WELCOME, JANE! COMMUNITY GARDEN REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION

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1 2013 VISITOR WELCOME, JANE! Meet your newest PCC staff member! Beginning in September, Jane Hoover will serve as the new Office Administrator. Her previous experience, Master s degree in Christian Education, and passion for working in the church made her the top candidate out of 49 applicants. Jane began her career working as the Church Secretary at Leaksville Moravian Church (Eden, NC) and then as an Administrative Assistant and Educator at Unity Moravian Church. Most recently she served as an Educator and Resource person, guiding recruitment and training programs for 54 Moravian Churches in the Piedmont Triad Area for over 20 years. Jane was drawn to the position at Pfafftown Christian where she can continue her work in a Christian environment in a part-time capacity. She is also a local community member and neighbor she and her husband live nearby in the Grandview neighborhood. Jane is excited to bring her energy, creativity, and servant heart to Pfafftown Christian. We hope you ll join us in welcoming her to the PCC family! Betty Simpson, Personnel Chair COMMUNITY GARDEN REPORT TO THE CONGREGATION Here is the output poundage from the Pfafftown Christian Church Community Garden for This was contributed to the Second Harvest Food Bank, Salvation Army and Samaritan Kitchen: 5797 Corn 1339 Potatoes 300 Assorted vegetables 7436 Total pounds I estimate another 1000 pounds were produced in the individual plots. On behalf of all members of Pfafftown Christian Church and community garden members, I want to thank you for all the help and guidance in our partnership with Reap More Than You Sow. Sam Safrit To the members of Pfafftown Christian Church: It has been a real pleasure to serve as your church secretary for these past four years. I came with the theory that, if I was employed by a church, I would be working in a loving environment. I have not been disappointed (thank you for making my theory true!). You are a hard-working and generous congregation. It has been a privilege to share both sadness and joy with you in various seasons of loss and gain. Always I have felt the presence of the Divine Spirit within your work and ministry, and I pray that you continue to grow in spirit as you follow the leading of the Christ. It looks as if we will be moving to Fancy Gap, Virginia, so I won t be that far away. I look forward to returning to PCC for the Bazaar! In the meantime, I will be cleaning and preparing our mountain home for the big move in October after Bob retires. May God s love, which is evident among you, continue to shine forth that all will know we are Christians by our love. With much appreciation to have worked among you, debbie parvin

2 WE WELCOME THESE NEWEST MEMBERS: Abby Catoe 4121 Apperson Rd East Bend, NC Phone: Rick Johnson 1116 Tommys Lake Rd Winston-Salem, NC Phone: Michelle Casey-Wise 4121 Apperson Rd East Bend, NC Phone: Abby and her husband, Donald, have their own landscaping business. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Abby s hobbies are cooking, finding new recipes, crosswords & word games. She also loves the outdoors and camping. She says that she loves both the people and the music at PCC. Rick is beginning his 10th year as an employee at Lowe s. He was born in Germany, moved most recently from Kansas City, but considers Texas home. Right now he, daughter Patricia, son-in-law Sean, and two grandchildren live in Winston-Salem. We re just glad that he found Pfafftown! In addition to playing with his grandchildren, Rick enjoys working on old vehicles, riding a motorcycle, and spending time on water (streams, rivers, lakes, oceans you name it!) He has a love of old things antiques, history, reading about biblical times, etc. Michelle has three grown children and six living grandchildren (one of her grandchildren has entered into God s eternal presence). Her children reside in three states: Indiana, Colorado, and Florida. Michelle s hobbies are cooking, reading, working with the elderly, and medicine. She recently (8-31) celebrated a birthday Happy Birthday, Michelle! Kevin & Tracy Deibert 3209 Skylark Haven Rd Pfafftown, NC Phone: deibert_k@yahoo.com Kevin reported that he and Tracy don t have hobbies per se, but that Tracy loves God through animals and animal rights, and that for him it s God through Tracy. Whatever I am doing at the moment is my hobby in other words, he says, a lot of different things including others,/volunteering, church, school, athletics, fellowship, etc. Tracy recently celebrated a birthday (8-15) Happy Belated Birthday, Tracy! Everywhere Fun Fair VBS Our 2013 Vacation Bible School was another great success, as 17 children enjoyed learning and sharing in a delightful environment. Rita Bennett was our VBS Director, and she recruited an amazing group of leaders and helpers to provide this experience. Our set decorator and music leader (Tim Shoaf) provided the fair s great atmosphere. Our own personal chef (Susie Lanier) and her wonderful helpers provided great food. Our puppet-in-residence Godwin Merrifeather (Debra Smitherman) greeted the children and set the stage for each evening s learning fun. Our biblical drama producer and host (Anne Safrit) and her actors and assistants welcomed the children to the Bible tent and made Bible stories come alive for everyone. Our crafts guides (Nancey Cost & Lorrie Bennett) helped the children create wonderful craft items to reinforce their learning. Videos and song-and-dance presentations were brought to us by our tech guy (Matt Scharf). Our Biblical interpreter (Kevin Deibert) helped the children understand the Bible drama each evening, and our fair barker Telly Ticket (Bob Parvin) served as host for the fair. We were blessed with many other helpers and assistants, and we appreciate each of them for their vital contributions to a wonderful Vacation Bible School experience. Thanks to your hard work, the children of PCC have experienced another time of fun and learning in the church. It doesn t get much better than that, friends. MAIL CALL! You really brightened my day! I appreciate all the prayers, calls, and visits from my church family. It means a lot to know I have not been forgotten. Hope to be back with you soon. Love to all, Eloise Saunders Margie Sorrells would like to thank everyone who has sent her cards and notes. She enjoys hearing from PCC friends and appreciates the news and good wishes.

3 MUSIC NOTES The Chancel Choir will resume their regular weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evening, September 4, at 7:15 p.m. in the choir room. On September 25, we will begin to rehearse music for the Annual Christmas Cantata which will be presented on Sunday evening, December 15. Everyone is welcome to come and join us as we sing our praises to God! The Adult Handbell Choir will resume weekly rehearsals on Monday evening, September 9, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. We welcome everyone interested to come join us. You do not necessarily have to read music to be a part of this fun and exciting group of ringers! If you are interested please contact Tim so that he can offer a brief orientation for you before the first rehearsal. The Children's Handbell Choir will begin rehearsals for the season on Wednesday afternoon, September 11, at 5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. We welcome all children Grades 1 7 to come and join this great group of musicians! Instrumental Solos and Ensembles: If you play a musical instrument and would like to play a solo in the worship service, for a special event, or be a part of an ensemble please contact Tim. It is always nice to share your musical talents for God s glory. Looking forward to a great season of music at Pfafftown Christian! Tim A GREAT DAY OF SERVICE! This is an event the Outreach/Missions Committee of our church is planning for Saturday, October 12. There will be various projects for all ages of persons in our church to participate. If you have a particular idea that you think would make a great service project, please let Sam Safrit know no later than Sunday, September 8. A listing of activities and opportunities will be listed in the October Newsletter as well as the bulletin board in the Library Hallway. This is a project of the Outreach/Missions Ministry to better involve our entire congregation in helping others and also bringing a ray of sunshine into the lives of others in our community. What a great time we had at Vacation Bible School this year!! Let s see how much you remember? Fill in the following blanks. 1. What was the puppets name? G w n M rr f ther 2. Who was the man that climbed up in the tree to see Jesus? acch e s 3. Every here un Fair! 4. Neighbors are fr nd y! TREE RESTORATION PROJECT A word of thanks to members of the congregation for your generous support of the Tree Restoration project for the church lawn. Donations and memorials have been received to complete the purchase of all the trees. They will be planted in early November. --The Property Committee 5. Neig b rs are old! 6. Neighbors are g v ng! 7. Neighbors are for iv ng! 8. Neighbors are W lc m ng! Remember what you learned at VBS as you share God s love to your friends at school this year! Remembering our College Students We have some very special young people in our church who have just recently begun their college year. As a church family we want to hold them in our prayers asking God's blessings to be with them throughout this year as they pursue their various avenues of learning. Please remember to pray daily for them and send them a note or card when you can. It is always nice to receive "something special" from their church family back home. The Congregational Care/Discipleship Ministry of our church will be sending them a copy of "The Secret Place" devotional guide and the monthly church newsletter in addition to a few other things from time to time. Please let them know just how much their church family loves and supports them. You will find their addresses listed in the new Church Yearbook. Tim

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5 School, Apples & Teachers! Some for thought! In thinking about the children of our church getting ready to begin another school year of learning and meeting their new teachers for the first time, a thought came to mind about the old tradition of giving an apple to the teacher on the first day of school. I m sure that many of you that are a little older than me would know to what I am referring. How many of you remember that popular Bing Crosby song that included the lyrics: An apple for the teacher Will always do the trick, When you don t know Your lesson in arithmetic! An apple for the teacher Will meet with great success If you forgot to memorize The Gettysburg Address! Well, I decided to do a little research on this old tradition, and I am going to share with you some of my findings. This tradition began in Sweden and Denmark then was passed along to the United States. People commonly see the apple as a symbol of variety, change, and growth. It symbolizes change and variety because it comes in different colors such as green, yellow, and red. Additionally the fruit has various tastes like sweet, sour, and tangy. Moreover, the apple symbolizes growth since the strongest branch and grove of the plant sprout from the seeds of the fruit. Another reason people associate apples with teachers is the tradition from the 16 th and 17 th century. Parents often paid teachers with foods like fruits. During those centuries, teachers sometimes received a very modest salary so to help them with their basic needs, parents gave the teachers of their children baskets of apples since at this time apples were considered special and expensive because these fruits were difficult to plant, cultivate, and harvest. This practice spread to the southern United States and took hold in the 1920 s as the Depression struck. Farmers kids gave apples, the most abundant crop at that time, to struggling teachers to help keep them teaching (and hopefully dolling out A s). Apples have also been associated with teachers because of the special story in the Bible which says that Eve ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Even if apple is not stated or mentioned in the first book of the Old Testament, there is the belief that the apple is the fruit of this special tree and therefore teachers offer knowledge to their students. We may not hear much about this ancient tradition in the present day, but as the apple has been used as a symbol of change, growth, and knowledge; let us remember and pray for all of the children as they begin this new school year, that as the apple seed when planted, soaks up nutrients from the earth and grows into a full-sized tree, producing abundant fruit that can be shared and used for a special purpose; that our children too will grow through learning, and soak up knowledge and wisdom, using their minds, talents and gifts, to glorify our heavenly Father, and share His great message of love to others. Grace and peace, Tim Great Outpouring of Support for our Back-To-School Outreach Project! As always, our church was extraordinarily generous in its mission to help children in need of back-to-school items. We collected over 42 bags and boxes filled with supplies to be distributed to children both Old Richmond and Old Town Elementary Schools. Items included book bags and back packs, as well as pencils, paper, rulers, erasers, composition books, note pads, paper clips, boxes of Kleenex tissue, containers of sanitizer, and much more. These schools were so appreciative to the congregation of Pfafftown Christian Church for its generous donations to this very worthwhile mission project! Blessings to each of you, Sam Safrit and Jackie Romanello Missions/Outreach Coordinators

6 We Are All Evangelists! It has been noted that when newcomers attend a church for the first time, the two most critical times that determine whether they will return are in the first five minutes upon arriving and coming into worship, and in the five minutes after the worship service is over. Many visitors have complimented our congregation for being one of the most friendly congregations of any church they have ever visited, and we are! I can personally attest to that! I see it every Sunday as each of you offer a friendly Christian welcome and warm handshake to our visitors and members of our congregation. Pfafftown Christian is a great church and as we continue to be a very positive witness to our faith and bring people to know Christ may the following suggestions serve as a refresher for each of us as we continue to be a welcoming people in answer to our calling as evangelists. This is why it is so important for all of us who are members to extend a greeting to those who may be attending our church for the first time. Meeting new people in the church parking lot or hallway, and directing them to the sanctuary (or nursery if needed), and introducing them to other members are just a few of the ways we are a friendly church. Another is to seek out people we don t know and actually going and introducing ourselves. That can be the first five minutes or so that they are here. But adding to that first impression they receive is also what happens when worship is over. Just think of how much it means when our church members tell our visitors how glad we were to have them in worship and invite them to a particular event which will be happening at the church in the coming week or month. This same thing goes for inviting others in our community to attend our church. How many people do you know that do not attend any church? Take a moment to invite them to attend a Sunday worship service or other event. Better yet, bring them or make arrangements to meet them here. An invitation to our Wednesday night suppers, Goodtimers, or a Family Life/Fellowship event is a good start! Wow.what a difference it makes when we see ourselves as evangelists! Thanks to the wonderful people of Pfafftown Christian for your positive influence in this community and in the many ways you continue to share God s great love to others! TIM Through Christian education we invite people of all ages to be transformed as they are inspired and challenged to: Know and experience God through God s Son Jesus Christ. Claim and live God s promises, and Grow and serve as Christian disciples. Christian Education enriches us to be witnesses of the light of Christ, His ministry, and in the sharing of His message of love and faithfulness! That light shines brightest when we study the Word, understand the Word, apply the Word, and demonstrate the Word in our lives., Music and liturgy during the service will reflect our emphasis on Spiritual formation and enrichment. (Materials will be available in the Narthex to help guide you and your entire family in your own daily spiritual study and devotional time. Remember also, that the Church Library is always a good resource for devotional books, Bible commentaries, and other materials to assist you as well).. Lunch will be provided by the Spiritual Formation and Enrichment Ministry and the Family Life/Fellowship Ministry. Please invite your neighbors and friends to join us for this special day in the life of our church. Kitty Hunt Jill Robertson Beth Scharf Steve Clodfelter Mary Groff Amanda Davis Jill Robertson, Council Representative

7 Lots of Invitations! Lots of Opportunities for Involvement! RETIREMENT LUNCHEON PLANNED The Worship Committee along with the help of the Fellowship Committee would like to invite the congregation to a covered dish Retirement Luncheon on Sunday, September 29th honoring Bob and Debbie Parvin. Lunch will follow worship service which will be Bob s last Sunday at Pfafftown Christian. Bring your special dishes; the Worship Committee will provide dessert, and let s give the Parvins a big send off as they begin the next phase of their lives. CWF News Please mark your calendar. The September CWF meeting will be held on September 24, 2013 at 6:30 pm at Betty Kiger s 2630 Reynolda Road. All ladies of the church are invited. This meeting will be an Edible Evening for Meals on Wheels. Betty will provide the dinner and wine from Flynthill Vineyards. Everyone is asked to bring a donation for the Meals on Wheels Program. Last year we raised $1, A representative from Senior Services will provide an update on the Meals on Wheels Program. Goodtimers to Meet The September meeting of the Goodtimers will be on Monday, September 9, at 11:30 a.m. in the Lower Fellowship Hall. A delicious lunch will be served followed by an informative program presented by Patty Mead, Developmental Director of Senior Services. She will share the many programs that Senior Services offer to the residents in the Pfafftown and greater Forsyth County area. Even if you might not need some of these services, you may know relatives and friends who might benefit greatly from them. You will be surprised at the many programs offered. Please plan to come and invite a friend to join you! Every Thursday in September A Brief History of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 7:00 p.m. Lower Fellowship Hall Which Disciples founder was educated in the Piedmont Triad of NC? Why do some Churches of Christ not use musical instruments in worship? Who can preside at the communion table? Who was the greatest Disciple evangelist in the 1800 s? Why don t we have a doctrine? And why do we have that X-shaped cross on a chalice as our symbol? We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord s Table as God has welcomed us - Disciples of Christ identity

8 PFAFFTOWN CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 3323 Transou Rd PO Box 130 Pfafftown NC Phone: Fax: Pastor s Cell: office@pfafftownchristian.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED A season of change Nonprofit Org US Postage PAID Pfafftown NC Permit #2 Rev Bob Parvin, Pastor Rev Tim Shoaf, Minister of Music & Director of Programs Jane Hoover, Office Administrator A BIG WELCOME TO JANE HOOVER, OUR NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR! JUST FOR FUN Seen on a church billboard: If you ve been praying for rain you can stop now. HOLD IN YOUR PRAYERS Church Family Eloise Saunders, Ruth Myers, Rex Cline, Irene Hussey, Polly Archie, Art Boulware, Fred Muetzel, Dick Flynt, Betty & Bud Barker, Doris Spaugh, Ludie Blakley, the Search Committee SERVERS for SEPTEMBER ELDERS: Phil Denton, Sam Safrit DEACONS: Jackie Romanello, Cheryl Johnson Tony Bryant, Betty Kiger COMMUNION: Gene Trippe, Susan Smith OPENING/CLOSING: Jack Bryant Others Lee Lambie Pope (Skip Stanley s cousin); the Smith Family (multiple tragedies/illnesses); family of the child killed at Brookberry Farm; Shubha Range (sister-in-law of Frank; diagnosed with cancer), Kris Abshire (friend of the Alan Fletchers; serious cancer); Jim McClure (Megan Downing McClure s father-in-law), Clive & Opal Miller (neighbors of the Clodfelters), Linda Rephan (friend of Frank & Kay Range), Mark Depew (friend of Kent Doub), Cassie Mackie (Mary Timmon s sister), Carolyn Bennett, Bill Showers (brother of Dan), Barbara Hester (Jill Robertson s aunt), Jonathan Schaffer, Joy Beck (Jo Stanley s mother), Emma Woodard (Lauren Range s niece) Loved Ones in the Military PRAN Joshua Hughes/Norfolk, VA 1LT Hope Tucci/Texas Sgt. Samantha Goliat/Egypt Specialist Victor Sechrist/Alaska 1LT John G. Van Hoy, IV/ WA Chase Lee/Guam; USS Key West

9 September 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Christian Education Spiritual Formation & Enrichment Sunday & Lunch (UFH) 15 3rd Sunday Fellowship Enjoy last summer days of light Fall begins 3:30 Board Meeting 12:00 Covered Dish Retirement Lunch 9 Labor Day (Office Closed) 11:30 Goodtimers 7:00 Handbells/Scouts 16 6:00 Jr. Girl Scouts 7:00 Handbells/Scouts 23 7:00 Handbells/Scouts 30 Bob s last day at PCC 7:00 Handbells/Scouts Primary Election 7:00 Elders meet Newsletter deadline 24 6:30 CWF at Betty Kiger s for Meals on Wheels benefit Thank God for the beauty of all seasons! 6:00 Supper 7:15 Choir Rehearsal 11 5:00 Children s Handbells 7:00 Choir Rehearsal 18 5:00 Children s Handbells 6:00 Supper 7:15 Choir Rehearsal 25 5:00 Children s Handbells 7:00 Choir Rehearsal Donation item for the month: Canned Stew Beef 5 7:00 Disciple History Class 12 7:00 Disciple History Class 19 7:00 Disciple History Class 26 7:00 Disciple History Class then welcome cooler autumn nights! :00-2:00 Yard Sale :00-2:00 Yard Sale Anniversaries: (2) the Staples; (3) the Showers; (8) the Alan Fletchers; (10) the Saalweachters; (14) the Masons; (26) the Muetzels; (28) the Joel Faircloths BIRTHDAYS 01 Lorrie Bennett 02 Frankie Denton 03 Cheryl Johnson 03 Gene Saalweachter 03 Jeanette Shropshire 04 Betty Harrell 06 Leigh Bell 06 Vallie Cline 08 Lavante Fulton 10 Olivia DePriest 11 Craig Bracken 11 Julia Faircloth 13 Jackie Romanello 16 Hope Tucci 16 Betty Simpson 17 Kathy Tilley 20 Julie Davis 21 Robert Flynt 23 Campbell McInnis 24 Skip Stanley 24 Chris Dezern 25 Luke McAllister 26 Dennis Dawson 26 Elaine Bracken 28 Gene Trippe 29 Abby Catoe 30 Austin Pfaff 30 Caroline Smitherman