The New Face of Homelessness October 2010

Years ago, I read an article that made me sit up and take notice. “One out of 12
people are one paycheck away from homelessness”, it said. I can no longer find that arti-
WELCOME
cle, and I do not remember the year it was published, but the statistic stuck in my mind. I
S U N DA Y S C H O O L
have been that broke before, but homelessness was never a real danger for me. If disaster 9 : 45 A . M .
struck, I could always land at the doorstep of my parents or siblings. It made me stop and (E D . B L DG .)

say a prayer of thanks. I often take for granted the family ties that I never earned and that S U N DA Y W O R S H I P
11: 00 A . M .
others lack. ( S AN CT U AR Y )
Ever since I read that article, I have been mindful that beyond the shoreline of
F E LL OWSHIP ME AL
homeless people there is a sea of others just barely hanging on. They look just like you and F I RS T W E DNE S DA YS
B E G I NNI NG I N
me. They shop where we shop, but more frugally. Their children learn and play with our S E PT E M B E R AT 6 PM
children, but with plainer clothes. They worship where we worship, though their prayers
H AND B ELL
may be more desperate. They blend in so well it is easy to convince ourselves that home- P RA CT ICE
W E DNE S D A YS
lessness in not a threat in our community. 6 : 3 0 P. M.
In the last two or three years, we have seen the economy stagger and reel, with the
C HOIR PRACTICE
result that many of the “one out of twelve” actually missed that paycheck, and the one after W E DNE S D A YS
7 : 3 0 P. M.
that. The face of homelessness in America has changed from the addicted and mentally ill,
R E STO RERS
to the frightened mother and child looking for a chance to regain their dignity. When they
T HU RS D AY S 9 : 00 A . M .
find their way to the homeless shelter, they learn that they must share facilities with the (A CT I VI T Y R O OM )
* * * * * * * ** * * * * ** * * * *
hardcore homeless that know the ropes better than they do. A family with children learns
OUR MI SSION
that the men and boys over 12 must go to a separate facility, while the children and women
go to another. “It is for your safety”, they are told, but unnamed dangers remain. A T A L L EN M EMO RIA L
O UR MI SS IO N I S TO
Churches in Newton and Rockdale counties have a new opportunity to look this
evil in the eye and respond with the transforming love of God. It is the simple act of hospi-  G A T HER A S T HE
FA M IL Y O F C HRIS T ,
tality, of opening our doors to decent people who have nowhere else to go. It is called
 G RO W A S DI S CI PL ES
Family Promise of New Rock. On October 3, our church council will vote on whether or O F C HRIST A ND
not to support this ministry. Please learn as much as you can, by reading the following
 GO FO RT H T O S ERVE
page, and checking out our website (www.allenmemorialumc.org). Your mind, your heart, A S T HE B OD Y O F
CHRI ST
and your voice are needed to shape the future of our ministry together. May God bless us,
to be a blessing to others.

Brian Dale
P AG E 2
FROM THE WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Reverend Paul Best was the guest
preacher on Labor Day Sunday
( September 5th) when we
celebrated our talents and abilities to
work. God, calls us to be Willing,
Obedient, Re-dedicated Kingdom
workers.
Bishop Michael Watson was the guest preacher on Home-
coming Sunday (September 12) when we celebrated the
100th Anniversary at the Allen Memorial UMC sanctuary.
Significant Worship Events in October:
October 3rd: World Communion Sunday
October 31st: All Saints Day will be celebrated this year on
All Hallow’s Eve (also known as Halloween).
If you wish to contribute to the floral arrangement fund for
All Saints Sunday please fill out the bulletin flap or call the
church office no later than October 24th.
SAVE THE DATE!!!
World Communion Sunday, October 3rd.
Laity Sunday, October 10th. (Oxford College
students will lead in worship).
Inside Flea Market Saturday, October 23rd.
United Methodist Student Day offering, October
24th.
All Saints service on Sunday, October 31st.
Charge Conference Sunday, November 3rd
at 3 PM.
What is Family Promise?
Family Promise is a new opportunity for min-
istry to the homeless. It enables churches
with limited means to provide meaningful help
to families in a temporary crisis. In a nut-
shell:
We would provide food and a place to
sleep for families with children for one
week, four times a year.
Families would be screened for drug use,
domestic violence, criminal records, etc.
They would arrive on Sunday afternoon,
and leave the following Sunday morn-
ing.
After breakfast, they would vacate the
premises by 7am, and go to the center
in Conyers for bathing, laundry, to
catch the school bus, etc. They would
return to the church at the end of the
day for supper.
We will need volunteers to buy food, cook,
be an on-site host (overnight), help
kids with homework, etc. We also need
a coordinator for the program.
Any questions? Check out our website, or call
Brian Dale for more information.
It takes strength to be firm
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard
It takes strength to conquer.
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide your own pains.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
--Author Unknown

BY JOANNA HENRY
Homecoming was a big hit
for the kids. They
enjoyed learning this month
about the history of the
church and its members.
UPCOMING OCTOBER FUN!!
October 10th we will be having our second
Children’s Council Meeting to discuss upcoming
events. One of these events is the Corn Maze for
kids of all ages on October 15th. Also, the Fall
Mouse Bazaar on October 16th where there will
be a lot of fun games and activities for the kids.
We are excited about connecting closer to each
other through this time of fun fellowship.
There are also a few upcoming Sunday morning
service events that the children will be involved
in as well. World Communion is on Sunday,
October 3rd and the kids will have the
opportunity to participate in and understand
communion on a worldwide level.
Also, on October 10th the children will be taking
up donations for the shoeboxes for Operation
Christmas Child (see article below). Please bring
your items to donate to this fun project. We are
thrilled that the children will have an opportunity
to serve on Sunday mornings, as well as help
others in need.
INSIDE FLEA MARKET
Our Flea Market will be held
in Lovern Hall one Saturday after the
Church Mouse Bazaar, October 23rd
from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Please gather up all the treas-
ures in your home ( no clothing please)
that you no longer need and bring them
to Lovern Hall at these times:
Sunday, 10/17 12 noon-2:00p.m.
Tuesday, 10/19 2:00-4:00 p.m. and
7:00-9:00p.m.
Thursday, 10/21 9:00a.m.-3:00p.m.
We will be sorting and pricing at these times also.
Feel free to stay and help. If you would like to help with
sales on 10/23, let Nancy Henderson know.
Don’t forget to come and buy new treasures to replace the
ones you donated!
P AG E 3
The Music Score
By Harriett Jordan, Director of Music Ministry
(770-786-8923 / stormybanks@bellsouth.net)
Community Thanksgiving Service
Combined Choir ~
This year, Allen Memorial UMC will participate in a
Community Thanks giving Service with area churches
on Tuesday, November 23rd, at the Episcopal Church
of the Good Shepherd. A Combined Choir will rehearse
there on Sunday, November 14th.
The Allen Memorial UMC Handbell Choir and Chancel
Choir are currently rehearsing Advent and Christmas
music. Consider participating in these choirs during
the Holiday Season.
The Chancel Choir will present A Ceremony of
Lessons and Carols by Anna Laura Page and Jean
Anne Shafferman on November 28th at 11:00 am
as part of The Hanging of the Greens when the
sanctuary will be decorated for Advent and
Christmas.
Messiah Christmas Trilogy, three musical selections
from Handel’s Messiah edited and arranged by Hal H.
Hopson, will be presented by the Chancel Choir
during Morning Worship on December 5th.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Our congregation will again be
collecting Christmas boxes to use locally or
to send worldwide. We fill shoe boxes with
small items that can be shipped easily. On
Sunday, October 10th during the morning
service we will collect for the shoe boxes.
On November 3rd, after the Wednesday night supper, we will
wrap and fill boxes. Those that we have
postage for will be sent out of the
country. Those items that are received
after November 3rd will be used for
local children. If you cannot attend on
November 3rd, just prepare your boxes
beforehand and put them outside the
church office in the Activity Room.
How to Pack a Shoe Box:
Use a standard empty shoe box.
Wrapping is not required, (we will help on 11/3). The lid
has to be wrapped separately.
Determine the age and gender you are supplying for, fill
accordingly, mark the label, and tape it on the top of
your box.
Fill the box with school supplies, toys, hygiene items,
double-bagged hard candy, a personal note or not. No
used or damaged items, war-related items, liquids,
candy that will get old or melt, breakable items, or
aerosol cans.
Include $7 or more for each shoe box for shipping and
donation.
Place a rubber band around each box.
 Shayla Bystrom 2-Oct
Greeters -
Nicholas Reynolds 3-Oct
June-October:
Michael Dale 4-Oct
1st Sunday- Rob Gourlay, Andy Frances Gregory 7-Oct
Autry, Chuck Knarr, Andy Autry 8-Oct
Steve Bowen Dwayne Gillmore 8-Oct
2nd Sunday- David Dale, Carlos Meyer, Dorothy Jami Kaitlynn Owenby 9-Oct
Dimsdale, Alexa DeVetter Darrien Costley 10-Oct
3rd Sunday- John Burson, Tom Johnson, JoAn Stone, Dan Autry 16-Oct
Chuck Silver Gloria Allgood 16-Oct
4th Sunday- Andy Autry, David Dale, Jim and Bill Morris 16-Oct
Loretta Patty Rita White 18-Oct
5th Sunday- Chuck Knarr, David Dale, John Burson, Alexa DeVetter 20-Oct
Wayne Morris 22-Oct
Greeters, Please begin your responsibilities at 10:45 A.M. Wear Mark McDonald 24-Oct
your Welcome Badge. Greet each person with a smile and a Marshall and Fran Elizer Anniversary 26-Oct
handshake. Give visitors an information card to fill out and put Charles (Chuck) Silver 29-Oct
in offering plate or give to the Pastor. After service, please pick Dell Fleming Palazzolo 27-Oct
up any papers left on pews and put in recycle bins. Please Jessica Bailey 31-Oct
assist those who come in late also.

ANNUAL FALL BARBECUE AND CHURCH

SUSIE B. STONE CIRCLE MEETS MOUSE BAZAAR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14TH AT 2 PM THE BAZAAR IS ALMOST HERE! WHAT SHOULD I
AT HOME OF RUTH BURSON. BE DOING?
BOBBIE HAYNES CIRCLE WILL NOT Saturday, October 16th
MEET THIS MONTH. THEY WILL BE Buy and sell tickets for chicken plates.
PRICING ITEMS FOR THE INSIDE YARD SALE. Bake cakes and other goodies to be sold. Please
LYNN BRANHAM CIRCLE MEETS THURSDAY, remember that we have two areas that need baked goods…our outside booth
OCTOBER 21ST AT NOON THOMAS RESTAURANT. needs whole cakes, breads, pies, cookies and candy; our inside sales need good-
ies that can be sold individually as desserts to go with the chicken plates. Try to
UMW GENERAL MEETING , OCTOBER 5TH AT 3:00 PM make something for both areas. Most baked goods can be baked ahead and fro-
PROGRAM IS WORLD THANK OFFERING BY SHERRY zen for up to one month; so, you don’t have to bake everything all at one time.
AUTRY. Come ready to purchase your Christmas gifts from the craft vendors
and artists. If you know of anyone who would like to sell their crafts, tell them
ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: SUNDAY,
that spaces are available for $25 and that they should call the church office to
OCTOBER 3RD, AT 4 PM .
reserve a space.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING : TUESDAY, Volunteer to help with the Children’s Activities. Note that the Flea
OCTOBER 5, 4 PM. Market that we usually have with the bazaar will be held inside Lovern Hall on
the following Saturday, October 23rd. The vacant space will be used to expand
YOUNG AT HEART LUNCHEON—FRIDAY, OCTOBER the children’s activities outside on the 16th.
15TH AT NOON. Help the United Methodist Men cook or serve.
Help with set up or clean up.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: SUNDAY , Help with publicity by distributing fliers.
OCTOBER 24TH AT 4:00 PM. Tell your family, friends and complete strangers about it.
Just come and be part of the fun!
CHARGE CONFERENCE—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH Questions? See Richard or Nancy Henderson 770-786-4896
AT 3PM.

Allen Memorial United Methodist Church

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R EV. B RIAN DALE Oxford, Georgia 30054 Oxford, GA 30054
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