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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Amidst All Our Losses, What Must We Refuse to Lose? By Dennis Foust
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Disaster Relief Buckets for WNC: Directions Here
- Children's Sabbath on October 6
- CONVERGE Feedback Presented this Sunday
- Happy Birthday!
- Potluck Lunch on October 6
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CROP Walk on October 6: Register Here
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Thursdays on the Town: Register Here
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Women of the Church Retreat: Register NOW Below by October 7
- Basketball Clinics
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How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda Tyler Book Release
- On the Way for October and November
- Craft and Bake Sale
- Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
- Welcoming New Friends Event on November 13
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update & Global Missions Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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AMIDST ALL OUR LOSSES, WHAT MUST WE REFUSE TO LOSE?
by Dennis W. Foust, Senior Minister
We are all burdened by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Although we know tragedies and crises occur every day, being directly impacted by trauma increases our awareness of suffering. Our emotions are raw.
As a pastor, I know it is essential to be attentive to fear and grief. Therefore, I always intend to value expressions of distress and sorrow. However, I also know that one of the main roles of a leader during a crisis is stay calm and reassure people that God is still God, therefore all is well. I often remember the song of faithful witness, ‘It is Well with My Soul.’ These words were written by Horatio Spafford on the site where his wife and daughters perished due to the sinking of a trans-Atlantic ocean-liner. He wrote, “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.” He accompanied grief with hope.
During tragedies, we may lose many things. Some are tangible; some are not. However, we must not lose our foundational faith that God has raised Jesus Christ from death and the grave. Therefore, we must not lose hope.
Since last Saturday, I have been calling, texting and emailing people who have been impacted by Helene’s destruction. Fatigue is rampant. Capacities for expressing faithful encouragement are thin. One pastor who serves in an area tremendously damaged described the grief caused by immense loss. Another pastor told me the people in his community are “completely worn out.” He mentioned how volunteers are needed – not just to do work – but also to provide encouragement and inspire hope. Beloved, when we stay calm, we are able to lead others toward God’s hope.
Earlier this week, one pastor listed some items that are needed but are difficult to find. Paula and I are taking a full load of these items to his community this week. While there, we will assess specific needs and report back to you in the next few days.
For now, our church leaders are proposing four ways for you to respond to the unlimited needs of persons victimized by Helene. Phillips Bragg, chair of our diaconate, and Anna Cushman, chair of our mission resource team, are both involved in these conversations. Needs will shift in the weeks ahead as we learn of various emerging situations. We will try to be flexible and knowledgeable to help you know how we can make a difference.
1. Pray: You do not have to understand how prayer works to see how it changes us, humbles us before The Living God, or results in changes in the situations of others.
2. Assemble Disaster Response Buckets: We have committed to providing buckets filled with essential cleaning supplies. Please notice the list of what goes in a bucket which is located here. Place your items in the Giving Nook located in the Main Entrance.
3. Make Financial Gifts to Our St. John’s Designated Disaster Fund: We have already identified places where funds can be utilized purposefully. Please consider making a gift. Our Mission Resource Team is freeing up some undesignated budget monies to support this endeavor.
4. Preview Your Calendar to Determine if You Could be a Volunteer. One of the details Paula and I are previewing this week is the need and provisions for volunteers. We will bring a report in the next few days. We already know the need for volunteers will stretch into the future.
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Disaster Relief Buckets
This week, in the wake of Hurrican Helene, CBFNC is deploying around 200 buckets filled with necessary supplies that were previously prepared to the West Jefferson and Mars Hill areas.
There will be a great need for more buckets as communities begin clean-up efforts. Organizing a disaster relief bucket “brigade” is one way church groups can do something to help. Get instructions here.
See the list of items for building a bucket below.
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Children's Sabbath This Sunday
Children Leading Worship on World Communion Sunday
October 6, 2024
Please join us for worship THIS Sunday, October 6, World Communion Sunday, as our children lead us in all aspects of worship - from singing and reading Scripture to leading in prayer and taking communion. This is a special Sunday and we hope you will plan to join us at 10:30am, our regular worship time.
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CONVERGE Report This Sunday During Lunch
Dear fellow members of SJBC,
The Converge Task Force hopes you will make it a priority to attend the Potluck and Converge Presentation on Sunday, October 6 (THIS SUNDAY) after worship.
The attached documents describe the newly formed Converge Task Force, details what we learned from you during Converge, and lists specific goals designed to address our very real challenges and opportunities. Your Church Council spent the summer digesting the converge feedback and developing these goals, receiving approval from the diaconate in September.
We hope you will review this information and send questions to me at phillips@braggfinancial.com in advance and/or come prepared to discuss on the 6th.
We look forward to the opportunity for fellowship on this day and are excited to be embarking on this important work with you.
Warmly on behalf of The Converge Task Force,
Phillips Bragg
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Happy Birthday!
Nico Belong will celebrate her first birthday on October 9. She is the daughter of Molly and Micah.
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Don't forget about the Potluck Lunch THIS Sunday!
This Sunday, October 6, we will gather in Broach Hall for a potluck lunch between worship and CROP Walk. The program for lunch will include a report from the Church Council on the CONVERGE information gathered last spring.
Here is how the potluck works.
- The church budget will pay for the meat.
- If your last name begins with A – L, you bring a vegetable/side dish.
- If your last name begins with M – Z, you bring a dessert.
See you there!
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There is more great CROP Walk News!
We made it happen! We worked together to challenge ourselves to take advantage of the very generous matching gift promised by a generous SJBC member.
Drum roll please…
In less than a week, you raised an additional $1918. With the matching $1000 from our donor, our 5-day total is $2918! That means that at $7808 raised so far, we have exceeded the SJBC 2024 goal of $5000! Congratulations!
Don’t stop now! There are four days left until Walk Day on October 6. That means four days left to continue fundraising or contributing. Can we get to $10,000? Every dollar counts! Maybe you are thinking, “I wish I had registered! Or “I wish I had contributed.” It’s not too late to do either. Click on the link below. And, Walkers, there is a free t-shirt in it for you!
Remember, there will be a church-wide potluck lunch to hear the Converge Report after the service this Sunday. There you can turn in checks or other money you have received before we leave together for the walk.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for honoring the call to improve the quality of life of people suffering from poverty and hunger here in Charlotte and internationally.
Debbie and James
SJBC CROP Walk Team Co-Captains
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Thursdays on the Town
Register by October 10
Parents of children, ages birth - 5th grade, please join us on Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Catalina Kitchen and Bar (1942 East 7th St.). Find their menu here.
Free childcare will be provided.
Please register and reserve childcare by October 6.
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Deadline Extended to Register for the Women's Retreat
Please register by October 7
Women of the Church, you are invited to attend our 2024 Retreat on November 1-3 and the Blowing Rock Conference Center. We have spoken to the retreat center and the facilities were spared from the storm and will be ready to receive us for our weekend away.
We hope you can join us! The cost for the whole weekend - including room, food, all sessions, and activities - will be $185 and must be prepaid. Register below or on Realm by OCTOBER 7.
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Basketball Clinics starting in October
Mondays, October 14, 21, 28 from 5-6pm
St. John’s members, participants, and visitors with children who could potentially play on the 6 & Under Co-Ed team – I want to be sure you know about the upcoming basketball clinics for our younger children.
The clinics are the Mondays of October 14, 21, & 28 from 5-6pm in the St. John’s gym.
I also want to alert you to remember to use the code MEMBER if/when you register your child so that you will receive $50 off of the cost to play. If you know that your child will play you can register them below. (We are currently receiving registrations from people with some connection to the life of the church and those players who have played before.)
Thank you, Lee Gray
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How to End Christian Nationalism
Amanda Tyler Book Release on October 22 at 6:30pm
At 6:30pm, on Tuesday, October 22 in Broach Hall, we will host the book release of Amanda Tyler’s significant writing, How to End Christian Nationalism.
How to End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler is the essential guidebook for Christians alarmed by the rising tide of Christian nationalism yet unsure how to counter it. Join Amanda for a timely discussion about the threat of this dangerous ideology and learn about how she drew on her experiences, conversations with pastors and laypeople, research, Scripture and her Baptist convictions to write this new book.
This event is free, but registration is required. You will receive a confirmation email with the information you'll need to attend. Register BELOW.
Park Road Books will be present to manage book sales. Invite your friends.
This event will be publicized throughout Charlotte via a variety of media. You must register for this event below.
We will learn a core value of Baptist heritage as we practice religious freedom.
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On the Way
Outings for Retired Adults and Friends
Friday, October 25 – We will meet the church at 11:00 am to coordinate our carpools and then walk or drive to Big Ben British Pub & Restaurant for lunch at 11:15 am. After lunch people can carpool (or drive separately if they desire) to the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. (4108 Minuteman Way 28208 – It’s on Charlotte-Douglas Airport land) We have tickets for 1:30 pm and they can receive us up to 25 minutes before or after that time. We will need to fine tune our number of tickets, so please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by October 17.
Thursday, November 14 – We have reservations for 20 at Mama Ricotta’s Italian Restaurant (601 S. Kings Dr.) at 11:30 am. We will carpool from the church and depart at 11:15 am or you can meet us there. Sometimes parking can be crowded though. Please let LGray@sjcharlotte.org know if you plan to attend by Tuesday, November 12 so final adjustments can be made to our arrangements at Mama Ricotta’s.
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Annual Craft & Bake Sale to Benefit Playground Renovations
Sunday, October 20
The Needle and Craft Ministry will be having a Craft and Bake Sale on Sunday October 20th in Lasater Hall from 11:30 to 1:00pm. All proceeds will go to support the playground renovations.
If you are interested in participating with craft items and/or baked goods please contact Ruth Jackson or Tricia Miller. Any and all donations will be greatly appreciated. We will only accept cash or checks on the day of the sale. Thank you for your support, our children will benefit from these renovations.
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Fall Festival with Trunk-Or-Treat: Need Volunteers!
October 27, 3-5pm
We need volunteers for our Fall Festival Trunk or Treat community event on Sunday, October 27, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at SJBC.
How can you volunteer?
- Provide your vehicle that you can decorate.
- Candy, stickers, pencils, etc. as treats for your trunk.
- You in costume, too!
Sign up on Realm by October 20. Prizes will be given to the most festive trunk!
Questions? Contact Liz Benton or Kheresa Harmon.
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Welcoming New Friends
Building relationships with newly arrived individuals and families from other countries and cultures by becoming a Fruitful Friend
Wednesday, November 13, 5:30-7:00pm in Broach Hall
We invite you to join us for “Welcoming New Friends” on Wednesday, November 13 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM in Broach Hall. We will share a buffet meal, followed by a program that focuses on the work of Refugee Support Services and their Fruitful Friends program. Fruitful Friends pairs volunteers with RSS program participants to build friendships, share cultures, and provide support. Sharing experiences, information and insights with us will be Pamela Dellinger and Esther Schmidt from Refugee Support Services.
Make dinner reservations by noon on Friday, November 8.
$15/person or $36/household
Must pay for dinner AT THE DOOR by cash or check.
Register on Realm or contact Amanda Morrison in the office at amorrison@sjcharlotte.org or 704-333-5428, ext. 0. No reservation needed for program only, which begins at 6:00PM.
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Prayers, Thanks, and Celebrations
Current Prayer Concerns: Pauline Funderburk, Charles Gordon, Arnold Philemon, Jeck Warren
Continuing Prayer: Shirley Ballard, Tom Bryson, Kathleen Bumgardner, Carolyn Hall, Mary Rickenbaker, Shelly Zeigler
Betty McClanahan Herr passed on ahead of us on September 30th. Please remember her daughters Marcy McClanahan and Melody Fountain in your prayers. A service to honor and celebrate Betty’s life will be held this Saturday, October 5th at 11:00 am in the Matthews Glen Chapel -733 Pavilion View Drive Matthews, NC 28105.
Please be in prayer for all those affected by Hurricane Helene. We also remember the parents of Allison Benfield whose home was flooded in Morganton, NC during the hurricane.
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Financial Update
2024 Full Year Budget: $1,211,000
Income Received Through Sept. 30: $796,432 (66%)
Global Missions Offering Goal: $25,000
Received through September 30: $25,000 (100%)
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Staff Contact Information
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Rev. Dennis Foust, PhD, Senior Minister - 704-359-7234 (cell); 704-333-5428, ext. 2012
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Rev. Lee Gray, Minister for Congregational Care - 704-333-5428, ext. 2015; 704-451-1309 (cell)
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Rev. Kheresa Harmon, Minister for Children & their Families - 704-333-5428, ext. 2018; 910-890-3392 (cell)
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Russell Nelson, Minister for Worship & Music - (980) 228-6244 (cell)
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Mallory Brown, Media Coordinator - 704-477-3349 (cell)
- Chloe Hall, Children's Choir Director
- Noel Lance, Organist
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Amanda Morrison, Church Administrator - 704-333-5428, ext. 0
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Lydia Olmsted, Weekday School Director - 704-333-5428, ext. 2039
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