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The Open Door
VOL. 34 NO. 3 Marc Sherrod, Minister March, 2006 
E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
... not provided thihs month ... Happy wearing o’ the green month to you! As I write this article the day is sunny and 69 degrees. I know we have some more winter weather coming, but this is a nice omen of things to come. I hope everyone has the chance to come to the “Loaves and Fishes” conference at Maryville College Friday night March 17th from 2:30- 9:30 P.M. and/or Saturday March 18th from 8:30- 4:00. I plan on participating with a Parish Nurse table there at the conference on Saturday. Other opportunities for increasing my base of knowledge will be: planning to recertify as a Red Cross CPR/ First Aid instructor at the end of the month. Once again, we have changes in the CPR procedure. If you need CPR or First Aid training be sure to call me at 376-6340 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. I will also have a table at the “Time Out for Health Fair” to be held at Roane State Community College on Friday, April 7 from 9 A.M.-2 P.M. Nancy King will be assisting me in performing balance testing. If you would like to go on the June mission trip back to the gulf coast, please let me know. As of this week we have tentatively set the date for June 3-6th. This trip is for junior high kids and adults. The ones who have not filled out a permission/accountability form will need to do so. We also need a “head count” to plan on transportation down there, lodging and food. We are still in the planning stages but we plan on pairing with the Rivermont Presbyterian Church. Dee Dee Porter is planning the trip with the help of Rick Kuhlman. I’m sure this trip will fill up fast so please let me know as soon as possible. As always, to your health ...
Missing from the choir room: A beautiful handglazed Nativity set, in beige and blue. This set was a gift to the church from Mrs. Peggy Johnson, who was active at Bethel in the 80’s. It “lived” on the upper shelf above the children’s choir robes and old hymnals in the Handbell storage room. There were about 12 pieces, ranging from 8-10 inches in height. The box containing these items was likely moved around 2000, during the remodeling, when the old cabinets were torn out and the new cabinets were installed. At any rate they are “hiding.” If you know anything about this ceramic nativity set, please notify Alicia in the office. Two Cents A Meal The Two Cents A Meal money container has been removed from the office. If anyone knows where it is, please contact Alicia in the church office at Interested in helping Special Olympics Tennessee online? Lenten Activities/Worship at Bethel Ash Wednesday Service: Wednesday March 1st at 7:00 p.m. Study Opportunities: There will be two opportunities for you to engage in the Lenten discipline of study. This year’s topic will be the recently released “A Season of Discernment: The Final Report of the Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity of the Church to the 217th General Assembly (2006).” This document is our denomination’s attempt to provide a process to help the church deal with issues that are causing conflict, including sexuality and ordination, interpretation of the Bible, questions about Jesus Christ and salvation, and the use of power in the church. Beginning on Sunday, March 5, and continuing each Sunday of Lent (March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9), Dr. Mark Banker will lead a discussion during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:45 a.m.). His classroom is upstairs in the Education building. Also, on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the kitchen/fellowship hall, Rev. Sherrod will lead a discussion of this document. Anyone is welcome to attend either of these study sessions. Sunday Worship, 5 Sundays in Lent: Join us for worship in the liturgical spirit of the Lenten Season. Lent is a season that focuses on penance and spiritual disciplines. The music is much more reflective and somber to match the introspective emphasis of the season. Palm Sunday: April 9th Maundy Thursday Drama and Holy Communion at Kingston United Methodist Church: Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m.: A Reenactment of the Last Supper with participants from both Bethel and KUMC. Good Friday Service: Friday, April 14th, 7:00 p.m. at Bethel (joint service with Kingston United Methodist Church) Easter Sunday: April 16th New Web Photo Center Ready for Your Photos Bethel’s web site has a new Photo Center and it is ready for YOUR Bethel-related photos. Whereas you used to have to send your pictures to our web master in order to get them on the web site, the new Photo Center allows you to upload your own photos and have them automatically placed on the site for everyone to see. Uploading is easy, and all you need to get started is a Photo Center user account. To get an account, all that’s required is that you be a member of Bethel and that your or your family’s e-mail address be on file with the church office. If you meet those two criteria, then just contact Marianne Shadden, our web site editor, at editor00@bethelpcusa.org. Give her your full name, the e-mail address that is registered with the church office, and what you want your User ID to be (this is a 3 – 8 character sequence that will identify you to the Photo Center); if you have no User ID preference, then Marianne will choose one for you. Once your Photo Center account is established, you will receive a welcoming e-mail message with all your access information, including the web link for uploading your pictures (be sure to set your spam blocker, if you are using one, to accept e-mail from editor00@bethelpcusa.org). Then all you need to do is go to the link that you received and follow the instructions. Please note that the Photo Center is only for pictures that relate to Bethel. What does that mean? Well, a photo of that zucchini that you grew last summer, which resembled the profile of a duck, wouldn’t be appropriate for the web site (unless, perhaps, it showed the veggie baked and served at the Fun Lunch!). However, your pictures of Bethel youth at the Youth Summit, of activities at the Loaves and Fishes conference, of the Mother/Daughter Luncheon, of the annual church picnic, or of any other Bethel event—all those would absolutely be right for the site. We look forward to seeing your photographic work on the web site! Other website news Visit the Presbytery website: www.presbyteryeasttn.org for timely articles about resources, upcoming meetings, opportunities for youth and service. Articles in the February e-newsletter include: “The Thoughtful Christian – New Resources for Adult Christian Education...”, Opportunities for Youth (Youth Summit and Maryville College’s summer youth retreat), Vacation Bible School – Living Waters for the World, and the February Meetings Series at Maryville College. New Member Class The pastor will be offering a series of classes for prospective new members considering joining Bethel. Anyone is welcome to attend and there is no obligation to join at the conclusion of the classes. The classes will be on the following Sunday mornings, 9:45, in the Pastor’s Study: March 12, 19, 25, April 2, 9. Contact the church office if interested. Super Saturday Series The Evangelism Committee's next Super Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th. Doug Brown (husband of Carol Brown) will be the speaker. His topic is the Cherokee Indians which promises to be a very interesting morning. Remember we start with a continental breakfast at 9:00 and the program will begin around 9:30. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite a neighbor or friend to come with you. Come and join us. “Go Green” for March Fun Luncheon Remember St. Patrick, the Irish; therefore, bring a green salad, a green vegetable, or a dessert. The date is Tuesday, March 14. Madge and Edith will be our hosts. Hosts/Hostesses for March Fellowships Fellowship Sunday is being hosted by the Issues Class. Fellowship Supper will be hosted by Nelda Toon and ? Prison Ministry There will be an orientation/recertification session on March 11 for volunteers in the prison ministry. It will be led by Chaplain Dean Yancey and held at 1st United Methodist Church in Oak Ridge from 9-12 a.m. Pre-registration is not required. If you plan to attend and need directions, call Karen Schall. Youth Summit High School Youth Summit will be in Gatlinburg on March 10-12. Registration forms have already gone in; contact Denise Martin if you need more information. Winter Jam Last year, more than 120,000 people defied the cold and caught a Holy-Spirit fire at Winter Jam 2005 concerts across the nation, making it the most successful tour in its 9-year history. Even more importantly, 7,500 decisions for Christ were made during the tour and 1,500 children served by World Vision found new sponsors. “The crowds were electric and the response during the altar calls overwhelming and humbling,” said NewSong’s founding member, Eddie Carswell. “God showed up in a big way!” This year, Winter Jam organizers hope to leave those numbers in the dust. Calling it the Winter Jam 2006 Tour Spectacular, NewSong will once again play host to this over-the-top concert series, along with the rocking additions of Newsboys, tobyMAC, ZOEgirl, Hawk Nelson and Krystal Meyers. And, David Nasser will be the official speaker for the evening! With no advance tickets, the cost is only $10 at the door with a love offering accepted during the show. Youth groups can attend for a fraction of the cost of a typical concert. It’s a great way to introduce your community and excite your youth about the most phenomenal Christian music today. Be a light for their path and escort them into God’s kingdom with a music that speaks to their souls.
It’s Cookie Time! Your delicious mouth-watering Girl Scout Cookies will be available for pickup from Julie C. on Sunday, March 5, and Sunday, March 12. If you purchased cookies for the Gift of Caring program, Troop 435 will deliver them to Hands of Mercy, Jamestowne, and Wellington around March 15. Information available at www.littlebrownie.com gives nutrition data plus details about the positive impact of Girl Scouting. Thank you for your support. Memorials received in the month of February for:
 ... none reported this month ... Presbyterian Women of Farragut Presbyterian Church warmly invite you to the Annual Gathering for Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery on Friday, April 21, 2006 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The Rev. Wendy Neff, Pastor at Highland Presbyterian Church in Maryville, will speak; her topic will be In the Beginning...Let There Be Light. Cost is $8 per person, which includes lunch. Child care will also be available. Registration forms and more information will be coming soon. Dem Bones Osteoporosis is a silent disease causing thinning of the bones or decreased bone mass density (BMD). In the worst case, the bones could get so weak that a fracture may occur with even a simple activity such as stepping off a curb or bending over to make a bed. Bones actually reach their peak density or mass during our 30’s then start losing about 0.4% of their density per year after that. After menopause, bones can thin much more rapidly. And fellows, osteoporosis isn’t just for women – you can get it too. It just begins at an older age, but with the same devastating effects. Bethel is offering a class on “Osteoporosis and Exercise” taught by Nancy King, Physical Therapist and NSCA Certified Personal Trainer. The 4 week class will be offered on Tuesdays, March 7, 17, 21 and 28 from 9 to 10 am in the Fellowship Hall. The class format will be some lecture, but mostly it will consist of exercise instruction and practice that you can use at home. We will have to limit the class size to around 16 participants to insure floor space. You will need to bring an exercise mat (a folded blanket or quilt will do) and 1 or 2 pillows for some floor work. Dress in loose fitting clothing and shoes appropriate for exercise. There will be a cost of $5 per participant to cover cost of printed materials. If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis by your physician or have had an osteoporosis related fracture, you will be required to have signed consent from your physician to participate. Call Nancy King at 376-9951 to sign up or if you have questions. Come and learn how exercise can help those bones! Dear Bethel Presbyterian Church: Thanks for your support during the Holiday season. We are sincerely thankful for the opportunity to share our fair trade efforts with your congregation. Your hospitality and generosity is greatly appreciated. With the enclosed donation ($175. – reflecting a portion of the total purchases made by your group), we are also excited to participate in your own good works. Thanks again for your kindness... Village Marketplace Dear Bethel: Thank you for your generous donation to the Kingston Parks and Recreation Skaters Off the Streets (SOS). If our other donations come thru as stated, we will be using part of your donation for fencing hardware and poles and the remaining will be used to begin construction of ramps and other obstacles....It is my hope that by early summer we will be able to have some obstacles in place and the skate park will officially be open. As donations permit we will add additional obstacles and the skaters will have a designated, and even more important, safe place to skate. Again thank you so much for your support and donation. April Johnson, Director, Kingston Parks & Recreation As most of you know, Presbyterians have a healthy respect for the environment and an understanding of our role in the nature. We accept the responsibility that being a good steward of the Earth requires. With this in mind, Bethel congregation and particularly the Parish Life Committee is placing a renewed emphasis on being good environmental stewards. How can each of you help Bethel achieve this goal? These are just a few suggestions that we, as a church, can do.
These are just a few suggestions. Please let Jane B. Walsh know if you think of other things that we as a church can do or we as individuals can do to help the environment. There is much more to come on this subject so keep watching for future Open Door articles for more suggestions.
Bethel Family Prayer Calendar - March, 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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Bina Kirby