October 19, 2006

300 Million

The Census Bureau reported two days ago that the population of the United States had reached the milestone of 300 million people, making us the third largest country in the world (behind China [1.3 billion] and India [1.1 billion]).  Mecklenburg County’s population has more than doubled since the nation’s 200 million milestone in 1967 (from 333,000 to 850,000). Only thirty of the nation’s more than 3,100 counties have added more residents between 1970 and today.  Anyone who has spent any time in Charlotte’s South Perimeter and Union County knows that that double-digit growth trend continues unabated.

In contrast, the Christian Churches of Mecklenburg County and across the nation are experiencing the inverse phenomenon—sharply declining participation and attendance over the last thirty years.  According to new research by Robert Woodberry, a doctoral student at UNC-Chapel Hill, only 30% of the total United States population attends Christian worship on a weekly basis.  If you divide that statistic among generational groups, an even more sobering picture emerges.  Those over the age of 60 have the highest percentage of church attendance.  That’s why in many churches around the country the predominant hair color is white or gray.  In contrast, about 17% of those ages 25-45 (Survivors or Gen X) attend weekly worship nationally and only 7% of those aged 24 and under (Millennials and Gen Z) are active in church.  It doesn’t take much of a mathematical mind to understand that if the total population is increasing and participation in church is dramatically decreasing among the younger generations, Christianity in this country is dramatically losing what businesses call “market share.”

Jesus once told his disciples, “I'm telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what's right in front of you. These fields are ripe. It's harvest time…time to gather in this grain that's ripe for eternal life.” (John 4:35-36 Message)  The Gospel of Matthew further records that as Jesus went among the people “his heart was filled with pity for them, because they were worried and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  So Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is large, but there are few workers to gather it in.  Pray to the owner of the harvest that he will send out workers to gather in his harvest.’” (9:36-38 TEV)

Operation Christmas Child… Church of the Beloved is once again participating in Operation Christmas Child, sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse [an international organization created by Franklin Graham of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Charlotte].  This program provides a shoebox for a child who lives in poverty somewhere in the world – and as a gift at Christmas – sends the hope that Jesus brings into the world in a hands-on project.  We will collect these shoeboxes, bless them and then take them to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse on Sunday, November 19^th.

The folks at Samaritan’s Purse have asked that we use the REGULAR shoeboxes – NOT the oversized ones for boots, large sneakers, etc.  This is to allow them to pack the same number of shoeboxes in each crate to ship to different countries.

For information on what to include, not include and how to pack your box click here.  There is also a 2-page coloring sheet for you to introduce yourself to the young person for whom you are collecting objects for the shoebox.  It’s actually appropriate for kids and “big people” and is a way to personalize your gift.  Click here to download the coloring sheets.  Deacon Deb will have copies for those of you who cannot download the sheets starting this Sunday.

Around Beloved… Wow!  How wonderful it was to walk in Charlotte’s 8,000 person-strong CROP Walk on Sunday with Beloved’s enthusiastic fusion youth group and adults!  Charlotte’s walk, the largest of about 2,000 held annually across the United States, raised an estimated $300,000 this year.  A quarter of these funds will be used for hunger needs in Mecklenburg County; the remainder will be used by Church World Services to alleviate hunger and poverty throughout the world.  Kudos to Ben Copeland, Kate Copeland, Ben Doyon, Marilyn Doyon, Daniel Dygowski, David Dygowski, Josh Elyea, Garreth Floyd, Jan Floyd, Rich Floyd, Victoria Floyd, Clare Harbin, Miles Harbin, Mitchell Harbin, Kris Leinenkugel, Tori Leinenkugel, Sydney Mundorf, Elizabeth Nichols, Joseph Nichols, Michele Nichols, Jennifer Sanders, Caley Scheppegrell, Morgan Wynn and Fr. Derek who solicited sponsors and completed the 10 kilometers in just over 1½ hours.  For those who walked, begin collecting your pledges and return the collection envelope to Miss Clifford beginning this Sunday.

Beloved sent flowers to Community House Middle School and to Gif and Kim Lockley at the death of Community House’s Registrar, Cathy Conroy.  Cathy and Kim were pedestrians struck by a truck while crossing Pineville-Matthews Road during Providence High School’s homecoming game last Friday night.  Fr. Derek and Clifford King Harbin attended Tuesday’s funeral mass for Cathy at St. Matthew Roman Catholic Church and were incredibly moved by the liturgy that included principal Gif Lockley’s beautiful operatic voice singing, Ave Maria.

The Beloved Beehive (Sunday Christian Formation) for adults and children takes a break this Sunday (for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools’ four day teacher conference weekend) but will resume next Sunday.

All Boy Scouts are invited to wear their uniforms and bring their popcorn order forms to worship this Sunday.  Please be generous to these younger brothers in Christ as they raise money for their scouting adventures!

Last Sunday:  Attendance: 118; Basket Offering: $3,157.

God and Country classes to be offered…All Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts desiring to earn their Episcopal God and Country Religious Award are asked to contact Fr. Derek by October 31^st.  The award for those in grades 4-5 will take about two months of weekly meetings; those in grades 6-8 or grades 9-12 should plan on six months of weekly meetings.  Participation at Church of the Beloved not required; sessions will be held at Beloved Garden and are open to all.  So invite your scouting friends to join you!  Upon completion, these prestigious awards will be presented during Beloved’s Sunday worship.

All Saints Sunday…(November 5) will be here in a few weeks.  During this service, we remember those who have died and gone to God’s heavenly feast since last year’s All Saints celebration.  At Church of the Beloved, we parade into worship with banners bearing our loved ones’ names, reminding us that they are “Christ’s Own Forever.”  The church provides the banner, while family members prepare the letters of their beloved one’s name to go on the banner.  If you have had a relative die this year, please contact the Development Office by October 25 so that you can learn how to prepare your banner for this special day.  Instructions will be sent via email following the October 25^th deadline.

Serving at God’s Altar this Sunday… Angel Army Team 2 (Captain: Ministry Available; Interim Administrator: Holly Scheppegrell; Pastor: Ministry Available; Convener: Al Krantz); Acolytes: Adam Burnett, Holly Burnett, Forrest Boylston, Hailey Boylston; Altar Bread Baker: Janis Conlon; Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Kris Leinenkugel & Wes Nichols; Offertory Basket Passers: Ryan Cook, Connor King, Emily Scheppegrell, Allie Seidel; PowerPoint: Dylan Lang; Presenters: Ann Bloom, Marie Charbonneau; Reader: Janis Conlon.

Sunday’s Scripture Readings…Isaiah 53:4-12 & Mark 10:35-45

In our Prayers… Jake Scheppegrell who is recovering from Cochlear Implant surgery…Joy Dygowski who is recovering from a skull fracture…Scott, Dan Hood‘s brother who has blood clots in his legs…Community House Middle School principal Gif Lockley who is recovering from leg surgery and his wife, Kim Lockley, who is recovering from being struck by a truck…Nancy Montagnino who will have carotid artery surgery next week…Anna and Bud Moore who are traveling overseas...those who have died or have been traumatized by the escalating violence in the Middle East and around the world...those serving in Iraq, especially Bob, Clifford King Harbin‘s nephew, Jared, Wes and Michele Nichols’ nephew and Ron, Marilyn Doyon‘s brother-in-law...Palmer, Betsy Fox’s teenage cousin who has leukemia…Jacqui, niece of Deb and Dan Blackwood who is fighting breast cancer...Harriett, Kathy Raynor‘s mother who has cancer...Jessie Powell, Janie Lownes and the Morley family...Emily, Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter...Ed and Jean, Dick Reif's parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma...Bucky, Sherrill Lowder's neighbor, who has lung cancer...Bryan McCarthy, Penny Crawford and Chris Morley as they seek permanent employment...the staff and students of Community House Middle School…Cathy Conroy, registrar at Community House Middle School who was struck by a truck and killed.

 Rest eternal grant to Cathy, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon her.

May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.