Countdown to Advent

Only Three Months!

Sometimes it’s easy to look at the calendar and panic!  When I think that Advent is only 3 months away, it’s easy for me to get overwhelmed.  There’s a lot to do, but there is also a lot of excitement around here.  I’ve found that it’s easiest to take things one step at a time…you can go anywhere by putting one step in front of the other!  A lot of the new worship teams are starting to organize and meet.  The good news is that we’ve divided up the responsibilities so that too much doesn’t fall on any one person or group. 

Sunday, September 12th, is going to be TEAM Sunday!  We’re asking everyone to wear team gear from your favorite team to promote the fact that we’re signing up all these new teams.  (PS…GO Hogs!!!) 

Right now I’m working with Sandra Wood on plans for a Welcome Center in the hallway between Wesley Hall and the Sanctuary.  We’ve been getting quotes and ideas.  Our hope is that we’ll have a centrally-located place for new people to get information and sign up for groups, etc.  We’re also planning an orientation meeting for ALL of the Sunday School classes on Sunday, September 19th.  Don’t forget the prayer board in the Builders Chapel.  Thank goodness God’s in charge! 

Just Move Them

Just move them. That's what I said when the new schedule was approved. Get the change out of the way, get used to it, and it will be old hat by Advent and we can focus all our energies on the new services. Why wait?

That was my view when the staff debated the pros and cons of all the alternatives for implementing the new schedule. We're all very emotionally involved with the new schedule, as well as being typical methodological Methodists, so we have passionate discussions.

Out of that came the common realization that the new worship teams are really central to the change. These teams have to address all the logistical issues from the change -- for example, will the current volunteers continue? -- but they're also taking the opportunity to look at all areas of the service with fresh eyes. And it's going to be hard to get it all done by Advent.

One of the things they'll be working on that I really like is picking a name. Every service needs a name that communicates its unique identity -- like the Blue Jean Service.  It's good that the teams are doing it, because sometimes when I'll use an adjective to describe a service in our communications, people take it to Richard and ask him what's going on!  What is this "Traditional-with-a-twist"???

A very important part is how children will be incorporated into each service. Personally, I like to see kids involved in worship -- I once took communion from my (then) 12-year-old daughter and it was a very unique experience, one that underlined for me how children are really closer to the Kingdom of God than us jaded adults.  Children are proof positive to our eyes of new life, of growth, of future possibility. It's no surprise many parents find their eyes opened to God after they have a child. What a wonderful opportunity we have to think about such a Holy thing.

The new Welcome Center is a worry. How will it get done? We desperately need an Interior Designer to draw a design up for us. Per all my speeches about avoiding "scope creep," I don't know that the Welcome Center has to be done in time for Advent or the New Year, but it sure would be nice, given all the new visitors we want to attract.

   --- Joe Roitz

Hello!

Some of you have barely begun the school year and Advent is the last thing on your mind.  That’s fair.  However, in case you haven’t heard, we are beginning a new schedule on the first Sunday in Advent, November 28th.  If you were to glance at your calendar, you might notice that this week is August 28th and that Advent is only 3 short months away!  Don’t panic!!!

Because there is SO much to do and SO much information floating around, the staff has decided to start this blog so you can go to get updates about what is going on and how you can get involved.  Below is a list of staff contacts for each area.  If you have input or would like to serve on a particular team, get in touch with that person!  

Emerging Worship: Rev. Andrea Allen

Traditional Worship:  Rev. Richard Lancaster and Kyle Blackburn

Blue Jean Worship:  Rev. Richard Lancaster,Gigi Parkhill and Davis Hendricks

Faith Development:  Rev. Cindy Russell

Wednesday Worship: Rev. Cindy Russell

Youth Ministries: Brandon Bates

Children: Rochelle Gray

Welcome Center: Rev. Cindy Russell

Evangelism: Rev. Andrea Allen

Communications:  Joe Roitz 

If nothing else…PRAY!!!  Start with the above list and lift up each of those teams to the Lord for strength and guidance.  In the meantime…mark your calendars!  Advent’s coming!

                                          Rev. Cindy H. Russell