keyhole press september 2017 southminster presbyterian€¦ · if you are a current member of the...
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Keyhole Press Southminster Presbyterian
From the Pastor
September Highlights
September 2017
• Rally Day Page 2
• RISC Partnership Page 2
• Congregational Meeting Page 3
• Memory Sharing Page 4
• Choir Party Page 4
• Southminster Writes Page 5
Things don’t always go as we planned. Today I am sitting in Enikö’s office, where I have been displaced
by the Verizon service man who is here to trying to figure out why our phones don’t seem to be working.
The disturbance is minor but I’m feeling anxious to get this article written since I was already late to work
this morning because of the friendly police officer who pulled me over to tell me that one of my front
headlights was out.
Small inconveniences like this happen every day. Yet these roadblocks have new spiritual resonance with
me because I have spent the last few weeks reading and studying in preparation for the upcoming fall
sermon series called Unexpected Grace following the stories of our Hebrew forefathers. Again and again,
just as they are trying to go about their daily lives as shepherds, fathers, priests and servants, God
suddenly steps in. God is always showing up and throwing a wrench into their orderly lives! Just as they
are ready to settle into their retirement years God sends Abraham and Sarah a message, “You are going to
have a son.” Just as Moses has settled into his life outside of Egypt God shows up in a burning bush to
proclaim, “You are going to lead my people to freedom.” Just as Samuel is finally settling into his routine
as apprentice to the high priest, God calls to him in the middle of the night to give him a promotion, “You
will be my new prophet in Israel.”
And on and on and on. God always seems to be interrupting routines and plans in order to set his
followers off on a much more unexpected path—a path filled with challenges, but also a path full of hope
and promise. This fall we will follow the stories of the most familiar biblical figures from Abraham, to
Moses, to David and beyond. My hope is that, as we hear each of these individual stories of lives
interrupted by God’s call, a bigger picture of God’s ultimate promise will start to emerge. One by one we
will see how God is often at work when we least expect it, calling us out of our daily lives and into a
deeper experience of God’s covenant promises. One by one from Abraham to the Prophets God reveals a
pattern of disruptive Grace that will finally reach its full power in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ at
Christmas.
I hope you will join us this fall as we journey through the Hebrew Scriptures together. May God open our
eyes to the Unexpected Grace all around us.
Peace,
Page 2 Christian Life
Church in the World
Southminster Invited to Partner with Bon Air Presbyterian Church in RISC Ministry
Last year we’ve been learning about the ministry of RISC (Richmonders Involved in Strengthening our
Communities, www.riscrichmond.org), a grass roots organization that empowers faith communities to unify
across racial, economic, and religious lines in order to create a powerful communal voice that holds public
officials accountable for solving the root causes of injustice. This fall we have an opportunity to engage in
the work of RISC. Bon Air Presbyterian Church has invited Southminster to partner with them.
Please join me at the Annual RISC Kick-Off dinner on Thursday, September 28th, 6:00-8:00 PM at Bon
Air Presbyterian Church (9201 W Huguenot Rd). We will hear first-hand the progress we are making
through RISC to make a difference in people’s lives from one of our working partners, Brian Davis, Director
of the Capital Region Workforce Partnership. Brian will reflect on his mission, including his active
partnership with Reynolds Community College, the City’s Center for Workforce Innovation (CWI), Church
Hill Activities & Tutoring (CHAT), and VCU Health Systems to implement the “RISC model” for building a
workforce pipeline for Health Care.
What a great opportunity to embody our faith in joint service with our neighbors! If you are interested in
attending, email me at [email protected].
Rally Day Celebration: Sunday, September 10th
Have you ever wished you understood more about the bible? Have you ever wondered how to connect your
Sunday morning faith with the everyday issues in the news and world? At Southminster Rally Day is not just
for the kids, it is also a time for adults to challenge their faith. This fall we have some exciting new classes,
so if your faith life is feeling stagnant, this Rally Day is a great time to try something new!
Adult Bible Study, Women’s Bible Study & Christian Life: If you have always wanted to understand the
bible more deeply this is the class for you. Three of our adult classes are embarking on a new Journey
Through the Bible. This chronological study will start in the Hebrew Scriptures and tell the story of God’s
promises all the way from creation to the cross. 10 AM, Women in the Parlor, Adults in the Conference
Room, Christian Life in RM 113
Contemporary Issues: If you are looking for in-depth discussion this is the class for you. This fall they will
be tackling issues of diversity and inclusion and what our faith has to say about how we treat one another. 10
AM, Library (RM 109)
Theology for Beginners: Politics seem to be on everyone’s mind these days, but few of us take the time to
reflect on how our faith influences how we talk about and interact with the political world. This fall join the
Theology for Beginners class as they discuss the book Holy Politics: A Christian’s Guide to Political
Discourse. 10 AM, Food Closet (RM 115)
All Adult Classes will meet on September 10th, at 10 AM during the Christian Education hour. All Children’s
Classes will begin on September 17th. Afterwards I hope you will all join us for our Rally Day Worship in
the Sanctuary at 11 AM followed by our Rally Day Picnic in the Fellowship Hall at 12 PM.
Leadership & Planning
Page 3 Finance
Facilities
Presbyterian Women
Anna Circle
September 5th at 7:00 PM
Conference Room
Martha Circle
September 6th at 10:00 AM
Christian Life classroom
Esther Circle
September 12th at 10:00 AM
Fellowship Hall
Ruth Circle
September 12th at 5:30 PM
Marcia Shipley’s residence
Financial Stewardship & Planned Giving
Did you know that a charitable bequest to Southminster can be made through a donor's will?
A will can be written to accomplish a variety of needs, such as benefiting family and friends. It can also
fulfill a desire to support a particular mission or program like many supported by Southminster. Individuals
have several options to consider when making a charitable bequest. The bequest can be made for a stated
amount, a percentage of the estate or a residual of the estate after all other bequests and expenses have been
paid out.
Congregational Meeting
The Southminster Nominating Committee is pleased to nominate Jan Belote and Marty Kovacs as the
Session Elder Class of 2020. Please join us for the called Congregational Meeting on Sunday, October
1st after worship for the purpose of electing the Class of 2020.
We would like to thank the Nominating Committee of 2017 for all of their hard work in ensuring that
Southminster’s Session elders represent the integrity and energy needed to help set the church’s vision,
determine its direction, and design the ministries and mission initiatives of the church over the next few
years. Thanks go out to: Kathy Liesfeld (Moderator), Jennifer Weddle, Matt Briggs, Dan Bice, Mary
MacKenzie Swenck, and Rev. Deyerle (Ex-Officio).
Fall Work Day
The Facilities Committee will hold a fall work day
on Saturday, October 1st from 8:30 AM – 12:00
PM.
Volunteers are needed to help with cleaning, minor
repairs, painting, and yard work. Help us get our
church ready for another busy year.
Everyone is welcome, no RSVP required. Lunch
will be provided.
Page 4 Special Announcements
Session Highlights
• Approved nursery workers, Sunday School teachers and youth advisors pending completion of safety
training and background checks.
• Approved the election of Mark Endries as Treasurer for the remainder of 2017 and authorized him to
take actions as required by the Treasurer.
• Approved an increase in salary for the office manager, Joni Ervine, to compensate her for additional
financial duties she has taken on with the retirement of John Lampe.
• Called a congregational meeting for October 1st to elect the Elder Class of 2020.
Welcome Back Choir!
Riki & Dennis Stone will host our Welcome Back, Choir! Party at their home on Wednesday, September
6th at 6:00 PM. If you are a current member of the choir, a past member, or are interested in getting
involved in choir, please come and bring your family and friends.
Email Demas at [email protected] with questions or to RSVP. The choir will resume its
regular rehearsal schedule on Wednesday, September 13th at 7:30 PM.
Memory Sharing Events for 50th Anniversary
This summer, the Southminster 50th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee began to brainstorm ideas
for honoring this special occasion. We will celebrate Southminster’s 50th Anniversary on May 6, 2018.
The subcommittee working on memories/photos is interested in hearing special stories you have from the
past or the present. We also have church photos from past events that need names and clarification. To
assist us with these task, we will hold two sharing events. The first will be on Wednesday, October 4th from
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM as part of our First Wednesday Pot Luck. The second event will be on Sunday, October
22nd from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. Look for sign-ups in the Fellowship Hall in late September.
If you cannot attend one of the events, written memories are also welcome. Watch for more information in
your Sunday bulletins.
Another Successful School Supply Drive
Many of you may not be aware that our annual School Supply Drive, wherein Southminster sends dozens of
students from low-income families off to school in the fall with all the tools they need to learn, actually
begins in the spring before school has even let out for vacation. Our volunteers work with the county case
managers (who in turn work with local teachers) over the course of early summer so that by July we have in
hand a full supply sheet for each student we are serving. That’s when the real fun begins.
It’s always a joy to watch how our congregation excitedly tackles this challenge, bringing in carefully-
chosen backpacks, notebooks, crayons, and other materials. Thanks to your generosity, we are sending 70
children to school this fall with all the supplies they need.
As part of our School Supply Drive, this year Rev. Deyerle revived the tradition of the Blessing of the
Backpacks. On Sunday, August 27th, all of our supplies were gathered in the Sanctuary for a special
blessing, and then packed by volunteers from the congregation following worship.
Southminster Notes
Page 5
Notes will be published as space permits. Some notes will carry over to next month’s newsletter.
Remember in Prayer
Please pray for our military personnel, John Bowles, Lillian Brooks, Sue Carlton, Wanda Carneal, Ann
Clarke, Jean Collier, Carson Crenshaw, Ron Crenshaw, Matt Davis, Pete Gillispie, Bob Griffin, Carolyn
Griles, Bob & Net Hall, Ann Kearns, Bev Lamberton, Marsha Lane, Nellie Long, Earl Medicus, Lil Price,
Charles & Lynda Reed, Adele Robertson, Eddie & Jenny Schiller, Betty Smith, Billy Smith, Lynn Sutton,
Dave Thomas, Howard Vann, Ginny Williams.
Directory Updates
Maggie & Daniel Bass
8216 Capelwood Drive
N. Chesterfield, VA 23235
Dear Southminster Family,
Thank you all so much for giving me another scholarship for my third year at Elon! It means so much to
me that I have a church family willing to help me in so many ways in furthering my education at Elon.
I’m glad I have been able to see many of you this summer, and your generosity is a major confidence
boost going into my junior year. Go Phoenix! Thank you.
Sincerely,
David Flynt
How wonderful it is to have friends during difficult times. Ginny has been uplifted by your prayers, your
cards, and your calls. Thanks to Caitlin, Enikö, and all who visited at The Laurels at Willow Creek. We
appreciate each and every one of you.
Ginny & Art Williams
Southminster Writes
If you have ever thought about writing your story or someone else’s, now is the time! Memoir writing—
travel writing—fiction—nonfiction—essays—journaling—devotionals--blogging! Have you wanted to
write but weren’t sure where to start? Or maybe you have written before and need to jumpstart your
motivation.
If so, let’s get together once a month in a small, supportive group and figure out how we can get from a
blank page to a full story, whether or not you are a beginner or a more experienced writer. Let me know if
you would like to be a part of this new venture. If there is enough interest, our first meeting will be
on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 6:00 PM. For more information, contact Joyce Lapsley at 804-276-2564 or
Elder Greeters
3 Moses Adiele
10 Kathy Liesfeld
17 Jeff McDonald
24 Rick Schaffer
Flower Delivery
3 Communion: No Flowers
10 Karen Stafford
17 Jane Conrad
24 Terry & Shelley Hamlin
Ushers
3 Jim Lewis, Kathy Liesfeld, Jane McGee,
Pat Thomas
10 Jim Lewis, Kathy Liesfeld, Jane McGee,
Pat Thomas
17 Johanna Williams, Frank & Joyce Grier,
Guy Dixon
24 Johanna Williams, Frank & Joyce Grier,
Guy Dixon
Food Closet
5 Edna Warncke, Shirley Martin
7 Tom Murray, Terry Liendecker
12 Gerry Doyle, Gail DeCosta
14 Liz Snead, Melba Jolly
19 Jane Tarter, Rachel Clay
21 Jane McGee, Shelley Murray
26 Margaret Hall, Betty Smith
28 Gerry Doyle, Debbie Crenshaw
Door Greeters
3 George & Barbara Reid
10 George & Barbara Reid
17 Jane Conrad, Doug Pullan
24 George & Barbara Reid
Have we missed your birthday or anniversary?
Let the church office know: 804-276-1749.
September Birthdays
September Anniversaries
Page 6
Communion Team
Team 3 -- Outdoors
Facility Stewards
3 Jim Hall
10 Lynn Hodges
17 Mark Endries
24 Dixie Kovacs
September Schedules
2 Carson Crenshaw
3 Ryan Endries, Betty Smith
5 John Lampe
6 Lynda Reed
8 David Carter
11 Gene Rhodes, David Singleton
12 Tom Murray
14 Matt Davis
18 Gail DeCosta
19 Alberta Lindsey
21 Martina Mazzamuto
22 Virginia Wagstaff
24 Mike Bowser
25 Rich Kowalski
30 Mary Ann Hepp, David Knight, Norma
Poole
1 Mel & Linda Bookman (44)
5 Mark & Pattie Pinchbeck (19)
6 David & Kerry Knight (14)
10 Robin & Joyce Lapsley (34)
11 Jerry & Aileen Davis (46)
12 Jim & Ada Park (58)
13 David & Mary Stahl (30)
16 Rich & Bonnie Kowalski (50)
23 Rick & Ann Schaffer (28)
Page 7
SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7500 Hull Street Road
N. Chesterfield, VA 23235-5810
Phone: 804-276-1749
www.southpreschurch.org
Return Service Requested
September 2017
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Send an email to [email protected] with Add Me To Newsletter List in the subject line.
Save the Date Sunday, October 15th
12:00 PM ~ Fellowship Hall