2016 October Communicator

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church October 2016 Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

Saturday, October 22 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Bounce House Magician Games Trunk or Treat

Friendship Connection...Page 2

Service Opportunities...Page 8

Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704‐366‐1854 · www.sardis.org The Communicator ~ October 2016

Church Life

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

Boy Scout Troop 133 BBQ Fundraiser

Help support our Boy Scout Troop 133! You are invited to enjoy some of their famous BBQ on Friday, October 7 from 12:00 ‐ 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 8 from noon until it is sold out. The BBQ sale will be at Sardis (kitchen) and the Scout Hut. Pick your location and enjoy some great BBQ. Take advantage of the Harvest Celebration Special ‐ “Stew Plus Two” One quart of Brunswick Stew plus Two Meats for $25—a savings of $7.00!

You don’t want to miss this event—you can literally smell it in the air! Your heart and stomach can both benefit from this BBQ: you’ll be helping out the Boy Scouts, and enjoying a delicious dinner. Hope to see you there!

Friendship Connection – October 18

Friendship Connection is a fellowship opportunity for retirees. Join us on Tuesday, October 18 for a trip to Rural Hill in Huntersville, NC. This was the home of Major John and Violet Davidson. Today, this 265 acre historic farm boasts some of the last remaining rural vistas in Mecklenburg County, NC. We will leave from the Sardis Scout Hut parking lot at 9:00 a.m. and have a 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. tour (please be aware that this is a walking trip).

There is no cost for the tour, but we are limited to the first 30 people. After our tour we will have lunch at the Huntersville Family Restaurant. The cost of the lunch is what you decide to spend.

Reservations need to be made by noon on Wednesday, October 12. To make your reservation, register online at www.sardis.org or call 704.926.1590. Questions? Contact Alice Johnson at alice.johnson@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.

Women of Sardis Fall Dinner – Tuesday, October 25

Join us for our guest speaker, Kristan Seaford, as she narrates her “Story of Hope.” Kristan endured a debilitating infection and speaks of her faith during this time in a manner that is uplifting and inspiriting. Our evening will start with punch at 5:45 p.m., dinner at 6:00 p.m., and Kristan will begin at 6:45 p.m. The dinner is $10 per person. Register and pay online or call 704.926.1590 to pay at the door. The deadline to register is Friday, October 22.

Questions? Contact Alice Johnson at alice.johnson@sardis.org or 704.366.1854.

2 The Communicator ~ October 2016

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

Church Life

A Whole Lot of Gratitude with A Little Bit of Selfishness

Cindy McLeod, Stewardship Ministry

Max and I just got off the trails from riding our ATVs. When you have miles and miles of trails ahead of you while riding, you have time to think. Time to think about life. Actually, I was thinking about what I should write for my Stewardship Communicator article.

So I was thinking about my life and how Sardis has been such a huge portion of it. My family joined Sardis when I was 12 years old, so this church has been a part of my life for 40 years. I am so grateful for Sardis and how it has impacted my life so far. I am grateful for the youth programs that helped me grow as I participated in junior high and senior high fellowship, first as a youth and then as a youth advisor for seven years. I want Sardis to continue to support and nourish our youth.

I am grateful for Sardis for providing meaningful mission trip opportunities for me as a college student representing Sardis to Cape‐Haitien, Haiti; as an adult to Bayonnais, Haiti; taking the retirees to ECHO in Florida and to West Virginia as a youth advisor. I want Sardis to continue to provide mission opportunities for the youth and adults.

I am grateful for our caring and talented staff. I had an amazing 15 years of working for Sardis as the Parish Aide. I saw firsthand what a great staff we have. I want Sardis to continue to have an amazing staff.

I am grateful to Sardis because I was able to reach out locally to help those who are less fortunate through the Angel Tree, serving lunch at the soup kitchen with Urban Ministries, help with RITI, and many more. I want Sardis to continue to help those who need help locally.

I am grateful for Sardis for its spiritual worship services. There is no other place I want to be on Christmas Eve other than sitting in the sanctuary at Sardis. Many times after Sunday worship I feel like the minister must have been a fly on the wall in my home as he/she preached on something I needed to hear that week. I want Sardis to continue to have inspiring and meaningful worship services.

I am grateful to Sardis for giving me wonderful relationships. I met my husband Max and many of our closest and best friends at Sardis. I want Sardis to continue to provide a place where its members can develop these kinds of relationships.

I am grateful for Sardis for providing opportunities where I have grown in my faith and knowledge through Sunday School classes, a mustard seed group, a Bible Study group, and the women’s retreat. I want Sardis to continue to provide these opportunities for its members.

Max and I increase our pledge every year and help financially to support special projects. We do this not only because it is the right thing to do but because we have a lot to be grateful for through Sardis. But we also do this with a little bit of selfishness. We appreciate all the experiences that Sardis offers and want to continue to experience them. Sardis won’t be able to provide all this if the money isn’t there. So when you are deciding how much your family will pledge this Stewardship season, think about a whole lot of gratitude with a little bit of selfishness.

The Communicator ~ October 2016 3

Church Life

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

Welcome, New Members!

Amber and Robert Harrison

Caroline Cunliffe

Jackie and Bill Palmer

Ginnie Weitz

Candice and Bill Ramseur

Session Highlights can be found at www.sardis.org under the News & Events tab.

August Financial Highlights

August

August Expected

This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$147,714.13

$226,033.99

$1,374,755.15

$1,387,328.66

Expenses

$177,903.96

$165,326.11

$1,456,825.04

$1,464,896.54

Net Total

($30,189.83)

$60,707.88

($82,069.89)

($77,567.88)

Annual Budget: $2,241,000

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to the family of Jay Barach, and to Harry Eskridge upon the death of his mother, Sara Boggs.

Congratulations: to Laura and Ben Martin upon the birth of their daughter, Sailor Bell Martin, and to the grandparents, Norma and Jim Monroe.

4 The Communicator ~ October 2016

Church Life

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

Foster Farms Christmas Tree sales will begin on the first of November. Order forms will be found on the Sardis website and in the Narthex and Gathering Place.

Steve

Amerson

Dinner

and

Concert on November 19. The cost is $25.

Tickets will go on sale later in October.

Check the Sardis website and weekly emails.

The 2017 Sardis Women’s Retreat

will be February 3‐5 at Camp

Dogwood Retreat Center in Lake Norman. The Bible Leader will be Lisa Giller.

She will speak on “Humility: The Surprising Path to Joy.” Keep an eye out for more information as it becomes available to register for this event. Ladies, you do not want to miss this special weekend!

Let’s Try Something New This Advent – Let’s Focus on Service

The 2016 Advent Devotional Booklet will focus on ways God’s presence has been experienced while we have been serving others. Do you have a story of a “God‐sighting” while you were engaged in mission or service? Submit your story for inclusion into this year’s devotional booklet to Jane Fobel at jane.fobel@sardis.org. Submissions should be limited to 200 words and are due by Monday, November 7.

It’s NOT Too Late to Join

Our Youth Bell choir are up and ringing

Children Learning Music

The children are enjoying a time of making music and drumming on Thursday afternoons from 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. in the Administration Building Choir Room.

of

Children K – 5th grade are

laughter and enthusiasm. Each week we

always welcome to join at

join in a team effort of creating music.

any point! We learn about

rhythm through outdoor

with

a

lot

We rehearse at 4:30 together on Sunday afternoons

in

the

Building. Come join us!

Administration

drum

circles,

worship

through singing songs and hymns,

music

through

laughter and games.

The Communicator ~ October 2016 5

Church Life

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

Class of 2019 Officer Nominees

The Church Officer Nominating Committee is pleased to present the names of this year’s nominees for the Session and Diaconate of Sardis Presbyterian Church. A Congregational Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 16 at the beginning of the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service to vote on the nominees.

Nominees for Deacon Elizabeth “Liz” Alba Liz enjoys snow skiing, hiking, traveling reading, and Candy Crush. She is a member of a MSG, a high school Sunday School teacher and participates in Yoga at Sardis. In the past, she has served on Mission Interpretation, CE and Community Service Ministries, been involved in children and youth programs, as well as a VBS teacher and a Sunday School teacher. Liz and her husband, Tim, have two teenaged girls.

Sheri Bartel Sheri is a Charlotte native. She and Kyle have two daughters. Sheri has taught Sunday School for several years at Sardis, as well as served as VBS director and volunteer, High School Youth Advisor, and on Fellowship and Youth Ministries. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors.

Aric Beals The father of two, Aric enjoys activities with his kids, UNC‐Chapel Hill Athletics and Nascar.

He is active with Boy Scout Troop 33, a member of an MSG, is on the Christian Education Ministry and assists with the JAVA Sunday School class. Aric has served on the Mission Interpretation Ministry in the past.

Amie Davidson Amie is married to Brian and they have two daughters. She loves music and dance and works for the Sardis Weekday School as the Music and Movement teacher. Amie has been a VBS teacher for the past six years, is part of a Mustard Seed Group, has previously served on Worship Ministry and as a member and co‐chair of Women of Sardis.

Steven Marguis Steve grew up in Columbus, Ohio, He has been involved at Sardis for just over four years and officially became a member in 2013. Steve is part of a men’s Mustard Seed Group. He and his wife, Ginger, are parents to two teenage girls, Lindsey and Makenna.

Norma Monroe (filling two year vacancy) Norma grew up in Charlotte. She and her husband, Jim, have four sons. She enjoys reading, cooking, and time with friends and family. Norma is a member of a MSG, book club, and a tutor for Rama Road Elementary. In the past, she has been a member of the choir, Sunday School teacher, usher, greeter, and lunch buddy and classroom aid at Rama though the Planting Seeds of Hope partnership.

Chris Neal Chris and his wife, Brooke, have 3 young boys, Reece, Charlie, and Noah. He is from Danville, Virginia, and enjoys fishing, tennis, and chasing the boys. Chris is involved in a men’s Mustard Seed Group, Sunday School, a youth sports coach, and a nursery volunteer.

Mary Beth “Beth” Parrish Beth is the mother of two grown children. She has been a member of Sardis for over 35 years and her current involvement includes an MSG, Room in the Inn, Food Service Ministry, M&M social group, VBS volunteer, and the Soup & Sardis program. In the past, Beth has served as a Deacon, a member of Food Service Ministry, the Nominating Committee, Youth Council, Room in the Inn, and VBS. Caroline Yancey Caroline is a Matthews, NC native and is married to Harley Yancey. She enjoys quilting, cooking, crafts, and history books. As a long‐time member of Sardis, Caroline has previously served as a Deacon, been involved with Senior Link and Food Service Ministries, a Greeter, tutor for Rama School, and a host for funerals.

6 The Communicator ~ October 2016

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

Church Life

Nominees for Elder Ruth Harris Ruth is a life‐long member of Sardis. She and Brett have four children who have also grown up at Sardis. Ruth enjoys gardening, tennis, volunteering at school, and spending time at Lake Norman.

She is currently a Confirmation teacher and is involved with Boy Scout Troop 33. Previously, Ruth has served as VBS Director, Youth Advisor, Sunday School teacher, and on various Ministries.

Anne Hollowell Anne has served Sardis as an Elder and a Deacon previously. She is a member of the Mission Interpretation Ministry and works with the Planting Seeds of Hope partnership with Rama Elementary. In the past, Anne has been part of the Community Service and Fellowship Ministries, taught Sunday School and sang with the Celebration Singers.

Laurie Hoots Laurie and Steve Hoots have been members of Sardis for 31 years. They have three grown children. Laurie enjoys tennis and watching Panthers football. Currently, she serves on the Membership Ministry, a Room In The Inn team, Sardis Care Connection and on a Women’s Shelter team. Laurie has previously served on several Committees and Ministries at Sardis as well as being an Elder and Deacon.

Andy Lankford Andy has been involved with the Youth Ministry in the past, a Sunday School teacher for the 11‐12 grades, and a youth basketball coach. He enjoys hiking, cycling and spending time with his family. He and his wife, Cathy, have a daughter named Molly who is 1.5 years old.

Troy Meeks Troy and Ashley have three children, Jordan, David, and Daniel. He has been a confirmation teacher, confirmation partner, middle school Sunday school teacher, high school youth advisor; served on the Membership Ministry and Clerkʹs Committee; chaired the Evangelism Ministry, served as vice chair of Youth Ministry, Mustard Seed Group leader, and have served on an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee. Troy has served as both an Elder and Deacon at Sardis.

James “Jim” Naumann Jim and his wife, Beverly, have been members of Sardis since 2003. Jim currently co‐leads one of the men’s MSGs, is a member of the Sanctuary Choir, on the MSG Steering Committee, and Ushers from time to time. He has served previously as an Elder, chaired the Worship Ministry, and on Stewardship and Finance Ministries.

Jerry Reed Jerry has served as the Church Treasurer for the last thirty years. He has served as a Deacon for Sardis twice before. He is involved with the Centering Prayer Group, is a teacher for the Crossroads Sunday School class, and is on the Stewardship Ministry. Jerry enjoys travel, walking, corvettes, and spending time with his wife, Libby.

Rhonda York Rhonda grew up in Charlotte. She and her husband, Bill, have three grown children.

Rhonda currently serves on the Visioning Process Team and is a Sardis Wedding Director. She has previously served as an Elder and Deacon, Sunday School teacher, Youth Advisor, and VBS volunteer.

She has also served on Christian Education, Youth and Personnel Ministries, as well as participated in Women’s Circles, Yoga and Tai Chi classes.

The nominees are respectfully submitted by the 2016 Officer Nominating Committee: Jackie Camp · Michael Champion · Kristi Gallimore‐Brownlee · Brad Helms · Andrea Kepley · Moby Moore Suzanne Weston · Melinda Wilkinson · Mark Vanderwel

The Communicator ~ October 2016 7

Lay Ministry

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.

Spaghetti Sauce Update

Loaves & Fishes Fall Food Drive

35

Loaves & Fishes provides a weekʹs worth of nutritious

pounds of spaghetti sauce

groceries to individuals and families in a short‐term crisis. It

was donated to Loaves &

also helps provide peace of mind for desperate parents to

Fishes in September. Thank

find a way out of no way. Because of your support in 2015:

you for donating, and for

Because

of

YOU,

1,5000,000 pounds of groceries distributed

making a difference!

71,766 people you provided with groceries

33,730 children you assured went to school with a full belly

American Red Cross Blood Drive

The last 2016 Sardis Food Drive for Loaves and Fishes will start on Sunday, October 23 when empty bags labeled with priority needs will be available for pickup in the Gathering

Did you know—38,000 blood donations are

Place and above the collection bins in the Education Building.

needed every day. One donation from you can

Filled bags of non‐perishable food can then be returned to the

potentially help three patients. Please make the

collection bins near the Library in the Education Building

time to help someone with the gift of life.

from October 23 ‐ November 6. Priority needs include canned

meats, canned pasta, cereal, canned fruit, powdered milk,

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 23 (8 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m.) and stop by the Education

and 100% fruit juice (no glass).

Hall to donate a pint, enjoy some sweet treats

During our May Food Drive, Sardis members contributed 323

and fellowship with other Sardis donors

pounds of food to Loaves & Fishes. Let’s continue to

afterwards. We hope to see you there!

remember those in need of our assistance.

Local Community Service Partner: Lily Pad Haven

Founded in a Presbyterian church, Lily Pad Haven provides housing assistance and transitional servicers to survivors of human trafficking. They have a network of safe houses, and each house can shelter up to two guests.

Guests are referred by government and non‐government organizations that work with victims of human trafficking.

Immediate volunteer needs:



Transportation volunteers to assist with transporting guests to scheduled appointments



Donation pickup volunteers to assist with furniture and appliance pickups 1‐2 times per month (group opportunity)



Funding support of staff positions to open additional safe houses

How do I or my group volunteer: http://lilypad‐haven.org/ or contact April Meadows by email at aprilmmeadows@gmail.com

8 The Communicator ~ October 2016

Lay Ministry

The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.

Church Mice Needed

Rama Rd. Homework Helpers Needed

The Church Mouse program needs

The Sardis Afterschool Tutoring program is moving to

church

is

Rama Road Elementary School and will take place from

designed to help college students continue to feel

3:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on

close to their Sardis family while they are living on

October 11 and 13. Children ages 6‐9 need our help with

campus. Church mice are members of the

reading and homework. This is also a great program for

congregation who volunteer to anony‐mouse‐ly

students earning community service hours!

send cards and inexpensive items to their collegian

mice!

This

program

several times during the year. For more information, please contact Georgia Pressly at 704.364.9299 or presslyga@aol.com.

If you can give one hour a week or fill in as a substitute, please send an email to Mary Ellen Randall at merandall1@gmail.com.

Sardis Missionaries 2016

Sara Armstrong and Rusty Edmondson

Mission

co‐workers

Jodi and Jim McGill Mission co‐workers in Malawi since

in

Peru since 2009

1995

Sara and Rusty serve with

Jim coordinates the clean water and

Peruvian leaders and US

sanitation work of the Synod of

mission groups to develop

Livingstonia. Jodi is the synod’s

long term partnerships. When delegations visit, they

coordinator for primary health care,

help partners envision and plan common goals.

working with a congregation‐based malaria prevention program, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, and other

Mark Hare and Jenny Bent Mission co‐workers in Haiti and the Dominican

public health programs.

Inge and Larry Sthreshley Mission co‐workers in the

Republic

Democratic Republic of the

Congo

From their base in the

Dominican Republic, Mark

Larry

and Jenny are committed to serving Haitian people.

Mark, an agricultural technician commutes across the Haitian border, helping Haitians learn to grow lots of food on a small amount of land. Jenny is a community health consultant.

works

with

partner

churches and organizations to help them build capacity for health ministry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Inge works with community garden programs to alleviate urban hunger and malnutrition.

Kate Tabor—Associate for Ecumenical Partnerships in Israel and Palestine since 2014

As a mission specialist in Israel‐Palestine, Kate serves in ministry alongside Palestinian Christians, while helping US Presbyterians engage with their lives and ministry.

The Communicator ~ October 2016 9

Youth ministry

“…set an example for the believers… 1 Timothy 4:12.”

High School Beach Retreat

Thirty high school youth and seven adult leaders traveled to Ocean Isle Beach in eastern North Carolina for a weekend retreat. The participants explored what it meant to become a new creation in Christ, through large group devotions, small group discussions, games and activities, and worship. Everyone had a wonderful time as we explored our faith together!

Middle School Fall Retreat

The

Middle

School

Fall

Retreat

will

be

October

14‐16

at

Bethelwoods Camp in York, SC. Come participate in this wonderful weekend of fun, activities, Biblical devotions, worship, and plenty of games!

To register, please visit our website and either follow the link to register online or print a copy of the registration form and turn it into Adrian Martin. Space is limited, so register early!

High School to Tackle Serious Issues

During the Sunday Night Fellowship on October 23, the High School Youth Ministry will tackle very serious and culturally relevant issues. All the high school parents are encouraged to attend this Sunday Night Fellowship to participate in a discussion led by Katie Harrington while the high school youth will meet according to gender to discuss this heavy subject. If you only come to one Sunday Night Fellowship this year, make this the one! The conversations you will have with your children after this night will open doors for both of you. For questions, please contact Adrian Martin at 704.366.1854.

Upcoming Dates

High School Friday Night Frenzy

October 7

HS Friday Night Frenzy

All high school students and their friends are welcome

(8:30‐11:00 p.m.)

to attend our new Friday Night Frenzy program on

October 14‐16

MS Fall Retreat

Friday, October 7 from 8:30 – 11:00 p.m. We will play

October 30

HS Corn Maze (12‐3 p.m.)

games in the gym, Education Hall, and our newly

For a complete listing of all of the youth activities, including our weekly devotion schedule, please download our fall semester calendar from either the weekly e‐letter or our website.

renovated Youth Game Room. Friends are welcome!

Come during or after your football games for a fun night of fellowship and games with adult leaders and other youth.

10 The Communicator ~ October 2016

“Let the little children come unto me.”

Pumpkinpalooza – October 22

Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for Pumpkinpalooza – a spooktacular time for ALL! Join us in your costumes for the family‐friendly Pumpkinpalooza on Saturday, October 22 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. There will be something for everybody to enjoy from bounce houses, to a magician, games, and trunk‐or‐treating. If you would like to volunteer to help out with games, or decorate your car for trunk‐or‐ treat contact Lora Zalaquett at lorazalaquett@gmail.com.

Zone 45 is Back!

Itʹs that Time Again! ‐ Zone 45 is back and our first event is October 23! Mark your calendar, and get ready for some fun!

Watch your email for details and plans as they become available. Hope to see you and a friend there!

Zone 45 is a fellowship group for our fourth and fifth graders. They meet once a month for fun and meaningful events.

Sardis Weekday School Updates The SWS Fall Consignment Sale will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 8 a.m.—12 p.m. Registration for consignors and volunteers is still open!

Please visit www.myconsignmentmanager.com/sardis to sign up, or visit our website at www.sardisweekdayschool.org for more information.

We will be hosting

Charlotte Speech and

Please join us October

Our

breakfast

our

Hearing screenings are

26 at 9:30 a.m. in the

Parade will be held October

preschool fathers at

scheduled for October

Fellowship

26 at 9:15 a.m. Please join us!

Donuts with Dad on

12 & 13.

Grey Seal Puppets—

for

October 5 & 6.

Hall

for

annual

Halloween

everyone is welcome!

The Communicator ~ October 2016 11

The Communicator

Non‐Profit Org.

Published monthly by

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Sardis Presbyterian Church 6100 Sardis Road

Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, NC 28270

Permit #1059

www.sardis.org

Women of Sardis Fall Dinner Tuesday, October 25 5:45 Punch 6:00 Dinner 6:45 Speaker Guest Speaker: Kristan Seaford “A Story of Hope”

The cost is $10/person. Register at www.sardis.org or by calling 704.926.1590. The registration deadline is October 22.

12 The Communicator ~ October 2016