The Vision July/August 2018

Transcription

1 4 9 5 H W Y S O U T H The Vision July/August 2018 Since arriving at Bethany a few weeks ago, I have had the opportunity to get to know many of you as individuals. As an assignment for my internship, I also interviewed some of you about Bethany and the broader Ashe County community. In these conversations, a clear sense of family and community always came to the forefront. People take care of each other here, and that is a special and wonderful thing that does not exist everywhere. As part of the interviews, I asked people what Bible passage came to mind when they thought of Bethany. In return, I will offer the passage that I have been dwelling on since coming here: I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) From meeting all of you and spending time in the congregation over the past four Sundays, I can say with a considerable degree of certainty that Bethany longs to be known for the love that it shares; it is a congregation that strives to be a community of love. But now changes are underway in the congregation. Owen just preached his final sermon as the pastor here, and Dan Money and his family will be coming to take the reins in a few weeks. In the meantime, you all are stuck with me. I know that Owen was not Bethany s first pastor, and that Dan will not be Bethany s last pastor. Nonetheless, transitions always have a degree of uncertainty. Nobody can know what Bethany will look like in the future, and that s okay. The Church does not look like it did at Pentecost about two thousand years ago. As the Body of Christ, we are supposed to be vibrant, alive, and adaptive as we share God s love. What the church looks like is unimportant. What the church is known by is the important part. That is the part that does not need to change. In Owen s retirement reception, it was clear that he was being released by a congregation who loves him dearly. I was also greeted with love and open arms when I arrived, and I know that the Money family will be met with love when they arrive in July. If the spirit of love continues to be your guide, the rest will fall into place. I am incredibly grateful to get to be at Bethany for the summer. I quickly fell in love with Ashe County and the numerous rivers, but most of all with you here at Bethany. You have welcomed me and trusted me with your stories, your celebrations, and your moments of grief. I realized that I had become part of the community when Owen told me of Dean Page s death, and I mourned for a man that I had never met because of how loved he was by the people I have come to know in this congregation. This pastoral transition may come with any number of emotions for many of you happiness for Owen, sadness that Owen is leaving, excitement about what is to come, or even fear about the future. Whatever you might be feeling, you will all go through it together as a community of faith and love. I hope that you will embrace the coming change, but continue to embrace each other and your neighbors even more. With love and peace, Keith I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) JULY/AUGUST EVENTS July 8-14 Youth Mission Trip Plymouth, NC July 15 Reception Welcoming Dan & his family 12:00 pm July 16 Trustees Meeting 5:00 pm July VBS 5:00 pm July 22 6:00 pm Worship Committee 7:00 pm Administrative Council July 29 United Methodist Men s Breakfast 8:00 am August 5 Covered Dish Lunch Farewell to Keith 12:00 pm August 7 Women of Bethany Ashe Services for Aging TBD August 13 Teacher s Breakfast Westwood Elementary 8:00 am August 19 Backpack Sunday 11:00 am August 26 Outdoor Worship 16 Hands Farm 11:00 am

2 OUR NEW PASTOR AND HIS FAMILY Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I would like to introduce myself and say what a great honor and privilege it is that I will be serving as your pastor of Bethany United Methodist church of West Jefferson, NC. I am Reverend Dan Money, an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. I will be joined with my wife Kimberly and my thirteen year old daughter, Kaylee to become your pastoral family on July 9, I grew up in Davidson County, North Carolina, and graduated from North Davidson High School. I attended High Point University and graduated with a Bachelor s of Science Degree in 1992 with a major in Biology and Chemistry. Before answering a call into ordained ministry, I worked for a few years as a Chemist and then a High School science teacher. While working as a Chemist, I met my wife Kimberly when her father, James White, was appointed as my home church's minister. It's was about this time that I experienced a call into ministry and began visiting different seminary schools. Kimberly and I were married in 1998 while I was a student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. After two years at Asbury, I was accepted into Duke University Divinity School and received my first appointment in our conference. I graduated from Duke in 2003 with a Master's of Divinity degree and was ordained as a probationary member in 2004 and an Elder in full connection in Bethany will be my 3rd appointment. Previously, I served six years as senior pastor of the Denton Circuit UMC and then thirteen years as Associate pastor of Muir's Chapel UMC of Greensboro. I enjoy playing the guitar and I'm learning to play the banjo. I enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, camping, hiking, ATV riding and growing a garden. I also enjoy doing wood carving and painting. My wife, Kimberly also graduated from North Davidson High School. She did her Undergraduate work in Music at Greensboro College and holds a Master s degree and Doctorate degree from UNC Greensboro in Education. Kimberly has been both a teacher and administrator in the Davidson County School system and currently in the Rockingham County School system. Our daughter, Kaylee will be an eighth grader this coming year. She is a flutist and looks forward to continuing with Ashe County Middle School Band. Kaylee also enjoys playing the guitar, piano, singing, and writing her own songs. We all feel very called to Bethany and consider ourselves blessed to have this opportunity. We look forward to being a part of the Bethany community, living in your parsonage and enjoying the clean mountain air. We are looking forward to meeting each of you soon! In His Service Together, Dan

3 July 15 DAN MONEY S FIRST SUNDAY-WELCOME RECEPTION Please join us for a reception after the worship service. We will be welcoming Dan, his wife Kim, and their daughter Kaylee. Please bring finger foods. There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board. August 5 KEITH DOVE S FINAL SUNDAY On Keith s final Sunday with us, a love offering will be received during the worship service to assist him with college expenses. Please join us after the worship service, which includes a covered dish lunch. August 19 BACK PACK SUNDAY Children, students, and educators please bring your backpacks or brief case and come forward for a special blessing during the Sunday worship service. August 26 OUTDOOR WORSHIP AND COOKOUT 11:00 am Please plan to attend our annual picnic. We will be worshiping at the rustic 16 Hand Farm located at 841 Bald Mountain Rd West Jefferson NC There will be no Sunday School or worship service scheduled at Bethany UMC that Sunday. The Fellowship Committee will provide the meat, buns, paper products, ice, and drinks. Please bring a side dish or dessert. A sign-up sheet will be on the bulletin board in the future. We will plan to eat around 12:30 pm. Come hungry and enjoy good food and fellowship! Directions to 16 Hands Farm: From US 221 make a right onto 194 S Make a right onto Beaver Creek School Road Make a left onto Bald Mountain Road Make a left on Jarvis Road (Barns will be on your right) REMEMBER TO INVITE A FRIEND!

4 WOMEN OF BETHANY The Women of Bethany have been busy during what is turning out to be a summer of transitions: We thank the United Methodist Men and the youth for Muffins for Moms, and our "flowers" were so appreciated. In June, we bided farewell to Mary Peeler with a lunch at Boondocks and a basket of goodies. We were pleased to sponsor Donuts for Dads on Father's Day and again thank the youth for their help. We offer a big thank you to Linda Wylie for providing the lovely potted flowers for the church deck. The Women of Bethany will not meet in July, but we will be active in welcoming our new pastor and family. Our next meeting will be August 7 th when we will have lunch and a tour of Ashe Services for Aging. Details about that meeting will be in the Sunday bulletins several weeks prior. Our major fundraiser, the Salads/Sandwiches/Sweets luncheon, will be in September although the exact date has not been set at this time. Stay tuned. If you are not on Becky's list and would like to be, please let her know at beckymarsten87@gmail.com. Greetings Bethany Family and Friends! The youth are preparing for their mission trip to Plymouth, NC for the week of July This is a work mission trip and from the last message from Jay Clark, the director of CROSS ministries, there are over 20 different work requests for the region. We have over 9 churches represented with an estimated number of 82 youth and adults. This will be the largest group yet! We will need the following items donated for our Mission Trip: Homemade cookies and brownies or monetary donations. Please have your wrapped baked goods in the fellowship hall by Thursday, July 5 th by 12:00 pm Our last fundraiser raised $ which has us just a little under $ short of our goal. Please keep our youth in your prayers. Les Our next Youth Group meeting will be Wednesday, July 25 at 6:30 pm. Our annual Kiddie Pool Kickball is at 10:00 am on Saturday, July 28 with snacks and drinks afterwards.

5 Rolling River Rampage Bethany UMC Tuesday, July 17 Friday, July 20 5:00 pm 8:30 pm Children and youth, please come join Cokesbury s Rolling River Rampage! It s a white-water rafting adventure experiencing the ride of a lifetime with God! Along the river, children discover that life with God is an adventure full of wonder and surprise, and that they can trust God to be with them through anything. Relevant music, exciting science, creative crafts, fun recreation, and memorable Bible stories will help kids know that God is always with them as they ride the rapids of amazing grace! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. (Isaiah 43:2, CEB) PLEASE WELCOME: Kathy and Mayo Corbett. Kathy was baptized and has become a professing member of Bethany and Mayo transferred from North Fayetteville UMC. Sarah Brandt, William Judd Crysel, Emma Durr, Jason Durr were also baptized and made their profession of faith. PATRIOTIC CONCERT- Sunday July 1 at 3:00 at WJUMC Join First Baptist, Mt Jefferson Presbyterian, and West Jefferson United Methodist choirs for their Patriotic Program. It will be a salute to our veterans, active military, and homeland security. Free and open to the public. CONGRATULATIONS to Bob Miller and Dale Sheets who were joined in marriage at their home on Wednesday, June 20 th. Also, congratulations to our confirmands: Sarah Brandt, Kenny Dunfee, Emma Durr, Jason Durr, Zoey Krider, Luke Skerbinc, and Josh Weaver SUMMER BACKPACK PROGRAM-The Ashe County Sharing Center is operating the ONLY Summer Backpack program in Ashe County. Backpack numbers naturally more than double in the Summer because we send home backpacks to Mountain View students and all their siblings from other schools and ages as well. $75 will provide one child for 12 weekly summer backpacks $ will provide for one child and family for 12 weeks $ will provide for one child and family for 52 weeks Please make your checks out to Ashe County Sharing Center and place on your memo line Summer Backpacks.

6 RELAY FOR LIFE OF ASHE COUNTY Friday, July 20 th 6:00 pm Ashe County High School The American Cancer Society s Relay For Life of Ashe County is an annual event that not only remembers those loved ones that have lost the fight to cancer, but those heroes who have survived and stand with us in the continued effort to find a cure. By supporting our county s Relay for Life event you will join the fight against the single most important health issue facing Americans today- cancer. Money raised through this event goes toward research, education, service, and advocacy efforts which include working with lawmakers to ensure adequate funding for cancer research, to protect the rights of cancer patients and to guarantee access to quality care. If your life has been touched by cancer, you can see the significance of this event. If you want to be a part of the fight against cancer, join Bethany s Team led by Edie Miller and the Bethany Ding-A-Lings Bell Choir. You don t have to be a Ding-A-Ling to participate. Everyone is welcome. Just talk to Edie. Edie s phone number: (336) Lighting The Night With Hope Ashe County Luminaria Donation Form There will be hundreds of candles lighting the night at Westwood Elementary each one a tribute to a cancer patient. Candles displaying the names of all those being remembered and honored will be lining the track just after sunset. This will be a meaningful & inspirational ceremony and we would like to invite you to participate in this year s event by having a candle lit in memory of a loved one or in honor of a survivor. Please join us for the lighting of the luminaries at 9:00 p.m. Each luminary is for a suggested donation of $10.00 Please make checks payable to: American Cancer Society Please complete the information below. Please return form to Team Members and/or Team Captain PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY. I would like a candle lit for each of the following people: (Please circle one) 1. Honor / Memory 2. Honor / Memory 3. Honor / Memory 4. Honor / Memory 5. Honor / Memory Given by: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone:

7 July August 5 Suzanne Randolph, Barbara Carter 1 Marilyn Miller 7 Skip Ireson 3 Alice Atwood 9 Brittany Shepherd, Bethany McElroy 4 Job Hopkins, Edwin Houck 11 Candy Vaughn, Lew Morrison Bob Kilby 13 Phil Morrison 7 Ashley Trivette 15 Betsy Dickens 8 Rachel Weaver, Marina Lemly 16 Philip Shepherd 11 Coleman Payne 20 Emily Hopkins 14 Kalyn Chapman 21 James Lonon 20 Burt Prange 26 Jerrie Francis, Jack Moncrief 21 Jo Anne Page Sydney Sheets 23 Ginger Chapman 27 Tommy Howell, Hillary Judson 27 Pat Moncrief 29 Jeff Lewis, Allison Weaver, 28 Tatum Lemly Kirsten E. Hart 30 Lu Hagel 31 Angela Vitale Happy Birthday July August 1 Jason & Sharon Krider 2 Eddie & Edie Miller 11 Job & Pat Hopkins 3 Butch & Maggie Howell Charlie & Barbara VanBuren 9 Vernon & Anne Taylor 21 Charlie & Ellen Vitale 16 Garland & Hildie Baker 27 Don & Linda Sloan 18 Jack & Pat Moncrief 26 Bob & Joyce Kilby Rick & Allison Weaver July/August Volunteers CHILDREN S CHURCH July & August-TBA ALTAR GUILD July Betsy & Edd Dickens August Dana Johnson GREETERS July & August-TBA July August Acolytes 1 Jackson Krider 8 TBA 15 TBA 22 Sarah Brandt 29 Maggie Holmes 5 Emma Howell 12 Kenny Dunfee 19 Zoey Krider 26 N/A-Outdoor Worship

8 Bethany United Methodist Church 495 Hwy 194 S. West Jefferson, NC And he led them out as far as Bethany and he blessed them. Luke 24:50 Bethany United Methodist Church 495 Highway 194 South, West Jefferson, NC Church: (336) Parsonage: (336) Website: bumcwj.org Pastor: Dan Money Organist: Allison Weaver Adult Choir Director: Grady Lonon Pianist: Joyce Kilby Bell & Children s Choirs: Jane Lonon Custodian: Michael Houck Secretary/Treasurer: Marilyn Miller Lay Leader: Don Church Ministerial Intern: Keith Dove Youth Director: Les Miller Sunday Sunday School.. 9:45 a.m. Worship Service..11:00 a.m. Wednesday Chancel Choir Practice.6:30 p.m. Youth Group...6:30 p.m. Adult Handbell Practice...7:30 p.m.