SSUMC - Newsletter

New Church Officers for 2008
Nurture and Care Committee
(Encompasses programming and Special Needs of the Church Family such as: fellowship meal, caring for gereaved, shut-in, children and youth ministries)
Diane Wade (Chair) Sue Alley Ruby Spiva Lori Hughes Judy Warner Kathy Ayres (Historian/Children) Kim Rookard	Nancy Alley Vicky Inger Bethany Mounger Linda Jennings Shirley Glandon Leta Beets
Evangelism and Outreach
(Encompasses welcoming, deliberate evangelism/missions)
Kathy Ayers (Chair) Louise Spiva Judy Warner (welcome) Lloyd Blackwood (welcome)	Joe Inger (visitors) Arnold Wallace (visitors/marquee) Carl Warner (welcome)

Pastor Parish Relations
2008	2009	2010
Diane Wade Joe Inger * Bill Riggs * Denotes charge PPR	Jonnie Faye Ball * (Chair) Ed Grant John Copeland	Sue Alley Linda Jennings Amanda Evans
Trustees
2008	2009	2010
Emil Glandon (Chair) John Copeland Eddie Hewitt	Wally Beets Andy Spiva Mary Alice Cox	Nancy Alley Arnold Wallace Bill Alley
Finance Commitee
2008	2009	2010
Kathy Ayres Carl Warner	Mary Copeland (Chair) Cheryl Coffey	Margaret Hewitt Neil Evans
Committee on Lay Leadership
2008	2009	2010
Brian Hill Janice Foster	Bea Worthington Jason Alley	Linda Jennings Sue Alley

Worship Coordinators	Communion Stewards
Acolytes: Emil Glandon Greeters: Emil Glandon	Jonnie Faye Ball Rena Grant

Administrative Council	Administrative Council Members-at-large
Nurture and Care Committee - Diane Wade Evangelism and Outreach - Joe Inger Communications - Mary Alice Cox Children's Ministry - Kathy Ayers Lay Leader - Joe Inger Sunday School Supt. - Arnold Wallace Music Director - Vicky Inger UMW President - Janice Foster Trustees: Trasurer - Janice Foster Financial Chair - Mary Copeland Financial Secretary - Sue Alley PPR Chair - Jonnie Faye Ball Chair - John Copeland Vice-Chair - Joe Inger Council Secretary - Mary Copeland	2008	2009	2010
	Bennie Cox Judy Warner Lee Monroe	Neil Evans	Nancy Alley Bea Worthington


Holston Homes Ambassador - Lee Monroe Camp Coordinator - Diane Wade Scholariship Committee: Kathy Ayres, John Copeland, Mary Copeland, Lee Monroe, Brian Hill Membership Secretary - Mary Alice Cox Lay Member to Annual Conference - Ray and Skipper Johnson; NUMC Chandler Boshears, Alternate, NUMC
Food Pantry
Change collection for December was $132.20 - Thany you ! Please help each month as pantry supplies are very low. In November 160 donations were given out. Many people were also there in December. Much of the food was purchased at area markets since Second Harvest's stock has been so low. Jan. 13th is Change Day
Protect Our Church
If you open the church, please remember to check BOTH outside doors before leaving. The back and from doors have been found open several times and once a burglary was in progress! PLEASE DOUBLE CHCK BOTH DOORS BEFORE LEAVING !
UMW Meeting Scheduled
The Sinking Springs UMW will meet Tuesday, January 8th at 6 p.m. Nellie Dean Bragg, a district officer, will speak. Everyone is invited. Thirteen attended the Christmas dinner at Harrison's. Canned goods were brought for the Food Pantry instead of a gift exchange. 2008 Meetings will be hel on Tuesdays.
Early Risers SUnday School
The Early Risers Sunday School class will meet at 9 a.m. on Jan. 6th. A light breakfast food is provided. Children's class also is available. The pastor leads the adult class.
Oak RIdge Mission Fair Planned
During the Feb. 23rd Mission Fair at First UMC in Oak Ridge, churches of the Oak Ridge District will showcase the many mission opportunities that our churches are involved in and learn about some opportunities that we could be involved in. Churches are asked to identify their mission and have a table to display their activities and provide information about how churches can become involved. Contact Jim Hayes, fair coordinator, to identify prospects for the fair. Will you help? Jim Hayes can be contacted at 494-7502 or via email jrhayes46@bellsouth.net
Clothing Donations
All clothing and household items for the clothing closet should be taken to the Norris UMC Education Building and left at the middle door. Clothes should be in plastic bags. Sheets, blankets, towels, wash cloths, socks and underwear are needed. Do not leave at Sinking Springs UMC.
Kuldiga, Latvia News
Friends: What a blessed gift from the three Partner churches to Kuldiga! The increase in financial support will be encouraging to the pastor and the congregation. Thany you. I want to pass this along to a special person: Mr. Roger Semrau - who provided the Scholarship to the Baltic Seminary for Edgars Sneiders. Mr Semrau was a regular and devoted layman at Metropolitan CHurch when I was pastor. God bless each of you personally and each partner congregation. Celebrate Advent! Dr. Bill Quick COnverenc Coordinator Edgars is now serving as pastor of Kuldiga Methodist Chruch The Kuldiga partnership is planning to send 4-6 persons to Lativa during the summer of 2008 to lead Vacation Bible School and help the adults in the church with leadership skills. A fundraiser will be held at Norris UMC.
Our Sympathy
Our sympathy is extended to the family of Ott Willis, who passwed away on Dec. 6th. He was the brother of Shirley Glandon, Audrey Daugherty and C.J. Willis. Also to the Long family. Jim Log, brother-in-law of Billy Ayres, did December 15.
Thanks
Thanks to all who helped with the Christmas activities, decorating, programs, flowers and to the Choirs for their beautiful music.
Fellowship Hall Use
Chruch members are welcome to use the fellowship hall for parties, etc. at no charge. Please sign the sheet on the bulletin board to there will be no confilcts. There is a charge fo rnon-members which is explained on he sign-up sheet.
Mission News
Hi Jim and Dr. Quick, I hope you are well and this final weed of Advent finds you hope-filled. I just wanted to pass on a brief tidbit from the youth camp in Kuldiga two weekends ago (this past weekend e were in Norway with BIshop Olsen and the Norwegian friends of the Latvian Methodist church). About 30 youth attended, as well as the 10-12 young adult leaders. On Saturday night, after communion 4 girls (ages 12-14) from Kuldiga and one boy (14) from Cesis went to the prayer room and talked to Courtney and Kristine for over 2 hours about God, church, prayer, etc. They are hungry for God! Two of the girls wanted to becom Christians and another girl recommitted her life to God at the end of the time. It was awesom. So, Jim, you will have some eager girls when you come this summer! Peace Dan
Team Members Sought For Mission Trip to Kuldiga
The Luldiga Parternship is seeking four to six persons to travel to Kuldiga, Latvia, for ten days during July 2008 to lead a Vacation Bible School. During the July 2007 trip to Kuldiga we sponsored a very successful Vacation Bible School that involved many children. The 2008 trip will continue to build on this positive experience and seek to attract even more children to attend. The 2008 team will consist of members from Norris, Sinkings Springs and Faith United Methodist Churches. One of the emphases during the VBS will be to train young people and adults in the church to be able to lead. Prior to each day's VBS, training will be provided about the lesson plan for the day, crafts to be taught and ways to involve young people in the activities. The Kuldiga Partnership is seeking persons who have expreience teaching and working in a VBS. The members should be able to select VBS materials and be creative. One member of the team should be a member of the clergy. The members should have experience working with children. A larger mission team will travel to Kuldiga during the summer of 2009 for the purpose of sponsoring a Vacation Bible School, Adult Bible Study and a church work project. If you would like to become a member of one of these teams, contact Kuldiga Partnership coordinator, Jim Hayes at 865-494-7502.
Special Thank You From the Johnson Family and Donna Draney
Words cannot express our gratitude for the kindness and thoughtfulness our church family has demonstrated toward us this Christmas season. The gifts, cards, food and phone calls wishing us Merry Christmas have been most generous and a bit overwhelming. We want you all to know that we appreciate being included in hour thoughts this Christmas.
Children's News
Last children's choir pratice Jan. 9th The children's choir will hold its final pratice of the winter season Jan. 9th at 6:45 with a celebration in the fellowship hall to follow. Our final song will be a repeat of the song we sung with help from the adult choir, I'm a Believer". The congregation will be invited to sing along with us. We will resume Children's Choir Mar. 5th to prepare for our Palm Sunday singing. Second Sunday Seedlings The second seedlings group will meet Sunday evening Jan. 13th in the fellowship hall. This group is a monthly time of learning and fun for our nine year old and under crowd. Youth group resumes metting Jan. 13th at 6:00 p.m. 13th - Service project continues as we travel to visit senior members of our congregation and consume mass quantities of pizza. 20th - Tripping SUnday is a secret destination, but plan to be out late. If the adults in your life need more info please have them call the church office of parsonage. 27th - No Youth Group - Pastor stays with Norris Youth.