Welcome to The Communicator, your weekly guide to the life at Sardis.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
Beth Williams Hired as the Contemporary Worship Music Leader
Over the last few months, the search team held multiple interviews with each candidate and solicited feedback from band members. Each candidate was musically skilled with different leadership strengths. The interview team was extremely impressed by Beth’s ability to engage the congregation, her ideas for community building amongst the band, her openness to explore different styles of music, her gifts of worship with all ages and her intentions to encourage new individuals to share their gifts.
We are also looking forward to Beth’s involvement as the Sardis’ Contemporary Worship Service prepares to transition into the Fellowship Hall in September! Here are ways that you can help us build energy and momentum for this service even in this time of transition:
  • Join us for worship!
  • Participate in worship and be open to various styles of music, prayer and ways to engage scripture.
  • Invite your friends and neighbors (Even if you attend 11am worship).
  • Welcome visitors & get to know others you don’t know who are worshipping with us.
  • Share your gifts and talents through music and worship leadership.
 
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Rev. Allysen Schaaf.
This Week at Sardis
This Sunday at 10:00 a.m. : Summer Choir for All Ages
All ages are invited to join the choir this summer! No weekly rehearsal commitments! No musical experience required! Meet at 10:00 a.m. in the Choir Room for coffee and learning the anthem:
  • June 26
  • July 3 (meeting at 9:00), 10, 17, 31
  • August 7, 21, 28
  • September 4

This Sunday at 10 a.m.: Intergenerational Sunday School
All ages, from our oldest to our youngest and everyone in between will come together at 10:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall to learn from and with one another. There will be prayer, teaching and lots of hands-on learning. This Sunday we'll learn about about the Kenya mission partnership, the new congregation we are partnering with, and the three key ideas in the freeing congregational mission book that lead us in this direction (companionship, humility, and co-development). Each of those three key ideas will be followed with an intergenerational activity.
This Sunday at 4:30 p.m.: Elementary Children Summer Book Club
Rising 3rd - rising 5th graders are invited to join Sarah Dianne for a fun summer book club as we read Astrid the Unstoppable! We'll meet on the playground each Sunday in June from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. for book discussion and activities, and then enjoy playground time and popsicles! Even if your child can’t come every week, we would still love to have them when they’re in town! RSVP to Sarah Dianne so she knows who to expect!
This Sunday at 7:30 p.m.: Stewardship Summer Book Study for Sardis Parents
Come join the discussion! Summer is a busy time, especially for parents. We know reading a book about stewardship might not have made your to-do list, but we want you to be part of the discussion! Join us via zoom this Sunday June 26 at 7:30 p.m. to hear a summary of “Not Your Parent’s Offering Plate” and a discussion of some of the key points in the book. Your voice is an important one in this discussion, so please join us this special group just for you! RSVP HERE.

Click here to join the Zoom or use Meeting ID: 889 9470 0339 and Passcode: sardis.
Monday, June 27: Middle & High School Youth Mission Monday
Rising 6th through graduated 12th grade youth are invited to meet at Sardis at 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to volunteer with Camp Holiday, a day camp for campers with Down syndrome, ages 5-21. Sardis Youth will be engaging in recreation and other activities with participants. RSVP HERE
Opportunities to Serve
Volunteer in the Nursery
Our nursery is open during the 9:00 a.m. worship service! We would love some volunteers to come enjoy time playing and sharing God's love with our youngest disciples. Sign-up to volunteer here. If you are new to volunteering with children and youth, please take a moment to complete our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection training. Questions? Please contact Sarah Dianne Jones.
Get Involved With VBS
Planning is well underway for a fun week of VBS at Sardis, July 11-15! Can you help make this important ministry a success for our kids? Volunteer for part or all of the week. It's fun, easy, and rewarding! Childcare is available for volunteers! 
Contact Sarah Dianne Jones with interest.
Room In The Inn Coordinator
The Room in the Inn program is a unique way for people of faith to become directly involved with our neighbors who are homeless. The goal of the RITI program is to provide shelter, food and friendship to our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Are you as a disciple of Jesus Christ, willing to lead Sardis Presbyterian Church’s mission to provide for those in our community in need?
 
If you are so moved, Sardis’s Mission Ministry would like to meet with you. We are looking for a Coordinator for the coming Room in the Inn season. 
July 17 at 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Blood Drive
Sardis Presbyterian Church is proud to sponsor our next blood drive with the American Red Cross on July 17, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. If you are eligible, please come out to donate. Most donations take about an hour, so please book your appointment, roll up your sleeve and become a part of the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross and Sardis. Schedule your appointment here.
Church Life News & Announcements
Kaitlyn Davros to Attend Summer Program at Oxford University
Through her work on her Masters of Sacred Music at Westminster Choir College, our Director of Traditional Music and Worship, Kaitlyn Davros, has been accepted into this year’s summer program at the Choral Institute at Oxford University in England. As a full conductor in the program, Kaitlyn will be receiving instruction, feedback, and conducting in the final concert, July 19 -28. We can’t wait to hear about her experience as she leads the adult Sunday school class on August 7 (so mark your calendars). Congratulations Kaitlyn!
Historic Cemetery Prayer & Reflection Walk in honor of Juneteenth
On Sunday, June 19, many from Sardis participated in a guided walk around our historic cemeteries, including around the cemetery where enslaved Africans and indigenous Americans are buried.
Here is the reflection guide created by Rev. Allysen Schaaf if you would like to use it to take a prayerful walk around the two historic cemeteries across the street from Sardis’ Sanctuary building. You can even use this guide from home to guide you in reflection and prayer.
Preschool Splash Night Was a Blast!
On Sunday, June 19 families of preschool-aged children had a time of making new friends and cooling off with water tables and popsicle treats! Missed it? We missed you! Get preschool news and fellowship opportunities in your inbox - contact Sarah Dianne Jones to be added to her preschool families email!
Middle School Youth Trampoline Tuesday
On Tuesday, June 21 our middle school youth met at Big Air for a time of summer fellowship! Fun reached new heights with this group! Couldn't make it? Our middle school has another trampoline Tuesday on July 5. Mark it on your calendar and click here to RSVP. Friends are always welcome.
Large Appliance Boxes Needed For VBS
We need donations of appliance-sized or other large cardboard boxes for Vacation Bible School decorations! Please bring your donations to Sarah Dianne Jones' office in the Admin Building. Questions? Contact Sarah Dianne.
Our Church Family
Our Sympathy: to Todd Sellers upon the death of his mother, Ann Sellers.

We Remember in Prayer: Jim Duyck in Atrium Main.
Coming Soon
July 5: High School Youth Taco Tuesday
Rising 9th through graduated 12th grade youth are invited to come grab lunch and catch up with friends and Beth! We will meet at Chipotle (1909 Matthews Township Parkway, Suite H, Matthews) at 12:30 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. RSVP Here
July 11 - 15 at 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Vacation Bible School
This VBS invites rising 3 year old - rising 5th grade children to pray as Jesus teaches us in Matthew 6:11; “Give us this day our daily bread.” These words serve as a reminder that everything we have comes from God — and that it’s by turning to God in prayer that all of our daily needs are met. Register online by June 30.
August 8 - 12 at 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Sardis Music & Arts Summer Hoopla
Rising 2nd - rising 6th grade children are invited to bring a friend or a few! We'll be bringing back a musical this year and our days will be filled with theater, art, music, and games.
 
Students must provide their own lunch and water bottles. Volunteers needed and appreciated! Register online by July 24.
Click here to explore our church calendar and see all the meetings and events coming up at Sardis. Don't forget to add anything of interest to your calendar!
Opportunities to Share & Updates
Three Ways to Give
We invite you to continue to uphold our ministry with your gifts as you are able. Sardis depends on your weekly donations to keep exploring faith and changing lives through the work of our ministries. Use the giving option:  
  • Give Online: From your computer or smartphone give online here
  • Text: Sardis + Amount to 73256
  • Mail:6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC 28270
Let's Get Social!