The Edge Edgefield United Methodist Church Newsletter

Estel Williams – Pastor

Pastor Estel’s cell: 423-963-9071

email address: edgefieldumctn@gmail.com

April 2020

Greetings in The Name Of Jesus. Oh what a difference a month can make. With the

corona virus now a pandemic we are facing challenges and changes we are very unaccustomed

to. In other words our normal routines have been shaken. I pray that each of you are staying

safe, practicing social distancing and following the guidelines our local, state and federal health

leaders are giving us. One big change is not being able to gather for worship. Something most

of us hold dear to our hearts but have sometimes took for granted. In this trying time we miss

our gathering together, our fellowship, singing praying together. But let us be reminded that

worship doesn’t end because we can’t meet together. Yes we are live streaming the service but

it goes deeper than that. The Kingdom of God, The Church is inside each of us. We should

worship God wherever we are. Being sheltered in place gives us more time together in our

families. To do things you didn’t have or make time to do before. We can read our Bibles more.

We can pray more. Praise God more. Call or text others. Put all that social media to good use.

Check on each other. Have that nice long phone call you didn’t have time for before. Worship

comes in many forms and so much of it can happen outside the church building. This coming

week is Holy Week as we prepare for Easter. No we won't be able to meet for Maundy

Thursday or Sunrise Service or Easter Service, but Easter will still happen. Take time to go to

the cross & realize what Jesus did for us. Get up Easter Sunday morning and experience the

sunrise. We will do our best to do our Worship service on line and celebrate the Glorious

Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Stay strong. Stay healthy. Pray for each

other. Pray for our health care people and all those on the frontline against this virus. Keep faith

in the Great Physician Jesus Christ. He is still on the Throne.

PASTOR ESTEL

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sympathy is extended to Emily Hall in the death of her grandfather, Rex Hall.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+* Sympathy is extended to Cecil McGlamery in the death of his sister, Ella Burton.

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Sympathy is extended to Sherry and Mark Hensley in the death of Riley Morris.

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Sympathy is extended to Jimmy Oliver in the death of his brother-in-law, Boyd Lewis.

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Sympathy is extended to Janet, Krisalyn, Ambria, and family in the death of Lori Elliott.

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Sympathy is extended to Chris Coakley in the death of his father, Dan Coakley.

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The choir will present the cantata at a later date than scheduled. They will practice a couple of

weeks when church services resume and a new date will be given.

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Holy Week is coming up. Spend time in Bible readings and praise for our Savior. Contact 3

people and check on them in your church family. Check on one person not in your church

family. Talk a walk and pray and reflect on your blessings.

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Elevator Status - Our elevator project is nearing completion. Soon, the 2nd floor of the CLC

will be accessible by everyone resulting in more efficient usage of our limited space. As

originally projected, the cost will be approximately $40,000. We have paid $10,700 and have an

additional $17,000 available. This leaves a balance of $12,300. (All figures are approximate.)

Though the church is financially able to pay this balance in full, the finance committee agreed

not to use any savings nor severely deplete any funds such as the General Fund or Lord's Acre

Sale Fund. Our decision was to borrow the balance needed to complete this project. That being

said, should anyone feel led to make a contribution toward the elevator, the next couple of

weeks would be a great time to do so. It would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks. Tom Hodge- Chairman, Finance Committee .

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STATISTICS: February Averages

Worship – 112

Sunday School – 41

Average Budget Offering - $3,793.00

(Needed – $3,515.00)

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS: April

These dates are subject to be canceled.

Apr. 14 – 6:00 pm – United Methodist Women (church library)

Apr. 15 – 10:30 am – Food Pantry Run

Apr. 18 - 8:30-10:00 am – Food Pantry Distribution

Apr. 24 – 8:30 am - Food Pantry Run

Apr. 26 –after worship – “Table for One?” at Giovanni’s in Piney Flats

May 3 – 7:30 am – United Methodist Men (CLC)

What in the world does one write about when so much of the world is in hiding? At least that's

what it feels like.

Did anyone else find that one Sunday when we had no services to be three days long?

It's odd to say seeing as to how I am retired and have no place I have to be most days, but my

mind and body knew that was supposed to be a day spent with my church family. Not having

that left a huge void in my day. A big thank you to Pastor Estel for giving that back to us in the

only way possible at this time.

This pandemic has given us a rare opportunity to show others our Christian faith in

action. As we continue to practice social distancing, we can also practice kindness. On the

occasions that you do have to be out don't be one of the hoarders. Check with someone that

cannot go out and pick up their groceries or medicines.

Parents doing home schooling, let your child do activities they can share. Make cards

for people in nursing homes and hospitals that can have visitors. They can practice sentence

structure, spelling, and art all at once. Let them do math by helping you bake their favorite

cookies. When weather allows, let them have extra recess time playing in your yard.

We spend a lot of time reminding people what heroes our military are. New heroes have

come to the front in this time. Truckers (thank you George) make sure the things we need are

still getting on the shelves. Doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist, and other hospital workers are

literally on the front lines of defense. Our own Laura Whitaker is heading into the belly of the

beast, New York City, on her next assignment. Store clerks are working through the night to

keep shelves stocked. Be sure you include these heroes in your daily prayers for safety and

guidance.

We won't be able to come together in our church building this Easter Sunday, but Easter

will still come. Not being in a building does not change the fact that our Lord and Savior

overcame death those many years ago. That is the message we need to keep getting out there.

Stay in and stay safe my Edgefield family. God is with us through these uncertain days.

Our church building may stand empty, but your heart can still be full knowing you are part of

Edgefield United Methodist Church.

Cathy Sidebottom

LET US PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER Karl Winkle Wanda Chambers Norman Tester

Bill & Eleanor Ensley Judy Carver Lee Sutherland

Mary Beth Sidebottom Tom Thinnes Josh Carr

Wayne & Joan Ayers Larry King

Manuel & Trula Hodge Brenda Oliver

Marvin Merrick (home) Earl Hale

David Ward Monte Nelson

Betty Berry Keith Wilson

Terry Parker Allison Arrington

Nancy Moore Hayley Johnson

Carolyn Greer Candice Cooper

Don Lewis Karena Coakley

Louise Hewitt Mike Shepherd

Eugene Chapman Janet Elliot and Family

Carolyn Fletcher Laura Whitaker (going to New York City as a nurse at New York Presbyterian.)

Bradley Chapman # 442749

TCIX 6E-121

1499 R.W. Moore Memorial Hwy.

Only, Tennessee 37140-4050

Shut-Ins

Jim Berry Betty Birdwell Jean Sartain

Military

Nestor Grubb, CBT Company I-1, P.O. Box 1530, West Point, NY 10997- 1530

Nursing Home Residents

Lois Edwards……Heritage Hall, Rte. 607, Box 909, Clintwood, VA 24228

Hazel Pierce …….Sycamore Springs, Room 110, 1504 West Elk Ave.

Elizabethton, TN 37643

Janie Walsh….......Dominion Senior Living, Room 228, 2412 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City, TN 37604

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

Cole Fleeman 3

Kaleb Hazelwood 3

Gay Lynn Torbett 7

Patty Williams 7

McKinley Casasola 10

Jasmin Hatton 12

Betty Birdwell 13

Mason Johnson 14

Adam Chapman 15

Jeff Hyder 15

Donnie Chapman 17

Sam Reed 17

James Berry 19

Casey Hodge 21

Jessie Ramsey 22

Sam Voorhees 23

Kellie Whitehead 24

Tommy Gasteiger 24

Nancy Little 28

Mitchell Weaver 29

ANNIVERSARIES

Gary & Evelyn Hunt 1

Bodey & Teri Fox 2

Bill & Kathie Parker 7

Mike & Kathy Chapman 22

Roy & Sandy Davis 25

Manuel & Trula Hodge 25