March 22, 2007

 

Missionary Update—Whirlwind to Santiago, Chile

 

Whirlwind is the word that comes to mind when we think about what is happening in our lives.  But it is a good whirlwind, like the one that carried Elijah to Heaven not the destructive kind that is also mentioned in Scripture.  As you may recall, last year in June, in the space of a week, all of our plans for returning to Chile by that fall were overturned.  God knew what he was doing.  It has been very good for us to be here (in the United States) longer.  But now, we are about to enter—in fact it feels like we are about to be thrust into—our next season of life!  On Monday, the 12^th, we spoke with our Bishop (in Chile) and he told us that the Diocese wants us to go help Pastor Nelson Ojeda and his wife, Marisol at the church called San Lucas Evangelista.  The church is located in a municipality called La Florida that is part of Greater Santiago in the Metropolitan Region.  Nelson has recently become the archdeacon for the Metropolitan Region, and our presence, our gifts and our collaboration will be very helpful for him.  This church has grown a lot in the last years and has many ministries going on—for example, it has its own Marriage Encounter.

 

Just this morning, Heidi got an e-mail congratulating her as the newest teacher at Santiago Christian Academy (SCA).  They have asked her to teach the 5^th/6^th grade class.  But—this is the part that adds to the feeling of being in God’s good whirlwind—we will have to be in Chile around the middle of July for the beginning of SCA’s school year!  Although it is not a paid position (all the teachers who work there are fully-supported missionaries like we are), the school has agreed to fully cover our three children’s tuition in exchange for Heidi’s teaching.  The only expenses we will have are registration fees—a total of less than $1000.  This will be a great blessing considering the fact that our support level continues to be an issue.  Heidi just spoke with the school’s director and he is going to be doing some preliminary house hunting for us.  He also informed us that there are fully furnished apartments on campus for missionaries in transition, and he thinks one will be vacated in July, just at the time we will arrive.  So it looks like God is working everything out, down to the last detail.

 

Here in the United States, Russ is going to take over teaching the 7^th and 8^th grade science classes at Judson (where Heidi now teaches 4^th/5^th) beginning after Easter vacation.  This year’s teacher is having medical problems and is not going to be able to finish out the year.  It’s only a couple of hours of classroom time each day, but still, it’s adding something to the schedule that Russ didn’t have up to this point.

 

You may also remember that originally, when we left Chile two years ago (and visited with you during Sunday worship), the plan was that we would be sent to the North of Chile, where the Anglican Church is working to establish congregations where there were none.  There was a certain romantic pull to that call.  It was, in its tame way, a pioneering work, a frontier, a new thing.  But being in Santiago is going to have several advantages and resources available to us.  One is the Santiago Christian Academy.  It is an American school.  It is taught in English.  Joyanne has advanced a lot in English reading and writing, but it has not been easy and she is not up to grade level yet.  At SCA she can keep advancing with that.  Jocelyn, (age 6) is getting a good foundation for English at Judson.  She can also continue to build on that.  Other advantages and resources are that Joshua’s doctor, who used to monitor his medication, is in Santiago as is the center for helping Asperger children.

 

So it looks like God is working everything out, down to the last detail.  Thank you for your continuing support of us and please keep us in prayer in these weeks and months.

 

With Love for Christ,

 

The Smith Family

 

Editor’s note:  The Smith family will be attending a conference at Ridgecrest (near Asheville) during Easter Week and are in need of a car to transport the five members of their family from the Charlotte airport and back again.  With their finances so tight, does anyone have a vehicle their family can use for the week or can you help fund a rental vehicle for their use from April 9-15, 2007?

 

 

Don’t miss the Opportunity for a Retreat…It’s not to late to register for Beloved’s Lenten retreat to be held on Saturday, March 31^st from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM at St. Patrick Episcopal Church in Mooresville.  Pastor Sally will be the retreat leader.  The theme for the retreat comes from the book Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen.  Activities will include spirited group reflections, gentle guidance for prayer time and walking their outdoor labyrinth, and closing worship with Eucharist. Come and explore the affirmation, “You are my Beloved” as it reveals the truth about all human beings.  Cost of the retreat is $25 (includes lunch and refreshments). Scholarships are available.  To register, click here.

 

 

Holy Week and Easter at Beloved…Church of the Beloved is preparing for the worship services of Holy Week.  For those who have never remained in town for Spring Break or who may be new to this congregation, you can well imagine that these are not boring services.  Maundy Thursday, 7pm on April 5, celebrating Jesus’ gift of the Last Supper, is a worship service including participation in an Agape Meal and Foot Washing.  To make it easier on those preparing the Meal, you are invited to make a reservation here or on the sign up list in the Hospitality Area on Sunday mornings until April 1.  Please do not let a lack of reservation keep you from attending at the last minute but for those who know that they will be present, this allows the Sacramental Reception Team to be good stewards.   A Watch at Beloved Garden follows this service when one sits quietly for at least a half an hour with the Body and Blood of Jesus (blessed on Maundy Thursday to be used at the Good Friday worship service, Friday, April 6 at 7pm).  Each household is encouraged to sign up in the Hospitality Area for a thirty-minute period between 9:00pm Thursday through 9am Friday morning.  This is a powerful experience and one that should be experienced at least once in one’s lifetime.

 

The Easter Vigil Reception follows the first Eucharist of Easter (with Baptisms this year) at Sundown (7:50pm) on Saturday, April 7.  Each household is invited to bring a wedding reception hors d'oeuvres (finger food) that will serve at least a dozen people to be added to the pork tenderloin sandwiches, shrimp cocktail and wedding cake provided by the Sacramental Receptions Team.  (Please note:  this is not a wedding dinner nor is it a potluck “Super Bowl Party” buffet.  Please do not bring desserts, potluck casseroles or chips and dip.  It is wedding reception food.)  Please do bring your favorite finger food that you would serve when the “boss comes to your home to offer a promotion!!”  If you have any questions about what to bring or would prefer to contribute cash for the team to purchase something on your behalf, please contact Janie Wooten or Mary Reid.  The sign up list will be available on Sundays in the Hospitality Area through Palm Sunday, April 1.

 

 

Six-week Bible Study on Money Management…Many people are experiencing financial challenges.  But did you know that the Bible contains 2,350 verses dealing with money?  Many Christians have been taught what the Bible says about how to handle the first 10 percent of their income.  Although this is crucial, we need to understand God’s perspective of managing the rest of our money as well, regardless of whether we have very little or have been blessed with a lot! 

 

Beginning Thursday evening, April 19^th, Beloved’s Stewardship Education Team is kicking off its first Crown Financial Ministries small group at Church of the Beloved.  The Small Group Study is an in-depth study of what scripture teaches about money and possessions.  Graduates have confirmed that marriages are being strengthened and individuals are finding their way out of debt.  Participants are also becoming consistent savers, generous givers, and prudent consumers.  Most importantly, people are entering into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as we learn to apply his Word to our daily decisions.  Groups meet for 2 hours every week and each session includes scripture memorization and interactive discussions.

Topics covered in the Biblical Financial Study include:

• Getting Out of Debt
• Saving
• Spending
• Budgeting
• Earning Money
• Investing
• Giving
• Training Children in Christian Financial Management

This study is one of the most remarkably effective ways to find biblically based answers to your financial questions and difficulties.  Through in-depth teaching in a small-group setting, it trains individuals to use money in eternally significant ways.  There are four requirements for students participating in this study:

1. Daily prayer for each member of our group
2. Memorize one assigned scripture each week
3. Complete weekly homework assignments - both Bible study and practical application. (There is approximately 2 hours of homework per week.)
4. Attendance

This first study group will be "fast-tracked" and shortened to 6 weeks (from the usual 10), with some of the lessons doubled, so that we can finish before summer.  Sessions will be on Thursday evenings from April 19^th through May 31^st.  Space is limited in the first group so register early for a seat!  Another group will begin in the fall if you are placed on this spring’s wait list.

 

 

Around Beloved…Sunday Christian Formation continues this week following worship.

 

If you are a Beloved acolyte, please let Miss Susan know here at which service of Holy Week you would like to serve.  Full teams are needed for Palm Sunday, April 1 at 9:30am, the Great Vigil and First Celebration of Easter with Baptisms, Saturday, April 7 (service begins at sundown) and Resurrection Sunday, April 8 at 9:30am.  At least one acolyte is needed on the 5^th on Maundy Thursday and on the 6^th on Good Friday.  Please note this is the week of CMS’ Spring Break so no one is officially scheduled.

 

Will Konrad, III, grandson of ardent Beloved supporters, Fr. Wes and Helen Konrad, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and doctors at UNC-Chapel Hill are recommending a life-saving double lung transplant.  A fund-raising BBQ will be held at St. John Episcopal Church, South Park (1623 Carmel Road) on Saturday, March 24 (5:30-8pm; dine in or carry out).  Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 each.  Mail your check, payable to COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association) to Karen Price, 7327 Quail Hill Road, Charlotte, NC 28210.  For more information, contact Karen Gorton @ 704.532.9617.

 

The Beloved Women's Fellowship Group will meet on Wednesday, 3/28 from 7pm-9pm.  The get-together will be held at the home of Donna Elyea (15127 Wyndham Oaks Drive, on the same street as the Harbin Family).  Her phone number is 704-543-0223 in case you lose your way.  Please bring an hors d'oeuvre to share and BYOB.   To help with planning, please click here if you already know that you will be coming (come on anyway if you discover later that you are able to come!) 

 

Beloved is accepting donations for Easter season flowers.  These flowers may be given in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, a loved one or a special event.  Please either mail your donation to the Development Office or place it in a sealed envelope in the offering plate.  Please be sure to indicate who or what the donation is given in memory of or in thanksgiving for. 

 

Several women of the church have expressed an interest in knitting.  Some are accomplished knitters and some have never knitted anything.  We would like all interested women and men (our new bishop likes to knit scarves for the Church’s ministry to seamen) to get together on April 11 at 7:30 at Beloved Garden.  If you are a knitter, please bring your supplies. If you are not, you might contact either Annette Stephenson or Ann Calandro to get information on the supplies that you may need.  Or come without supplies and learn what you will need and simply enjoy the fellowship.  The ultimate goal of this group is to knit prayer shawls for those who may be experiencing a personal or family crisis.  Come join a group that ministers to the needs of others and has a good time accomplishing that!

 

The first New Beginnings, a faith-building and fun weekend for Middle school aged youth, is being held in Charlotte on April 21-22 at Trinity School in Uptown Charlotte.  The Beloved Band will be providing the music and Fr. Derek, Miss Clifford, Deacon Deb, Forrest Boylston, Miles Harbin and Morgan Wynn will be serving on the leadership team with other adults and youth from around the diocese.  Get those registration forms turned in ASAP so that you won’t miss out!  There are opportunities for adults from Beloved to assist in shifts during the weekend.  Need more information?  Click here.

 

Last Sunday…Attendance: 130; Worship Offering: $4614 (3/11 Worship Offering: $1895); Income needed for ministry each week: $5,500 (fully funded) à $4,400 (requiring other funding sources).  The financial goal of Church of the Beloved is to reach self-sufficiency by 12/31/2008. 

 

 

 

Serving at God’s Altar This Sunday…Angel Army Team 4 Captain: Fred Mellon; Administrator: Claire Kraft; Pastor: this ministry position is available; Convener: Linda Mellon; Acolytes: Austin Yearwood, Kate Copeland, Rebecca Berkeley, JR West; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Anna Moore & Mary Reid; Offertory Basket Passers: John Mark Dygowski, Joy Dygowski, Emma Kraft, Katie Kraft; PowerPoint: Miles Harbin; Presenters: Linda Mellon, Nancy Weiler; Reader: Paige Wilson.

 

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Philippians 3:8-14 & Luke 20:9-19

 

In our Prayers…click here

Upcoming Calendar…click here