2015 June The Communicator

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church June 2015 Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

Up, Up, & Away!

Dr. Kort’s Retirement Celebration Luncheon

Sunday, June 14 11:00 A.M. Fellowship Hall Please join us for the retirement celebration of Dr. Tom Kort. Our 10:00 a.m. worship service will be Dr. Kort's last in the pulpit as our Senior Pastor. At 11:00 a.m. we will head over to the Fellowship Hall for a retirement luncheon to celebrate his service as our Senior Pastor for twenty-seven years and as an ordained minister for forty-two years. Join us for chicken, barbecue, and all the trimmings. There will be no charge for lunch, but a basket for donations will be available.

Let us know you will be attending!

Sign –up at www.sardis.org or by calling 704.926.1590

The Communicator ~ June 2015 Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Sardis Presbyterian Church Fall 2014 & Spring 2015 Graduates

College Graduates

2nd Lt. Mason Thomas Bell Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice · University of North Carolina at Charlotte

John Faulkner Chamberlain Bachelor of Science in Chemistry · United States Naval Academy Service Selection: Nuclear Surface Warfare Officer Ensign, United States Navy

Grant Coleman Bachelor of Arts in Sociology · University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Taylor Ellison Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies · University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Lydia Virginia Fobel Bachelor of Social Work · North Carolina State University

Cameron Elizabeth Green Juris Doctor · George Mason University School of Law

Virginia Harris Bachelor of Science in Business Administration‐Supply Chain · North Carolina State University

Jameson Ondrof Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy · University of Notre Dame

Claire M. Simpson Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sports Science · University of Alabama

Jeremy White Master of Arts in Industrial‐Organizational Psychology and HR Management · Appalachian State University

High School Graduates Seniors listed below will be recognized with their parents at the Blanket Ceremony at the 11 a.m. service on June 7.

Rebecca Elizabeth Alba Catey Fisher

Madison Elizabeth McClure

Sarah Lucille Thames

Meredith Claire Banks

Riley William Methner

Emily Thompson

Jonathan Mitchell Barbee Catherine A. Harrell

Hadley Britton Nelson

Sara Catherine Tiedeman

Claire Madison Bartel

Parker William Hoffler

Bailey Elizabeth Ondrof

Cary Hall Titus

Kathryn Gray Boland

Amanda Kathryn Hood

Kathryn Ann Otto

Crockett Vass

Andrea Boston

Matthew Gerhard Hood

Charles Jackson Owens, III

Noah Wagner

Caroline Claire Bowen

Reva Jane Aglaya Jelenick

Rebecca Lynn Porter

Cole Weber

Ian Jacob Boyce

Alexis Kenn

Spencer Cole Rhodes

Rebecca Williams

James Tate Boyce

Austin Kent

Emily Mae Rodger

Carlyn Marie Wright

Julia Katherine Burke

Tyler Jon Koch

Craig Andrew Rowell

Sophia Youmans

Thomas Riley Craig

Cole Turner Leatherwood

Kimberly Elizabeth Surles

Adam Zalaquett

Samantha Gilstrap

2 The Communicator ~ June 2015

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Sardis Summer Scene—Join In for Fun! Lemonade on the Lawn is back this summer! Join us on the lawn after each 10 a.m. service during the summer from June 21 through September 6.

June 27—Free hot dog and hamburger cookout following Saturday service. No advanced signup required!

August 8—Baseball for Bayonnais—Cookout and then buses to BB&T Ballpark for Knights game following Saturday service. (See article on page 6 for more information!)

Summer Sunday School

We will move to our summer worship schedule the second weekend of June. In June we will have Sunday School for all ages on June 14, 21, and 28, at 9 a.m. There will be one class for adults and it will meet in room 211/212. The theme for those three weeks for adults will be “Sardis: Past, Present, and Future.”

On June 14, “Sardis Past,” David Blackley will lead a class on Sardis’ 225th Anniversary.

On June 21, “Sardis Present,” the Mission Interpretation Ministry will lead a class on our mission outreach.

On June 28, “Sardis Future,” Katie Harrington will moderate a class with speakers from Charlotte Presbytery who will share what is next for Sardis in the search for a new senior pastor—they will discuss the steps that are required and the assistances provided by Presbytery.

Sunday School will resume on August 30. The time will still be at 9 a.m. with one service at 10 a.m. The focus of the Sunday School hour will be an event for all ages with an opportunity to join together in mission.

September 6 will be the last Sunday for one service at 10 a.m. At 9 a.m. there will be classes for children and youth, and a coffee fellowship time with a brief devotion offered for adults.

On September 13, we return to our regular schedule with worship at 9 and 11, and Sunday School at 10.

Welcome to Our New Members!

Tom and Lareine Archer join us by

Todd

Harrington

joins

Sardis

by Fannie Lowe joins by letter of

Profession of Faith. Tom is a Reaffirmation of Faith. He works for Bank

transfer from Carmel Presbyterian

Structural Bodyworker, LMBT at Full

of America/Merrill Lynch and is married

Church. She is retired from IBM. She

Body Function and Lareine is a stay‐at

to Katie Harrington, one of our Associate

has four adult children.

‐home mom. They have a daughter,

Pastors. Todd and Katie have two

Caroline, who is 2½ years old.

children, Max (5) and Josie (2).

The Communicator ~ June 2015 3

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

May Session Highlights

• Dennis Grills, the Presbytery Committee on Ministry liaison who will be working with us during the time of

transition, met with the Session on May 27. The Session has asked the Clerk of Session (Jeanne Hammons), the Assistant Clerk of Session (Tim Eichenbrenner) and the Moderator of the Diaconate (Marilyn Dougherty) to name a committee to seek an interim pastor. The goal is to have this committee approved by the Session at the June 22 meeting.

• The Session received a note of thanks from Dr. Jane Fobel for the church’s spiritual and financial support of her

sabbatical.

• The Session heard a report from those Elders who attended the May 17, 2015 Presbytery meeting.

The Session approved the following:

• The baptism of Molly Ann Lankford, daughter of Andy and Cathy Noble Lankford, on May 31 at the 11 a.m. service.

• The wedding of Hannah Cranford (member) and Matthew Hughston in the Sanctuary on June 4, 2016 at 4:30 p.m. No

reception at Sardis.

• The request for Elizabeth Reeder Magee to transfer membership to White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.

• From Christian Education Ministry, “The Presbyterian curriculum for pre‐school and elementary students has

changed, and the new curriculum, Growing in Grace & Gratitude, is recommended for use in 2015‐2016 for pre‐school Sunday school and elementary Logos.”

• From Saturday Night Worship Committee (sub‐committee of Worship Ministry), “Add communion for Saturday

nights July 11 and August 29,” and “No worship service on Saturday, July 4.”

• From Stewardship Ministry, “That there be a single 10 a.m. service on October 18, followed by the Congregational

Stewardship Luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.” “An Officer Stewardship Breakfast on Sunday, October 11 at 8 a.m. in the Sardis House.” A special luncheon on October 11, following the 11 a.m. worship service to be held off campus to thank the key givers.” “Having Pledge Sunday on November 1, 2015, during both services.”

• From Youth Ministry, “Heather Eddy, our Assistant to Christian Education, as a High School Advisor and chaperone

for the mission trip to Washington, DC. • From Worship Ministry, “Rev. Tom Daugherty to preach July 25 and July 26.”

• That the Agent of Record for Sardis with the State of NC to be changed from Dr. Kort to Dr. Jane Fobel until we have

a new Senior Pastor.

• A Selection Committee comprised of Jeanne Hammons (Clerk of Session), Tim Eichenbrenner (Vice Clerk of Session)

and Marilyn Dougherty (Moderator of Diaconate) to nominate the members of the Interim Pastor Search Committee, with said nominations to be approved by the Session.

April Financial Highlights

April

April expected

This year This year so far so far expected

Thank you for making the ministry of this church possible!

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$157,957.37

$176,852.57 $692,770.17

$703,102.59

Expenses

$195,418.86

$196,772.26 $720,522.99

$741,445.06

either under the “give” tab or by

Net Total

($37,461.49)

($19,919.69) ($27,752.82)

($38,342.47)

logging

You can make a quick gift at www.sardis.org in two ways:

Annual Budget: $2,266,000 4 The Communicator ~ June 2015

account.

into

your

MySardis

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Stewardship: Investing Our Resources

Harry Tatum

In the parable of the fearful servants, Luke 19, Jesus tells us to use the master’s money wisely. One servant, because he is fearful of the master’s wrath, buries the money so that he may return it without loss. I believe stewardship is investing the resources God has blessed us with to spread the good news, grow us in our faith, and serve the poor and those less fortunate than us. We must risk those resources to multiply them! May it pay huge dividends!

Sardis Gift Trust: You Can Support Youth

The Sardis Gift Trust holds endowment funds for the benefit of our church. As these funds grow over the years, their earnings can be used by the Session to support activities of Sardis beyond the yearly budget. One special fund has been created by the family of Betty M. McLeod in her memory for extraordinary needs of the youth program, as determined by the Director of Youth Ministries. Anyone may add to this fund by gifts during their lifetime, memorials, or bequests.

For questions about how you may join in this permanent support of Sardis, please feel free to contact Ed Shoaf, current chair of the Gift Trust Commission, or Jennifer Childers, Director of Administration.

Meet the Inaugural Sardis 4s Soccer Team!

Let’s give three cheers to the inaugural Sardis four‐year‐old soccer team! Led by coach and founder Del Barnhill, these young athletes played in a league hosted

by Providence Baptist. Look for more information about a new season this fall.

Big high fives to Rooks Barnhill, Robert Leslie, Cal Reisterer, Charlie Neal, Reese Neal, Zata Edquist (not pictured), Ethan Oblinsky‐Price, and Noah Sheff.

Flower Arranging and Vase Donations

Our Church Family

Our Christian Sympathy: to the family of Jessie Sherrill; to the

The Flower Ministry brightens lives every

family of William ʺBooneʺ Jr. Groves; to Barbara Lansche upon

week by breaking down the sanctuary flowers

the death of her uncle, Julian Nexsen; to Joe Holloway upon

into smaller arrangements to be delivered to

the death of his brother, Tim Holloway; to the family of Mary

homebound members. The Flower Ministry

Harwood; and to Kirsta Norwood upon the death of her

needs volunteers and flower vase donations,

mother, JoAn Norwood.

which can be dropped off in Sacristy of the

Congratulations: to Emily & Mike Oelz upon the birth of their

Sanctuary. If you enjoy working with flowers,

daughter, Elizabeth Anne Oelz, grandparents are Lynda &

please consider volunteering with the Flower

Mike Oelz; to Lauren & Nick Klinkert upon the birth of their

Ministry. For more information, please contact

son, Liam Theodore Klinkert, grandparents are Kurth & Vicka

Cindy McLeod at cindermakesthree@aol.com

Conder‐Dohmann; and to Phyllis Thompson upon the birth of

or 704.542.3325.

her great‐grandson, Joseph W. Thompson.

The Communicator ~ June 2015 5

Church Life

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do.

Gift from the Mission Interpretation Ministry

The Mission Interpretation Ministry has made a gift this month to The Center for Community Transitions in celebration of our 225th anniversary. We provided money for bus passes for formerly incarcerated men and women in the program. The program teaches these men and women the skills needed to re‐enter the job market and society. Without a job, many of these former offenders return to prison. Ninety‐four percent of the clients who obtain employment do not go back to prison. Most of the clients rely on public transportation, and these bus passes enable them to get to training and then to work.

Thank you, Sardis, for 225 years of mission support.

Baseball for Bayonnais

Join us on August 8 for another time of fun and fellowship, as we join with other area churches for a Charlotte Knights game. You will also be supporting a great cause as proceeds from each ticket bought through Sardis will support the OFCB ministries in Bayonnais, Haiti. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Prior to the game, we will host a hotdog dinner and have our Saturday night service at the Sardis House. A free‐will offering will be accepted during the hotdog dinner. All proceeds received will be given to the OFCB ministry. Buses will be waiting at the church and as soon as our Saturday service is finished, we will board and leave for the game.

Tickets for the game are $15 each with $3 going to support the efforts of OFCB. All ticket orders for the game must be purchased by June 20. Tickets may be purchased online at www.sardis.org or at the church office. Purchase your tickets through the church in order to sit with your friends and so that the Haiti mission may benefit. For any questions please email Robert Brownlee at robert.brownlee@gmail.com. We look forward to another exciting event at the new Knights stadium.

What Did You Do on Memorial Day Weekend?

On Saturday, May 24, Pack 33 and members of Troop 33 and 133 hosted a US Flag placement for all veterans interred at both Sardis Presbyterian Church cemeteries.

The day started off with an opening ceremony, then the participants broke into groups and placed the flags, provided by the church, on each grave of a veteran. When flag placement was complete, the participants gathered together again and each lit a candle and listened as the veterans’ names were read aloud and a chime rang for each. A poem was read by the wife of an active duty soldier to close the ceremony. Members of Pack 33 are looking forward to the “Veteran’s Night Watch” flag placement in the fall.

Spaghetti Success! 46.2 pounds of spaghetti sauce were donated for Loaves and Fishes. Thank you for your generous donations. Remember, spaghetti sauce can be donated any Sunday in the designated bins. Thanks!

6 The Communicator ~ June 2015

“Let the little children come unto me.”

Vacation Bible School—July 13‐17!

Register Today, Deadline is June 21

Vacation Bible School still has openings for volunteer positions for 2‐5 days.

Contact Renda Brinson if you can give some time this summer to the children of our congregation and community.

Faith and Film Begins June 17

All are invited to this casual evening of light dinner

Elementary and Youth Sunday School Classes in June

on the big screen. Join us each Wednesday from 6‐8

All elementary students will begin each Sunday in the

p.m. (if not joining us for dinner – program begins at

Education Hall. Middle school and high school youth

6:30). Suggestions will be taken the first week of

will meet in their regular rooms of 105 and 102. See

possible films to discuss in the series.

you there!

and discussion of Christian issues as they are shown

Sardis Weekday School Announcements

Register Now for

Registration for SWS Summer Camps is now open for everyone! We have a new

Preschool!

and improved program that we are very excited about! The scheduled themes

are:

We have openings for the

2015‐2016

‐‐June 2‐4 Musikgarten

‐‐June 30‐July 2 Art

‐‐June 9‐11 Storytelling

‐‐July 7‐9 Spanish

‐‐June 16‐18 Soccer

‐‐July 21‐23 Amazing Athletes

‐‐June 23‐25 Yoga

‐‐July 28‐30 Atomz Lab

school

year!

Come grow and learn with us!

For

more

information,

contact Louise Lippi or

Our camps run Tuesday—Thursday from 9:30 a.m.—1 p.m. There is a non‐

visit our website.

refundable registration fee of $35 per child for the summer. Each session is $85, also non‐refundable. A 10% sibling discount will be offered.

Please contact Louise Lippi at 704.366.9681 or Louise.Lippi@sardis.org to register.

For

more

information,

please

visit

our

website

at

www.sardisweekdayschool.org.

The Communicator ~ June 2015 77

The Communicator

Non‐Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Charlotte, NC Permit #1059

Published monthly by Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road Charlotte, NC 28270 www.sardis.org

ys at s saturda

ar di s

WORSHIP EVERY SATURDAY Starting June 13 5:30 P.M.– Sardis House– Family Worship

Sundays at Sardis Sunday School 9:00 A.M. One Worship 10:00 A.M.

Starting on June 14

8 The Communicator ~ June 2015