Jamieson Memorial United Methodist Church

An on-going UMW project is collection of Campbell’s labels for the Henry Fork Center and Box Tops for Education to benefit our local schools. Instructions for the labels and a collection basket are in the rear of the sanctuary.

Basic Training for Safe Sanctuaries will be taught by Walt and held on 9/16/08 and 9/23/08 from 7 pm-9:30 pm. Attendance at both sessions is required to complete the Basic Training course. Anyone who works with children or youth is strongly encouraged to attend. This includes nursery workers (paid and volunteers), Sunday School teachers, Youth workers, and any Scout leaders. Contact the church office to sign up.

Advanced Training for Safe Sanctuaries program will be held at Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Blackstone on 11/15/08 from 10 am-4 pm. Lunch is provided. The cost is $25/person. Contact the church office to sign up. 374-8050

Sunday School Kick-off will be held on 9/14/08 from 10 am-10:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. Come see what the Education Committee has in store for the upcoming year, have your BP checked, and enjoy food and fellowship. This will be held in place of regular Sunday School classes on the 14th.

As most of you know, I have served as Church treasurer for a number of years now, and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity and experience. However, I now feel that I need to take a break from this position and allow someone else the opportunity to use their talents and experience in the capacity of Church treasurer. New ideas and expertise are good for everyone, so I am hoping that someone will soon step forward who has the desire to serve for a while, as I have done.

The work of the treasurer is done in your own home using the Quicken computer program which is easy to use and to learn for anyone unfamiliar with it (as I was when I took over). There is a monthly meeting to attend, occasional trips to Carter Bank and Trust to renew CDs or pay payroll taxes and then the bills need to be picked up from the church and paid on a regular baiss. The Church treasurer NEVER HANDLES ACTUAL CASH.

There must be someone among you who is willing and able to step into my shoes! I want to hand everything over to someone in October so that that person can learn the process before setting up for the new year in January. I am willing to help as much as needed and our secretary, Lori, is familiar with Quicken and also willing to provide assistance if needed.

In attendance: Rev. Walt Westbrook, Steve Roberts, Linda Pulliam, Jennifer Phillips, Terry Kirkpatrick, Debbie Connelly, Michelle Gibson, Jean Smart, Elaine Senz, Joe Senz, Leigh Felton, Lori Hamlett.

Joe opened with a reading by Sir Edwin Arnold about communication, followed by an opening prayer.

Minutes of the July 8, 2008, meeting were approved. (Moved by Terry; seconded by Joe; passed.)

FINANCE COMMITTEE: (Jennifer Phillips) The bank balance statement and the monthly budget report were distributed. The Mission payment was made since the last report. Jennifer pointed out that the checking account and contributions include $5,000 which is earmarked for the Fellowship Hall improvements. Only one person has shown interest in the Treasurer’s position, but it is unlikely that person will be able to assume the responsibilities. Lori has volunteered for the role with Terry signing payroll checks. The Finance Committee will continue to look for a new Treasurer through October. Terry attended the district meeting where he was given stewardship guidance and the apportionment rate in preparation for developing the 2009 budget. With increased staff and fuel expenses, Terry asked committees to trim expenses by 7.5%. All inputs need to be submitted by October 1, and the Administrative Council will act on the budget on October 9. Jean has noticed that individual giving is down. Ken Morgan will be running the stewardship campaign. There will be a stewardship meeting on Aug. 28 with a kickoff on September 14 with the District Superintendent in attendance.

MISSION COMMITTEE: (Report submitted by Fran Green) 45 flood buckets were taken to the North Carolina Disaster Response Center in Goldsboro, an UMCOR distribution center. The $2400 cost of the buckets was funded by $1250 from the missions budget, $694 from donations by church members, $200 from the UMM, and $200 from Crenshaw UMC.

The US-2 proposal was discussed. Estimated monthly cost for a US-2 is $1668, with anticipated additional program expenses. Interest in cooperatively supporting the program has been expressed by Clarksville Baptist, the Episcopal Church, and House of Prayer. Walt will be distributing the information to other local churches to determine the extent of support from other churches. There is a Feb. 1 deadline for submission of the application, with an August 1 start date. Leigh moved that Jamieson provide financial support up to $300 per month if there is a place within the total budget to get the funds without increasing the 2009 budget over the 2008 totals. Lori seconded. Terry clarified that we would have to get the funds out of existing line items after a 7 1/2 % decrease in each area other than staff salaries and utilities. The 2009 budget must be less than the 2008 budget, and it is necessary for the committee chairpersons to coordinate with each other in order to find the funding. The motion was approved unanimously.

REACH AND RELATE: (Lori Hamlett) A bereavement luncheon was held for the Price family this week. Elaine reported for the Shepherd Program that our total church membership is 234 members. This includes 9 college students, 3 new members, 2 recently deceased, and 30 living out of the community. Male shepherds are needed to work with special situations involving men. It was suggested that Reach and Relate look into reestablishing an Agape welcoming program for prospective members.

WORSHIP: (Lori Hamlett) We continue to need ushers, male or female. There was discussion of the cost of envelopes and other alternatives.

EDUCATION: (Michelle Gibson) The committee met on July 21. Graduates were recognized by presentation of a book during a service in July. The nursery schedule has been developed and will be distributed. A survey of interest in the Saturday Breakfast Series was completed with a list of topics of interest. The meetings will be held every two months. Vacation Bible School was a success. The Safe Sanctuaries Committee, composed of Walt, Steve, Leigh, Michelle, and Laura, has met and scheduled a basic training September 16 and 23 for Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, Boy and Girl Scout leaders, and nursery volunteers. Advanced training will be held November 15. The Sunday School Kickoff will be held on September 14. Steve asked the committee to consider presenting upcoming 3rd graders a Bible.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES: No report. The Boy Scouts are still considering whether they might be involved in the cleanup of the playground.

UNITED METHODIST MEN: (Steve Roberts) Twenty men attended the August breakfast. The church picnic is scheduled for Sunday, with anticipated attendance of 65-70.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN: (Linda Pulliam) The UMW Reading Program has concluded and members are asked to report their reading to Elaine Senz.

COMMUNICATIONS: The Committee met on July 28. They have looked at the possibility of distributing the Virginia Neighbors flyer, but due to the cost of printing they may print a smaller number to be shared. Free door hangers have been requested to promote a Missions open house. The Committee is interested in the possibility of advertising but this may need to be postponed due to budget considerations. August 21 is the newsletter deadline.

LAY LEADER: (Report submitted by Mary Linda Davis) Mary Linda has asked for addresses of those new people who are attending services. The tellers are also asked to give this information to her.

PASTOR: Walt asked for opinions about offering either a Disciple Bible Study (8 weeks - Introduction to the New Testament) or Streams of Living Water (13 weeks) on Monday mornings and Monday evenings. Preference was given to the Disciple study, probably starting September 15.

September 7

September 14

September 21

Nursery

Mary Parker

Rolene Ramsey

Robin Bowen

Young at Heart

Janet Pennell

Robin Bowen

Mary Parker

Children Church

L Castle & H Harvell

Betty Miller

Scotti Moore

Lay Reader

Priscilla Gilbert

Robin Bowen

Sally Morgan

Altar Arrangement

Communion

Robin Bowen

Jerry & Rolene Ramsey

Acolytes

September 28

Nursery
Win Baker (9 AM) Dave Eason (11 AM)

Young at Heart

Mary Lou Rolley

Children’s Church

Betty Miller

Lay Reader

Nancy Barden

Altar Arrangement

Jerry & Rolene Ramsey

Acolytes

NEW

DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY

It’s been a long time since we’ve had DISCIPLE Bible Study at Jamieson. Since our last experience, they have added new, shorter studies. So, instead of a 32-week commitment of 2 ½ hour sessions, we are going to offer Invitation to the New Testament, an eight-week course with 60-90 minute sessions. There will still be the same in-depth study of scripture, just in a more manageable format.

This will be perfect for people who want to begin an in-depth study of the Bible, as well as for people who have had some experience with DISCIPLE or other such studies.

The program will begin on Monday, September 15. I’ll offer a class at 10am and a second, identical class at 7pm. The cost, payable at our first class session, will be $10. Please call the office at 374-8050 or sign up during worship.