The Notes - October 10, 2019

Volume 49

Issue 41

October 10, 2019

Community Wide Fall Festival
Join us next Sunday, October 20, from 4:00-6:00 pm for another amazing evening filled with family entertainment, food, and fun with the entire community. There will be free popcorn, cotton candy, water, and cokes! The parking lot will be filled with games, inflatables, pony rides, face painting, and music! Admission is totally free, but we hope you will bring new socks that will be donated to families/individuals in need through a local non-profit organization! Please join this amazing event in the heart of this community and invite your friends and neighbors to join us as well!

October Sermon Series
Artificial Intelligence, social media cues, and our human need for acceptance are a combination that is impacting all of our lives - often in a negative way. Software developers often push the same psychological buttons used by magicians and the gambling industry to keep us connected so they can increase their advertising income. Join us this Sunday morning, October 13, and the week after, for "Technically Persuaded" as we discuss these tactics and consider choices grounded in the values of God, and not "big data." Video and small group discussions are available on our website by visiting www.vhumc.org/studies, as well as the small groups section of our app.

Welcome New Members
Let us welcome two new families that joined our church family last Sunday:

Katie and Ross Kingery, with Owen (8) and Lane (5). Katie and Ross are in the Believers Sunday school class, and their kids are plugged into Elementary Ministries. They attend the 11:00 am traditional worship service.
Ashley and Mary Michael Neese, with Landon (16), Lucy (10), Lynlee (9), and Lawson (4). The kids are already plugged in to student and kids' activities, and the parents are involved in the Agape Sunday school class. They attend the 11:00 am contemporary worship service.

Let's give them a warm VHUMC welcome!

Upcoming Annual Stewardship Campaign
As we move into Fall, our Annual Stewardship Campaign is on the horizon. This year's theme "Gratitude" will feature a sermon series, powerful messages from some of our laity, and an opportunity for each of us to celebrate God's presence in our lives by committing to a pledge for 2020. Our campaign will officially kick off on October 27, but I invite you to join us in praying for this campaign and how your family will respond to a commitment to support our church financially for 2020.

Persuasive Technology and Children Seminar
In conjunction with our preaching series entitled "Technically Persuaded," John Douglas, Licensed Counselor and chair of our Student Ministry Council, will lead a discussion for parents on the use of persuasive technology by social media, gaming, and search software companies. These sessions will be held will be held in room 202 on October 16 and 23 at 6:00 pm. Preview of the videos and discussion questions are available using the link below.

Movie for the Hearing Impaired

The Boomers and Beyond ministry will be presenting the original Mary Poppins movie this Sunday, October 13, at 2:00 pm, in the Chapel. The pews on the left side have a T-Coil hearing loop. Many (but not all) hearing aids support T-Coil technology. Ask your audiologist or doctor if your hearing aids can tune to the T-Coil. If not, the church has a limited number of "listeners" that you can use during the movie. We will provide popcorn and drinks for free. If you plan on attending, or need a "listener" unit, please contact Jim Frazier ([email protected] / 769-0126).

Middle School Retreat
Middle School retreat registration is now open! The retreat will be October 25-26 at Camp Lee in Anniston, Alabama. Our theme this year is "Storyteller" and we will be looking at some of the parables of Jesus in relation to our lives today!

Today is the last day for normal registration at $120. This includes all meals, transportation, and activities during the retreat. Starting tomorrow, October 11, registration will be $132, will not include a retreat t-shirt and rooming requests cannot be guaranteed. For questions or information, please contact Alice Bell Baker ([email protected]).

Upward Basketball and Cheerleading

Come join us for a great season of basketball and cheer in a family focused and friendly environment. Kids will learn to play the game as a team as well as developing skills to take their game to the next level! This league is for kids K4-8th grade. First practices are the week of November 4, and the first game is on November 16. The season will go through early February with a break for Thanksgiving and Christmas / New Year holidays.

Registration is $105. You can register online at the link below or in person at the VHUMC Lighthouse. We are looking forward to seeing your family participate with us this fall! For any questions about the league or season, please contact Miles Erbe ([email protected] / 769-0134).

October Hilltoppers Meeting
Our Hilltoppers meeting is next Tuesday, October 15, at 10:30 am in the Fellowship Hall. The program will be our own Jim Frazier and Friends. For information or to make a lunch reservation ($6.00) contact Harriette Woodring (822-9318) or Margaret Flowers ([email protected] / 769-0112) no later than 11:00 am tomorrow. Please note the price. If possible, have correct change or an extra dollar bill.

Vestavia Hilltoppers is a VHUMC-sponsored organization for persons of retirement age, which meets each month for lunch and a program. They also sponsor trips and other activities that are publicized at meetings. Guests and new members are welcome.

Mae Mae's Hugs
Over the past four years, VHUMC has partnered with the family and friends of Maegan Moore to create a warm coat ministry in her memory. We are thankful that over 3,500 coats have been distributed to children and adults that have received a warm, loving hug from Mae Mae and VHUMC! This year, Mae Mae's Hugs has set a goal to provide all new warm coats. We will be accepting any size new coat during the month of October dropped off at Anne Strozier's office. Another way you can help is by providing monetary donations that are needed to purchase the new coats. Donations can be made online. Follow the link, select missions, then Mae Mae's Hugs in the drop downs. Thank you so much for supporting this ministry!

Carnegie Project
The VHUMC Chancel Choir is partnering with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Chorus and five other churches to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City next April. The newly formed ensemble "Birmingham Voices" consists of singers from Trinity, Cahaba Heights, St. Mark's, and Clanton UMC's, Vestavia Baptist, and the ASOC.

There will be a series of concerts in the Birmingham area to prepare for the Carnegie debut. The first concert will take place at VHUMC on Sunday, November 3 at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary. It will feature composer K. Lee Scott's Gloria as well as other selected smaller works. The choir will be conducted by Dr. Quint Harris and accompanied by Karen Krekelberg and the Cathedral Brass ensemble. This is a free event to the public but donations to help cover costs for instrumentalists are accepted and appreciated. For more information contact Quint Harris ([email protected]).

Charcuterie Class
The holiday events and parties are just around the corner. Would you like to wow your family and friends with your culinary prowess? If so, join us on Wednesday, November 6, at 6:00 pm, in room 202 to master the art of charcuterie. Participants will receive a hand-crafted cutting board and all the essentials to make your own beautiful display to take home that night. There will also be a drawing for two door prizes: a chocolate charcuterie and a breakfast charcuterie. The cost is $35 and you can register online using the link below.

Tablescapes Tickets
Join us on Tuesday, November 5, for Tablescapes! We have lots of fun to look forward to at this event as hosts decorate each table with brilliant themes. The doors will open at 10:30 am to view the tables, with lunch beginning at 11:30 am. Our wonderful guest speaker is women's interest and lifestyle publisher, Phyllis Hoffman DePiano. Tickets will be available for purchase using the link below, or from the main office!

You can also sign up to decorate a table of your own. Tables can be really simple, and our committee is happy to help you decorate. For more information about decorating a table, please contact Cheree Carlton ([email protected] / 979-1837).

Grandmothers In Prayer
All grandmothers are invited to come join us in prayer for your grandchildren. It is truly a gift from God to pray over our children. We meet to pray on Mondays, at 2:00 pm, in room 318. Please come when you can.

Matters of the Heart Book Club
Everyone is invited to join us as we discuss books that ignite our hearts and inspire us to help others. Each month will discuss a different book that will encourage us to do more, so come when you can! If you would like more information or to be added to our list, please feel free to call or email Rachael Hayes ([email protected] / 769-0143).

October 21 - One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp
November 25 - 7 Days of Christmas by Jen Hatmaker
December 16 - Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis Majors
January 27 - Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors
February 17 - Religion in Shoes by Hunter Blakely or The Hundred Story Home by Kathy Izard
March 16 - Get off your Buts by Ray Buchannan (Founder of Rise Against Hunger)
April 20 - Life is Like That by Glenn "Tex" Evans (Founder of ASP) or Tattoos On the Heart by Gregory Boyles
Summer - The Sensible Shoes Series by Sharon Garlough Brown

October Memory Verse
Our 1st - 5th graders are taught a different Bible verse each month. They have the opportunity to recite the verse before or after Sunday School in the sensory room for a sweet treat and a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the school year! October's memory verse is: "In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets." - Matthew 7:12

Honoring Church Membership
Some of you have wondered how we handle priority registration for Vestavia Day School and some of our events when we anticipate that available slots will fill up quickly. We always want to make sure that our faithful, active members don't miss the opportunity to participate.

Some time ago, we adopted a policy (that is very similar to other churches of our size) that gives priority registration to a member who has:

Been a member of VHUMC for at least one year.
Had their attendance recorded in Sunday School or the worship service pew pads 1/4th of the time.
Given a minimum of $1,000 a year to the church as a donation (not as payment for services).

This seems a fair measure to use in giving priority registration to our members. For those who have (or plan to have) children involved at VHUMC, we highly encourage you to register your attendance and if you contribute in cash, please use an offering envelope.

If you have questions about this policy, please contact Gary Wyatt ([email protected] / 769-0108).

Ongoing Outreach

Tutoring at Urban Ministry

Urban Ministry needs children's shoes (ages 4-13) for our friends in their after-school program. Children so often come with shoes that are worn out or too small. If you have gently used shoes that your children no longer wear, please bag them and put them in the wooden bins around the church. We will see that they get to children that need them. This is a project of UMW Circle One. Thank you so much!

Help Still Needed In Lee County

There is still much work to be done restoring property and assisting the grieving people in Lee County after the March tornadoes that killed 23 people. A special thank you goes to all who sent gift cards to help those in that area; however, the need for help is still there.

If you are interested in helping "hands on," let us know. We need volunteers to travel to Lee County and assist with the rebuild. To learn about certification or volunteering, please contact Ginny Slay ([email protected]). She is our Team Coordinator for Disaster Relief.

Wednesday Nights at VHUMC

Classes/Programs starting at 6:00 pm

Men's Bible Study: Through November 20 - Room 204
Disciple Bible Study: Through November 20 - Various locations
Artificial Intelligence, Social Media, and the Human Brain: October 16 - Room 202
Halloween and All Saints - What's the Connection?: October 30 - Room 202
Charcuterie Boards: November 6 - Room 202

Menus

October 16 - Beef Tips or Chicken Pot Pie, Rice or Carrot Soufflé, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Corn Dogs with Chips
October 23 - Meatloaf or Baked Ham, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Pizza
October 30 - Baked Turkey or Pork Loin, Mac and Cheese, Crowder Peas with Snaps, Onions, Salad, Fruit, Cut Veggies with Dressing. Kids: Chicken Nuggets and Mac and Cheese