September 2013 Communicator

Building God’s Kingdom Through Worship ● Service ● Fellowship ● Evangelism ● Discipleship

Sardis Presbyterian Church · 6100 Sardis Road · Charlotte, NC 28270 · 704.366.1854 · www.sardis.org

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church September 2013

Join us for an overnight

camping adventure at Sardis! cook out s’mores music breakfast fellowship

Reserve your campsite now

www.sardis.org

Unsure about camping? No problem! Just join us for the Saturday night activities!

2 Sardis Presbyterian Church ~ The Communicator ~ September 2013

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

The stewardship theme

this year is “I’m In!” Here’s

why Bob and Sian Harris

say “I’m In!” at Sardis:

“We have enjoyed being a part of

the Sardis Church family for over

10 years, and have seen both of

our daughters (Abigail and Jane) benefit tremendously from

the confirmation class

experience. This past year, Jane was able to grow in her faith,

make new friends, and look

back on her confirmation

year with appreciation for

all that Sardis offers and all

that she can offer others

with the gifts God has given

her. We are continually

renewed, comforted, and

challenged through worship

and have loved being a part of MSG, volunteering with the

girls at Sardis events, and simply feeling the caring of others

for us as we all look to be better stewards of God’s grace.

Reflecting on all of the gifts we receive each day through our

Sardis experience, we gladly give back through offerings,

enabling the Church to deliver on its mission of Building

God’s Kingdom.”

Join your Sardis Family

for a Weekend of

Grace, Gratitude, and

Generosity

November 2‐3

Join your Sardis Family as the Stewardship

Ministry presents The Rev. Dr. Tom Long,

Professor of Preaching at Candler School of

Theology at Emory University, for a special

weekend that will celebrate, inspire, and

challenge all of us with our stewardship

commitments.

Newsweek magazine named Dr. Long “one of

the twelve most effective preachers in the

English speaking world.”

Saturday, November 2:

Congregational dinner, followed by a possible

visit from everyone’s favorite puppet and a

message from Dr. Long.

Sunday, November 3:

combined service at 10:00 a.m. with Dr. Long

preaching.

Want to share why you say “I’m In!”? Contact Stephanie Vanderford:

[email protected] to share your story.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.ʺ Jeremiah 29:11

What’s your Sardis legacy? What Sardis has meant to you during your life? Has the church fostered

Christian education throughout your family’s generations? Has it gotten you through serious illness by

extending compassion and the healing touch of Christ? How then will you show thanks to God from generation

to generation for the things Sardis has meant to you?

The Sardis Gift Trust provides an opportunity to leave your legacy through an estate

or planned gift. The simplest avenue is to include Sardis in your will. Earnings from

your gifts to the Trust are used to expand ministry and address the church’s capital

needs outside the normal operating budget. Here’s an easy way to accomplish this:

put one simple sentence in your will that says “After all my bills are paid, I want 10

percent of my estate (a tithe) to go to Sardis Presbyterian Church.” The earnings of

the gift you make will be used for the work of Sardis, while the principal of your gift

will live on from generation to generation.

Contact Pressly Gilbert, chairperson of the Sardis Gift Trust Commission, at [email protected] or 704-375-1378 or to find out more about endowed funds and ways you can leave your legacy.

Sardis Presbyterian Church ~ The Communicator ~ September 2013 3


Mark your calendars for this outdoor, family friendly

Halloween event on Saturday, October 26 from 5:00

to 6:30 p.m. Be sure to wear your costume!

Do you have a car you would like to decorate so the

children can enjoy “Trunk or Treat?” Contact

Christa Sumwalt at [email protected] to volunteer

for Trunk or Treat or if you would like to help in any

other way!

Got A Pick‐up? The maintenance department at

Sardis is looking for a donated, used pick‐up truck to

move and deliver large materials. Donations are tax

deductible. Please contact Mark Slimer at 704‐366‐

1854 or [email protected] if you have a truck

to donate or know someone who does.

Boys & Girls, Ages 5‐18: Sign up is available at www.sardis.org or in

the Gathering Place from 10‐10:45 a.m.

on 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, & 10/13. Practice starts in

November and games begin the first weekend in

December. Invite a friend and spread the word!

Interested in coaching or have other questions?

Contact Tim Little at [email protected].

Join us Saturday September 28 for an overnight camping adventure on church property.

Bring your tent or camper, lantern, camp chairs, sleeping bags, flashlight and bug spray for

a backyard camp‐out in Francis Forest. The $10 cost per family includes grilled hot dogs,

s’mores and breakfast on Sunday morning, followed by an informal early morning worship

service. A campfire sing‐along and other fun activities will make this an event you wonʹt want to miss. Unsure about

tent camping? No problem! Come out just for Saturday night activities, live music, a cook‐out and fellowship. If you

are staying overnight, the Sardis House and Fellowship Hall will be on standby in case of bad weather. Contact

Brady Koesel if you need to borrow a tent for the evening: [email protected].

Invite your friends and neighbors ‐ all ages are welcome—and reserve your campsite today at www.sardis.org.

~Games for all ages

~Costume Contests

~Bounce House

~Balloon Artist


Women’s Circles at Sardis

Circle #2 Contact: Dean Bowen; meets twice per month in members’ homes, September through April, 9:30 a.m.

Study Leader ‐ Dean Bowen , Study Topic ‐ “What’s So Amazing About Grace?” by Phillip Yancey.

Previous projects included various annual missions and providing meals for RITI and Family Promise.

Circle #3 Contact: Lorinna Lowrance; meets the first Tuesday of each month in the Dining Room,

October through May, 10:00 a.m. Study Leader ‐Renda Brinson , Study Topic ‐ An Abiding Hope: The

Presence of God in Exodus and Deuteronomy by Janice Catron. Previous projects included Allegro, books

for Rama Road Elementary, ʺShare The Warmth,ʺ and several others.

Circle #4 Contact: Cora Richards; meets the first Tuesday of the month in the Dining Room, September through June,

7:00 p.m. Study Leaders—Individual Members, Study Topic ‐ Horizons Bible study. Previous projects included

Urban Ministries’ Soup Kitchen, Christmas gifts for senior citizens through Matthews Help Center, preparing meals for

Room In The Inn, Family Promise and many others.


Circle #8 Contact: Mary Ellen Thomas and Betty Pharr; meets the second Tuesday of the month in the Dining Room,

September through May, 10:00 a.m. Study Leader ‐ Renda Brinson; Study Topic ‐ An Abiding Hope: The Presence of God in

Exodus and Deuteronomy by Janice Catron. Previous projects include writing to Sardis military families to extend thanks,

and prayers for them, writing our ʺat homeʺ members, contributions to Family Promise, memorial gifts to the church library

in honor of deceased members, contributions to Crossnore School, and serving a meal at Urban Ministry.

Friendship Connection Kick Off! The Friendship Connection is a fellowship group for retirees that meets the

third Tuesday of each month from September through May, at 11:00 a.m. On Tuesday September 17, Friendship

Connection will visit the Billy Graham Library. We will leave the Scout Hut parking lot at 8:30 a.m., arriving for the free

tour at 9:30 a.m. Lunch can be purchased at the BGEA Library Deli. Reservations are required by noon, September 13

through www.sardis.org, or by calling 704‐926‐1590.

On October 9, join us for a relaxing trip on the Smoky Mountain Railroad. Enjoy a box lunch on the train and visit historic

Dillsboro. We will leave the Scout Hut parking lot at 7:00 a.m., returning at 9:00 p.m. Cost is $64 and includes lunch.

Reserve your space by noon, October 2 through www.sardis.org or by calling 704‐926‐1590.

Twenty‐Five Years of Ministry at Sardis On August 15, 1988 a young pastor moved with his family to Charlotte, North Carolina. On October 9 of that same year,

he was installed as Senior Pastor of Sardis Presbyterian Church. From that moment forward, Sardis has been blessed by

the love and pastoral care of Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Kort.

For the past 25 years, Dr. Kort’s ministry at Sardis has been characterized by church growth and a focus on serving

others. Under his leadership in 1999, Sardis members built the first of many houses for Habitat for Humanity. Dr. Kort’s

focus on local and global missions helped create a committed partnership with the Urban Ministry Center and

supported several mission trips to Kenya and Haiti. Our church and its facilities have also grown under Dr. Kort’s

leadership. During his tenure, we purchased a Reuter organ, the Francis property and built the Sardis Mission House,

and have seen an extensive expansion of the church property including addition of the Preschool, Fellowship Hall, adult

education classrooms, and administrative offices.

But above all, these past 25 years of ministry have been marked by pastoral love and care. Many of you reading this

have experienced Dr. Kort’s love and counsel at a time of grief or crisis. We have been blessed by his genuine pastoral

concern.

You may recall that Sardis created a scholarship at Princeton Seminary in Dr. Kort’s name in recognition of his 20th

anniversary here. This year, as a small token of our gratitude and appreciation for his 25 years of love and pastoral care,

the Personnel Ministry is providing funding for him to attend his 40th reunion at Princeton. Dr. Kort truly exemplifies

what it means to live a life that is “blessed to be a blessing.” Thank you Dr. Kort, for all you are and do!



Session Highlights, August, 2013 Transfers of membership approved: Marshall McCoy Blythe and Nancy Thomas Blythe to First Presbyterian Church,

Myrtle Beach; Deborah Spurrier to Pinewood Presbyterian Church, Middleburg, FL .

Removal from the rolls approved: Robert Craig Thrift and Anita Marie Thrift per their written request.

Baptisms approved:

‐ Noah James Neal, son of Chris and Brooke Archer Neal at the 10:00 a.m. service August 25, 2013.

‐ Niles Emerson Hollowell, son of Adam and Rachel Hollowell at the 11:00 a.m. service, Sept. 15, 2013

‐ Matthew Cole Chastain, son of Matt and Ashley Chastain at the 11:00 a.m. service, Sept. 15, 2013.

The following motions from Ministries were approved:

‐ Christian Education: 2014 dates for Vacation Bible School will be July 14‐18.

‐ Clerks Ministry: The following members have been added to Youth Ministry effective immediately: Stacey

Champion, Donna Ondrof, Amy Read, Kelly Vass.

‐ Mission Interpretation: Two additional designated accounts (Youth Mission Project and Special Mission Projects)

were added to provide flexibility to fund major projects over multiple budget years.

‐ Sardis Weekday School: The ministry voted by acclimation to offer 25% tuition discount as financial assistance to a

family facing large medical expenses for one of their two children attending.

‐ Worship: At the recommendation of the “Selection Committee for Director of Music Ministries” the contemporary

service will move to the Fellowship Hall beginning in January, 2014. Approved the schedule for Sunday,

December 29; one service at 10:00 a.m. and Sunday School at 9:00.

‐ Youth:

‐ Lynn Cain was approved as a Middle School Advisor.

‐ In order to raise money for the Belize mission trip and the Montreat Youth conference scheduled for summer 2014,

Youth Ministry will conduct a fall Flying Flamingo Fundraiser. Funds would be raised as both Sardis members

and others in the community purchase flocks of yard flamingos to be placed in someone’s yard. The recipient

would also have to pay to have the flock removed.

‐ Two speakers for future youth events were approved: For September 29, Matt Shaw, publisher of Speak Up

Magazine which draws attention to the plight of the homeless and those “living on the fringes” in Charlotte: and

for December 8, Chris Porter, speaking on youth taking their faith to college and into the world.

Heard reports from the five Elders attending the July Presbytery meeting.

Held small group and full Session discussion of Chapter One of Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations entitled The

Practice of Radical Hospitality.

Diaconate Highlights, August, 2013 Alice Johnson led a discussion asking “What is the Holy Spirit?” and “Are you spending some quiet time with God?”

RITI is gearing up again for a new season under new leadership. Thank you to Bill and Marilyn Taylor for agreeing to

guide this program.

Congregational Life and Care encouraged everyone to sign up for the pictorial directory in September.

The Fellowship Committee has organized Sardis under the Stars for September 28 and Pumpkin Palooza for October 26.

Flag Football is being geared up for this fall and registration is now open.

Complete minutes are available along with archived minutes in the Library.

Our Church Family Our Christian Sympathy: to Mary Hendrick on the death of her father J.D. Edwards; to the family of Beverly Moss, to

Debbie Near on the death of her mother, Mary Jean Frye Bumgarner; to Phyllis Thompson on the death of her brother‐in‐

law Samuel Lee Ramsey; to John Donaldson and Edward Donaldson on the death of their brother/uncle, James

Donaldson; to the family of Bennie Jo Reel; and to the family of Kathy Rukasuwan.

Congratulations: to Michele and Chris Mattox on the birth of son Graham Christopher Mattox (grandparents are Billy and

Rhonda York); and to Thomas and Alexandra Brinson on the birth of son Christian Alexander Brinson (grandparents are

Earl and Renda Brinson).


MUSIC UPDATE: We are thrilled to have two very high‐caliber musicians joining

Sardis on an interim basis as a search is conducted for a new permanent music

director. Robert Ivey will be our interim organist and director of the Sardis

Handbell Choirs. Mr. Ivey is a graduate of Westminster Choir College , a past

president of the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, Inc., and served for

many years as minister of music at First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte. Warren

Howell will be our interim sanctuary choir director. Mr. Howell studied at

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Baylor University, has worked in

music ministry at churches in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina, and was

minister of music at St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte for twelve years. John

Hovis and the Selection Committee are in the process of meeting with final

candidates. Contact John with any questions at [email protected].


Consider Writing an Advent Devotional

This year the theme is: Making Room for Jesus: In Advent and

Always. Respond to the verse: “She gave birth to her first

born son…and laid him in a manger, because there was no

place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7) by considering one of

these prompts:

1. When I read “there was no place for them in the inn” I

feel_____ because__________. or,

2. The way I/my family make room for Jesus

is__________________________. or,

3. It is good news to me/to humankind that Jesus was born

in a stable because________.

Send submissions to the church office by October 21 or to

Jane Fobel at [email protected].

2013 FINANCIAL RESULTS THROUGH JULY

MTD Actual MTD Expected YTD Actual YTD Expected

Pledges, gifts, other

revenue $136,763.15 $138,037.50 $1,046,882.19 $1,088,895,83

Expenses $161,287.75 $166,230.03 $1,146,674.97 $1,197,335.21

Net Total ($24,524.60) ($28,192.53) ($99,792.78) ($108,439.38)

Annual budget: $2,062,250

The Church Mouse Program: Ministering to Our College Students Sardis has an urgent need for Church

Mice! The Church Mouse Project

helps college students continue to

feel part of the church family while

living away on college campuses.

College students interested in having

a “mouse” apply; members of the congregation

volunteer to be “mice.” The mice then

anony‐mouse‐ly send cards and inexpensive items to

students during the year. For more information,

please contact Georgia Pressly: 704‐364‐9299, or

[email protected].

Congregational Meeting Highlights

At the August 26, 2013 Congregational Meeting, Sam Thompson, Chair of Personnel Ministry, presented the following

motions for congregational approval:

A Nominating Committee be established for the search and nomination of an Associate Pastor for Families, and that

the committee be comprised of the following members: Kristi Gallimore‐Brownlee, Laurie Hoots, Moby Moore, Leigh

Sellers, Jason Solomon, Stacey Vanderwel, Jeff Wilkinson. Motion was seconded and passed as presented.

A Nominating Committee be established for the search and nomination of an Associate Pastor for Youth, and that the

committee be comprised of the following members: Doug Banks, Chuck Bohlen, Brett Harris, Andrea Kepley, Joe

Peterson, Amy Read, Mary B. Saclarides. Motion was seconded and passed as presented.

Come Make Music at Sardis! The Sardis Sanctuary Choir rehearses at 7:30 pm on Thursdays in the Sardis Administrative Building. Our two Sardis Handbell Choirs rehearse on Wednesdays: one at 9:30 a.m. and the other at 7:30 p.m., both in the Sardis Administrative Building. Our Celebration Singers and Band rehearse at 6:30 p.m. above the Sanctuary.

Begins September 8

For information about

joining Sardis please

contact Rev. Alice Johnson:

704‐366‐1854 or

[email protected].


Special thanks to everyone who contributed. The response was exceptional!

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

Soup Kitchen Volunteers Needed!

Sardis provides support to the Urban Ministry Soup

Kitchen the fourth Saturday each month. We are in

need of volunteers for November 23 (the Saturday

before Thanksgiving). If you or your group would like

to support this very worthwhile ministry, please contact

Sarah Tatum at [email protected] or

434‐251‐9198.

Clothing Drive for Crisis Assistance

Mark your calendars! With fall

almost here and winter not far

behind, Crisis Assistance Ministry

is in need of fall and winter

clothes. Sardis will have its annual

Fall/Winter Clothing Drive from

September 22 through September

29. Please bring your gently used

clothing items and leave them in the designated bins in

the Education Hall between those dates. You will be

helping those less fortunate have warm clothes to wear

as the weather gets colder.

The 2013 CROP Walk

will be held on Sunday, October

13. A sign‐up/donation table

will be in the Gathering Place on

September 22, 29, October 6 and

13. Those interested can donate or join a team at

www.charlottecropwalk.org. Look for further details in

the coming weeks at www.sardis.org, and in the

October issue of the Communicator.

Backyard Gardeners Needed!

Do you garden in your backyard? Would you enjoy

sharing what comes from your garden and belonging to

a network of other local gardeners? Join a network of

gardeners who donate

produce to Friendship Trays,

our local Meals on Wheels

program. Friendship Trays

delivers more than 700 meals

every week day to people

unable to prepare or secure

meals on their own. As a backyard friendship gardener,

you can help feed hungry people in your community by

donating a portion of your harvest to Friendship Trays.

Sign up through the Friendship Gardens website,

www.friendship‐gardens.org. Be sure to read and

follow their safe food handling guidelines before

delivering your harvest donation to Friendship Trays.

Community Link Welcome Baskets

Thanks to those who have so willingly donated

welcome baskets for the Community Link organization.

They are still in need of more baskets, and if you or

your group is interested in providing a basket, please

contact Lynne Ellison at [email protected] or

704‐451‐1216 for details.

Community Service Reminders

Spaghetti Sauce Sunday, September 1.

We collected 23.4 pounds in

August!

Ten Cents A Meal

September 8

Sardis Garden A special thank you to all the volunteers who

helped to plant, mulch, weed, water and

harvest our garden this year. We had a great

summer harvest! We began harvesting our first

vegetables in June. We were able to provide the fresh

produce to Loaves and Fishes, Matthews Help Center

and Sardis homebound members. We truly appreciate all

the time and effort from the many volunteers who

helped to provide the fresh produce to our community.

The Communicator

Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church

6100 Sardis Road

Charlotte, NC 28270

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September 2013 Communicator