The Notes - February 1, 2018

Volume 48

Issue 5

February 1, 2018

Children's Sunday
Please join us as our children lead worship this Sunday, February 4, in our 8:30 and 11:00 traditional worship services in the sanctuary. It is always such a blessing to hear what God says to us through the children! We hope to see you there!

Masquerade Missions Fundraiser

We are excited to kick off our annual Student Ministries fundraiser on Friday, February 9! We will be off-site at Park Crest from 7-10 pm. There will be live music by Month of Sundays, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, and a live and silent auction. You will want to be there! Tickets are $50 per person and are available by clicking the link!

We need items to be donated for our silent and live auction! Examples are: retail donations (jewelry, gift certificates), service professionals (photography, spa, pet services), entertainment and recreation (zoo, McWane, Barber's Sports), vacation homes or packages, sports or music memorabilia, or art work.

Please spread the word so we can make this an impactful event for our Student Ministries' missions fund! For more information or to help by serving on the committee, please contact Emily Boles (eboles@vhumc.org).

Fat Tuesday Celebration
Everyone is invited as VHUMC hosts our fifth annual Fat Tuesday Celebration on Tuesday, February 13, starting at 6:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. We'll have pancakes, bacon, King Cakes, and some really hot jazz by the Vestavia Hills High School Jazz Band directed by Jerell Horton. There will not be a cook-off this year - just a lot of fun for your whole family! Tickets are $5 at the door ($20 family max). For questions or more information email Quint Harris (qharris@vhumc.org).

Ash Wednesday is February 14
Through the centuries, Christians have prepared for Easter with spiritual practices and a recommitment to the journey of faith. We call this forty-day season of preparation, Lent - a time of growing in our faith through repentance, fellowship, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Some Christians mark the Lenten season by giving up a specific food or activity, and replacing it with something that draws them closer to God. Regardless of one's Lenten practices, the season of Lent is designed to help believers better understand God's redemptive act in Jesus Christ.

Ash Wednesday, February 14, is the official beginning of Lent. On this day of penitence, the ashes are placed in the sign of the cross on your forehead or your hand, reminding us that as Christians we die in Christ and will be saved by His amazing grace. We have three options to give you the opportunity to begin the Lenten season just as Christians have done for centuries and receive the sign of the cross.

Drive-Through Imposition of the Ashes in the main church parking lot - Anytime between 6-8 am
"Come and Go" Imposition of the Ashes in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel - Anytime between 7-8 am
Ash Wednesday Worship Service in the Sanctuary - 6:00 pm

Drive-Through on Ash Wednesday

Make sure to come by for Parking Lot Prayers and Ashes from 6:00 - 8:00 am on Ash Wednesday (February 14). Rain or shine, two clergy members will be stationed in the VHUMC west parking lot, offering to drivers and pedestrians the traditional imposition of ashes and blessing. If a recipient does not want to receive the ashes, a prayer of blessing will be joyfully offered. Tell your friends and neighbors - all are welcome to drive through that morning!

Sunday Evening Worship
Join us this Sunday for Butch Williams' sermon "Provide, Pray, Proclaim!". We are also excited about John Sweeney preaching for us at Sunday Evening Worship on February 11! John has a Masters in Divinity from Duke University, and earlier in his career he served several churches - what a joy it is to welcome him to our Rutland-Memorial Chapel pulpit! Mark your calendars for this special evening of worship.

A Year of Faith and Faithfulness
I am excited and privileged to be the new Chairman of our Finance Committee. We pledge to keep working hard to make sound financial decisions with your donations and continue being transparent in our reports. I am also pleased to report that we are in a solid financial position as we step out in faith with a major construction project.

As we start the first full year of giving for the NEXT Campaign, we know there will be some confusion between giving and pledging to both the Annual Budget and NEXT. We are excited about all of the 2017 year-end giving for NEXT, but our donations to the Annual Budget were $176,110 short of our December budget. Also, the number of pledges for the Annual Budget is still far below what we received for 2017. We are making needed adjustments, but thought you should know.

Year after year, your faithfulness in giving to VHUMC is what allows us to minister to so many people in so many ways. Let's all work together in 2018 to make it another strong year of ministry and growth for our congregation.

In addition to Gary, Natalie, and John, you can contact me at any time if you have questions or concerns about our finances (william@bridgeworthfinancial.com).

William Hocutt, Finance Committee Chairman

Summer Art Workshop
This is a wonderful way to explore art this summer for people of all ages. We will meet July 23-27 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm each day for painting, sketching, sculpting, canvas painting, and other art forms. It will be great fun with lots of artwork to take home at the end of the week. The cost is $110 for the week. Register online by clicking the link.

Summer Piano Camp
Our 2018 COA Piano Camp will be June 18-22 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm each day. It will be a fun week of learning with a chance to explore ensemble time with other students, computer theory fun, guest artists, and individual time each day with a teacher. This camp is for all ages and levels of study. Registration is $230 and is available by clicking the link.

Daddy Daughter Dance
Our Daddy Daughter Dance is coming up Sunday, February 25, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, in the Lighthouse gym. The cost is $25 per couple ($5 per additional daughter). This is an event for 4k through 5th grade girls and their fathers. If you have any questions contact Anne Strozier (astrozier@vhumc.org).

Upward Soccer Registration
Register your young athlete for Upward Soccer this Spring! The season begins with practices the week of February 26 and games begin Saturday, March 10. Games and practices will take place at Southminster Presbyterian Church. Children in grades K5-4th grade are invited to join in the fun! Registration is $105 through February 13, and $115 after February 13 if space is available. You can register at The Lighthouse or online by clicking the link. Contact Miles Erbe (769-0134 / merbe@vhumc.org) with questions or for additional information.

What's Happening in the Day School

The Vestavia Day School is currently registering children for Part-Time Children's Day Out. For children ages 18 to 36 months (by September 1) the program is from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, MWF. For children ages 3-5 years old (by September 1) the program is from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm either MWF or Monday-Friday. Please call 769-0128 to find out more information.

Call in registration for our After School Program will begin on Tuesday, February 13 at 6 pm. Please call 769-0129 and leave the following information on the voicemail: Name, contact phone number, child's name and date of birth, grade and school they will be entering this coming August. Any open spots will be filled by the time stamp of the message.

Join the VHUMC Community
We would love to have you join our church family. There are a couple of ways to do this:

· At the worship service you attend, where you will be greeted

and celebrated by other members

· At the Informal Joining Service, being held on Sun., February 11 in the chapel

at 12:15 (after worship ends)

If either of these sound like something you want to do, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell (sstrammell@vhumc.org / 769-0136). Come join us as we grow in ministry together.

Habitat Starts Soon
On January 27 we will begin building a home for Schadell Lewis and

hertwoyoungchildren in theRoebuck area. This is the 13th home to be built by the amazing partnership between VHUMC and the VHHS Habitat Club. If you would like to volunteer to work for all or part of a day on our house, either individually or as a group, please contact Cynthia McGough (mcgough.cynthia@gmail.com / 901-0956).

Grand Camps at Sumatanga
Jim Frazier will be leading two Grand Camps at Sumatanga this Summer. The dates are July 8-10 and July 11-13. This is a great opportunity for grandparents to spend quality time with their grandchildren. For more information please contact Jim Frazier (jfrazier@vhumc.org / 769-0126). Space is limited. To register please click on the link.

Lenten Boomer Bible Study
The Boomer Bible study that meets on Thursday nights at 6:30 pm will be studying Adam Hamilton's "24 Hours that Changed the World" beginning February 22. We meet in room 203. For more information please contact Jim Frazier (jfrazier@vhumc.org / 769-0126).

Consulting Help For Your Business
Bob Perry and Jim Woods have effectively started and managed successful ventures for several decades. They have a passion for helping persons who are thinking of starting a new business and are willing to help VHUMC members at no cost. If you are interested in starting a new business, purchasing a business or franchise, or just need insight and assistance with your current business, they would love to help you develop a plan to succeed and avoid pitfalls. Contact Bob Perry (robertperry1022@att.net / 985-0727) to schedule a free appointment.

A Women's Evening of Fun
Don't miss an evening of love, laughter, and inspiration with Rachel Macy Stafford on Friday, February 2, at 6:30 pm, at Trinity UMC Sanctuary. The New York Times best-selling author will share her message of overcoming distraction and perfection to embrace a more purposeful life. She is the author of Hands Free Mama, Hands Free Life, and Only Love Today. Read more about her at handsfreemama.com. Tickets are $25 and you can register online or in the church office. Proceeds from this event will benefit The Bell Center, Overflow Foundation, Firehouse Shelter, Community Furniture Bank, United Methodist Children's Home, and Family Promise.

Soup and Stories Success
Soup and Stories was a huge success! Thanks to all 150 who attended, ate Charlie's yummy soup, and enjoyed the delightful stories from Dolores Hydock. Thanks for the many cans of soup and monetary donations for our food pantry. Plan on attending our 12th annual event next January.

Growing Pains: Renovating for Our Future

This is a new Notes section where you can stay informed about our renovations, meeting room changes, worship services, and other items of interest.

Demolition began on January 15. Tyson Hall is sealed off, and the interior has been removed from ceiling tiles to the floor. Demolition will continue at least another week with construction staring soon after.

The Contemporary Service will continue worshiping in the Fellowship Hall or the Gym until Tyson Hall renovations are complete. The Sanctuary Services will also be moving to the Fellowship Hall or the Gym in May or June.

Preliminary HVAC work is beginning on the basement floor of Tyson Hall. For the coming few months, all support groups, Conservatory of the Arts, and Sunday School classes in those areas will be moved to different rooms in the building. The Youth Hall will not be affected. Should there be any scheduling difficulties, please contact Melinda Burnette (mburnette@vhumc.org).

After the basement of the Tyson building is habitable, HVAC work will move next to the Sunday School classes on the second floor and eventually to the classes on the third floor. Look here each week for scheduling changes.

Ongoing Outreach

Volunteers Needed
We have recently become involved with Stair. Stair of Birmingham tutors children from many public schools in the community. One of the schools that we have been involved with this year is Avondale Elementary. They currently meet at Avondale UMC. They need more tutors on Mondays, Wednesdays, or both days. The time commitment is from about 3:30-4:45. If you are interested in learning more about this program or would like additional information, please contact Allison Carney (acarney@stairbirmingham.org / 443-858-1343).

Food Pantry

Food pantry would love to have fresh items: apples, oranges, potatoes, carrots, etc. Our families appreciate those since we have no farmers market until spring. We receive salad items from Sprouts each Monday and Wednesday. Thank you to Cahaba Heights Elementary for the wonderful food drive this week.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission needs volunteers! Retired? Looking for a one day a week commitment? Men are needed to help unload donations and bring out carts of groceries. Ladies are needed to help pack groceries and help families with clothing, linens, and toiletries. The hours are Monday through Thursday 8:30 am until 1:00 pm. Give them a visit and check it out. 685-5757.