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The Open Door
VOL. 33 NO. 8 Marc Sherrod, Minister August, 2005 
E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
On behalf of the Building Proposal Committee, let me add my words of appreciation for the 112 responses we received from the “Membership Survey.” Your response to questions about Bethel’s financial potential to proceed with a building program as well as your evaluation of the recommended plan have provided valuable insights as the discernment process goes forward. This Sunday, July 31, the committee will present a summary of the survey results to you during the morning worship service. As you know, the session has called another meeting of the congregation for Sunday, September 18 to revisit the committee’s original proposal. I and the session have the fervent hope and expectation that a much greater percentage than just 48% of the members on the Active Roll will be present and voting at this next meeting! I personally feel that even if the motion had been approved in June, that with only 104 out of 214 members voting, that it would not have been wise to go forward without a higher approving percentage. As with the first vote, the session will recommend that 80% or more of those present and voting be necessary for approval. I might also say that if you have been a regular attendee at Bethel, that the month of August would be a good time to consider joining. Conversely, if your name is on the Active Roll and you no longer participate in Bethel’s worship and ministry (and have no plans to do so in the foreseeable future), then you should consider requesting your membership be transferred to the Inactive Roll. Obviously, we need as clear a sense of the will of the body as possible, and the total on the Active Roll provides a critical starting point for determining overall support. The session has authorized the establishment of a Building Fund and has requested that we move forward with a Capital Funds Campaign. Pledge cards to support the building plans will be in the pews this Sunday. These cards and an explanatory letter will also be mailed soon to a number of individuals and families with various kinds of connections to Bethel. The Building Finance Campaign Cabinet (Danny Holloway, Carolyn McNew, Jim Hines, Ken Dungan, Steve Jacks, and Frank Harris, chair) invites your comments and suggestions as their important leadership in this area goes forward. The hope is that all pledges can be submitted by September 11. Advance gifts and pledges will be confidentially recorded by Carolyn McNew (assistant church treasurer), unless the donor makes a specific request that such information be made public (e.g. a matching gift). As an important reminder that the ministry and mission of the congregation continues amid contemplation of plans for restoration and building, this Sunday’s worship service will also include a celebration of our Parish Nurse program. This innovative approach to care giving and the encouragement of healthy lifestyles has touched the lives of many at Bethel and our community, and we want to thank Debbie and those who have supported this program. And don’t forget this Sunday’s Healing and Wholeness Service at 9 am in the sanctuary, yet another opportunity for us to reflect upon and experience healing in our lives and relationships. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday! In Service to Christ,
I had a great time at the Health Ministries Parish Nurse Convention in Omaha, Nebraska. I want to tell you a little about the theme of the convention- it was called “Becoming the Bridge, A Call to Community.” There were a lot of different faith-based teachers there as well as parish nurses from all denominations. One of our speakers, Rabbi Eric Weiss spoke on the theology of unity. This is based on the premise that we are all created in God’s own image, so that to acknowledge God is to acknowledge our differences. He said that all religions have awe: Christians name their awe Jesus; Islam-Allah; Jew-Elohim, etc. Additionally, we heard an Imam (Islamic cleric) speak. Imam Ahmed Azaree reminded us that “diversity enriches and God’s justice rules.” A Methodist minister lectured on “The Beloved Community.” This was a great learning experience for me- I even learned to sing the Mi Sheberakh (Jewish prayer for healing)! I received the new Scope and Standard for Nursing and Faith Community Nursing. And yes, that was not a typo- parish nurses are now called faith community nurses to encompass nurses from all denominations. I bought a whole bunch of new books to help me in planning activities and services. Please feel free to stop by my office to look at any of these books. I talked to Joyce Ruppe and had her autograph some of her books that I bought. I networked with many other nurses and heard of their work. I stayed at the Embassy Suites near Old Market in Omaha. I could walk through the old market place (which was not old- it was very up-scale). I saw a bride every day in the old market area. I was especially surprised when a bride walked out of Vervace Italian Restaurant and jumped into her new husband’s teal pick-up truck covered with white bows and sped off. Apparently, the old market area is utilized as a wedding reception area because of the nice, ritzy restaurants. One of the dog-gonedest things I saw were whole rows of flower boxes filled with beautiful, colorful flowers on top of the roof/awnings of businesses in the old market area. Sprinklers watered these flower boxes every evening. I have made a poster of pictures I took and posted it downstairs in the fellowship hall. I want to thank Bethel again for supporting my continuing education. I hope to bring some of the new ideas from the conference to my work here. As always, I wish you good health ............... Deb
... none reported this month ... The Worship Committee is trying to determine who among our homebound folks would like to receive a CD recording of the Sunday morning service. Once we can determine who desires this ministry, then a strategy will be developed to meet the need. Please contact either the chair of the Worship Committee Bob Jones (376-4434) or the church office (376-6340) and let us know of your interest. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY One of our members who is a resident at the Jamestown Assisted Living facility, Evelyn Waldrup, would love to receive the services of a church volunteer to help her with some letter writing. Throughout her life, Evelyn has been a very active correspondent with missionaries serving abroad and other people, but her declining health has limited her ability to continue her letter writing ministry. If you would like to volunteer to help, please contact the church office (376-6340) or see the pastor. REJOICE! A session meeting has been called for Sunday morning, July 31, at 9:30 to approve the request of Betty Foy that she be baptized in the river adjacent to Bethel on Sunday morning, August 7. Please pray for Betty and all the new members of our church. So far in 2005, including our six member confirmation class, we have received 13 new members, including four upon baptism and profession of faith. PAT HARVEY TO BE INATALLED The Reverend Patricia Harvey, Bethel’s former Parish Associate who continues to live in Kingston, will be installed as the Associate Pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, on Sunday morning, August 21. Pat has invited Marc Sherrod and Dick Hettrick to sit on the commission to install. She also cordially invites other friends from Bethel to come and share in this festive occasion. Let us continue to pray for Pat and her family and her ministry and the ministry of all the Presbyterian Churches in East Tennessee Presbytery! PEOPLE OF FAITH SPEAK TO THE BOMB People of faith speak to the Bomb . . An Interfaith Convocation on the Global Nuclear Crisis will be held in Knoxville, July 31 (7 pm) and August 1 (9:30 am-9:00 pm). Brochures with details are available in the church narthex. If interested in carpooling, please contact the church office. PRESBYTERIAN PEACEMAKING PROGRAMS Summer is not over and yet you are being called to think forward to October 2, World Wide Communion Sunday. On that day all Christians throughout the world come to the Lord’s Table and on that day all PC(USA) congregations gather Peacemaking Offerings to be used to support peacemaking actions in our local community, our synod and our General Assembly programs. Why do we do peacemaking? The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, begun in 1980, affirms that:
What peacemaking project needs Bethel’s support? Session makes the final project decision but would like input from the congregation on the projects to be considered. Nomination forms for projects will be available the first two Sundays in August or you can call the church office with your peacemaking idea. THANK YOU, BETHEL! Fifteen children and their families enjoyed festive games and coloring followed by a fun-filled pizza and piñata lunch on Friday, July 22. Gifts from Bethel Church were greatly appreciated which included a set of Kindergarten school supplies and a check covering the classroom fee for each child. Clothing gifts from Bethel sponsors were wonderful accompanied by special moments to start new friendships with them. Thank you for helping with this BIG transition from the Head-Start Program to the Kindergarten Experience.
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP Bethel’s book discussion group is an informal group meeting to discuss and share thoughts on books we have read recently. We meet at 1:30 on the last Thursday of each month in the lounge below the Sanctuary. Please join us! Upcoming book selections are:
Parish Life Committee There will be NO Fellowship Supper, Fun Luncheon or Fellowship Sunday in August Church Picnic Mark your calendars for a fun time at our Church Picnic on Sunday, August 14 at The Hettricks. Games for young and old will start at 3:00 PM. If games are not for you, just come on down for a little R & R and fellowship before the big feast around 5:00 PM. Our menu consists of BBQ, Baked Beans, Buns, Potato Chips, Cole Slaw and Desserts. The only thing we ask YOU to bring is your favorite beverage and a lawn chair. Church Directory Update Your Directory Committee is pleased to announce that many of you have signed up to be photographed on Tuesday, August 16th, Wednesday, August 17th and Thursday, August 18th from 2:00 to 8:40 PM. By now, you should have received a Portrait Sitting Guide which will give you portrait tips and other pertinent information. You will also receive a reminder card and a reminder phone call closer to your photography date and time. We are looking forward to “seeing you in pictures.” Cumberland County Playhouse We are planning another trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse on Sunday, October 9, 2:30 to see “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. As always, we will carpool from Bethel to the Playhouse leaving Bethel’s Parking Lot at 2:00 PM. Sign-up sheets are in the office and on the bulletin board in the sanctuary. Group rates: $19 (for 20 or more people); children $11 (Adventure Theater). Thomas “Fats” Waller was a giant of jazz. In his 30 years he created thousands of songs. Fats took the bluesy side of Tennessee uptown to Harlem hangouts where folks “Ain’t Misbehavin’” but “The Joint is Jumpin’”. Registration deadline is Monday, September 12th; however, the earlier we sign up, the better the seats. So, please sign up at your earliest convenience. Thanks. Hymn Sing and Ice-Cream Social You are all invited to make a joyful noise to the Lord at our annual Hymn Sing on Sunday, August 28th, 7:00PM. After the singing, we will adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for cookies and ice-cream. Mission Outreach Committee Emergency Relief health kits During July, Bethel mailed 43 more health kits to the Church World Services. This brings our total to 96 since January. Many thanks to all of you who contributed to this project. The MO committee would like to thank Amber Jacks and her elementary Sunday School students for their help in assembling these kits. There is a continual need for these health kits.
Pet Food We have had a good response to our request for dry cat and dog food. There is an ongoing need at the animal shelter. Please put this food in the choir room so it will not be confused with the food pantry donations. Sunset Gap Start collecting toys, household items and clothing for a fall clothing drive for Sunset Gap. More details about this later. Other Needs There are several notices posted on the board regarding situations around the world in need of assistance. Please read carefully and respond as possible. Stewardship & Finance Committee Report
... none reported this month ... Dear Bethel Family, Thank you so much for all of the words of encouragement, phone calls, cards and prayers during my recent illness. They really helped to sustain Frank and me during a very difficult time in our lives. (Note: We are printing excerpts of the following letters in this newsletter; the full text along with some photos will be available on our website, and also on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall. To read them on the web and to see the photos, just click HERE.) …”Once again let me thank you for your support, …It’s comforting to know that there are families back in the states that support our troops…May God bless you and yours and please keep our soldiers in your thoughts and prayers.”
Entire text of letter from Bob Gaffin: Dear members of Bethel Presbyterian Church, Thank you very much for the numerous birthday cards you have sent this past week. It is always nice to get mail and twice as nice to know there are many back home thinking about you and praying for you. The last time I wrote, my battalion was still in Kuwait waiting to move north to Iraq. We are now in Tikrit, Saddam’s hometown. The forward operating base (FOB) is quite beautiful as it is one of Saddam’s many presidential palaces. I personally live in a servant’s quarters, but it is still quite nice on the outside. The insides look nice too but the materials used are rather cheap and the Iraqi plumbing is pretty pathetic. Anyhow, the temperatures have finally reached the 100’s but not the 110’s as we expect in July and August. It’s really not too bad because it’s a dry heat, so it only actually feels like it’s in the 100’s and not hotter – hee hee! As far as the insurgents, they have been heating up also this past month. They have used numerous suicide VBIED’s lately, and they will hit just about anybody – Muslim or not – just as the news points out. Luckily, our soldiers spotted a VBIED in a car a few weeks ago before it detonated. We suspect numerous lives were saved due to their heads-up action – I believe this story even made news back in Texas, where I live. I have also recently had the chance to escort some Hollywood stars (Dean Cain and Amanda Switsen) around to the division’s area of operations (AO). This AO includes the 278th RCT. We flew by helicopter to numerous FOB’s including two from the 278th. Needless to say, the hospitality award would have gone to the 278th FOB’s. The soldiers were quite excited and patient with the stars on their tour. It was a nice diversion for the soldiers, and it also provided a nice opportunity to see the Iraqi countryside. Surprisingly, northern Iraq has lots of cultivated fields and shepherds herding their goat (and sheep I believe) flocks one or two miles from the nearest home. I was surprised to find out they could withstand the heat for so long without any visible sign of canteen or water bottle. Anyhow, I am nearly halfway done here and I’m sure the 278th is already over the hump. Once again, thank you for all the kind letters, birthday withes, and prayers. God bless and I hope to see you again next year.
Bethel Family Prayer Calendar - August, 2005  The members and regularly attending friends of Bethel are assigned to elder care groups. Each month in the newsletter for your prayers, we publish the list of one or more elder care groups. The elder’s name and phone at the top of the list are listed as a reminder of their role in nurturing and supporting those who belong to Bethel. You should feel free to contact your elder or the pastor if you have a particular spiritual need or other matter that needs to be brought to our attention. (*Non-member ^Shut-in +Inactive)
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David Cross