eNews October 24th

Are you called to "recycling?"

(Bibles, eyeglasses or stamps, that is!)

As many of you know, Fred Ritsema has faithfully helped our congregation recycle Bibles, eyeglasses and stamps, converting these into resources for ministry.  Fred now lives in Idaho ("miss ya, Fred"), so Witness in Action is seeking folks who feel called to coordinate this ministry.  Although Fred handled the recycling of all three items, you might feel called to coordinate to help with one, two or all three items.  The ministry involves collecting the items from congregation members and sending them to Christian organizations that put them to good use for God.  Everything is set up to keep this ministry moving -- we just need one or more servants to volunteer a little time.  If you'd like more information, please contact me.
Marty Hawkins, Witness in Action

 Announcements

• Southminster Provides meals to the Women at Hospitalitiy House THIS week (Oct. 24-30).  If you can help, contact Ina Edmiston
• Memorial Service for Chris Rohr - Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11 am at Southminster.
• Youth Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 29 - Contact Amy Campbell for more details
• Harvest Festival - after worship on Sunday, October 30th Plan to attend!  Potluck lunch (bring salads or a main dish - we have lots of sugar already so no desserts are needed).  There will be games and crafts for the kids and a chance for everyone to visit.
• Slackers will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAYS of each month - If you have questions - contact Jim Coleman
• SOCK IT TO HOMELESSNESS - bring new, white, athletic socks and place them in the special box in the coffee area.  Last year over 25,000 pairs of socks were donated citywide and they predict the need will be even greater this year.  We will be collecting socks thru October when they will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 30th at Operation Night-watch.  You are invited to attend the dedication.  More about Operation Night-watch at www.seattlenightwatch.org
• Men's First TUESDAY breakfast 8 am on November 1st at Des Moines Creek Restaurant.
• Sunday, November 6th - Homeless Event - taking hygiene kits, warm clothing, food and blankets to those living on the streets in Seattle.
• Men's Fall Retreat - Saturday, November 12th 8:30 am to 12:30 pm  "Do I Act Out of Fear or Out of Love?"  Some of the questions we will be discussing and working on:  What exerts the biggest influence on my life, the fear of what I don't want or the hope of what I do want?  Why is it so hard to do what God tells us to do and allow the rest to follow?  Where in my life would I like to move from acting or thinking out of fear and into love?  Breakfast at 8:30 am and finish up with lunch at 12.  Together with God we'll grow stronger as we learn from each other.

Southminster Church Events Calendar
Please submit Church Events to nanci@spcdesmoines.org
Southminster Presbyterian Church website can be found at www.spcdesmoines.org

eNews October 17th

Are you called to "recycling?"

(Bibles, eyeglasses or stamps, that is!)

As many of you know, Fred Ritsema has faithfully helped our congregation recycle Bibles, eyeglasses and stamps, converting these into resources for ministry.  Fred now lives in Idaho ("miss ya, Fred"), so Witness in Action is seeking folks who feel called to coordinate this ministry.  Although Fred handled the recycling of all three items, you might feel called to coordinate to help with one, two or all three items.  The ministry involves collecting the items from congregation members and sending them to Christian organizations that put them to good use for God.  Everything is set up to keep this ministry moving -- we just need one or more servants to volunteer a little time.  If you'd like more information, please contact me.
Marty Hawkins, Witness in Action

A "thank you" from Children of the Nations
On Sunday you took time out of your weekend to package 8,000 meals for children in need! Thank you!!! Those 8,000 meals will travel overseas to nourish children who need their bodies strengthen as they grow up to become the leaders of tomorrow. This food will help them focus in school as they receive their education, concentrate in Church as they learn about Jesus Christ, and work and play hard as their bodies develop properly.

Your congregation has been engaged with the ministry work of Children of the Nations for years and we count you as such valued partners in rescuing and 'raising children who transform nations'.

You all made a difference in the life of a child. The only way Children of the Nations is able to feed thousands of children every day is because of people like you.

Southminster Presbyterian Church is part of a team of over 20,000 volunteers and staff around the world that help Children of the Nations provide holistic care to raise children who transform nations. If you would like to find out how to get more involved with Children of the Nations please visit our website at www.cotni.org/get-involved.

On behalf of the children we serve, thank you.

Sincerely,
Fraser Ratzlaff
Meal Packaging Coordinator – Seattle
Children of the Nations – USA

Gentlemen, mark your calendars!

Men of Southminster, we have a retreat coming up on Saturday, November 12 (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.), so please mark your calendars.  We'll begin with the usual great breakfast,  provide opportunities for valuable learning and sharing, followed by a manly lunch before you're on your way to complete that list of chores or maybe catch a football game.  Look for more details in the coming weeks.

Southminster Supports Peacemaking!
Praise God for moving hearts in our congregation to give $1,952 in the Peacemaking Offering -- with the possibility that more may come in.  That's a 20% increase from last year.  Thanks for your generosity!  Half of the offering will go the worldwide Presbyterian Peacemaking Program, 25% will support Presbytery and Synod initiatives and our local share this year will go to Praisealujah ministries, which supports men and women who are struggling with substance abuse and other life-controlling problems by giving them an opportunity to separate themselves from destructive behaviors and focus on God.  

 Announcements

• Men's Breakfast Bible Study will meet THIS SATURDAY 8am to 9:30 am.
• SPAN deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 21st at 9 am.
• Wedding of Christine Winiecki and Justin Stratton - Saturday, Oct. 22nd 1 pm at Southminster - all are invited to attend.
• Des Moines Area Food Bank - Antipasto Dinner - Saturday, Oct. 22nd at 6:30 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church - $25.  This is an important fund raiser for the Food Bank.
• Children's Department meeting - after worship on Sunday, Oct. 23 in the south Sunday School room.
• Southminster Provides meals to the Women at Hospitalitiy House the week of Oct. 24-30.  If you can help, please sign up with Ina Edmiston after church on Sundays
• Memorial Service for Chris Rohr - Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11 am at Southminster.
• Youth Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 29 - see Amy for more details
• Harvest Festival - after worship on Sunday, October 30th - Costumes - Prizes - Games - Food.
• Slackers will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAYS of each month - If you have questions - call Jim Coleman 206 242-6379
• SOCK IT TO THE HOMELESSNESS - bring new, white, athletic socks and place them in the special box in the coffee area.  Last year over 25,000 pairs of socks were donated citywide and they predict the need will be even greater this year.  We will be collecting socks thru October when they will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 30th at Operation Nightwatch.  You are invited to attend the dedication.  More about Operation Nightwatch at www.seattlenightwatch.org

Southminster Church Events Calendar
Please submit Church Events to nanci@spcdesmoines.org
Southminster Presbyterian Church website can be found at www.spcdesmoines.org

eNews October 10th

Pastoral Transition Team is Moving Forward

The Southminster Session has appointed a Pastoral Transition Team to guide the congregation through the process of saying "goodbye" to Ben and Mary Jo and selecting a new pastor.  This process will include regular communications with the congregation, appointing an interim pastor and working with another group (to-be-appointed) -- the Pastor Nominating Committee -- to ultimately select a permanent successor to Ben.
Members of the team include:
Edina Blackstock, Jim Coleman, Jane Davis, Nancy Fleener, Billie Grande, Marty Hawkins, Phil Lemoine, and Karen McMichael

The PTT met on October 10 and will be meeting again with the Session on October 17 to continue the work of the Long-Range Planning Committee, which has been transition planning for the past two years.  The PTT requests the prayers of the congregation and welcomes any feedback or questions as we engage in this important process.

SPY OCTOBER 2011
Summer is over and the school year has gotten underway! I wanted to let you know of some events coming up for the youth group here at Southminster!
Saturday, October 29th, 2011: SPY Halloween Party
  This year we are having a "Fright Night" Halloween Party. The plan is to go to a night corn maze and haunted woods at a local farm.  Cost will be $20 and half-scholarships will be available to anyone who needs them. More details to come! (check your local Facebook soon)

Sunday, November 6th, 2011: Helping the Homeless for the Winter
  The youth are taking their 3rd trip this year down to Help the Homeless. We want to make sure those less fortunate will be warm for the winter ahead.  We will be leaving after church and should be back around 3 pm. Please join us and/or if you have any warm jackets, umbrellas, or anything warm to donate please drop off at the church!

Sunday, November 20th, 2011: Mission Trip Reflection
  This is our opportunity to share with the congregation the youth’s mission trip experiences.  This will be after regular worship service. Please join us as we share stories and photos from our trip to Yakama.

Saturday, November 26th, 2011: Twisted Flicks at Jet City Improv
  For those not going away for Thanksgiving this year, we will be having our November event be that Saturday at Jet City Improv. Jet City Improv is an all ages improv show that one weekend a month shows a cheesy B-rated movie, where the improv actors adlib their own lines.  More information to come. Cost will be $10.

Thank you to all the cooks who have signed up to cook dinners for the youth this upcoming year! A big thank you to Jim Coleman, Bill Lewis, Bill & Georgia Gwynn, and Rob & Cindi Gibbs. If you see them, please thank them for donating their culinary skills and time to help the youth!

God bless,
Amy

Announcements

• Slackers will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAYS of each month
• Ben and Mary Jo are on vacation Oct 4-18, if you have a need or concern please call Beaver Viau in the church office 206 878-8133.
• Men's Breakfast Bible Study will meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month 8am to 9:30 am.
• On October 16th Rev. Joyce Emery of the Synod of Alaska-Northwest will join us for a Minute for Mission and to give a presentation about key Synod ministries following worship.  This is a great chance to learn more about how Southminster's support of the Synod is making a difference in God's kingdom.
• Women's Retreat - Saturday, Oct. 15th 9 am to 2 pm
• SPAN deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 21st at 9 am.
• Wedding of Christine Winiecki and Justin Stratton - Saturday, Oct. 22nd 1 pm at Southminster - all are invited to attend.
• Des Moines Area Food Bank - Antipasto Dinner - Saturday, Oct. 22nd at 6:30 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church - $25.  This is an important fund raiser for the Food Bank.
• Children's Department meeting - after worship on Sunday, Oct. 23 in the south Sunday School room.
• Southminster Provides meals to the Women at Hospitalitiy House the week of Oct. 24-30.  If you can help, please sign up with Ina Edmiston after church on Sundays
• Memorial Service for Chris Rohr - Saturday, Oct. 29 at 11 am at Southminster.
• Youth Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 29 - see Amy for more details
• Harvest Festival - after worship on Sunday, October 30th - Costumes - Prizes - Games - Food.
• SOCK IT TO HOMELESSNESS - bring new, white, athletic socks and place them in the special box in the coffee area.  Last year over 25,000 pairs of socks were donated citywide and they predict the need will be even greater this year.  We will be collecting socks thru October when they will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 30th at Operation Nightwatch.  You are invited to attend the dedication.  More about Operation Nightwatch at www.seattlenightwatch.org
• Are you called to "recycling?" (Bibles, eyeglasses or stamps, that is!)  Witness In Action is looking for volunteers to help collect these items and send them on to Christian organizations that put them to good use for God.  If you'd like more information, please contact Marty Hawkins

Southminster Church Events Calendar
Please submit Church Events to nanci@spcdesmoines.org

eNews October 3rd

CHILDREN’S CORNER

Sunday School has started! Here are the amazing volunteers teaching our children and youth at Southminster!

Nursery: Val Meyer, Haley Fuller, Erin Metcalf, Laura Anderson, Carrie Asselin, Joyce Williams, Judy Redfern, Taylor Adams, Judy Grande, Anika Grande
Nursery is now available to children up to pre-school. We are expanding it to include nursery/pre-school aspects to prepare them for Sunday School!
Kindergarten – 2^nd grade: Margaret Leaf, Taylor Adams, Jane Davis, Janet Nelson, Tam Vu
3^rd grade – 5^th grade: Jane Davis, Kimberly Hollingsworth, Jan Metcalf
Junior & Senior High: Jim Coleman, Kelley Bennison, Steve Edmiston

Please take a moment to thank these wonderful people for giving their energy and dedication to these wonderful children.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. – Proverbs 22:6

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL

October 30^th, 2011

Join us after church for our Fall Harvest Festival! There will be new games, crafts, and a potluck for all ages. Don’t forget to wear your costumes! Earn tickets at the games and choose your own prizes! 

Announcements

• Slackers will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAYS of each month
• Men's First Thursday Breakfast - Thursday, Oct. 6th 8 am at Des Moines Creek Restaurant.
• Men's Breakfast Bible Study will meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month beginning on Oct.8th  8am to 9:30 am.
• Saturday, October 8th - Habitat at Westway/Federal Way - Carpool from church at 8 am, Men's Bible Study attendees are welcome to join us after your study.  Lunch provided by Marjorie Caldwell, so a head count would be helpful.  Contact Kim Gerardi or Rob Whitson for details.
• Children of the Nations (COTN) Food Bagging at the church - Sunday, Oct 9th after worship.  Plenty of jobs for everyone to help.  Pizza after the bagging.
• SOCK IT TO HOMELESSNESS - bring new, white, athletic socks and place them in the special box in the coffee area.  Last year over 25,000 pairs of socks were donated citywide and they predict the need will be even greater this year.  We will be collecting socks thru October when they will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 30th at Operation Nightwatch.  You are invited to attend the dedication.  More about Operation Nightwatch at www.seattlenightwatch.org
• Women's Retreat - Saturday, Oct. 15th 9 am to 2 pm
• SPAN deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 21st at 9 am.
• Wedding of Christine Winiecki and Justin Stratton - Saturday, Oct. 22nd 1 pm at Southminster - all are invited to attend.
• Des Moines Area Food Bank - Antipasto Dinner - Saturday, Oct. 22nd at 6:30 pm at St. Francis Catholic Church - $25.  This is an important fund raiser for the Food Bank.
• Children's Department meeting - after worship on Sunday, Oct. 23 in the south Sunday School room.
• Southminster Provides meals to the Women at Hospitalitiy House the week of Oct. 24-30.  If you can help, please sign up with Ina Edmiston after church on Sundays
• Youth Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 29 - see Amy for more details
• Harvest Festival - after worship on Sunday, October 30th - Costumes - Prizes - Games - Food.

Southminster Church Events Calendar

Please submit Church Events to nanci@spcdesmoines.org

eNews September 26th

BEN'S OCTOBER SPAN LETTER
Dearly Beloved Family of Southminster,

Lately my mind and heart and schedule have been full.  Now I’ve learned, over the years, that when I get to the point of feeling literally overwhelmed with a mountain of tasks and emotions – I need to stop – and listen hard – to God’s clarity and voice.

As I listened, God gave me this template, saying, “Ben, each morning I want you to begin the day by praying,”

          “Father, you are totally in charge of everything!

          I will not do any/one thing until I have placed it into your hands and then received a clear sign as to what I should do.

          I will focus on your power and your love in the situation - and not at all on the problem.

          I will not project any of my solutions onto any situation – but will wait for YOUR solution to emerge.  And I will respond only as YOU tell me how to respond.

          I will now release into your hands what is on my plate.”

“Now at this point,” said God, “write down everything that is on your mind and on your heart.  Now read over this list carefully.  Now re-pray the prayer I just taught you!”

Isn’t God amazing?  He’s right there and He always says just the right thing.

Know you are loved,

Ben

Come and Join Southminster's Table at http://www.spcdesmoines.org/the-table/

Church doesn't end just because the worship service is over. "Church" is the body of Christ seeking God's kingdom, not just an event on Sunday morning. Prayer, service, study and fellowship are important aspects of faith at Southminster that is not restricted to the hour we gather on Sunday morning. That's what the Table is all about. It's a private social network, just for our church, that enables us to connect 24/7, not just on Sunday.

Annoucements

• Spencer's 50th Wedding Anniversary Reception - Saturday, October 1st 1pm to 3 pm at the church.
• Peacemaking Offering/World Wide Communion Sunday - Oct. 2
• Slackers will meet on the 1st and 3rd MONDAYS of each month beginning on Oct. 3 - jobs will include painting the 2nd coat on the west side of the offices (weather permitting), polish brass in outside cross, clean the furnace room, clean some gutters, put up some shades, clean out the refrigerator, install choir lights. 
• Ben and Mary Jo are on vacation Oct 4-18, if you have a need or concern please call Beaver or the church office 206 878-8133.
• Men's First Thursday Breakfast - Thursday, Oct. 6th 8 am at Des Moines Creek Restaurant.
• Men's Breakfast Bible Study will meet on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month beginning on Oct. 8am to 9:30 am.
• Children of the Nations (COTN) Food Bagging at the church - Sunday, Oct 9th after worship.  Plenty of jobs for everyone to help.
• SOCK IT TO HOMELESSNESS - bring new, white, athletic socks and place them in the special box in the coffee area.  Last year over 25,000 pairs of socks were donated citywide and they predict the need will be even greater this year.  We will be collecting socks thru October when they will be dedicated on Sunday, Oct. 30th at Operation Nightwatch.  You are invited to attend the dedication.  More about Operation Nightwatch at www.seattlenightwatch.org
• Women's Retreat - Saturday, Oct. 15th 9 am to 2 pm
• SPAN deadline for the November issue is Friday, October 21st at 9 am.
• Wedding of Christine Winiecki and Justin Stratton - Saturday, Oct. 22nd 1 pm at Southminster - all are invited to attend.
• Children's Department meeting - after worship on Sunday, Oct. 23 in the south Sunday School room.
• Youth Halloween Party - Saturday, Oct. 29 - see Amy for more details
• Harvest Festival - after worship on Sunday, October 30th - Costumes - Prizes - Games - Food.