January 2010 Emphasizer

November 2009 Emphasizer

June-July 2009 Emphasizer

Words from Jack….

My Goodness! It seems like so long since I have written to you. Of course, it is all because of change, finances, getting more into the 21^st century and a better use of modern technology. Well, after all even the Bible talks about “old things passing away and all things becoming new”. I am not so sure that means the Emphasizer, but nevertheless here we go. I hope many of you have taken advantage of one of the new ways you can be sure to continue to receive the Emphasizer. Melissa, here at the office, and Bernard Shuford, our “high tech” consultant from Crossroads Church, have been working hard to get our new methods up and running. There will still be some kinks to work out. However, we hope we are covering all of you who want to receive the Emphasizer with one of the methods that are now available.

This issue is for June and July. In the future it will be available on a month by month basis, just like before. Hopefully all this will become more efficient and it will certainly result in a huge savings of almost $700.00 per month. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We are all very much aware of what these tough economic times are doing to individuals, families, jobs, churches and the Association. I feel the most important lesson for all of us is for us to be more and more dependent on our Lord and less and less dependent on the things of the world. He offers us the things that last forever. The world only offers us the things that will surely pass away. In other words, our Great God is never in a recession. He truly owns everything and is truly in control of every thing and everybody. I am so thankful I belong to Him. Dear Lord, please increase my faith and dependence on you day unto day.

I love you! See you soon.

Jack

March FINANCIAL REPORT

Budget Receipts NEEDED to meet the current 2008-09 Budget:                       $11,097.50 monthly

Budget Income & Expense:

Church Giving:                        $   9,501.49

Other giving to the Budget:       $    1,631.75

Total Budget Receipts:       $  11,133.24

+ / –                                        +$       35.74

Transfer of Jon. Val Funds        $19,338.72

Actual Budget Expenses:    $ 12,987.98

Budget Funds Balance  3/1/09:    – $35,243.25                                            3/31/09:    – $17,759.27

Designated Income & Expense:

Receipts Received from Churches and others for designated funds:      $16,820.30

Designated Expenses:           $35,644.15

*Transferred Jonathan Valley Funds is included in Expenses*

Total Balance in check book on 3/31/09- this includes Budget and all Designated accounts:

3/1/09 ck book balance            $59,100.74

Combined income                  $47,292.26

Minus combined expenses -$48,632.13

Ending balance 3/31/09           $57,760.87

Please call the Association with your Vacation Bible School dates so that we can have this information to put in our newsletter and to share with other churches.

The Southwestern Commission Area Agency on Aging Family Caregiver Support Program is offering all Haywood County Churches free copies of the book, You Are One of Us: Successful Clergy/Church Connections to Alzheimer’s Families, by Lisa P. Gwyther.  A publication of the Duke Family Support Program, this book is available for the asking, free of charge, and provides a practical approach to creating a link between caring church ministries and Alzheimer’s families.

Easter Sunday marked the passing of Rev. Franklin Ray Willett, Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Lake Junaluska.  The pastors from Haywood Baptist Association honored Rev. Willett’s years of selfless ministry by filling the sanctuary choir loft during a touching and inspirational Celebration of Homegoing service.

As family caregivers, Pastor Willett’s family was able to help him remain at home and avoid placement into a nursing home.  Pastor’s Willett’s story is being played out everyday in your very own congregations!

Don’t let Pastor Willett’s story stop with his passing!  Your church has a wonderful opportunity to borrow from his family’s experiences and reach out to the families in your congregation dealing with memory illnesses.

To order your free copy of the book, contact Cindy Miles, by calling 828-586-1962, ext 218 or email cindy@regiona.org.

Thank you,

Cindy Miles

Pastor Noah Crowe, Associational Coordinator-World Changers Cherokee is asking for help in reaching the Eastern Band of Cherokees for Jesus.  World Changers will be in Cherokee Saturday, July 11-Saturday July 18^th, he is asking for help feeding lunch to the crew of 32-35 workers.  If you or your church can help in anyway, please call Pastor Crowe at 828-479-3423 or 828-735-9401.

First Baptist Church of Waynesville is offering a Sunday School Seminar on June 2, 2009.  The seminar is open to anyone interested in Sunday School.  The Seminar will be of help to teachers, anyone who is considering teaching and class members.  The focus is on adult Sunday School classes.

Associate Pastor John Daniels will be leading a discussion on the most effective methods in growing our classes in today’s changing culture.  John brings years of experience in administering church Sunday School programs and a commitment to finding ways to teach timeless truths in a rapidly changing environment.

Dottie Scates will share decades of experience to teaching us how adults learn.  Dottie has over 50 years of experience as an effective Sunday School teacher, has taught in college and the corporate world.  As the teacher of the fastest growing Sunday School class in First Baptist, she has demonstrated she truly knows how adults learn.

Gordon Small, Sunday School Director, will be leading a discussion of Bible Study resources.  Gordon brings years of experience to the subject as a student, assistant in Church Media Centers, and as a bit of a computer geek.  He will be sharing his experiences as to what are the most effective resources for today- from print to cyberspace.  He will also be introducing some low cost options that are now making it possible for churches with small budgets to offer resources that may have been beyond their reach in the past.

The Seminar will begin at 6:30 pm and conclude at 9:00 pm.  It will be held in the Ministry Activity Building at 100 South Main St in Waynesville.  Refreshments & child care will be provided.  Please call 456-9465 to make reservations between 8:30 & 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.