Uptown Updates for

Uptown Updates

January 23rd

In John 16:33 Jesus promised that in this world we will have trouble. When trouble comes it is easy to focus on ourselves, our circumstances or even our uncertainty, but John calls us to focus on Jesus, saying that he wrote this gospel that we might believe and have life. It is our hope that God uses each of these sermons to help you fix your eyes upon Jesus who is: the Great I Am, the bread of life, the light of the world, the resurrection and life, the good shepherd, the true vine and the way, the truth and the life. In the midst of trouble let us take heart, for Jesus has overcome the world.

Sunday, January 26th

John 2:1-11

Our Celebrating Savior

This weekly devotional is intended to help you fix your eyes upon Jesus, by providing a personally selected scripture passage and a song or hymn aimed at reminding you that Jesus is your rock, your redeemer and your healer.

'Your way was through the sea,

your path through the great waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.'

Psalm 77:19:

One of the toughest parts of navigating the past few months at Uptown is that it’s been hard to see where we are going. At times it’s felt like there is no way forward; other times, the way has been foggy with uncertainty and it’s been difficult to see even the next step. Knowing that we follow a good and trustworthy God, we have to believe that even when we can’t see the way, we do not walk alone. The same God who brought Israel to the edge of the Red Sea, where they appeared to be out of options, has brought us to this season at Uptown. And the same God who made a path through the waters then will continue to lead us now. Lord help us to believe, grant us eyes to see, and teach our hearts to sing on this Red Sea Road.

Cheryl Anne Butts

Red Sea Road, by Ellie Holcomb

An Update from the Session

Preaching Subcommittee:

We are happy to report that we are inviting an interim pastor candidate in for a visit in early February who will interview with the expanded Preaching Subcommittee (including deacons, staff and women), preach in our Sunday morning service on Feb 9, and then have an interview with the session. If that goes well, the plan would be to move forward as soon as possible, possibly as early as later in February. More details to follow.

Staff Subcommittee:

Byron Yawn, our representative from McGowan and Associates, has already started to reach out to get to know the staff (by phone and email), and he has scheduled a meeting with the whole staff on Thursday, January 30th, to introduce himself, share about the process, and answer any questions they might have. The rest of the weekend will be spent focusing on meetings with the session and deacons.

Congregational Care:

We are planning to build in some fellowship time with each other by hosting "cocoa and cookies" on Feb 9th, on the lawn after the 2nd service (weather permitting).

Please continue to pray for us and for the church over the coming weeks. Our next Session meeting is scheduled for February 10th, but each of the subcommittees will be continuing their work between now and then as well.

Contact Albert HERE

The Roadies Need Your Help

The Roadie team needs your help! Each week, the equipment you see on stage must be put away as part of our rental agreement with the Great Aunt Stella Center. This is an essential part of Sunday worship at Uptown Church and it requires a team of volunteers to accomplish the task. If you are looking for an opportunity to serve at Uptown, please consider helping with this need. Some experience with music equipment is preferred, but not required. Please reach out to Albert Spear if you would like to join the Roadie Team: albert.h.spear@gmail.com, 864.940.9715.

Let's Keep our Ministry Safe

For those serving within our Nursery, Children's, and Youth ministries at Uptown Church, please pay attention to upcoming emails related to our abuse prevention training though Ministry Safe, which includes a background check consent form. Over the next six months we will be working to onboard all volunteers to this training, including those whose volunteer service at Uptown predates 2017 when we began using Ministry Safe. In short, every Uptown Church volunteer will be receiving an email in the upcoming months, either their initial Ministry Safe training or their two-year renewal. This is of the utmost importance for the safety and wellbeing of our children and families at Uptown Church, and is also a requirement to serve our body, due to the importance of protecting our children. Thank you in advance for working to complete these training videos. Please direct any questions or concerns to your ministry head.

A heartfelt Thank-You to:

Lisa Ellis

Lisa resigns at the end of January after being our Nursery Co-Coordinator for 10 years. She has loved serving the families of Uptown and working alongside the dedicated, Christ-serving staff here. Please join us in thanking God for her leadership, service, and love to our littlest ones. Her sense of humor and attention to detail will be missed.

Kat Powell

Kat resigned at the end of December after being our Children's Ministry Co-Director for 4 years. She is expecting their third daughter January 25th. Please join us in thanking Kat for her faithfulness, calm demeanor, and deep love for the children of Uptown. We will miss her quiet confidence and ability to handle the myriad of details in the Children's Ministry.

Ginni Larkins

Ginni resigned at the end of December after being a huge help with the Women's Ministry here at Uptown during the recent transition period. She served initially as our Women's Ministry Intern, and then as our Interim Women's Ministry Director. We are so thankful for her servant spirit and willingness to step into the needs here. Ginni will remain in Charlotte serving in the Women's Ministry at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews.

Cookies & Cocoa - Feb. 9th

Come join us for cookies and hot cocoa on the lawn after church (2nd service) on February 9th. This is the perfect excuse to hang around and fellowship with one another!

Spring Women's Bible Study - Foxcroft Neighborhood

All Uptown women are invited to the Spring 2020 Women's Bible Study! We will be continuing our study of the Psalms, and will meet weekly on Thursday mornings from 10:00-11:30 at Kristin Wallis' home beginning January 26th, and ending March 12th. Childcare is offered for the study! Register on the Church Center app or by clicking the button below! We hope to see everyone there!

Contact Mark HERE

Uptown Church is HIRING!

Uptown Church is hiring! We are currently seeking a Nursery Assistant Coordinator to join our staff. The position would be about seven hours per week, starting sometime around the end of January or beginning of February. Core responsibilities would include overseeing all Sunday morning nursery activities two Sundays per month, assisting with classroom maintenance, upkeep, and prep every other week, and then other duties as assigned. If you are interested, please contact Mark Skylling (markskylling@uptownchurch.org) for more information and/or to apply!

Uptown Youth Spring Getaway

Spring Retreat is coming up!

Join us at the Central Carolinas Presbytery Spring Retreat:

"Devoted: Core Commitments for Disciples"

When: March 27-29

Location: Ridge Haven

Cost: $125

Registration is now OPEN in Planning Center and will close on Feb 14.

It is important that we get registrations in ASAP for transportation to be arranged. Hope you can attend!

Email Christy HERE

Welcome to Christy Talamo - New Children's Ministry Assistant!

Christy Talamo has been a member of Uptown Church for 14 years since graduating from Columbia International University with a degree in Bible and Intercultural Studies. She loves children and teaching them the Bible so that they may come to believe in Jesus and have full life in his name (John 20:31). Christy originally served as Children's Ministry Director in years past and is excited and humbled to again be a part of the staff and to play a role in what the Lord has in store for our children in this new year and season. Christy is wife to Joey and mother to Patrick (10), Rosie (3) and Walker (1) and loves active listening, her neighborhood community and coffee tumblers. You can reach her at

cmassistant@uptownchurch.org

Hinged Women's Conference

"Hinged" PCA Women's Conference at Christ Covenant Church on January 31-February 1. Women of all ages will gather together to hear teaching from the book of Ephesians and worship. For more information and to register, see the link below. Registration closes 1/20.

Current Adult Education & Youth SS January/February

The Church: The Enduring Community and its Mission

Teachers: Forde Britt, Grae Garrison, Chad Kraska, Craig Paddock, Tom Queen

Where: Café

Church is not only a group of people gathered on Sunday, or a building for worship, rather it is a dynamic plan of God to build his kingdom, encourage the saints, and call us deeper into relationship with Him. In this class, we will see how the many aspects of "church" are all a part of creating a dynamic community of believers this side of heaven.