1. family and parenting
2. children

A monthly
St.
A monthly newsletter of St. John’s United Methodist
Volume 12, Issue 10
October 2014
PASTOR’S CORNER
The Blessing Of the Animals
Saturday, Oct. 4,
Pumpkins arrive!
During my life I have had many pets that included cats, Easter chicks, dogs, a duck, fish, and
a turtle and all of these had a special place in my family’s life. During the autumn each year
it has been customary to have a remembrance of St. Francis of Assisis, who had a love for all
creatures.
Sunday, Oct. 5
On Sunday, October 5, 2014 St. John’s will celebrate our first “Blessing of the Animals”.
We will gather at the church under the big tree around the picnic tables at 3:00 PM. Please
bring your pet(s) on a leash or in proper restraints so that this can be a worshipful time for all.
The following prayer was written by The Reverend Phyllis Ann Min, Animal Chaplin.
World Communion
Sunday
Thurs. Oct. 9 thru
Sat. Oct. 11
WEE SCHOOL
Consignment Sale
“Pet Blessing”
We Pray to God, our Creator, to bless
our pets with your radiant light and love.
May our animals friends have good health,
happy lives and always be protected and safe.
We ask for better understanding as we learn
from our animal friends’ wisdom, their innocence,
their loyalty and particularly their ability to not
judge humans unkindly.
Thank you for the pleasures, playfulness and sometimes
the surprising humor our pets display.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Oktoberfest
Sunday, Oct. 26,
Trunk or Treat
Thank you for their companionship and
friendship especially for those lonely hours
we may have experienced.
Thank you for our companions’ natural ability to
teach us to be aware of the present moments.
Thank you for the pure beauty of every animal- their form,
color, texture, motion is all a work of art, and may we
appreciate your creation of this masterpiece.
Bless all animals in harm’s way, heal the sick,
protect those who are lost and guide them to safety.
Thank you for the gift of love. Amen
ST. JOHN’S CHURCH
FORT MILL, SC.
Saturday, October 18
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
UMM Brunswick Stew (Eat In/Take Out)
Hot Dogs & BBQ Sandwiches
Homemade Baked Goods Sale
Featuring:
Silent Auction
Children’s Activities
Assorted Vendors
October 26
4:00 - 6:30
The safe way for our kids
to dress up and trick or treat.
Please come on out for some
fellowship and fun!
Decorate your trunk and hand out
candy and treats to the smaller
folk then enjoy a hot dog dinner
in the fellowship hall.
Don't miss the costume parade and
games!
H Hallelujah God is Mighty!
A
Awesome Power is He.
L
Love He's given to you,
L
Life everlasting, forever free,
O
Only, say yes, to Him.
W
Wear His armor daily
E
Everywhere you go
E
Enrich your life immensely
N
Never ending Paradise is
yours to behold.
D. Alsup
Pull into a parking space and set up
your own trunk-sized Halloween party
for each kid to visit. We'll be looking
for the most creative and entertaining
displays, so get creative and have some
fun. Hot Dogs will be served in the
Fellowship Center immediately
following the outdoor festivities.
Worship Assistants for October
8:30
Ushers:
Acolytes:
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Nelson Odom
Phyllis Helms
Don Littlejohn
Mary Ellen Rothert
11:00
(Head)
Harper & Barron Griffin
Taylor Works
Evan Easterling
Lydia Safnauer
Clart Kontzen
Andrew Kontzen
Eddie Dowling
Randall Long
(Head)
Kees Vandergriff & Jennifer Williams
Nursery:
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Greeters:
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Fellowship Center
Education Building
First Time Visitors:
Oct. 5
Matthew Geesey
Oct. 12
David & Freida Price
Oct. 19
Matthew Geesey
Oct. 26
Bill Davies
Flowers:
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Judy Moore
Margaret Bryson
Carla Vowell
Keith Cryderman
Altar Guild for the month:
Donna & Barry Voss
Children’s Church October Schedule
Date:
Oct. 5
Oct. 12
Oct. 19
Oct. 26
Activity
Gods calls Samuel
Gods calls Samuel
David is Chosen
David is Chosen
Scripture
1 Samuel3: 1-20
1 Samuel3: 1-20
1 Samuel 16:1-13
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Leader 1
Leader2
Paige Moore
Charlotte Kinley
Paige Moore
Charlotte Kinley
Amy Middlelauff Will Chambers
TBD
OCTOBER
Birthdays and Anniversaries
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
BIRTHDAYS
Erin Mackey
Jim Ross
Will Foster
Donald James
Eddie Dowling
Laura Richardson
Janet Tracey
Caroline Anderson
Ellen Frazier
Linda Helms
Bill McCarley
Josh Robertson
Michael Saladino
Trevor Thoden
Bryson Williams
Alison Callacott
Kimberly Grandjean
Daniel Sessions
Terri Carr
Wyatt Hudson
Bob Marett
Will Kinley
Drew Robertson
Christopher Cauthen
Martha Ferguson
Grace Gatehouse
Doug Chambers
Susan Croxton
Nicole Ho
Margaret Messer
Je’Lee Renner
Pete Adkins
Amanda Canterbury
Justin Krueger
Jeff Behan
Cama Rice
Courtney Smith
Betty P. Ervin
Dylan Fulghum
David Rowland
John Ede
Britt Helms
Jennifer Patterson
Thomas Vaughan
Julie Williams
ANNIVERSARIES
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Jeff Price
Carol Blackwell
Rick Diak
Jeff Rhinehardt
Ashley Hill
Everett Bishop
Sherry Ede
Dylan Shuler
Neal Barrow
Addison Griffin
Shannon Johnson
Helen Johnston
Kevin Jones
Dianne Lowder
Chandler Meador
Hannah Bagwell
Tammy Dean
Connor Pendleton
Donald Shaw Sr.
Megan Spilmann
Alvina Beach
Wade Dean
Ben Devine
Tyler McDonald
Dot Helms
Doris Barnes
Elaine Cryderman
Jim Gatehouse
John R. Neal
Drew Reynolds
Lucy Smith
Katherine Cryderman Burns
Anne Pendleton
Michael Jones
Patti Mercer
Matthew Rice
Bill Bagwell
Randall Long
Charles Morgan
Judy Odom
Mark Price
Denise Rice
P. J. Schwerin
2
3
Charles and Connie Morgan
Charles & Janet Tracey
4
Don and Kate Dooley
Chris and Lisa Henley
5
8
Jeff and Jodi Behan
Bob and Marjean Howerton
Stephen and Amy Middlekauff
10
Lloyd and Jo Twedt
11
Bill and Lisa McCarley
Rick and Tracy Olinger
Brandon & Britton Shelton
12
Stephen and Claire Cauthen
13
Michael and Pamella Saladino
14
Ryan and Samantha Jackson
Donovan and Tammy Marks
16
John and Wendy Matherly
Bobby and Nicole Morren
Jeff and Kathy Marakoff
Matthew and Donna Geesey
17
19
20
Greg and Courtney Bonéy
Ed and Phyllis Carswell
22
Stephen and Eleanor Starner
23
Wayne and Harriett Bouldin
Marc and Leslie Howie
Gene and Mary Adkins
31
Thank You St. Johns
Sunday, September 14 was our
Annual Epworth Work Day Offering.
The members at St. John’s gave
generously and donated over
$ 1,500.00 to the
Epworth Children’s Home.
Thank You
St. John’s for making such a positive
difference in the lives of the
children at Epworth.
Memorials
Dot Richards
by
Mike and Cheryl Hill
Mary Baumgardner
by
Judy and Nelson Odom
Charles Richards
by
Judy and Nelson Odom
Honoraria
——————————————————Don and Mary Ellen Littlejohn
Thank You for your donations to the
Fort Mill Care Center. Your continued
support makes it possible to serve the
many people in our community who
by
Judy and Nelson Odom
Mildred Petersen
by
Judy and Nelson Odom
need our help.
Sincerely,
Fort Mill Care Center, Inc.
In Loving Memory
P.O. Box 1401
We extend our Christian sympathy to the
families of St. John’s UMC who have lost
loved ones during the month of September.
Rev. Bob Romanello
Anyone Wanting to join The Boy Scouts contact
Paul or Betty Hosage:
704-621-0670
They meet every Wednesday night
in the Zone at 7pm.
——————————————————————
The Cub Scouts will meet on
Wed, Oct 1st.
For more information contact
Tevis Vandergriff
lost his sister-in law Delores Romanello
on Aug 28th, 2014 in Ohio.
Jerry Griffin, Pat Corley
and Phyllis Carswell
lost a brother-in law Mr. Herbert Faught
on August 28, 2014.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER
The St. John's
United Methodist Church
Wednesday meals are free to both
members, guests, and the
community. Donations are not
required but are always
appreciated. Come join us for a
meal. Bring a friend or neighbor,
and children are
always welcome.
The Children’s
Fall and Winter
Consignment Sale
will be held October 9th thru 11th.
If you would like to consign please
contact Beth to obtain your number and
drop off time. Flyers will be available
in the Communications Center
and Gathering Space.
Dinner is served buffet style at
600pm and
includes beverages and
dessert. If you have
a special dietary requirement, we
can usually accommodate it.
Just email Kate at
[email protected]
or contact the church
office. If you need a full meal
to-go box, do the same. All
leftovers will be boxed to-go
beginning at 640pm and are
Available to all. However, these
may not be full meals.
Proceeds from this sale will benefit the
St. John’s UMC W.E.E. School. We will
also have a bake sale. If you would be
interested in helping with the sale,
donating items to the sale, or
making baked goods,
contact Beth at
[email protected]
Wednesday, 15 October, we need a
volunteer to coordinate the meal.
Kate can get you ready. Please
email Kate at [email protected]
if you can do the meal on this
date. Thanks!
…………………………………...
Music Teacher Needed
If you have borrowed items
from the kitchen such as
cloths, spoons and tongs,
please return them ASAP.
We need them !!
The W.E.E. School is looking for someone to
teach music to our children 2 days a week. If
you love children, music and have an interest
or would like more information,
contact Beth Meador.
Jennifer Mayes, Director of
Children’s Ministries
[email protected]
Children’s Offering
We recently asked the children what they would like to begin
collecting money for through the organization Heifer International.
And they have chosen…
The Fort Mill Christmas Parade
is coming and St. John’s UMC
is participating!!
The Gift of a Heifer!
$500 per Heifer
When: December 6th, 2014 at 11am.
Who: Children ages 4 years-5th grade
We are holding a contest and letting the
CHILDREN DECIDE what our theme will be.
There are entry forms and a box are located
outside the Sanctuary near the Acolyte/
Communication Room.
Entries will be accepted starting September 21st
– October 12th. Children ages 4 – 5th grade are
allowed to participate in the contest.
Be sure to get your ideas submitted. The most creative
theme will be chosen. Who knows…it could be you!
We will also be providing hot chocolate to parade patrons
and this will be a great opportunity to serve as a personal
invitation to our community to come worship at St. John’s!
If you can help serve, please contact Tom and Karen Vinson
at [email protected] or 548-3649.
Heifers Bring Health, Prosperity and Peace
Heifer cow gift donations can change lives, giving hope
to families in even the most dire of circumstances. This
donation also funds training in the care of the heifer and
improving the animal’s health. Each gift of a heifer:
 Provides milk and nourishment to hungry families
 Boosts income through sales of extra milk
 Encourages better crop yields by creating fertilizer
Enables entire communities to benefit through Passing
on the Gift.
Heifers have many uses, and are capable of bringing
stability to the lives of people struggling with hunger.
Be sure to engage your child by reviewing this
information with them so that they know where their
money is going. For more information on heifer
international be sure to visit their website at
www.heifer.org
Upcoming Event!
November 23rd
will be our Advent Workshop
from 4-5:30pm
All Families are welcome
More details to follow!
Brandon Galbraith, Youth Director
803-804-6071
[email protected]
[email protected]
Planning Retreat- 26th-28th- Myrtle Bach
Pumpkins Arriving
PLANNING RetReAt, ANd PumPkINs…
MYRTLE BEACH PLANNING RETREAT- September 26th-28th
This year, the youth will be planning their year during a retreat to Myrtle
Beach, SC. We will be camping out as we enjoy fellowship, decide the plans
for the year, and grow closer as a group. To help make this happen, we are
asking for donations of things needed for the youth. The list can be
found on the youth bulletin board across from the sanctuary. The sign-up
sheet to go on the trip can also be found there as well. The cost for any
youth to go will be $25. More information will be given at youth meetings
or you can email me at [email protected]
After the retreat, we will have the year planned out for our youth.
PUMPKIN PACTH
THE PUMPKINs ARE COMING! THE PUMPKINS ARE COMING! We are receiving a
full truck load this year and the youth would love your help. On October 4th,
the truck will be arriving at 9am and we would love many people to
come out and help. The sign-up sheet to volunteer to sell pumpkins will be
outside the sanctuary and any time serving will be much appreciated. All
proceeds from the Pumpkin Patch will go to the UMYF. We will be out in
force and hope to see you there as well!
After delivery, the youth will spend much of their time ensuring that we
are helping out as much as possible with the Pumpkin Patch. We are
continuing to meet, study, and have fun. Thank you for everything you do
to support these young Christians.
Weekly Choir Schedule
Tuesday
CHOIR NOTES
6:30-7:30 Adult Handbell Rehearsal
Wednesday
5:30-6:00 Sonshine Children's Choir
Rehearsal (ages 4K- 1st grade)
5:30-6:15- Lifesong Children's
Handbell Choir Rehearsal
(2nd-5th grades)
6:30-6:55- Relentless Youth Choir
rehearsal (6th-12th grades)
Attention St. John's Children
(And their Parents!)! Our music
worship leaders would like to
conduct and sponsor a Children's
Christmas Musical this December
14th at 4:00 p.m. in the
fellowship center.
7:00-8:30- Adult Choir Rehearsal
Here is what we need-
WE NEED YOUR CHILDREN!!!!
The VIPs are planning an overnight bus trip to
Charleston, SC on December 2-3. Activities include
shopping at the City Market, tours of the city, the
Charleston Tea Plantation, the Mepkin Abbey Crèche
Festival, the Holiday Festival of Lights and dinner at
Hyman’s.
Pick up a detailed flyer and registration form outside
the sanctuary. A $100 deposit is required with
registration to hold your place
and payment in full is due by November 1st.
You can give your registration with deposit to the
church office, Meredith Jackson 803-493-8299 or
Suzanne Fisher 803-396-8298.
We hope you will join us!
There is a sign-up sheet in
the hallway outside the church
office where you can sign up
your children in grades 4k-5
to take part in this event. If
you would like for your child to
participate, please sign your
child up beginning Sunday,
September 28th. We would like to
have sign-ups completed by Sunday,
October 12 at the end of worship.
We also welcome any parent
volunteers to assist in the
production. A rehearsal schedule
will provided to you in mid
October, but we expect most
rehearsals to be during choir
practice on Wednesday evenings,
with a few practices on Saturdays
in December. Don't let your child
miss out on this awesome
opportunity to help celebrate the
Birth of Our Lord and Savior!
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Can you believe it is that time of year again?
The women and men are busy finalizing plans
for their annual event. The men are calculating
ingredients for their famous stew while the women
are baking, accepting vendor applications and
securing items for the silent auction. All the work
by both groups is a labor of love as the proceeds
are then redistributed to worthy missions locally
and well as around the globe.
We would love to have your participation as well as
your attendance to be a part of the festivities. Mark
the date, Saturday, October 18th from 10am to
2pm in the Church Fellowship Center.
SEE YOU THERE !!
Bless His Name!
Judy Tilly
President, UMW
UNITED METHODIST MEN
In October, ST John’s United Methodist Men
will be Hosting OktoberFest along with
St. John’s UMW.
This is the biggest fund raiser of the year.
We need lots of help (volunteers)
Everyone one can help. We need volunteers of all ages
and all genders.
The work will begin on Friday Oct 17 and last all day,
into the night and the next day Oct. 18 which is the
OktoberFest event.
Please see Steve Siebert, Gerald Talley or George
Rhinehardt for more information or with any questions
you may have.
Please come out on Friday Oct 17 and
Saturday Oct 18 and help us turn this into
the biggest fund raiser ever.
LET’S SHARE OUR LOVE
This message is sponsored by
The Ladies’ Bible Class.
Let’s share the love by sending cards to
the following individuals this month.
Helen Johnston
Home Wood Resident
Quail Boyce Ave.
Greenville, SC. 29601
Bill Hannon
Agape Senior/ Room 322
1785 Lexington Common Drive
Rock Hill, SC. 29732
Adult Craft Time
Oct 11th
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Anyone interested in helping us make
matt’s for the homeless are welcome to
come and get involved. It takes about
100 plastic bags weaved together to
make just one matt. Donations of
plastic bags and your time/talent are
appreciated.
We will meet in the Loft.
For more information contact
Mary Ann Sherry at
[email protected]
or 252-288-9555.
Library News
Visit Your Church Library
New DVD’s Available
The Bible, A History Channel’s 2013 miniseries.
A.D. recreates the years following the death of Jesus.
Bible Explorer: A visually riveting series (4 videos) about searching for
Noah’s Ark, for Mount Sinai, the Ark of the Covenant and for the lost
shipwreck of Paul.
We also have several dramas
including Courageous and Fireproof.
the videos are on the coffee table in the library.
Our library is also our new art gallery!
Art from Vacation Bible School
is now framed and hanging on the wall.
The theme is the rainbow over Noah's Ark.
Please stop by and see the Children’s Artwork
St. John’s UMC Fort Mill
Church Staff
CARE CENTER SUNDAY
Will be
October 26
Karen H. Radcliffe/Pastor:
[email protected]
Beth Meador/WEE School Director:
[email protected]
Cindy Foster/Church Building Administrator
[email protected]
Need:
Toiletries, Soap, Toilet Paper,
Lotion, Toothpaste, Deodorant
and Non Perishable Food Items.
We would like to Thank you
in advance for any help you may
be able to provide....
Fort Mill Care Center
Board of Trustees
Sonja Bell/Secretary:
[email protected]
Jim Harris/Accounting:
[email protected]
SCRIPTURE SNACKS
Pam Johnson/Choir Director:
[email protected]
Sunday, October 12
Jim Lowery/Organist:
[email protected]
Bill Cummings Sr./Monday Night Music Director
[email protected]
Jennifer Mayes/Children’s Ministry Director:
[email protected]
Brandon Galbraith/Youth Director:
[email protected]
Jeannine Hillhouse/Custodian:
[email protected]
will be Scripture Snacks Sunday.
Scripture verses will be attached to
individually wrapped snacks that will
then be distributed to the surgical
waiting areas at Piedmont Medical
Center for the patients’ families and
other area outreach ministries. Please
remember to bring your donation of
snacks for these outreach ministries!
(Please note that snacks must be left in their
prewrapped store-bought condition to be
used in this ministry. Thank you.)
OCTOB
Sun
Mon
Tue
5
6
7
12:00 (room 200)
Children’s Council Meeting
6:00 PM Hospitality Time
6:30 Monday Night Worship
7:00 PM (Loft)
UMW General Meeting
12
13
14
Scripture Snacks
6:00 PM Hospitality Time
6:30 Monday Night Worship
5:30 PM Staff Meeting
19
20
21
12:15 Family Ministries
10:00 AM—2:00 PM
VIPS Luncheon
4:00 PM (Loft)
Jesus in the Gospels
4:00 PM (Loft)
Jesus in the Gospels
4:00—5:30 KIDZROCK
4:00 PM (room 201)
SPRC Meeting
4:00 PM (Loft)
Jesus in the Gospels
6:00 PM Hospitality Time
6:30 Monday Night Worship
26 Care Center Sunday
27
2:30 Finance Meeting
6:00 PM Hospitality Time
6:30 Monday Night Worship
4:00 PM (Loft)
Jesus in the Gospels
4:00—6:30 PM
TRUNK-or-TREAT
28
BookMobile
BER 2014
Wed
1
Thu
2
Fri
3
5:30 PM Children’s Choir.
5:30 PM Children’s Handbell Choir
Sat
4
9:00 AM
Pumpkin Delivery
6:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM Adult Choir.
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Zone).
6:00-6:45 Wed. Night Supper
8
9
10
5:30 PM Children’s Choir.
5:30 PM Children’s Handbell Choir
6:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM Adult Choir.
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Zone).
10:00 AM
Adult Craft Time
Children’s
Consignment Sale
6:00-6:45 Wed. Night Supper
15
11
16
5:30 PM Children’s Choir.
5:30 PM Children’s Handbell Choir
6:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM Adult Choir.
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Zone).
Children’s
Consignment Sale
Children’s
Consignment Sale
17
OKTOBERFEST
Set-up
18
24
25
10:00 AM-2:00 PM
OKTOBERFEST
6:00-6:45 Wed. Night Supper
22
23
5:30 PM Children’s Choir.
5:30 PM Children’s Handbell Choir
Main Street Event
Parking Lot in use.
6:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM Adult Choir.
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Zone).
6:00-6:45 Wed. Night Supper
29
30
5:30 PM Children’s Choir.
5:30 PM Children’s Handbell Choir
W.E.E School
Halloween
Carnival
6:00 PM Youth Choir Rehearsal
7:00 PM Adult Choir.
7:00 PM Boy Scouts (Zone).
6:00-6:45 Wed. Night Supper
31 Halloween
W.E.E School
Halloween
Carnival
The vision of St. John’s UMC is to
make disciples of Jesus Christ by
reaching out to God’s community
through worship, witness, nurture, and
service.
Monday Night Worship: An Invitation to a Changed Life
When is it?
Monday Nights at 6:30PM
(Hospitality Time 6:00)
What is it?



An alternative time for worship that reaches out to our community and
membership.
A worship experience for those who work or miss Sunday services.
A casual environment for praise and worship.
ST. JOHN’S
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
130 Tom Hall Street
P.O. Box 1298
Fort Mill, SC 29716-1298
Phone: 803-547-7538 Fax: 803-547-7539
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sjfm.org
_____________________________________________________
Rev. Karen H. Radcliffe, Pastor
864-313-9348 (Cell )
[email protected]
Sonja Bell…………….……. Administrative Assistant
Cindy “C.J.” Foster….…..…..Church Administrator
Jim Harris ……………………………….….Accounting
Bill Cummings….… Monday Night Worship Leader
Pamela Johnson…….…………..……..Choir Director
Jim Lowery…………..………………Church Organist
Beth Meador…..….……..…Director of WEE School
Jennifer Mayes... Director of Children’s Ministries
Brandon Galbraith.….Director of Youth Ministries
Jeannine Hillhouse………………………....Custodian
When Using the Facility for functions, please respect the classrooms and most of all, the Sanctuary.
Members and non-members need to be sure that children
are not running through the Sanctuary or education
building classrooms. W.E.E. School classrooms usually
have projects out drying or in progress of being completed. Also, Please do not leave a child in a room
unattended, and if you are using a room to entertain your
child, please clean up and leave the room as you found
it. These rooms are usually already cleaned and
prepped for the following day. We are having
instances where the whiteboards have things written on
them, things left out of place, and trash/crumbs left on
tables and floors. Please be respectful of the Your
Church Property and clean up after yourself.
Deadline for the newsletter is the 15th of each month.