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The Open Door
VOL. 34 NO. 7 Marc Sherrod, Minister July, 2006 
E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
I read recently about a Buddhist monk visiting New York who was told by his Western host that they could save ten minutes by making a complex transfer in the subway of Grand Central Station. When they emerged from the underground to Central Park, the monk sat down on a bench. His host wanted to know what he was doing. “I thought we should enjoy the ten minutes!” came the reply. We live in a world when the idea of “saving” time often means having time to do something else. Time is money, the old adage goes. But is this vision of time as a commodity or simply a means to an end really the way God intended? There is a word in scripture meant to remind us that, ultimately, our time is not our own. Sabbath. More than just ideas associated with the do’s and don’ts of the Decalogue, church going, or Sunday family dinners, Sabbath rest and Sabbath keeping are intended to put our souls in synch with the divine work/rest rhythm we see outlined in the opening pages of Genesis. “So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation” (2:3). Barbara Brown Taylor writes: “Sabbath involves pleasure, rest, freedom, and slowness, none of which comes naturally to North Americans. Most of us are so sold on speed, so invested in productivity, so convinced that multitasking is the way of life that stopping for one whole day can feel at first like a kind of death” (Christian Century, May 31, 2005) Taking time for a Sabbath, whether it be a full day or only part of a day, whether it involves intentional spiritual practices or simply taking opportunities during the week to slow down and listen to God, can be a profound way not only to gain respite from personal exhaustion but to resist the human tendency to conform to social expectations that endorse getting and spending, achievement and advancement, as keys to self-worth. More than that, Sabbath has implications for the whole community. In the Hebrew scriptures, particularly the Book of Leviticus, Sabbath observance was a mandate to cease working – not just you as owner or head, but everyone else: your children and wife, your servants, and even your animals – the idea being that the whole creation needs time to pause for rest and reflection, not to mention, in some cases, an escape from economic exploitation. Leviticus 25, for instance, even talks about a year of Jubilee every 49th year: the experience of freedom given to slaves, the forgiveness of debts, the restoration of property, and a time to remind the community that every previous seventh year should have allowed the land itself a break from being worked and overworked. Truth is, with a new honoring of Sabbath observance, we might find that we get more, not less done, and we might discover anew who really is in charge of the universe and that we are not. As one person has said, “we obey the other nine commandments, why not this one?” Finally, I am with Barbara Brown Taylor when she writes: “This is my growing edge, where Sabbath is concerned, and I cannot do it alone. God did not give this commandment to a person but to a people, knowing that only those who rested together would be equipped to resist together. To remember the Sabbath is to remember what it means to be made in God’s image and, when the Sabbath ends, to join God in the holy work of mending the world.” In Sabbath spirit,
Happy Independence Day month greetings to you! I was very thrilled to be able to attend the Health Ministries Association Parish Nurse Workshop in Durham, North Carolina. As many of you know, I drove to Durham on Wednesday, June 21st. The first conference meeting was later that evening. There were about 400 parish nurses there and we started out with a prayer service at the Duke University Chapel. That was a real experience! I think one could fit all of Kingston inside this chapel. The title of our conference was Faithful Leadership: Transforming Ministry, Health, and Community. Our conference and rooms were at the Washington Duke Inn, located about 1 1/2 miles from Duke University. It is such a blessing to me to take time and be a part of other parish nurses as they tell of what they are doing in their congregations. I love getting all these new ideas! I told you all that I would tell you as opportunities to go on mission were revealed to me. When I came into the office this morning, I already had e-mails regarding going back to the Gulf area. As of June 27th there are three chances for you to go on mission. These are:
Thank you and as always I wish for you good health ...
An elderly gentleman in the community is in need of a lift chair. If anyone has one he can use, please contact Amber Jacks at 354-0450 ext. 239. Bram Hyder and Shawn Hart are looking for summer jobs. If anyone needs something done, please call Bram at 376-1685 or Shawn at 376-3251. New Member Bethel is blessed by the addition of new member Pat Hale. She joined our congregation on Palm Sunday, April 9th. Many of us know Pat as the mother of Marci Smith and grandmother of Joshua Smith. Pat came to Tennessee to help Marci and Tim after Joshua’s birth, and eventually decided to make this her permanent home. In addition to Marci, she has two other grown children – Bill, who is married with three children and lives in Charleston, SC and Patti, who lives in Pensacola, FL and has one child. Both Bill and Patti are with the US Navy. Pat is a retired Registered Nurse who stays busy. In addition to playing with Joshua and visiting her other grandchildren, she works as a Parent Advisor for the TN Infant Parent Services, and volunteers for a hospice organization. We are truly blessed to have such a loving, kind and sharing person in our midst. Welcome, Pat! Book Discussion Group Bethel’s book discussion group will meet at Carol Brown’s house this month, at 1:30 on July 27. The book we will be discussing is Sullivan’s Island: A Lowcountry Tale by Dorothea Benten Frank. BETHEL OPERATION KINDERGARTEN Bethel Operation Kindergarten sponsors are needed this month for Jennifer, Isaac, Niala, Carly, Jason, Thomas, Chayton, Taylor, Bryson, Gentry, Cheyenne, Micah, Porceline, and Jason. These fourteen children will begin Kindergarten August 7. They have been participating in the special Mid-East Head Start small-group program held weekly at Bethel. As part of Bethel Operation Kindergarten 2006, you are encouraged to assist the families and children with an exciting yet intimidating time. Families could use our support as they, perhaps nervously, start this new adventure and go through this BIG, sometimes scary, transition. Sponsors are asked to make a $20 purchase of two shirts, socks, and underwear for a bright-eyed, bouncy five-year-old by July 23. Sponsors are also asked to meet the family at a festive carnival lunch on Friday, July 28, 10:30 to 12:30. Finally, sponsors are asked to make additional contact as feasible with the family within one month following the start of school. Sponsors have a unique opportunity to nurture and share God’s love. These children also need a $17 set of school supplies as outlined by Midway, Kingston, Oliver Springs, Dyllis, and Bowers Elementary schools plus the family is asked to pay a $23 classroom fee. If this is not the right time for you to be a sponsor, donations to the school supply fund Bethel hopes to make available would be GREATLY appreciated. We hope to give each child a “Goody Bag” with the clothes and school supplies on July 28. You could make a big difference in the life of a little child and the family. Please contact Linda Brown, Amy Coen, or Julie Bunch with any questions. Session Nominating Committee For the remainder of the summer the Session Nominating Committee will be working to develop a slate of nominees, 4 to be exact, to serve on session from 2007-2010. Serving on the session has special rewards and a singular sense of fulfillment as you work as part of a team, in fellowship and worship, for the betterment of Bethel and to the glory of God. Reviewing the recent time and talent survey, I am struck by so few who express an interest in serving yet so many of us volunteer and participate in the many, many diverse activities and missions of Bethel. Yes, serving on session does require a regular commitment for a longer period than a single activity, and yes, we all understand that some times we are asked to serve it just isn’t the “right” time, but has there ever been the perfectly “right” time for anything significant? The members of the Nominating Committee this year are Frank Harris, Danny Holloway, Marilyn Gaffin, Dick Evans and Margaret Murr. If you would like to re-visit your time and talent selections, or wish to bring to our attention individuals who you believe could serve God in this role, please contact one of us. And, when you receive a call to request that you consider serving, please think it over, go into your special prayer garden, and ask for guidance on whether this is your time to the call. Prison Ministry Bethel volunteers continue in our ministry at the Morgan County Regional Prison. On July 30, we will join the inmates for 5th Sunday Worship service. Coming in August, the two inmates’ clubs (Veterans – open to veterans of the armed services, and Varsity – for those interested in further education) will be allowed to have their annual banquets. They will be held on the first and last Fridays in August. The inmates pay for the food with their club dues, and Bethel’s superb dessert makers are asked to provide desserts. Please talk to Karen Schall (423-369-2955) if you would like to take part in any of these efforts. Mission and Outreach The Mission Outreach Committee extends their love and appreciation to Mary Will for approximately 14 years of participation on this committee! Mary states that she has found that working on Mission Outreach has been very fulfilling to her because not only has she worked with church members, but has been able to reach beyond the church to the community and other parts of the country and the world. Mary must discontinue membership to the MO Committee at this time due to other commitments, but will continue helping with various MO projects as time permits. She will continue to work with Hands of Mercy and gets much satisfaction out of reaching and bringing some relief to families in the area who need help. THANK YOU, Mary, for your service to Bethel's Mission Outreach Committee and your witness to God's love for all his children. Christian Education Thy Kingdom come, This summer, the Christian Education Committee and the children and youth of Bethel Presbyterian will be practicing doing God’s will on Earth. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus teaches us that we see Jesus any time we see people in need. At the end of the summer you will be given and opportunity to join us in doing the will of God on Earth as in heaven. We will approach this concept through the development of “Alternative Giving” opportunities. Alternative Giving involves a “donor”, a “recipient” and a “benefactor”. The Donor, wanting to recognize some special occasion in the life of the Recipient, purchases a symbolic gift, to be presented to the Recipient, while the purchase price of the gift is donated to one of our Benefactors /Agencies. The gifts are being hand-crafted by Bethel children and youth, and will be available to the Bethel Family. Benefactors will include:
STAY TUNED What we need from you:
Be sure to come by Bethel on July 3rd and 4th – big doin’s are in the works! During the daytime hours, our youth will be cooking up hamburgers and hotdogs to sell to folks who come to watch the speedboat races. And in the evening on July 3rd, they will be hosting a contemporary Christian music concert. Featured artists will be Jamie Jordan, the New Birth Jr. Youth Choir, Psalt, Five Star Jubilee Gospel Singers, and Altarego.
 ... none reported this month ... There will be no Fun Lunch or Wednesday Night Suppers in July or August. The date of Bethel’s Picnic has been moved to August 6th per Session's request. It will be at the Hettrick's home and will start at 3 P.M. and we will eat around 5 P.M. Everyone should bring their own drinks and a "finger-type" dessert and a lawn chair/blanket. Letters & Notes From St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Mobile, Alabama: “On behalf of LDR, our Church Council, congregation, and myself, personally, I thank you for coming down with your team to help us in the recovery. We also thank you for your gift check. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are very much appreciated. “Your spirit and willingness to be a part of our lives is a tremendous blessing to us and we look forward to having you come back down for another visit. “May our Lord continue to bless you all in very special ways.” Grace and Peace, Rev. Dr. Karnig Kazanjian ... nothing to ponder this month ...
Bethel Family Prayer Calendar - July, 2006 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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Ellen Evans Kellogg