Well, now I know you read this newsletter. How? Some of you agreed that football is in the air and plastered my door with Auburn colors! Thankfully, Kent Howard came to my rescue with a cardboard standup of Nick Saban!

Knowing that you read and act, this is the month that the Habitat House is beginning to be built. The homeowner is Jamesia Horn, who works at Children’s Hospital as a patient representative and

attends Lawson State College, studying to become a dental assistant. She has two boys, Timothy and Ja’Kaiden, who love sports. They attend United Apostolic Church of God. Their new home is being built at 2761 20th Place Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35208.

The six-week building schedule begins Thursday, September 7. We will be informed about the

kind of construction being done on the house each week: Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Workers and prayers from all our sister Presbyterian churches will be taking part. Some of us can work on one or two of those days, others will provide snacks or lunch, all of us can pray … and

give! Did anyone say, “Give?” Already you have more than doubled our goal of $5,000 to over $10,000 …

and still going. With these extra funds, we can help make this house a home for the Horn family. For those of you who enjoyed seeing blue and orange disgracing my office door, remember Habitat

was begun by an Auburn graduate, Millard Fuller. After graduation, he had sense to attend UA Law School. As a student, he renovated a couple of apartments and sublet them. Then he came up with the idea of getting the birthdays and home addresses of every UA student. He wrote the parents and

offered to provide a party … for a fee. By the time he graduated from law school, Fuller was on his way to becoming a millionaire through mail-order sales. However, the stress on the family/marriage was too much. His wife took the children and left him. Realizing his failure toward them, he traveled

to New York where he reconciled and promised the Lord that he would give his business away. He did. Returning south, they got as far as Americus, Georgia, and the Koinonia Farm, a bi-racial Christian farming community. From there, he began the worldwide ministry of providing affordable

housing to the working poor of the world in the name of Jesus Christ.

Jamesia has been certified as having a steady income, has put in hundreds of “sweat equity” on other Habitat homes, and now will be working beside the Presbyterians to construct her house. When it is dedicated to the glory of God and she receives her keys, she will make low no interest

payments until her house is paid off. And we will be a vital part of this miracle of God’s grace. This is just one of the many reasons I am so proud of this church and so pleased to serve with you.

Before we celebrate our 60 years in mission, we are reaching out with the welcoming arms of Jesus Christ to assist a fellow Christian. Did someone say, “Give?”

Charlie Durham

September Soundings

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into

song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12

The above words from Isaiah are a hopeful vision, given to the children of Israel, as they prepared to return home after years of exile. What wonderful words for us, too, as we prepare to celebrate our homecoming anniversary in October. Like all of God’s children, we can take deep comfort that our

celebrations are just an echo compared to the joy of a God that has led us in the past, shapes our present, and guides us into the future.

On October 28 and 29, we take a moment to pause, therefore, to clap along with the trees of the field and to share the joy of all creation at what God has done in and through Southminster

Presbyterian Church and Southminster Day School. Read on for more details about these celebrations and contact Ben Acton for other details and for ways you can help the festivities come to life!

Peace Be with You,

Ben Homecoming Party: October 28th, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Parking on Lower Church parking lot, field, overflow at Vestavia West (if needed)

11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Welcome, Food Trucks/Vendors, Games and Bouncy Houses Open

11:30 a.m.: Southminster Day School Open House – Tour the classrooms of SDS to see what is

going on in this exemplary school!

12:15-12:45 p.m.: SDS Children Sing in Grace Hall

1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Honorary Presentation in Sanctuary

1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Fellowship, Food, and Goodbye’s

Homecoming Worship, October 29, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Southminster Storytelling Time, Place on Church Campus TBD

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Worship in Sanctuary, with Rev. Dan Stephens (a “child of Southminster!”)

preaching

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Dinner on Grounds

Homecoming Update!

(In) Forming Faith

CELEBRATING

➢ RALLY DAY OPEN HOUSE: What a magnificent time of celebration we enjoyed on August 13th!

From our Sunday School “Open House” in Grace Hall, to the presenting of Bibles to 2nd graders,

blessing of backpacks, and recognition of the teaching ministry in worship, we give glory to

God for the gifts of a new school year and honored God’s desire for us to use the gifts of our

minds. Check out photos from the day elsewhere in the Sounds! Special thanks also to our

Faith Formation folks who provided leadership, vision, and decorations for the day: Laura

Bannon, Sara Brown, Janet and Al Nebrig, Libby Stephens, Emily Jordan – and many more!

EXPERIENCING

➢ DON’T FORGET: Sunday School Mission Option! Kent Howard has helped develop a number of

service projects Sunday School classes can do - no matter their age and skill level – to make

an impact of love and care in our community. These service project lessons can help

complement regular studies of God’s word, by putting our faith in action. Contact Ben Acton

or Kent Howard if you would like to schedule a project. Our September Project: Writing Notes

of Support and Care!

➢ SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH GROUP is back in Session! Our joint youth group with Edgewood,

Oakmont, First Birmingham, Shades Valley, and Mountain Brook began last month and

continues at Southminster this month! See below for schedule.

September 3rd: No meeting (Labor Day)

September 10th: Bowling at Vestavia Bowl on Highway 31 (meet at Bowling Alley), 5 p.m. to 7

p.m., youth bring money for fast food dinner.

September 14th: Wednesday Night Montreat Youth Report (at Southminster, 6:45 p.m. – 7:15

p.m.)

September 17th: ACE Kick Off Event @ Southminster, 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., dinner provided by

Southminster)

September 23rd and 24th: Presbytery Youth Retreat at Living River (bus leaves from

Southminster)

ANTICIPATING

➢ September 16: Congregational Meeting and Dinner, 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in Grace Hall: This

evening will include our “Home Away From Home” Montreat Report from the youth. Make

plans to attend and hear from the youth themselves about their experiences!

➢ October 15: Generosity Brunch, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in Grace Hall. The Generosity Ministry Unit

returns with their annual brunch on Sunday, October 15 in Grace Hall during the Sunday

School hour. Make plans to see how your gifts have given witness to the Spirit’s work this year!

➢ October 28-29: 60th Anniversary Homecoming Party and Worship Celebration: More details in

Ben’s column.

2017-018 Sunday School Offerings *Starting August 27, all classes meet from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.

The Pastor Nominating Committee (or PNC) is meeting regularly and working diligently on finding the

pastor that God has planned for us. Please continue to remember us and our future pastor in your prayers.

The Congo Partnership Team is an unfunded committee of the Presbytery. We are currently raising funds for construction of a second school building at a cost of $85,000. The first school is now complete! We thank God … and Southminster for your part in this project!!

Pastor Nominating Committee Report

Congo Partnership Team

As mentioned in the Outreach Ministry Unit article elsewhere in this newsletter, we are asking that volunteers use the signup sheets posted around the church. In addition, Habitat now requires each individual to sign up on line so that they have waiver information on each volunteer. The process is

as follows:

1. Go to http://give.habitatbirmingham.org/campaigns/4928-horn-family-build-sponsored-by-

presbytery-of-sheppards-and-lapsley 2. Click the Green Volunteer Button

3. Create an account (Click Sign up with Email) 4. Fill out the required info to create an Account (Name, Email and Password) and click Sign up 5. Fill out the required info to complete Volunteer Profile and click Next for each page of required

information 6. Read over our Release Waiver, then scroll to bottom and check the box to Agree with it & click

Finish

7. You will be brought to the Volunteer Opportunity Page. Select the shift(s) you would like to sign up for and click Finish

8. After signing up to volunteer with us, you will be taken to your personal Habitat Birmingham

Profile Page. Your profile will track your volunteer hours. You can also cancel your scheduled shifts under “My Volunteering Tab” on the left.

If anyone has questions on the process or problems signing up, contact Rick Reed at (205) 960-2381.

Summer is over and things around the church ae returning to their regular routine – and that included our Wednesday Night Fellowship Suppers and Programs. We will kick off the year on

September 13th at 6 PM, when we will have our annual congregational meeting to elect new Elders (see Elder-Elect bios elsewhere in this edition) and to hear the annual Montreat Youth Conference report and view the slide show. Our meal that evening will be Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes,

Green Beans, and Rolls, Brownies. Here are the menus for the remainder of September:

September 20th: Pork Loin, Corn, Turnip Greens, Cornbread, Lemon Icebox Pie. Program is still to

be determined. September 27th: Tacos with fixings, Ice Cream. This will be a Mission Wednesday Night.

Programming for Children and Youth takes place at 6:30, with our programs beginning at 6:40 p.m. Make reservations by signing the attendance register in worship on Sundays. You may also call the

Church Office at 822-1124 by Monday at noon. Make Wednesday Night Fellowships a part of your weekly routine!

Wednesday Night Suppers Resume

Habitat Volunteer Sign-Up

Fellowship Snacks Following Sunday School Hour

Fall/Winter 2017-2018

September – Topic

October – Joyous Soulos November – Seekers

December 3rd – 24th – Advent

December 31st – Genesis January – Friendship

February – Topic

March – Joyous Soulos April 1st – 22nd – Advent

April 29th – Genesis

May - Seekers

A summary of the actions taken in the August Stated Session meeting is as follows:

1. The Session approved the Worship Ministry Unit recommendation to invite Rachel Van Kirk

Matthews, Columbia Seminary student, to preach and participate in worship leadership on September 17, Theological Education Sunday.

2. The Session approved the Worship Ministry Unit recommendation to not hold the “Blessing of

the Animals” service this autumn due to the complex schedule in late October this year.

3. The Session approved the Personnel Committee and Administrative Ministry Unit

recommendation to allow Dr. Durham an additional weekday off with a corresponding reduction in pay and an adjustment to Board of Pensions contribution.

4. The Session approved the Administrative Ministry Unit recommendation of Jim Prince, Ross Kinsaul, Rick Reed, and Jeanie Covin as check signer for the church, continuing with the

practice of two signatories on each check.

5. The Session approved the Congregational Care Ministry Unit recommendation on how to spend

the budgeted Members in Need benevolence.

6. The Session approved the Congregational Care Ministry Unit recommendation to remove some

member from the Active Membership Roll and move others to the church’s Inactive Roll based on results from the first stage of an active membership review.

7. The Session approved the Faith Formation Ministry Unit recommendation to use the Sparkhouse curriculum for the Wee Believer and Youth Sunday School classes.

Clerk of Session Report

8. The Session approved the Faith Formation Ministry Unit recommendation to begin the search for a new Nursery employee, including advertising the position online and with the Presbytery.

9. The Session approved the Sixtieth Anniversary Committee recommendation to invite Reverend

Dan Stephens to preach and participate in worship leadership on October 29 as a part of the Homecoming Sunday Worship celebration.

10. The Session approved the Call of the September 13 Congregational Meeting to include electing

one member to fill an unexpired term in the Session class of 2019.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Christians

Outreach has placed hard copy signup sheets for Habitat for Humanity near the doors in Grace Hall.

Please look them over and sign up for what will be a wonderful event for our church! You may sign

up to work or bring snacks for the following dates: Friday, September 8th, Saturday,

September 23rd, Saturday, October 7th. You don’t want to miss any of the excitement, and we

need committed volunteers soon.

In early fall, Outreach and Fellowship pair up for Mission Wednesdays. Mark these dates on your

calendar: September 27 – Habitat for Humanity; November 1st – Presbyterian Disaster

Relief, and we are looking for ways to help with the current disaster in Texas.

Heather Benoit and George Van Kirk are offering a new Children’s Choir opportunity on Sunday

mornings at 10 a.m. beginning on September 10. What great news for our children! You only

need to show up to be included! The age range is for children who are age appropriate for Wee

Believers to Joy Junction Sunday School class.

First Light Women’s Shelter breakfasts are going well. The staff and people are so grateful for our

participation and it is badly needed. Please see the signup sheet on the Outreach bulletin board near

the copy room. At last glance, I know we need help on November 20. You will be their

Thanksgiving blessing!

and Heather Benoit, Outreach Ministry Unit

As you make preparation for Holy Communion on Sunday, September 10th, remember that this day is

designated for our Cents-Ability Offering (formerly known as Two Cents a Meal). Each month we remember

the hungry of our community and the world with an offering that represents two cents for each meal of plenty

we have partaken in the previous month. Our Cents-Ability gifts will benefit the Matthew Twenty-Eight

mission in Haiti and our Presbytery's Congo Partnership.

Outreach Ministry Unit News

Cents-Ability Gifts

Moderators are to submit Ministry Unit reports by Sunday, September 10th. All Session members are asked to pick up minutes, agenda, and reports following worship on the 10th in preparation for the Stated Meeting on Monday, September 11th, at 5:30 PM in Grace Hall.

Southminster Presbyterian Women is taking orders for the Christmas cards designed by a student at the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega. Purchasing cards supports an important ministry and makes a difference in a child’s life. Boxes of 10 cards are $15.00 each. Our paid order is due by September 30th; we will receive the cards by the end of October. If you would like to add your name to our list, please contact Marian Deslattes or Judy Boyes. Presbyterian Women will not order additional cards. Thank you.

As Generosity Ministry Unit plans for our annual Stewardship Brunch and Dedication Sunday on October 15th, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Grace Hall, many wonderful things are happening every day at Southminster. With our video, we will highlight all that God has done with your generous gifts to Southminster over the past year. It is a fitting lead in for our Homecoming and 60th Anniversary celebration on October 29th. Our scriptural theme for this year’s annual stewardship campaign is I

Corinthians 16:1-4, SAINTS ALIVE! LIVING GENEROUSLY.

Everyone is invited to join us on September 19th at 9:00 a.m. at the church. We will go to Aliceville, Alabama to visit the POW German War Camp museum, with lunch to follow at Gates Restaurant. Fees for the museum are $7 for Seniors and $10 for all others. Pastor Charlie Durham will drive the bus for us and we also have volunteers to drive their cars if needed. We look forward to lots of fun and fellowship. It would be very helpful if you will sign up with Evelyn Ellison by September 12th as we have been asked for a count at least one week ahead of the trip.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is in touch with presbyteries with affected areas of Texas to offer assistance. They are standing by with resources and National Response Team members ready to deploy upon invitation when safe to do so – with Hurricane Harvey and now with Irma looming. For those who wish to support PDA’s emergency response and recovery efforts, gifts can be made to Southminster, earmarked DR000169-Harvey. They need your help! Please give generously. For updates, please go to pda.pcusa.org. Please join us in praying for courage for those who are suffering; wisdom and diligence among agencies and individuals assessing damage and directing relief efforts; and for generosity to flow as powerfully as rivers and streams, as we respond to the deep human needs in the wake of the storms.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

Attention Session Members

Presbyterian Women Christmas Cards

Bunch for Lunch

Stewardship Season

Many people are being remembered on the Southminster Prayer Chain. Please continue to keep these folks in your prayers:

the Pastor Nominating Committee for wisdom as they do God’s work Laura Bannon, for good test results Chris Coley, awaiting test results Thomas Creekmore, for strength as he undergoes treatments Dot Daughtry, at home for continued strength and improved health Katie Habeeb, for continued improvement from a fall and broken pelvis Margaret Dormon’s friend, Billy Angles, for recovery from injuries due to a motorcycle accident Mother of Rod and Judy Boyes’ daughter-in-law, Shirley Belyea, in declining condition Anna Glover’s friends, Chuck Collums and family in Chuck’s treatment of stomach cancer Give thanks with Courtney and Danny Cook at the birth of their son, Daniel Spencer Cook, born August 30th. Spencer is in NICU at St. Vincent’s Hospital as he was born prematurely. Nancy McIntosh’s niece, Debbie Gryder, for healing of a badly broken wrist

Margaret Dormon’s friend, Bobby Haynes, for his sickness to subside and his kidneys to start functioning again during his treatment for cancer Allison McWilliams’ cousin, Kayelynn Ivie, for improved health Jeanne Kallman’s grandson, Adrian Kallman, for a speedy recovery from two fractured arms Bill and Betsy Murphy’s friends, Mike Lovelady, in his struggle with Alzheimer’s and his wife Peggy Lovelady, for favorable test results Shirley Martin’s daughter-in-law, Debbie Martin, going through a very difficult time

Shirley Martin’s daughter-in-law, Kimberly Martin, for continued recovery from Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Husband of nursery worker Jane McCurdy, John McCurdy, for successful bypass surgery Bo Blake’s nephew, Josh Porter, for recovery from a stroke Elizabeth Ogletree’s father, Bill Ogletree, hospitalized in trauma unit of DCH Hospital for recovery from an automobile

accident deNay Kirkpatrick’s uncle, Max Powell, for recovery from surgery for a broken hip Betty Smith’s great grandson, Sam Sartain, in his diagnosis and treatment for a genetic disorder Give thanks with the Scott Sivley family, nephew of Tom and Linda Carey, for improved conditions in their neighborhood in Texas Daughter of Rick Reed and sister of Natalie Reed, Shelby Thompson, for good results from medical tests Nancy McIntosh’s son, Phil Thrasher, for successful results from second SCS test insertion Former members, Jon and Glenda Van Emst, for Jon’s upcoming heart surgery and for safety when Hurricane Irma hits as they live in Fort Myers, Florida Marilee Duke’s 15-moth-old niece, Amelia Walley, for good results from a recent MRI to check for a chronic condition

of one of her legs Shirley Martins sister, Kathi Whitcomb, for continued improved from a very serious infection Laura Griffin and Susan Clark and families at the loss of father, Jim Clark Ann, Tom, and Mike Tillman and families at the loss of husband and father, Tommy Tillman

In Memoriam

Benajah Thompson “Tommy” Tillman, Jr.

December 4, 1939 – August 29, 2017

"If we live, we live, to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord;

so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."

Romans 14:8

In Memoriam James “Jim” William Clark

September 13, 1936 – September 1, 2017

Congregational Prayer Chain

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Southminster Presbyterian Church

1124 Montgomery Highway

Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

Church: 205/822-1124

Church Fax: 205/822-6739

Website Address: http://southminsterpcusa.org

E-Mail Address: southmin@bellsouth.net

Laura Brantley 1529 Hamilton Lane

Vestavia Hills, AL 35243 Phone: (205) 438-6577

A very warm welcome to our newest member, Laura Brantley. Laura is the daughter of longtime members Jan and Gene McElroy. She was welcomed during the worship service on August 20th and

joins us through transfer of letter from Second Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama. Laura is a retired registered nurse. She enjoys making beaded jewelry and is ‘mom’ to a dachshund puppy

named Pearlie Rose. Please join us in welcoming Laura to Southminster!

Congratulations to Courtney and Danny Cook at the birth of their son, Daniel Spencer Cook on August 30th. Proud grandparents are Bill and Patti Christians, aunt Susannah Christians, and uncle and aunt Will and Sara Dorrien-Christians! Welcome to the world baby Spencer!!!

Staff Members Charlie Durham, Transitional Pastor

Ben Acton, Associate Pastor for Education and Youth Ministries

Larry Hardin, Dir. Of Music Ministries

David Renaker, Organist

Jeanie Covin, Dir. Of Day School

Betsy Murphy, Church Administrator

Betty Smith, Financial Assistant

Gerald Colbert, Sexton

Dereck Stewart, Sexton

Non-Profit

Organization

U.S. Postage

PAID

PERMIT NO.

2358

BIRMINGHAM,

ALA.

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

New Birth