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The Open Door

Published monthly by and for the members and friends of
Bethel Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

VOL. 31NO. 7  Marc Sherrod, Minister  July, 2003

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A number of the members have responded regarding saving postage and mailing by reading the newsletter online. If you wish to add your name to that list, call (865-376-6340) or e-mail the church office.

We also maintain a master list of e-mail addresses. Please include yours if you wish.

The Reverend Rites . . .

It was about this time last year that the session of Bethel began to plant seeds for our “Season of Dreaming.” We have come far since last summer: a unanimous vote in August of 2002 by session that the time was ripe to move forward with a visioning process; a congregational survey in September 2002 (completed by over 125 of you) that provided a roadmap describing our congregation and community and the perceived strengths and needs that we have; the training of 14 small group leaders in November and December to lead the small group discussion phase of our “Season of Dreaming”; the gathering of small groups in January and February with an average of 84 participants at each of those eight Wednesday night gatherings (well over half of our average Sunday morning worship attendance!); the work of an ad hoc committee appointed by the session to organize and compile the salient data generated by the small groups which will be completed by early July. And now, upcoming the next phase of this dreaming process focuses on the session’s discussion of the small group dreams and session’s own dreams about the shape of God’s future for our common ministry and mission together. The session will be meeting on three evenings – July 15, 16, 17 – to begin the process of spiritual discernment and decision-making about the pathway ahead.

I want to urge your continuing prayers both for this process and those who have been involved as leaders and participants, but especially for the following members of the session who now carry the responsibility and joy of determining which dreams we will carry forward into the dawning of this new day: Jane Walsh, Jack Stackpole, Marianne Shadden, Bob Jones, Jim Condon, Karen Schall, Margaret Murr, Nancy King, Deb Hyder, Chuck Bunch, Helene Ricker, Roger Richmond, Carolyn Matthews, Scott McGill, Dianne Griffith, and Marc Sherrod. It is important for all of us to remember that, while input from the congregation is always welcome and helpful on matters such as changes for the future, we who are ordained and who have been chosen by the Spirit and elected by the congregation are the ones who bear the ultimate privilege of together seeking the mind and will of Christ. In the grace and mercy of God, we will be doing that sort of seeking in the coming weeks, and simply knowing of your support and willingness to be led into this new future will mean a great deal to each of us who serves on the session. It is my hope that by this Fall the session will have a plan in place that can then be shared with the congregation, including a celebration to launch us and this new vision into all of the wonder and challenge of God’s always unfolding tomorrow.

And remember, since “we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,” let us not stumble or falter in the race to which we have been called to compete. In the love of God, the grace of Christ, and the fellowship of the Spirit, we can endure . . . and triumph!

BETHEL T-SHIRTS

Your ordered Bethel T-shirts are here to be picked up on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 - 11 a.m. (June 23, 25, 27) and on Saturday, June 28 from 10 a.m. till noon.

LIKE TO READ??

Anyone interested in forming a book group starting with Oprah's new book selection East of Eden, please contact Carol Brown, 376-7171.

FAMILY PICNIC

Sunday August 24^th
2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at John Knox Center
$4 - Adults, $4 - Kids under 12

Join us for an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship for all ages! Hot dogs, hamburgers, and snacks will be served all day. Pack up the family and spend the day exploring the beautiful facility. There is something for everyone! Register on our website or drop a check in the mail along with your name, address, number.

Don’t miss it! (865) 376-2236 & www.johnknoxcenter.org.

MARK BANKER'S JOURNAL ARTICLE

Our own Mark Banker has published the lead article in the Summer 2003 edition of The Journal of Presbyterian History, a special issue on Missionaries, Multiculturalism, and Mainline Protestantism. Mark’s article, “Of Missionaries, Multiculturalism, and Mainstream Malaise: Reflections on the ‘Presbyterian Predicament’” argues for a new view of missionaries in their work of introducing the mission of the Church to the reality of cultural diversity. Five renowned experts on missiology offer their responses to Banker’s important thesis. We have a copy of the summer edition of this journal for anyone interested.

PEACE POLE

Members of this year’s confirmation class have donated a Peace Pole to Bethel as a reminder that we follow the Prince of Peace. This piece of cedar wood is about 8 feet tall and has four sides with the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” written in four different languages. The letters that have been carved into the wood will be painted soon, and we will “plant” this pole as a public witness to God’s prayer for peace on earth. Members of the confirmation class want to thank all the different individuals who assisted in this project.

INFANT & CHILD CPR

At Bethel Thursday, July 24^th in the Sr. High Room on the 3^rd floor of he Educational Building. This class will start at 6:30 p.m. and last approximately two hours. Cost is $5.00 for the book.

A FINANCIAL UPDATE
FROM YOUR STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

Bethel has a wonderful history of giving generously to both the general funds of the church and to specially designated causes. This giving has increased year by year and has allowed significant improvements in our ministry and our mission. One example of expansion of our ministry has been the Parish Nurse program, which was added during 1999. Another example of expansion of our ministry and mission is the Sunday worship service radio broadcast, which allows us to reach people in the community who do not attend church and our own members who are home bound. A more recent addition to our outreach is our highly successful Evangelism ministry. All these ministries have been a blessing to our congregation and our community.

If we believe in the importance of Bethel’s mission, we will share generously the resources with which we have been blessed. Giving to the general fund so far in 2003 is ahead of giving during the same time period in the previous year. However, our 2003 budget is greater than the previous year’s budget by $23 thousand, an amount we felt attainable due to our growth and our historical generosity in response to Bethel’s needs. We are still optimistic about meeting our “Faith Budget”, even though January through May general fund offerings fell short by $11 thousand of the amount we budgeted for the same time period. This shortfall could be alleviated if those of you who are behind in your giving due to traveling, etc. could catch up, or if those of you who are able could prayerfully consider giving more.

The pie chart below shows how our budget dollars are allocated. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of the total budget covers the compensation, benefits, and expenses of the church staff. The next largest category is benevolence at nineteen percent (19%). These are expenditures outside of Bethel that support mission programs such as John Knox Center, Bachman Learning Center, Sunset Gap Community Center, Newton Center, the Morgan-Scott Project and UT Campus Ministry. Local missions, such as Roane Cooperative Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Hands of Mercy Food Pantry, and others are also included. Other benevolence budget items include missionary programs, disaster assistance, new church development, and support for struggling churches. In addition, support is given for church related schools, colleges, and seminaries, and assistance is given to church organizations and ministers. The third major category on the budget is church operating expenses. This includes utilities, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and office supplies and makes up thirteen percent (13%) of the total budget. The remaining funds (eleven percent-11%) are used by the Bethel Session Committees to carry out the work of the local church.

We are proud of Bethel’s participation in the ministries to our church membership, to the local community, to missions, to theological education, and to the church at large. All of the elements of our church program are important. Please examine your heart and, with God’s guidance, determine if you can contribute more to support Bethel’s ministries.

Change of Address

DON & BEVERLY ANDERSON

are happily settled in Murfreesboro, TN 37128, 911 River Rock Blvd. (615-848-3988). They are enjoying granddaughter Phoebe and her new adopted twin sisters, Faith and Hope (4 months). Don and Bev extend best wishes to ALL at Bethel. They are seeking a new church home, but finding “Bethel is a tough act to follow.” We miss you, Don & Bev, and wish you the best.

Session Committee Articles

From the Evangelism Committee:

AS YOU TRAVEL please collect sample church bulletins, newsletters, pew information materials and especially promotional brochures. Leave these in the evangelism mailbox in the church office; attach a note if you see materials or techniques that make you feel especially welcome -- or turn you off!

DID YOU KNOW that 98% of adults in the USA claim that God is important to them; yet only 40% are involved in a church? One out of four people would come to church if someone invited them! See Bethel's website at http://www.bethelpcusa.org, and click on "Invite a Friend" for a variety of invitations that you can edit and send by e-mail. Also, summer time is move-in time for new residents ~ consider adding one of the gray Visitor folders in the narthex to accompany the cake or cookies that you plan to take to your new neighbors.

From THE WIN ARN GROWTH REPORT quoted in Leith Anderson's A Church for the 21st Century: old and new paradigms for effective evangelism:

PS Our committee meetings are open. Anyone interested is welcome. Next meeting: Tuesday, July 29 6:30 PM Church Parlor

Summer Sunday School:

Prison Ministry:

Following is an excerpt from a letter received from inmate Randall McPheeters:

"Dear Prison Ministry Volunteers:
wanted to thank you all for supporting Myer Pettyjohn through the years. Your friendship was an important part of P.J.'s life. I especially want to thank those of you who attended our memorial service for P.J.....I know there were more of you who wanted to come and were here in spirit. P.J. loved you all...."

Bethel's prison ministry volunteers continue to be active; on June 29 we conducted 5th Sunday worship service; on July 5th we will be taking photos of inmates with their families as they visit over the holiday weekend. We also help as asked with an Alternatives to Violence workshop and pre-marital counseling sessions, and we are outside sponsors of the Lifers' Club. Although the prison system limits the number of volunteers from any one church, we hope that you will hold this ministry, and the inmates it serves, in your prayers as we seek to be a positive witness to God's grace.