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The Open Door
VOL. 33 
E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
Many of us are moved during the season of Lent to reflect a bit more deeply on receiving new life into the old flesh of our shoulders for the bearing of the cross. It is no path of ease or convenience that we are supposed to follow on our way to Jerusalem, but it is a path always filled with new possibilities for seeing ourselves on the potter’s wheel, being reshaped and remolded into the image of Christ. Here’s a poem from Ann Weems’s book Kneeling in Jerusalem that can speak to the journey and all the pressures and pains that discipleship can bring our way.
Happy wearin' of the green month to you! This month I want to educate you on a disease that is "making a comeback" in the U.S. In 1976, the vaccine that was introduced in the mid 40's had decreased known cases down to 1% of childhood populations. This disease process is whooping cough, a disease that can be controlled by every parent getting their child vaccinated against pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis has three distinct stages. The first stage is the catarrhal phase that occurs after the incubation time of 7-10 days. This first phase is characterized by a running nose, sneezing, low-grade fever and a mild, occasional, non-productive cough. Whooping cough is most infectious at this stage that lasts 1-2 weeks. Next, comes the paroxysmal stage when patients begin the coughing spasms often associated with this disease. The spasms (or paroxysms)of coughing continue without inspiration until the coughing ends and the high-pitched inspiratory whoop occurs. For those who have never heard a whooping cough, the sound can be heard online at www.pertussis.com. The coughing is often followed by vomiting and exhaustion. This second stage can last as long a 2-6 weeks. The last stage is called the convalescent stage and is charterized by gradual recovery. The coughing spasms decrease in number and severity- this phase can last 2-3 weeks. Infection from one person to another is through contamination with respiratory droplets. Yes, there is a reason your mother told you to cover your mouth when you cough! Primary treatment is erythromycin. For those of us who are allergic to erythromycin: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ), Zithromax and Biaxin can be used. I wish excellent health to you and your families............... Deb
... none reported this month ... LENT AT BETHEL If you have not been able to be a part of the Lenten Study – ITS NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN US! INVITE A FRIEND AND CHILDREN IN YOUR FAMILY OR NEIGHBORHOOD! Please join us! The Market place will be open to children and an Adult Study follows a light soup supper. Where Jesus walked to the cross Bethel Church 2005 Children will experience a Jerusalem Market place, work in the booths, and learn about the life, death and glorious resurrection of Jesus! Adult Study Facilitated by Rev. Marc Sherrod
Sunday Evenings: Soup Supper and Study Worship 7:30 “His Last Week…A.D. 30” Sunday Evenings: Dinner* & Study March 5th 5:30 - 8:00 *(A Simple Soup Dinner will be served)
A Progress Report – in Rhyme VISION 2010 - GIFTS DISCERNMENT We've studied for a year and thought about the plan. Book Discussion Group Bethel’s Book Discussion Group will meet on March 24 at 1:30 in the church lounge. Upcoming book selections include:
Summer Jobs Available Camp John Knox needs your help! We are looking for Christians who love working outdoors, to be camp counselors, lifeguards, and an Arts and Crafts Director this summer. This is an incredible opportunity to not only build your resume, but also have a fun, life-changing summer. Applications and a flyer are available in the church office, or online at www.johnknoxcenter.org; click on “Jobs at JKC” Wish List On the downstairs bulletin board there is an extensive wish list from John Knox Center. If you can help with any of these items, or would like to make a donation, it would be most welcome. Also This Summer… Mideast Community Action Agency is taking applications for free home repairs, to be performed this summer by the 5th Annual Clinch River Group Workcamp in Roane County, July 11-15, 2005. Teenagers from across the U.S. will come to repair homes for low income, elderly or disabled residents. Our own Dave Nippert has been involved in the worthwhile project for several summers now, and can provide more details.
Thanks to all of you who attended the small group meetings and Chris Malone's presentation at family night supper in January. Your comments are all appreciated. It's wonderful to work with a congregation who is willing to share their thoughts and suggestions. The committee met on Tuesday night, January 25, to discuss our next step. In response to your concerns, we will be asking Chris to have a structural engineer to thoroughly evaluate the sanctuary in order to determine how it would tolerate a move as proposed. As soon as we get that information, we will let you know the results. We will then know more of how to proceed. Again thanks. Mission Outreach Grace School report Thank you so much for taking the trouble to mail the church newsletter to us. We feel as part of Bethel Church community when we read it. Thank you also for your punctuality in mailing the church gift to our UTFCU account. It is very helpful. Grace School has continued to be a center of interest with many parents wanting their children to join the School. We can only accept a small number due to financial limitation. We thank God as we see the many children grow physically, mentally and spiritually. God bless you,
Sunset Gap: Clothing and household items drive will continue until March 13, 2005. Please leave all bagged items in the lounge. Campbell soup labels will be taken to Sunset Gap at the same time. Relief Efforts To date, 49 emergency relief kits have been sent to the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund. Eight more kits are ready to go and about 20 more are partially completed. Needed items are nail files/clippers, bars of soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, band aids, hand towels (we have plenty of wash clothes and combs). The MO committee decided to continue sending these kits since they can be used for future disasters. Myer Pettyjohn Memorial Scholarship Fund "The Varsity Club at Morgan County Regional has asked Bethel to "sponsor" a scholarship program as a part of the work of this organization. The Club, open to all inmates who are taking educational courses, from GED to PhD, mostly via correspondence, exists to encourage education within the institution. Bethel's sponsorship would enable gifts to be tax deductible. The Myer Pettyjohn Memorial Scholarship would honor an outstanding prison leader who completed his Bachelors, Masters and PhD while serving his sentence. "P.J" died of "Prison Neglect" shortly after receiving his Doctorate. Club Leaders envision support coming from other inmates, ex-inmates, family, friends and staff. The Club is not asking Bethel to contribute to this scholarship. With the modest goal of $300, the approximate cost of one course, an Application would be circulated to those who wish to participate, and a committee within the Club would select the winning scholar, then begin to build underwriting for another. Session has approved this plan and will make this a Mission Outreach "designated" fund. It may be possible to recruit a Bethel volunteer to serve as Treasurer for this Scholarship." Parish Life Host/Hostess for March Fellowships
Come with us to the Cumberland County Playhouse on Sunday, April 17th, 2:30 PM to see the musical The Spitfire Grill. Synopsis: Ready to retire, Hannah has been trying to sell The Spitfire Grill for years. Who wants to buy a little restaurant in the woodsy, rural town of Gilead? In the meantime Hannah takes in a rootless young girl named Percy, who joins Shelby cooking for Hannah and they cook up a plan to sell the Grill. Why not a raffle? Charge folks all over America $100 to enter in an essay contest saying why they should own the Grill? The best essay wins the Spitfire, free and clear. Money and essays pour in. What will happen to the town that has become a family of friends? You’ll have to come see for yourself. The musical will be performed on the Mainstage. Cost $17 for groups (20 or more). Registration deadline March 27th; sign-up sheet is in the office. Mother/Daughter Luncheon on Saturday, May 7th at Ivan’s in Rockwood. Please make your reservation by April 29th. Sign-up sheet is in the office. Please mark your calendars for our May 18th Fellowship Supper when we honor and celebrate our graduating High School Seniors: Justin Murr, Hannah Sherrod, Andy Holloway and Ryan Bostick. The Spring Event 2005 - Older Adult Ministry presents WOW--Words of Wisdom--featuring News Anchor Emeritus, Bill Williams, WBIR Channel 10, Knoxville. It is described as Inspirational, Entertaining, Informative--AND a delicious lunch will be served. Music by the Farragut Church Songsters, Devotion by Rev. Ann Owens Brunger.
Watch for more details in April's Open Door. Stewardship & Finance Committee Report
Memorials were given in the month of February for:
 ... none reported this month ... Dear Bethel Presbyterian Church, Thank you very much for the wonderful care package you sent last month. It contained all the right items that a soldier would want (i.e., food, baby wipes, chapstick, etc.) Unfortunately, it arrived at Fort Hood, Texas, just before we were slated to depart for Iraq. Thus, I was not able to bring it with me on the plane since I was already “maxed out” on my baggage limit. However, it contained everything I would need and desire, so I will have my mom forward it to me when we get an APO address for our Iraq destination. Thus far, camp life has been surprisingly nice. We are fed like kings, and the housing is adequate (we have heated tents that are waterproof enough to resist the drizzle we get here in Kuwait). We are doing a lot of training and equipment preparation now to be prepared when we “cross the berm.” As far as the armor issues you have heard about, every vehicle must be armored with some type of aarmoring before it heads north. Unfortunately, most of it is the level III, which is _” metal and covers the door. Level III lacks the 4” glass (bulletproof up to 7.62 mm) also. I’ve seen a lot of level II armoring also which has a little thicker plating, a mat for the floorboard to retard shrapnel, and the bulletproof glass on every window. However, most of the armor thus far has been level III. Hopefully, production of the up-armored HMMUV will increase soon for it is the level I armor (the best). This hads bulletproof glass, thicker plates all the way around and a shrapnel-resistant floormat PLUS a heavier suspension for all the armoring. Anyhow, life thus far is good, and I am grateful that you remembered me during Christmastime. God bless you and please keep praying for peace.
Bethel Family Prayer Calendar - March, 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.
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NO. 3
Ginny Warlick