The Roser Messenger - May 2013 My Retirement and a Time of Transition Many of you already know that I have announced my retirement from fulltime ministry. The effective date of that change is July 1, 2013. This does not signal my immediate departure. After July 1st I will be present in a less-than-fulltime capacity, but still present at Roser for the immediate future. Until July there will be no discernible change in my pastoral role here; in the months immediately after that, most changes will not be all that evident. A primary purpose for announcing a specific retirement date is to allow the congregation to begin the sometimes lengthy, but most important, process of selecting a new Senior Pastor. I will not try to cover in this brief announcement all the steps required for that process in the church bylaws. These will be described at a later time by members of the appointed Pastoral Search Committee. Historically, at Roser Church and elsewhere, the total pastoral search process can take from 18 months to two years. During at least part of that time, I will continue pastoral duties on a more limited basis and will work with an appointed Transition Team (completely separate from the Pastoral Search Committee) to help assure that essential ministries, programs, and events of Roser Church continue without interruption during the transition period. Additional pastoral resources may be employed to help facilitate a smooth transition, after I begin serving in a less-than-fulltime capacity. When we began our planning and preparation for the Centennial of Roser Memorial Chapel, I promised the Centennial Committee that, if my health and strength permitted and if the congregation seemed to desire it, I would stay on as Senior Minister through the Centennial Celebration. It seemed best to wait until after the Centennial celebration and after the Easter season to announce my retirement, so that all of us could remain focused on these special events in the life of our church without the distraction of preparing for my departure. Because of that decision on my part, some of you who are here seasonally had already gone back north before the announcement was made. It is my hope and expectation that we will still have the opportunity to say our good-byes in a more relaxed way when you return, because I plan still to be present then, albeit in a more limited pastoral capacity. The elected leaders of the church and members of the Church Council will, in accordance with the church bylaws, define and describe for you the process by which your new Senior Pastor will be chosen and called. As is always appropriate and necessary, I will have no involvement whatsoever in that process, but I will gladly offer whatever support and assistance the church leadership requests of me to help ass There will be time during the ensuing months for me to express in other, better ways my deep gratitude to God, to this congregation, and to lay leaders and church staff members with whom I have served during these wonderful years at Roser Memorial Community Church. Over the forty-five years of my career as a minister in local churches and hospitals, each and every place I served was an extraordinary example of God’s grace and the faithfulness and kindness of the people I was privileged to work with and care for. Good as all of them were, Roser Church has truly been the best. My wife and best friend, Karen, has always supported and encouraged me throughout the years of my ministry. Her contribution to whatever success my ministry has experienced cannot be overstated. She has my deepest appreciation and thanks, and I’m sure that those of you aware of the level of sacrifice and commitment required of a pastor’s spouse will join me in that. Be assured that you will receive proper notification of all directions and decisions related to the Transition Period and to the Pastoral Search Process. This will be a period of new life and growth for our congregation, and one for which we all will have reason to celebrate. Gary A. Batey, Pastor Altar Flower Sign Up Book We have an Altar Flower Sign Up Book for the calendar year located in the Narthex for your convenience. Please indicate your name and phone number on the date (s) you wish to provide altar flowers. A member of the Altar Committee will contact you regarding the wording of your choice to appear in the Sunday bulletin. Payment of $25.00 may be made directly to the Church office by check or cash, indicating the purpose and date (s) of your preference, or you may place your payment in the offering plate. The office address is P.O. Box 247, Anna Maria, FL 34216. You may also telephone the church office (941) 778-0414 for additional information MAY SERMONS AND SCRIPTURE May 5 "Image &
Likeness"1 John 3:1-3, 16-19, 23-24 Roserchurch.com Be sure to visit Roser’s website to view many pictures of the Centennial celebration. There are slide shows on several pages. Thanks to Peggy Nash, George Barford and Karen Jones of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce for their photography. Mission of the Month for May is: Youth for Christ Roser donates to the local Manatee County chapter of this organization. Manatee Youth for Christ is part of the international Youth for Christ organization and subscribes to its mission: Every day at thousands of community centers, high schools, middle schools, juvenile institutions, coffee shops, and local hangouts, YFC staff and volunteers meet with young people who need Jesus. We are rural and urban and we are always about the message of Jesus. Their focus as a movement is on multiplying fruitful and sustainable Ministry Sites across the nation and around the world. Manatee YFC has linked up with YFC chapters in Bangladesh and Antigua. We're honored to invest and partner with these ministries as they reach out to the youth in their countries Local Manatee YFC Ministries are Campus Life – high school club Campus Life M – middle school clubs City Life Kids Live – elementary after school clubs Vida Joven – Hispanic club Juvenile Justice - detention centers, probation, correctional facilities, group homes, residential treatment centers and emergency shelters Manatee YFC depends on the involvement of caring adults to accomplish their mission—to reach local teens with the message that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. Manatee YFC is asking God to raise up an army of caring adults who will establish relationships with kids around the area. They need volunteers who will serve directly with students, intercessors, financial partners, and help in the office. Wherever your gifts and talents lie, you can make an eternal difference in a young person's life. Manatee YFC depends on the involvement of caring adults to accomplish their mission—to reach local teens with the message that God loves them and has a plan for their lives. They are asking God to raise up an army of caring adults who will establish relationships with kids around the area. Manatee YFC needs volunteers who will serve directly with students, intercessors, financial partners, and help in the office. Wherever your gifts and talents lie, you can make an eternal difference in a young person's life. For more information contact our local chapter of Youth for Christ at: Manatee Youth For Christ,1901 30th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205 — 941.747.4608 We want to communicate with you through email! Please send an email with your name in the subject line to info@roserchurch.com requesting eUpdates! You will receive your Messenger via email as soon as it is published and extras that we don't publish on the web! (We won't share your email address with anyone.) Thank you.
This Month in Church School… Kelley Tribble, Christian Education Coordinator Gentiles Too- One Lord of All This month in Church School the children will explore the depth and breadth of Jesus' Great Commission to the disciples and the charge to witness to all people of every nation. Gentiles too! The early church disciples were resistant to the prompting of God's Holy Spirit in their attitudes and behaviors. Learning from the Scripture how it was then, the children can also see themselves as disciples who can become more like Christ in their attitudes and behaviors. Workshops include: Games, Missions, and Storytelling. Seasons of the Spirit The themes for this month’s Youth Church School will be Welcomed News, Liberating Love, & Pentecost Sunday. All Youth in grades 6-12 are welcome. Adult Sunday School Class The Adult Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings from 8:45-10:00 am. The class uses the Smyth & Helwys Uniform Series curriculum. All are welcome to attend. Refreshments are served. The Adult Book Study class is adjourning for the summer beginning the first Sunday in May.
News From The Board Of Religious Education… Get Ready, An Epic Adventure Awaits! Mark your calendars for Roser’s 2013 Vacation Bible School! Kingdom Rock-Where Kids Stand Strong For God, will be held at Roser on Monday, June 10th – Friday, June 14th from 9:00 a.m. – noon each day. All children ages 4years- 5th grade are invited to attend. Older youth are welcome as helpers. Adult volunteers are needed in various areas. Pre-registration will begin in May. To volunteer, please contact Kelley in the Christian Ed. Office at 778-0414. Hear Ye Hear Ye!! We are in need of the following items for this year’s epic adventure. If you are able to donate any of these items, please bring them to the Christian Ed. Office or look for the VBS Donations basket in the Narthex by Sunday, June 9th. Thanks! Red & yellow decorating sugars, Ritz crackers, Pepperoni, cans of spray cheese, Tubs of vanilla frosting, M&M’s, Mini pretzels, mini marshmallows, Raisins, chocolate kisses, Regular ice cream cones, hand wipes, Re-sealable sandwich bags, large black plastic sheeting rolls The Board of Religious Education would like to invite the entire congregation to walk through the festive halls of the Christian Ed. Building to the Fellowship Hall for a fifteen minute slide show of the week in pictures of 2013 VBS, after the worship service on Sunday, June 16th. The church School Children will be providing refreshments.
GETTING TO KNOW OUR NEW CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR I was born and raised in South Africa by missionary parents. I started creating newsletters and organizing events in my church as a teenager. I attended Cornerstone College in Grand Rapids and studied advertising, graphic design and media at Lansing Community College. I worked at South Church for 20 years and then 11 years at Pennway Church in Lansing. I have two daughters--the oldest lives in the Washington DC area and my younger daughter and granddaughter live in Lansing. My parents are still active in ministry and reside in the Covenant Village of the Great Lakes in Grand Rapids. I have vacationed on Anna Maria Island over the last 10 years, not only to escape the cold and gray of Michigan in what I called heaven, but it felt like being back home in South Africa. I would drive past the churches on the island and dream of working there, never believing it would be possible. Psalm 37:4 says: Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. At a young age I put my trust in the Lord and through the many joys and sorrows of life, He has never failed me. I am honored to have the privilege of serving the Lord with you at this beautiful church. Thank you for welcoming me so warmly and I look forward to getting to know each of you better. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions. Bev Shepperson (bev@roserchurch.com)
HELP US TURN UP THE SOUND! Last month’s Messenger announced the approval for a new sound and lighting system. Unfortunately, the deficiencies of our present system were glaringly apparent at a recent memorial service. Several complaints were registered. In 2013, people expect good sound in public places, and a vibrant Church must be concerned with how it presents its message, through both the spoken word and music. The firm with the best engineering solution employing the newest technology in Church sound enhancement was also the lowest bid. Creative Audio Solutions of Cape Coral Florida will install our new sound system sometime in the first part of May. They will also install new LED lighting for our pulpit and stage to serve our worship service as well as plays, pageants, and special presentations. A “Loop Hearing enhancement” system that is the latest in hearing technology is also planned. Council has approved up to $45,000 for the improvements. These costs are at the low end for systems with reliable quality that will perform in the manner we desire. We will hopefully set the stage for many years to come. So far, approximately $25,000 has been donated and another $7,000 pledged so we have approximately $13, 000 to go. The entire project is being paid for with special donations, no funding is coming from the budget. Please consider your participation in changing the sound “picture” at Roser. Make you check to Memorial Community Church and note that it is for the “sound system”.
Volunteer Opportunities Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. We couldn’t do any of it without you. We appreciate you! Please call Cyndy at the Church office at 778-0414, if you would like to volunteer for any of the following tasks: Assemble the Sunday Bulletins, once a week Assemble the Newsletter, once a month Answer phones in the office, various times Proof reading Read the Liturgy at Sunday Worship, various Sundays Address and assemble mailings All are welcome.
GUILD THRIFT SHOP NEWS FOR MAY Spring is really here, and our many winter volunteers and visitors are gone. We thank them all for their support and work during the past season. You have really made a difference! Starting May 1, we are returning to our regular hours: Open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 2pm and Saturdays from 9 to noon. We will no longer be open on Fridays. Donation day remains Wednesday from 9 to 11am. We look forward to continuing to serve you and our community. Blessings to all! Mary Lechleidner and Eileen Micho, Co-Chairpersons Thrift Shop Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. and Saturday 9:00 am to noon. Donations accepted on Wednesday from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Thrift Shop phone : 941-779-2733
Application for use of Church Facilit Applications for the use of Church facilities (Fellowship Hall, the kitchen, or the classrooms) are available in the church office Monday through Friday, 9:00-3:00. After filling out the application it is presented by the Trustees in their monthly meeting for approval.
Chapel Centennial Display We would like to thank the following individuals for their assistance with the historical picture gallery that was displayed on the education wing corridor wall during March and April of 2013. Firstly, the gallery would not have been possible without the efforts of scrap book makers through the years, including Elizabeth and Gene Moss. Kelley Tribble for her many hours of scanning, arranging and labeling the photographs into groups and also providing guidance for the appearance of the finished product. Peggy Nash for not only her labors in respect to determining and arranging the Guild display, but also for her unceasing attention to photographing church events. The following assisted us in choosing possible pictures and information, identifying individuals from the past, arranging that information in logical order and helping with placement on the walls: Leslie and Steve Atkins, George Barford, Nancy Carson, Cathy Daily, Carolyne Norwood, Sherry Oehler, Marcia Powers and Edna Sinnott. Finally, we received financial support for supplies from the Centennial Committee, Fran and George Barford, co-chairs. Doug and Dianne DeLong
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