Reflections by the Rev. Lou Hays -​ My Last Christmas (at St. Paul’s) As you know, my retirement is upcoming. While the exact date is dependent on the ultimate outcome of the Rector search process, it’s clearly sooner rather than later. The practical consequence is... Michelle's Musings - On Epiphanies People are not all that pleasant. Okay, that may not sound like an epiphan... New Strategies for a New Year Every year, people make lots of New Year’s Resolutions to improve some as... More Clergy Voices »These are the biggest things happening right now at King Street Church– the latest news and upcoming events.  Click on any of the red highlighted words to get more information. In two weeks, our 11:00 am services will start  fifteen minutes later, providing much-needed time after the 9:45 services. Childcare pick-up is also moved from noon to 12:15 pm. Friday, January 13, from 5:30-8:30 pm:  Are you a parent of a young child who could use a night off?  

The Children’s Ministry is offering a Date Night for parents of young children.  We will watch your children while you take a well deserved break.  If you would love to help us bless some of our parents, volunteer to help with childcare for this special night.   Friday-Sunday, February 3-5 in Mt. Pleasant, PA Winter Slam is right around the corner!  This amazing weekend is Friday-Sunday, February 3-5, in Mt. Pleasant, PA.  quiksilver ignite backpack multiWe’ll enjoy fun, food, Bible lessons, and of course — plenty of winter sports.  tubie backpackThe registration deadline is NEXT Sunday, January 15 (grades 6-12,)  Final payment is due January 29. ogio 1150 backpackRegister today on our website or by filling out a registration card available at the SMC welcome windows.

March 3-26:  We are excited to announce that KSC will hold an art exhibit in the church this coming spring.  We just need you, our congregation, to provide the artwork!  All mediums will be accepted; you don’t have to be a professional.  The theme is Transformation.  Registration details coming soon. The first ALPHA class meets on Sunday, January 8, at 11:15 am in M121:  Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith.  It is geared toward those who have questions about what is means to follow Jesus. Topics include: Who is Jesus? Why did Jesus die? How can I have faith? We’ll discuss these and more in an accepting environment. For ladies who may be available for a morning study, consider: How has God used you to engage and bless someone?  As we come to the end of 2016, we wonder if God has prompted you to reach outside your comfort zone to show His love to someone.  Maybe you spoke a kind word to a stranger or helped a neighbor or encouraged someone going through a hard time.  

We can celebrate this victory together when you share it on the Chalkboard Wall (near the Rotz Foyer, across from our largest Information Wall.) A Festival of Tables is a party where all of the tables are decorated with the same theme; this January our theme is Brand New Me!  Ladies will be invited to decorate and hostess a table to reflect the things that inspire them the most.  We are currently looking for ladies to hostess a table.  Those attending are asked to bring a dish to share and also an item to donate to She’s Somebody’s Daughter (SSD), a local ministry that seeks to provide a community of love and hope for women who have been affected by sexual abuse and exploitation.  SSD will use the items to create gift bags for women they meet. Suggestions  include socks, candles, tea, coffee, hot chocolate with mug, gloves, scarves, hats, or fleece blankets (new items, please).   Friday, February 10, in the Baker Center:  King Street Church is proud to be an official host church for the 2017 Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation.  

Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience for people with special needs, centered on God’s love and value for every person.  Save the date, and plan now to get involved!   Provide your latest information.  We will keep your contact details confidential and use them only for church business.  Here is the ONLINE FORM. • Jan. 16 Bless Your Heart • Jan. 16 Community News • Jan. 15 Bless Your Heart Keeping the dream alive Religious leaders, officials and law enforcement officers on Sunday reflected on Martin Luther King’s dream and highlighted efforts necessary to keep it alive. Community members filled St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church for the third annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day… Downtown craftsman marks 50 years of shear delight Miles for Smiles: Local orthodontist on the road again to help children Wonderful addition: Council approves purchase of property for park All Charges are preliminary PITT PETS: Photos of animal friends shared by your neighbors

YOUR PHOTOS: People, places and events shared by your neighbors or clicking the link, and check out the photos your neighbors have shared. Jeep Grand Cherokee 2016 Rampants celebrate biggest fan's birthday Waste steam company eyes Farmville site Going the distance: Ultra runners go to greater lengths than traditional marathoners Cincy sends ECU to fifth straight loss TRUST, ESTATE AND LITIGATION PARALEGALThe Rev. Sandra Skinner is the new pastor at OakwoodFirst United Methodist Church. It's her third church. Her best experience so far, Skinner said Thursday, is how welcoming the congregation has been. Sandra Skinner has learned many important things in almost five years of working in ministry. "There’s a lot of hurting people and a lot of people in need," Skinner said, "but no matter what the circumstances are, if they know God is bigger than circumstance, if they feel his love and feel valued throughout, I believe that’s the message they need to hear."

Skinner brings that knowledge and more to her new appointment as the Rev. of Oakwood First United Methodist Church. While she is new to Oakwood. Skinner is a lifelong member of the Methodist denomination and the Christian faith. Two previous appointments at Methodist churches and a lifetime believing of have helped her hone the message she wants her new congregants to hear. "God is bigger than any situation," Skinner said. "That’s what I’ve learned myself, going through hard times. If we trust in him, he’ll get us through it." Skinner grew up in a Methodist church in the Chicago area. After pursuing a career as an executive assistant in the corporate world, Skinner felt the "pull to ministry" in 2005 through her work with adult education. She went into full time ministry in 2009 and became a licensed pastor in 2010. She is currently enrolled in a course of study at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, one of the 13 seminaries of the United Methodist Church.

In her down time, Skinner enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband, Daniel, and children Grace and Christian, as well as traveling and enjoying the "life’s humor" of television shows such as "Seinfeld." She previously served as the minister of Mount Zion Methodist Church in Carnesville and Mount Bethel Methodist Church in Commerce before coming to Oakwood United Methodist Church. In the Methodist denomination, ministers serve for one year at a time. For full time churches within the United Methodist Church conference, the clergy appointment process is conducted by the bishop and the Cabinet. The Cabinet is made up of all the district superintendents within a region. For part-time churches like OFUMC, district superintendents are solely responsible for making appointments. The district superintendent for the Northeast Georgia District, the Rev. Richard Chewning, said he knew Skinner would be a good match for the OFUMC from prior experience. "I appointed (Skinner) to her previous churches and have known her for a while," Chewning said.

"She’s done a great job and the Oakwood church seemed like a good fit for her and the congregation." The Methodist denomination, among other Protestant denominations, is one of a handfule that ordains female clergy. The United Methodist Church conference, in particular, has been ordaining female clergy for over 40 years. "I have felt that no one has viewed me differently as a woman pastor," Skinner said. "I haven’t come up against any controversy or resistance from any of the churches I’ve served. I’ve been very blessed that way." According to Skinner, both genders possess qualities that can help them serve a higher purpose. "I believe that God has given women a natural nurturing element to them that’s helpful in ministry, but that’s not to say that men don’t have that nurturing quality, either," Skinner said. Chewning has also witnessed very few, if any, negative reactions from congregants when it comes to being led by a woman. "People are people, and sometimes, whether male or female, people react differently to different clergy, but I don’t know that we see it as often now," Chewning said.

"More and more congregations are more open to female clergy, and certainly female clergy bring some very wonderful, God-given gifts to the ministry." The highs and lows of Skinner’s job, or the job of any clergy member, appear to be gender neutral. "The most rewarding aspect is seeing someone progress in their faith with God, to be able to help people discover that path and see them grow," Skinner said. "The most challenging (aspect) would be trying to reach those who have shut themselves down from the opportunity or the possibility to grow closer to God, and trying to determine the best way to approach them and help them to open that door." When confronted by someone who is cynical or even hostile toward the church, Skinner sticks to several key points about her belief system. "I would tell them that there is a greater purpose for their life," she said. "They are made to be in a relationship with their Creator, and their Creator very much wants to be a part of their life."

Skinner also looks forward to focusing her attention on several closely held causes at OFUMC. "I feel a heart for families and children and preventing hunger, especially here, right now in our local communities," Skinner said. At Mount Bethel, she and her congregation partnered with the local school system to supply children in need with backpacks of food to insure they were fed over the weekends. Her appointment at OFUMC will allow her to work with the South Hall Community Food Pantry in nurturing this cause. Skinner also said she hopes to engage and grow missionary efforts locally and globally. In addition to OFUMC’s local partnership with the South Hall Food Pantry, the church also supports 10 internationally based missionary families in different areas of the world. If she could impress one legacy upon her congregation, Skinner said she would ultimately choose discipleship. "My focus with my congregation is to bring them together to give honor and glory to God, to nurture them with God’s love and to send them out into the community and across the world in missions to make disciples for Jesus Chirst," Skinner said.