Subject: The Notes | July 22, 2021

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Volume 51

Issue 29

July 22, 2021

 

“Next Steps” for You and Vestavia Methodist

In October of 2019, a group of 100 church members and staff, participated in a strategic planning process with the Unstuck Group. We developed ideas and plans that we believed would dramatically improve the future of Vestavia Methodist Church. We were preparing the “Grand Reveal” of these plans to the congregation when COVID hit. While we were disappointed, the “COVID pause” has allowed us time to work on the background pieces that are critical to implement these new ideas. These included a new database, a new website, new outdoor signage to get guests to the right entrance, a clear plan for large events with follow up options (next steps) for those attending, a small group infrastructure, and new video and social media strategies.

 

The most important piece of our new strategy is the “Discipleship Pathway” that will give direction to Vestavia Methodist for the coming decade. It provides a plan of how to sequence the many great ministries of the church and provides “next steps” for spiritual growth after each class, event, or activity. The Discipleship Pathway helps people look for next steps, whether they have been a follower of Jesus for decades, or are just considering faith for the first time. It also enables the church to prioritize events, and purposefully create new ones for each stage in the journey of following Jesus. 

 

On August 8, we start a new preaching series on “Next Steps” which will help describe the Pathway, and the theology behind it. There will be a video series for small groups and Sunday School classes from our pastoral staff to help guide conversations around the next steps that individuals or families might take. So join us in worship as the new school year starts, and our congregation finds its “Next Steps” together.

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Yard Signs are Here

For so many people the “back to school” time of year is also when they most consider getting their family connected to a local church. We would like our neighbors to know about all the great things happening at Vestavia Methodist and we need your help. We have designed new yard signs to both let your neighbors know where you attend church and encourage them to visit us. Please plan to put a sign in your yard. Signs will be available for pick up this Sunday, July 25, in the Sanctuary Narthex and in the Tyson Hall lobby. Signs will also be outside in various locations around the church starting Friday, please feel free to stop and pick one up.

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Meet Our Costa Rica Missionary

Join us this Sunday in the 11:00 am Traditional Service as we host, Wil Bailey, our Costa Rica missionary. We have the privilege to hear him preach and share his story about Costa Rica. Prior to the 11:00 am service, we will have a meet and greet with Wil at 9:45 am in the Parlor.

 

Wil Bailey is a North Carolina Conference Missionary. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School in May of 2003 and has been commissioned as a United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Individual Volunteer. His wife, Yolanda, is an active, life-long member of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica. Wil went to Costa Rica for the first time when he was 15 years old with a UMC youth work team. By the time he moved to Costa Rica in 2003, he had visited 14 times. Wil says, "I have known since that first trip that doing mission work in Central America would always be a part of my life." Wil has also worked on mission teams in Honduras, Belize, and South Africa.

 

VHUMC will send a short-term mission team to assist Wil in Costa Rica in March of 2022. For more information about this Sunday or the mission trip, please contact John Sweeney at jsweeney@vhumc.org or Rachael Hayes at rhayes@vhumc.org

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Celebrating Baptisms

We celebrate Charlotte (Lottie) Evelyn Brown who was baptized on July 11 at the 11:00 Traditional Service. The proud parents are Andrew and Megan Brown. Welcome to the family, Lottie!

 

We celebrate Carlisle Gray Garber who was baptized on July 11, at the 9:45 Service. The proud parents are Michael and Amy Garber and the awesome big brother is Campbell Garber. Welcome to the family, Carlisle!

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Discovery Weekend Registration

We are excited to be hosting our Discovery Weekend 2021 here on-campus August 6-8! We are thrilled to be able to join together with our students and leaders for this special weekend of worship, fellowship, and fun! Click the registration link to register your students.

 

Volunteer to bring our most-needed items and help make Discovery a great weekend for all of our leaders and participants by clicking the Sign Up Genius link.

 

Assistant Day School Director Needed

Vestavia Day School is seeking an Assistant Director to act both as the Family Liaison and the Curriculum Coordinator. This is a full-time, 40 hour/week position. Qualified candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree – preferably in Early Childhood Education. We are hoping to find a church member who would have the training and experience to fulfill this important role for the day school. All interested parties should contact Jennifer Miller (jmiller@vhumc.org / 769-0129) for more information.

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Meals for Missions

VHUMC is bringing you a new way to give back starting July 28! Five times a year, we will prepare and sell five different foods, helping five different ministry partners. How great is that? All you have to do is register and pay for what you order and then swing by the church and pick up your food. It’s that simple!

 

Our first Meals for Missions registration is about to close, so get your orders in today! Then pick up your order in the church office on Wednesday, July 28th.

 

Mark your calendars for the remaining dates of meals for missions: October 27-Soups, February 23-Soups, March 30-Casseroles, June 29-Salads.

 

Bike Drive for Trips for Kids of Birmingham

It is that time of year to clean out the garage and donate your “dusty not rusty” bikes, gear, and bike clothing during our bike drive benefitting Trips for Kids. All donations can be brought to the VHUMC Lighthouse from July 25-August 1. Contact Rachael Hayes (rhayes@vhumc.org / 769-0143) or Malcom Prewitt (mprewitt@vhumc.org / 769-0139) for more information.

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Christmas in July is Back and We Need Toys

Christmas in July is back, and we are stocking up for our Student Ministry's Christmas Breakfast in December. All age toys are accepted and appreciated. Please bring your unwrapped Christmas toys to the main church office anytime between now and the end of July. Toys should be new and unwrapped. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Anna Watts at wattsbrantanna@bellsouth.net.

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Thank You Vestavia Methodist

We had the most exciting collection of shoes this summer! Hundreds of shoes were donated to our barrels outside the Lighthouse for Grace Klein community. Thank you for all the donations. They had to schedule several pick-ups to get all the shoes. It is exciting that so many needy people got new shoes because of how you responded.

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Who Maintains the Columbarium

The Trustees of the church are ultimately responsible for the maintenance of our columbarium. On a weekly basis we have a landscape worker who makes sure the plants are trimmed, the mulch is spread, and the walkways are blown clear. When needed, our custodial team will also help with clean up – especially before a memorial service. Melinda Burnett and Vinnie Pappalardo are responsible for opening, closing, and sealing up the niches. Courtenay Renneker plants and cares for all the beautiful roses. It is a team effort. We are proud of this special place and plan to keep it well maintained. If you would like to know more about our Columbarium, please contact Gary Wyatt (769-0108 / gwyatt@vhumc.org) or Melinda Burnett (769-0115 / mburnett@vhumc.org).

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Ongoing Outreach

Food Pantry

Our Food Pantry families enjoyed okra, bell peppers, squash, and cucumbers from our wonderful Farmers’ Market vendors last week. If you would like to pick up potatoes, carrots, or any produce that will last over a week, please feel free to put it into one of the three bins around the church. We will distribute again to our families on July 28. We always need peanut butter, jelly, cereal, and bagged rice.

 

We also need some tall bookcases for our new Resource Center located in the tunnel. If you have questions, please contact Suzanne Scott-Trammell.

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Oak Mountain Mission

Oak Mountain Mission is again taking clothing. Please clean out your children’s closets for outgrown clothing. Families will be needing school clothes in all sizes. Put them in the bins around church – in the Lighthouse, near the office, and near Tyson Hall. The mission is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.

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General Fund Fiscal Year 2021

 

Donations Last Week

July 2020 - May 2021

 

Donations

Other Income
Total Income

Actual

$53,545

 

$3,684,171

$891,599

$4,575,770

Targeted

$ -5,322

 

+$88,249

+$29,339

+$117,588

 

Care and Support
Congratulations, hospitalizations, and sympathies

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for the following persons:

Memorials & Honorariums

 

{church}  |  2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35216  |  {ChurchPhone}

 

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