BRIGHT HOPE LAUREL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH DEDICATED TO SHARING GODS LOVE AND FORGIVENESS WITH THE WORLD

Volume 3, Issue 11

November, 2011

From the Pastors Desk - The Impossible Dream

month while doing paperwork to see how we are doing I was reminded of how people responded to this dream and how many today still say it is impossible. For many, it is the impossible dream. It was and is a task so large that anyone human would just shake their heads and say it is impossible. Yet the Bishops words have never changed. We were simply told: 300,000 members 30,000 more in worship 3,000 mission teams sent 300 churches given new life and vitality 30 new faith communities 3 YEARS!!! And people stood there staring and wondering if it could ever be so. Truthfully, it may be for humanity but never for God!!! As I look around our church and our community, I see where God has been at work. I see signs of growth as people are coming closer to Christ and one another! Yes, it is not 300,000, but maybe it is our 3 or 4 or maybe even just our 1. Our 1 for the kingdom!!! As the conference strives for its goals and we continually strive for ours, it is my hope that we never lose hope and never lose sight of the truth that we cannot do any of this by is Impossible for God! May we never lose that truth. May we never lose hope! May we never stop dreaming and believing and trusting in God and God alone! For when we do, God not only guides us, not only blesses us, but walks along with us on this journey knowing that while it may seem impossible alone WE ARE NEVER ALONE! Blessings to you all. Pastor Bruce

Special points of Interest

The Mens Group will meet for their monthly meeting on Sunday, November 6th at 7:46 AM. The United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, November 15th at 6 PM. Charge Conference will be on Monday, November 21st at 7 PM. The Mountain Laurel 4-H will be meeting on Monday, October 28th at 6:30 PM.

Inside this issue:

NOVEMBER SERMONS FINANCIAL REPORT THOSE SERVING IN WORSHIP (NOVEMBER) CONFERENCE NEWS
2 2 3

4-6

MONTHLY CALENDAR INSERT

November 6

Scripture and Sermons HOLY COMMUNION - Hunger Pot Offering Scripture Lesson: Matthew 25:1-13 Sermon: Murphys Law

November 13 Scripture Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 Sermon: How Not to Shorten Your Life November 20 Scripture Lesson: Matthew 25:31-46 Sermon: In the Fold November 27 Scripture Lesson: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19 Sermon: Restore Us, O God: Hope

ATTENDANCE AND FINANCIAL GIVING

October (Does not include 10/30) 2011 Average Attendance: Regular Giving : Average Regular Giving: Designated Giving: Apple Butter Hunger Pot Memorials Spaghetti Supper $441.00 $47.00 $125.00 $719.00 79 $ 9011.58 $ 2252.90 (per week) $ 1332.00

($ 2,199.02 per week is needed to meet our church budget.)

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rich Ashley, Lay Leader GREETERS: 6 13 20 27 Angela Fox and Sherry Lesley Mike and Jenny Miller Sheri and Don Mathis Danny Burnette and Liz Benjamin USHERS: 6 13 20 27 Bruce Harrison and Danny Burnette J. B. Wallin and Dot Cody Harold and Dixie Tipton Mark and Lisa Anderson

OFFERTORY PRAYER: SCRIPTURE READERS: 6 13 20 27

Rich Ashley, Lay Leader NURSERY/PRE-SCHOOL: 6 13 20 27 Jenny Miller J. B. Wallin Deborah White Carol Evans

Bonnie English Judy Womble Tom Wrenn Elizabeth Hamrick

CHILDRENS TIME:

Jenny Miller, Dixie Tipton, Rev. Johnson, and Cammie Monroe Carolyn Ponder; Lisa Anderson Kathy Wrenn, Lois Lynn Bellemare, & Cammie Monroe Dr. Ernie and Frances Powell

CHILDRENS CHURCH: TWEENS CLASS:

COMMUNION STEWARDS: COUNTERS: 6 13 20 27

John Hamrick and Bonnie English Don Mathis and Tom Wrenn Sherry Lesley and Judy Womble Rich Ashley and Angela Fox Danny Burnette and Brian Dodge

AUDIO VISUAL:

If you are unable to serve when indicated, please ask someone to take your place . IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE IN ANY CAPACITY, please tell the Pastor. THANK YOU for your service and dedication to Bright Hope Laurel United Methodist Church!

Please feel free to share comments and feedback on any of the reports below via the email address of the appropriate committee:

District Lines and Names

Randy Harry, Mark Hollar, Amy Johnson, Bobby Sharp, Robert Upchurch

linesandnames@wnccumc.net design@wnccumc.net

District Structure and Design

David Christy, Jennifer Davis, Lory Beth Huffman, Jennifer Martin

Property and Legal

Jennifer Burton, Amy Coles, Jim Windham

propertyandlegal@wnccumc.net

Superintendent Role and Personnel

Ken Carter, Donald Jenkins, Mark Key, Ashley Crowder Stanley

personnel@wnccumc.net

Prospective District 2 Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Yancey September 12, 2011 Draft

October 2011

As the Western North Carolina Conference transitions from fifteen to eight districts, the role of the District Superintendent will change. The rationale for the change adopted by our annual conference is to redirect the flow of energy and resources to the local church and its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our challenge will be to live into a new understanding of the role of the eight District Superintendents who will serve and lead our annual conference. The following represents some of our emerging thoughts about the change in this position. This is a first draft shared in order to generate conversations and feedback. 1. The most important task of the District Superintendent is to know the pastors, their gifts, and the local churches and their missional needs. This knowledge is crucial in laying a foundation for the best possible match for each pastor and charge, and this will remain an essential function of the DS, even as some districts double in size (geography and number of local churches). More time will be set aside for individual conversations and coaching relationships with clergy and more visioning with local churches. We will seek to rediscover the itinerant role of the District Superintendent, with the expectation that he or she will be traveling in the district more often than in the office. 2. A second critical priority for the DS is to be the chief missional strategist for his or her district. The DS will help the lay and clergy leadership in a district to translate the conference vision (power of three) into a strategy for a particular district. This strategy will involve many of our current leadership groups (laity, UMW, UMM, committees on building and location and ordained ministry, etc.). The exercise might look like a strategic planning process in which ten clergy and ten laity work with the DS and an outside leader to develop a strategy for a geographical area. 3. The DS will likely carry out his or her work through the reliance on teams called together and trained for particular purposes, such as conflict transformation, financial stewardship, basic Christian discipleship. 4. The DS will attempt to be in each local church (to celebrate special occasions, to lift up the vision, to encourage clergy and lay leadership) in a meaningful way in a range of time between 12 to 15 months. The DS will be strategic about when presence is most critical. With increased time given to coaching, vision and strategy, a few functions that have been at the heart of our understanding of the Superintendents work will likely be accomplished by others or in different ways --either an associate staff member or by a centralized person or function. These would be the annual charge conferences, the committee on building and location (which might be transferred to the Annual Conference Trustees), promotional functions (Communications) and financial stewardship concerns (CF & A).

Mars Hill, NC 28754