“Light is not strong enough. I need to feel the burning of a torch for Jesus.” 6
Vol. 25 No. 1
News & Events Praying for our Nation- Each Tuesday, a special prayer time will be held in the Frazer Chapel from 12-1 p.m. Come by and join us in praying for our country and the upcoming elections in November. For more information contact Jan Niel at 495-6350. FALL 2012 CONNECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE Looking for a Bible study, Sunday School class or other activities? Check out Connections, your guide to Frazer’s small group and Bible study opportunities and fellowship activities for all ages. The Fall 2012 issue is now available. Pick up your copy in the Atrium and other locations around the church. You can also view it online at frazerumc.org/groups. don’t miss Ballet Magnificat sept. 23 Ballet Magnificat brings world-class dancing into the church as a beautiful intermingling of worship and art. Long-time fans of ballet and newcomers to the art form alike will be inspired and uplifted. The performance at Frazer will feature “The Arrival,” a contemporary piece celebrating how we anticipate and experience the coming of the presence of God in our midst; and “Deliver Us,” the telling of the story of Moses and the Exodus of God’s people from slavery into freedom through dance and music. Don’t miss this special event, Sunday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Tickets are available now at iTickets.com, and in the Frazer Bookstore. Advance Prices: Adults $12.50, Children 12 and under $8 (plus ticket handling fees)., or $15 at the door. Nursery available for age 4 and under (no ticket required). For more information, visit balletmagnificat.com.
www.frazerumc.org
September 2012
Followership 2013 seeks to help members ‘follow Jesus’ By Mike Presley News Staff Writer
Frazer’s fall stewardship campaign is getting a new look and a new name this year, but the goal remains the same. The Followership 2013 initiative starts this month and will culminate on Commitment Sunday Oct. 28 where all members of Frazer are encouraged to make their commitments to serving Christ through Frazer in the coming year. Followership 2013 will retain some of the basic structure of the In His Steps campaigns like commitment cards, but add new features. The campaign’s goal is to have every member respond to two questions: Have you decided to follow Jesus? And, if so, how will you live out that decision in the coming year? “Hopefully the Followership campaign will keep the core ‘every member in ministry’ spirit of In His Steps, but renew and revive our understanding that we’re not helping the church, we are the
church; that we’re not serving Frazer, we’re following Jesus,” said Teri Brown, director of the Followership Ministry. “It’s more than just an annual campaign; it’s an everyday lifestyle.” Teri said the campaign serves an important role in challenging members to grow in their faith. “The purpose of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ,” she said. “If we don’t have a tool in place to challenge every member to be a follower of Jesus,
how will we know if all of our beautiful worship services and wonderful programs are really accomplishing the goal? So, the big picture is that it’s important for the church because it measures how we’re doing in our core mission.” The initiative also serves an important practical purpose to help Frazer plan and budget for programs and ministries in 2013. Continued page 4
Taste of Frazer celebrates sixth year with great food and fellowship By Mac McLellan News Staff Writer
By 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25 several hundred people were already in line in the Atrium awaiting the much anticipated Sixth Annual Taste of Frazer. Inside Wesley Hall dozens of volunteer amateur chefs put the final touches on their entries in the categories of Appetizers, Salads, Entrees and Desserts. “It takes a lot of planning to put an event like this together,” said Jean Kocher, who has been Co-Chairman of the Taste of Frazer with Bobbie Cooper for the past five years. “We select a date a year in advance and the six months prior to the event we work on a daily basis putting everything together. “
DOWNLOAD DAILY BIBLE STUDY GUIDES AND DEVOTIONS- As we focus on being a Word-Centered, World-Changing church in 2012, our teaching pastors are providing a daily Bible study guide to lead you through the section of the Bible they are preaching on each week. Pick up your copy inside your bulletin on Sunday or download from the links found at frazerumc.org/ bible_study_guides. You can also sign up online to receive a daily devotion e-mail. More events & a nn o u nc e m e n t s pa g e 2 M o n t h ly C a l e n d a r Pa g e 3
Continued page 5
Photo by Mac MCLELLAN
Ivie Kocher serves a fruit kabob to Phil Smith at the Sixth Annual Taste of Frazer July 25. Ivie’s appetizer won first place in the Junior Chef division.
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Frazer Family News
Announcements
September 2012
News + Events
Want to watch a sermon again? Check TV broadcast times at wfrz.com or watch online at frazerumc.org/media Tune in to WFRZ on Knology and Charter Channel 13 , Brighthouse Channel 122 and UHF Channel 34.
Love Golf? Love Missions? Volunteer! This year’s Frazer Cup Golf Tournament promises to be even better than last year, but we need your help to pull it off...everything from working sign-up tables to judging an “ugliest legs” contest! For more information, email Jim at jvjgreenville@aol.com. Want to learn sign language? Sign language classes will begin Sept. 5 for anyone wanting to learn. Classes are for beginners and the six-week course takes place on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in room 3202.
Sign up for Frazer’s e-mail newsletter Our e-mail newsletter is your weekly connection to news, events, classes and volunteer opportunities at Frazer. Click straight from the newsletter to videos, worship guides, surveys and more from frazerumc.org. Once you sign up, you can manage your subscription at any time. Sign up today at
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The FRAZER FAMILY NEWS (USPS #959-520) is published monthly by Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery AL 36117-2804. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery AL 36119. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FRAZER FAMILY NEWS, PO Box 241347, Montgomery AL 36124-1347. The Frazer Family News tells the story of what God is doing in the lives of people in and through His church. Submissions are welcome, but we cannot be responsible for unsolicited articles. To pass along information or story ideas, please leave a note in the editor’s mailbox in the church office, call 272-8622, or send e-mail to ffn@frazerumc.org. Editor..................... Amy Presley Communications Director................. Ken Roach Staff . .................... AnnaBeth Crittenden, Brandy Freeman, Mac McLellan, Mike Presley, Neil Probst, Robin Raiford, Candace Rutherford, Alexia Scott, Martha Poole Simmons, Andrea Vandermey Columnist.............. Ginger Koerner Photographers....... Diana Bunch, Heather David, Harold Hill, Judi Mallory, Mac McLellan, Lori Mercer, Mary Ogden, Martha Poole Simmons, Chris Thornton, Lee Werling, Suzanne Williams
Aerobics classes starting in September- Aerobics classes led by certified instructors will begin Sept. 4. Classes will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 12 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Cost is $2 per class, or $3 with childcare. Register at the Activity Center each month. For more information, contact Emily Spear at 495-6462 or espear@frazerumc.org Know someone who wants to learn English? If you or someone you know wants to learn English as a Second Language, Frazer’s ESL ministry will begin fall classes Sept. 4. ESL meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the 3200 hall. A meal and childcare are provided for the free program. Sunday School classes and small groups are also needed to volunteer to bring snack supper for the students each week. For more information on how to help, contact Kay Bray at kbray248@charter.net.
D i s ci p l e s hi p + F e ll o w s hi p FOLLOWERSHIP BREAKFAST BIBLE STUDY-Dr. Tim Thompson and Rev. Patrick Quinn will lead a 6-week Bible study on great “followers” of the Old Testament, Tuesdays at 7 a.m. Study starts Sept. 11. Breakfast is served at 6:30 a.m. and the cost is $3. To reserve your spot, contact Rolena at rolena@frazerumc.org or call the church office at 272-8622. The deadline to register is Sept. 9. Apples of Gold Fall Session- Registration is now open for the Apples of Gold fall session, which begins Sept. 18. Apples of Gold is a 6-week nurturing program for young women that features fellowship, cooking demonstrations, Bible study and mentoring by older women, as instructed by Scripture. For more details and to register, contact Betsy Prince at 277-2285 or betsy.prince52@ gmail.com or mrog143@yahoo.com
Strengthen your family “team”- Family Teams for Christ launches Sunday, Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in room 3202. This 9-month course covers three blocks: Our Spiritual Journey, Building Family Teams for Christ and Character-Centered Parenting. Designed with the needs of military couples in mind, FTC is great for any family looking to build a solid spiritual foundation. Mike and Lisa Conn are the teachers. For more information, contact them at mike. conn@familyteamsforchrist.com or 562-5227. Essentials 101: Know what is important to God- Designed as a follow-up to our new member STEP classes, Essentials 101 covers the fundamentals of faith, like how to pray, how to read the Bible, worship, be a witness and more. The eight-week course starts Sept. 9, and meets Sunday at 11 a.m. in room 7208.
C H I L D R E N + ST U D E N TS ORBIT CHILDREN’S WEDNESDAY NIGHT PROGRAM- Orbit, Frazer’s Music and Missions program, is an evening of games, fun, worship and learning for children four years old through fifth grade (as of Sept. 1). ORBIT meets Wednesdays from 6-7:15 p.m, starting Sept. 5. Sign up your child the first night or pre-register at frazerumc. org/orbit
Puppet Ministry- Children and students in fifth grade and older who are interested in becoming part of the DSB Creative Ministry team (puppet ministry) are invited to bring a parent and come to our introductory meeting Sept. 6 in Room 6111 (Discoveryland Aquarium) at 6 p.m. Training will last until 7:30 p.m. To be eligible for tryouts on Sept. 13, you must attend the Sept. 6 meeting. For more information, call Gayle Elmore at 495-6367.
SE R V I N G + G I V I N G Food Pantry and Homeless Hygiene Ministries will collect nonperishable food and personal care items the first Sunday of each month. Please drop off items in the donation carts located throughout the church.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED- Children’s Ministry is asking for the Frazer Family to prayerfully consider teaching a children’s class at 8, 9:30, or 11 a.m. We have about 15 slots to fill, if God is touching your heart and calling you to this ministry for our children, please contact Marsha McGehee at 495-6355 or marsha@ frazerumc.org
September 2012
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SEPTEMBER 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday 1
Communion Sunday
Labor Day
2
6:45 a.m. Breakfast
3
Church office closed
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship
5 6 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Children’s 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare ORBIT and Crave students programs 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra
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12 13 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Children’s 12 p.m. Noon Salad Luncheon ORBIT and Crave students programs 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 6 p.m. Step One 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 6 p.m. S.P.I.R.I.T. Divorce Care, Grief Support 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. ESL
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4
9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, Divorce Care, Grief Support 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. English as a Second Language
8 8:30 a.m. Crave Local Outreach
Promotion Sunday for nursery and children 9 6:45 a.m. Breakfast
10 6 p.m. Alpha Course
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship 17
16
11
6:30 a.m. Followership Breakfast Bible Study
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19 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Children’s 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir ORBIT and Crave students programs 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, 6 p.m. Step Two Divorce Care, Grief Support 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra 7 p.m. ESL
15 8:30 a.m. Flag Football & Cheerleading Games
20
21
22
6:30 a.m. Followership Study
6:45 a.m. Breakfast
6 p.m. Alpha Course
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts
9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare 11 a.m. Friends Bible Study 6 p.m. Men’s Fellowship Supper
6 p.m. Silent Social
8:30 a.m. Flag Football & Cheerleading Games
6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship 23
24
6:45 a.m. Breakfast
25
26 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Children’s 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir ORBIT and Crave students programs 5:30 p.m. SIngles Small Group, 6 p.m. Step Three Divorce Care, Grief Support 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra 7 p.m. ESL
27
28
29
6:30 a.m. Followership Study 6 p.m. Alpha Course
8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 5 p.m. Crave Missions Meeting
9 a.m. 4th Thursday Games & Fellowship 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare
8:30 a.m. Flag Football & Cheerleading Games
6 p.m. Ballet Magnificat 30 6:45 a.m. Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Gospel Group The Bledsoes in Concert
For a complete listing of all weekly Bible studies, support groups, Sunday School classes/small groups and other weekly activities, please see the Fall 2012 Connections Magazine, now available in the Atrium and at frazerumc.org/groups
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Followership continued from page 1 “We all know that you can’t run a household very well without a budget and a plan for who will get what done,” Teri said. “It’s the same way at the church, but on a larger scale. We need to know that we will have money and volunteers to send to Garden Square for our Transformation Montgomery Project, for the deaf community in Haiti or for the many other ministries and programs.” In early October, members will receive Followership packets that include a commitment card and a booklet full of opportunities to serve Christ in 2013. Sermon series in Wesley Hall and the Sanctuary will focus on what Jesus and his disciples taught about being a follower of God. A Followership Bible study will be offered every Tuesday morning from Sept. 11 to Oct. 16 exploring lessons from followers of God in the Old Testament. Each member will be invited to one of three “Dream Dinners” in Wesley Hall Oct. 22-24. Senior Pastor Tim
Frazer Family News
September 2012
Thompson and Teaching Pastor Patrick Quinn will celebrate what God has done through the church, share the vision for the year to come and encourage members to pray about their commitments for 2013. A group of “First Followers” will call members in mid October to make sure they have received their Followership packet and an invitation to attend one of Dream Dinners. Followership 2013 will also include a strong emphasis on prayer. After morning worship on Oct. 21, a prayer circle will form around the entire church. Prayer walks will be held throughout the building during the nights of the Dream Dinners. All of this leads up to Commitment Sunday where members will be encouraged and challenged to make their commitments to Christ for 2013 by turning in their commitment card during the morning worship services. “Followership is more about people than a budget or a program,” Teri said. “It’s about our faithfulness to God.”
Important dates for Followership 2013 Sept. 11-Oct. 16: Followership Breakfast Bible Study- Tuesdays at 6:30 a.m. Early October: Followership packages including commitment cards and opportunities booklets will be mailed to the congregation. Oct. 22-24: “Dream Dinners” for the entire congregation to celebrate God’s provision and share in Frazer’s vision for the coming year Oct. 21: Churchwide prayer circle after morning worship Oct. 28: Commitment Sunday
Volunteers help restore local school, one classroom at a time By Amy Presley News Editor
A small group of volunteers from Frazer made a big impact on one local Montgomery middle school this summer, in hopes that the Frazer congregation can continue to help restore the school facility into an ideal place for learning. “Another Great Day of Service,” as the day was called, took place Aug. 4. Volunteers met at Goodwyn Middle School with plans to clean up and repaint the floors and walls of several classrooms, and make other minor repairs. Butch McPherson, director of missions and outreach events, said he first learned of the facility’s dire needs during the 2012 Great Day of Service. He was visiting the various service project sites with Senior Pastor Tim Thompson. When they arrived at the school to meet up with volunteers that day, Butch said they realized what poor condition the school building was in, and they were determined to find a way to help make it a better environment for the students and staff. “The rooms are in deplorable condition, and not conducive to learning at all,” Butch said. “They are dingy, paint is peeling off the walls. The school does not have much of a PTA or many volunteers. We just wanted to help this school.” The school’s principal was grateful for assistance in cleaning up the school, and after hitting a few roadblocks, Butch said they were able to come up with a plan to work on three of the classrooms. They wanted to complete the project before school started in August, which left little time to assemble a large group of volunteers. Still, they were determined to accomplish as much as they could in a few hours. Volunteers included Dr. Neil Epler and his family, Sid and Mary Ogden and their family, Butch and Frazer member Denny Rea. Each family took a room and were able to clean, scrape and paint the walls and floors in about five hours. The hope is that with more volunteers, Frazer can come back to the school and restore even more classrooms. “Now that we know how long it takes to complete a room (with 4-5 volunteers working per room), we can take out as many rooms as we can get volunteers,” Butch said. “I enjoyed getting involved with this project and working my tail off! It was a fun group of volunteers and we were much appreciated by Goodwyn’s PTSA team,” Mary Ogden said. “There are many more rooms that need help. It would not be hard to have a Sunday School class adopt a classroom and bring it up to a higher standard in one or two weekends. Sign me up again!” Butch said that plans are still in the works for scheduling another work day at the school but feels confident that if Sunday School classes, small groups, families and individuals will step up to help, Frazer can help restore the Goodwyn facility back to a place where students can be proud to attend and learn.
Photos BY MARY OGDEN
Sid Ogden paints the trim in a classroom at Goodwyn Middle School as part of a service project on Aug. 4 to help restore some of the classrooms at the school.
Dr. Neil Epler and his wife Ashley work on painting the trim around a chalkboard in a classroom at Goodwyn Middle School.
September 2012
Taste of Frazer
www.frazerumc.org
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continued from page 1 “This event would not happen without the support of Gail Dunlap who manages the kitchen operations. She does an incredible job making sure that the food is maintained at the correct temperature. That is a tough job when you consider dozens of different foods in sufficient quantities for hundreds of people to sample. She has a great many people who help her along with the folks in our Sunday School class, Koinonia, who have supported Jean and I every year that we have been coordinators for the Taste. ” Eric Pierce, a retired Air Force Colonel and his family were attending the Taste of Frazer for the first time. Eric said, “Not only is the event well set up, but the food is really interesting, especially the collards. There is no doubt we’ll be back next year.” Shirley McKenzie, a member of the Bible Basics Sunday School class, entered her Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Frosting in the Dessert Category. “This is my first time participating, and this has been a really great event. I just talked to my son’s teacher when he was four years old, and that was a long time ago,” she said. “It has been fun meeting all these people, and actually it was fun spending three days cooking these 300 brownies. I’ll be back again next year, but next time it will be with one huge dish!” Judging was done by a 12 member team which included several food service professionals and restaurant owners. The results are as follows: First Place Winners: Appetizers, Jean Kocher, Margarita Cheese Ball Salads, Carolyn Gibbs, Grape Salad Entrees, Susan Moss, Turnip Green Soup Desserts, Bill Light, Cheesecake
Second Place Winners: Appetizers, Alice Sherbett, Sweet and Spicy Bacon Bites Salads, Donna Oliphint, Grilled Corn Salad Entrees, Chris Shubird, Egg Strata Desserts, Tie between Dot Pyron, Chocolate Pie and Pam Tillman, Peanut Butter Snacks
Photos BY MAC MCLELLAN
Hundreds of eager and hungry people packed Wesley Hall on July 25 for the Sixth Annual Taste of Frazer.
Senior Pastor Tim Thompson serves his chicken wings to Salero Wallace.
Susan Moss and Hannah Sanfield won first place in the Entrees category with their Turnip Greens Soup.
Third Place winners: Appetizers, Carolyn and Sherrie Ballard, Glazed Pecans Salads, Karen South, Watermelon Tomato Feta Salad Entrees, Shelia Taylor, Greens and Cornbread Desserts, Cheryl Smith, Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars
Three Junior Chefs entered this year’s competition. Ivie Kocher won first Place in Appetizers with her Fruit Kabobs. Elijah Chappell won first Place in Entrees with his Chicken Etoufee, and Anna Beth Moore won first Place in Desserts with her Banana Nut Bread Muffins, featuring her Great-Great Grandmother’s recipe. Door prizes were drawn throughout the evening. The Taste of Frazer Committee wishes to express its gratitude to the following: Paula Holston, Super Suppers, Sommer’s Place, Periwinkle, Jan Beal’s You Name It, Covent Gardens, Peaches ‘n Clean, Itz A Gift, Marco’s Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza, Fine Line Engravers, Velvet Pumpkin, Chappy’s Deli, Horton’s Wholesale, Twisted Spur and the Frazer Bookstore.
John Kline samples Junior Chef Anna Beth Moore’s Banana Nut Bread Muffins, which won first place in the Dessert category.
Full plates and smiling faces are a sure sign of a successful event.
As the Taste of Frazer 2012 came to a close David Shropshire said, “I’m not a member of Frazer, but my daughter and son-in-law are. We come every year to support this wonderful event, as well as my love of food. I see people here that I see once a year and we get reconnected. The 2012 Taste of Frazer is as good as ever!” All proceeds from the Taste of Frazer go to support the Community Ministries United Appeal Fund.
Carolyn Gibbs serves her first place winning Grape Salad to Fran Wilkinson.
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2012-2013 Frazer Charitable Trust Scholarship Recipients The Frazer Charitable Trust Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the following scholarship award recipients for 2012-2013.
Scholarship Funds BLAINE ELLIOTT FUND: Ronald Bryant, Holly Carr, Hannah Carroll, Cynthia Ciskie, Marisa Cook, Katherine Mitchell, Kaitlyn Owings, Hillary Rogers, Demecia Rush, Kasey Tucker, Peter Williams JOAN MATHISON FUND: Elizabeth Beaird, Sheila Djamba, Lauren Henry JOE PAT COX FUND: Anna Beth Peavy JOHN ED MATHISON FUND: Lauren Brendle, Joshua Carroll, John Easterling, Elizabeth Elmore, Christopher Henry, Daniel Johnson, Elise Mason, Victor Mason, Joshua Owings, Reid Riley, Lauren Scoggan, Cory Stanaland, Austin White KIM PANNONE FUND: Candice Hansen, Macy Matthews, Joshua Sigler, Esther Workman JACK THOMPSON FUND: Levi Gardner, Alice May
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS Doug Braswell Fund: Adrionna Bell Nida Fox Fund: Kaitlyn Hiebert Brother Si Mathison Fund: John Lyles Gene Thrailkill Fund: John D. Owings Ralf Hamil Lane & Mildred Lane Fund: Julia Parsons Betty Andrews Fund: Sara Kate Peavy Melvin W. Carr, Sr. Fund: Jessy Ann Tucker Willis R.(Jinks) Taylor,Jr. Fund: Carla Weissand Hester A. Garrett Fund: Lyndsay Ewing MARK & KAY DIERLAM INTEREST-FREE LOAN FUND: Elizabeth Beaird, Lauren Brendle, Ronald Bryant, Holly Carr, Daniel Johnson, Elise Mason, Victor Mason, Cory Stanaland, Carla Weissend
Frazer Family News
September 2012
Despite limitations, Frazer member strives to carry the light of Christ wherever he goes By Dr. Martha Poole Simmons News Staff Writer
D
r. Douglas Jeffcoat’s life has had its peaks and valleys. He lived on Montgomery’s Virginia Avenue until he was nine years old when his family moved to the Capitol Heights area. Doug was a member of Frazer at Photo by Martha Poole Simmons its old location. His family’s background included men Frazer member Dr. Douglas Jeffcoat. who were devoted to serving the Lord. His father served as a circuit rider preacher while also working at the post office, and his grandfather served as a Methodist preacher and as District Superintendent. When Douglas was 11 years old, his father passed away on Christmas day, leaving him and his mother in a difficult financial situation. After high school, he worked while attending college classes at night school at the University of Alabama’s Bell Street location in Montgomery. While enrolled as a student, he was hired by AT&T in Montgomery but later moved to Atlanta and completed his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and an MBA degree at Georgia State University. IBM provided training in computer technology, and his work included the installation of the computer cardpunch system for AT&T putting the system in service at Atlanta. After this project was completed, he was transferred to White Plains, New York, where he developed a project called “CMS”, the first artificial intelligence system used by AT&T. During this time, he had a Bell Labs Unit assigned to his district, and at the completion of the development of “CMS”, he managed the installation. Douglas earned his doctorate in computer science at New York University. He had nine major patents while serving as District Manager of research and technical support for AT&T. In addition to his regular job, Doug served as the Director of Communications for the Olympic Torch Relay for the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics. The Torch was carried 9,000 miles across the U.S., touching most states as it traveled from New York to Los Angeles. This required three people to manage a large torch relay, namely, the Director of Runners, the Director of Logistics and the Director of Communications who tied it all together. In 1986, Douglas retired from AT&T after 36 years. He then started a computer consultant business and taught Sunday School, but he found that being a computer consultant did not provide the satisfaction that he desired. He had the background for becoming a minister, yet he felt no peace until he told the Lord that he would become a minister. Doug earned a Doctor of Divinity at Dallas Theological Seminary. The United Church of Christ (UCC), a new denomination composed of Presbyterian, Methodist and Church of Christ members, funded this education. His first ministerial position was part time at Bell Road Independent Methodist Church which later combined with a Presbyterian congregation. He developed the new Presbyterian logo, two trees planted by the water growing together
reaching up to God. He continued in soul-winning by talking about Jesus and preaching at Eastdale Estates, which provided the necessary peace that he desired. Twenty-five years ago, Doug experienced several major health crises. He first sustained a head injury while erecting a porch to his home which caused major eye problems. He also suffered injuries while pruning very large shrubbery resulting in rotator cuff surgery and numerous esophageal problems. In 1998, he found himself unable to walk one morning, with the Montgomery doctors unable to diagnose the problem. After a week, the physicians at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center diagnosed him as having spinal stenosis, a medical condition characterized by a narrowing of the spine that pinches or otherwise irritates the spinal nerves causing many problems especially walking. After major surgery on his spinal column from c1 to c7, he was left with limitations in walking and usage of the hands. He uses a mechanized chair for most movement. Doug said, “I believe in the right place, right time, and divine intervention. I strongly believe in divine intervention. I have had a lot of hurt and disappointment. I have had bad days and good days, but one cannot understand good days without having bad days. A person can’t tell if he’s up without a reference point of being down, and that is what God gives him. The sooner that a person realizes that, the better off that he is. Do I believe in God? Yes. Do I believe in Jesus in my heart? Yes. My faith is not 100 percent, but that is what I strive for each day.” Doug and his wife, Sarah, a retired nurse, have been married for 56 years and have two children. They are a team, supporting and helping each other during times of crisis. Doug celebrated his 78th birthday in August and said he has a renewed spirit of service to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His life serves as a wonderful reminder that despite health issues and walking limitations, Doug serves the Olympics of his community and church running the race of life carrying the torch of Jesus to the world. Doug said, “Light is not strong enough. I need to feel the burning of a torch for Jesus.”
Photo Courtesy of Dr. Doug Jeffcoat
Doug Jeffcoat had the honor of being an Olympic torchbearer for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
September 2012
When a mouse is a blessing
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Ginger’s Corner
When microwave ovens came out, Paul bought me a big Ginger Koerner bulky one that seemed to take up lots of counter space. I am electronically challenged so I had no idea how to use it, my young daughter taught me! Then there was the VHS and DVD players, which my grandsons (ages 5 and 7) showed me how to work. My next electronic hurdle was the computer. We were late getting one because Paul said he worked with them every day and didn’t want to use them at home! But that great day finally came and I didn’t know how to turn it on! Of course my children were all “experts” by then, and each one delighted in confusing me more! I finally called the Air Force expert, (I thought) our son-in-law Doug Medcalf and asked him if he could show me a few things about our new computer. “Well Ginger,” he quipped ”just play with it. You aren’t smart enough to mess it up!” I proved Doug wrong on several occasions! Recently a new laptop took residence in our home, and now I’m like the kids, watching TV with a laptop in use. I thought about the Bible Studies I’ve taken and the columns I write and loaded my PC Bible Study onto my new toy. Yesterday morning, with the sun shining in our kitchen window, I appreciated my toy as a tool. I found all the scriptures first. As I studied and clicked the mouse they appeared so fast, I had no time for my mind to wander or become distracted. My mouse had become a blessing! The more you think about all the new things we have to make our lives better, the more we should be thankful for the knowledge man has to invent these things. Yet with all the smarts God gives us, we can still mess up very well on our own. I don’t have a book that answers all my questions about computers and electronics; but God has given us a book to tell us how to live our lives daily. I’m so thankful that when we mess up, we can ‘fess-up! God’s Book tells us how.
Ginger Koerner volunteers in the Frazer kitchen and serves as a substitute Sunday School teacher. She has sung in the choir, directed children’s choirs and drama. She is married to Paul and her hobbies are quilting and reading.
When used wisely, coupons can be a great money-saving tool Dear Dave, Is it worth the time and effort to use coupons, or are they just a waste of time and a ploy to get you to buy things? —Tammy Dear Tammy, Coupons are definitely a ploy to entice you to buy something you may not have purchased otherwise. But that doesn’t mean they’re bad things. The practical and sensible application of coupons can definitely help you save money. The main things to watch out for when using coupons are overbuying and spending your money on things you don’t really need. Seriously, you don’t need to hit Sam’s or Costco and walk out with nine gallons of mustard. I’ve even heard of people buying things they know they don’t like just because it was on sale or they had a coupon. I mean, how dumb is that? I guess there is a time factor involved in collecting coupons, especially if you still like to clip them from the newspapers or flyers that come in the mail. Plenty of folks still do that every week. I think online coupons are a lot easier to search for and save though. There’s a company I love called eMeals that will work with you to plan recipes and also give you
CARING FOR OUR CONGREGATIon BIRTHS We rejoice with our members who have recently welcomed a new child into their family.
• A daughter, “Chelsea” Anne, born to Savannah and Chris Bowden, July 30, 2012. • A daughter, “Lucy“ Elizabeth, born to Leah and Davis Prince Aug. 1, 2012. • Twin daughters, “Lowen“ Marie and “Davi“ Lauren, born to Jamie and Jeff Welch Aug. 8, 2012. • A son, Adam”Craig, Jr. “A.J.”, born to Aimee and Adam Mills Aug. 16, 2012. We extend our deepest Christian sympathy and love to those families who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. Remembering these families in your prayers, giving them a call or sending a card provides healing ministry and extends the love of Christ during this time of loss and grief.
• Jim Teaters • Michael Ruud
Dave Says
• Mary Freeman
Dave Ramsey
• Victor Cherry
information on coupons and sales in your area to make the meals. I’m definitely not anti-coupon, but at the same time couponing alone won’t change your family tree. It’s like any other tool. If used in a smart way, it can help you save money. And that’s not a bad thing! —Dave Reprinted with Permission. For more great financial advice from Dave Ramsey, visit www.davesays.org.
Need help? Overcoming and eliminating debt can be overwhelming and even seem impossible. If you would like to get started on Dave’s Financial Peace program with his seven Baby Steps to Financial Freedom, or would like to learn how to create a budget, call Gary Sanderson at 462-0839 or sandersong@ knology.net.
• Verle Fanning • Hanley Funderburk • Mother of Sieu Tang Woods • Mother of Dr. Barry McNamara • Stepfather of Dianna McRae • Maureen Robertson • Travis Cox • Mother of David Mixon • Father of Val Chambers • Mother of Lynn Gray • Jack Shows • Jim Worley • Paul Koerner
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PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONTGOMERY AL 36119
Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church P.O. Box 241347 Montgomery, AL 36124-1347
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Inside this issue:
FOLLOWERSHIP 2013 aims to inspire congregation to follow jesus........... 1 TASTE OF FRAZER 2012 a success...................................................................... 1 Frazer volunteers bring “Another Great Day of Service” to school........ 4 2012 -2013 Charitable TRust Scholarship recipients...................................6 Member “carries the torch” for Christ”.....................................................6 And more! Save the date:
F o r t h e l at e s t n e w s a n d e v e n t s , g o t o f r a z e r u m c .o rg