From Our PastorsThe Christian Perspective of Social Issues

Illegal immigration, same sex marriage, gun control, national health care reform, global warming - all hot button issues which evoke passionate and, often, contentious responses from people on either side of the issue. A discussion of what role the Church should play in helping facilitate discussion can evoke equally passionate and hostile debate. Many people believe the Church should be silent in any debate of such issues, citing the separation of Church and State, especially when the issue may be political in nature. Others believe that the Church has a duty, if not a moral obligation to speak out and bring a Christian perspective to any debate of the issues. For many church leaders it is something of a slippery slope.

Every church - including Dayspring - is comprised of such a diverse group of people that it is impossible to speak on behalf of the church as if we were all of one mind on any issue. Nevertheless, we do have an obligation as Christians to bring our faith to bear in every aspect of our lives. Our faith should shape and inform every opinion we hold and every action we take.

So, should the Church have any role in a debate about secular issues? We may never all agree on the answer to that question, but I hope we all can agree that as Christians we have a duty and an obligation to be well informed about any issue that affects our community and our world. Too often people seem to form an opinion before becoming informed, and then respond with "knee-jerk reaction" to those who disagree with them. We have a duty as Christians to treat every other person with respect and civility - two commodities that seem to be conspicuously absent from our discourse today. We have a duty to be informed, involved citizens of our world who bring the Christian principles of peace, love and tolerance to any discussion or debate of "hot button" issues. We do not have the luxury to live in isolation and ignorance - there is too much at stake in our world today! The world needs the civility and values that we have to offer to any debate.

Does the Church have any voice in this debate? Of course! At least tacitly we do, because every church has the duty to teach Christian values and to support us in our faith walk as we live out our values in the world around us. Our influence and impact is crucial for the health and welfare of our society!

Blessings,
Jane

Patio Brick StackingJoin UMM in preparing for the Patio Renovation

Patio renovation starts on September 13. Dayspring's part is to take up the bricks and stack them for reuse on September 10-11th. This will save the church between $4,000 and $5,000. Rick Drown of the Trustees has arranged for a forklift and pallets to clean and stack them on. The primary work for Dayspring members is taking the bricks up so that the contractor can start the infrastructure work.

Rick has split the work and we are going to start at 7:00 am on Friday September 10 and continue as needed on Saturday September 11 also at 7:00am.

At this point, all the tools that are required are gloves and you. We may have an update on that next week. The more hands working the faster we will finish. Let's help get ready for our new patio.

This is a great opportunity for UMM to lead the effort and they need our help. I hope that you will join us to complete this by working the 10th or 11th or both.

In order to plan our workforce, please respond to Tom McLaughlin at TJMR28@msn.com with the time or times that you are available. No matter how long you can work either day, that participation will be greatly valued.

We appreciate your support.

Tom McLaughlin

UMM Golf Event

On Saturday morning, September 11, UMM is sponsoring an All-Church Golf event for men and women. It will be at Ahwautukee Lakes Golf Course and will cost $45 per person which includes 18 holes of golf, a cart and a barbeque following your game. There will be lots of prizes and other fun. Don't worry about your skill level, just come and enjoy the fellowship.

There will be a UMM sign-up table after each service. For information contact Jim Baker at JamesHBaker@cox.net or Tom McLaughlin at TJMR28@msn.com.

Winter Clothing DriveEven Arizona Gets Cold in the Winter

Please help the Dayspring Youth Ministry collect coats, sweatshirts, blankets, hats, gloves and scarves for the homeless during their Winter Clothing Drive, September 1—24.

All donations go to the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

Please place your donated items in the bin in the church office.

5K Walk for Homeless Families

Join us for the UMOM Women’s Auxiliary Second Annual 5K Walk for Homeless Families.

UMOM operates the largest homeless shelter for families in Arizona, serving more than 550 individuals each day by providing food, shelter and opportunities for improving lives.

You can help UMOM make a difference! Put together your team and register today.

Show your support for Arizona’s growing number of homeless families!

Registration fee: $20 by September 12th or $30 after September 12th

For more information visit www.umom.org, call 602-275-7852, ext 220, or email Dayspring's Carrie White at waacwhite@cox.net.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to our new Patio
Design Concept / Update

Dayspring's Patio is the center of our campus and the location of so many of our church activities and it needs an Extreme Makeover. We are starting a campaign to raise funds so that we can renovate our patio area and bring needed repairs to water and electrical systems as well as leveling the brick surface and extending the patio area into the former playground. Safety of our members and visitors is central to this plan and updating this outdoor space will provide us room to expand programs in a safe and beautiful outdoor area. Current estimates are for a budget of about $150,000. We have about $30,000 in designated funds for this project already, but will need to raise the balance above and beyond our current operating budget.

After the second service on April 25th, the Dayspring Patio Team presented the fundraising plan and the design concept for the courtyard. The graphic below is too small to see much, but you can click either of the buttons below to get an enlarged (or greatly-enlarged) view.

The medium-size view gives you a good overview of the concept, while full-size view allows you to scroll around and see considerable detail of all the features.

Show Medium Size Show Full Size

Olan Mills Pictorial Directory

Be part of our new Church Directory. Every church family is invited to participate. If you attend worship here, we want your picture! A sign-up table will be in Fellowship Hall Sunday (August 22) for portraits to be taken 8/30 - 9/1.

We will also be taking pictures October 18 - 23 and will schedule those appointments at a later time. On-line sign-ups are available at www.signup.olanmills.com using the church phone number, 480-838-1446, to log-on. All portraits will be available 4-6 weeks after photography. Every family who is photographed will receive a free 8 x 10 portrait with no further obligation to purchase additional portraits. You will also receive a free church directory.

We hope to see everyone pictured in the directory!

Help Wanted!

We need volunteers to help with UMOM homeless shelter dinners on the following Sundays:

• September 12 and 19
• October 10, 17, and 24
• November 14 and 21

You would need to be at the center at 3:30 to help cook and would be done by shortly after six. Please contact Carolyn Reid at csreid1@cox.net if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

Thanks so much for your help!

Wednesday Evening Fellowship
Fall 2010

Schedule of Events

**indicates a continuing program; those without an asterisk occur only during Wednesday Evening Fellowship.

You may register for classes by returning the form printed in the Koinonikos or by contacting Carol Muggeridge at cmuggeridge@cox.net.

Cost of dinner will be by donation (suggested $5 for adults, $2 for children 18 and under, 5 & under free, $15 family maximum.

Wednesday Evening Fellowship Classes

Mission Miracles (6:30-7:30 & 7:30-8:30, Adult Room).

It's said that Dayspring is a missions-oriented church. Just what does that mean? Where does our money go? Who are these people that we touch, anyway? During fall & spring WEF, a variety of "VIPs" from conference missions have been invited to share and explain their organizations and their work. Featured speakers this fall will be Rev. Mel Munchinsky, chair of the Conference Board of Missions (9/22); Bette Mathis, Executive Director of Wesley Community Center (9/29); Rev. Scott Ritchey, Executive Director of the Justa Center (10/6); Dr. Lori Rand of Kairos Prison Ministry & Julia Gunaraj from the Indian Bible Translators (10/20); and Phyllis Banucci, President of the Board of Directors of Family Promise (10/27). Our own mission’s chairperson, Jim Baker, will facilitate. You may attend one or all 5 sessions - or any number in between!

The Movement of the Spirit; Creating Your Spiritual Autobiography (6:30-7:30, Room 110).

Sharing our stories with others is an important part of our Christian witness, but one which many find uncomfortable. Come, share your life stories in a small group of trusted friends. Then discuss, consider, and take note of God's activity in your life and the lives of those around you. Through this journey we hope to find increased understanding of how God works in our world, and through that understanding, spiritual growth and natural sharing. This class will be led by Rev. George Smoot.

Confronting the Controversies (6:30-7:30 & 7:30-8:30, Room 112).

Is euthanasia ever acceptable or are we "playing God"? Is the death penalty a deterrent to crime or merely an economic expediency? How blurred is the line between separation of church and state? Is there any place for religion in public schools? Is there a "Christian" response to illegal immigration? These and other issues are explored in Adam Hamilton's book, Confronting the Controversies. We will examine the scriptures and our own beliefs in this five-week series led by Pastor Jane Tews.