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Slate and Stone

November 6, 2026

Looking Toward Sunday

Dear Rumple Family,

We are delighted to welcome Mark Hayes to Rumple as our guest composer for 2026. Mark is an internationally acclaimed composer, arranger, conductor, and concert pianist whose music has inspired audiences around the world. Raised in a home rich with creativity, he began studying piano at age ten and quickly developed a passion for improvisation—an influence that continues to shape his distinctive musical voice. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Baylor University, where his path as a composer and arranger first took form.

With more than 2,000 published works, his catalog spans solo voice and piano, choral and orchestral works, chamber music, and jazz ensembles. His compositions are widely commissioned and frequently featured at major national and international conventions.

Mark will lead the choir in five choral anthems, a vocal solo (accompanied by Mark), and one of his piano arrangements in worship. That afternoon, join us back at 2:00 p.m. for a concert where we will hear more vocal solos, a choir anthem, and multiple piano arrangements that feature sacred and secular repertoire. Selections include classical, spirituals, Movie themes, and, of course, favorite hymns of the church. Following the concert, you're invited to the Gathering Space for a reception.

Also, this Sunday, Congregational Care will be hosting Second Sunday Friends and Fellowship. All are invited to a light pick-up breakfast in the Gathering Space from 9:15-9:45 a.m. before a music-filled day!

Dave McCollum

Please Keep in your Prayers:

Russell Headrick, shoulder surgery on 11/10; John Green, shoulder surgery on 11/12; Ann and Mike Rhyne's son, Malcolm; Ann Rhyne; Bob Stout's sister, Lyn; Joan Huffman; Buz Helms; Mike Capristo; Barbara Julien; Cullie and Sylvia Tarleton; Linda Steen; David Baskin; Bill Daugherty’s sister Karen; Lucy Aldridge; Sarah Settlemyer’s friend Theresa; Walt Baggstrom’s brother Bob.

Worship Time Update

The Rumple Session voted to continue with Sunday morning worship at 10:00 a.m. until Easter. They will continue to evaluate and welcome your feedback.

Our Time to Shine

Rumple's Engagement and Generosity Committee invites all in the Rumple family to consider how you will shine the light of Jesus in 2027. We encourage you to consider engaging in Rumple's ministries with your time, your talent, and a financial pledge for next year. Thank you to the 42 family units who have already submitted a pledge for 2027 totaling nearly $370,000. If you have not yet made a pledge, you can do so online here, or pick up a copy of a paper pledge card in the Sanctuary or Rumple House. The deadline to return your pledge is November 10. If you have any questions, please contact the church office.

Prayer Email Reminder

Would you like to be alerted to Rumple prayer concerns throughout the week? Rumple has a prayer email group, and anyone is welcome to be added to the list. Margaret Headrick faithfully sends the emails asap when she gets notices. Click here to contact Margaret.

Parking Updates

As we transition to our new 10:00 a.m. worship time, we hope these changes will help ease some of the parking challenges we have experienced and make Sunday mornings more convenient for everyone.

We have relocated two handicap parking signs to Ginny Stevens Lane to provide more convenient access. Members may also enter through the Youth and Children’s entrance along Ginny Stevens Lane.

You may have also noticed new “Towing Enforced” signs along the Employee Parking Only spaces in the middle parking lot. These signs have helped us ensure that designated employee spaces remain available while preserving parking for members and visitors coming to church. We appreciate everyone's patience and flexibility!

APNC Update

The Associate Pastor Nominating Committee has begun in-person interviews. They should be completed by November 15. If all goes well, we hope to have someone in place by early January. After interviews, the committee will recommend a candidate. The Task Force will conduct a Suitability and Fit meeting that will involve the APNC and the candidate. From there, the Campus Ministry Board and the Rumple Session would need to approve the candidate.

Thank You for your Candy Donations

Thank you, Rumple family, for showing up for the children in our community. We had so much candy to hand out on Halloween on Main Street. So many families expressed their gratitude for the generous way we shared the pounds of candy that y'all donated. Thank you for loving the children!

New Building Funds Pledged

It is Time: Completing the Vision Campaign Needs You! The picture above is of Rumple's New Multi-Purpose Building. The yellow bricks represent the funds that are still needed. With each contribution, a bit more of the full building is revealed. Every gift counts and matters in this campaign. Please watch the informational video created by the campaign committee, read the supporting documents, and review the detailed budget on the Rumple website here. You may make a gift online here, or you can contact Sonya Long in the church office to fill out a paper pledge form.

Join Rumple for Worship

Sunday, November 8, at 10:00 a.m.

To watch worship online and to view the worship bulletin, please visit the online worship page on our website. The worship video will be posted to the Rumple website each week.

Find all previous online worship services on YouTube.

Second Sunday Friends and Fellowship

Join us for Second Sunday breakfast hosted by Congregational Care this Sunday, November 8, from 9:15-9:45 a.m. in the Gathering Space. A light pickup breakfast will be served, and everyone is invited to join in fellowship and community.

Pilgrimage to England and Scotland

Spaces remain for the pilgrimage to Northern England and Southern Scotland that Kathy Beach and Ed Glaze of Boone UMC will lead September 29-October 10, 2027. A deposit of $500 secures your spot. Contact Kathy if you have any questions. Register here.

Defrosting the Frozen Chosen Trivia

Join us on Sunday, November 15, from 9:00-9:45 a.m. in the Gathering Space for Presbyterian Trivia! Teams will work together during several rounds to test their knowledge of the Presbyterian Church, the Bible, and more. No high-pressure competition, just a great chance to have some fun together!

Friendsgiving Dinner: November 17

Join us for Rumple’s second Friendsgiving on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m. in the Gathering Space. Enjoy a meal together and a discussion about Food as Celebration and Community led by Dr. Brook Harmon, App State Professor of Nutrition and Rumple member. FARM Cafe will serve a Peruvian menu, which was developed in collaboration with Dave Henry. Please register here by November 11.

Joyful, Anyway Book Study

Kate Bowler’s latest book, Joyful, Anyway, is a look at experiencing joy through the aches of life. Join Kathy Beach beginning Sunday, November 22, at 7:00 pm on Zoom only. The class will continue on Sundays, November 29, December 6, and 13. Register here.

Please purchase a copy of the book and read Part I: The Ache before the first meeting.

Thanksgiving Food Drive: Collecting until November 15

BR Cares Holiday Meal Delivery Drivers

Thanks to those who have already signed up, but we need more volunteers to make this happen. We will deliver the Thanksgiving meal on Monday, November 23, and the Christmas meal on Wednesday, December 23. Volunteers pick up boxed meals at Rumple from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on delivery days and deliver those meals to families till noon. Email Russell Headrick here and tell him whether you want to make deliveries for Thanksgiving or Christmas, or both!

Final Buy Boone Lunch: November 19

Come volunteer at our last Buy Boone Lunch of the year at F.A.R.M. Café on Thursday, November 19. Pick your 1-hour shift today by signing up here. Need more info about “Buy Boone Lunch”? Click here. For other questions, contact Stephanie Hankins.

Going Solo Thanksgiving Lunch

Going Solo is an invitation to those who live alone or are single and want to engage in fellowship. Join together for a Thanksgiving lunch at Annie's Barn on Thursday, November 19, at 11:30 a.m. This is a first-come, first-served event with a max of 18 people. Please RSVP to Annie Tarbutton.

Men's Lunch: November 12

Men's Lunch will be on Thursday, November 12, at noon at Town Tavern. All men of Rumple and friends are invited. Please RSVP to Dave Henry or just join us for great food and fellowship.