New Year’s Resolutions January 2020 New Year’s Resolutions. Some people never make them – “Why resolve to make some form of self-improve- ment if I’m only going to crash and burn?” Others of us make them every year – “Maybe this year, I’ll stick with it, and even if I don’t, a few days/weeks of improvement are better than none.” I can’t speak for all resolutions, but I do know from experience that having a partner committed to similar, fresh goals makes that resolve more likely to stick. (Yes, yes, with the above, I’m am trying to set you up to try some- thing. Here goes.) One observation I’ve made of ev- ery congregation that I have served is that there are too few volunteers to serve in the many opportunities for ministry most churches provide. One reason is the general busyness of church members in multiple as- pects of `personal life. But! Another reason, equally legitimate, is that many good church members don’t know how their time and talents may be of service. Here’s is the simple invitation for the New Year. Call the church office, tell us that you’d like to increase your participation, and let us work with you to help you find a new ex- pression of ministry in Christ. For more information about volunteering, contact the church office at 704-553-0869 or offi[email protected]
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New Year’s Resolutions
January 2020
New Year’s Resolutions. Some people never make them – “Why resolve to make some form of self-improve-ment if I’m only going to crash and burn?” Others of us make them every year – “Maybe this year, I’ll stick with it, and even if I don’t, a few days/weeks of improvement are better than none.” I can’t speak for all resolutions, but I do know from experience that having a partner committed to similar, fresh goals makes that resolve more likely to stick. (Yes, yes, with the above, I’m am trying to set you up to try some-thing. Here goes.) One observation I’ve made of ev-ery congregation that I have served is that there are too few volunteers
to serve in the many opportunities for ministry most churches provide. One reason is the general busyness of church members in multiple as-pects of `personal life. But! Another reason, equally legitimate, is that many good church members don’t know how their time and talents may be of service.
Here’s is the simple invitation for the New Year. Call the church office, tell us that you’d like to increase your participation, and let us work with you to help you find a new ex-pression of ministry in Christ.
For more information about volunteering, contact the church
office at 704-553-0869 or [email protected]
2 | SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
AT A GLANCE SHARON EVENTS
ANNOUNCEMENTSThe congregation is invited to participate in the new Sharon Presbyterian photo directory. Photographers will be on campus December 19-21 and January 8-11. Please make your appointment today and bring your family for a professional photography session. Partic-ipants will receive a free 8x10 portrait, a copy of the directory and an opportunity to purchase additional photographs. Appointments are easy to make by visit-ing https://booknow-lifetouch.appointment-plus.com/b3dgeh0y/The 2020 Flower Calendar is available and ready for you to reserve a date. Please review the calendar and sign up today! The flower calendar is located on the wall to the left of the church office. Please contact Elizabeth Burgess at [email protected] or call the church office at 704-553-0869 if you have any questions.
INVITECenter for Social Justice and Reconciliation presents Standing With God: Civil Rights Then and Now January 13th, 7pm, CN Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church 1421 Statesville Ave.Please join us for an intimate conversation with two generations of prophetic pastoral activists, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss Jr. and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, as they reflect on the history of the struggle for human rights and what we need to do to ensure a more equitable and just future. Reception to follow. For registration or questions, go to www.eiseverywhere.com/aaps.Chili and Cornbread Cook-off – Sunday, January 26th; 5:45 pm, Gym This mouthwatering F3 (Food Fellowship, and Fun!) competition will include prizes for the following chili categories: Mild, Hot, and Veggie & Other. For the corn-bread competition, prizes will be awarded for: Sweet, Traditional, and Other. If you’re not bringing chili or cornbread, please bring plenty of sides, salads, finger sandwiches, and/or desserts to share. Bring your chili and cornbread to the gym no later than 5:15pm on the 26th. Judging will begin at 5:20pm. Sign-ups for the competitions will begin in early January in the narthex
and online at www.sharonpcusa.org/events. We also need judges. The competition is open to everyone!
TEACH Women’s Bible Study – Wednesdays starting January 8th, 9:30am, Gathering Room 202, ChapelYou are invited to join in on a study by Melissa Spoels-tra on “Romans: Good News that Changes Everything”. We welcome new and old participants, members and friends. Please join us! Any questions, feel free to contact Carol Howie at 704-578-3350 or [email protected]. Foundations in Christ Workshop – January 10th – 12th and 24th – 26th, Fridays 6:00-9:00pm and Satur-days-Sundays 9:00am-3:30 pm, 7615 Colony Rd.In Christ Supporting Ministries presents this interac-tive two-weekend workshop that explores core issues of faith and daily life with God. For more information or to register, please visit contact Marcy Doak at Marcy@ InChristSupportingMinistries.org or visit InChristSup-portingMinistries.org. Family Ministries Orientation and LunchJoin us Sunday, January 12th, 11:45 am-1:30 pm in the Ward Building Gathering Room for our first ever Family Ministries Orientation and Lunch! We’re excited about this opportunity to share a meal together as one church family, to double down on our commitment to ensure that SPC is a safe place for all, regardless of age, and to introduce our new TK-5th grade program with fami-lies and teachers. While the Safe Place Training (12:00 pm-12:30 pm) is mandatory for anyone working with children/youth in any capacity, including parents, we hope ALL families and households of any shape or size will join us for this important event! If you plan on at-tending, please RSVP with Natalie Jendron (nataliebac@ hotmail.com) by Sunday, January 5th. ***CHILDCARE AND LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED***
SERVEPlease bring your contributions for Loaves and Fishes. We will collect food items on a January 12th. Items can be placed in the Narthex of the Sanctuary. Thank you for your continued support!
Upcoming Events
SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | 3
GROW WORSHIP & MUSIC
In consideration of the robust pledges to the Growing to Serve Capital Campaign, a strong desire to proceed with the next phase of our campus improvement, and faith that beginning this next phase will tangibly demon-strate that Sharon Presbyterian Church is committed to the future and growing membership, the Session decid-ed to proceed with construction of the gym.
Upon completion of the gym, the Session will revis-it remaining priorities of the Growing to Serve Capi-tal Campaign including benevolence funding. At their November meeting, the Session reconfirmed its com-mitment to provide 10% of the cost for benevolences selected by the Benevolence Committee.
Construction of the gym is the largest component of the capital campaign and will provide space for youth activities that will help draw young families to Sharon Presbyterian Church through improved facilities and programs.
The new gym will show our community that Sharon Presbyterian is growing to the meet the needs of our rapidly changing neighborhood and our goals to invite, teach and serve. It will also allow us to renovate and re-purpose the Charles Little Activity Building to better meet some of the church’s existing needs.
Growing To Serve Gym Update
4 | SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
CONNECT COMMUNITY LIFE
Welcome 2019 New Members
Linda, Matt, and Olivia Fox
Kevin, Jackie, Quinn, and Everett Giusti
Emily, Griff, and Thomas Kuremsky
Brandon, Samantha, Harrison and Henry Hicks
Larry Keith Marion and Ian Moir Mary Jo and Chris Parnell
SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | 5
SPY YOUTH CHILDREN’S CORNER
Moving Through the Long, Dark, Cold In the lead up to Christmas, and through the Christ-mas season, which is, in fact, the darkest time of the year, we’re all distracted by string lights and carols and the smell of pines in our houses. That’s all good and well, and I’m thankful for those times, but what do we do on January second, when the festivities are, for the most part, ended, and we’ve returned to our mundane lives in school or at work or at home? Some try to keep the Christmas spirit alive into January--and that’s appropriate, for a time at least, as Christmas goes through January fifth! But on the sixth we celebrate the coming of the Magi at Epiphany, which is a beautiful thing to celebrate, and the following Sunday we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, which is also a great thing to remember, but then it’s just darkness. “Ordinary” time. Cold and dark mornings and homework and--dare I say it--ice (or, if we’re lucky, its precipatory cousin snow). January just seems to run on and on, doesn’t it? If you feel the same, please know: you are not alone! For the youth and their families here at Sharon Presbyterian
Church in particular: we’ve got some great stuff going on in January to stave off the SAD (seasonal affective dis-order). In addition to our regular, Sunday evening youth groups, which start back on January 12th, we’ve got the following:* Confirmation class starts with an orientation on Sun day, January 5th, 5pm* Family Ministries Orientation & Lunch on Sunday, Jan uary 12th, 11:45am* SPY Dinner & Charlotte Checkers Game on Friday, January 24th, 5pm* Chili Cook-Off (in lieu of regular youth group) on Sun day, January 26th, 5pm* Souper Bowl of Caring collection, 3 Sundays, starting January 19th, both servicesI hope you’ll join us this January for some fun!
January marks the beginning of enrollment for the 2020-21 school year at Sharon Presbyterian Week-day School (SPWS). As we prepare for this each year, I often reflect on what our community and families are looking for in a preschool. Most families are looking for a loving, nur-turing school where their child can explore and grow throughout their preschool years. Charlotte is a large city with many preschools. At Sharon Presbyterian Weekday School, we pride ourselves in giving a small-town feel. Our teaching staff doesn’t just invest in children within their classroom. On
any given day, you can hear teachers greeting all students as they arrive in morning carpool, regardless of their class. We often refer to our school body as a “family”. For many people, friendships are created not only among students but often parents as new relationships grow. Raising children takes a village and we are proud to offer that environment to our community. We offer a curriculum of learning through play. By teaching through play, we encourage learning to never stop and always be intriguing to each child. Students have years ahead of them to learn from screens
and worksheets. We strive to help students reach developmental mile-stones while learning through hands on experiences. Sharon Presbyterian Weekday School has been around for over 50 years and while so much has changed, some things are always the same. The love of education and joy in that journey is felt each day we have students in our building. As we embark on another tour season and enrollment period, our hope is that perspective families will see the value in our program and choose us to provide a preschool ex-perience for their most precious gift.
Enrollment Time at SPWS
6 | SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
SUPPORT SERVE
Child Of Light Thank you for walking with us on our family mission and for your faith-ful support of our service here in Peru. God’s mission is ful-filled through your partnership and prayers. Thank you! If you or your congregation are
interested in walking alongside our Peruvian partners through a mission experience of accompaniment and learning with our PERUSA Team, please let us know and we will gladly be a part of your discernment and planning! Christmas blessings as we strive to be the Light amidst the darkness.May this Advent lead us from darkness to your
Way of Love and Justice. In these times, we pray that your faithful words of Joy and Hope touch
our hearts and lead us to work for God’s Kin-dom
here on Earth. Amen.
Chenoa and Jose mailing address:Chenoa Stock and José Luis Claure
Av Juan de Aliaga 702, Departamento 1401Magdalena del Mar
Lima 15076PERU
Room In The Inn Sharon Church has participated in Room In The Inn (RITI) for over 20 years, providing up to 12 warm beds every Friday night, from the beginning of December to the end of March, plus dinner, breakfast, and a lunch “to go”. It takes a lot of people to make this happen each week. More specifically, volunteers are needed to:• Set up mattresses, tables, chairs, etc. (Fridays 4:00 – 5:15 pm)• Drive our neighbors from Urban Ministry to our Church (Fridays 5:00 – 6:15 pm)• Prepare and serve dinner (Fridays 4:45 – 7:30 pm)• Spend the night (Fridays 6:30 pm – Saturdays 7:15 am)• Prepare and serve breakfast (Saturdays 5:30 – 7:30 am)• Drive the neighbors back downtown (Saturdays 7:15 – 8:30 am)• Clean up the gym, kitchen, and bathrooms (Saturdays 7:15 – 9:00 am)
If you would like to learn more about RITI, or sign up to help with one of the volunteer opportunities, please contact Phyllis Acton 704-553-2464 or 980-253-7326
[email protected]. Thank you for your prayer-ful consideration as we seek to serve human need in
Christ’s name.
2020 Bloodmobiles The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and pro-vides emotional support to victims of disasters; sup-plies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humani-tarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. Giving blood is a way to improve or save someone’s life and you can make that difference! Please consider giving blood. The dates for the 2020 bloodmobiles at Sharon are:
February 23rdMay 10th
August 9thNovember 8th
SHARON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | 7
CHURCH LIFE
Remember in PrayerPlease remember in prayer: in the hospital: Sylvia Burke; recently discharged from the hospital: Janet Shartle; at home: Judy Thrash, Judy Hobbs (Pavilion at Brightmore), Carol Ann Allen, Josie Tiller (Home/Novant Main), Chris Price, Grier Stanford, The Robson Family (former Weekday School family), and our home-bound members; Jeremy and Luta Garbat-Welch (PCU-SA Missions in Malawi); Our Mission Partners in Peru; Chenoa Stock and José Luis Claure (PCUSA Missions in Peru). The prayer list is reset on the second Monday of each month. To submit or resubmit a prayer request, please contact Ron Nelson, [email protected]. By request, prayer concerns may remain private and will not appear in the published list.
In MemoryMei-Mei Tang - November 29th
Mother of David Tang
Romelia McQueen Adams - December 5th Member
Congratulations
SPY Christmas at the Buchanan’s
BirthsCongratulations to Elizabeth and Jeremy Gray in the birth of a son, Samuel Lee Gray, who was born Sep-
tember 24th. Carla and David Scott are the proud grandparents.
Newly MarriedCongratulations to Jennifer Acton and Ryan Howard
who were united in the covenant of marriage on Saturday, October 5th.
Youth Sunday School
5201 SHARON ROAD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28210704-553-0869 | WWW.SHARONPCUSA.ORG
DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE IS:MONDAY JANUARY 13, [email protected] TO THE JANUARY NEWSLETTER:
Writers & Editors:Rob Blumer, New Year’s ResolutionsCharlie Furr, Growing To Serve Gym UpdateJennifer Hulighan, Enrollment Time at SPWSMatt Moorman, Moving Through the Long, Dark, ColdRon Nelson, 2019 New Members, Room In The InnChenoa Stock, Child Of LightRedcross Website, 2020 Bloodmobiles
Photography: Amanda KneppRon NelsonDawn Rogers
The Church Scene: “Spreading The Love” Sandwich Making Event
January Birthdays 1 Carmen Adams, Leah Price
2 Lisa Jacobs, Courtney Oates, Brian
Thomas
3 Charles Altschul, Tom Skinner
4 Jessica Earnhardt, Marian Grier, Luis
Lluberas, Marion Moir, John Thompson
5 Jim Bjorneboe, Darby Buchanan, Hayes
Buchanan, Alexa Gearhart, Preston
Griffith, Sarah Kennedy
6 Henry Hicks, Alex Mack, Lisa Riley,
Richie Stultz, Aaron Teal
7 Claudia Ash
8 Jane Mackey
9 Ray Beaty, Trey Burgess, Jim
Droppelman, John Eichler, Erin Fisher,
Hunter Garbee, Alex Green, Kim Greer,
Charlotte Jenkins, Rob Owen
10 Delbra Davis, Lynne Koeniger, Wendi
Livingston, Beth Murray, Dana Shawver,
Noah Spicer
11 Donna Cooper, Patrick Dillard, Zachary
Harrill, McRae Perry, Todd Pickens,
Patty Stultz
12 Tyler Auten, Jack Gonzalez,
Ann Mallard, Bert Nelli
13 Margaret Goeldner, Sally Shane
14 Dennis Anderson, Kayla Reiser
15 Katie Bleau, Evelyn Jenkins, Landon
Riley, Daniel Thomas
16 Sharon Hinson, Judy Tucker
17 Brysen Barnette, AJ Jarnecke, Wills
Koeniger, Notra McNatt, Bill Nelli,
Katelin Raxter, Audrey Schlieper
18 Chris Price
19 Elizabeth Bashore, Kevin Kriener,
Richard Stultz
20 Susan Grills, Andrew Hirschy, Katherine
Vermillion, Bobbie White
21 Alan Christian, Charles Enloe, John
Lopez, Kathie Lopez, Terry Stutzman.
Meredith Tidwell, Margaret Vang
22 Jim Appleton, Lowell Barefoot, Jane
Foard, Jeff Gifford
23 Thomas Davis, Chase Hinson, John
Nowaczewski, Laura Sanchez, Janet
Shartle
24 Kim Dillard, Nancy Wilson
25 Erryn O’Donnell, Michael Vang
26 Gavin Christensen, Ellen Hitchcock,
Barbara Hopkins, Letty Latta, Janice
MacInnes, Marguerite Muse, Joe Price,
James Simpson, Shelton Sonait, Skip
Webb, Cecelia Welton
27 Lauren Murray, Ava Zelinski
28 Brody Evans, Mary Kate Greiner
29 Lexi King, Scott Milkey, Shari Rice
30 Denton Clark, Rebecca Greiner
31 Joe Evans, William Jolly, Merrill Tibbals
January Anniversaries
2 Marge and Chip Morgan 3 Carol and Steve Howie 11 Martha and Carol Furr 23 Pam and Brooks Gearhart
25 Jan and Kyle Murray 30 Brandon and Samantha Hicks 31 Kristin and Ryan Stone
Gifts In Memory and in Honor of Loved Ones:
In Memory of Romelia Adams, by Frances and Shuny Britain, Linda and Rex Welton, and Janet
and Steve Lundberg
In Memory of Randy Pusser, by Cathy Williams Beard
In Memory of Mei Mei Tang: by Eleanor Lockwood and the Sharon Presbyterian Church Choir
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