THE CARILLON Page 1

July/August 2015

As I related to the church council meeting June 15, I had broken down

on the telephone and wept that afternoon. I asked the assembled who they

thought I was talking to when I broke down. There were many guesses – my

mother, the district superintendent, God, and Henry Rogers are some of the

ones that I recall, although I allowed that I don’t need a telephone to talk to

God. The answer was actually Jean Thiel, the church’s minister of music. I

wept while talking to Jean because of something she had said to me weeks

earlier, and because of the last phone call I received before talking to Jean.

Last month, I approached Jean about a rumored incident in our parking

lot. Jean came to the church and found someone else – a teacher from the day

school, as it turned out – in her parking space, and Jean was, according to the

rumor, not amused. When I asked Jean about the incident, she replied, “If we

have to stoop to this level to have conversations with one another – if we’d

rather talk about this than about the resurrected Christ – then I just won’t talk

about the parking lot anymore.” I thought that that was one of the most

gracious and moving answers I’d ever heard.

The last phone call I’d received June 15, before talking to Jean was

about a rumor from years ago. The caller, a church member, was not calling to

endorse or spread the rumor, but to share it as a way of illuminating present

circumstances that were of concern. I appreciated the call, but the contrast with

my above mentioned talk with Jean was striking: Comparing Jean’s insight to

the level of the old rumor got to me. Add the stress of the present

circumstances, and I got choked up while on the telephone.

The present circumstances were on full view at the church council

meeting that evening. Some contend that a staff member is being denied right

to due process and is the victim of defamation of character. They want the

Conference to investigate with a church trial. From what I read in The Book of

Discipline of the United Methodist Church, the district superintendent must get

involved first, but I am open to an objective resolution to the present

circumstances.

Please keep the church in your prayers. Let’s pray that the Lord’s is

done, and let’s keep all conversations at the level of the resurrected Christ.

Grace and peace, Ned Alderman

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Pastor’s Page 1

Birthdays 2

EUMC Book

Club 2

Directory news 2

Mobile Meals 2

Monthly Card

Shower 3

Outreach 4

Poetry page 5

Calendars 6

Upcoming 7-9

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Mary Lee Lowe 1

Jeff Matsler 2

Deanna Usis 2

Anita Dunn 6

Megan Holley 7

Jeff Permenter 8

Mary Lee Howlett 10

Jon Hunger 10

Reagan McKenna Shepard 10

Mary Baker 12

Katie Bagwell 12

Tiffany Drake 13

Eleanor Curry 14

Karen Ward 15

Daniel Lamont Ott 16

Louise Simmons 21

Jamie Lee Cook 22

Dorothy Whitfield 23

Ryan Sumner 24

Gordon Auchincloss 28

John Stephens 30

Hugh Hildreth 31

Royal Madry 31

Minnie Smith 31

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THE EPWORTH UMC BOOK CLUB

Is looking for new members. If you enjoy

reading or would just like to preview a

good book, please come join us.

The book club meets the 4th Tuesday of

each month at 10 am, in the Church Parlor.

Books to be read in July and August:

July 28 - Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible:

flawed women loved by a flawless God, by

Liz Curtis Higgs, leader, Ann Long

August 25 - The Book of Eli, by Denzel

Washington, leader, Carol Cullen

Rick Alexander 2

Lester Wahrenburg 2

Grace Soulen 4

Lindsay and Peri Pettibon 6

Jack Flanagan 7

Brian Wetherell 7

Vivian Rogers 8

Dorothy Payne 10

Allan Bamforth 14

Beverly Smeltzer 16

James Holley 17

Jean Tompkins 17

John Ward 20

Bob Sarko 20

Merry Flatt 23

Sara Fitchett 24

Audrey Permenter 24

Jim Apple 25

Madelyn Rhodes 31

Breanna Ward 31

J U LY AUGUST

DIRECTORY UPDATES:

John T. Phillips, Jr.

28 Battlefield Woods Court, Apt. #D

Chesapeake, VA 23322-5355 Come have a

cup of coffee

& check us

out!

Thursday July 23, and Thursday, August 27, at

10 am. Please contact the church office

for more information or to volunteer.

To Jan Root, on the death of

her mother, Emma Root, on

May 5th, 2015.

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H – L send to:

Marguerite Silverson

Beth Shalom Terrace

1049 College Park Blvd.,

The Home Rm. #222

Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Ms. Clara Ellis

Leigh Hall Assisted Living

890 Poplar Hall Drive

Rm. #307

Norfolk, VA 23502

Ruth Hart

7054 Kirby Crescent

Norfolk, VA 23505

M – Q send to:

Elinor Edwards

538 Washington Park, Apt. B-1

Norfolk, VA 23517

Ann Gatling

5417 Wesleyan Drive # 204

Virginia Beach, VA 23455

Jane Lewis

6311 Granby Street, Apt. #221

Norfolk, VA 23505

Make someone’s day special by participating in our monthly

“Card Shower” for members who are either in Health Care facilities

or Homebound. AKA our “Missing Angels” A – C send to:

Jack Sumner

1024 Kempsville Road

Norfolk, VA 23502

Ms. Louise Gwaltney

c/o F.X. Shannon

10 Applewood Drive

Hopewell, N. J. 08525

Mary Lee Lowe

6311 Granby Street, Apt. #209

Norfolk, VA 23505

Marilyn Sarko

432 Bartell Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23452

D – G send to:

Mary Banks

Madison House

25 Monroe Street, S. E., #307

Leesburg, VA 20175

Dorothy Whitfield

Mrs. Dorothy B. Whitfield

1213 Suffield Drive

McLean VA 22101

Lois Davenport

6311 Granby Street, Apt. #413

Norfolk, VA 23505

R – Z send to:

Jackson Burgess

830 Donnington Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23322

John Smeltzer

1010 Collection Creek Way

Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Shirley Brendle

First Colonial Inn

845 First Colonial Road #260

Virginia Beach, 23451

THE CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL

is collecting 5 1/2 inch x 5 1/2 inch

fabric squares or fabric remnants to

make quilts for Red Bird Mission

A collection box for fabric is located

at the back of the sanctuary.

Many thanks to those who have delivered

the poinsettias, lilies, and seasonal goody

bags to our Missing Angels. They do so

appreciate it as evidenced by their calls

and cards expressing their appreciation.

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As the hot days of summer arrive in Tidewater, we cherish each cool breeze that we encounter.

What are the cool breezes to our spirits? They are spending time reading and meditating on God’s word,

prayer, fellowshipping with others, and serving God in our church, our community and the world. Once

again at Epworth serving has been taken very seriously and our members have shown an amazing

generosity of spirit. The Outreach committee stepped out in faith and set a goal of 40 health kits for

conference in 2015. Last year we collected 25 kits. Guess what? The vision was too small. Our wonderful

congregation moved by God’s Spirit has given 70 health kits this year-a nearly 200% increase. When we

planned this, we did not know that UMCOR would be facing a critical shortage of health kits in June. The

disasters in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, and internationally in Nepal, have emptied their warehouses.

Our kits are going to conference to help people in some of the worse times they could possibly encounter.

We are, also, sending 62 cans of food in the 4cans4conference program to benefit the Food Bank of

Roanoke. Thank you, Epworth.

As a local mission project, we are collecting paperback books for the library at the Norfolk City Jail.

With 1200 prisoners who are allowed to check out 2 books at a time and only 1000 volumes in the library,

the need is very great indeed. We would like to make this a semi-annual project in the spring and fall.

We are excited that Epworth is now part of the Kroger Community Rewards Program. Please sign up

if you shop at Kroger and please invite your friends and neighbors to link their Kroger cards to Epworth

using our NPO number 80607. Kroger will send Epworth a check each quarter to use for mission projects.

The needs are so great and these funds would be such a blessing.

Many of you may be unfamiliar with a Virginia United Methodist Conference organization called

All God’s Children Camp. It is a camp on the Eastern Shore for children of incarcerated mothers. These

young children are facing a challenge none of us has ever faced. At camp they are provided with a week of

activities such as boating, swimming, hiking, music, crafts, Bible study and conflict resolution. They are

ages 7-12. We feel the need here is so important that Outreach has agreed to sponsor a child for one week

at a cost of $400.00. If you would like to help us, please make your check payable to Epworth and write

All God’s Children Camp on the memo line.

Watch the bulletin each week for we have exciting plans for 2015 to celebrate God and His creation,

to share Christ through service and love, and to enjoy fellowship activities with our neighbors.

May God continue to bless our efforts in 2015,

Mary Baker, Chair

Faye Joseph, Ann Gatling, Ann Long, Donna Benken, Mary Lee Howlett, Vivian Rogers, and Kate Gillette.

Sharing God’s Love

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THE AMERICAN FLAG

Her colors of red, white, and blue--------------

Scorched and set ablaze through violent acts from ignorance,

the embers lie embedded with hatred;

Shredded day-by-day through negligent complacency,

her symbolism splits into fragmented pieces------------

Like our divided nation that has lost its way!

Who will rescue her before her colors fade into nothingness,

and the blood, sweat, and tears fought for her

mean nothing at all!

By Jane Edwards

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That all offerings taken during Communion on the 1st Sunday of each month 100% goes to Ghent Area Ministry.

Just look for the collection boxes at the front of the

Sanctuary during communion.

EDS Board: Tuesday, July 7, 5:30 p.m.

Finance: Tuesday, July 14, 6:00 p.m.

Church Council: Monday, July 20, 5:00 p.m.

Trustees: Tuesday, July 28, 6:00 p.m.

Outreach: Saturday, August 1, 10:00 a.m.

EDS Board: Tuesday, August 4, 5:30 p.m.

Church Council: Monday, August 17, 6 p.m.

Trustees: Tuesday, August , 25, 6:00 p.m.

JULY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

AUGUST COMMITEE MEETINGS

EDS will be closed Friday, July 3rd, in observance of

Independence Day.

CASUAL SUNDAY Our church council discussed wearing casual clothing to worship and decided

that casual dress is fine. So please feel free to be casual!!

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Use NPO/Pin #80607

Christmas in July at Tides Baseball: Epworth is

going to a Tide's game, Sunday, July 26th. That's

Christmas in July Night and the game will start at

6:00 p.m.

If you would be interested in going with our group you may sign

up at the back of the sanctuary or contact the church office at 622-2970, or email: epworth@epworthva.org

Epworth United Methodist Church

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CChhuurrcchh SSoocciiaall HHaallll,, hhoosstteedd bbyy tthhee

WWeesslleeyymmeenn BBiibbllee CCllaassss..

Please follow these guidelines when

preparing your dish:

A-G: Entree

H-L: Fruit/Dessert/Bread

M-Z: Veggie/Soup/Salad

FFoorr EEppwwoorrtthh

UUMMCC

Automatic Gift to Epworth UMC Missions

Sign Up Today!

Your purchases at Kroger Grocery store will earn rewards toward mission projects of

Epworth UMC. Each participant may contribute up to $300 per quarter.

Bible study will resume in August. Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Please think of topics

you would like to study this summer and let Ned know.

Will be held in August at McKendree UMC. Look for further details in your church bulletin and

weekly Epworth Connection

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Calendar of Social Events for Epworth United Methodist Church

Created by the Task Force for New Members July through November, 2015 JULY July 5th at 7:00 p.m. * Elbow Event: Big Bands on the Bay at Ocean View Beach Park. Featuring the Terry Chesson Orchestra July 18th (time TBA) Let’s Go to the Movies (Film to be announced) hosted by Mary Baker and J.D. Mink July 23rd 11 a.m. * Elbow Event Chrysler Museum of Art: Artist’s Garden July 26th at 6:00 p.m. Tides Baseball : Christmas in July at Harbor Park hosted by Ned Alderman July ( Sunday TBA) * Elbow Event: Faith in Film at the Naro Cinema AUGUST August 5th at 4:00 p.m. Picnic with the Epworth Day School Parent Teacher Organization hosted by Faye Jospeh August 11th at 7:00 p.m. Second Epworth Prayer Walk and Biblical Hunt hosted by J.D. Mink August 30th at 7:00 p.m. *Elbow Event: Big Band on the Bay at Ocean View Beach Park. Featuring Glen Boswick and the Sounds of Swing.

SEPTEMBER September 26th at 9:00 a.m. SPCA Fundraiser and Adoption with Cookout ( to be approved by SPCA) hosted by Kathy Ramey Date to be determined WHRO fund raiser volunteering as a group

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OCTOBER October 4th (time TBA) Blessing of the Animals at Epworth UMC hosted by Ned Alderman and Scotty Buchanan

October 17th (9 a.m. to noon) The Little Pumpkin Sale with proceeds to EDS. hosted by Ned Alderman and Vivian Rogers

October 30 (time TBA) Trunk or Treat for the EDS children, parents, staff and Epworth congregation hosted by Faye Joseph

NOVEMBER November 14 at 2:00 p.m. Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, Ferguson Center, Newport News November 21st (time TBA) Grand Illumination: Serving hot chocolate and hot apple cider at Epworth UMC. Hosted by

Karen and John Ward; Mary and Dabney Baker +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Note: Elbow activities are events for individuals to invite others, with the intention of establishing friendships that ultimately lead to attendance and

membership at our church.

Works in progress : Food Truck Rodeo to be held in our parking lot in August or September. J.D. Mink is researching the regulations and logistics of this.

Theology in the Round: a monthly discussion of current events and religion. We anticipate

inviting several churches to participate in these discussions. J.D. Mink is investigating this.

Evening Book Club: This is in the discussion phase.

Your Ideas: please let us know your ideas for events to increase membership.

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