june 2013 communicator

A Publication of Sardis Presbyterian Church June 2013

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

2 Sardis Presbyterian Church ~ The Communicator ~ June 2013

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

Our Christian Sympathy: To Laura Taylor on the death of her sister, Patricia Grant; to the family of Rev. Chris

Hill; and to Bettye Hutchison on the death of her sister, Donna Arrington.

Congratulations to: Brendan and Anna Bolls Albrecht on the birth of a son, Ryker Victor Albrecht. Ryker is the

grandson of Dave and Donna Bolls.

Our Church Family

Financial Report for month ending April 2013 Below are financial results for our most current closing month. As we approach the summer months please

remember that the work of the church doesn’t go on vacation! Our buildings will be busy all summer long with

Vacation Bible School, Camp Holiday for children with Down’s Syndrome, Summer worship, and more; our

financial support for mission agencies continues, our youth are going on mission trips and retreats—the list goes on.

Sardis is so grateful for your continued financial support of the work of the Lord here at Sardis. You can make a gift

online under the “give” tab at www.sardis.org.

Month-to-date expected

Month-to-date

actual

Year-to-date

expected Year-to-date actual

Pledges, gifts, and other

revenue

$187,914.17

$149,276.01

$656,343.33

$566,936.11

Program expenses $171,782.11 $181,432.24 $692,978.44 $654,590.16

Last summer we joined together for one worship service at 10am.

It was a nice change of pace, and was enthusiastically supported

by our members. This year we will return to one worship service

in the sanctuary at 10am from June 9 through September 1. Like

last year, we will experience the various expressions of music in

praising God. Please refer to the back page of this issue for details

on each service.

There will be no church school during the summer. Please plan to

join us for Lemonade on the Lawn immediately following Worship.

Something New: “Second Saturdays at Sardis” This summer we will also offer three Saturday evening services. Each service will be from 5:30–

6:15pm. The dates are June 8 (with light appetizers served following the June 8 service), July 13 and

August 10. These services will be informal, contemporary, and held in the Sardis Mission House.

Sardis Presbyterian Church ~ The Communicator ~ June 2013 3


Session Highlights, May 2013

Highlights for recent meetings are at www.Sardis.org.

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

Pressly Gilbert made a presentation on remembering the Sardis Gift Trust and the need to build it up.

Congregational Life & Care Ministry is organizing the new directory with sign ups in June and pictures in July.

We will be moving to one service for the summer and will be followed by Lemonade on the Lawn which has

been coordinated by the Fellowship Ministry.

The property committee is finalizing the proposals for a new heating and A/C system.

A family camping event is in the early planning stages for October 5/6th and is being coordinated by the

Fellowship Ministry with help from the Christian Education Ministry.

Diaconate Highlights, May 2013

MODERATOR’S REPORT:

Approved transfers of membership:

John & Betsey Rebello to First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, NC

LeahKay Marshall White to Southport Congregational Church, Southport, CT

Stephen and Susan Jones to First Presbyterian Church in New Bern, NC

Kathryn Swisher to Huntersville Presbyterian Church, Huntersville, NC.

Approved motions:

From Clerks - to add Dr. Tim Eichenbrenner as an ad hoc member of the Sardis Weekday School Ministry.

From Stewardship - that Dr. Tom Long be our Stewardship Speaker for Nov 2-3, 2013, and the plan for having

one worship service of Stewardship celebration on Sunday, Nov 3.

From Personnel - that, contingent upon funding, we add to our staffing plan a part-time Assistant Youth Director

position to report to the Youth Director.

MINISTRY REPORTS:

FINANCE: Reported current cash position. Minute for Stewardship planned to encourage members to keep current

on pledge payments during the summer.

PERSONNEL: The ministry approved a motion to adopt the proposed job description for the Music Director

opening. Updated status of forming Associate Pastor for Families search committee to present for Congregational

approval.

SARDIS WEEKDAY SCHOOL: The ministry voted to grant end-of-year bonuses, with funds from the SWS budget.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: This year the Service Project during VBS will be collecting money for a well in Kenya.

The Central College Presbyterian Church of Westerville, Ohio will be sending about 10 HS students to VBS to

perform their PB&J (Puppets Believing in Jesus) on July 8th at lunchtime.

Received report from Elders attending Presbytery Meeting.

Reviewed and discussed report updates from Ministries and Staff on implementing recommendations of the

Invest in Our Future task force.


June 2: High School Graduate Recognition Sunday The Seniors listed below, and their parents, will be honored at a 9:45am Graduation

Brunch, and recognized during the Sardis Blanket Ceremony at the 11:00am worship service.

Questions? Contact Dean Bowen—704-321-1433.


Congratulations College Graduates!

We don’t want to leave you out! If we missed recognizing your graduation, please send your

information to [email protected] by June 14.

Alexander D. Almeida

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology with Honors

Tori Anderson

Middlebury College, Bachelor of Arts, Religion

Hannah Cranford

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Master of Accounting

Andy Clifford

Washington and Lee University

Bachelor of Science with Special Attainments in Commerce (Accounting/Business Administration)

James H. (Trey) Eskridge, III

Georgia Southern University, Bachelor of Arts, History; Minor Coaching

Carter Hoots

University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science, Finance and Real Estate

Charles W. Kepley

University of Alabama, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; Minor in Biology Cum Laude

Katherine Lisciani

University of Alabama, Bachelor of Arts, Communications

Michael Little

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bachelor of Arts, Public Policy

Dylan C. Smith

Clemson University, Bachelor of Science Degree: Cum Laude; Biological Sciences

Jeremy White

University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Martha Blackley

David Bortz

Stephanie Bortz

Lawrence Boyce

Rahsaan Bray

Jeffrey Burkes

Zachary Carter

Alicía Colón

Robert Cooke III

Mackenzie Cotton

Jonathan Davenport

Chandler Fadero

Cary Gavin

Dylan Gilstrap

Elizabeth Harrell

Philip Harris

Blake Hoffler

Kristopher Hood

William Hubbard

Jonathan Inman

Lana Jelenick

Hunter Kicklighter

Claire Lucas

Derek Ondrof

Elizabeth Owen

Jeffrey Owen

Wyatt Packer

Kristen Pascal

Cole Porter

Stephen Porter

Stephanie Sellers

Mackenzie Skipper

Katherine Sloan

Caroline Smith

Philip Templeman

Bryson Thomas

James Titus

Grayson Vass

Austin Winecoff

Christopher Wright



Please make plans to attend

a reception honoring

Ken and Sharon DeBoer

upon their retirement

Sunday June 30,

immediately following

10:00 a.m. worship,

in the Fellowship Hall.

Join us in celebrating

Kenneth and Sharon DeBoer

in their Farewell Organ Recital

on Sunday, June 23

at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

The recital will take place

in the Sanctuary.

All are welcome!

Karen Haynes joined our

staff in May as Part-time

Receptionist. She brings with

her many years of

receptionist and

administrative experience in

local PC(USA) churches and

non-profits, and is grateful

for this opportunity to offer

her time and talents to grow

God’s church.

Karen grew up in Matthews and has served as a Deacon

in the Disciples of Christ Church. She has a life-long

love of learning and has enjoyed part-time teaching

positions in composition at UNC Charlotte and Mitchell

Community College.

Along with being the very proud mother of daughter

Melissa, Karen also enjoys being housemother to a

menagerie of pets including a Border Collie rescue

named Maddie, a parakeet named Harlow, and two

goldfish.

Please stop by the church office and say hello or feel free to send Karen an email at [email protected].

Vern Davis will be retiring at

the end of June after serving

as a custodian at Sardis for

more than ten years. His

tireless work has made a

difference, benefitting us all.

When asked about his favorite

part of working here, Vern

jokingly responded, “Well,

they feed you a lot!”

He’s planning to join the YMCA to stay active, and

doesn’t intend to become one of “those people who

retire and don’t have anything to do.”

“I’ve really appreciated working here and have been

treated like family. I’m thankful for the opportunity to

have worked at Sardis,” he reflected.

We’ll miss you, Vern! Happy retirement!

Staff Transitions



Sardis Garden

Thanks to volunteers who participated in planting the Sardis Garden. A special thanks is extended to David

Blackley who supplied seeds, plants, and other materials for the garden. As the garden begins to grow, volunteers

are needed to do weeding and pick the vegetables. Tending the garden would be a great way for a family to do a

service project together or if your child or teen needs service hours, this would be an opportunity to complete some

service over the summer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Scott Miller at

[email protected].

Search Committee Updates Chuck Bohlen, Youth Director Search Committee Chairperson, says that the selection committee has narrowed down

the candidate field and is moving to the next round in interviews, including a site visit.

John Hovis, Music Director Search Committee Chairperson, reports that the committee of 9 has received input from

church members, created a job description and receiving applications. The group is an excellent representation of the

Sardis congregation and understands the importance of this work.

Sam Thompson, Personnel Committee Chairperson, says the process has begun to put together a search committee

for a Family Minister. Once the names are collected and the congregation has approved them, a 12-18 month process

for identifying a Family Minister can begin.

Say Cheese! Get gussied up and put on your Sunday best. The 2013 Pictorial Directory is

underway. We will have sign-ups in the Narthex and Historical Room on

Sundays June 16-30. The dates of photography are July 25-27 and September 3-7.

Every participating family will receive a complimentary copy of the directory, as

well as an 8x10 photo, with an option to purchase additional photos at the time of

photography. To learn more or to take advantage of simple online sign-ups,

check out www.sardis.org after June 16.

On Thursday, May 23, the Sardis

House was filled with laughter, proud

families, and the smiling faces of 29

Sardis Weekday School graduates.

We are excited to see the Sardis House

being used for such a momentous

occasion in the lives of these children

and their parents. We wish them all the

best in their future academic

adventures.

Sardis House Hosts Weekday School Graduation


From the Front Cover Last month, we asked for your answers to the question, “Why bother with church?”

and your responses were astonishing and encouraging. You’ll see that the front

cover of this month’s issue of The Communicator includes many of the thoughts you

shared. Thank you for partnering with us in worship, service, fellowship, evangelism

and discipleship. Without you, there would be no church!

Here are a few of the reasons why Sardis members bother with church. If you have a

story you’d like to share with us, email JJ Getz, Communications Director, at

[email protected].

The wonderful music that fills my soul and lifts my spirit.

The Holy Spirit engages me at Sardis in a way that is different from my private spiritual life.

It’s the only place I feel really at home.

When I was sick in Charleston, SC there were prayer groups. This was 4 years ago, and when I introduce myself

to people, they say, “I am so glad to put a face to the name I prayed about.” How awesome is that?

The many ways I see Sardis support those in need in our community and around the world.

The message from the pulpit always inspires me to be a better person.

It is a place where I find solace, refuge, and strength.

I go to church because it grounds me. It helps me reconnect with God in his house. Sleeping in would be easy.

Putting yourself in God’s house for his instruction is affirming.

It renews me so that I can face a new week enlightened and ready to do what God has planned for me.

The feeling of peace that calms me when I walk through the doors.

As I meet with fellow believers every Sunday, I am always uplifted by the support and encouragement I receive

from the relationships and friendships I have at Sardis.

We have shared joys and sorrows with our Sardis family and we could not have made it through without them.

Dr. Kort's sermons touch on my daily life and put things into perspective for me.


sardispresbyterian @sardispres @sardispres

One way you can show your support for Sardis is through social media. Something as simple as liking and sharing

a photo on Facebook or retweeting a Twitter update shows your friends and followers why you bother with church.

Traffic Changes You may have noticed that our south driveway is now

adorned with "Do Not Enter" signs and freshly painted

arrows for exiting the parking lot. There have been many

near-accidents in the past due to confusion with this

driveway, and we hope this will simplify things. To enter

the church parking lot, use the main driveway entrance,

and feel free to exit from the south driveway. This way, we

can stay accident-free and keep our members safe.

If you have additional questions regarding our traffic changes, contact Mark Slimer, Facility Director

[email protected] // 704.366.1854


Community Service Reminder:

June 2 = 10 Cents A Meal

&

Spaghetti Sauce Sunday

(24.6 lbs. collected in May)

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

Sardis volunteers pictured above:

Jan Torrence, Jenny McElhaney, Judy Lickert, Sara Sellers

The Planting Seeds of Hope Committee

of Sardis prepared and served the fifth

annual Teachers' Luncheon for the staff

at Rama Road Elementary School on

April 25. This is in appreciation of the

Rama staff's hard work and dedication to

the students and their families at Rama

Road.

The teachers look forward to the

delicious food served. As one teacher put

it, "This sure will be better than my peanut

butter and jelly sandwich!" Rama teachers

To date, the go-go fresco Farmer’s Market has raised over $300.00 for Planting Seeds of Hope, our Rama Road

Partnership. Thank you for coming out each week and enjoying the produce and helping support this important

work! Learn more about Rama Road Elementary, the Farmer’s Market at our website, www.sardis.org.

Your Mission Dollars at Work Because of you Sardis was able to make a $5000 donation to the

Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund designated for the victims of

the Oklahoma tornadoes.


Charlotte Eagles Soccer Camp at Siskey YMCA in June and July As we have done for the last five years, Sardis is sponsoring two weeks of Charlotte Eagles Soccer Camp as part of our

outreach efforts. Please see information below for dates and website to register online.

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

High School Mission Trip Fundraiser A Success Thanks to Sardis!! Maybe it was the long faces of the high school girls standing in the rain holding signs advertising our car wash! Or

maybe it was the tasty hot dogs that meant no cooking lunch on a

Sunday afternoon; or just the desire of the Sardis church family to

once again dig deep to support the youth and mission outreach of

our church! Whatever the reason, in spite of the cold and the rain,

the generosity of the wonderful Sardis family made the May 5

Pittsburgh Mission Trip Car Wash Fundraiser a huge success

raising over $2,000! The high school youth fellowship program

thanks you for your generous support. Mission work is a vital

component of the values learned in our church, but mission trips

are expensive. Your generosity has greatly reduced the cost of

this trip for the nineteen families involved. Please see the @Sardis

Youth insert for a list of the youth and advisors going on the trip

June 16-22. Pittsburgh here we come!!


Find additional photos of our Confirmation class and Sardis Youth in the full-color @SARDISYOUTH insert.

Tom’s Thoughts on Confirmation Do you ever wonder where your money goes after you drop it in the offering plate? On May 19, we welcomed 33

young people who joined the church. Four of them were baptized. What an exciting day as

we fulfilled the call of our Lord to go forth and make disciples. Your pledge to the 2013

church budget helped make this possible. How? By providing the financial resources

necessary to support one of the outstanding Confirmation programs in the city. Sometimes

we wonder what difference it makes when we pledge or place a few dollars in the offering.

If you were here on May 19, you now know the impact of your financial support.

As I shared in worship, this is an amazing group of young people, and if you ever have

doubts about the next generation, don’t. My weekend retreat with the confirmation class in

May assured me that the future of Sardis is in good hands. So if you need your confidence

lifted or your hopes renewed, take a little time to get to know our terrific youth.

-Tom

VICTORIA CATHERINE AMICK

ANNA ELIZABETH BANKS

CAROLINE CECILE BANKS

CHARLES FREDERICK BOHLEN, JR.

ERIN CAROLINE CHAMPION

DAVIS WAKELEY COTTON

KATHLEEN ELIZABETH CROSS

KATHERINE AUSTIN DAVIS

MADELINE NOEL DECRAMER

JANE CATHERINE HARRIS

JOHN MCCARN HARRIS

MARK PRESSLY HARRIS

NOAH HENRY HOWELL

CHARLES CHRISTIAN HUNTER

DAYLIN KENN

LINDSEY KATE LANIER

ABRAM GRANT MAGALDI

CAMERON HAYES MCCLURE

JORDAN HENLEY MEEKS

RACHEL MILLER METHNER

MADELINE LORI MULDOON

ELIJAH JAMES PACKER

EMERSON MAKENNA PORTER

COLIN TATE READ

SOPHIA GRACE RIDDELL

TAYLOR ELIZABETH ROBERTS

SARAH MEGAN ROBERTS

DAVID CLAYTON SELLERS

CLAIRE HARDIE STEITZ

ANDREW WALTER TIEDEMAN

BRENNON BROADWAY WELSH

CAMERON JOSEPH WELSH

CECELIA HAYS WELTON

Confirmation Class Of 2013

Christian Education “Let the little children come unto me.”


June 14, 2013

6:00pm

Sardis House

Bring your cameras, smart phones

and tablets to join the fun!

Cost is $4/person or $20/family for an exciting evening

of food, fellowship and fun with other Sardis families!

The registration deadline is June 12, 2013 at noon.

Christian Education “Let the little children come unto me.”

Vacation Bible School 2013

July 8-12

Learn more and register online at sardis.org. There are still a few volunteer

positions left! Contact Renda Brinson if you’d like to help with this incredible

outreach ministry! [email protected]//704.926.1585

Early Registration through June 2!

LOGOS is a mid-week faith and

fellowship program for children

Kindergarten through 5th grade.

We meet on Wednesdays from

5-7pm starting on September 11,

2013.

Fall 2013 registration

is now open!

Registration is $100.

You may register online at

www.sardis.org. Click on the Ministries tab, then choose

Children.

Nurturing our Children and Youth Our baptisms are important moments to God, to the person being baptized and to their family. Each baptism is

important to our ministers, whether they are adults or babies who do not understand what is happening, their

families do.

There is one more participating group in each baptism – the congregation. You also make promises each time a child

is brought by their parents. Are baptisms important to you? Do you take your promises to the children seriously?

The Christian Education Ministry members are busy doing our recruiting for the coming education year, as well as

for this summer.

Last year, we turned away a large number of children from our Vacation Bible School due to a lack of teachers – we

are facing turning away even more this year due to a lack of volunteers. We have gaps in our slate of leaders in our

children’s and youth’s Sunday School program.

On Pentecost Sunday, we watched and heard our Confirmation Class students make their professions of faith. The

confirmation process begins long before this special Sunday. It begins when parents declare that they want to raise

their child to know Jesus Christ, and continues with activities such as clay, cooking, flannel boards and crayons

through the Sunday School Program; children experiencing together with adults the love of God through the Story

and ways to make it real and memorable in their lives.

Have you been contacted to take a role in our VBS or Sunday School Program ? Did you answer positively, in a way

that reflected your response at a recent baptism to help the children come to know Christ? Have we not called you

yet? Then please call us. Let us know what you wish to do to nurture children as you have promised. Think about it

– we are given the responsibility to help children come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Let us nurture

together all children and you who enter our doors. Call today to let us know how you will help –

Dean Calhoun (704-366-5046/[email protected]) or Renda Brinson (704-926-1585/[email protected])

The Communicator

Published monthly by

Sardis Presbyterian Church

6100 Sardis Road

Charlotte, NC 28270

Address Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Charlotte, NC

Permit #1059

june 2013 communicator

Documents