SERVING THE: BAKERSVILE, DEYTON BEND & RED HILL UMC’S! MARCH 2012

Pastor: Jody Campbell 1001 NC 197 Bakersville, NC 28705 / jbcampbell2009@gmail.com / (828) 545 - 5274

We find ourselves this month continuing our Lenten Journey with Jesus, all the way to the Cross.I encourage you to continue looking within yourselves and asking, “what is the message of the Cross? & what has it meant in my life?”In our own journey, we all bear our own particular crosses daily. Whatever our own cross may be, we know that no matter what we may endure, Christ fully understands. After all, He endured unimaginable pain, suffering & humiliation on the Cross so that we can be with He & our Father for eternity. What an amazing amount of Love that He voluntarily gave His life for us! ~ Pastor Jody

MITCHELL ~ YANCEY PARISH

We were blessed once more with a 90th Birthday Celebration! Alice blessed us by allowing us to celebrate with her family.

They had a surprise Birthday Party for her here at the Bakersville Church on the 11th of February. Alice, Carol & Tara are vital, active members of our Church / Parish family!

They are new to our family, but it feels like we’ve known them for years due to their warm, loving personalities.

We are blessed to have them as a part of our family!

SERVING THE: BAKERSVILE, DEYTON BEND & RED HILL UMC’S! MARCH 2012

Pastor: Jody Campbell 1001 NC 197 Bakersville, NC 28705 / jbcampbell2009@gmail.com / (828) 545 - 5274 2

Reflecting on my age (85), I wonder how much I can continue to accomplish, or how much positive influence I can have on my family, the people in our local communities & our world?

I still love to teach, counsel, preach & visit when the opportunities are given & when I am physically able. During my younger & middle years of life I was given community & church awards trophies & other forms of recognition for what God empowered & led me to do for others. Doing things brings worldly success & rewards - but living in an 85 year old body which starts losing some of its energy, reflexes, stamina & the ability to continually multitask is different -- even when the mind & spirit wants to ‘do things’ but the body responds much slower and with much less energy.

My beloved wife Tallie & I have been blest to have lived the past 25 years near most of our children, grand & great grand children -- loving them, crying with them, & laughing with them. We’ve had wonderful times bringing them to or from school when needed -- also attending their sports events, awards ceremonies, plays, concerts, graduations, birthday celebrations. We’ve been involved with the ministries and community outreach of the wonderful people in 5

wonderful churches. The Great Paradox is -- what can we still do? But then we are mindful that we will be remembered not so much for what we have done in the past, but who we were and are now in these latter years of our lives. God’s spirit of loving kindness guides us now as it did in our younger years– The Spirit of God is manifested in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, courage, forgiveness, perseverance, & faith. These Fruits of God’s Spirit we extended to others in our extended family, our churches & communities through our words, deeds and prayers will never die but will continue from generation to generation.

What really counts in the end are the fruits of what l our lives produce. As our bodies get older we become less strong, our minds are not as fast, we get closer to the one talking to us, we bring the paper closer to our eyes, we go upstairs one step at a time (some times resting once or twice on the way), and cleaning the house & keeping up the yard seems to take 2 or 3 times longer. But we rejoice! Life is full of opportunities to make a difference. With our hearts, minds, & imaginations we surround our loved ones, neighbors, acquaintances, & even people we have never met with our thoughts & prayers of thanksgiving with the Fruits of God’s Spirit radiating from them.

“A kind heart is fountains of gladness, making everything in it vicinity freshen into its smiles”. Washington Irving ~ Don Sneller

SERVING THE: BAKERSVILE, DEYTON BEND & RED HILL UMC’S! MARCH 2012

Pastor: Jody Campbell 1001 NC 197 Bakersville, NC 28705 / jbcampbell2009@gmail.com / (828) 545 - 5274 3

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: RITA MOREY

This month we are spotlighting Rita Morey.Rita is a member of the Bakersville Church. Rita is a vital, active member. She involves herself in many areas of ministry and outreach. She visits many of our shut - ins, whether they are in care facilities or in their homes. She is A part of the “casserole ministry,” as well as Assisting in leading music with Trish Stockton.Rita always has a smile on her face, she is a joy & a treasure to be around. She attends many

activities and enjoys lunch daily at the Mitchell County Senior Center.We are extremely blessed to have her as a member of our Church family.So, for those of you in our Parish who may have not had the opportunity to get to know Rita, I Encourage you when you have the chance to get to know Rita. You’ll be glad you did!She radiates the Love, Joy & Happiness of Christ. She truly shares Christ in numerous Ways, she continually looks for ways to be in mission & ministry. Thank You Rita for all the ways in which you bless our lives!

“Reflections on Changing Times” Submitted by: Mary Margaret Deyton

First of all, thank you Don for your words of wisdom that motivated me to express some thoughts concerning the future growth within the M ~ Y Parish. We are all keenly aware that our world is rapidly changing and these changes impact all of life, including the Church. Many of us grew up with the Church being the center of community & family life. There was no question about what we did on Sunday mornings & Wednesday nights. Likewise the community was careful not to plan events that would conflict with Church schedules. All of that has radically changed. So has Church attendance & involvement. Now, what are we to do as the Body of Christ? It is not likely to revert back to the way it was. There are lots of ideas about what should be done! Use the marketing strategies of the business world, remold the Church make it more attractive & entertaining, etc. There are some dangers to this approach. The Church may lose its

distinctiveness as the Church & simply become a reflection of the culture. In the M ~ Y Parish we do not have to become products of our culture & measure success by numbers and while numbers do count, the important calling of the Church is to be good representatives in carrying out the teachings of Jesus in loving service within and without the walls of the Church through being faithful in using our gifts, talents & resources to the glory of God. Henry Blackley says: “discover what God is doing & join Him.” We believe God is working in a variety of ways in our communities & inviting us to join Him. Personally, this has called for surrender to His plan & purpose & commitment to follow His plan & purpose for Me. How do we get there? I refer you to Don’s February “recipe” which has specific instructions. If each of us will take his words of wisdom from God’s Word & use them as a daily devotional time, praying in unity the prayer offered, we will experience a transforming power that will be beyond understanding. The M ~ Y Parish will be on fire in love & service. From the heart of one who loves you and the joy of being a part of the M ~ Y Parish. ~ Mary Margaret Deyton

SERVING: BAKERSVILE, DEYTON BEND & RED HILL UMC’S! MARCH 2012

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BUMC: holds a fellowship meal on the Second Friday of each month

BUMC holds a monthly breakfast at Helen’s Restaurant on the first Saturday of each month

DBUMC has weekly Bible Study on Wednesday mornings at 10:30

RHUMC has a monthly fellowship meal on the first Wednesday of the month.

All 3 Churches celebrate Holy Communion on the first Sunday of each month, ALL are welcome to come to the Table

Olivia’s (Jennifer Griffith’s Daughter) Scout Troop is selling Cookies on March 10th & 24th at D.T.’s Coffee Shop in Spruce Pine

For March / April:03 / 03: Susan Basini03 / 08: Ed Terrell04 / 02: Tallie Sneller04 / 09: Barbara Carver04 / 12: Travis Abernathy04 / 28: Travis & Karen Abernathy04 / 30: Lawrence & Trish Stockton

March 4:Gen. 17: 1 - 7, 15 - 16, Psalm 22: 23 - 31Romans 4: 13 - 25, Mark 8: 31 - 38March 11: Exodus 20: 1 - 17, Psalm 191 Corinthians 1: 18 - 25, John 2: 13 - 22March 18: Numbers 21: 4 - 9, Psalm 107: 1 - 3, 17 - 22Ephesians 2: 1 - 10, John 3: 14 - 21March 25: Jeremiah 31: 31 - 34, Psalm 51: 1 - 12Hebrews 5: 5 - 10, John 20 - 33

We will once again be having our joint Sunrise Service with the Bakersville Baptist

Folks on April 8th