The Notes - August 31, 2017

Volume 47

Issue 35

August 31, 2017

Helping with Harvey
As we look at the pictures and hear the stories from the terrible storm in Texas, we want to help in any way possible. VHUMC has many ways for you to help:

Pray. Lift up all of those in the damaged areas and continue to pray for the teams that will go to work in those areas once the water is gone.
Provide supplies. These are the urgent items needed after a flood. Let's be ready to ship as soon as the water goes down. Bring these items to the mission's office or church office and we will make arrangements to get it to our UMCOR warehouse in Decatur.

Box fans
25' heavy duty 14-gauge extension cords
2-gallon garden sprayers
Flat billed shovels
Rakes with 3-inch tines
Wheel barrows

Make new cleaning buckets and health kits. Watch the NOTES for times when we will come together as a church for packing parties. If you would like to go ahead and assemble or donate these items, visit the link to see the items needed for each kit.
Make a donation. You can give to VHUMC by check with Harvey Relief on the memo line. You can also give directly to UMCOR by Pay Pal or mail a donation to U.M. Disaster Relief Warehouse, P.O. Box 1133, Decatur, AL 35602. For more information, give them a call at 253-341-9961.

The needs will continue to grow once the rain has stopped and we will continue to help as needed. Thank you for your willingness to serve those in need.

Church Office Closed

The church offices will be closed on Monday, September 4, in observance of Labor Day. Enjoy the day with your families.

New Grief Support Program
After the memorial service and when the cards and flowers have stopped arriving, those around you return to their normal lives. However, your grief continues and you can feel very alone. Our Grief Support Groups are there to help you during your grieving process and provide a loving environment with trained leaders who facilitate grief support sessions. Participants learn valuable ways to cope with their grief, and they are able to share with others who have experienced the loss of spouses, children, parents, and siblings. Our sessions take place in a warm and caring environment, and they follow proven resources devoted to grief support.

We meet on Wednesday evenings, and we gather at 5:30 pm to dine together at the church. Our sessions begin around 6:00 pm, and we conclude each evening about one hour later. Our next Grief Support Group will begin meeting on Wednesday, September 20. We'll meet for six weeks, ending October 25. Although you are not required to attend every meeting, you are encouraged to make as many sessions as possible for the benefit of you and for others in the group who are helped by your attendance and participation. So, we invite you to join us!

To learn more about this upcoming Grief Support Group, or to register to participate, please contact either Steve Marmurek at ([email protected] / 813-230-8999) or Butch Williams ([email protected] / 769-0102).

Bible Pathfinders
We invite all 1st-5th graders to join us for our elementary Bible Study, Bible Pathfinders, on Wednesday nights during the school year from 6-7 pm in rooms 219/221! We will kick off on September 6 to learn about kids of the Bible and how we can do big things for God right now! We will have lots of fun with music, skits, discussion, games, and more! Contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]) for more information.

Little Lambs Bible Class
Little Lambs Bible class is for children that are three years old (by September 1) through age 5K. Our classes begin September 6 and meet every Wednesday evening from 6:00-7:00 pm. To register your child please email Anne Strozier ([email protected]).

Our Next BIG Day

Our next BIG day in worship is Sunday, September 17 which is "Bring a Friend" Sunday! We can't wait to see and meet all your friends. All ages are asked to bring a friend to the worship service of your choice! We will have a special book of prayers for you and your friend at a table outside the worship spaces. Please wear your name tag as together we welcome guests into our church family. Lost your name tag or need a new one? Contact Anna Leigh Richards ([email protected]) to have one made!

Don't miss out on this opportunity to share your church family with a special friend and then take them to lunch afterwards to talk about your morning! Mark your calendar now for "Bring a Friend" Sunday, September 17!

No Sunday Evening Worship
This Sunday we will not have our Sunday Evening Worship service so you can celebrate the Labor Day weekend with your family and friends. Come join us on September 10 when Bill Bostick will be preaching in the Rutland-Memorial Chapel at 5:00 pm.

Wednesday Night Studies are Back

Next week we start back our small groups and Bible studies on Wednesday night. Dinner is served from 5:00 - 6:00 pm in Tyson Hall (adults/youth $6, children $4, family max $20). Check out a few of our upcoming classes:

CPR and AED Certification Training
9/6 | Room 245
Become certified in this lifesaving skill. Cost is $15/person.

Talking Out the Sermon
9/6 - 9/27 | Room 206 | Preaching Pastors
Come each week as different pastors from VHUMC will open up discussion on their sermon from the previous week.

Holy Land Study
9/6 - 9/27 | Room 202
Jim Frazier will be leading a DVD study of the Holy Land by Ray Vander Laan. The study will cover many of the sites to be visited on the upcoming Holy Land trip, but you don't have to go on the trip to join the class.

Couples Bible Study
9/6 - 10/11 | Room 208 | Sheri Ferguson
The book, The Couple Checkup identifies a couple's strengths to help them build a more vital relationship. Each week we will dive into the book and online profiles to help you grow together as a couple.

Financial Peace
9/6 - 11/29 | Room 203A
Your money made simple! Learn to control your money and prepare for the future with this Dave Ramsey Series.

Moms in Prayer
Join us next Wednesday, September 6, at 9:45 am, in room 203, to see what a Moms in Prayer hour looks like. There is no obligation to join, and if you have ever wondered what it was like, now is your chance to come and see. It is so easy. You don't even have to pray out loud. Moms, grandmothers, and aunts come and learn to trade anxiety for God's peace, as we pray for the next generation. Childcare is available by reservation with Anne Strozier ([email protected]). For more information about Moms in Prayer, contact Lee Mathews ([email protected]).

September Memory Verse
Our Elementary Bible Verse memorization program is beginning again! Our 1st - 5th graders will be taught a different verse each month, and have the opportunity to recite the verse before or after Sunday School in the elementary office for a sweet treat! September's memory verse is: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." -Psalm 119:105

At the end of the school year we will give a grand prize to one boy and one girl. We hope that these verses help to guide them throughout their lives. Parents, you should have received an email with more information. If you have any questions please contact Jamie Meeks ([email protected]).

3rd Grade Bible Sunday
It is the tradition at Vestavia Hills United Methodist to give a Bible to all of our third graders each year. This year Bibles will be presented to the children on September 17 at the 11:00 am traditional worship service in the Sanctuary. We hope you will make plans to attend. We also invite the children who receive Bibles and a parent to join us for our "How to Use Your Bible" workshop from 4:00-5:00 that afternoon in rooms 219/221. We are excited to celebrate this important occasion as a church family!

Become CPR/AED Certified
Join us for Wellness Wednesdays this fall at VHUMC! Our first wellness event will take place on Wednesday, September 6, at 6:00 pm, in the Lighthouse, room 245. Join us for a CPR certification class taught by Kathy Arnold with Brookwood Baptist Medical Center. Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139) to reserve your spot. The cost is $15/person. Don't miss the opportunity to learn this valuable life-saving skill.

Give the Gift of Life
Be part of a lifesaving journey by donating blood! VHUMC and LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are hosting a blood drive on Sunday, September 17, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact Megan Drumm ([email protected] / 769-0139). We look forward to seeing you there!

Prayer Breakfast Resumes
Our Student Ministries' Prayer Breakfasts started back this week and will take place every Wednesday at 6:45 am in the Assembly Hall for Middle School Students and at 7:00 am for High School students. Transportation will be provided to Pizitz and VHHS after we eat and pray. Please send your student with $5. Actual breakfast cost will depend on what they choose to eat. We need church van drivers in order to make this possible. If you are van-trained and would like to serve by driving a van to the schools, please click on the link below.

Volunteers Needed for Student Ministry Events
There are so many ways that you can volunteer to help with Thrive Student Ministries. Opportunities include being a chaperone or van driver for our events, helping with Sunday School check in, etc. Please consider signing up for some of these events by clicking the link. We cannot do this without you!

Upcoming Women's Conference

Save the date for our upcoming women's conference, "Praying Girls...Because We are All Little Girls at Heart." We hope mothers and daughters of all ages will join us for a morning of inspiration and breakout sessions that will help you through each season of life. Join us on Saturday, October 28, from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, to hear our keynote speaker, Teri Lynne Underwood, and our breakout session leaders. Registration will begin in September. We hope you will join us for this incredible morning of faith and prayer formation.

New York City Women's Trip
How about joining us for a fun VHUMC Women's Trip to New York City? We will be leaving on April 10 and returning on April 13 next spring. During our time in the Big Apple, we will tour St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity Church, and St. Andrews Church. We will also attend a Broadway show, visit the 9/11 memorial, have some shopping time, and lots of awesome food and fellowship. An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 13, at 6:00 pm, in room 320. Come and find out all the fun that is planned and other details about the trip. We would love to have you join us!

Whale of a Sale Volunteers Needed

Vestavia Day School is one of the strongest outreach ministries of the church and they need our help. Whale of a Sale, the school's only fundraiser, is coming up and in need of volunteers. This is a great opportunity for you, your friends, or your Sunday School group to serve our church and community. Please check your calendars and see if you have two hours free on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, September 13, 14, and 15. Sign up and enjoy sorting and organizing clothing and toys for the sale. And, all volunteers get an early shopping pass at 1:30 pm on Thursday before the sale opens to the public! If you don't have time to spare, please also consider donating a treat for our hospitality room! If you are interested in helping, email us at [email protected] or visit the link to select a time and day that works for you!

Sunday School Leader Workshop
We are gearing up for another great year in Sunday School and want to make sure you are as sharp as possible as you lead and teach our adult Sunday school classes and Bible studies! Please join us for "Sharpen: A teaching/facilitation workshop focused on Bible-based studies" (Sunday school and Bible-based groups). Our workshop, on Sunday, September 17 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm, includes dinner and will be interactive, and suitable for new or experienced teachers. Reserve your dinner by contacting Ruth Grissom ([email protected]). We look forward to a great evening of learning how to help others learn!

Vestavia Dance Performance Company

Vestavia Dance just hosted Alabama's Quest Intensive. During this two-day dance journey, our students learned choreography from a Radio City Rockette, a former dancer for Mia Michael's New York company, and a hip-hop faculty member of Broadway Dance Center! Our students continued dancing into the following week, learning 11 pieces that we will perform at three competitions in January. Our Performance Company grew from 35 to over 60 dancers this year! We are so thankful for another year that we get to spend sharing our love of dance.

Journeys of Paul Cruise
VHUMC will be taking the Journeys of Paul cruise through Greece, Italy, and Turkey September 26 through October 7, 2018 with Rev. Bill Brunson. We will be holding two informational meetings in room 316 on Wednesday, September 6, at 6:00 pm and Sunday, October 8, at 4:00 pm.

What's Happening in the Day School

August 10 was the first day for our After-School students and August 14 was the first day of our full-day students. It was very exciting welcoming our returning students to their new classrooms and our brand-new students and parents to the VDS family. We have the largest enrollment in our 50-year history - 335! This is a very exciting time for VDS!

We currently have a few part time job openings in both the preschool (infants - five years) and in the after-school program (K - 5th grade). We need two teachers in the after-school program and several in the preschool. All positions would be Monday - Friday from 2:00 - 6:00 pm. If you are interested in applying with VDS please email TaraKy Eason ([email protected]) or call our office at 769-0128.

Fitness, Fellowship, and Fun
Feel great and stay in shape with Every Girl Fitness! Join us on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-7 pm as we get fit or stay in shape. The cost is $90/person for the eight-week session. Want to train for free? Bring two friends and when they sign up your session is free! To sign up, click on the link. Have additional questions? Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]). We look forward to seeing you there for fitness, fun, and fellowship!

Achieve Your Fitness Goals with Ali Sanders

Have you ever wanted a personal trainer but didn't think you could afford one? Now you can have the benefits of a trainer, pay less per session, and be motivated by your group to train hard! Ali Sanders, who has a degree in Exercise Science from Auburn University and is an ACE certified Personal Trainer with over 15 years of experience, is offering group personal training sessions in the Lighthouse gym. Six 45-minute sessions are offered each week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5:15 am and Monday-Friday at 1:00 pm. Sign up for two sessions a week for $110/month or three sessions a week for $150/month. Each session runs for four weeks. Space is limited to 10 people per session. Don't miss out on this great exercise opportunity! Ali also offers individual training sessions. Contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]) with questions.

Recreation Assistant/Lighthouse Intern Needed

VHUMC is seeking a part-time Recreation Assistant (formerly Lighthouse intern) who will provide support in the day-to-day operations of the Recreation Ministry, including management and oversight of the Lighthouse and organization with our Upward Sports leagues. For a complete job description or to apply for this position, please contact Megan Drumm ([email protected]).

More Than a Fitness Class
VHUMC offered Body Recall classes for several years. These were stretching classes for older adults. About five years ago, Barbara Lee and Jim Frazier decided to start a new fitness program for both Boomers and Older Adults called Fuel: for the body, mind, and spirit. Fuel #1 is led by Barbara on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8:30 am and Fuel #2 is led by Jim on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:00 am. Both classes are taught in the Lighthouse gym. The Fuel #2 class decided that they wanted more time to fellowship and share stories, so they have started having lunch together once a month. If you are looking for a class to stretch your body, mind, and spirit, then contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Ongoing Outreach

Tutoring at Urban Ministry

We are looking for additional tutors for the VHUMC tutoring team at Urban Ministry. If you are interested in tutoring one second grader once a week, we would love to have you join the team. Anyone who enjoys being with children is qualified!

Tutors currently come on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday afternoons for a one-hour session from 3:30-4:30 pm. We would love to have enough tutors to offer sessions on Thursdays. Each tutor will work with the same student each week when at all possible and materials are provided. Tutors generally carpool, meeting at VHUMC or Shades Mountain Baptist Church. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours including travel time and tutoring time. If you have to miss the occasional session for travel or family commitments that is not a problem! The first week of tutoring will be the week of September 11. If you are interested, please contact Joan Rein ([email protected] / 979-1481).

Food Pantry

The Food Pantry needs pancake mix, syrup, peanut butter and jelly. Now that the farmers market is closing for this season, we can use fresh apples, oranges and vegetables. Thank you for your continued support for our 600 food pantry families.

Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission needs boy's jeans and cookware. Thanks to our elementary Sunday School children for preparing bags of toiletries for the mission. Got extra furniture? Call Brenda for a pick up at 685-5757.

Table of Hope for Urban Ministry

Join us for Urban Ministry's fundraiser, Table of Hope, on Thursday, September 21, at 5:30 pm at The Florentine. The speaker is Woodlawn actor, Caleb Castille. Individual tickets are $150 and are available by clicking the link below. Deadline for tickets is September 8. A fun night for individuals or Sunday School classes to help a great cause and support one of our own mission partners. Hope to see you there!

Family Promise Annual Fundraiser

Fall in love with Family Promise! Family Promise's annual fundraiser will be Thursday, September 21 at 6 pm at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. There will be food and drinks, live and silent auctions, and raffles. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. For more information or to get tickets visit the link below or call 918-0246. A great way to support one of our mission partners and have a fun night at the same time.

Wednesday Night Menu

Sept 6 - Salad, BBQ Pork OR Baked Chicken, Baked Beans, Ice Cream. Kids: Pizza.
Sept 13 - Beef Tips OR Grilled Chicken, Egg Noodles, Carrot Soufflé, Cake. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese.
Sept 20 - Biscuit OR Pancakes, Smoked Sausage OR Bacon, Cheese Grits, Orange Slices. Kids: Pizza.
Sept 27 - Hamburger OR Hot Dogs, Tater Tots, Toppings. Kids: Chicken Nuggets, Mac & Cheese.