Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Sunday I introduced to you the Gideon Project, the next strategic plan for Southminster Church. If you missed it, I invite you to view the video for vital information on where we are going next. The video can be found here.

The Gideon Project is a plan to advance in two critical areas:

FACILITY:

• We plan to finish some elements of the Joshua initiative that were "paused" as we completed construction during the pandemic (the gym playing surface has already been replaced); interior directional signage, sanctuary decor, entry awnings and the athletic field repair are the primary objectives.
• We want to pay down our debt from $1,100,000 to $800,000 in a timely and strategic way. This is a pre-existing debt threshold with our lender that will give us beneficial options and rates as we continue to pay off our construction loan.
• We want to be good stewards of the facility that has been entrusted to us, by keeping it well-maintained, clean and well-organized.

STAFF:

• We need to fill some critical staffing needs in order to continue to expand our programs and ministries and support our volunteers.

All of these plans are further outlined in the presentation from Sunday and the narrative document found in the GIDEON DOCUMENT link. Print outs of these and the budgets are available in the lobby at church.

Additionally, we are offering meetings for further information and clarity, and the opportunity for you to ask questions. The first two will be offered tomorrow, Wednesday, September 11, at 11:00AM and 7:00PM. Depending on need, additional meetings will be provided.

We want you to be able to fully understand and support what we're doing, so I invite you to the meetings if you have questions.

Additionally, please join me in praying for our congregation in this critical season.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Dan

We are offering meetings to clarify and address questions you might have. Please provide feedback below:

Our campaign goal for the remainder of 2024 is $75,000.00. With the amount currently in our campaign fund ($38,000.00) if we can raise this additional amount in 2024, we can complete the facility objectives and pay $100,000.00 off our debt to jump-start this strategic plan. In week 1, we recieved $3,824.92 toward our goal. Thank you Southminster!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

5:45PM Handbell Practice / Sanctuary

6:30-8:30PM Pickleball / Gym

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11

7:30-8:30AM Men's Breakfast / Classroom 1

11:00AM Gideon Project Feedback Meeting / Classroom 2

7:00PM Gideon Project Feedback Meeting / Classroom 2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

9:00AM-12:00PM Knit Wits / Classroom 1

9:00-11:00AM Pickleball / Gym

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

9:15-10:00AM Sunday School Classes / Various Rooms

10:00-10:30AM Food and Fellowship / Welcome Center

10:30-11:30AM Worship / Sanctuary

12:00-2:00PM Youth Group / Lunch & Hang Time

5:00PM G.A.P. Malawi Celebration / Sanctuary

CLICK HERE FOR FALL YOUTH CALENDAR:

worship this week

This Sunday in worship at Southminster, Reverend Vosco Kachipapa will kick off a very special month of celebration. We will begin our season of reflection as we consider God's fruitfulness and faithfulness over the last 30 years. Reverend Kachipapa will be leading us in worship as we celebrate 20 years of our mission partnership in Malawi.

If you cannot make it to campus, you can worship with us online:

RECENT SERVICES

SEPTEMBER 8

"The Gideon Project" / Pastor Dan Oedy

ATTENDANCE

• On Campus: 129
• YouTube: 31
• Total: 160

GIVING

• Offering: $5,429.00
• Gideon: $3,824.92

SEPTEMBER 1

"Sabbath Keeping" / Pastor Dan Oedy

ATTENDANCE

• On Campus: 111
• YouTube: 56
• Total: 167

GIVING

• Offering: $8,857.00
• Joshua: $924.92

news & updates

MARRIAGE CLASS CONTINUES THIS SUNDAY

9:15AM CLASSROOM 2

In this video based series, faciliated by Scott & Becky Hasty and Linda Stapleton, Pastor Andy Stanley explains what we must learn in order to transform our expectations and look to God in order to experience marriage as it was designed.

SOUTHMINSTER IS TURNING 30

We invite you to add your Southminster pictures, stories and memories to our "digital scrapbook".

Email pictures, stories & memories to: southminsterpictures@gmail.com

Presbyterian Pilgrimage is a powerful weekend of retreat and renewal. Check out the website for more information.

UPCOMING DATES: October 31 - Fayetteville, NC

SOUTHMINSTER

"101 CLASS"

Are you interested in finding out more about Southminster Church?

We host "Southminster 101" classes to offer information about our church and membership.

9/22 OR 9/29: After worship until 2:00PM / LUNCH SERVED

Call or text Pastor Dan @ 704-718-0457 for more information or to RSVP

YOUTH MEALS

You can help support our youth ministry by signing up to bring a meal to their evening meeting.

We generally have 12-15 youth on Sunday nights that gather for food, study and fellowship.

CLICK HERE FOR DATES TO SIGN-UP:

We are looking for volunteers who can go to BMHFC on Friday, October 11 and help set up wooden structures to create a "marketplace" atmosphere. We will then host games and activities in the market for the BMHFC Fall Festival. We can have as many as 32 people stay the night. If you can go for both days, or either day, please RSVP with Dan McKenzie: dan.mckenzie92@gmail.com

COVENANT CLASS

9:15-10:00AM

Classroom 1

The Covenant Adult Sunday School Class meets in Classroom 1 for study and discussion. The class is currently studying the book of Acts.  

PICKLEBALL

TUESDAYS 6:30PM

SATURDAYS 9:00AM

Everyone is invited to join the fun of this new sport.

Whether experienced, beginner or wanting to learn, all are welcome.

KNIT WITS

SATURDAYS 9:00AM

Classroom 1

Everyone is invited to join the Knit Wits on Saturday mornings. Whether experienced, beginner or wanting to learn, all are welcome.

MISSION TRIP

OCTOBER 6-11, 2024

A team from our Presbytery will once again journey to the mountain town of Canton as the community's residents continue to deal with the effects of massive flooding. Registration is now open. Click on the links below for more information.

CHURCH ORGANIZATION PROCESS

As part of the GIDEON PROJECT, which will be further introduced on Sunday, September 8th, we are organizing the entire facility with a comprehensive plan to dedicate each closet to a specific and sensible purpose. We continue to gather and organize the gifts God has given Southminster. So far you will find reorganization as follows:

• Building materials-Back, left closet Youth Room
• Art Camp and Table decorations-Back right closet Youth Room
• Youth Supplies-Back left closet Youth Room
• AV equipment and Music instruments-Chancel closet
• Drama materials and Christmas decorations-Back, left sanctuary closet
• Partitions, extra chairs-Back, right sanctuary closet
• Medical-Left narthex closet
• Outdoor equipment-Right narthex closet

CANDY COLLECTION

We are starting to collect candy donations for our Fall Festival (planned for October 26th). If you are willing to support this effort, you can bring donations to the work room in the office.

One of the ways we seek to bless each other, during times of need is to provide meals for those who are going through a particular challenge. An email with a schedule is sent to members of our Home Meals Care Circle, and they sign-up if there is a date that would work for them. For more information, contact Cindy Mauney.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL CINDY:

Have you sensed God leading you to a mission-oriented endeavor, but you need help to make it happen? Perhaps a Southminster Foundation Grant is the perfect way to get the jump start you need.

Check out the application form to see if your idea would qualify for a grant.

You can download and print the grant application here:

connect with southminster

If you would like to know more about the life of Southminster Church, you can subscribe to our YouTube channel, receive our weekly newsletter, or follow us on Facebook. Click the icons above to follow or subscribe.

prayer requests

• For Bill & Gayla Woody and family, after the passing of their brother-in-law. They are also care-giving for several family members.
• For Josh Wise's grandmother who has been hospitalized.
• For Cindi Barr, Julie Lloyd's sister-in-law who has been hospitalized for several weeks with lung issues.
• For Kelly & Greg Simmons and family after Marti's passing.
• For Will Roberts, who continues serving in the Marines. Will is currently on deployment. Pray for Will, Frank and Dawn, Kali and their family.
• For Eileen Black, pray for increased comfort through a physical ailment and for the right guidance and treatment guidelines to become clear.
• For Suzanne Jones as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.
• For Charles, Brenda Sigmon's brother.
• For Kaidyn, the son of Dallas and Courtney, childhood friends of Kristen Watkins Kopasz. Kaidyn is 6-months-old and has had numerous ailments since his birth. He has undergone surgery for his breathing and kidneys and he is in the hospital once again.
• For Janice Kahn who is struggling with back pain and is awaiting surgery.
• For Dan Britton a friend of Jane Ivester, who had a massive brain bleed.
• For Amy Anderson who is recovering from brain surgery.
• For Chris Gates who has cancer.
• For Dawn Cline and family, as her husband Lee and her brother, Frank are both battling cancer.
• For Kriss Yavelak, for the strengthening of her immune system and protection.

information

Name tags are a great way to get to know someone and to be known by others.

Whether you are a member or regular attender, if you need a new or replacement name tag, please sign-up for one in the Lobby.

CHURCH SAFETY

Have you thought about the best practices in the event of an active threat on campus? We invite you to watch this video for guidance and information.

CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Please keep the leadership of our congregation in your prayers as they continue to serve and discern the will of the Lord and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, if you have thoughts or input about the ministries of the church, or if you'd like to know how to get involved, talk to one of our officers or staff members.

ELDERS

Trevor Cherry / 2024

Charlie Dixon / 2024

Garrett Driscoll / 2026

Becky Hasty / Clerk

Steve Kahn / 2024

Tyler Lewis / 2026

Mike Lloyd / 2025

Teresa Locke / 2025

Margaret Mason / 2025

Dan McKenzie / 2026

Kendra Neal / 2026

Dan Oedy / Moderator

Frank Roberts / 2025

Linda Stapleton / 2024

DEACONS

Cynthia Gaston / 2026

Cathy Glenn / 2026

Lynne Hovis / 2025

Danny Knight / 2026

Janet Layne / 2025

Marion Lewis / 2025

Cindy Mauney / Coordinator

Cyndi McKenzie / 2024

Joanne Mitchell / 2024

Sarah Oedy / 2024

Esta Wannamaker / 2024

Josh Wise / 2025

Kriss Yavelak / 2026

Gayla Woody / Coordinator

STAFF

Brenda Baker / Finance

Dawn Cline / Preschool

Melanie Dyer / Childcare

Jane Ivester / Childcare

Brooke Ensley / Childcare

Becky Hasty / Administrator

Karen Knight / Worship

Dan Oedy / Pastor



CORPORATION

Margaret Mason President

Scott Mauney Vice Pres.

Charles Johnson Treasurer

Bill Woody Accountant

SUPPORTING SOUTHMINSTER

To support the ministry of Southminster, you can:

• place your contribution in the offering plate or drop box on Sundays
• drop a check off at the office between 9:00-1:00 Monday-Thursday
• set up Southminster as a payee in your online banking
• click on the link below to make a digital gift
• mail a check to the church:

Southminster Church

ATTN: Brenda Baker

1401 Hoffman Road

Gastonia, NC 28054

‘“May the Lord bless you and keep you;

may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

-NUMBERS 6:24-25