Mt. Hope United

Church of

Christ

2400 Mt. Hope Church Rd.

Whitsett, NC 27377

Office: 336-697-1561

Fax: 336-697-1449

e-mail:mthope@triad.rr.com

website: www.mthopeucc.com

church co-pastors

Rev. Lynne Hinton

(505) 220-4594 (cell)

(36) 895-4971 (home)

Rev. Kristin Gerner Vaughn

(336) 402-2897 (cell)

(336) 617-0777 (home)

Office Hours: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Email: lynnehintonnm@aol.com

kristingvaughn@gmail.com

church secretary

Shirley Connor Office hours:

Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Thurs. - Fri., 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

consistory president

Dallas Belvin

choir director / organist

Tim Hucks

custodian

Brenda Currie

Mt. Hope Messenger August, 2016

Your Love Letter from Your Pastors:

We are on the cusp of something new. On June 1, 2016, Mt.

Hope voted for 2 pastors to work together, equally yoked, to care for

this church, to provide pastoral care, to preach, to plan and lead

worship, to provide guidance to committees and to lead the church

in missions and community outreach. The past 8 weeks have been

life-giving for both of your pastors. We have accomplished things

like setting up the office, making the one office work for two

pastors. We have attended meetings and helped with VBS, begun a

Bible Study on Wednesday nights, provided pastoral care to

homebound members and those in the hospital. We have been

inspired hearing your stories over coffee and lunch and we have

prayed for you. We are gaining a sense of rhythm to our week.

Starting something new is exciting and challenging. George

Washington, as he was starting this country, said, “Change is a fast

growing plant.”

George Washington also said, “Collaboration is a plant of

slow growth that endures much adversity.” Your pastors desire to be

co-pastors who are in constant collaboration with each other. Both

of us are part-time pastors with part-time hours. We are 2 pastors

filling a fulltime position and in order to do that we value

collaboration so that the church’s resources and our time can be

utilized fully.

You may not always see us together. Most likely, one pastor

will be present at any one ministry event, such as a committee

meetings, however, please know that we share notes from each

ministry event we attend with the other pastor. We collaborate about

your meeting, your pastoral care needs, prayer concerns, upcoming

events, future ministries, etc. It is a bonus for Mt. Hope Church to

now have 2 pastors who love you and remain in prayer for you

continuously. On our first day of work, we were together riding in

Lynne’s car. We were returning from making pastoral care visits in

the nursing care facilities. It was a blessed day! As we were

traveling, we saw a church member in her yard. I rolled down the

window and said, “Hey there!!” I didn’t think she recognized the car

or me so I introduced us, “Hey! It is your 2-headed pastor.” How

does the saying go? Two heads are always better than one.

George Washington was right, collaboration is a slow

growing plant that endures much adversity. Faith, collaboration,

love, genuine care and a passion for ministry are helping us shape

our time together. We remain grateful for this

opportunity to be your pastors, together. You are a

wonderful church and we feel blessed to be in this

partnership together.

Co-Pastor’s Yearly Schedule:

Kristin returns on August 6. Lynne will be

gone during September. (1st year modified

schedule.)

December through May: Lynne and

Kristin will both be working part-time.

Summer: Lynne will be working full-time.

Fall: Kristin will be working full-time.

Pastor Lynne is in the office Monday-Wednesday

Pastor Kristin is in the office Wednesday-Friday.

Courage and strength, blessings and power,

Your Pastors

Co-Pastor's Schedule The Pastor Preaching is on-call for the week before that Sunday. Week Preaching On-Call August 1 – 7 Lynne Lynne

August 8 – 14 Kristin Kristin

August 15 – 21 Lynne Lynne

August 22 – 28 Lynne Lynne

Aug. 29 – Sept. 4 Kristin Kristin

Mt. Hope United Church of Christ

Consistory Meeting

6-13-16

Members Present: Gloria Apple, Dallas Belvin,

Elizabeth Craft, Bennie Gerner, Bob Hamlet, Joe

Hughes, Dora Moore, Linda Shue, and Becky

Stafford

Trustees Present: Wesley Reece

The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. A

quorum was established and Dallas welcomed all.

Devotions: Becky Stafford presented devotions on

the Aaron and Miriam. People wept because they

had not heard the word, they were spiritually

hungry people. She referred to last Sunday’s

Sermon and how the congregation wept as we too

have been spiritually hungry and we are now

hearing the word. Becky gave thanks to our new

pastors. Rev. Hinton thanked us all for her being

here and to work with Kristin. Dallas closed in

prayer.

Trustees Report:

Wesley reported that they have fixed all the

burned out lights.

The computer for the heating and air has some

issues but they are giving it another month

before we decide it has to be replaced.

We need to run note in bulletin to remind

everyone to not touch the HVAC controls per

Dallas, Consistory President, as it is controlled

by a computer.

Bathroom is still work in progress.

HVAC unit for parlor is work in progress.

Porch light will be fixed we when can arrange

for a lift.

No one has seen a leak in the Steeple, still

watching it.

Bennie Gerner is to get a date set for the church

cleanup.

Thanks go to Tracy Brady & Stanley Buff for

painting the external doors of the church.

Dora Moore to get an “authorized personnel

only” sign for the boiler room.

Three walls of the pastors’ office need to be

painted.

To run announcement in bulletin that we have a

used office desk if anyone would like it to let

Dallas or one of the trustees know.

Gutters are off in two places. Wesley to get a

price on using a lift.

Bennie Gerner gave approval for the church to

put the water tanks for the shelter in the

building in the cemetery to be stored so the

trustees can have access when the shelter is

rented. To run announcement that the picnic

shelter needs to be reserved with Shirley, we

have a procedure just like for the use of the

church.

Youth asked to move homeless bags packing

area to the other side of the Meals4kids room.

Youth to clean up and organize so they can use

it.

Pastors’ Report:

The pastors reported that they have had two

funerals in June and have done twelve visits

includes meeting with families.

They are following up with visitors from each

Sunday.

Rev. Hinton will be at BRCC this weekend

Wednesday – Saturday.

Southern Conference annual meeting is Jun 23-

25. Anyone interested in attending, Rev.

Vaughn will be going Thursday and Friday and

Rev. Hinton will be going with anyone else

who wants to attend.

Rev. Hinton is taking September off. Rev.

Vaughn will be off June 26-July 9th.

The installation of our new pastors will be on

Aug 28th. Saturday August 27th we will have a

farmer’s market day and crafts and music.

Stewardship Committee to change August hot

dog lunch date to August 27th. Saturday Aug

27th we will have a night speaker and open up

the church to other churches and conference for

Stages of Faith. Steve Lucas will be the

speaker and we will have a love offering for

him. August 28th at 3pm will be the installation

service. We will have pot luck lunch and Ice

cream social for the reception and Bennie to

check on music and someone to check with

Cynthia Morris about changing the ice cream

social to the day of the installation.

The pastors are doing mid-week

announcements and they are taking 5 members

each week to pray for them and their families.

Working on pod cast for link about info on

each sermon.

Approval of the Minutes: A motion was made and

seconded to approve the minutes with the

corrections. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Joe Hughes presented a report

on May. The beginning balance in May was

$40,404.50 and the monthly income was

$22,454.97. Expenses were $14,598.58. This

resulted in a closing balance of $48,260.89. A

motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report was made

and seconded. Motion carried.

Meals4kids: Gloria Apple reported that they

thought the last bagging was in May but because the

school year was extended they were given another

week to do. Thanks goes to Bennie and Judy Gerner

for delivering the bags.

Stewardship: Dallas reminded everyone that our

first hot dog lunch will be on Saturday.

Evangelism: Dallas reported they still need

members. Bennie Gerner, Helen Busick, Dallas

Belvin, Elizabeth Craft, Rev. Hinton and Rev.

Vaughn will help.

Old Business:

Youth helped out with Andy Open.

Rev. Foust Visit, consistory needs more

information.

The pastors will cover with the congregation

the good works of the UCC.

Safe church policy, Dee informed pastors they

need to complete and we are still waiting on

others.

Constitution Revision committee will be giving

the Consistory a list of the changes to review.

Legacy Planning and UCC funded projects,

Dallas will let us know when something comes

available for us to help.

Nursery Worker Training, Elizabeth to set up

training.

Holding off on installing TV/DVD for nursery

0-4 years and will work to put teaching into

place.

Rev Hinton moving expenses have been settled

up.

Dora Moore called Duke Power but we will

still have three bills but they put them on the

same schedule to read so we could write one

check.

New Business:

Consistory discussed Mt. Hope Daycare

opportunity but we have too many issues going

on to do this now.

Dee Greeson to get photos of Rev. Hedrick and

Rev. Wallace that are not pictured on the

bulletin board of past preachers.

Dallas to send letter about hosting WNCA

meeting.

Bill Craft has offered to scan historical records

and so that we can have them on and off site. A

motion was made and seconded to allow Bill

Craft to scan them. Motion carried.

Thanks to Bill Craft for the pastor’s desk,

computers and help setting up everything.

Actions Approved by Dallas:

We purchased two new chairs for the pastors’

office.

Approved funeral for Tyler Gerringer to be

held at the church.

Approved use of the van for the Crossnore

Trip.

Rev. Vaughn closed in prayer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:58 p.m.

Next Consistory Meeting is July 14th at 7pm.

Respectfully Submitted, Gloria Apple, Secretary

Greetings Ladies,

How the summer is speeding by! There is

just one thing to remind you of this month. We have

been invited to attend the Guilford/Randolph

District meeting of Southern Conference Church

Women. It will be held at St Stephen UCC

Greensboro on Sunday, August 14th, at 3:00 pm. If

you would like to attend just be at Mt. Hope that

day at 2:15 and we can car pool. We will be

receiving information about new program material.

Also, two people will be sharing their testimonies

about their real-life experiences. Let’s try to be

there!

Elizabeth Craft

Greensboro Urban Ministry: Due

to the holiday and people being on

vacation, our food donations were

very low for the month of July so we

didn't take any in this month. Our

collection dates for August will be Sunday, August

7th and on Sunday, August 14th. You can bring

food at any time. The Children are out of school and

the need for food is even greater at this time. There

is a basket in the Narthex for your donations and a

monetary container is there also if that will work

better for you. There are also containers in the

breezeway and the portico entrances. Please pray

about this much need ministry and buy a can or two

when you do your grocery shopping. Thank you for

your support in the much needed ministry.

On July 3, 2016, we celebrated the baptism of

Aveleen “Avie” Craft. Avie is the daughter of

Michael and Kate Craft, the sister of Liam and

Corbin, the granddaughter of Bill and Elizabeth

Craft and Wayne and Lynn Hale and great

granddaughter of Peg Hale. Below you will find

some photos from the service.

Lilly Moser serving as Acolyte

Baptism of Aveleen

Baptismal Reading

Music by Kathi Hinton Nixon & Georgia Kate

Edgerton, Pastor Lynne’s family members

Aveleen’s family

Children’s Time

Wednesday night Bible Study, come join us!

Hot Dog Lunch Report for July

For the month of July, we had another

successful hot dog lunch. Attendance was good with

a total of $508.75 in purchases and $75.75 in

outright gifts. So far for July, no requests for

reimbursement have been submitted, so we have no

purchases to be paid from receipts.

We greatly appreciate the work of our

volunteers and supporters for purchasing food,

donating food and supplies, and for working

diligently to make the lunch a success.

The table below provides totals of the food

items consumed. It lists the funds received for

purchases and on-the-spot donations. The total has

been deposited into the general fund account.

total desserts sold= 95

total chips sold= 165

total drinks sold= 98

total hot dogs sold= 211

total funds received= $508.75

Gifts received at

lunch = $75.75

total funds received= $584.50

The Hot Dog Lunch for August will be on

Saturday, August 27th. It will be very special as it

will be part of the installation of our new ministers.

Please plan to attend and become part of this

occasion to welcome our new pastors and to meet

and greet friends and relatives in the community.

-The Stewardship committee

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mt. Hope VBS 2016 - Barnyard Friends

The Vacation Bible School for Mt. Hope

this year took place July 17th-19th. Our theme was

Barnyard Friends. We had 12 kids to attend. We

had a great time and a great bunch of

leaders/helpers. Our story was “The Sower”, which

was taught by Farmer Kristin and Farmer Lynne.

They taught us to condition our hearts to follow

God and his word, and live a good life instead of a

rocky life so we can grow spiritually just like plants

planted in good soil. We planted flowers in a

wheelbarrow which is placed outside of the porch of

the Pastors’ office. We also went on a wagon ride

to Larry and Lydia Moser’s farm. We had the

opportunity to pet a hen and a sheep. There was also

a donkey on the farm. Pastor Kristin read us a Bible

story about the cross on the donkey’s back (see the

picture). We also received a special treat from Mary

Catherine, which we ate when we got back to the

church. The last day we played some games. The

older kids enjoyed “Red Rover”, an oldie but

goodie. The younger kids enjoyed playing, “Pig

Pen”. Our pink pigs made out of balloons escaped

from their pen and had to be put back in using fly

swatters. It was an exciting time as the pigs kept

escaping. We also had great snacks: pigs in a

blanket, cow tails, fruit & veggie cups, goldfish,

melon in a melon bowl that looked like a pig and

yummy cupcakes. The kids had fun learning some

fun songs, including “Take Me Out to the

Barnyard”, “BINGO”, “Old MacDonald” and “If

You Are Happy and You Know It”. A BIG THANK

YOU to everyone that helped with VBS, everyone

worked hard and made this VBS a success. It could

have not been done without you. Enjoy the photos!!

Day 1 – July 17th

Day 2 – July 18th

Day 3 – July 19th

Sue Holt sang “The Lord’s Prayer” during the

worship service on Sunday, July 24. What a

blessing!!

Our youth are

working each

month to prepare care packages for the homeless.

They pack the bags on the third Sunday of each

month in order to deliver them on the fourth

Sunday. This is a ministry in which the entire

church family can participate. Below you will find a

list of the items that are used each month to pack

the bags. Please be thinking about the list of items

that are needed and pick up a few things at a time

when you are able. It might be a good idea to keep

the list with you as shop to help you remember what

is needed. There are boxes in the hallway of the

educational building to leave them. What a

wonderful way to show God’s love to those who are

less fortunate than we are! Thank you!!

Care Package Ministry for those less

fortunate-

Applesauce cups

Pudding cups

Men’s Socks

Soap (travel size are perfect)

Wash Clothes

Toothpaste (travel size are perfect)

Shampoo (travel size are perfect)

Individual Snacks

Back packs – (As school quickly approaches

and you are purchasing new backpacks,

consider donating your slightly worn bags.

These are so helpful.)

We have an address change

for you to make in your

directories. Karen Johnson has

moved to 7414 Danford Rd.,

Burlington, NC 27215. Her

phone number remains the same.

There is an incorrect email

address circulating for Pastor

Kristin. Please make sure

you have the right email

address for her. The correct

address is :

kristingvaughn@gmail.com. There is a "g"

between her first and last name. Please make this

permanent correction.

Mt. Hope Partnering with Peacehaven

Farm On August 11th Mt. Hope will launch a program

partnering with Peacehaven Farm. Using the fibers

that wool from sheep provides we will work to

make items for the core members to sell in stores.

We will work together to process the wool, from

skirting the wool to transforming the wool into a

product to use. We will focus our efforts on felted

soaps and disks for making mobiles for Peacehaven

Core Members to sell. If you are interested in

helping, we need help skirting and washing the

wool (this can be done in your own home) and we

will need participants to come join the core

members and help us on Thursdays from 4-6 PM in

the old fellowship hall here at the church. If you

know of anyone who has sheep, please let us know,

we are in need of a wool supply!! If you have

questions or want to sign up to help, please contact

the church, or Chelsey Cox at chelseycox@aol.com.

Current Needs:

Sheep…just their wool

Old wool clothing items like socks,

sweaters, etc. collection bin in the

breezeway.

School starts back on August 29th.

Enjoy the rest of your summer

vacation!!

New Member Sunday is August

14th! We have a number of people

who are planning to join the

church on this day. If you are

interested in joining with our

church family be sure to contact Pastor Lynne or

Pastor Kristin.

Thank you so much to our

Mt Hope family for all the

cards, food, paper products,

messages and visits during my Moms passing. God

blessed us with a great gift in you guys. We love

you all. Pat Harris and Family

August Birthdays

2nd Alayna Woollett

5th Tiffany Needham, Clay Warren

6th Bernice Shoffner

7th Noral Belvin, Donna Cauthren

9th Josh Anzaldua, John Deaton, Bob Lane, III,

Colton Underwood

11th Colby Arrington

12th Bryson Caviness, Kim Sheffield

14th Jeanne Ingold

15th Lu Eller Ingold

16th Trevor Bolton

17th Susie Simpson

18th Greg Greeson

21st Sylvia Gilliam, Tim Hucks, Linda Neese,

Penny Perkins

22nd Michael Craft, John Dickson, Peggy Eller,

Casey Ellis

23rd Jo Ann Gauldin, Richard Knowles, Dalton

Paul

24th Rachael Gossett

25th Glenda Slayton, Landon Woollett

26th Jaime Owen, Catherine Priesmeyer

28th Simon Clark, Alan Michaux

29th Sara Shue

31st Karen Kirkman

August Anniversaries

4th Haywood & Peggy Levens

E.C. & Inez Thornburg

11th Jerry & Nancy Bartenfield

Greg & Lisa Moser

17th Max & Elaine Layton

19th Roger & Patty Coble

Donald & Linda Slayton

21st Jeff & Susan Holt

27th Cliff & Barbara Greeson

28th Brian & Emily Neal

31st Michael & Faith Oakley

August Events

2nd 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

3rd 6:30 p.m., Bible Study

4th 6:30 p.m., High Lonesome Strings Jam

Session

7th Collecting for Greensboro Urban Ministry

9:45 a.m., Sunday School

11:00 a.m., Worship, Pastor Lynne

9th 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

10th 6:30 p.m., Bible Study

11th 4:00 p.m., Peacehaven Project

7:00 p.m., Consistory

14th New Member Sunday

Collecting for Greensboro Urban Ministry

9:45 a.m., Sunday School

11:00 a.m., Worship – Pastor Kristin

16th 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

17th 6:30 p.m., Bible Study

7:30 p.m., Choir Rehearsal

18th 4:00 p.m., Peacehaven Project

21st 9:45 a.m., Sunday School

Youth pack bags for homeless

11:00 a.m., Worship, Pastor Lynne

23rd 9:00 a.m., Quilters Meet

24th 6:30 p.m., Bible Study

25th 4:00 p.m., Peacehaven Project

27th 8:00 a.m., Farmer’s Market and Fellowship–

Live Music

11:00 a.m., Hot Dog Lunch

7:00 p.m., Church Leaders Workshop

28th 11:00 a.m., Worship Service and Rally Day:

Dr. Stephen Lucas preaching

12:00 p.m., Potluck (New Fellowship Hall)

3:00 p.m., Service of Installation, Followed

by Ice Cream Social

Black Lake activities (Submitted by Bennie Gerner, Jeff Holt, and Bill Craft)

Black Lake is a bucolic retreat and conference center in Randolph County. It is located at 4709 New

Hope Church Rd, Asheboro, NC. Catawba College Chaplain and Senior Vice President, Dr. Kenneth Clapp and

his team oversee the center’s operation, and Ken has indicated that every effort is being made to make the

operation of Black Lake Retreat Center a model of environmental stewardship and sustainability. He said that

“We want to preserve this beautiful enclave of creation as a place where people can get away, relax and

experience the wonders of nature at the same time that they share meaningful experiences with friends and

loved ones.” In fact, the mission of the Black Lake Retreat Center is to offer a place of retreat and spiritual

renewal to persons of all ages and levels of faith development." Additional Black Lake information can be

found at: www.blacklakecenter.org.

Twice during the week of July 17 through 23, we traveled to the Black Lake to help extend electrical

services to two new cabins at the Black Lake network. The photos below provide some details about our work

and experiences in this tranquil and quiet conclave.

Trenching to bring power to new cabins Side-by-side cabins under construction

We completed nearly all of the interior wiring for lights, power

outlets, the HVAC systems, hot water, and nearby exterior lighting. The

cabins are just that, small, but with the mod coms most people need while

roughing it. We had a few quick encounters with wildlife including deer not

staying long enough for photos. In addition to running wiring and installing

electrical boxes, we were met by Ken at the site who invited us to lunch on

Thursday. There were 30 to 40 ravenous students already having lunch

when we arrived, but Ken was a great host and had hidden away some

specially prepared salad aka taco mix and a special baked pasta recipe. This

was important because by the time we arrived the tacos had all been

devoured.

Bennie at work on a switch box

Students dining at the Black Lake Retreat

Center overlooking the lake

Bill, Jeff, and Bennie at lunch with Ken

Mt. Hope United Church of Christ 2400 Mount Hope Church Road Whitsett, North Carolina 27377

Church Phone: 336-697-1561 Fax Number: 336-697-1449

July 20, 2016

Dear Community of Faith:

We are writing to invite you to a weekend of Installation activities as we celebrate the installment of our new

co-pastors, Rev. Kristin Gerner Vaughn and Rev. Lynne Hinton. We are excited about the new things God is

doing in our midst and we want to share our delight with you and members of your faith community.

We are beginning the weekend with a farmers/artists market on Saturday morning, August 27, 8:00-12:00 pm

with live music and dance performances, and a hot dog lunch 11:00 am- 1:00 pm. There will be a special

presentation Saturday evening from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm on “Where’s My Church: The Challenges Communities

of Faith Face in These Changing Times,” led by Church Consultant and Retreat Leader, Dr. Stephen Lucas.

Sunday’s events begin with Worship at 11:00 am, followed by a church potluck.

The Installation Service will be Sunday, August 28, at 3:00 PM at Mount Hope UCC in the sanctuary. Ministers

are asked to process in and sit together. Red stoles will be worn. Pastor Kristin and Pastor Lynne will be

bringing the message and guest speakers include, Rev. Jennie Hemrick, Thomasville, NC, Dr. Stephen Lucas,

Austin Texas, Dr. Sharon Hinton Bender, New Bern, NC. Communion will be served.

Following the service a reception will be held in the Fellowship Hall.

We hope you can attend all of the events but we especially look forward to your joining us for this special

service of worship and celebration. We honor you and your ministry and hope this will be an opportunity for

you to worship with us!

In God’s Peace,

Dallas Belvin

Dallas Belvin, Consistory President

Installation Weekend

Schedule of Events

August 27-28, 2016

Saturday, August 27

8:00 am – 12:00 pm: Farmers Market and Crafts show, live

music, breakfast items and coffee for sale (Outside in the back

parking lot and picnic shelter)

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Hot Dog Lunch (Old Fellowship Hall)

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm: Special Presentation: “Where’s My

Church? The Challenges Communities of Faith Face in These

Changing Times” led by Church Consultant and Retreat

Leader, Dr. Stephen Lucas, Austin, Texas

Sunday, August 28

11:00 am Worship Service and Rally Day:

Dr. Stephen Lucas preaching

12:00 pm Potluck (New Fellowship Hall)

3:00 pm Service of Installation (Sanctuary)

Reception to follow (New Fellowship Hall)

Mount Hope United Church of Christ

2400 Mount Hope Church Road

Whitsett, NC 27377

Farmers Market and Art/Crafts Fair

Date: Saturday, August 27, 2016

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Wide variety of vendors - local artists, pottery, jewelry,

soaps, essential oils, embroidered, crocheted, & wooden

items, molasses, baked goods, veggies, and even books from

a best-selling author!

Coffee and Breakfast will be available

Hot Dog Sale from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Come on over and enjoy some live music while you shop!!