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From the Pastor...Keep Your Fork!! There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things “in order” she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures the would like read, and what clothes she would like to be buried in. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. “There is one more thing,” she sad excitedly. “What's that?” asked the pastor. “This is very important,” the young woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. “That surprises you, doesn't it?” the woman asked. “Well to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,” said the pastor. The young woman explained. “My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder “What's with the fork?”. Then I want you to tell them: “Keep your fork...The
February 2016 | Monthly Newsletter of South River UMC
Inside This Issue From the Pastor Youth Attendance In Loving Memory Adm. Council Minutes Church Financial Report Prayer Concerns Birthdays & Anniversaries Announcements Monthly Events Calendar
South River UMC 2880 South River Ch. Rd.
Woodleaf, NC 27054 (704) 278-4089
www.southriverumc.org
Randy Powell, Pastor Parsonage 704.278.2894
Cell 704.267.1490 email:
THE RIVER OF LIFE NEWS “God’s Love flowing through us into the world”
River of Life News
the best is yet to come. - Author Unknown
In John 14, Jesus promises us He has prepared a place for us in heaven. Cherish the time you have with family and friends and the memories you share...And remember – KEEP YOUR FORK!!!
Youth NewsWe can't wait to see you as we kick
off the month of February! Friends
always welcome.
Upcoming February Dates:
2/7 Youth @ 5pm
2/21 Youth @ 5pm
2/27 WinterJam in Greensboro, NC
We'll depart the church at 12 noon.
We'll grab fast food for lunch before
we arrive at the coliseum. Please re-
member a coat, hat, gloves, & closed
toe shoes as we wait in line. Plan to
bring money for 1 meal in the coli-
seum. Youth portion of the ticket is
$15. We'll also stop for a snack on
the ride home. Can't wait to see you
them.
Upcoming dates:
3/6 youth @ 5
3/11-3/13 spring youth retreat
3/23 Maundy Thursday rehearsal @ 5:45
3/24 Maundy Thursday service @ 7
Youth arrive by 5:45
Worship...average attendance for the last month was
94. We have Contemporary Worship at 9:15am and
Traditional Worship at 11:30am each Sunday.
Life Groups...Life Groups for all ages are held at
10:30am each Sunday. The average attendance for
the last month was 48.
Donations have been made in memory of MurielCampbell to the Cemetery Fund by Derb & DorisSteele and Gary & Gale Overcash and to thePreschool by Curtis & Gina Kyles. A donation hasbeen made in memory of Spence Fraley, Seth
Nance, & Jimmy Booe by Tim & Janie Creason.Donations have been made in memory of AlmaBumgarner to the Preschool by Brian & MaryNance and Curtis & Gina Kyles and to theCemetery Fund by Derb & Doris Steele.
Adm. Council MinutesJanuary 10, 2016
There were 14 people in attendance, Stacey White
(CP) called the meeting to order. Pastor Randy
opened us in prayer. Ashlynn Perry (fill in Sec.) took
attendance and read the minutes from the
December 2015 meeting and they were approved
as read. Traci Steele handed out the financial
statement and went over the budget. Budget-Traci:
Paid for: Utilities ($1591), two phone bills and two
power bills.
● Year to date $2201 over what we took in.
● Need to see what was budgeted for each line
with exceptions.
● Funeral flowers, maintenance, transportation,
and utilities were over budget, everything else was
way under budget.
● Sales tax refund will be given. Donation to
praise band for $200 Muriel Campbell.
Committee reports:
-Missions- Mike: working on Columbia mission
which will be in the Spring or Summer. They are in
the process of figuring out who to partner with. As
soon as they get the go ahead, we will know the
date of the mission trip. “I Believe” bags were
taken to shut ins.
-Life Groups- Stacey: We need substitutes for when
life group teachers are absent.
-Youth- Not in attendance, will go to Winter Jam in
March, working with evangelism.
-Preschool- Not in attendance, meeting in February
and not going up on tuition.
-Evangelism/Family Life/Worship- Traci: They are
planning our 5th Sunday social. Come “Join our
Team” is the focus. Each committee will give a brief
description of what their team does. It does not
matter if the person is on the official list for your
River of Life News
committee/team; we want everyone to have a
place to serve. At the meeting they talked about
areas we need to grow, Volunteer Sunday, having
family functions once a quarter and keeping
everyone here after church for events, like Fall
festival. They are also planning on baking cookies
and taking them to people to get them to
come/continue to come. We will be having a War
Room showing on March 12th.
-Men’s Group- not in attendance, will do 5th
Sunday breakfast
-Women's Group- not in attendance
-Safety and Safe Sanctuary will have a meeting 21st
of the month and go over their mission statement
and talk about what has and needs to be done.
-Parsonage-Randy: Thankful for the refrigerator.
-Cemetery-David Lee: Talked about fixing Barbara
Browning’s headstone and needing to know how
much money we have. It was said that $800 is
there. Whatever the difference, Missions will pay.
Place in Georgia has not come through with the
tombstone, we need to go elsewhere to get taken
care of.
-SPRC- Susan: End of year stuff is done.
Shepherding program, shepherds should have their
people by Thursday. They will be contacting
families so they know who their shepherd is.
-Trustees- Tim: The fire inspector confirmed
everything repaired and complete. Linda needs to
check to get completion email to put in the book,
which she will send to Tim to put in. Cannot
contact Arthur Leech paving. Unable to contact him
regarding warranty work. He will not call back. He
will continue to do more investigation on Arthur
Leech paving. Fuel oil bill: We use Atlantic
Protoxylem and we have a once a year fill up in the
Fall, averaging 100 gallons a year. Called Lake
Norman Oil Service and it is 20 cents a gallon less.
Will do a one time fill up as well. Tim White
motioned to change distributor on fuel oil, Jody
Steele, seconded the motion. Motion unanimously
passed.
-Finance- Lee: In need of 2 counters (financial
steward), one for Joyce and Doris. Melinda has
replaced Joyce on 4th week. It is Joyce's last month.
April has volunteered. Still need to find another
sub, which we can announce during church.
Old Business: Projector, sometime this week we will
make some calls to see how much to replace or
other avenues.
New Business:
Booster club at the high school on April 16th needs
sponsors. $65 for a car, bike, and tractor show. Our
church name will be in the booklet and you choose
the vehicle to sponsor. Advertisement in bulletin.
Tim White volunteered to pay for the SRUMC
sponsorship.
Stacey White brought up the Relationship Covenant
that was created by our church Sept. 2013. She
asked that all committee members follow
relationship covenant, and it to be the meetings
focus. A copy of the covenant will be placed in all
chairperson’s box as well at at large council
member boxes.
Pastors Report:
Christmas activities went well and were well
attended. Removing Christmas decorations,
thoughts on doing it during church life group time?
Any problems? Discussion: everyone liked it and no
problems.
January 3rd planning meeting comments? Right
after church, keep that format? Discussion: went
well, nice to already have everyone here, those 3
groups involve each other so it was a good idea.
Bible studies: Susannah Kelty will start her study
Feb 11. Randy will be gone to District leadership
training January 10.
Feb 7 will be a special worship for honoring fire
fighters, law enforcement, EMS, etc. in order to
thank them. One service on Feb 7th, and breakfast
served at 8:45.
In February Pastor Randy and Elizabeth will be
going to a clergy camp, “Called and Gifted to Lead”.
March 20 will be an all music Palm Sunday service
River of Life News
for 1st service.
March 27 will be Easter Sunrise service, possible
Easter Festival after, still in the works. We will need
another joint meeting in Feb for worship,
evangelism, and family life.
Council meeting was on the February 14th but
moved to 21st because of Valentine's Day.
We need a youth rep for council, Susan Cobb will
get someone to appoint one.
Motion to adjourn was made by April Johnson and
was seconded by Barry Atwell. The motion carried
and the meeting was adjourned. Pastor Randy
closed the meeting in prayer.
Respectfully Submitted:
Ashlynn Perry, acting Secretary
Stacey White, Chairperson
Randy Powell, Pastor
Church Financial ReportDecember 2015
Estimated Monthly Budget Needs $14,647.00 Monthly Collections $ Monthly Expenses $
Collections YTD $Expenses YTD $
Missions Financial Report
December 2015Missions, Food Pantry & RX Account
Balance Forward from March 2015 - $16,190.13Collections – Did not report
Expenses – Did not reportCurrent Balance – Did not report
WRBTA OfferingCollections - $
Our Congregation: Gary Overcash, Rod & Joan Dixon, Gene Dyson, T. J. Cobb, Ann CartnerOur Congregation At Home: Carl & Frances
Steele, Mrytle Deadmon, Dot Fraley, Robert &
Mildred Powell, Lucy PhiferOur Congregation Living In
Nursing/Assisted Living/Rehab: Charles Blankenship – NC State Veterans Home,
SalisburyJoyce Simpson – Liberty Commons, Salisbury
E.L. Murph – Salisbury Gardens, SalisburyHazel P. Steele – The Gardens, Statesville
Martha Ward – Somerset Assisted Living, Mocksville
Margaret Douglas – The Laurels, SalisburyOur Friends & Family: 12/27 Meredith NanceMilitary Service: George Campbell, Kenny Martin, Ruth Kelty Wilford, Lane McNeely, Greg
Kniaz**Prayer List Additions or Update?… contact
Linda Cranford, Church Secretary at (704) 278-4045 or email at [email protected]***
February Anniversaries
10 Billy & Wanda Hopkins27 Rod & Joan Dixon
February Birthdays
4 Lisa Hodge, Clyde Lippard8 Debbie Dickerson
9 Zoey Cannon10 Tim Creason, Addison Webb, Canaan McNeely
11 Jered Webb14 Ashley Aistrop, Lori Lippard, Scotty Powell15 Madison Campbell19 LuAnn Campbell, Leslie Hudson-Tolles
26 Kathy Hall, Julie Shrauger28 Janet Thompson
River of Life News
2016 Church Informational
BookletsThe 2016 Informational Bookletsare now available. These booklets
contain the congregation's contactinformation, birthdays &
anniversaries, Staff Directory,Directory of Officers, Church Budget,
Helpful Questions & Answers, ourRelational Covenant, Cemetery
Rules, Funeral/Memorial ServicePlanning Info, and a Church
Resource Info Guide to help youlocate other needed information.Complete booklets and updated
inserts are available in thevestibule. We also have the option
for viewing the info online. Theinformation is accessible through
the church website. Someinformation is protected by the
password "SRUMCblessedin2016".
Volunteers Needed for RHMVolunteers are needed to prepare and serve at our
quarterly meal at Rowan Helping Ministries
between 5:30pm – 8pm on Wednesday, February
21 for dinner and from 5:15am – 7am on Thursday,
February 22 for breakfast. Contact Angie Ward for
more info.
Winter Women's Bible Study:
Having a Real Relationship
with GodHave you wondered if it's possible to have ameaningful and authentic relationship withGod -- one that really makes a difference inthe daily circumstances of life? Come jointhe Winter Women's Bible Study to gain adeeper understanding of God's love and howto know and relate to Him in meaningfulways. This 6-week "no homework"study, led by Susannah Kelty, will meet at 7pm at the church every Thursday night fromFebruary 11 through March 17. To sign upand get your book, contact MelindaCranford. Cost is $5.50. If you would like toattend, but could use child care at thechurch, let Melinda know. It may be possibleto organize that, if needed.
Change in Bereavement
Meal PlanStarting in 2016, Susan Cobb & Angie Ward will
co-ordinate all bereavement meals on behalf of the
church in place of the former Food Groups
Church Staff
Robinette Steele Preschool Director
Home 704.278.9315 email: [email protected]
Linda Cranford Church Secretary
Home 704.278.4045 Cell 704.213.2620
email: [email protected]
Traci Steele Church Treasurer
Home 704.278.4058 Cell 704.902.9060
email: [email protected]
Ann Cartner Financial Recording Secretary
Cell 336.940.8177 email: [email protected]
Corrections, comments, suggestions, or articles for the next month's Newsletter...contact Linda Cranford, Church Secretary at (704) 278-4045 or email at [email protected].
Newsletter Option
The monthly church newsletters can be emailed to you. This reduces our paper, copying and mailing expense. If you would like to change your paper copy to email, please notify Linda Cranford, Church Secretary, at (704) 278-4045 or email at [email protected].
Recycled Aluminum Cans Ministry Bring your empty aluminum cans to the church and
deposit them in the recycled cans trailer and, by doing
co, support the work of missions in our area. The
trailer is located in the front corner of the parking lot. . We ask that all donations to the trailer be made in plastic bags as this will make it
easier to unload and weigh the cans.
2015 Lay Person of the Year Award Once a year we honor a lay person whose service at South River and the community exemplifies a life of Christian stewardship. This is an award to recognize worthy individuals, especially those whose work behind the scenes, often unnoticed and often unappreciated. The person we choose to honor this year will be recognized at a Salisbury District Prayer Breakfast and at the annual Gathering of the Laity at Lake Junaluska in August. Here are the criteria for the award: 1. He or she must be a member of South River 2. He or she must personally exemplify a commitment to the Christian way of life. 3. His or her contribution to the life of the church and the community reflects a devotion of self to the service of others. Anyone in the congregation can nominate a person to receive
this award. A selection committee will select the person to be honored from those nominated by the congregation. If you
have questions, call Pastor Randy. Nomination Forms are available in the Fellowship Hall Lobby and must be submitted
by Sunday, March 1, 2016.
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