May 11, 2008

SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES COLLECTING THE OFFERING FOR MAY – Sunday School Classes collecting the offering for May include:  Graham-Inquirers, Covenant, Simplicity, grades 9 & 10.

TIME OF PRAYER FOR MYANMAR (formerly BURMA) - Please join us in the sanctuary today at 10:00am for a time of prayer for Burma (now known as Myanamar). We will begin by saying a few brief words of why we have gathered followed by a time of silence. The time of silence will be followed by a corporate prayer ending with the Lord's Prayer - everyone in their own language. As each person leaves, they will be invited to take a gold ribbon to remind them to pray for those in Myanmar and our brothers and sisters in GTF. All spoken word will be translated into Thai, Burmese and Karen.  For more information about this disaster go to:

<http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/newsroom/releases/archives08/myanmarhelp/>. Gifts to UMCOR Advance #3019674, Myanmar Emergency, will help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.

COMMUNITY CENTER NEARS COMPLETION! - The new community center is scheduled for completion Friday, June 27. The first official event in the space will be the Sunday, June 29, Administrative Board meeting.    Coinciding with the opening of the community center will be the completion of our new parking lot, which will include 36 parking spaces behind the church. Parking along Magnolia Avenue will continue indefinitely as a Sunday morning option.  Between now and the end of June, the air conditioning that serves most of our campus - the sanctuary, administrative building and education wing - will be offline. Contractors will get the air conditioning operational as soon as possible, but in the interim, everyone is encouraged to dress comfortably in church. The window units in the rooms behind the sanctuary will continue to operate as normal.

Israel & Palestine Mission Study - Belmont and Edgehill United Methodist Women are sponsoring a joint mission study on Palestine and Israel, led by the Rev. Judith Hoffman, pastor of Edgehill.  The study, open to men, women and youth, will be on two Wednesdays, May 14 and May 21, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.  The events will be in Parker Hall, with a break for dinner at 5:30, at a cost of $6.00. Childcare will be available, and dinner reservations must be made by Monday.  EVERYONE is invited to join us for this richly informative and provocative program!

THE START OF A NEW TRADITION: CONFIRMATION CELEBRATION  -  All Belmonters are invited to join our 2008 confirmands, their families, and Faith Friends for a dinner of thanksgiving and celebration on Saturday, May 17, at 6:00pm in Parker Hall.  The cost for each plate is $6 ($24 for families of 4 or more).  For dinner reservations, contact Lanecia (lanecia@belmontumc.org or 383-0832 ext. 26) by Sunday, May 11.  Hope you will join the celebration!

Spaghetti Lunch to Benefit BUMC's Habitat House  - Belmont UMC has joined a coalition of churches entitled Unity Build to build a Habitat for Humanity house in the fall.  The house will be located in the new Habitat subdivision named Timberwood in northwest Nashville.  To make this happen, your help is needed.  Belmont UMC must raise $6,000 by July 1st to join Unity Build.  To raise this money, the Outreach Committee is hosting a spaghetti dinner after the 10:30 worship service on Sunday, May 18.  Any and all donations will be accepted.  Also, this will be your first opportunity to sign up for one of the thirty spots to participate on our building day.  So, come on out, eat some spaghetti and help build a Habitat house!

CARILLON RINGERS SPRING CONCERT  - Next Sunday, May 18, at 4:30pm in the sanctuary.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED  - On Wednesday, May 21, from 5:30-7 pm there will be a library training session and work period.  No reservations needed.  For more information contact Maggie Tarpley at margaret.tarpley@vanderbilt.edu.

PUBLICATION SCHEDULE CHANGE FOR THE BELMONT REPORTER  -  Our church newspaper will be published only four times during the month of May. Belmont households, therefore, will not receive a church newspaper on  May 23.  You will receive the next issue on May 30.  If you have questions please contact Angie Slade at 383-0832, ext. 23.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSING  -     The church and its offices will be closed on Monday, May 26, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday.  Please adjust your schedules accordingly.

THE WAY OF THE CHILD  -     Thanks to a generous grant from the Trust Fund, Children’s Ministries is thrilled to announce that Wynn McGregor, creator of the Companions in Christ series, The Way of the Child, will be leading a training session for adults on Saturday, June 7, from 8:30am-4:30pm at Belmont UMC.  This day- long training provides a unique opportunity to understand the theory and practice of this groundbreaking resource.  The training will hone skills needed to teach children about God and explore the many ways The Way of the Child can be adapted to different settings. We will learn how The Way of the Child provides pathways for children to discover their innate spirituality.  Each of us needs a “time apart” from the noise and bustle of life to learn and experience practices that will nurture our spirituality, help us develop a deeper relationship with God, and form vital community with others.  This day of training is open to all interested in their own spiritual development and in the spiritual life of children.  Plan to join us! 

SENIOR ADULT TRIP  -     On June 27, senior adults will travel to the Renaissance Center in Dickson to see the Broadway musical A Chorus Line.   Tickets are $25 and include transportation, lunch, and the show.  Call Martha Baxendale at 297-3423 to reserve your spot.

SUMMERTIME FUN!  Registration forms for Vacation Bible School (for children ages 3 through rising 2nd graders) and for Music and Mission Camp (for rising 3rd graders through 6th grade) July 14-18, are now available on-line!  Go to our website (www.belmontumc.org) and follow the links.  VBS forms can be forwarded to heather@belmontumc.org and MMC forms can be forwarded to amycooper@comcast.net.  Forms are also available at church. 

CALLING ALL SENIOR ADULTS TO HEAD TO THE MOUNTAINS! - The annual Wisdom and Grace Conference is being held at Lake Junaluska August 11-14. “Sing unto the Lord a New Song, Crafting a Legacy for the Next Generation” is the theme.  You will be inspired with four engaging days in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.       Register now and save $20!  Early bird registration fee is $65 before June 1.   Staying at the Terrace Hotel or Lambert Inn will cost $345 per person (for two in a room) for 3 nights and 9 meals. You may choose to stay elsewhere for less ($70 - $74 per night) and be on your own for meals. Call 800-222-4930 for lodging reservations and more information.

MAKING CHILDCARE RESERVATIONS - As any parent who has made countless calls to find a babysitter knows, it is great that Belmont provides childcare for many meetings and events here at the church.  To request childcare please contact Clare Harbison, Nursery and Childcare Coordinator, at clare@belmontumc.org.  Make requests for childcare at least one week in advance.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES - Graduation time is upon us and we want to say congratulations to all Belmonters who are graduating from high school, college, and graduate school this spring.  Please contact Lisa Gwock by May 12 so we can include your name in our list of graduates (383-0832 ext. 24 or lisa@belmontumc.org).   Please include name, school, degree (if college or graduate school), and current plans for next year.  Also let us know your new contact information if you are relocating; we want to keep in touch.

VIDEO MINISTRY - Milestones and Memories: Can you believe it? 10:30 worship at Belmont has now been video recorded for 6 years. Take this chance to share our Belmont experience with family, friends, and all those future members of our little church in the village. Any version - DVD, video tape, audio cassette, or CD can be requested through Anne Hoback in the church office- 383-0832 or ahoback@belmontumc.org. Your donations (suggested $4 per video or DVD, $2 per audio cassette) fully support this volunteer ministry.

RECYCLING FUNDRAISER -  The Belmont Music Ministry is still recycling electronic devices and ink cartridges.  Donations may be placed in the green bin in the foyer.  For a complete list of acceptable items, visit www.belmontumc.org/musicmin.htm.  Your contributions will enable music ministry and missions.  Thanks!

5/9/08

VOLUNTEER HOT LIST:

PEW REPLENISHERS NEEDED!  - Restock pew racks one week per month.  If you are interested in this volunteer position, please contact arnell@belmontumc.org or 383-0832 x16.   

A PLACE TO SERVE - Did you realize that there’s a volunteer position at Belmont requiring no additional time commitment?  If you are a detail oriented soul who already worships in the 10:30am Sunday service in the sanctuary, then you have the qualifications and the time commitment needed. We are currently recruiting sound operators for 10:30 worship. For more information, call Alison at 383-0832, ext. 13.