Construction progress becomes visible

(August 10) While it appeared that not much was happening on the Reveille property except the moving of the bell tower, much of the groundwork, or shall we say, underground work has been accomplished. The storm water detention system and the major part of the grading work have been completed. The footings have been completed and the block work continues with the hope of steel being placed this month to support the roof. Major renovation will take place to the existing building now as an opening to the new welcome center has been cut into the main hallway outside the sanctuary. A temporary partition is in place in the hallway. The gas line has also been completed.

In the old chapel space, a partition will be placed this month to frame the new music space and provide a corridor between the new building and the existing building. Doorways will be cut in the east wall of the old chapel for access to the new building and in the north wall of the old chapel for placement of an emergency exit.

There will be two construction events which you may notice in August: laying the storm water management systems through the main parking lot and installation of a new electrical switchgear in the basement of the sanctuary. What you may see: a diversion of traffic flow in the parking lot which most likely will prove to be insignificant, and a temporary electrical outage in the sanctuary, fellowship hall, and education building. It is projected that the electricity will be off for several days beginning this Monday, August 22.

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Joys and Concerns

SYMPATHY

The Reveille family extends Christian love and sympathy to Beth Richardson and family on the death of her sister, Anne Bailey Page, on August 11.

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Reveille Day

Sunday, September 18

Reveille Day gives us a special opportunity each year to unite our congregation, get to know new members, and thank God for all that he has provided us as a church family. 

Join us at 10:30 a.m. on September 18 for a combined worship service and stay for the catered lunch on the lawn. The menu will include barbeque, hot dogs, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, green beans and dessert. Soundzania, a family fun band, will provide entertainment during lunch.

Cost of the meal is $6 for adults and teens, $3 for children ages four to twelve, and children under four years of age eat free.  Watch for information about ticket sales in future publications.

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Help feed Richmond's homeless

BAG LUNCHES TO BE PREPARED AUGUST 21

The older elementary children of Reveille invite you to join them in preparing bag lunches for those less fortunate this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall. The lunches will be delivered to the Greater Mt. Moriah Richmond Friends of the Homeless feeding site on Monday in time for lunch. Each lunch contains a sandwich, bag of chips, container of applesauce, boxed drink, and dessert.  If you would like to contribute a portion of the food, please e-mail Jennifer Huneycutt. 

HOT MEAL TO BE SERVED AUGUST 25

Richmond's homeless population needs us on Thursday, August 25, when we serve a hot meal of roasted chicken, cheesy potato casserole, green beans and dessert. You can help by providing one of the casseroles. The recipe, with drop-off instructions, can be picked up from the sign-up board near the welcome center or in the fellowship hall.

You can also help by being one of the servers at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church for an hour or two. Meet us at Reveille at 10:45 a.m. and carpool or meet us at the site. For more information, please call Kay Craven at 270-0686 or e-mail her here. 

If needed, child care is available while serving the meal; please e-mail Carol Uzzle or call her at 359-6041, ext. 117 to request it.

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Upcoming Window Issues and Deadline Dates

As fall approaches, we anticipate more information coming into the office to be shared with the congregation through our weekly newsletter. To facilitate the exchange of information in a timely manner and to notify you of two early deadlines, following is a listing of upcoming issue dates and deadlines:

We look forward to receiving your newsletter articles.  For more information, please call Cheryl Arrington at 359-6041, ext. 114.

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Choir kickoff is just around the corner

September is coming, which means that it is time for choir rehearsals to resume. Here are choir kickoff times and places:

Thursday, September 1

Chancel Choir (adults)

7:00 p.m. in choir room

Sunday, September 11

Youth Bells (grades 6-12)

4:00 p.m. in sanctuary

Youth Choir (grades 6-12)

Combined at 4:30 p.m. in choir room

Cherub Choir (entering kindergarten 2011/2012)

5:00 p.m. in blue room (under fellowship hall)

Primary Choir (grades 1 and 2)

5:00 p.m. in room 104

Elementary Ringers (grades 3-5)

5:00 p.m. in sanctuary

Elementary Choir (grades 3-5)

5:30 p.m. in room 207

Primary Ringers (grades 1 and 2)

5:45 p.m. in sanctuary

Monday, September 12

Reveille Ensemble Handbell Choir (youth and adult, mixed)

6:15 p.m. in sanctuary

Reveille Ringers Handbell Choir (adult, advanced)

7:00 p.m. in sanctuary

Reveille's Music Ministry involves over 200 people. We hope to include you, as well. For more information please call Cathy Armistead at 359-6041, extension 123, or e-mail her here.  To register children and youth, click here.   

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Hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa is devastating

What You Can Do to Help

As you may be aware, a famine has been declared in five regions of Somalia. The United Nations predicts that the famine will spread across all regions within the next two months. As many as 12 million people are at risk of severe malnutrition or starvation as the region faces the worst drought conditions in 60 years. It is estimated that more than 29,000 children younger than age 5 have died in the past 90 days in southern Somalia. 

What can we do to help? Monetary gifts to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) will be used to help provide urgently-needed relief. If you wish to help, please make your check payable to Reveille UMC and mark in the memo section Horn of Africa Crisis. One hundred percent of this gift will be used for relief; none will be used for administrative purposes.

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Spiritual Growth Opportunities for Adults

College students are packing up to head off to school. Teens and children are looking forward to the start of a new school year as they purchase school supplies. Are you, as an adult, thinking that this is the fall you make a commitment to grow in your faith though participating in a small group or in a Bible study? Reveille is offering a number of different opportunities.   

ALPHA

We invite you to participate in Alpha which will be offered on Thursday evenings from September 8 through November 17 at 6:00 p.m.  Midway through the course there will be an off-site day retreat.

What is Alpha? Alpha is a course that covers the basics of Christianity. It answers questions like "Who is Jesus?" and "Why did he die?"  Each gathering begins with a meal - a chance to get to know others. Then there is a short talk which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith followed by discussion in small groups. There everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion and ask questions. People usually stay in the same small group so they can get to know each other, continue discussions, and deepen friendships. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.

Reveille offered Alpha for the first time last February. This is what one participant shared about the experience:

Alpha gave me a fresh perspective of Christianity in general and my own faith in particular. It challenged me to expand my sense of the power and possibilities of faith.  It boosted my confidence to share and speak more openly about my beliefs, which I often tend to keep locked away inside myself. It renewed my sense of the strength that comes from community and fellowship. And Alpha reminded me that joy lies at the heart of relationship with God and Jesus Christ.

There is no cost for this offering but we do ask for a small donation to cover the cost of the meal. Child care will be provided.

Plan to attend the first session on September 8 to learn more about Alpha.  If you have questions, please e-mail Burdette Robinson or call 837-7717; e-mail Carol Uzzle or call 359-6041, ext 117. 

studies for women

What Good Is God?

The Wednesday morning Bible study group known as Women of Spirit will be studying Philip Yancey's book, What Good is God? In Search of a Faith that Matters. Open to all women, Women of Spirit meets on Wednesday mornings to grow together in God's Spirit.

In this book, Philip Yancey travels the globe searching for an answer to what good is God in a world where tragedies occur such as the Virginia Tech massacre, HIV/AIDS, and sexual slavery. The 11-week study begins Wednesday, September 21 and will meet from 9:30 -11:30 a.m.  For more information, please e-mail Mary Anne Noland or Carol Uzzle or call Carol at 359-6041, ext. 117. Child care will be provided.

Believing God, a Beth Moore Bible Study

A 10-week Beth Moore Bible study entitled Believing God will meet September 21 - November 30 at 6:45 p.m. following the Wonderful Wednesday meal. 

Originating from a concept introduced in Isaiah 43:10, Believing Godexamines what it means to believe God rather than only believe in God. Participants study the lives of Abraham and others from Hebrews 11 as examples of people who believed God. Child care will be available. For more information, e-mail Stormy Noland, or Carol Uzzle or call Carol at 359-6041, extension 117.

Efficient Abundance

The first topic in the Brown Bag Lunch Series, Efficient Abundance will begin on Thursday, September 22 and thereafter will meet on the third Thursday of each month from 12:20-1:20 p.m. The sessions will focus on exploring the abundance of time, resources, peace, and joy that God wants us to enjoy. Child care will be available.

ADDITIONAL opportunities for study and growth

For those who would like to commit to a long-term Bible study we are offering Disciple 1: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study and Disciple 4: Under the Tree of Life.  Both classes begin on Sunday, September 11, at 5:00 p.m. and will end in May. Disciple 1 is the foundation study for all other Disciple Bible study courses. 

If you are not sure you are ready for Disciple then perhaps these two offerings are more for you:

Living the Good Life Together: Hospitality is an interesting 12-week study beginning on Sunday, September 18 at 5:00 p.m.The first six weeks are known as "Come and See" where the group explores the scriptures highlighted with videos, study and discussion around the topic of how hospitality is central to the life of a Christian.  The remaining six weeks are know as "Go and Do" where the group will create and implement an action plan for applying and embodying hospitality in their own lives.

Immersion Bible Study: The Gospel of Matthew begins on Sunday, October 2, at 5:00 p.m.  This new 8-week Bible study uses the new Common English Bible as its biblical text. This new translation of the Bible is easy to read while maintaining biblical scholarship. You will find that this translation connects your heart and mind as you explore the Scriptures.

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Susanna Wesley Circle kicks-off soon

The Susanna Wesley Circle is a group of United Methodist women who meet monthly for fellowship, programs, mission work, and fun. We usually meet on the second Thursday evening of each month at the home of a circle member. Our primary mission focus is the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter, but we support many local and worldwide missions. This circle is comprised of women of all ages from all walks of life. If you're curious about joining a circle, or aren't even sure what a circle is, come check us out at our next meeting.

We are having an exciting kick-off meeting on Thursday, September 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Angela Elliott. We will discuss the circle and upcoming programs and enjoy a light supper and fellowship. If you would like to know more about our circle or our upcoming meetings, please contact the circle leader, Angela Elliott, by e-mail here or by phone at 833-8695.

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Benefit concerts will help fund chapel piano 

We will be moving into our new chapel before long, and we will need a piano for this new worship space. Several pianists from Reveille will be in concert to raise money for this project, and we hope you can help us.     

The concerts will be on Saturday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 25 at 2:00 p.m. The program will include pieces performed by Betty Ann Spiers, Matt Nagi, Elizabeth Bell, John Bullock, Kevin Bruny, Davis and Dalton Jobe, Cathy Armistead and more.  In addition to piano pieces, you will hear a trio, including piano, organ and harpsichord. 

Please plan to attend one or both of these concerts. Our goal is to raise $18,000 - $20,000 for a six-foot baby grand piano, so any amount you can give will be greatly appreciated.  For more information, please contact Cathy Armistead at 359-6041, ext. 123, or by e-mail here. 

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We're looking for a few good cooks

During the school year, young Christians are at our church on Sunday evenings to rehearse music, enjoy fellowship, and grow in faith together. Part of that time is spent sharing supper.

We are looking for volunteer teams of 2 or 3 people who will prepare a simple menu, buy food, and cook for about 150 children, youth and volunteers on a Sunday evening no more than once per month (probably less) from October to May. You won't even have to serve the food or clean up afterward; that will be done by other volunteers.

If you can help with this ministry of hospitality for our children and youth, contact Stephen Coleman at 359-6041, ext. 115, or e-mail him here.

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Children's teachers need your help

We have a wonderful group of Reveille members who share their faith with our children each week as Sunday school teachers. To assist these teachers, volunteers are needed quarterly to separate the weekly Bible story papers and stickers so teachers will have all their materials ready for each Sunday morning. To learn more or to volunteer, please e-mail Carol Uzzle or call her at 359-6041, ext. 117.

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Special Gifts

Building Fund

In memory of Gene Little

Ethel Sketchley

Marye C. Pleasants

Bill and Betty Hopkins

Robert and Barbara Allen

Barbara C. Rivers

Bill and Elaine Bugg

In memory of Sally Penick

Marye C. Pleasants

Glynis Holcomb

Nancy Stewart

Congregational Care Fund

In memory of Sally Penick

Ethel Sketchley

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Calendar of Opportunities

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