<Last Week Next Week>> (Update 12/19/03 2:03 PM)

Sunday, December 21, 2003

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

Welcome to our friends from the Genesis Class. We are glad we can get together today. Bob and Ann Howard serve as President of the class.

And thanks to the Ownbey Class for the wonderful Norfolk Island Pine!!

here guarded by my friend the Goose
Our leader today is Lou Bledsoe and he has made an art of collecting readings during the year to share with us at this special time of the year. I am sure you will enjoy and be touched by hearing him.

Lou grew up in Huntsville, Alabama; joined the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed in North Carolina; Coach Carl Snavely offered him a scholarship to play football at UNC; played 3 years with the Charlie Juistice team;after first year of law school called back into the Air Force as a 2nd Lt and served nearly a year in Korea;returned and finished UNC law school (BS-LLB) in 1955;

here in Charlotte ever since. Met Martha in Fidelis Class and married in 1957 and joined Ownbey Class where he became the fourth week teacher. Next year he will celebrate 50 years of practicing law. He organized and was associated with several firms including Berry, Bledsoe, Hogewood, and Edwards, Several years ago formed Bledsoe and Bledsoe with his daughter.

Lou has served as Ownbey President, Chair of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Pastoral Relations Committee, Education, Council on Ministries ….

If you missed the Thompson Breakfast you missed some good fellowship and food. Sydnor (with Harriette’s help!) did his usual outstanding job with hospitality and the lesson.

Thanks to the Ownbey Class for surprise at the Breakfast - the wonderful Norfolk Island Pine. I do appreciate it so much and look forward to watching it grow through the years.

Sydnor used the International Series and talked about “Preparing the Way.” He concluded the session by saying, “We have (today) talked about what we know of those who have gone before. We have talked about what we can do to be preparers of the way, but each of us must have an idea what we can do individually to help in preparing the way for others.”

During the discussion, the names we mentioned included John the Baptist of course, Martin Luther King, Bonnie Cone, and Billy Graham; and in our class/church we mentioned Dr. Ownbey, Harry Jones (Ownbey Class first teacher), Nancy Akers, Stan Brookshire, Herbert Hitch, Dick Thigpin, Julian Aldridge, and Syd Elkin for his work with Room in the Inn.

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You will be glad to know Skip reported an anonymous giver contributed $1,500 in early December to our Helping Hands Project Fund in addition to the amounts reflected in Carol Douglas’ report. It was done by giving appreciated stock to the church and allocating a portion to Ownbey. Bless you. Thank you.

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Also, you missed a visit by the famous composer Giuseppe Verdi (Aida, La Traviata, Otello) who was in town to make a special presentation to Harriette Thompson. We were honored to have him visit the Ownbey Christmas Breakfast.

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Les Ackerman put on a grand Christmas Organ Show for Adults Plus! Last Wednesday.

A) This Week: Food and fellowship with Genesis Class, hymns, lesson.

20031228.html for script. Also, Celebration tapes are available from Santa and Don R.

C) News: :

1) Lessons:

¨ 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 surprise “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.

2) 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.

3) Health and Happiness:

¨ Marie Pearce will have knee replacement 12/23

¨ Marilea Grogan had an operation 12/18 to strengthen some eye muscles.

¨ Ellen Chason broke a rib 12/12, was at the Church helping decorate the next morning, and had a follow up doctor check 12/18.

¨ Connie Owen is recovering from the fall she had while delivering casseroles to shutins a couple of weeks ago. Her hip is very sore, but she is up and around.

¨ Mel Halpern is to have a “simple” opearation on his foot February 02.

2) 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.

A) 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; Karen Funderburk 1120 Scaleybark Road #G5 Charlotte NC 28209-4569

B) Ted Bryan has an email address of tbryank5id@aol.com (That is an “i” like “g h i j” between the 5 and G.)

C) 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
Bryan		Ted				tbryank5id@aol.com
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	28215-3220	532-5367	mlp3306@yahoo.com
Pearce		Bill	3800 Shamrock Rd	28215-3220	532-5367	wep1928@yahoo.com
Stanford	Madeline		4001 Quail Forest Drive, Apt B	28226	366-8586	No change

D) 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. Sorry.

E) Financial Info for 2003 (reported 12/14 and 12/21)–Carol Douglas:

Banking Summary - Ownbey Class 1/1/03 - 12/08/03
INCOME
	Anniversary meals		32.00
	Gift to Church		99.00
	Interest income]		2.78
	Photo Purchases		145.00
	Project Fund		1,705.00
	Transfer from Savings		850.00
	Weekly Gifts		955.25
TOTAL INCOME			3,789.03

EXPENSES
	Anniversary Guest Meals		88.00
	Budget Shortfall Contribution		50.00
	Class Supplies		25.50
	Forwarded to Church		99.00
	Health & Happiness		51.54
	Memorial Transfers		80.00
	Photo Expenses		71.00
	Postage		29.50
	Project Fund Expenses		705.58
	Room in the Inn		35.71
	Socials Supplies		142.62
	Transfer to Checking		850.00
TOTAL EXPENSES			2,228.45

Balance Forward
	Balance Fwd Ownbey Checking		0.00
	Balance Fwd Petty Cash		0.00
TOTAL Balance Forward			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			1,560.58



Ownbey Class Net Worth-As of 12/8/2003
(Includes Project Committee Assets)
ASSETS
	Cash and Bank Accounts
		Ownbey Checking	519.06
		Savings	1,396.73
		Ownbey Petty Cash	338.74
	TOTAL Cash and Bank Accounts		2,254.53
TOTAL ASSETS			2,254.53
LIABILITIES			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			2,254.53

Project Committee Cash Flow-1/1/2003 - 12/6/2003
INFLOWS
	Donations		1,705.00
TOTAL INFLOWS			1,705.00

OUTFLOWS
	15 Plates BBQ for Habitat		180.00
	Champion Builders Supplies		64.94
	Grant to Paramedic		100.00
	Habitat Supplies		28.74
	Wheel Chair Purchases		300.00
	Wheel Chair Repair		31.90
TOTAL OUTFLOWS			705.58

OVERALL TOTALS			999.42
Project Committee Net Worth-12/6/2003 Balance
ASSETS
	Cash and Bank Accounts
		Special Projects	1,119.42
TOTAL ASSETS			1,119.42
LIABILITIES			0.00
OVERALL TOTAL			1,119.42