Empowered by Grace! - Windsor Hills United Methodist Church

Window on Windsor Hills
A publication of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church
Windsor Hills United Methodist Church
September 2015
Coming Soon!
Empowered by Grace!
We will explore together how we live out God’s
purpose in our lives, how we serve and how we give.
September 20 ~ “Finding Our Purpose”
Living as a disciple everyday.
September 27 ~ “Serving”
Serving as a disciple ~ our opportunities to serve in
our church community.
October 4 ~ “Giving”
A disciple gives ~ our financial commitment.
“You then, my child, be strengthened
by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 2:1
Volume 9
PASTOR’S LETTER
page 2
The Pastor Writes…
I shared as part of my most recent sermon a quote from Mother Teresa, which I though captured perfectly
what God is up to in sanctifying us, making us more of what we were created to be. She said:
“Put yourself completely under the influence of Jesus, so that he may think his thoughts in your mind,
do his work through your hands, for you will be all-powerful with him to strengthen you.” (F rom A Gift
for God by Mother Teresa, as found in A Guide to Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, ed. Reuben P. Job
and Norman Sawchuck, the Upper Room, Nashville, TN, 1983.)
To begin with, to be “under the influence” means something altogether different in our culture, which is
a reminder that there are so many things that influence us in our lives. Many of which are not positive at all.
Yet, as we grow spiritually, Mother Teresa teaches us that God may replace those other influences with the
best influence of all, the Spirit of Jesus. That Spirit is a spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness, self-giving,
generosity and peace. Can you imagine the influence that two billion Christians truly “under the influence”
of Jesus would therefore have?
Obviously, we have a long way to go, but remember, God isn’t finished with us yet. Thanks be to God!
Peace,
Doug
P.S. I also referenced a “Ted Talk” by A.J. Jacobs that I think you may enjoy. It is humorous, yet profound
in places for us as Christians, which is all the more interesting since he describes himself as “an agnostic Jew.”
Give a listen at http://www.ted.com/talks/a_j_jacobs_year_of_living_biblically?language=en.
If 17 minutes is too long for you, there is a great interactive transcript where you can scan and find the parts
that you are most interested in.
Charge Conference Info ~ Windsor Hills UMC’s annual Charge Conference will be held her e on
November 2 at 7:30 pm. For the uninitiated, Char ge Confer ence is each United Methodist Chur ch’s
annual business meeting, where a number of necessary reports are submitted and some of the basic business
of the church is approved. Our district superintendent, the Rev. Kathleen Overby-Webster will be present and
lead us. However, the bulk of the work is done in preparation.
The Committee on Lay Leadership (used to be called the Nominating
Committee) will meet on Tuesday, September 15 at 7 pm. The current members of this committee are: Karen Saunders, Norma Tompkins, Shirley Biggs,
Barry Brown, Ken Briggs, and Anne Wilson. Our lay leaders, Carolyn Fisher
and Greg Lyons are also members along with your pastor, who chairs this
group. Please contact a member of the committee: 1) if you have ideas of
persons (including yourself) who would be very effective in a particular
leadership role, 2) if you would like to be relieved of a current leadership role
or, 3) if you would like to make a change to a different role of leadership.
All budget requests need to be for war ded to the Chair per son of the Finance Committee Keith Young
by September 30.
Any requested changes to the Service Opportunities form will be due to Pastor Doug
([email protected]) by Sunday, September 20.
The next New Member Orientation will be
Sunday, October 11 at 5:00 pm in the library.
Volume 9
UMM † UMW ♪ MUSIC
Men’s Fellowship
On Monday August 17 at 6:00 PM, 22 members
of the UMM and an equal number of ordinary
folks hunkered together in the back room at the great 611,
wondering if they were unexpectedly caught up in the filming
of a new reality TV program, “Dining Disasters.” Not surprising, considering the Great 611 night manager’s executive
decision to suddenly make the room a public eating area, and
to fill every seat. The event that followed could best be described as a ecumenical affair from start to finish.
So rig-a-jig-jig, and away we go, the UMM guest speaker
trying to set-up his slide projector on a screen up front, and a
very large family group of strangers in the center of the room
celebrating with helium-filed birthday balloons flying overhead. (Glancing over to see whether Pastor Doug might be
wondering if his new WHUMC assignment had led him down
the Rabbit Hole right behind Alice, you could read no sign of
surprise or dismay. He seemed well aware that the Lord
works in mysterious ways - Very mysterious indeed, as a
group of wait staff members came in to deliver a highlycaffeinated Happy-Happy-Happy Birthday message to a
young Birthday Boy.)
At 7:00 PM the UMM program started with devotions led by
Charlie Moore, followed by singing of “How Great Thou
Art”, and the Pledge of Allegiance (with everyone in the
room standing, including the birthday party.) Afterward,
most of the civilians cleared the room with the exception of
one couple, the gentleman wearing a cap with the insignia of
the CVN 73- George Washington nuclear carrier. He stayed
throughout the program, joining in with amen at appropriate
times. Hopefully he will come back againThe speaker for the evening was Roanoke County Sheriff
Charlie Poff, who is standing for reelection on November
3. Charlie, a local boy and a 38 year veteran law enforcement
official in Roanoke County, has spoken to the UMM on
previous occasions. He has made and continues to make
many contributions to the Sheriff’s Office. Possibly his
biggest achievement has been in the design and operation of
the Roanoke Valley Regional Jail shared by Roanoke County,
Montgomery County, Franklin County, and the City of
Salem. He closed with an offer to arrange another tour of
this facility for any of us unable to make the earlier field
trip. Charlie will undoubtedly get many UMM votes in the
upcoming election.
The next meeting of the UMM will be held on Monday
September 20, when Judy Stokes, Gener al Registr ar for
Roanoke County, will be the featured speaker. We will
definitely be meeting at a new location to be announced
(possibly Jersey Lily’s). This outstanding program lined up
by Tree is one you should not miss.
In closing, to the young boy celebrating his special day on
August 17, a belated Happy Birthday from the UMM!
Jim Crowgey
page 3
We Need Your Talents!
Join a Music Group ♪
Chancel Choir
Rehearsals: Thursday Nights, 7:00–8:30 pm
Leads and sings specials at 11:00 services.
We will soon start music for Christmas as
well as work on some music for our “Meet
the Composer” Sunday on April 10th.
Gideon’s Call
Rehearsals: Tuesday Nights, 7:00-8:00 pm
Leads music at 9:00 services.
Handbell Choir
Rehearsals: Thursday Nights, 6:00-7:00 pm
Plays specials every 4-6 weeks in 11:00
service.
See Karen Harwood, our Director of Music,
or contact her at 774-4730.
United Methodist
Women News
The UMW is happy to
announce that they have
awarded their $200.00
scholarship this year to Matt Simpson. Matt will be
continuing to study as a Religion and Culture Major
at Virginia Tech this fall. He plans to attend seminary
after graduation. We are very proud of Matt and the
steps he is pursuing to reach this goal.
SUNDAY IN THE PARK
SEPTEMBER 13 
4 - 6:30 PM
GARST MILL PARK
♪ Music! Food! Fellowship! †
If you haven’t made it to “Sunday in the Park”
yet - come see what you’ve been missing!
Call the office to RSVP!
Volume 9
PRAYER, MISSIONS & LECTIONARY
page 4
Prayer Concerns: Linda Pearrell, recovering from knee surgery; Marianne Bird, recovering
from illness; Enid Clarke, back issues; Peggy Jessee, back issues; Leslie Gillam, niece of Pat
Holt; Tracey Bennett, recovering from knee surgery; Chris Jones & family
Continued Prayer: Sydney Clark, Jeannine Burk’s granddaughter, ongoing battle with
Lyme’s disease; Hank & Barbara Gleixner, and their daughter, Lisa, in recovery.
Remember to Pray for our homebound members.
Our Sympathies are with the family of Sara Johnston.
To My Office Angels,
Thank you to Sandra Eaton & Bette Near for covering the office while I took advantage
of training opportunities. Thank You for being my Church Family, Beth Christopoulos
Help Stop Hunger Now in our lifetime! That’s the dream of the founder of Stop Hunger
Now, an organization that helps people in developing countries receive nutrition, because
one in three persons in developing countries are faced with mineral and vitamin deficiencies.
We will do our part on Saturday, September 19 at 4 pm, with a meal-packing event in
Windsor Hall. Whether you are four years old, forty, or ninety-four, there is a job that you
can do to package 10,000 meals together. If you haven’t seen the process, it is a wonder to
behold. Learn more at www.stophungernow.org. This is our second event of this year…our
goal is to have 50+ people engaged in mission on that day.
Put this on your calendar. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend from beyond Windsor Hills to get to
know us a bit. And…if you wish, you can stay after and relax with a pizza feast. For questions, contact
Mission Co-Chairperson, Anne Kidd at [email protected].
Mission Corner - September Opportunities
Your Mission Team will be collecting three specific foods for Rosalind Hills Baptist
Church Food Pantry. At the Food Pantry’s request, we ask you to bring: Peanut
Butter, Tuna & Cereal. We thank you in advance for supporting this in any
way you can. There will be bins available for your donations.
September 19 @ 4pm we will have a Stop Hunger Now event.
Ongoing collection for RAM House of canned veggies and fruits and other non-perishable items.
SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, October 4. Come for First Sunday Night @ 4:00 pm for the Operation
Christmas Child Packing Party, followed by the Pot Luck Supper. Stay tuned for more details!
With your donations of time and money YOU become the hands and feet of God.
Revised Common Lectionary 2015
September 6, 2015
15th Sunday
after Pentecost
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm 125 or Psalm 124 (UMC 846)
James 2:1-10 (11-13)
Mark 7:24-37
September 13, 2015
16th Sunday
after Pentecost
Proverbs 1:20-33
Psalm 19 (UMC 750)
James 3:1-12
Mark 8:27-38
September 20, 2015
17th Sunday
after Pentecost
Proverbs 31:10-31
Psalm 1 (UMH 738)
James 3:13-4:3, 7-8a
Mark 9:30-37
September 27, 2015
18th Sunday
after Pentecost
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10, 9:20-22
Psalm 124 (UMC 846)
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
Stewardship Update (Completed months will be posted. August & September will be posted in October.)
Average Monthly Income Needs………….$41,035.00 Unbudgeted Special Funds……………………..$18,363.89
July - Rec’d End-of-Month on Budget…...$34,165.35 Rec’d End-of-Month on Building Fund………..$9,359.50
Unbudgeted Special Funds…………..$1,173.00
Volume 9
CHILDREN & SENIOR ADULT MINISTRIES
page 5
The Next Big Thing in Children’s Ministry!
Children’s Worship and Sunday School – New Happenings All the Time!
WAK-Worship Arts for Kids will be in full swing beginning in September
for Stick Ministry and/or Drama at 9:00 am
Fall Activities: Fall Fest & Grand Pal Day. Do you have a talent or skill you would like to share
with the children in our church? Maybe something like “Grand Building” (making a bird house),
“Grand Cooking,” “Grand Art,” “Grand Quilting” (making a T-Shirt quilt) or “Grand Bandanas” ?
Children’s Ministry Team Additions Wanted
We would love to add at least six or seven or more to our Children’s Ministry Team very soon. There are
various areas of service where you can share God’s love and your individual gifts in our work with our
youngest Disciples in Christ. Here are just a few ideas on how you may be involved:
 Supporting members who attend meetings and help develop and design programs once
every 3-4 months
 Rotation once per month in presence at Children’s Worship
 Leading in Children’s Worship
 Leading and/or helping in Pre-Kg. Sunday School
 Helping with costuming for dramas
 Food Coordinator for Events
 Help with our WAK (Worship Arts for Kids) at 9:00 on Sunday morning
 Designing and Decorating our rooms and Old Fellowship Hall for Themed special
Children’s Ministry Events
Stay tuned in! Check the website, www.windsorhillsumckidz.com and the Facebook page!
Barbara Patterson, Director, Children’s Ministry † [email protected]
SUPER SENIOR EVENTS
2015-2016
Luncheons are normally the 4th Wednesday
We are in the process of strengthening our Safe
Sanctuaries policy, so that we are providing training
for all those who work with our children and youth. This
is the way that we protect our children and youth from
those who would be predators. EVERYONE who works
with children and youth at Windsor Hills UMC or those
who work within the environment of where children and
youth are located, will need to have the basic Safe
Sanctuaries Training.
Contact Barbara Patterson at [email protected]
asap to sign up for being trained. We will provide as
many as needed. A Basic First Aid course will be
offered in the Fall for everyone, also.
If you wish to know more about the Safe Sanctuaries
program in general, please go to:
http://ministrywithchildren.com/2015/03/05/safesanctuaries-talking-to-the-congregation/
12:30 pm. $5.00 or bring a dish.
Reservations needed by noon on Monday
before the luncheon: Call 774-4730.
September 23 “Magic & Mystery & Music”
Branan Thompson
October 28
“Heads-Up for Seniors:
Health & Scams”
Dr. David Trinkle
November 18
The Ageless Wonders
Musical Extravaganza by Seniors
Windsor Hills Youth is having their kick-off lock-in Saturday,
September 5th starting at 5:00 pm. Please encourage any youth
middle-school aged and up to attend for fun, games, film, and worship! All youth are required to attend Sunday morning 9 AM worship,
but a dress code will not
be strictly enforced.
If you would like to volunteer to provide snacks, lead games, or
participate in any way please contact:
Pastor Jeff Yoo-Hess at 404-735-4765
or [email protected].
Windsor Hills Youth Support Team wants YOU!!
As part of our Church's youth revival, we are asking anyone in the congregation who
is interested in serving the youth to sign up to be a resource. You can share your interests and experiences, provide food for youth dinners and events, lead games or
outings, or be of service in any way. As part of our family of faith, the youth of
Windsor Hills are your children, too! Help them grow in faith and in the knowledge
that wherever life leads them, God and their church family is always there to support
them.
For more information please contact: Pastor Jeff Yoo-Hess at 404-735-4765
or [email protected].
Thanks and Blessings, Pastor Jeff
News from our District Office
The Roanoke District connects 70 United Methodist Churches in Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin,
Giles, Montgomery and Roanoke Counties with the Virginia Annual Conference, the United Methodist Church
and the World In ministry to others on behalf of Christ. The clergy and laity of the Roanoke District are
supervised by a Conference appointed District Superintendent. The Virginia Conference is composed of 16
districts serving over 1,200 local United Methodist congregations across most of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Virginia Conference Bishop: Young Jin Cho
District Superintendent: Kathleen Overby Webster
District Lay Leader: Brenda Brooks
Associate District Lay Leader: Nancy Sasser
Roanoke District UMC Office:
4502 Starkey Road, Suite 101, Roanoke VA 24018
540-989-3335
[email protected]
Shane Claiborne - Tearing Down the Walls
Date: Saturday, October 24, 2015 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:15 PM
Location: First UMC, 125 W. Main St, Salem 24153
"Tearing Down the Walls" will be led by Shane Clariborne, a well-known speaker and one of the founders
of The Simple Way - a Christian community in Philadelphia that seeks to take seriously some of the
radical teachings of Jesus and how these should shape our common life. Through this event we will seek
to understand the meaning of Christian social justice; how we can break down contemporary walls of
injustice such as economic inequalities, educational disparities and racial divisions; and how we can build
hope and empower persons to overcome walls of separation and engage others on social justice issues.
Participants will have an opportunity to interact with Claiborne, who led the Virginia Conference 5 Talent
Academy "Ministry With the Poor" event on February 21st, ask questions, and share concerns, stories
and action ideas in small groups. This will be an intergenerational event. Youth and young adults are
therefore encouraged to attend as well as older adults. This event is sponsored by the Roanoke District
Church and Society Committee, in collaboration with the Danville, Lynchburg and Staunton Districts. .
The event will take place at First United Methodist Church, 125 W. Main Street, Salem, VA - 24153.
A special early bird registration fee for adults of $25.00 is available until September 17th, after which the
adult registration fee will be $30.00. Registration for students is $10.00. Registration INCLUDES
lunch. Child care provided up through age 6.
Volume 9
SPECIAL SERVICE & SPECIAL DAYS
SEPTEMBER 2015
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
SERVING THE HOUSE OF THE LORD:
09/01
09/02
We thank each of the following for serving
the House of the Lord:
Ushers
6
13
20
27
Kathye Ashford, Peggy Jessee,
Joyce Benson, Gail Johnson
Kevin & Susan Russell,
Shirley Biggs, Ruth Bunt
Bill Rodgers, Wanda Morgan,
Janice Young, Bonnie Johnson
Kathye Ashford, Polly McFarlane,
Alvin & Dolly Callahan
Parking Lot Greeters
6
13
20
27
Dave Armstrong, Vince Clinevell,
Barbara Conner, Ann Fletcher
Ken Briggs, Roy Aust,
Ken & Shirley Dean
Chuck Weidner, Perry Pence,
Bill Rodgers, Tom Akers
Dave Tanis, Wayne Jacobs,
Mark & Carolyn Fisher
September Altar Guild
Becky Day & Norma Tompkins
September Nursery
6
13
20
27
9:00 Eaton; 9:45 help needed;
11:00 Brenda Simpson
9:00 Lois Singleton; 9:45 Kris Stutsman;
11:00 help needed
9:00 help needed 9:45 help needed;
11:00 Lawton
9:00 Tyler Williams; 9:45 Wolfe;
11:00 help needed
09/03
09/04
09/05
09/06
09/07
09/08
09/09
09/12
09/13
09/14
09/15
09/16
09/17
09/19
09/20
09/23
09/24
09/25
09/27
09/28
09/29
Zak Veldsman, Jean Ferguson
Charles Trent, Beth Christopoulos,
Troy Jamison
Larry Lilley, Valerie Dick
Judy Gaffney
Dick Welch, Barbara Jennines
Ashley Flanary, Nancy Keeler
Elsie Tanner, Miranda Gaffney
Bob Bohon, Ruth Kreienbaum,
Dolly Callahan
J.Fred Eaton
Ira Chaffin
Becky Vaughn,
Daniel Cole,
Charlie Seymour
Hank Gleixner, Earl Day,
Harper Ann Flanary
Carly Cash
Ken Briggs, Greg Aldridge,
Jodi Eaton
Christina Simpson
Charles Cornelison
Bill Jones, Kyle Singleton
Jim Crowgey Sr., Karen Black
Gladys Morris
Keith Cosner
Greg Lyons, Carla Weidner
HelenRuth Burch, Jim Grimes
Peter Steinmaker
Acolytes
September WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
6
13
20
27
09/04
09/15
09/19
To be filled
Julia Bledsoe
To be filled
Jasmine Eaton
Mark & Sharon Seidel
John & Karen Black
Dave & Connie Armstrong
Please remember our military & their families.
Take the time to thank them for their willingness to risk all
so that our nation might dwell in peace and safety.
Birthdays & Wedding Anniversaries,
Military Service & Announcements:
If anyone has been overlooked, please let me know.
Call Beth at the church office - 774-4730. Thank You!
WINDSOR HILLS
Non-Profit Organization
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
U. S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 20
Roanoke, Virginia
3591 Windsor Road
Roanoke, VA 24018
Office
(540) 774-4730
ADDRESS SERVICE
REQUESTED
Church Email
[email protected]
www.windsorhillsumc.org
REV. DOUG PAYSOUR
Lead Pastor
BETH A. CHRISTOPOULOS
Administrative Assistant
REV. BRANAN THOMPSON
Director, Senior Adult Ministries
BARBARA A. PATTERSON
Director, Children’s Ministries
JEFFRY YOO-HESS
Director, Youth Ministries
KAREN JONES HARWOOD
Director, Music / Organist
TASHA EATON
Director, Nursery Ministries
BARRY BROWN
Church Treasurer
FRED EATON
Church Sexton
For we are his workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk
in them. † Ephesians 2:10
Worship with us! Windsor Hills United Methodist Church
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.
Be sure to check out our Webpage www.windsorhillsumc.org
“like us”! www.facebook.com/WindsorHillsChurchRoanoke