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In this week's Family News (Scroll to Learn More):
- Thank You! by Dennis W. Foust, Former Senior Minister
- Thank You! by Lee Gray & Kheresa Harmon
- Fall Kickoff Cookout for Children & Their Families
- Faith Journey Book Study Starting September 8
- Women of the Church Luncheon
- Heart Math Tutoring Needs Your Help!
- Church-Wide Meeting On September 21
- Rise Against Hunger
- CROP Hunger Walk
- WOC August School Supply Collection for ourBridge
- Young Adult Trivia Night Reminder!
- Fall Churchwide 2025 Save the Dates
- After-Hours Coverage During the Transition Period
- A Message from Liza, The Media Coordinator
- Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations
- Financial Update
- Minister On Call Schedule
- After Hours On Call Schedule
- Staff Contact Info
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Thank You!
by Dennis W. Foust, Former Senior Minister
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Thank you, St. John’s! It is always splendid when memories overflow with thanksgiving. When I reflect on this past weekend, each memory offers moments interwoven with gratitude. Your gifts of graciousness were extremely affirming. You blessed Paula and me with words, notes, tangible gifts, and actions resulting in tears and laughter. Your embraces and smiles continue to uplift us. Every time we reflect on this last weekend as your pastoral couple, we smile. Memories that bring joy are extremely renewing. We love you!
We were blessed to have more than forty family members and friends from previous churches which we served to join us for the weekend. Your celebration lunch on Sunday was truly expressed in St. John’s style full of hospitality, compassion, and fun to share.
Paula and I are now in the mountains and will head off to Tampa to stay in the home of our daughter and son-in-law on Saturday. We have trips planned for this autumn to visit my mother and friends whose health did not allow them to be with us. Our temporary address and contact information are available in church publications through September.
We are already praying for you as you co-labor in God’s mission through this transitional season. Support and care for your staff and church leaders. God is already preparing the eighth senior minister for St. John’s. In time, I will call the new person and communicate this message: “I will be president of your prayer support circle and your fan club.”
Shalom to each and all of you!
Dennis & Paula Foust Home Contact Information:
5202 Strawberry Hill Drive
Apartment C
Charlotte, NC 28211
Paula – 704.705.0203 or paula7674@att.net
Dennis – 704.533.0303 or dwfoust88@gmail.com
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Thank You!
by Lee Gray & Kheresa Harmon
| | Thank you to everyone involved in the retirement and celebration luncheon for Dr. Dennis Foust’s 50+ years of ministry. The worship service beforehand was authentic and beautiful thanks to the words of Dennis, the variety of musical offerings, and the planning of Noel Lance. The lunch after worship went about as smooth as such a large event can go. That doesn’t happen without thorough planning, coordination, and execution. Thank you to Pauline Carter and Alice Wirz for their dedicated service in overseeing all the aspects entailed in the lunch and program. Of course, they had the support of the other members of the transition team - Lynn Bishop, Steve Carter, Steven Follis, and James Laney. Our church administrator, Amanda Morrison, helped them out with whatever they needed. Other folks who played multiple roles both before and on Sunday were Kim Allen, Minh Callaway, Judy Godsey, Bobbie Hinson, & Kim Ray. Joy Jarrett coordinated the banana puddings for dessert. There were also 30 more individuals who helped with the meal and cleanup on Sunday. Stan Brown coordinated the pastoral portrait of Dennis. David Erdman put together the booklet The Wit, Wisdom, and Theology of Dennis Foust, Phd. We are grateful that all the speakers shared words of value and stuck to the time limit given to them by Pauline. Emcees David Allen and Ken Benton livened things up a bit, and helped with the flow from one speaker to another. Somehow, we were able to fit everyone into Broach Hall thanks to Steve Carter’s masterful floor plan. Really, the whole day could not have gone any better. Thank you to all involved for such a wonderful day celebrating a wonderful 50+ years of ministry. | | |
Fall 2025 Cookout for Children & Families | |
Let’s "fall into Fall 2025" with a cookout at the home of Kelli, Eric, Hailey, and Grayson McCombs (6508 Calvert Commons Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078) at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 6!
Please RSVP here by September 1.
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| You are invited to join the Faith Journey Book Study. We will begin meeting on Monday September 8 and will meet each Monday at 11:00 in the Church Lounge. Our book for the fall is Gospel Medicine by Barbara Brown Taylor. Books can be ordered by contacting Loretta Brown (lorettaybrown@gmail.com or 434-579-2669). All are welcome to this discussion group. For further information contact Kathy Bragg or Loretta Brown. | | |
WOMEN OF THE CHURCH ANNUAL LUNCHEON | |
We’re looking forward to our annual Women of the Church Luncheon and Business Meeting on Sunday, September 14, 2025, in Broach Hall immediately following the worship service.
This special gathering is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share fellowship, and welcome friends—both familiar faces and those we haven’t seen in a while.
We are especially excited to welcome our guest speaker, LeDayne Polaski, Executive Director of the Mecklenburg Metropolitan Interfaith Network (Meck MIN), who will share an inspiring message with us.
Cost: $15 per person
Registration is now open and runs through September 9th. Payment must be made prior to the event. You can register here through Realm, or by calling Amanda Morrison in the church office, or by filling out the paper form and giving it to Nancy Wilson on Sunday the 31st or September 9th.
Mark your calendars, invite a friend, and plan to join us for this meaningful time together.
Donations will be collected at the door for project Dignity Drive - Restoring Hope & Confidence. Requested items include: New Underwear: Boys 4-16, Girls 4-16, Women's S-3X, Bras - all sizes and Feminine Hygiene Products: Sanitary napkins, tampons, adult incontinence briefs.
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Heart Math Tutoring Needs Your Help! | |
Join St. John’s Baptist Church in supporting CMS students with just 1 hour per week as a volunteer tutor! Heart Math Tutoring is looking for volunteers to help provide foundational math skills and confidence to elementary students being nominated for the program in the 2025/26 school year. Read more details below and sign-up here.
1 hour per week with the same student
Fun, hands-on, game-based curriculum provided
On-site coordinator present during all sessions to support
Basic math (counting, comparing numbers, addition and subtraction)
Choose the school, day, and tutoring time that work best for your schedule.
Want more information before you sign up? Join a Volunteer Information Session on Sept. 3rd or Sept. 17th.
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Church-Wide Meeting On September 21 to Help Define Our Senior Minister Profile | |
We received 133 wonderful and thoughtful responses to our Survey to define your wishes for our next Senior Minister! This was a great response. The next step is a congregational meeting in Broach Hall on September 21 after worship. A simple lunch will be provided and we ask that you reserve a spot so we know how many to expect. During this interactive meeting, we will present the Survey results and discuss in table groups to allow all a chance to participate, and to further refine any input on key priorities for the Search Team.
Childcare with a separate kids' lunch will be provided. Please note on your reservation how many children will attend.
Please reserve your spot by Sept. 15 here.
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Rise Against Hunger - September 28 | |
We’re coming together to pack 15,000 meals for families in need around the world!
Partnering with Rise Against Hunger, an international humanitarian organization, we’re joining a global movement to end hunger by empowering communities, nourishing lives, and responding to emergencies. Since its founding, Rise Against Hunger has packaged and distributed over 600 million meals to countries worldwide.
This is a unique, family-friendly way to make a real impact — join us and be part of something bigger!
Register Today by visiting the link here!
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| OurBridge for Kids School Supply Drive | | |
The Women of the Church are sponsoring a collection of school supplies and gently used or new school uniforms for our ministry partner ourBridge for Kids from now through September 15.
Our Bridge for Kids provides resources and out-of-school programs specifically designed for immigrant and refugee children and their families. Their goal is to address the social service gaps and help newly arrived children and their families adapt, develop a sense of belonging, and thrive in Charlotte.
Drop off bins will be available in the Giving Nook beginning this Sunday.
We are collecting the following items for the age and size range of K-8:
- Backpacks
- Binders, folders notebooks, and lined paper
- Dry erase markers, crayons, colored pencils, pens and pencil cases
- White, navy or red polo shirts
- Khaki or navy pants and shorts
I was a stranger and you welcomed me” Matthew 25:35. Help us extend a loving hand to these children as a new school year starts!
| | | Join our Young Adults for Trivia Night on Tuesday, September 2 at 7:00 p.m. at Petty Thieves Brewing Company (413 Dalton Ave., Suite B)! We're saving a spot for you! |
Fall 2025 Churchwide Save The Dates: |
- Children's Sabbath and World Communion Sunday, October 5
- Fall Festival Sunday, October 26
- All Saints Sunday, November 2
- NAMI Walk Saturday, November 8
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| | After-Hours Coverage During the Transition Period | |
As St. John’s enters a season of transition, we are implementing a new system to ensure that urgent needs are met even outside of regular business hours.
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The Minister on Call is your contact for pastoral care needs—such as illness, tragedy, or other urgent spiritual concerns—that cannot wait until the church office reopens. Rev. Lee Gray and Rev. Kheresa Harmon will alternate in this role.
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The Administrator on Call is your contact for facilities-related issues—including building access, maintenance concerns, or alarms—that require immediate attention. Amanda Morrison will continue in this role, supported by members of the congregation. This week, Todd Stillerman will serve as the Administrator on Call.
If you encounter an issue after hours, please reach out to the appropriate person listed in the Family News. They will either assist directly or connect you with someone who can.
We ask for your patience and understanding during this transition. Staffing is reduced, and our congregational volunteers are generously offering their time to help. Everyone involved is committed to responding promptly and compassionately.
Thank you for your support as we navigate this time together.
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| | A Message from Liza, The Media Coordinator | | Hi St. John's! I will be taking a break from the Media Coordinator position during the month of September as I prepare for my wedding. My last day before the break will be August 31, and I plan to return to serving on October 6th. After the 31st, please direct all Family News submissions to Matt Comer at matthewmhcomer@gmail.com. Thank you for your understanding! | | |
Prayer List, Sympathy, Thanks, and Celebrations | |
Current Prayer Concerns:
Mary Jo Breckenridge, Anna Lynn Kearse, Judy Kersey, Carl Phillips
Continuing Prayer:
Mary Rickenbaker, Joseph Freeman
Sympathy:
Ken Sanford passed on ahead us on Monday, August 25th. Please remember his wife Judy Sanford as well as his children Tim, Scott, and Jeannette in your prayers. A service to honor Ken's life and ministry will be held in the St. John's sanctuary on Friday, September 12th at 2:00 pm. A reception in Lasater Hall will follow the service.
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2025 Full Year Budget – $1,241,000
Budgeted Income thru August 31 - $827,333
Actual Income Received thru August 27- $800, 533
Global Missions Offering - $23,000
Income Received thru August 27 - $18,170
| | Minister On Call Schedule |
- Aug 25 - 31: Kheresa
- Sep 1 - 7 : Lee
| - Aug 25 - 31: Todd Stillerman
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Staff Contact Information
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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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Noel Lance, Minister for Worship & Music
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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
- Chloe Salmeron, Children's Choir Director
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Liza Tindall, Media Coordinator
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