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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. 9 Marc Sherrod, Minister September, 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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I have had a number of people inquire recently about the status of Bethel’s building plans and program, so I wanted to write to update the congregation and friends of Bethel about where we are. The committee has been working diligently to refine the conceptual design. Those refinements are in the final stages. Upon completion of that phase, various contractors will be interviewed, shown the design, and then they will give us a cost if they are hired to do the project. The committee will then select the contractor we want to use.
With that exact cost now in hand, the committee will seek the endorsement of the Presbytery of East Tennessee’s property group to proceed with the project. The property group will be interested in our ability to support mortgage payments, not in the nature of the design. Since all property of Presbyterian Church USA congregations is held in trust by the denomination through the presbytery, and since Bethel’s property will have to be mortgaged in order to borrow money, it is necessary to seek permission of the presbytery in order to proceed with this building project.
Next, the session will call a congregational meeting to approve borrowing money. The amount will be the difference between the cost of the project and the over $600,000 we have on hand in cash and pledges. Finally, the property group of the presbytery, on our behalf, will request approval to proceed at a stated meeting of the presbytery. Once this approval is granted, then we are ready to break ground!
At the session’s stated meeting August 27, following lengthy discussion over several meetings, the session voted to remove the rental house from our property. An effort will be made to sell the house and have the buyer remove it. Or, if that does not happen, the house will be torn down. In part, this decision was based on the report of a home inspection company that indicated various near-term and long-term needed repairs and that called into question the continuation of the profit margin we currently derive from the rental house. This decision, of course, is pending the approval of the congregation to borrow money and proceed with the building project.
Since we are moving into the very final phase of conceptual design, and since we want to avoid, if at all possible, any change orders down the road that would add cost to the project, it is critical that any concerns be shared immediately with a member of the committee. As the preacher used to say, “speak now, or forever . . . .”
Our deepest thanks to all those who have served on various configurations of the building committee over the past three years. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to those currently serving: Ken Dungan and Gary Griffith (co-chairs), Gary Lemaster, Karen Schall, Jerry Harvey, Frederic Morgan, Laura Dailey, Dave Stevensen, Phil Walsh, and Julie Bunch. Please take a moment and thank them for their diligence and service.
And continue to keep this entire process in your prayers as we seek to create, by God’s grace, a physical facility that will support and enhance God’s call to ministry and mission in these days!
Grace & Peace,
Marc Sherrod
We put up the autumn decorations here at Bethel hoping to hurry the cooler weather along. As you know….so far no luck! I have several things I want to share with you. In the August Open Door I started informing you of the plans that are being formed by the state in case we have a pandemic of Avian Flu. As you will remember, these plans were set in motion in case the Avian Flu mutates into a form that could be spread from poultry to humans. Keeping in the mind the lessons that public health learned the hard way from the flu epidemic in 1918, the state health department has started educating health workers and planning IF this worse case scenario happens. With a pandemic, all persons are susceptible to the virus with the hardest hit age range being school-aged children. The estimate of illness, according to the state’s plan, is that 30% or 1.8 million persons would be affected. Out of these, between 17,300 and 198,000 Tennesseans would need hospitalization with the mortality rate falling between 0.2- 2% (4,180- 38,060) folks here in Tennessee. In November of this year I will be attending the Tennessee Public Health Association’s three-day conference in Franklin, Tennessee. One of the main topics this year is planning and dealing with Avian Flu here in Tennessee. I will be attending this conference as a representative of the Roane County Health Council. As usual, I hope to bring back timely information to share with you.
New cancer news from Johns Hopkins states that there is a risk of releasing dioxin gas from plastic ware that we heat our food in the microwave with. Dr. Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, explains that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. In addition, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when place over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is warmed, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover your food with a paper towel instead. Tests have shown that dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer.
Next, it has been brought to my attention that Tennessee law has changed regarding Living Wills and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. As of 2004, Tennessee has new forms for those wanting to put down their wishes about health care should they not be able to speak for themselves. These forms are presently called “Advance Care Plan” (formerly Living Will) and “Appointment of Health Care Agent” (formerly Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care). I have made copies of these two new forms and will leave them in the narthex for those wishing to pick them up. I have been asked to have a workshop on these changes and answer questions and help folks fill them out. Incidentally, I am ALSO a notary. If you think this would be a good idea, please call me at 376-6340 and we will put that plan into motion.
Finally, October is not far away. Have you wanted to go on mission with us? Well…….October 8-15 or October 12-15th may be your chance. Call me very soon to have your name put on the list. We will be meeting with Rick Kuhlman soon to finalize plans.
As always, 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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... nothing reported this month ...
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Bethel is in need of ushers!
If you are interested, please take a moment this Sunday and sign up on the chart located in the back of the sanctuary.
You’re all invited to a special luncheon and craft sale after church on September 3. As you may have already heard, Bethel’s children have spent this summer studying the passage from Matthew 25 which outlines the types of ministries that Christians are to be involved in. As they studied about hunger, lack of shelter, lack of medicine, and the need to be welcoming, visiting the sick and imprisoned, they learned about charities that are involved in helping to fill these needs.
The children have spent the summer making simple handicrafts which will be for sale on that day. It is our hope that you will select items for gift-giving and make a donation to the charity represented by each gift. The gifts will be accompanied by cards which explain that each gift represents a donation which has been made in their honor to that charity.
All children in grades K-5 are invited to the Sherrods’ for an end-of-summer pool party on September 3 following the International Luncheon & Alternative Gift Sale.
Mark Banker will begin teaching a class of combined Senior High/Adults, beginning on September 10. The class will be studying American Gospel by Jon Meacham. This book relates the history of our founding fathers and their faith. It should be of great interest to all, and will be of special interest to any high school student who is taking AP history.
Monthly Fellowship Suppers will resume this month, after taking a two-month summer break.
This month (on the 20th) we’ll feature a special treat for kids. Kids (no specific age limit) are invited to bring a friend, bring an appetite, and be prepared to enjoy a make-it-yourself-sundae bar.
Pick your favorite hymns, come to church and make a joyful noise to the Lord!
When: Sunday, September 24th, from 7 – 8 PM
Where: Bethel’s Sanctuary
After the Hymn Sing, we will adjourn to the Fellowship Hall for refreshments.
The book discussion group meets on the last Thursday of each month at 1:30 for a time of lively discussion and fellowship. The book for the month of September is Doctor Woman of the Cumberlands, by May Cravath Wharton, M.D., and in October we will be discussing Lazy B, by Sandra Day O’Connor.
Paula Terry was recently honored with an evening of celebration at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. where she received the Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts and The Christopher Reeve Foundation for her outstanding efforts to encourage the arts community to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Since 1979, Paula has directed the Access Ability Office at the National Endowment for the Arts, an advocacy technical assistance office that encourages and assists arts programming involving older adults, individuals with disabilities and those who reside in institutions.
For those who may not be privileged to know them, Paula and her sister, JoAnne Moore, will be remembered for their generous memorial gifts to Bethel in memory of their mother, Ailene Terry, a long time, faithful member of our Church and the Ladies Sunday School Class.
Congratulations Paula!
We want to take this opportunity to THANK Wanda Carter for her dedicated service to Bethel. Wanda has been our Crisis Food Coordinator for many, many years, and we appreciate her very much. Wanda has given up her job temporarily due to illness but plans to resume her responsibilities again as soon as she is able to.
Wanda, this is for you:
Wanda, we appreciate you
For all the special things you do.
We wish you nothing but the best--
Love and health and peace and rest.
We wish you happiness and cheer
All throughout the coming year.
This is our wish, we pray
God will be with you each day!
We love you,
Your Bethel Family
Many thanks go out to all who contributed desserts to the two inmates’ banquets that were held last month at the Morgan County Regional prison. As always, the inmates enjoyed them tremendously and were touched by the generosity of their “free-world” counterparts.
Financial Report 1/1/06 to 7/31/06
| *Undesignated Income |
$130,491.10 |
| Less Budget Expense |
137,342.41 |
| Deficit |
($ 6,851.31) |
*Undesignated Income includes undesignated giving, rental house, Mid-East rental, and bank interest.
The Serve Mission Team invites you to click on their Web site. This is the major mission team of our Presbytery that seeks to both support the work of local churches as well as advocate for the mission work of the Presbytery. The Serve Mission Team has asks that we share mission news, ideas, needs, and desires or opportunities in order to partner with other churches in mission. Marc has submitted a multi-page list which outlines the mission projects in which Bethel is engaged.
Check the SMT Blog site at: (http://servemissionteam.blogspot.com/). The Serve Mission Team has established a weblog on the website of PET.
To go to our BLOG click on the Serve link on the PET website. To put something on the BLOG send an e-mail to serve@tds.net.
Thank you to Frank and Linda Jones and Phil and Jane Walsh for their continued service to Sunset Gap. We appreciate their transporting the many bags and boxes of clothing and household items from Bethel to share with that community. Thanks also to our members who have been so generous with their contributions.
Summer is ending and another fall, with lots of exciting things happening, is here already. The youth have had a very busy past few months. The summer started with a Father’s day cook out at my family’s lake lot. We raced canoes on the mighty Tennessee River, played volleyball, ate hamburgers and hotdogs, and then ended the night with a bon fire. The youth invited their parents and we had a big turn out! It was lots of fun, but the summer was just beginning.
On July 3, we hosted a contemporary Christian music concert in the back parking lot of the church. We had five different bands, all with very different styles, and if I had to pick a favorite, I’m afraid I couldn’t. I loved them all! Each band played for about forty-five minutes, and each, at sometime during their performance, gave their own testimony of their personal faith journey to find Christ. Some were very moving. There was a pretty big crowd, and the show lasted until about midnight. The concert was a true labor of love for me. I cannot even begin to thank everyone who helped. There were way too many of you! But I would like to say, without all of you, it never would have happened. THANKS! If you missed it this year, don’t worry. I’ve already started planning for next year and it should be bigger and better than ever!
August was a slower month for us, with everyone going back to school. We all had a good time at the church picnic, which the Hettrick’s hosted on the 6th. We have also met at the church and enjoyed pizza a couple of times, had devotionals, and watched a movie called “Luther”. If you haven’t seen it, it is a very good movie about the life of Martin Luther. We are planning on going to the Midtown drive-in on Labor Day weekend, if it doesn’t rain.
September will bring even more things to do. On the weekend of the 16th and 17th, the Youth Council of our Presbytery is having an End of Summer cookout and concert at the John Knox Center. Then, on September 24th, after church, the youth will be hosting a hamburger/hotdog cookout fundraiser. We will be using the proceeds from that luncheon to go on a youth-bonding trip to Gatlinburg in February. You will learn more about that trip later. We will also start planning our annual Christmas pageant and party this month.
As you can see, we are always pretty busy, and having lots of fun. I hope you will plan to stay after church on the 24th of September and enjoy a few hamburgers and hotdogs with us. There will be no charge, but any donation will be greatly appreciated.
May God bless and protect you.
Memorials received in the month of August for:
Joyce Law
– from Vernon Law for kitchen renovation
Kate Miles
– from Buddy Patton
Richard Miles
– from Buddy Patton
Harvey Miles
– from Buddy Patton
Dot Pierce
– from Gene Pierce to the “Miss Dot Hunger Fund”
... none reported this month ...
... nothing submitted this month ...
... nothing to ponter this month ...
IN HEALTH CARE CENTERS
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| NAME |
FACILITY |
Ruby Hunter,
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, Wanda Carter, Anne Robertson, Charles & Frances Pickel, Gene Pierce, Marnie Shields, Ginny Warlick, Bram Hyder
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PARK WEST HOSPITAL
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Bettie Shenk
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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
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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)
AMBER JACKS (07)
717-6756
(Steve, Jeremiah)
Brown, Linda & *Travis
Bunch, Chuck & Brenda
Choate, Jennifer
Choate, Linda
+Lowery, Lily
Morgan, Ralph & Joni
Morgan, Susannah
Morgan, Frederick
Pemberton, Joan
Russell, Dianne
Young, Jean
+Young, Scott
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FRANK JONES (08)
376-7319
(Linda)
Fletcher, Sarah
Griffith, Gary & Dianne
Hart, Karen
Harvey, Jerry & *Pat
Hensley, Mary Ann
Jones, Bob & Sue
Landers, Clay & Nancy
Parkinson, Doris Ann
Preston, Mark & Linda
Preston, Ryan
+Rusher, Lisa
Rybka, Samantha
Standridge, David & *Debbie
+Woodall, Don
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Lily Lowery