2015 July Communicator

The Communicator ~ July 2015

2 The Communicator ~ July 2015

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

Taize Service July 12 · 6 p.m. Sardis Chapel

Taize Community Worship Service will be held at Sardis Presbyterian Church on Sunday, July 12 at 6 p.m. in the Sardis Chapel.

We gather as a community to spend time together in prayer, song, and reflection on God’s word.

Kids: Would You Like to be a Summer Organist Assistant?

If you are a rising 3rd grader or above, you have the opportunity to become a Sardis Summer Organist Assistant. The SOA will sign‐up for one of the following dates ‐ July 5, July 12, August 9, and August 16. On your date, you will arrive by 9:45 a.m., sit on the organ bench and assist Kaitlyn during worship. Parents are also encouraged to join their SOA in the choir loft during the service.

For more information and to sign‐up, email Kaitlyn at [email protected].

Music Ministry Student Awarded

Our Associate Director of Music and Organist, Kaitlyn Davis, has been teaching rising 10th grader, Camden Nelson, the art of the organ. Camden has been a student of Kaitlyn’s for the past nine months. She began playing the piano five years ago, but wanted to try a new instrument and thought the organ was similar. It was much more complicated than she thought, but that is part of the reason she loves it so much.

Camden was recently awarded a Stigall Scholarship from the Charlotte Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The Charlotte Chapter of the AGO created this scholarship to honor the work of Ann and Robert Stigall. This scholarship was established to encourage organ study of students in grades 6‐12.

Camden wants to thank Sardis for helping support her in achieving this award: “Sardis has been so supportive of me since I began to play the organ. The warm and en‐couraging style in which Kaitlyn teaches is a perfect fit for me. Sardis graciously lets me practice in the chapel and the Sanctuary, and the congregation’s kind words have been incredibly encouraging.”

Congratulations to Camden on this great achievement!

Our Church Family

Our Christian Sympathy: to the family of Hubert Craig, to the family of Mary Ellen Bowman, to Sallie Robinson upon the death of her uncle, Jonathan Howes, to the family of Paul Abernathy, to the family of Anne O’Brien, to Anne Sweeney upon the death of her cousin, to Susan Harmon upon the death of her brother‐in‐law, Bob Gnacek, and to Brady Koesel upon the death of his step‐mother, Barbara Koesel.

Congratulations: to Sara and David Geissler upon the birth of their son, Paul William Geissler, grandparents are Jane and Pressly Gilbert, to Sarah and TJ Kenny upon the birth of their daughter, Margaret Emeline Kenny, grandmother is Valerie Hetherington, and to Sarah and Tom Herum upon the birth of their son, Aiden Scott Herum, grandparents are Debbie and Chuck Polk.

The Communicator ~ July 2015 3

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life Looking to Serve at Sardis?

We all know that Sardis is great at service and mission—in fact, many new members cite that Sardis’ commitment to service was one of the big reasons they joined.

There are many excellent ways to serve within our own walls. You can reach out to the contact persons below, or you can discover your place to serve by entering your servant profile, under ’My Sardis’ on Sardis.org. Here are a few service opportunities, and there are more opportunities under the ‘Serve’ tab, then click ‘Reaching In.’

Serve on Sunday

Greeter Team

A wonderful way to be a part of the Sunday service is to greet our visitors and get to know other members as they enter the Sanctuary. Members of the Greeter Team volunteer to serve at either the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. service twice a year. This is a great way to serve without a huge time commitment. Contact: Jim Monroe

Usher Team

Ushers serve an integral role in the worship services by providing warm greetings and distributing bulletins, collecting offerings, and straightening up the sanctuary at the end of the service. This is another great way to serve without a major time commitment and dates are flexible. Contact: Tom Reeder

Work with Children and Youth

When a child is baptized, the church members pledge to provide support and Christian nourishment. Church members are encouraged to become involved in our young people’s lives by assisting with the nurseries, teaching Sunday School, or serving as Youth Advisors. Contact: Renda Brinson

Serve During the Week

Bereavement Meals

A meal for the extended family is prepared and served prior to or following a funeral service. This team has a current need for those that are willing and able to cook part of a meal (from a pre‐set menu) or provide certain prepared items from the grocery store. The meal is brought to the church and then delivered to the home. This ministry is very appreciated by those that are grieving. Contact: Susan Hudson

Church Mouse

Be a “Secret Pal” to our collegians and help them stay in touch with their church families with cards and remembrances. Contact: Georgia Pressly

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Join other “stitchers” in knitting and crocheting shawls to be donated to individuals at local hospitals and nursing homes. The meetings are on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 2 p.m. in the parlor. Contact: Peggy Baird


May Financial Highlights

Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life June Session Highlights

May May expected This year so far

This year so far expected

Pledges, gifts, and other revenue

$183,416.06 $165,944.88 $876,186.23 $869,047.47

Expenses $186,048.38 $193,120.17 $906,571.37 $934,565.23

Net Total ($2,632.32) ($27,175.29) ($30,385.14) ($65,517.76)

Annual Budget: $2,266,000

The Session approved: • Minutes of: the May 24 Session meeting to receive the members of the Confirmation Class; the May 26 Session meeting to receive new members; the May 31 Session meeting.

• The request for the membership transfer of Ginny and Bill Copeland to Weddington United Methodist Church. • The following baptisms: Kelly Alison McDermott, daughter of Jamie and Sean McDermott, on June 14, 2015 at the 10 a.m. service; Elloree Harper Sumwalt, daughter of Christa and Vernon Sumwalt, on November 22, 2015 at the 11 a.m. service with Rev. Carson Overstreet officiating (date is tentative).

• The following Elders as Sardis representatives at the Called Presbytery Meeting on June 16, 2015 at Trinity Presbyterian Church: Sue Chowning, Jewell Leslie, Pam McLean, Ashley Meeks, and Bruce Simpson.

• The Christian Education Ministry requests for approval of teachers for summer VBS and teachers for the 2015‐2016 Sunday School year.

• The following requests from the Sardis Weekday School: For the Weekday Preschool Fiscal Year to begin on August 1 and end on July 31 to better align with the school calendar; the request that Sylvia Zwick assume responsibilities as its financial secretary.

• The Property Commission’s revisions to the Transportation Policies and Procedures document. • The following nominations for the Interim Pastor Selection Committee, as proposed by Jeanne Hammons, Clerk of Session, Tim Eichenbrenner, Assistant Clerk, and Marilyn Dougherty, Moderator of the Diaconate: Frank Wilson (Elder rep and Chair), Brady Koesel (Deacon rep), Dave Archer, Wendy Beauchemin, and Stephanie Vanderford (members‐at‐large).

The Session received as information: • A report from those Elders who attended the Called Presbytery Meeting on June 16, 2015. • The following officers served extended (home) Communion on May 24, 2015: John Waller, Pressly Gilbert, Norm Schul, Tim Eichenbrenner, Christa Sumwalt and Rev. Alice A. Johnson. Sixteen Sardis members were served.

The meeting ended with a discussion led by Frank Wilson, Chair of the Interim Pastor Selection Committee, regarding the Elders’ thoughts on the qualities and skills we are seeking in an Interim Pastor, and the desired extent of his or her involvement in the life and work of the church.


Ministry is about life in Christ which affects everything we do. Church Life In 1896 was the first mention of an event that would turn into an annual event, a “Pic Nic.” It was an all day affair. People arrived early to set up tables and to get the ice cream freezers started. This ice truck dropped off huge blocks of ice to be used for freezing the ice cream. The ladies mixed the ingredients for the freezers and it was then the task of the men to turn these huge freezers by hand. Electric freezers were unknown; besides, Sardis had no electricity. Finally ice cream was ready and set up in the pavilion, ready to be sold for 5 cents per cone, piled high!

People occupied their time with various activities in addition to socializing, such as horseshoe pitching, baseball games, and hiking through the woods to the spring. Women busied themselves putting cloths on tables and claiming their space on a table with baskets filled with fried chicken, country ham and biscuits, pickles, pies, and cakes. A program usually followed the picnic. The big event of the afternoon, however, was a baseball game. The baseball field was located on the south side of the church building, on the very spot where the present sanctuary sits. Usually the games were played between members of the church divided into two sides, but occasionally there would be a visiting team from another locality brought in to play the best players Sardis could put on the field.

Sardis This Summer

Sardis doesn’t stop in the summer when temperatures soar. Here is some of what’s going on around Sardis this summer!

Summer Worship

Join us every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for worship in the Sardis House (no worship on July 4), and join us each Sunday for worship at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary (worship will be in the Fellowship Hall on July 19 for VBS Sunday). Remember, no Sunday School in July.

Lemonade on the Lawn

Join us for refreshments and fellowship following Sunday worship! In the event of rain, we will be in the Fellowship Hall.

A Fresh Coat

The trimmings around campus have received a summer make over! A fresh coat of paint was applied to the trims around the Sanctuary, including the windows, hallway ceilings, and even up at the bell tower.

Summer Bloggers

Wondering how the people of Sardis are staying cool? Check out blogs from members and staff through the summer at http:/sardispres.blogspot.com.

If you are interested in writing a guest blog post, contact Nikki Livingston at [email protected].

Historical Corner


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

Spaghetti Sauce Update

17.4 pounds of spaghetti sauce were collected and delivered to Loaves and Fishes ministries.

Please bring an extra jar of spaghetti sauce or pasta to the narthex or gathering place any Sunday this month. Your donation feeds our neighbors in need.

A Book of My Own— Big Success!

Thank you, Sardis, for another successful ‘A Book of My Own’ drive. Rama students went home with new books to read over the summer vacation because of your gifts.

“Thank you to everyone at Sardis Presbyterian for sharing books with our scholars for their summer reading. The ‘A Book of My Own’ effort will help all of our scholars avoid a summer slide in their reading. Rama Proud!“

June Mission Interpretation Ministry Gift

Your Sardis Mission Interpretation Ministry has set aside funds to be used this year for special one‐time mission projects in celebration of our 225th anniversary. In June we provided money to MANA, the maker of ready‐to‐use therapeutic food made of fortified peanut paste that is formulated to provide a childʹs basic nutritional needs. s Roughly three servings of MANA (Mother Administered Nutritive Aid) a day for six weeks

can save the life of a child suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The food is distributed to many countries including Kenya, Sudan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Guatemala. Twenty million children around the world suffer from severe acute malnutrition. Thanks again, Sardis, for your support of mission for 225 years.

American Red Cross Blood Drive—July 26

Did you know that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood? Summertime is a great time to give, as many supplies are low due to summer vacations.

Come participate in the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Sunday, July 26 from 8 a.m. ‐ 12:30 p.m. in the Education Hall by donating a pint. Schedule an appointment to give, and you wonʹt have to wait! Visit Sardis.org or redcross.org or email Suzanne Fernandez at [email protected] to schedule.


“Let the little children come unto me.”

7

Christian Education is Busy Planning for the Fall!

Summer is a particularly busy time for your Christian Education Ministry team. We are busy making plans for the fall! Below are some of the programs to look forward to, starting in September.

Sunday School – Changes in adult offerings, new topics for elementary in their own classes, and new curriculum for preschoolers.

LOGOS – Begins September 16 with new themes, new Bible study curriculum, a fun outing, and interesting guests. It’s for all children, kindergarten to fifth grade.

Bible Study Opportunities – On Wednesday nights, we will offer a Bible study class for all adults. In the fall, we will begin with a look at some passages ’From the Prophets Less Read’ and the winter will be passages ‘From the Letters Less Read.’

Thursday Mornings – We will begin a study of The Gospel of John.

Confirmation – We will begin the year in August prior to our fall kick‐off to help the students prepare for their first retreat in September. We invite all students in the 8th grade to this program.

We hope all will find a place to grow in their knowledge of God in the

coming year!

Sardis Weekday School Update

There are still openings for the 2015‐2016 school year. ALL classes have a five day option! SWS will begin school on August 24, and will end on June 9—just like CMS! This adds three weeks to our school year. We are also introducing a new curriculum for the 4 year old class.

For more information on Sardis Weekday School’s preschool offerings, please contact Louise Lippi at 704.366.9681 or [email protected].

Faith and Film— There’s Still Room for You!

All are invited to this casual evening of light dinner and discussion of Christian issues as they are shown on the big screen.

Join us each Wednesday from 6‐8 p.m. (if not joining us for dinner – program begins at 6:30) in room 211/212. Contact Renda Brinson at 704.926.1585 to make a reservation for dinner ($7.00). Hope to see you there!

JULY 1 – INTO THE WOODS JULY 8 – THE LIST JULY 15 – GOD IS NOT DEAD JULY 22 – OLD FASHIONED JULY 29 – RED TENT


The Communicator

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2015 July Communicator