St. James United Methodist Church Augusta, Georgia · 2017-06-07 · Albert everidge Sue McKenney Nora & Thurman Norville M.L. & Judy Waley Milledge Murray Tuesday Morning ible Study

St. James United Methodist Church

Augusta, Georgia

June 2017

ABOUT THE COVER

Marilyn Grau

On June 4, we celebrate Pentecost—the coming of the Holy Spirit—the birthday of the church. Yet even today, an air of mystery surrounds the Holy Spirit, who came to be our guide, comforter, and enabler--as well as the bearer of unique gifts for each believer.

From the United Methodist Church website, we read the following:

While most United Methodists can articulate what they believe about Jesus and are reasonably comfortable talking about God, our confidence might waver when talking about the Holy Spirit. Maybe that is because we can relate to Jesus as a human being and understand God through personified imagery like “Heavenly Father.” The symbols we use to talk about the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, are far less human. At Pentecost we read about the Spirit as fire and wind. In Baptism, we recognize the work of the Spirit through water and a dove. Not to mention the confusion caused by referring to the Spirit as the Holy Ghost. . . .

It may be difficult for some of us to articulate a relationship with one described as fire, water, wind, or a dove. What we need to know is that the Spirit is the presence of the Holy in and around us each day, enabling us to live into the people God created us to be and will be restored to one day. http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/come-holy-ghost-a-wesleyan-perspective-on-the-spirit

So how do we recognize someone whose image we cannot even perceive? We know that person by what we can see. Paul wrote "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." The Spirit bestows these gifts upon us, and through them the Holy Spirit is manifested and we are empow-ered for ministry in the world. So the next time we witness acts of love, kindness, or generosity, perhaps we should give credit where credit is due, and say simply, “Thank you, Holy Spirit. Thank you for coming to us on Pentecost.”

For years, our beautiful stained glass windows have blessed worshippers at St. James and have attracted many sightseers (including potential brides who have held their weddings in our church.) At first sight, they are a beautiful example of Christian artwork--but upon closer inspection, some of them are deteriorating and in serious need of maintenance--including repair, restoration, and cleaning.

Our sanctuary windows have undergone careful inspection by three companies specializing in stained glass, and we have received proposals from each. All windows need professional cleaning, with five needing no additional work. Among the others, some are bowed, some need re-calking or sealing, some need replacement of broken glass, some need re-leading, and some may even have rotting wood frames.

The Trustees recently voted to approve an offer from Lynchburg Stained Glass in Lynchburg, VA. This company does business across the U.S., and has local refer-ences from both First Baptist and Saint Paul’s Episcopal churches. Work will be done in three phases over a period of time.

We are the fortunate recipients of these beautiful gifts from generations past, and it is our job to make sure they are here for future generations.

According to the United Methodist Book of Discipline, effective trustees function as Christian stewards of property God has entrusted to the congregation. This includes supervising and maintaining both the physical property of the congregation and gifts made to the congregation so that the ministries of the congregation can be effective and all legal requirements related to the property are satisfied.

LAKE CLEAN UP Andrea Spano

We all arrived about 7:45 am with a stiff breeze, clear, clear skies and 46 degrees on Saturday, May 13.

The crew this time was Billy/Beth Powell, Andrea Spano, Connie/Johnny Teasley, Billy Baxter, Mark Powell, Chip/Karen Melton, Bobby Deer, Robert Harwood and Nora/Pastor Norville.

Work was done on the restroom roof; ceiling in the screen room was torn down; kitchen cabinets demoed; plus fridge, oven and old microwave, all tossed into the dumpster--which was promptly filled up. The old BBQ pit was also de-moed and tossed. All done by 12 with a great picnic lunch of chicken sliders, chips, potato salad, a yummy pasta salad along with ice tea, lemonade, and chocolate chip cookies. (Then we all needed a nap). But there was only about an-other hour and half’s worth of work left after all the raking was done.

All in all, a job well done with the Lord watching over us and no injuries.

The Corps of Engineers even got into the spirit by grading our road!

Left: Down in the Dumps(ter)

Shrove Tuesday February 28

Why not begin your own choir rehearsals in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday mornings during the Bible study’s summer break?

Marilyn has volunteered to help organize and accompany you on the piano. Call the office if you’re interested.

Many people inside and outside of St. James make memorial gifts to the church when a member of St. James passes away. This is a reminder, or maybe first-time information for some, on how such a gift is handled.

Donors Outside the Church: As gifts arrive, they are acknowledged via Thank You notes that also serve as a record of giving for the donors’ taxes. They are thanked and assured that the family will be notified that they have given a gift in memory of their loved one.

Donors from St. James: Church members do not receive special notes, since their giving is recorded on that week’s giving record, along with other weekly contributions. The family is notified that a gift has been received from them in memory of their loved one. Members of St. James, along with non-member donors, will be acknowledged in monthly Monitors.

Families: The spouse or next of kin is notified weekly in writing with names and addresses of persons who have donated in the past week in memory of their loved one. The amount of each gift is not disclosed.

Where is the gift used? All donations will go into the general budget to be used by the church where they are needed most, unless a specific designation is made by the donor.

1How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Hosts! 3Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. Psalm 84:1, 3-4 (NRSV)

If you hear praises sung from above while visiting the Heritage Rooms this month, it’s probably not an angel choir. Mama Starling has found a safe home for her family, not at the altar, but in the attic. This photo was taken early in May, so by the time you read this, we may already have a new family at St. James.

While some congregations have shed their Anglican heritage, more formal churches still honor the tradition of ecclesiastical headgear.

Harold Fields

Richard & Vicki Isdell Teresa Layman

Angela Perryman Billy & Lila Watkins Joe & Mary Vignati

Lamar & Ruth Garrard Melvis Reeves

Billy & Beth Powell Mr. & Mrs. Henry Laster Johnny & Susan Harris

Edward & Bettye Oetjen Virginia Stewart

Thomas Dorn Opal & J. Fred Tate

Jane Edmunds Bobby & Thomasine Deer

Alan & Kathy Torres Bobby & Betty Lepard

Milledge Murray Walter Harwood Michael Layman

Connie Teasley, 6-6 Marilyn Grau, 6-12 Karen Melton, 6-18

Herb Olson, 6-18 Kyle Melton, 6-22

Andrea Spano, 6-24 Matthew Dodgen, 6-25

Johnny Teasley, 6-25

Michael & Teresa Layman, 6-3 Jimmy & Anne Barton, 6-8

Johnny & Connie Teasley, 6-16 Joe Washburn & Helga Eller, 6-25

Our Scholarship winner is Alexis Norton, who is enrolled full time at Augusta Technical Community college in the cosmetology program. She wrote:

Dear Scholarship Committee: My name is Alexis Norton, I graduated from Westside in May of 2015. I attended East Georgia State College during the 2015-2016 school year. I am currently enrolled full time in the cosmetology program at Augusta Technical College. I am excited about this program and my career choice. I am currently working part me at Sunglass Hut. I have been a member of St. James for many years and your continued support has always meant a lot to me. As you know college is very expensive and any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your consideration, Alexis Norton Alexis with Mom, Vicki McPeake Isdell

David Barnette

Milledge Murray

Edward Layman

Jane Edmunds Penny Barnette

Bobby & Thomasine Deer Richard & Vicki Isdell Billy & Beth Powell

Teresa Layman Rosa M. Eubanks Cheryl Pearson

Albert Beveridge Sue McKenney

Nora & Thurman Norville M.L. & Judy Waley Milledge Murray Tuesday Morning

Bible Study Walter Harwood

St. James Men’s Club

On Sunday, May 14, we welcomed into the Body of Christ through Holy Baptism Oliver Dupree Park, infant son of Alex and Emmie Park, and grandson of Thurman and Nora Norville.

In May, gifts were made to the church in memory of:

FROM THE REV. CHARLES E. HOOVER, TH.D. Dear Friends, St. James Church is such an integral past of our lives. It’s where we started our ministry, where I was ordained, where our daughter got married. So many of our memories center around the wonderful people of St. James. Thank you for remembering Winnie and me and our family. Grace and Peace, Charles

Dr. Hoover was an assistant pastor here in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s. His wife, Winnie, remembered by our more long-term members, passed away on April 8. You may contact Dr. Hoover at 628 Delegal Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.

Gary Melton, Sr.

Melvis Reeves Billy & Beth Powell

Jane Edmunds Milledge Murray

Andrew Hogland

Martin & Arnette Parham

Griffin Circle and

Tuesday Morning

Bible Study will not

meet this month.

Whenever you do it to the least of these--

In May Raymond’s Kitchen provided snack packs for 59 persons and clothing for nine. We also dis-tributed food donated by Saint Paul’s following its Manna Pantry distribution, and assisted with utility payments for two persons.

OOPS! The May Monitor carried

a story submitted by Jackie Andrews about St. James’ relationship with Houghton School. What the editor didn’t realize was that the article was researched and written by Bill Kirby. Sorry, Bill; and thank you for sharing this with us!

June 11

Apportionment Dinner

Griffin Circle,

Sponsors

JUST AHEAD: DON’T MISS THIS!

Riverwalk Series’ 4th of July Star Spangled Concert with a

Community Chorus, Orchestra & Special Guest Daniel Rodriguez, tenor.

A retired NY policeman and first-responder on 9/11,

Rodriguez has sung around the nation, but this will be his first appearance in the South. This annual event is always a sell-out, and tickets will not

be available at the door. Don’t wait until it’s too late! See Marilyn for more infor-mation & advance tickets.

NORTH GEORGIA CONFERENCE

Annual Conference The Classic Center - Athens, GA

June 13-14

Billy Powell (elected as St. James’ delegate at our last Charge Conference), along with wife Beth and Pastor Norville will attend the annual conference to make your voice heard.

The Annual Conference Session will be Live Streamed beginning with the Opening Worship at 2 pm on Tuesday. Find the link the week of Annual Conference at www.ngumc.org/AC2017.

SAT, JUNE 17 - 5-8 pm

GA-Carolina Emmaus Gathering

For those who have participated in a Walk to Emmaus, or are

interested in learning more.

Barbeque & Praise and Worship at Lewis Memorial UMC.

Meat provided; sides appreciated.

Questions about Walk to Emmaus? Talk with Milledge Murray.

Family Promise Week: June 18-24

Needs:

Prepare a meal for 20 *First Sunday, 6-18 *Wednesday, 6-21 *Saturday, 6-24 (lunch & dinner)

Set Up: Sunday, 6-18 1:30 p.m.

Break Down: Sunday, 6-25 6 a.m.

Call Andrea Spano, 803-279-1818, with questions and to tell her how you can help.

SCOTT PARRISH

TO PREACH JUNE 4

Thurman will be away on June 4, and we will welcome Rev. Scott Parrish to our pulpit on that day. Scott is an ordained Deacon and a Mission Specialist with the UMC North Georgia Conference. He and his wife Monica live on the family farm in Appling.

NEEDED: ONE-TIME HELP WITH INTERNAL AUDIT

NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

If you have good common sense and a few hours to help the church, we need you to be on our auditing team in July. This year, we’re conducting an internal audit instead of using an outside CPA. Team members will work with Albert Beveridge to determine that we have systems in place to adequately track church income and expenses. Call or email the church office to say you’ll help, and Albert will be in touch to set a date.

JUNE 3 & 10 Free Fishing Days for GA Residents. No license required.

HEAD TO THE LAKE! Call the church office for keys.

St. James United Methodist Church

The Fellowship of the Friendly

439 Greene Street Augusta, GA 30901 The Rev. Thurman Norville, Jr. Pastor Marilyn Grau Administrative Assistant Walter Harwood III Organist Raymond Hookfin Sexton 706-722-8373 [email protected] www:stjamesaugusta.com

If you enjoy receiving your St. James Monitor via email, you may be interested to know that you can also get a free

subscription to United Methodist Now, Inspiration for Daily Living. This is a biweekly e-newsletter for church members

to highlight examples of Christian living, share inspirational messages, and focus on what it means to be part of our

connection. To see samples of copies online, and to subscribe, simply go to the United Methodist Church website,

http://www.umc.org/what-we-believe/united-methodist-now-inspiration-for-daily-living.