Asbury Memorial Church The Asbury Update Rev. Billy Hester Volume 31, Number 6 June 2019 June 2019

Vacation Bible School 2019 June 2nd- June 7th, 5:30-8:30 pm $20 per child Dinner included every night Rising Kinder-5th grade Questions? Contact Ruthie at [email protected] Register online!

Tuesday, June 11th 2019, 6:30 PM

Denomination/Asbury Memorial Information Update meeting… no voting (childcare available)

“NO BIG” COFFEE HOUR, June 2nd 1008 East Henry Street Savannah, GA 31401 VBS will start Sunday, June 2nd. The crew will need time to finish setting up and making final arrangements. In order to www.asburymemorial.org accommodate this big event for the children there will be 912-233-4351 NO Coffee Hour. 912-233-5026 fax

The Asbury Update June 2019

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Having a Birthday? Call the office at 233-4351

or e-mail us at [email protected]. June

1st Jackie Fall 18th Wendy

Liz Sprague Ciccodicola 2nd Jan Durham Claire Reeve June Amy Povie 19th Scott McCoy 2nd Phil & Suzanne Devlin 3rd Catherine Gilbert Robert Smith, Jr. 3rd Jack & Carolyn Lewis Colin Harrison 20th Joe Richards 6th Ross & Natalie Munro 9th Callie Downing & Ken Hardigan 4th DJ Armstrong 23rd Cole Via 9th Colin & Jackie Stewart Trina Dunn 25th Barbara Beam 10th Doug & Amy Povie Gail Lange Debbie Eason 10th Joe & Kathy Virant 5th Kathy Hodges Lexi Kern 11th Tim & Mary Ann Barnes Vic King 26th Spencer Luke 12th Alexis & Emily Gage 7th Martha Barnes 27th Suzanne Becker 14th Murph & Kathryn Murph Shane Conner Fay Carroll 22nd Sam & Barbara Ruggere 8th Anne Hagan Callie Downing 23rd George & Verna Enyeart 9th Erin Dalton 28th Barbara Gooby 26th Curtis & Cindy Hanks Charles Ennis 29th Joan Lee 26th Don & Gloria Stahle Chuck Long Nicholas Lindsay 27th Billy & Cheri Hester Tom Nease 30th Russ Kirks 28th Steve & Rhonda Reed 10th Allie Barnes 30th Larry & Sherry Hines Caleb Deffley Jennie Wilburn 11th Carol Walls 12th Dwight Campbell Linden Youngquist Way to Go! 13th Carol Anderson Congratulations to Asbury youth, Sarah Povie, Susan Smith for advancing to the State track meet. Sarah 14th Julia DiGiovanni qualified in the 300m hurdles event and the 4 x 400m relay. Pete Vasta Sarah is the daughter of Asburians, Doug and 15th Amanda Arnsdorff Amy Povie. 16th Ruth Foster Susan Harrison 17th Grady Mills II

Congratulations, Melissa Gratias

Many of you may recall that Asburian, Melissa Gratias, read her new children's book, Seraphina Does Everything, during one of our worship services. We're happy to report that Melissa's book is doing well, and Melissa was recently interviewed on the Hallmark Channel in Los Angeles! Here's the interview: https://melissagratias.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/ HallmarkVideo_Gratias

Joan Hester Byrd’s 90th Birthday Celebration

Thank you to my Asbury Family and especially the Hospitality Team for a glorious 90th birthday celebration.

Love, Joan

Painting Group

The Painting Group will not meet again until September. See what the group has created.

FRIED & RO

Thank you!

Thank you to our Asbury family for all of the prayers, texts, emails, calls, cards, visits, book loans, and well wishes regarding my hip surgery. A special shout out to Mary Prokop who told me exactly what to expect during every stage of the process with encouraging emails and advice. I did get the extended warranty on the new parts and splurged on custom tufted stitching. Randy Bolinger

In addition to Randy's heartfelt and funny thank you, I'd like to say I was BLOWN away by the Asbury Wave of Love we received during and after Randy's surgery. That Asbury-style transformational love and acceptance is just that--transformational. We are changed by your love. Thank you, Beloved Community. You loved on my Wildberry husband, and reaffirmed why I'm so GRATEFUL to be a part of this community. Susan Bolinger

From The Connection Corner

"Coffee Hour Questions" begin this summer! Beginning June 9, there will be a Coffee Hour Question posted each Sunday in the social hall. It's a fun new way to get to know each other and make connections through conversations we might not normally have together.

Find someone you don't know, or someone you want to know better, and ask each other the Coffee Hour Question of the day. Listen deeply to each other and share your stories with each other.

Sunday June 9 Coffee Hour Question: What's one of your favorite childhood summer memories? Acolytes

Parents/Guardians, we are looking for more children ages 8 -13 that are interested in becoming acolytes for the church services. It is a great way for the children to participate and learn more about the ser- vices. There will be training for all acolytes coming soon. For more information and to sign up, please contact Gerry Harman at [email protected].

Study Groups & Fellowship Groups Asbury Memorial offers a wide variety of study and fellowship groups.

10 o’Clock Hour 10 o' Clock Hour will take a break for the summer. The group will reconvene in September.

The Busy Bees meet Monday mornings at 10 am for fellowship and of course Clown Doll Making! They welcome new sewers. If you should have any questions, please contact David Grice at [email protected] or Cindy Telljohann at [email protected].

Course in Miracles Facilitator: Rev. Marilyn Leigh Thursdays, 4:30 to 6 p.m.

The Course in Miracles study group is dedicated to the study and practical application of A Course in Miracles to our daily lives. Our group allows the Course to guide us in becoming and expressing the Love that is the truth about us. It teaches the true meaning of forgiveness and challenges us to put God first in our lives.

A Course in Miracles is an open group. You may join at any time. The only thing that you need is the Third edition of A Course in Miracles which includes the text, workbook, teacher’s manual and two pamphlets. It is available from the facilitator, Reverend Marilyn Leigh or may be obtained from Barnes and Noble or as an eBook from Amazon. Join us as we journey together to God, the journey with no distance.

We meet on Thursdays at 4:30 P.M. in The Asbury Memorial social hall. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Leigh by email at [email protected] with any questions.

NEXT! Asbury’s Young Adult Fellowship Group

Young adults (ages 19-35, no children) meet the second Sunday of the month in the Conference Room immediately after the church service. The next meeting will be on June 9th. If you have any questions, or would like to be added to our Facebook group, please contact Alex Swanger at [email protected].

Men's Group The Men’s Group will be taking a Summer Break. They will reconvene on September 19th.

Study Groups & Fellowship Groups Asbury Memorial offers a wide variety of study and fellowship groups.

The Green Team Corner The Green Team will not meet again until September. We’ve got some wonderful plans for next year.

The Monday Seekers of Wisdom Group The group will be taking their summer break starting the month of June.

Reconciling Ministries Network

The church wide meeting on June 11th will serve as the Reconciling Ministries June meeting. Follow our news on Facebook @ Asbury Memorial Reconciling! In Christian service, Lance

Big God & Big Conversations: Wednesday Night Seekers Small Group Invites You to Join Us Are you interested in deep, wide-ranging conversation guaranteed to incorporate art, stories, life les- sons learned, literature, challenges faced, The Holy Spirit and who knows what else? Join us this summer for unexpected pathways and insights forged via conversation and community! We love ex- ploring the fresh insights of new people, so if you or someone you know would enjoy fascinating and intersecting conversation, join us Wednesday nights 6:30 -8 pm this summer in the conference room across from the water cooler. Please let us know you're interested so we can keep you in the loop on topics, books, or meeting changes (we honor that life does throw curveballs into schedules). Contact facilitator Susan Bolinger 218.213.2127

Join Us in Worship on Peace With Justice Sunday, June 16

Peace With Justice Sunday is one of six Special Sundays within the Church and it is coming up on June 16, 2019. Peace can seem very elusive, especially in our world today. With famine gripping entire countries, ter- ror and war enveloping regions, foreign assistance budgets being slashed, diplomacy being disregard- ed, and weapons proliferating before our eyes, it can be easy to discount the importance of our role in pursuing peace. But what we love about Peace With Justice Sunday, is that it enables us as United Methodists to work for peace around the world. When you give to your church on June 16, Church and Society receives a portion of those funds. We are able to disperse funds in the form of grants to ministries that are doing this important work in many places around the world. In addition, we are able to continue to advocate at the international level for peace and justice.

Mission and Service Committee

"Multiply the Love 1-15 Minute Ministries Challenge" How will YOU intentionally spread Asbury-style transformational love and acceptance wherever you go this summer? It doesn't have to take a lot of time to make an impact, it just takes INTENTION!

Think back to a time when someone reached out to you or someone you love through a kind but quick encounter.

Years ago, when my sister Cathy was going through a difficult divorce, a lady in the grocery store must have noticed she was very down. The stranger took the time to kindly catch my sister's eye and smile at her. That loving and supportive smile was the rope Cathy needed to hang on to that day--it was reassurance that there is goodness and kindness in the world. It meant so much to Cathy that 1,400 miles and many years after where and when it happened, I'm writing about it in the Asbury newsletter. Please don't ever underestimate the power of looking a stranger in the eyes and giving a genuine smile.

Here are a few ideas on how you might intentionally spread Asbury-style transformational love and acceptance wherever you go this summer:

1. Catch the eye of someone who looks like they need to be seen--someone who needs to know there is hope, and they matter. Really look at the "Cathy" in your grocery store, your waitress, the cashier, the homeless, and the bereft, and really SEE them. Pass on an Asbury smile that says "you matter.”

2. Listen, really listen. Being deeply listened to can be a life-altering gift. It takes attention and prac- tice.

3. Send an encouraging card to that person who keeps coming to mind, someone you haven't spoken to in a long time, someone who's been going through a difficult time, or someone who's done something for someone else.

4. Go out of your way to greet a couple of strangers around you in worship. You don't know what they were dealing with when they walked into Asbury for worship, but you can trust that your small act of kindness in worship can impact how they face their lives when they walk out of worship.

5. Pray for God to give you eyes to see and CHUTZPAH (spiritual audacity!) to act on a small 1-minute opportunity each day this summer to spread Asbury-style transformational love and acceptance wherever you go. If you ask for these opportunities, you'll get them!

Mission and Service Committee - Continued

If you take this "Multiply the Love 1-15 Minute Ministries Challenge", let me know. I'd love to hear how it impacted you, and what you learned, as well as generally how people have helped you in kind but quick encounters in your lifetime. Email me at [email protected], call or text 218.213.2127 or tell me in the Connection Corner. I look forward to hearing your stories of how you INTENTIONALLY spread Asbury-style transformational love and acceptance this summer. -Susan Bolinger

There will be free greeting cards for you to use in The Connection Corner. If you have any extra cards you'd like to donate for people to use, please drop them at The Connection Corner.

Congratulations to the Confirmation Class of 2019

Sam Crisp, Bay Luke, Alec Knox, & Marshall Lego

Congratulations to our Graduates, Class of 2019

College

High School Graduates Madeline Kelso Parents: Bill and Jamie Kelso Maddie Gratias Graduating from: Point Park University Parents: Eric and Melissa Gratias Degree: Dance, Magna Cum Laude Graduating from: Savannah Arts Academy College to be attending: Mercer Lauren Page Major: Undecided Parents: Andy & Sharon Page Graduating from: University of Georgia Stephen Heine Degree: Early Childhood Education with Grandparents: Rev. Jeanette & Richard Purvis honors Graduating from: Windsor Forest High School Will be enlisting in the US Army Charles Richardson Graduating from: Savannah Technical College Brie Hudson Degree: Adult Education Diploma Parents: Lisa Hudson Graduating from: Islands High School College to be attending: Georgia Southern Masters University (Statesboro Campus) Major: Biology Eva Ciccodicola Parents: Wendy & Pat Ciccodicola Abigail Jenkins Graduating from: University of Southern Parents: Candace & Chris Jenkins California Graduating from: Calvary Day School with high Degree: Doctor of Physical Therapy honors College to be attending: University of North Suzanne Cooler Florida Graduating from: Georgia College & State Major: International Studies University Degree: Public Administration Lexi Kern Parents: Stacey Kern Cale Hall Graduating from: Savannah Arts Academy Graduating from: Emory/Candler School of College to be attending: Savannah State Theology Major: Criminal Justice Degree: Theological Studies

Sydney Knauss Ashley Stroud Parents: Sara Knauss Parents: Karen & James Bolfik Graduating from: Savannah Arts Academy Graduating from: Georgia Southern College to be attending: Georgia Southern University University Degree: Early Childhood Education Major: Biology (going for veterinary medicine) Dr. Russ Kirks Nico Meraz Parents: Kim & Steve Johnson Parents: Lisa Meraz & Jeff Meraz Graduating from: Carolina Medical Center Graduating from: Rouse High School Degree: General Surgeon Residency Will be enlisting in US Army

Koel Strong Achievements & Certification Parents: Kevin and Tia Strong Graduating from: Islands High School Reverend Claire Marich College to be attending: Undecided Graduating from: Citizens Police Academy Major: Physical Therapy and Nutrition Achievement: Police Chaplain for Savannah City Police Department

Free Summer Food Service at Local Libraries See information above on participating library locations and hours.

To volunteer, please call Live Oak Public Library volunteer coordinator Rita Harris at 912.927.4079.

Volume 31, Number 6 June 2019

2019 Budget Offering PRAYER REQUESTS Asburians May 5th—$16,700.00

May 12th—$9,183.00

May 19th—$14,291.50 May 26th—TBA Laura Angell, Pat Annel, Jan Bell, Randy Bolinger, Jean Butcher, Becky Case, Gretchen Dodd, Helen Downing, Verna Enyeart, Ellie 2019 Weekly Budget Need Gonye, Chase Harrison, Geoff Harrison, $13,170.00 Cynthia Herold, Roy Hill, Jamie Kelso, Stacey Kern, Barbara King, Monica Lekuch, Danny 2019 YTD Budget Need Lewis, Jack Lewis, Scott McCoy, Brenda Mills, $263,400.00 Grady Mills, Frances Monson, Eric Mullins, Natalie Munro, Dan & Chriss Nelson, Marie 2019 YTD Received Parker, Mary Prokop, Colleen Robinette, $249,384.77 Caroline Smith, Roberta Smith, Geri Spears, Brenda Spencer, Liz Sprague, Cabell Stewart, Carol Walls, Judy Wilburn, Diane Williamson,

Marie Winters

WHEN SHADOWS FALL Family Members & Friends

 We extend our love and sympathy to Paula Steve Amerson, Dewy Ambos, Wayne Black, Avena in the death of her father, Ettore Ryan Collins, Janice Dorminey, Sara Driggers, Avena.

Ruchi Ferro, Alex Geronimo, Dan Goff,  We extend our love and sympathy to Kay Catherine Price Guiton, David Hamilton, Matt Deffley, Nick, Ruthie, Caleb & Mirabelle Hearn, Bruce Monson, Joe Overton, Deffley and Barbara & Danny Beam and Cindy Rauback, Schneider Alden Theodore, Jan family in the death of Kay’s mother-in-law, Newton Smth, Robert Smith, Sr., Kathy Swanger, Barbara Deffley. Carolyn Walters, Paula Watts, Larissa Whitten, Leola Williams, Jeanie Wynne

Chair Name Plate As we worship on Sundays, how meaningful it is HONORARIUMS to see the name of a loved one etched into a nameplate on one of our beautiful sanctuary chairs. If you would like to remember or honor a A Gift has been given to the Trustees Fund loved one in a special way, complete an order in honor of Mary Alice Garvin’s form and turn it into the church office. Forms are 92nd birthday available in the church office. by The cost is $250.00. The funds are used for the Joan Hester Byrd upkeep and maintenance of the sanctuary.

Asbury Memorial Non Profit Organization Church U.S. Postage Paid Permit #133 1008 East Henry Street Savannah, GA 31401-7128 Savannah, GA INT.ID 206896 Office 233-4351 Fax 233-5026 www.asburymemorial.org

Return Service Requested

Flowers in the Sanctuary Supplying the flower arrangements for the worship service is a wonderful way to commemorate a date that is important to you or a loved one. Please check the 2019 Flower Chart in the narthex and sign up. The cost is $60. For more information call the church office at 233-4351.

Special Funds One way to honor or to remember a loved one is with a memorial or an honorarium to some of our different funds such as the Trustee Fund, General Fund, Piano/Organ Fund, the Children’s Fund, Youth Fund or one of our Mission Funds.

Newsletter Information If you have an announcement for “The Asbury Update,” please send it to the church office in writing by the 15th of each month. Contact Claudette DeLong, Office Manager at 233-4351 or email to [email protected] Office hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday thru Thursday.

Mission Statement: Asbury Memorial is a place where all people can develop their spirituality, use their talents, and grow in faith as we seek to love, serve, and celebrate God, each other, and our community.