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.

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From the Pastor

"Way to go, Bethel!" That’s the way I, and no doubt, many others felt following our affirmative congregational vote on November 18 to move forward with our new building/renovation project. By a wonderful 82% show of support, the congregation authorized the Trustees to proceed with arranging the necessary financing to bring this project to fruition. (See article in this Open Door describing the various sources of funding.) The Presbytery of East Tennessee approved our building plans this past Tuesday, so all is now in order for us to proceed! Thanks again to that seemingly endless procession of building committee members who persevered for over three years. Join me in expressing gratitude to the latest group who have served on the committee: Ken Dungan, Gary Griffith, Phil Walsh, Laura Dailey, Gary LeMasters, Jerry Harvey, Julie Bunch, Dave Stevenson, Karen Schall, and Frederic Morgan.

Transition planning is underway, which the session will oversee. Rick Cox Construction will soon begin their work, and we will probably need to vacate the premises around January 1, 2008. The necessary work will proceed smoother and with less frustration if we completely abandon both buildings so that the construction crews won’t have to worry about being in our way. Currently, we are working on issues such as long-term storage (do you have a waterproof barn or shed available?), a couple of office spaces in Kingston, as well as a place for worship, education, choir rehearsal, fellowship meals, study groups, and committee meetings (could your home accommodate a small gathering?). We are also hoping to have a large garage sale, possibly on New Year’s Day, so let us know if you are available to help with that project. The session will be meeting each Tuesday evening to discuss transition matters, so please feel free to give us your feedback as we go along. Nine - twelve months is the estimated time frame before the work will be completed.

With new decisions come new challenges, and I remain confident that our congregation can rise up to meet the opportunities presented by the coming year. Please join me in a prayer of thanksgiving for the Lord’s guidance and sustaining power . . . .

Eternal God, high and holy, no building can contain your glory
Or display the wonders of your love. May this space be used as

A gathering place for people of goodwill.
When we worship, let us worship gladly;
When we study, let us learn your truth.
May every meeting held here meet with your approval,
So that this building may stand as sign of your Spirit working in the world
And as a witness to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.
(from Book of Common Worship)

Joyfully yours,

 

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Parish Nurse

Don't forget the Buddy's Race for the Cure on November 11^th!

Here are the important things to remember:

Team Name: Hope for Halie



T-shirt party at the Sherrod's house:  Saturday Nov 3rd, 10:00 to 2:00  (LUNCH PROVIDED!!!)
We will have plenty of kids making shirts so if you can't come and would like a shirt made for you just buy a white T-shirt and give it to one of us.



Nov 11th...meet at the Kingston Church of Christ Family Center at 12:20 to leave for the race as a group.



Team Photo:  1:15 at the registration table at the World's Fair Park in Knoxville

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Swap Shop

1. Free Plants: Jane Walsh has spider plants, angel wing begonias and purple Tradescantia that will do great inside this winter. Keep in mind that houseplants are suppose to be excellent for the inside environment. Please contact Jane at 376-5250 if you are interested. Contact Jane Walsh 2. Needed: CE Committee needs a few half-gallon milk cartons. If you have any, please give them to Karen Schall or Marge Hettrick. Contact Karen Schall or Marge Hettrick 3. Young Male Cat Free to a Good Home Bill and I are looking for a good home for our new friend "Buddy." Buddy showed up at the house about 2 months ago and we were told that the cat belonged to the people across the street. However, the people moved and left the cat behind. We have been feeding him ever since. Buddy is a pretty, young, orange tabby cat with a very sweet disposition. He likes people and wants to be loved. We took him to the vet where he was vaccinated October 17, 2007. We also want to pay for him to be neutered if someone who can give him a home could pick him up at the vets after surgery. The vet says that Buddy needs to be kept inside or in a crate for a few days after the surgery in order to heal. Since we already have a 14 year old cat who thinks she is an only "child" with a bad disposition toward animals, we won't be able to keep Buddy in the house. The vet himself told us that adopting another cat would kill Cassy (our cat). "Buddy" likes the outdoors, but he needs a home and a loving family to call his own. Bill and I will be moving to Kingston in 3 or 4 weeks and we would like to find him a home by then. If you find it in your heart to adopt "Buddy", please give us a call at 354-3609. Our vet is Dr. Paul Park in Rockwood. As soon as we hear from you, we will make an appointment for Buddy to be neutered.  Thank you so much. Contact Bill and Marianne Shadden

Thanks from Property and Personnel

Thanks to several folks who came out the morning of October 20 to spruce up the church grounds. Those participating were Karen and Jim Schall, Chelsea Richmond, Jerry Harvey, Gary Griffith. Jeanette McElhaney, and Frank and Marilyn Harris.

Make the Dream a Reality

Some two years ago, with very imperfect knowledge of just what our plans would entail, Bethel members responded on faith and pledged over $380,000 to a building program. Since then, we have averaged $6,000 per month toward paying these pledges. We have already paid the architect for our plans and still have cash from pledge receipts. We should take pride in what we have accomplished thus far.

As voted on by Session to accept the report of the Design and Development committee, and reported on to the congregation on October 21, Now we have a plan! And so the work can begin in earnest. Yes, God has presented us with an ambitious objective—a steep climb, perhaps as steep as the hill leading to Bethel Cemetery, that led to their decision long ago to move the present church to better serve the growing town of Kingston, just as we now seek to make changes to better serve our many present and future missions.

It is too easy to become embroiled and discouraged with all the facts and realities of what might go wrong in achieving a tough goal—like a $1.7 million project. As has been pointed out by several, we have to understand that this project is not about us, it is about the future of Bethel and all those who will follow—just like the founders in 1818 when our country was less than 50 years in existence, or the folks who decided to come down the hill not that many years later. So we have been given the chance to embark on our own faith journey to further God’s mission for us and those who follow to do his word.

Where are we and what is next? Including unpaid pledges and an interest-free loan from Presbytery we have $672,500 that I consider to be “easy” money—we WILL get the Presbytery loan and I have confidence based on activity to date that we will collect the pledges from our first such campaign. That leaves $1.042 million or 61% to go—a big number. Please don’t jump to the size of the balance—remember we eat our meals one bite at a time.

As we go forward, we need to prayerfully seek answers to some questions. What level of giving can we sustain to pay a mortgage? Right now, we running at an average of $6000 per month, but it is misleading to assume without study and prayer whether that is sustainable. So we need to answer that.

What can we do to reduce the amount that we might eventually have to mortgage and have to pay on a sustained basis at market interest? For example, if we could bring our mortgage needs to the $450,000 level the Presbyterian Foundation has some favorable rates as well as incentives to obtain lower rates.

We need to think about a second round of pledges. The first round was based on our individual situations then; this is now and we may have had additional fortunes that have refilled the coffers so to speak.
We have begun exploring a number of options that taken together make the $1.7 million price tag more tractable—special provisions for those over 70.5 years of age who must withdraw funds from thir IRA’s; many have approached us about an active memorial campaign to honor the memory of those who gone before as well as honor those among us who we deem worthy; some have expressed an interest in loaning the church funds to be paid back but with a much reduced interest rate. And there are many others ideas afloat!

Yes, unfortunately we talk a lot, perhaps too much, about money. Let me be emphatically clear, if this project is successfully accomplished, it is about more than money. Many of us, me now included, are in that stage of life called ‘fixed income;’ others are planning for educating children and so forth. When all is said and done we will use every talent among us to achieve our goal. So, we are all rich in the eyes of God. Let us each then contribute from where our abundances lie.

Three informational meetings are being organized as a means to learn more about the project, and how we might accomplish it financially, and most importantly what the project means to us individually and collectively as the congregation of Bethel. The dates for these are November 4^th, 10^th, and 14^th with times varying to accommodate schedules and other needs. In this issue of the Open Door is a flyer announcing the date and time for these programs. Please mark these dates and plan on participating as much as you can.

Now is the time for each of us to think about our roots and Bethel’s future and prayerfully seek to understand the importance of this project—to ourselves now, in this place, and to those who will follow on their faith journey.

BETHEL VISION 2010 Make the Dream a Reality Sunday, November 4th Informational Meeting/Luncheon following the worship service Sponsored by the Parish Life Committee Saturday, November 10th Informational Meeting/Brunch at 10:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall Sponsored by the Evangelism Committee Wednesday, November 14th Informational Meeting/Fellowship Supper at 6:30 PM Sponsored by the Parish Life Committee Please Join the Project Delivery Team and the Design & Development Committee at any or all of these Informational Meetings. Sunday, November 18th Congregational Meeting following the worship service to vote on the proposed recommendation For Your Information…

Stewardship and Finance

A special time of the Year!

Isn’t it wonderful that God has selected each of us to receive unique spiritual gifts? He carefully takes into consideration our interests, education, experience, and personality. He gives us the gifts that “fit us.” God wants us to use our special gifts for the purpose of ministry and service. As Christians let’s share these special gifts.

The work of church can only be accomplished through each individual’s sharing of those special gifts. Our unique gifts will be used to “build and strengthen” one another in the church; and through the body of Christ, these gifts will be incorporated and beneficial to the entire community.

It is a well known fact that the majority of people do not like to fill out surveys. However, the Time and Talent Survey is extremely important to Bethel. It is used extensively in matching people and ministries to carry out the work of our church.

Please take the time and effort to respond. It will only take a few minutes of your valuable. You will find the survey in the narthex and church office. With the unique talents that God has bestowed on you, you have so much to offer.

The Stewardship and Finance Committee wants to thank you in advance for helping us by responding to this survey. Your can be of service to Christ and his Church.

Always remember we, as individuals, ARE the Church.

Your friend in Christ,

Billie Stooksbury
Stewardship and Finance Committee

Mission and Outreach

Christmas Baskets and Angel Tree

Beginning Sunday, November 11, the Angel Tree will be in the back of the sanctuary. There will be a limited number of children on the tree at this time but more names will be added through December 9 or until we find sponsors for all the children. There will be approximately 50 children and 10 or more elderly.

After selecting a name, please tear off the back angel and leave it with the Mission Outreach member who will be assisting and keeping track of children and sponsors.

Please return all wrapped gifts to the church before Tuesday, December 11 for distribution Saturday, December 15. If possible, please put all the gifts for each child together with the angel. Each angel will have a number and letter. The number represents the family and the letter represents the child in that family. Also on each angel will be a list of clothing items and sizes for each child as well as a suggestion for a toy/book/CD/DVD/etc. Please check each item purchased. There is no obligation to buy everything the child wants.

In addition to the food baskets and items for the children in the families, the Mission Outreach Committee plans to provide a smaller food basket for approximately 10 elderly families. If you would like to contribute hygiene items, such as combs, brushes, toothbrushes, etc. to be included in these baskets, the MO committee would appreciate it.
Also, the MO committee would like to include a small gift such as a flannel, knitted or crocheted afghan, booties or soft hat for people who might not be too active and chill easily. Handmade items would be perfect and a great way to use that left over material and yarn.

In addition to monetary contributions for food, we need shampoo, bath soap, bubble bath, dishwashing soap, combs, toothpaste, toothbrush (adult and child) and other items not covered by food stamps. These will be divided among the families.

As you are purchasing your Thanksgiving turkey, if you find a good price, you might want to pick up an extra turkey for the Christmas Baskets. They can be stored in the large freezer in the Fellowship Hall.

Environmental Stewardship – Recycling Opportunities

Cereal box liners - Marge Hettrick suggests that the linings of cereal boxes are excellent for discarded wet materials out of the kitchen. I keep one in my sink as I am fixing a meal and put all the fruit and vegetable leftovers in it. Then it makes a trip to the compost pile. It is also an easy way to clean up messy leftovers that need to go into the garbage.

Used batteries - According to recycle.org, Radio Shack and Staples will take used batteries. Remember, batteries should not be put into the landfill since they contain heavy metals.

Used cartridges (both laser and jet) and old cell phones can be put in the recycle box in the Fellowship Hall. The church might be able to make some money off of these items. Jane Walsh is checking on this.

Old computers, monitors, etc. – can be left at the old landfill in Midtown. Just leave them outside the door and someone picks them up to retrieve parts and metals.

Old magazines – can be left at the Henry Center (part of Michael Dunn Center) which is located at the intersection of Hwy 27 and College Road.

Assorted papers – can be left at Dunn Industries where they are baled and sold.

Thanks to Jill McMaster for these last two recycling suggestions.

Bethel's youth group would like to thank everyone who donated an item for the Camp Noah Hurricane Survival Kits.  We would like to add a special "Thank you" to the Mission Outreach Committee, who generously donated an additional $50.00 to fill another box of supplies for the camps.  Because of the generosity of each of you, we were able to ship 4 large boxes of kit supplies to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Mobile, Alabama, where it will be divided among the individual camp locations as needed. These camps will be ready to help many more children who have become victims of natural disasters.

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A note from Greg Murr…

It’s sure been a busy fall for us, so far.  First, on September 9^th, the youth group joined others from our church for an intergenerational church hike to the Barthell Coal Mine in Kentucky.  It was very educational.  Then there were the middle school and high school fall retreats at the John Knox Center.  Everyone who participated in these events had a lot of fun. 

Now we are busy getting ready for our annual Christmas play.  Christmas is just around the corner.  On November 11^th, we will be having a short meeting right after church in the sanctuary to count kids and hand out parts in the play.  It’s very important that I have an accurate count of people, so that no one is left out and everyone gets an important role.  Remember, the play is for kids of ALL ages, not just the youth group.  It really feels good to be part of the gang from the beginning, so please try to be at church that day!  I hope to see all of Bethel’s children there! 

May God’s love guide and protect you.
     Greg Murr

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Dear Youth Leaders and those connected with Youth Ministry,

Next Year's Princeton Youth Forum has an event in Nashville, Jan. 7 - 10... not very far away.  Please consider attending for your continuing education, spiritual renewal and time for connecting.  You can find more info on http://www.ptsem.edu/iym/forums/index.php . Also the Equip Mission Team has conference funds available for attending events like this. If you have any questions about this process please contact Lina Hart at the Presbytery office.

Looking ahead into December ... Sunday, December 2 is the first Sunday in Advent, and that means it’s time for the Hanging of the Greens! Be sure to watch your Sunday bulletins for further announcements.