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The Open Door
| Bethel Presbyterian Church ~ a community of faith, fellowship, study and service ... Seeking God's peace, justice and love ~ |
VOL. 34 NO. 10 Marc Sherrod, Minister October, 2006
E-Mail & On-Line Newsletter
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.
ALINE TERRY TRANSPORTATION FUND
This service is free for friends and members of Bethel. If you have a transportation need, please call the church office at 376-6340. Please be ready to tell us the date and time of your appointment and what time you want to be picked up. Some of the places we transport to are: doctor’s office, hairdresser, library, post office, grocery store, and shopping. We drive as far as Knoxville. We are open to other suggestions, also.
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“Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me! O Lord, be my helper! . . . I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30)
As I write this on Monday, we have just come through a stormy weekend of thunder, lightning, rain and wind – a dreary and gloomy three days. Today, however, as I write this, I am sitting outside enjoying the sun’s warmth and revitalizing radiance and glow. I must say that I have been even more deeply warmed by your many expressions of concern and kindness.
For some time now, it has been evident to me and, no doubt, to you who have heard me preach or talk extensively, that my speech has been impaired. After visits to some six different medical specialists over the course of the summer, I received diagnoses of allergies and a non-vibrating vocal cord flap on my left side (the vibrations of these two flaps on the left and right side are what produce the sounds that we turn into words). I am grateful that, last week, my general practitioner, Dr. Tedder of Harriman, saw fit to order a CT scan. Although she suspected something quite different than what was found, the scan revealed an “infiltrative mass extending around the innominate artery and the left common carotid artery that measures 2.3 x 4.7 cm in size.” It would seem to be near the base of the throat. The good news is that the lymph system in that area does not seem to have been affected. My immediate desire is to have a biopsy done in order to determine the type of tissue and to have appropriate testing done to be sure this is the only affected area. I am scheduled to meet with a pulmonologist tomorrow (Tue) and from there, I hope the biopsy will happen later this week sometime.
The session has very graciously granted my request for a medical leave of absence, for the next four weeks or so, or until we have some resolution as to what my particular condition entails. We are truly blessed in the Bethel community to have clergy like Dick, Bill, Leigh, and Pat, as well as a very strong and dedicated group of elders serving on the session. Join me in thanking God for these and so many others, not to mention our church staff, who serve faithfully in the callings they have received! Thanks to all who will be “picking up the slack” in my absence.
I appreciate your continuing prayers and concern, and I remain thankful for God’s mercy and care.
Faithfully yours,
Marc
Yea for cooler weather! Isn’t God good? October greetings to you. There are a number of things I have going on that will be of interest to you. First of all, the BETHEL FLU SHOT CLINIC will be on Sunday, October 21st from 9-10 A.M. in the fellowship hall kitchen. These shots are courtesy of the Roane County Health Council and the cost is $12.00 per shot. If you have a friend that will benefit from one of these shots bring them with you that morning. As always, I try to make sure all of my Bethel parishioners have had the chance to get their shots, but the injections are for anyone. As far as I know, $12.00 will be the cheapest that one can get the shots this year. (You should not get this shot if you are allergic to eggs or have had a previous allergic reaction to flu shots.)
Secondly, your Bethel volunteers are heading back to the Gulf region to rebuild homes from October 14- 20th. This time, however, we will have Duie Swicegood with us and we will be putting in the electrical wiring in homes so that further constructions can commence. As you might know, the electrical wiring must be inspected before the sheetrock and insulation can go up. At this writing, “our crew” consists of myself, Dave Nippert, Joey Mascari (Dave’s friend from Ohio), Jim Schall, Frank Jones, Duie Swicegood, Nancy King and (possibly) Jerry Harvey. We are all paying $125.00 for our food and boarding and will be staying at Lagniappe P.C. A. church in Bay St. Louis, Miss. Please pray for our safety and success.
I ran into a “snag” on my workshop for Advance Care Plans and Health Care Advocates’ forms. It seems that my notary public expired on September 13th of this year. I did reapply for renewal on June 1st but my new commission date has not been mailed to me yet. So…..I understand that the next time that Roane County court meets to renew the commissions is on October 15th. So I beg your forgiveness for delaying this workshop until after the first of November. I will advertise this workshop for a couple of weeks before we have it. Thanks for being patient with me!
To your health ...
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[A reminder: session meetings are always open for members to attend unless the session votes to go into executive session per Robert’s Rules of Order; the minutes of the session are available, by appointment, for review in the church office]
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Rev. Marc Sherrod will be granted paid medical leave for the month of October, recognizing that this will likely need to be reevaluated in light of Marc's treatment regimen.
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Session members will be providing food for the Sherrod Family each Tuesday (September 26 through October 31).
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Rev. Bill Shenk has indicated his willingness to fill the pulpit for October. The session will meet with Bill to work out the details. If needed, another minister has volunteered to preach one Sunday. |
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... none reported this month ...
If you missed our last church hike to Little Greenbrier School, you have a chance to see an adjacent part of the Smokies joining us on Sunday, October 16 for a hike up the Schoolhouse Gap Trail. This trail has some Presbyterian roots, being a part of a planned larger road in the 1840s that was the brainchild of Dr. Isaac Anderson, the first President of Maryville College. Our own Hannah Sherrod is a student at Maryville College and an Isaac Anderson scholarship recipient. We’ll gather at Bethel immediately after worship on that Sunday with sack lunches and carpool to the trailhead, picnicking together somewhere along the way. This is not a strenuous hike. The trail itself should be relatively easy with good footing along its 2.2 mile length up the 600 foot climb. We’ll return back to the cars downhill along the same trail and head back to Kingston together. Be sure to bring plenty of liquid for the trip and join us to see the fall colors! Contact Mark Banker or Joe Coen for more information and/or to let us know you are hiking with us.
Sunset Gap Community Center invites you to:
Presbyterian Women’s Day
Thursday, October 12
Beginning at 10:30 a.m., come and meet the staff, hear about the programs, and tour the facility. Light lunch will be provided for $5; please call (423) 623-4313 for more details or to make your reservation.
Peacemaking Sunday is this coming Sunday, October 1. The special offering which is taken on this day is divided three ways: 25% is devoted to Synod and Presbytery peacekeeping initiatives, 25% is retained by the congregation for support of local efforts, and 50% is designated for General Assembly peacekeeping work. This work includes things like creation of worship resources, sponsoring peacekeeping conferences, workshops, training events, producing newsletters, study resources, and web materials, and supporting peacekeeping missions in the United States and in the world at large.
Want to know more about the peacemaking programs of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.?
Go to the internet website http://www.pcusa.org/peacemaking/index.htm.
At the top of the page is a button to subscribe to Peacemaking Listservs and Publications. You can subscribe to three different publications:
1) The Peacemaking Program Listserv, a read-only service, provides news, updates about resources, and occasional advocacy alerts by e-mail;
2) Peace Notes, a quarterly publication of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, is available through a free mail subscription. Contact Anita Hollis at (888) 728-7228, x 5788 or fill out the form at the website.
3) Paths of Peace, a free quarerly publication written by and for young adults. The Young Adult Network is a read-only listserv for young adults and those who work with young adults. Young adult is defined as between the ages of 19 and 39.
Welcome back, Billie Stooksbury. A long ago member of Bethel, Billie had to enter the workforce in 1985. Her job at Oak Ridge Associated University kept her traveling. Because she flew to her work destinations on Sunday morning she could not actively worship with the congregation. Now she is retired ... or semi-retired, working as a consultant. She said the first Sunday she returned to Bethel felt like a homecoming. The Bible study classes on Sunday and Wednesday morning are her delight. Billie loves to learn and rumor has it that she is also an awesome teacher. Her other passion is embroidery. She is a member of the Embroiderer's Guild of America. Originally from Knoxville, Billie has lived in Roane County for 35 years. She has five children, the youngest being 30. "Every one of them is a great kid," she said, laughing at the fact that although grown, they are still kids to her. Bethel is blessed to have Billie with us again.
A note from Jill McMaster:
My current form of relaxation is knitting "Hats for Homeless Children." They are quick and easy; they use up my yarn odds and ends and, most importantly they are distributed to children in need. My creations have been going to the Empty Stocking Fund. Below is the pattern, if you would wish to join in this project.
Hats for Homeless Children
Size #10 needles
Red Heart acryllic yarn (or other worsted, medium weight acryllic yarn)
Approximately 2.5 ozs. (half of a skein with lots leftover)
Cast on 69 sts.
K3 P1 ending with a K1. All rows repeat this pattern
Continue until hat measures 9 inches.
Decrease starting on right side
Row 1: K2 together (one left over)
Row 2 & 4: P (entire row)
Row 3: K2 together (one left over)
Row 5: K2 together (none left over)
Measure yarn to 3 lengths of hat. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Pull tight. Seam down side.
Optional pompon:
Wind 2", 100 turns, clip to form pompon
The Consultant Advisory Team would like to extend an invitation to all in the Presbytery of East Tennessee to attend a presbytery wide meeting with the Alban Institute consultant, Ms. Susan Nienaber. (Go to this link to view her resume: http://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/documents/RevSusanNienaberresume.pdf.) Ms. Nienaber will be meeting with individuals from around the presbytery over several days but wants to open the discussion to the widest audience possible at one time during her first visit to the presbytery.
WHAT: An open forum on issues facing the Presbytery of East Tennessee, our concerns, our hopes and our dreams
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater, TN
WHEN: Tuesday evening, October 3, 2006 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM
We would appreciate a reply just for the sake of preparing for parking and movement, but please come even if you forget or don't have time to respond to this message.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The Consultant Advisory Team -- Moderator Dr. Michael Gant, Elder Lou Lovingood, Rev. Dr. Dan Sansbury, Rev. Harris Schultz
Financial Report 1/1/06 to 8/31/06
| *Undesignated Income |
$146,500.74 |
| Less Budget Expense |
155,978.09 |
| Deficit |
($ 9,477.35) |
*Undesignated Income includes undesignated giving, rental house, Mid-East rental income, and checking account interest.
Blankets for the Gulf
The Parish Nurse and the Mission Outreach Committee are asking for parishioners to donate twin/ full size blankets for the Gulf area. These folks are facing their second winter with many of their common needs being met. The National Health Ministries of the Presbyterian Church PCUSA issued a plea this last Monday for area churches to please gather up blankets to be sent down to the Gulf area. If you would like to donate, please leave your new/ gently used blanket in the Parish Nurse office. Debbie will be taking the blankets down with our team when they go to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi on October 14th. Debbie and the mission outreach committee thank you in advance for your kindness.
CAMPBELL’S LABELS FOR EDUCATION
Front panel product labels will no longer be accepted by Campbell's. From now on, please clip the UPC code rather than the front panel of Campbell's products. Campbell's has given a grace period through the transition from "label" collection to "UPC" collection until October 20.
Please bring those you have already cut to Bethel soon.
... none reported this month ...
Memorials received in the month of September for:
Ted Walton
– from Dianne Griffith
Joyce Law
– from Vernon Law
Joan Thompson
– from Ron Thompson
Dot Pierce
– from E.E. Pierce for the “Miss Dot Hunger Fund”
Hubert Mills
– from Buddy Patton
... none reported this month ...
November 4th 10:00 AM
Fellowship Hall Bethel Presbyterian Church
This will be an informal gathering, refreshments are provided.
Phil Walsh will be leading the discussion, which will be a continuation of his earlier talk on a SECURE energy policy.
The previous discussion described the components of a SECURE energy policy vitally needed to replace our current one component (maximum short term profits) system. This discussion will summarize measures that individuals, local, state and federal governments can implement to facilitate the SECURE policy in a reasonable time.
We hope that attendees will bring their own ideas to the discussion in one or more of the following areas:
1. enhance energy security
2. minimize environmental impact
3. enhance conservation
4. enhance energy undependence
5. maximize use of renewable resources
6. maximize economic benefits for everyone
Energy saving tips may be found at eere.energy.gov/consumer/ or energyright.com or enter gasoline saving tips on the web
November 3-5, 2006
Autumn...a time for the pure and simple pleasures of changing leaves, hayrides, & harvest. Celebrate God’s colorful season at the John Knox Center.
Join us for a relaxing weekend where you can look forward to a time of spiritual renewal, delicious food, and great conversation surrounded by friends old and new.
Enjoy a relaxed schedule that offers valuable opportunities to build quality relations...with God...and with one another. You can customize your experience by choosing program options to fit your style or spend the day curled up with a book. There is also time for rest, reflection, and appreciation of God’s creation on your own.
Keynote speaker will be Sonya McAuley-Allen, and program options include massage therapy, manicures, watercolor painting, Pilates, and a nature walk. Cost for the weekend, which includes sleeping accommodations and all meals and snacks, is $100. You may register online at www.johnknoxcenter.org – click on “Calendar of Events.”
Dear Church Friends,
I could use a little help to keep me and my brother Henry safe. We are allergic to nuts. All nuts – even little ground up pieces of nuts. I am even super allergic to Peanuts. Some of the food you bring to church looks really great to a hungry little guy like me but I can’t eat it. Now that I can read a little, I will stay away from anything with a NUT label. Just let me know. Other grown-ups can help my brother that way too. Thanks for helping me. Please keep the delicious foods coming.
Your friend,
Charlie C.
To my Bethel church family:
As you know, I have spent most of the summer either in the hospital or at home recuperating from the previous hospitalizations; and during those times you have overwhelmed me (and Bill) with your loving concern!
There is no way that I can say THANK YOU adequately. Your cards, notes and phone calls have brightened each day, as have the food, flowers, and offers to help Bill by sitting with me, doing the laundry or feeding LU, our cat!!! But what has meant the most have been the many prayers offered in my name.
I will still need your prayers as I continue to regain my strength, and I know that they will surround me every day. May God bless and be with each of you.
Peace, joy and MUCH love,
To Everyone at Church,
I am having so much fun working here at Disney World.
I work in three different stands where every stand sells chips and drinks.
But one has hot dogs, another has chicken fingers and the last I worked in also had ice cream.
I miss everyone back home. I wish you all could come visit me.
... nothing to ponter this month ...
IN HEALTH CARE CENTERS
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| NAME |
FACILITY |
Ruby Hunter,
Anne Robertson,
Christine Wood |
Harriman Health Care |
Muriel McKonley
(sister of Jean Young) |
Rae-Ann Nursing Home
(Geneva, Ohio) |
| Betty Baird Brown |
Alpharetta Healthcare Center |
Mac Robbins,
Anne Smith,
Louise Pickel |
Jamestowne |
| Evelyn Waldrup |
Baptist Healthcare (Lenoir City) |
| Margaret True |
Rockwood Healthcare |
| Joan Pemberton |
Wellington Place – Kingston |
AT HOME
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Doris Barber, Madge Mounger, Ginny Warlick, Sue Carter, Wanda Carter, Al & Dot Davis, Denise Martin, Tom & Helen Roostee, Bettie Shenk, Marc Sherrod, Hugh Webb, Justin Trivette
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OUR SERVICEMEN
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Jason Brown
Geoff Winsbro
Robert Howard (son-in-law of Bill and Bobbie Martin)
Tommy Sandmel
T.R. Morgan
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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)
DENISE MARTIN (07)
376-6605
(*Bob, Max LaDue)
Dungan, Ken & *Maggie
Law, Vernon
Lemasters, Gary
McGill, George
McMaster, Jill
Robbins, Mac
Rybka, Jon
Stackpole, Jack & Fern
Stooksbury, Billie
Thompson, Ron
Webb, Hugh & Lucy
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CAROLYN MCNEW (07)
376-5906
(Jack)
Carter, Wanda
^Cash, Roberta
Evans, Dick & Celia Simon
Betty Foy
King, Nancy & Vic
Kornegay, Frank & Janet
+Loden, Jon & Vicki
+Loden, Jonathon
Meers, Willie Mae
Muecke, Jack & Sue
*Nestor, Bill & Sibyl
Sherrod, Caleb
Sherrod, Eden
Sherrod, Hannah
Sherrod, Jordan
Sherrod, Melanie
Walker, Jim & *Cindy
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Eden Sherrod