC and finished his Law Degree in 1956.

He met Nancy at a UNC-Tn. Football game (1953) as he was invited to a “picnic” before the game. They were married in 1955 and lived in the middle of Chapel Hill right across from “Silent Sam.” They have 2 children (son in Raleigh, daughter in Charlotte) and 2 grandchildren. He practiced law in Charlotte for over 40 years in basically two firms, one he helped form. Had a “mild” heart attack in 1989 and a 4X by pass in 1994.

We all envy his perfect weight, and he says he has been in exercise classes where he was trying to maintain his weight and everyone else was trying to lose. He is one of an early gang of 5 teachers for the Ownbey Class as he started out teaching on the 5^th Sundays.

¨ For Sunday, 12/07: Read the remainder of Acts in preparation for Paul’s lesson as he finishes First Christians

¨ Carol Douglas (11/30) and Marie Pearce (11/23) made a good start on the book. 12/14 Sydnor provides hospitality and the lesson. 12/21 is the famous “Christmas with Lou” Bledsoe, and the Genesis Class from room 109 will join us for food, fellowship, and the lesson. We end the year 12/28 with Don Hammer’s “Teachers Choice.” A schedule for the first three months of 2004 is being developed and will be available soon.

¨ Hope all will try to attend our December classes - bring house visitors with you.

3) Administrative Board and Charge Conference – 12/02: Information from the meeting at http://donredding.com/admbd.htm. Ellen Chason elected to the Board – Congratulations – as new members and Chairs elected. 2004 Budget approval deferred to January. Approved Minister Salaries and apportionment, subject to Budget ok in January. District Superintendent, Dr. George Thompson, presided over Charge Conference. New church wide study event for lay leaders (that is all of us as far as I am concerned) January 10, 2004 based on book, Transforming Congregational Culture, by Anthony B. Robinson. Are you curious, as I am, why some church authorities object to endowments? Or why “Discernment” is recommended over “democratic” decision making in churches. Might be a good book for us to study, quick read at 136 pages. See a review or order $13 at Amazon or Goodness Gracious $18.

4) Year End Giving – A member is giving the church appreciated stock and l designating a portion to our Helping Hands Project Committee. The giver hopes this will encourage other class members to do the same.

¨ Available 11/23 was a booklet discussing ways to give other than cash with tax advantages for the giver, thanks to Dixon Odom, CPA’s and Consultants. Pick up copy on class. At end of the 11/23 Reader from our Class Handbook are procedures for gifting stock to MPUMC. Carol Douglas reminds us to do transactions early, say mid December.

5) Contributions to MPUMC – See last week Reader for guidelines for giving stock to MPUMC.

6) Health and Happiness:

¨ Carol Needy received a great doctor report 11/26 so we have lots to be thankful for there.

¨ Allen Maxwell and Joe Hamrick were in class recently and looking good.

¨ Nancy Hatfield’s mom is having a hard time, and we appreciate the Hatfields hosting the Party during such a tough week.

7) Adults Plus!

¨ 12/03-04: Barter Theater, Virginia Trip – Great trip, fine play, awakened to beautiful cover of snow. Pictures at http://donredding.com/pi.htm and when on Photo Island, click on “A+’03Barter12/03.” Thanks to Anita McIntosh for taking the pictures as I was home working on the Administrative Board minutes (my last!) from Tuesday night. Next meeting is music by Les in Sanctuary 12/17 10:30.

8) December Birthdays – 12/02 Frances Hawn, 12/04 Reatha Andrew and Wilma Miller and Joyce Allen, 12/06 Oscar Moreno, 12/07 Judy Stinson, 12/11 Mrs. Ownbey, 12/15 Mel Halpern, 12/25 Jesus, !2/25 Bob Grogan, 12/31 Mel Allen.

F) Recent Visitor addresses for your Christmas card list. Rebecca Ferrell 6935 Beverly Springs Dr 28270; Yvonne Witner 2209 Cross Creek Rd Gastonia 28056; Ben Smith 515 Fenton Place 28207

G) Carl Hawn - New address is Frances and Carl Hawn, 100 Silver Beach Ave #814, Daytona Beach, FL 32118, 386 257-5156

H) Are there more Corrections? (Corrections to your Yellow 08/10/03 Roster :)

Last	Hers	His	Address	Zip	Home Tel	Email
Andrew	Reatha		6456 Monteplier Rd	No change	No change	No change
Elkins	Grace	Syd	3800 Shamrock Dr	28215	532-7194	elkins3330@aol.com
Harris	Eleanor	Randy	4053 Arbor Way	28211-3803	364-3316	rharris3@carolina.rr.com
Hawn	Frances	Carl	100SilverBeachAve #814 Daytona Beach Fl	32118	386 2573156	none
Miller	Wilma		No change	No change	no change	wilmabmiller@aol.com
Pearce	Marie		3800 Shamrock Rd	28215	532-5367	mlp3306@yahoo.com
Pearce		Bill	3800 Shamrock Rd	28215	532-5367	wep1928@yahoo.com
Stanford	Madeline		4001 Quail Forest Drive, Apt B	28226	366-8586	No change

I) Calendar ++++++++++++++++++++ Please check the latest Cornerstone and on line MPUMC Calendar for lots of dates, events, service opportunities, and happenings. I cannot keep up with all of them right now.