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The Open DoorPublished monthly by and for the members and friends of
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Greetings for November! Isn’t the cooler weather great? I especially like the cooler nights! As the Fall/Winter weather comes, we realize the incidence of respiratory infections increase. I would like to share some knowledge I gained at the Tennessee Public Health Association Meeting I attended in Franklin in September. This particular subject is on “SARS and corona virus” taught by Dr. Mark Dennison, associate professor of pediatrics and microbiology and immunology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. The corona virus causes SARS. Dr. Dennison started out with some statistics concerning SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.) There have been 8,437 cases documented in 32 countries with 813 deaths as a result. The clinical aspects of this disease consist of:
•Incubation period of 2-10 days
•Onset is marked by fever and chills, rigor (stiffness), headache and myalgias (muscle aches.)
•Respiratory symptoms are seen late, often beginning 3-7 days after the first symptoms arise.
•Symptoms that are particular to this syndrome are dyspnea (shortness of breath), diarrhea, coryza (full, stuffy head), and a sore throat.
Since there is a multi-system involvement, it should come as no surprise that the lab results would mirror this. Typically, there is a breakdown of leukocytes (white blood cells), platelets, and an increase in liver enzymes. The X-rays show pneumonia infiltrates.
SARS does show differences in symptoms and morbidity. SARS’ morbidity is higher in those 60 years old or older. Children with SARS manifest cold symptoms with minimal systemic involvement. Pneumonia infiltrate is also seen on X-rays. In adolescents, SARS’ symptoms are similar to young and middle age adults where fever, malaise, cough and respiratory distress may be seen.
How is SARS transmitted? It is transmitted through respiratory secretions, contact with feces or ingesting food that has been infected. Animal vectors (carriers) are palm civets and raccoon dogs that carry the virus but are not sick with it. Here in the U.S. pet storeowners who are unaware of their disease risk have imported these animals. As of this moment, there is no vaccine or medicine to keep you from getting this disease.
As always, if you have any questions or would like more information, please contact me at the office…..376-6340.
To your health ......... Deb
Just a reminder...
Our Bethel medial equipment closet has some things you might find useful! Hopefully, you won’t have need of any of these items, however, accidents (and surgeries) do happen..... We have wheeled and stationery walkers, a wheelchair, toilet seat riser, bedside commode, a “reacher”, an immobililizer, quad canes and a single cane, as well as adult and child crutches. Just call Debbie Hyder if you need any of these at 376-6340
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[A reminder that session meetings are open for members to attend unless the session goes into executive session; the minutes of the session are are available, by appointment, for review in the church office] |
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| No Highlights reported for October |
None reported this month.
Visioning: Where we are now...
By Carolyn Matthews
“And let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Our Call to Worship on October 26th reminded us that we are not at the finish line of our visioning process. In fact, we have been in training for more than a year for a race that is just about to begin! On Wednesday, November 19, following our Family Night covered-dish supper, each of us will have the awesome opportunity to pledge personal support for particular aspects of Bethel’s new vision.
Circle November 19th on your calendar. Commit to attend this important gathering and encourage others to do likewise. In the meantime, be in prayer for guidance about how your talents, your experience, your passion, your imagination, and perhaps your desire to step out in a new direction, may mesh with a particular initiative. Pray too, for renewed energy and the wisdom required to shift current personal priorities, remembering that “those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
In our small groups we’ve prayed together, laughed together, and dialogued openly and honestly at length. We’ve studied a wealth of information about Bethel’s needs and the needs of our community. Most importantly, we’ve tried to renew our understanding of what it means to be true to God’s vision for his church universal and what that might mean for Bethel’s future.
Bethel’s session is currently deeply engaged in scripture study and prayer, asking again, “What is God’s preferred future for Bethel?” We know that as elders charged with leadership, we face a defining moment when our session must choose between obeying God and being true to God’s mission, and trying to keep everyone happy. Still, it is profoundly hard for elders to say “no” to a single one of those we love, even when God as Lord of the conscience requires it of us. It is even harder to say “yes” when we know that change may bring hardship. Please pray for all our elders as they review the minutes of the recent small group reunions and continue to struggle for both consensus and bold expression of God’s discerned will.
On November 19 we will all line up to begin the race. This is a personal defining moment for each member and friend of our congregation. It’s been said that spiritual maturity comes at the moment the majority of church members stop saying “they” and begin to say “we.” Bethel’s session cannot move forward on initiatives with just your endorsement. “They” cannot make these initiatives work. Only “we,” bound together by God’s love, committing our time and energy, can bring God’s vision into reality. Come on November 19 and choose where you will serve.
(including Health Ministries)
The Thank Offering began when Mrs. Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio, urged each woman to give $1 over and above her usual contribution to the Woman's General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America as a "thank offering to her Lord." In 1888, a day was set aside for meetings that were to be a "concert of prayer and praise and the gathering of the Thank Offering." The gifts presented at the annual convention represented much soul-searching and self-sacrificing on the part of many women. The impact they made was immeasurable. It has been said that women's giving saved the worldwide missionary movement at that time. The thrust of how and where the money was used changed over the years, but a "Thank Offering to her Lord" continued to be an important part of women's giving by United Presbyterian Women. This expression of thanksgiving is now an important part of Presbyterian Women, and is named Thank Offering (including Health Ministries).
At least 40 percent of this offering is used to support hospitals and other health ministries throughout the world. The balance of funds generated is used for new creative areas of mission, undesignated in advance. Specific projects are selected by the Creative Ministries Offering Committee from submitted project proposals. This offering is received from Presbyterian Women in the fall. Last year more than $958,000 in grants were awarded from the Thank Offering.
Rea Evening Circle
The Rea Evening Circle meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday. The Hebrew word, Rea (ray uh) means "a friend who is as your own soul." All women of the church are invited to the Rea Evening Circle meetings.
Sunday, November 9 – The Rea Evening Circle invited Circle II to celebrate their first Thank Offering with them. Fellowship, dining and devotion will take place after the Sunday service. Each attendee is asked to bring either soup, salad or sandwiches for the meal. After the Thank Offering time, the Rea Evening Circle will clean the nursery and pre-school rooms. Please remember to bring cleaning tools and supplies if you are participating in this service.
Sunday, November 23 – Three of the Rea Evening Circle women are members of the Roane County Choral Society. On this meeting day the RCCS and orchestra will be joined by the Farragut Presbyterian Church Choir to perform Handel's Messiah at the Farragut Presbyterian Church at 3:00 P.M. Our circle will meet at the church at 2:15 P.M. to car pool to the concert. We invite all members of the congregation to join us. There will also be a performance with the South Harriman Baptist choir on Friday, November 21 at 8:00 P.M. at the South Harriman Baptist Church.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ROCKWOOD
Reception for new pastor Dr. Crawford (Ford) King and his wife, Janice on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003 2-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
MICHAEL RODGERS
Michael Rodgers sends this message regarding his CD: “If the CD which you purchased has ‘skips’ , please return it to me, via Dianne Griffith, and I will replace it with another one.
NEW ADDRESS
124 S Third St.
Kingston, TN 37763
Phone: 376-3502 (unchanged)
OF MICE AND MEN
John Steinbeck's drama, Of Mice and Men, is being presented by the Roane State Community College Playmakers on November 6 - 7, and November 13-15 at the Roane State Theatre at 8pm. Tickets are $5.00. (865) 882-4589. Charlie King is playing the role of Slim.
TORA PHILLIPS
web page www.caringbridge.org/tn/tora
Tora is an 8 year old from Midtown who recently received a bone marrow transplant at Vanderbilt University Hospital. Tora is Julie McGill’s niece. Please keep her in your prayers.
ALL THE WAY HOME
ALL THE WAY HOME performed at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Rd., Knoxville. Fri. & Sat, Nov. 7-8, 8 p.m. Sat., Nov. 15, 8 p.m., Sun., Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. Call (865) 588-5350 for more information.
Thanks to all who brought friends and relatives to church on Friendship Sunday, October 12. And thanks, too, to those of you who took a moment to speak to and greet our guests. Charles Arn, president of Church Growth, Inc. says: "Friendliness of the people is the most important thing newcomers are looking for in their visit, and friendliness is assessed on the simple basis of how many people talk to them immediately after the service." Arn also points out that the more often folks visit, the more likely they will stay; the second week you welcome a guest may be the week that you make a new friend, and the third week may be the week that trust is established. Friendliness beyond the first visit makes the difference. Thanks, too, to those who invited friends even though their friend did not attend. Hopefully, Friendship Sunday gave all of us a chance to think about friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family who might appreciate an invitation to visit Bethel. Statistics show that more people start attending church during the Christmas Season than at any other time of the year. Paul Nixon, director of congregational development for the United Methodist Church writes: "For millions...Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year. It is, hands down, the most stressful time of the year." Perhaps you know of a widow or widower, or someone who is suffering and for whom the holiday season is hard. Bethel's upcoming seasonal events and especially the Christmas Eve 11 PM service may be just the personal invitation, with an offer of transportation, that could make a difference. Now is the time to gently plant the seeds for such an invitation. Arn writes: "The heart of a spiritual Christmas was and still is about building relationships: first about a relationship between us and God, and then about relationships between us and others that reflect the way that God has loved us," --From Net Results: New Ideas for Vital Ministries Nov./Dec.2002
| Note: New on Bethel's website: Marc's recent sermons. Download and share with friends! |
Mission Outreach Committee Report
At our October 9th meeting of Mission Outreach, we were pleased to have Mr. Doug Jackson of the Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition (RCADC) to speak to us. We are supporting Roane County’s fight against drug usage in schools. Joe Coen has agreed to be our representative at the RCADC meetings.
On November 23rd Jane Walsh will be giving a Minute for Mission on our Christmas Baskets. We have decided to approach the allocation of families and their presents a little differently this year. On the 24th, Jane will be speaking of our angel tree that will stay in the sanctuary. The Mission Outreach Committee will make up the angels for this tree complete with name and items needed for their Christmas basket. I encourage each of you to take an angel and make someone’s Christmas a little merrier this year. We have set the deadline to bring in your gifts on December 7th (Sunday). We will be distributing the baskets on December 13th (Saturday). Please put these dates on your calendars. If you would like to help us give out baskets, please call Deb Hyder @ 376-6340. We always need strong backs and willing hearts! The teens will be providing cookies on the 13th and Mission Outreach will be providing hot chocolate and coffee for the recipients of the baskets (and the workers, of course!).
Prison Ministry:
Bethel's prison volunteers are invited to the annual banquet of the Varsity Club on Friday, Nov. 7th at 5:00 at the prison. As always, desserts are welcome, "but we mostly just want to see our friends from Bethel." Please let Karen Schall know if you can attend, and/or provide a dessert.
Christian Education Committee
Youth Corner:
On Nov. 9th, middle and high school youth are invited to Schall's mountain for a bonfire and weenie roast. Meet at church at 4:30 to carpool to the Schall's. (In case of rain, we'll eat inside and roast marshmallows in the fireplace.)
On Nov. 16th, we'll begin preparations for our Christmas activities. Melanie Sherrod will meet with our musicians to work on special music for a service of Lessons and Carols. Non-musicians will meet with Karen Schall to begin work on stage props for the Christmas Pageant. (Note to parents: FOOD is always appreciated by our youth. Please let Karen know if you can help with food for these (or any other) youth fellowship activities.
Library:
Bethel's church library, which has been packed away in boxes for the past year, is just about ready to be "reinvented." We have a room (the computer room, upstairs in the Ed Bldg.), the room's been painted and the shelving is being painted as we write. A number of people have said they'd like to help unpack & sort through books -- see what to keep and what to pass on, etc. If you are one of those people, please meet with Karen Schall for a few minutes after the congregational meeting this Sunday (Nov. 2), so we can compare calendars and set a date and time to begin.
Property and Personnel Committee
Many, many thanks to the small army of volunteers who showed up to clean up and fix up the church grounds and buildings on October 18 and also to those who are working at a later date. Take a look around at all the good work done by our members and friends. Thanks again.
Stewardship & Finance Committee
As we look forward to Advent and Christmas, the Stewardship and Finance Committee is preparing the church budget for session’s approval, overseeing the work of our treasurers, and, most importantly, challenging each of us to give generously out of the abundance that we have received. To that end, we urge you to prayerfully consider the commitment of your time, spiritual gifts, and money in preparation for our Stewardship Dedication Sunday on November 9, 2003, during the morning worship service. This Sunday, November 2, the Discipleship Commitment Renewal Form and Youth Discipleship Renewal Form will be available in the back of the church for you to pick up. If you are not able to pick one up it will be mailed to you. You may call the church office and request one be mailed to you.
In thinking about giving your time, talent and money, reflect on Paul’s words on stewardship in 2 Corinthians 9:12-13, ”This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of Gods people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. “
Your Stewardship and Finance Committee
• to the family of Frank Dale Cantwell who passed away in October. He is the brother-in-law of Neva Daniel.
• to Tom & Jane Pickel and family in the death of his sister, Margie Gulley, on Monday, Oct. 20.
None reported
Nothing to ponder this month!
Bethel Family Prayer Calendar - November, 2003
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.
2 - CHUCK BUNCH 717-1355
Linda & Travis Brown
9 - Jack & Carolyn McNew |
16 - JIM CONDON376-4420
Don & Beverly Anderson 23 - Frances McPheeters |
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