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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. 32NO. 9  Marc Sherrod, Minister  September, 2004

 

Don’t forget… Alpha Ministry Program begins Sept. 7 Alpha is.. Alpha is for everyone Learning and laughter People and pasta Helping one another Ask anything!

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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.

From the Minister

The Reverend Rites . . .

It’s hard to believe that only a year and a half ago, almost half of Bethel’s congregation was involved in the small group visioning process. Out of ideas and information generated out of that amazing 8- week process, the session developed a series of ministry initiatives (priorities) that we agreed will enable and empower us to move into God’s preferred future for our congregation. We have, for instance, gotten involved more deeply with the local Headstart program, offered our support for efforts to build a skateboarding park for Kingston youth, established a team of church members to investigate possibilities for building renovation/expansion, drafted a description of a youth minister job description for session to consider at its next stated meeting, and initiated a small group ministry that includes the launching of the Alpha program this week. In addition, we continue to explore a partner ministry with the Kingston United Methodist Church’s tutoring program with elementary students, contemplate what it means to experience a renewed awareness of the spiritual gifts we have to share, as well as ways we can be more supportive of Roane County Cooperative Ministries, a group of churches and concerned individuals seeking to provide some relief for those in difficult economic circumstances. Many of you have given freely of your time and energy to the task of bringing these initiatives to fruition, and for that, we are very grateful.

Meanwhile, the ongoing ministry of the Church moves forward as Bethel seeks to be a faithful steward of the abundant blessings we have received. There is the daily operation of the church to maintain, committee work, teaching, governance, choirs, volunteer work in the community, and a variety of other ministries that enrich the diversity and unity of this particular body of Christ. And many of you give freely of yourselves in this regard, for which we give thanks.

All of this ministry and mission we are doing certainly has its weighty dimensions. But, lest we become too serious, either with ourselves or with the work we are doing, here are a few “smiles from the Bible” to help us stay connected with the “lighter side.”

Parish Nurse

... none listed for this month ...

“I was looking for the symbol of the Presbyterian Church and found you. I am so happy to see you on the web. I am an elder in the Pleasant Ride Presbyterian Church here in Lancaster. We are getting some T-shirts made and I needed the symbol to give to the printer, so thanks so much for supplying me with it. The explanations are needed as well for some of our youth. Have a great day! Shirnetha Belk.”

A SHARED GIFT ...

Cory Simmons, an inmate at the regional prison in Morgan County, wrote this poem and read it during worship August 29^th. He graciously gave his permission for us to reprint it here.

My Old Used Bible
By: Cory Simmons

I own an old battered and tattered Bible
The pages are worn and the cover horrible
Highlighted and underlined on each and every page,
One need only thumb through to know its age.
It has been oft repaired with glue and even some tape;
One could say that my Bible truly is in bad shape.
Some may wonder why I simply don’t toss it away.
They must not know I need it to make it through the day.

Often someone will ask “How much of it have you read?”
My reply, “All of it but I will be finished only when I am dead.”
You see each time I read through I learn a new truth,
Things which my mom attempted to teach me in my youth.
Now my mom would be proud that on my Bible is no dust.
Her heart would leap learning how much in it I do trust.
I realize that my Bible is not fancy or of much worth.
Yet, for me I would trade it for nothing else on earth.

My Bible is something I hold so reverently dear.
It has comforted me and even caught the occasional tear.
My Bible is a precious pearl regardless of its look.
I am so very thankful for this spiritual book.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

One of the guest speakers at the Loaves and Fishes Experience at Maryville College on March 18 & 19, 2005 is Jim Kitchens, author of The Postmodern Parish. Jim is now pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville, although he was in California when he wrote his book. In the preface, Jim writes: “Long before I ever read an article containing the word ‘postmodern’ or ‘gen x’, I knew a seismic change was underway in the context in which I served as pastor. The pieces no longer fit. Old ways of doing ministry no longer worked.”

Plan now to attend The Presbytery of East Tennessee’s Loaves and Fishes Experience in March 2005 so you will have an opportunity to hear what Jim Kitchens (among others) has to say about how worship, Christian formation, mission, and leadership need to change if our congregations are going to embody the gospel faithfully in a postmodern world. You can check us out on the web at www.presbyteryeasttn.org – and click on the Loaves and Fishes icon at the bottom of the page.

AND LASTLY ...

You may have noticed by now that the newsletter (printed version) looks a little different this month. I (Karen Schall) have volunteered to take over the newsletter job from Deb Hyder, who has more than enough duties as it is. This is a labor of love for me, since I was involved in graphic arts for many years before leaving the west Knoxville area. You may notice a slightly different look each month for a couple of months, as I experiment a bit and receive feedback from you all. Let me know what you like, and dislike, and I’ll try to ‘tweak’ it a little bit each month.

Session Committee Articles
 

PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Property and Personnel did not meet in June or July, but resumed meetings in August. Plans for a workday are in progress and this will be held in October. More in the October newsletter. If you know of any needed projects, let a member of P and P know. The committee sends a note of thanks to our custodian, John Carter, who goes the extra mile in fixing, clean-up, and care of our facility.

p.s. – If you have left things in the kitchen (dishes, flower vases, etc) or "stuff" under the stairs please collect your items or they will be either thrown away or sold at a yard sale!

PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE

Bethel Family Church Hike

As mentioned in our August Open Door, our family church hike will take us to the beautiful Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest in N.C. Mark checked out the trail and he thinks that this will be a great hike for all of us, non-hikers included. Please sign up for this event at the church office.

Date: Saturday, September 11^th
Meeting Place: Bethel Church, Parking Lot
Time: 9 a.m.

Mark Banker will give more details in Church.

America’s Most Unique Train Ride:

Parish Life is thinking about sponsoring a ride on the Secret City Excursion Train. While riding on board a real train from the 1940’s, we can enjoy the scenery of East Tennessee while learning a bit of history of the Oak Ridge area. Ticket prices for the 90-minute, 14-mile trip are $13 for adults and $9 for children 12 and under. If you are interested in this event, please let Kathy know at the office or Marianne at 354-3609 not later than September 20^th. If there is enough interest, we will ride the train in October in order to see the beautiful colors.

Trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse:

As you know, we are planning a trip to the Cumberland County Playhouse on November 14^th, 2:30 p.m. to see TWO BY TWO (see details in August Open Door). If we have a group of 20, the cost will be $19. We will carpool, leaving Bethel at 2 p.m. There is a sign-up sheet in the church office. If you would like to see this warm and humorous multi-ethnic spin on the Biblical story of Noah and the Flood, please give your name and phone number to Kathy or Marianne. Thank you.

Youth News

... none reported this month ...

To our Bethel Family,

Thank you so much for your prayers, cards, flowers, visits and concern during my extended recuperation. It is comforting to know others are thinking of you.

The doctors say I may have several more months before I can be back at our regular routine, and we are looking forward to that.

Please keep in touch.

Sincerely, Ginny Warlick

From Mid-East Community Action Agency:

Dear Pastor Sherrod and Church Congregation,

My name is Carol Nance and I work for the Mid-East Head Start program. On July 30, 2004, I attended a party for Head Start children that was hosted by the Bethel Presbyterian Church. It is my understanding that members of your congregation, including the youth, participated in this event. I want to personally thank all of you. Also, I extend special appreciation to Amy Coen, Amber Jacks, and Linda Brown from the Bethel Learning Center Committee for their dedicated efforts in planning and coordinating the project. The food and games were wonderful, the back-to-school gifts were perfect, and the Bethel buddies – well, they were outstanding! The children and their parents had a delightful time.

I am acquainted with these Head Start parents and I am aware that many of them have suffered adversity as they have worked to provide for their children a happy and safe life. I am also aware of their great courage and hope in adversity. Thank you for giving them a gift of hope.
I shared with Barbara Williams how much I appreciated the true Spirit of kindness and friendship that was shown. I believe that each family left with a feeling that they in turn contributed friendship back to church.
True benevolence never makes others feel needy – but needed. The lovely people of Bethel Presbyterian Church demonstrated an excellent Spirit of benevolence. I know that God smiled on you that day and I felt His Presence there in our midst.

Sincerely,

Carol Nance
Home Based Specialist

Dear Caleb,

Thank you so much for blessing David with all the back to school supplies and clothes! We also want to thank your church for their generosity into our lives. There are a lot of people in the world who don’t understand it’s not about them, it’s about others! So again, thank you, you seem to be a fine young man and David seems to be very fond of you and that is very unusual for him. He is quite the loner, but after we went to Chuckie Cheese he couldn’t stop talking about his new friend, he even told his grandpa all about you!

Well, anyway here’s a picture that I blew up on my computer from that polaroid taken from your church. Now you can take David to college with you, sort of like an adopted little brother! We wish you only the best!

Sincerely, Valerie & David