ALPHA Course Schedule.  For more information on ALPHA:  alpha@mtzion-umc.net

Sunday Advocate  "The Sunday Advocate is designed to ... provide the congregation with a summary of news events affecting Virginia United Methodists."

Charge Outing to See “Miracle of Christmas”
After 1 September the reservations will be opened up to non-members of our three churches. Payment in full is requested by 15 September and must be in by 1 October. Please let Janet Ryder know this week if you plan to attend.

An Invitation to a Wedding
Liz and Tom Will invite each member of our congregation to come and help celebrate their becoming one in Christ by Holy Matrimony at the home of the groom’s parents, Alice Ann and Tommy Ford, on Saturday, 12 October, at 5 O’clock. RSVP by adding your name to the list on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

Mount Zion Directory
John Berry has posted on all three bulletin boards a draft of our current directory. Please check your information and make changes as needed. If you are not included, add your information on the back of one sheet. Check next week to verify that your information was up-dated correctly. If you want a copy of the completed directory, place a check mark next to your name.

Prayer and Praise Group
All are invited to come Wednesdays at 6:45 PM and join the “Prayer and Praise” Group. For information call Jane Boyd or David Bean.

Bishop’s Convocation on Evil, Thursday, 10 October
All with an interest in exploring the source, spread and meaning of evil in our world are invited to come together at Good Shepherd UMC in Richmond from 10:00 AM to 1 PM on Thursday, 10 October. Bishop Pennel will preach and a lay/clergy panel will respond to a lecture on evil by Dr, Kendall Soulen. See Pastor Clayton for more information.

Bishop’s Summit on Children and Violence 13 October
Dr. James Garbarino, author of Lost Boys and 18 other books on violence and children is the keynote speaker. The Summit is from 2:30-7 PM at Arlington UMC and includes 10 breakout sessions to provide better understanding of the atmosphere of violence our children deal with and how our church can be pro-active in preventing violence. See
Pastor Clayton for information on registration. Seating is limited so do no delay in getting in your registration.

Society for Wesleyan Studies Annual Meeting
The meeting will be held at the Roslyn Retreat Center in Richmond and will feature the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. Dr. Collins will address, “The Theology of Real Christianity”. The seminar begins Sunday evening 13 October from 7-9 PM and continues Monday 14 October from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. Brochures are available by e-mail from pastorkim1@cs.com or contact Pastor Clayton for more information.

New Christian Bookstore Opens in Madison
An inspirational bookstore, “Connections to the Cross” had it's grand opening on Thursday, 29 August. The store is located in the old Madison Traders on Rt. 29 opposite Plow and Hearth and the Bavarian Chef. All are invited to come and celebrate the opening.
 

Remaining 2002 Fredericksburg Emmaus Weekends
Walk to Emmaus-Men-October 17 to 20 & Walk to Emmaus-Women-November 14 to 17
If you feel called to walk to Emmaus with Jesus or have an interest in or questions about this incredible faith-building experience contact the Pastor, The Charge Lay Leader Elliott Fox or your church Lay Leader.

Aluminum Can Tabs Support Ronald McDonald Houses
Aluminum can tabs saved and mailed in translate into dollars to support Ronald McDonald Houses. Save your tabs and give them to Amy Sanford
 

An Opportunity To Dedicate A Pew Bible
The new pew Bibles are in. They should be in the sanctuary next Sunday. Use the insert to dedicate a Bible- fill it out and place it in the collection plate or give it to Anne Dean or the Pastor with a check for $7.50. There are extra inserts in the Fellowship Hall.
 

Plan to Start Your Christmas Celebration on 16 November!
Mark 16 November on your calendars now! That is the day our Charge will travel to Lancaster, PA, to see “Miracle of Christmas” (where we went last year to see “Noah’s Ark). Details will follow soon
 

College Scholarship of $2,000.00
For student members of the congregation who are, or plan to be, enrolled in a United Methodist-related college, university or seminary in the fall of 2002 the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation will award $1,000.00 to the first 350 students whose church raises $1,000.00 for a total scholarship of $2,000.00 for that student. Contact the pastor for more information
 

United Methodist Women
Please save labels from Campbell products (soup, Prego, Swanson, etc,) for a UMW mission project. Turn them in to Alice or Irene.

Winter Courses at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC
There are a variety of courses available to lay persons in 5 groups: Congregational Care, Evangelism, Youth Ministry, Congregational Development and Parish Nursing. All classes start after 1 January and meet on the weekends. If you are interested, please contact the Pastor for details.
 

Early Registration Discount for Summer Camp 2002
See the information on the literature table for Westview on the James 2002 camping. The discount is available until 14 December or until the first 400 registrations are received.

Mount Zion Miniature Now at the Handcraft House
The Cat’s Meow miniature of Mount Zion UMC is now available at the Handcraft House on Route 29 in Madison.

Advocate Magazine Subscription Time
Now is the time to renew or initiate a subscription to the UM VA Conference official monthly publication, The Advocate. See the Pastor or our Lay Leader for information .
 

Bring Healing to a Wounded Child
United Methodist Family Services is looking for quality families with good parenting skills and a willingness to learn about special needs children to become a part of the Foster Home network in Central Virginia. If you feel God calling you to this ministry, call Kendall Mosburg (540-898-1773 at ext.19) for information.
 

United Methodist Committee on Relief

UMCOR is in the midst of relief efforts for New York. Checks written to: “Advance #901125-3”Love in the Midst of Tragedy” should be mailed to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Credit card donations may be called into: (800-554-8583)- 100% of all donations will go to helping the victims of this tragedy. To volunteer to help on site call (800-918-3100).

 

Prayer Cards for Our Military Members

Jane Boyd is making prayer cards for military members connected to our congregations. Please call her if you have a name or names to add to the card.

Aluminum Cans for Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is asking for empty aluminum cans to recycle and then use the funds for their work here.  Bring your cans to church and Habitat will pick them up.  Let’s try and make the third Sunday of each month aluminum cans for Habitat Sunday.  There is a container in the Fellowship Hall.  For more information call Florence Harris.

Mount Zion Adult Choir Practice

The adult choir holds weekly practice every Wednesday at 7:30 PM.  All who love to make a joyful noise to the Lord are invited.

Methodist Retreat Weekend-"Walk to Emmaus"

Information pamphlets and applications are available.  Call the pastor for more information.

 

Lay Leaders; Admin Board/Church Council Chairmen

A Reminder- Please check your mailboxes in the Charge Office in the parsonage weekly. The mail boxes are to the left as you enter the office, which is always open.

Ushers- A Reminder

Please remember to fill out the attendance form for church and Sunday school and leave it in an empty collection plate for the pastor. 

Future Events

On the Literature Table in the Fellowship Hall

ü      The Methodist retreat weekend, “Walk to Emmaus”

ü      Pamphlet Rack with information for parents

ü      Children and Compassion International- Adopt a Child in Need

ü      Westview-on-the-James Summer Camping Schedule

ü      United Methodist Council of Bishops speaks out- “The Crisis in Israel”

ü      United Methodist Legislative Issues Survey

ü      Sign-up sheet for Charge November 16 outing to see “Miracle of Christmas”

If you look for an item on the table and do not find it, please notify the Pastor.