Vol. 25 No. 2
News & Events Frazer’s Trunk or Treat Oct. 28- Enjoy safe family fun at Frazer’s 3rd Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 28 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Frazer volunteers will decorate their vehicles and line the West Parking Lot to hand out candy along with games, hay rides, puppets and more. It’s free and open to the public (concessions will be for sale). Volunteers are needed to decorate vehicles, help with setup and clean up, and donate candy (look or collections bins in the Atrium). Get your whole Sunday School class or small group together and let’s all pitch in for this great outreach to our community. Praying for our Nation- Each Tuesday, a special prayer time will be held in the Frazer Chapel from 12-1 p.m. Come by and join us in praying for our country and the upcoming elections in November. For more information contact Jan Niel at 495-6350. FALL 2012 CONNECTIONS NOW AVAILABLE Looking for a Bible study, Sunday School class or other activities? Check out Connections, your guide to Frazer’s small group and Bible study opportunities and fellowship activities for all ages. The Fall 2012 issue is now available. Pick up your copy in the Atrium and other locations around the church. You can also view it online at frazerumc.org/groups.
www.frazerumc.org October
Followership 2013 underway this month Staff Reports “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” –Jesus The decision to follow Jesus is an important one. It requires serious reflection and disciplined living. Yet it is without a doubt the most rewarding life possible. At Frazer, we have a core value of “every member in ministry”—meaning that everyone has a part in our mission to make followers of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We are expecting 2013 to be an awesome year of life-transforming ministry and worldchanging missions in and through the people of God at Frazer UMC. Followership 2013 is your opportunity to join in the journey by making a personal commitment to follow Jesus in six key areas: Membership, Worship, Growth, Service, Mission and Giving. Continued page 4
Photo by amy presley
Followership 2013 Guide Books ready to be packed by volunteers into envelopes with commitment cards and mailed to the congregation. Every member should receive their Followership 2013 packets this month, in preparation for Commitment Sunday, Oct. 28.
Volunteers begin renovations at Garden Square Transformation Montgomery project taking shape
DOWNLOAD DAILY BIBLE STUDY GUIDES AND DEVOTIONS- As we focus on being a Word-Centered, World-Changing church in 2012, our teaching pastors are providing a daily Bible study guide to lead you through the section of the Bible they are preaching on each week. Pick up your copy inside your bulletin on Sunday or download from the links found at frazerumc.org/ bible_study_guides. You can also sign up online to receive a daily devotion e-mail. More events & a nn o u n c e m e n t s pa g e 2 M o n t h ly C a l e nd a r Pa g e 3
2012
Staff Photo
Church Administrator Rusty Taylor pitches in with volunteers working on renovations in the Garden Square neighborhood.
By Ken Roach, Communications Director
Volunteers have been hitting the ground in the Garden Square neighborhood on Thursday mornings, putting hands and feet to the Transform Montgomery vision. The project, announced last fall as a way to bring affordable housing and life transformation to the working poor in our city, was stalled by
legal complications for many months. Recently, however, Frazer has finally been able to acquire houses, and volunteers have jumped at the opportunity to get to work. Once renovated, the plan is to take applicants to live in the houses, participating in life-transformation programs that will empower them to transition out of poverty and eventually own the homes. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate the life changing power of God to our city one family and one neighborhood at a time. Community Impact pastor Charlie Kendall explained that all types of volunteers are needed: unskilled “grunt” labor, skilled construction workers, and professional contractors. An informal group has been gathering at Garden Square on Thursday mornings, but Sunday School classes and other groups have also talked to Charlie about scheduling projects at other times. Charlie can be reached at charlie@frazerumc. org or 495-6313. The clean-up of the purchased homes is already having a broader impact on the neighborhood. Charlie tells the story of how a lady came up to him while he was cutting the grass and related to him how she has seen several other homeowners begin to take greater care of their own property since Frazer began getting involved. “The more we are out there in the neighborhood, building relationships with people face to face, the more opportunities we will have to share the love of God in word and in action,” Charlie said.
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Frazer Family News
Announcements
October 2012
N e w s + E v e nt s
Want to watch a sermon again? Check TV broadcast times at wfrz.com or watch online at frazerumc.org/media Tune in to WFRZ on Knology and Charter Channel 13 , Brighthouse Channel 122 and UHF Channel 34. Sign up for Frazer’s e-mail newsletter Our e-mail newsletter is your weekly connection to news, events, classes and volunteer opportunities at Frazer. Click straight from the newsletter to videos, worship guides, surveys and more from frazerumc.org. Once you sign up, you can manage your subscription at any time. Sign up today at
Frazer family photo album -The Frazer Family Album can be picked Sunday in the Atrium near the Fellowship Hall. Families who had their picture made will receive one free copy. Additional copies are available for $10 each while supplies last. DANCE PROGRAM FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS- Auburn University dancers, in collaboration with the Montgomery Ballet and other area dancers, will present a free dance program entitled Dance to Breathe on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in Wesley Hall. The program is raising awareness of cystic fibrosis.
HEALING SERVICE OCT. 14 -Sunday evening worship on Oct. 14 will feature a worship service offering annointing for healing. Please make plans to attend the healing service at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Cuba Missions Information Meeting- Did you know that Frazer has a sister church in Guanabacoa, Cuba? Would you like more information regarding next year’s two short-term mission trips to Cuba? Attend the information meeting on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in room 3102. If you have questions, contact Gary Cochran at 5676722 or gcochran@elmore.rr.com.
D i s ci p l e s hi p + F e ll o w s hi p DEVELOPING YOUR PRAYER LIFE- This four-week course is designed to teach the essentials of a believer’s prayer life. The class will meet on Wednesdays Oct. 10, 17, 31 and Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. in room 3104. For registration information, contact Sandy Boswell at 495-6391 or sandy@frazerumc.org
OCTOBER NOON SALAD LUNCHEON-This month’s Noon Salad Luncheon will meet Tuesday, Oct. 9 in the Fellowship Hall at 12-1 p.m. Dr. Don Hill will speak on “Changing How You Feel.” Cost is $5 and the public is invited
S.P.I.R.I.T.- Come join us for dinner at 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall on Oct. 11. Cost of dinner is $5. Call Faye Jackson for reservations at 279-8727. The program following dinner will be the Dance to Breathe event at 7 p.m. in Wesley Hall.
frazerumc.org.
CHILDREN + STUDENTS The FRAZER FAMILY NEWS (USPS #959-520) is published monthly by Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, 6000 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery AL 36117-2804. Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery AL 36119. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FRAZER FAMILY NEWS, PO Box 241347, Montgomery AL 36124-1347. The Frazer Family News tells the story of what God is doing in the lives of people in and through His church. Submissions are welcome, but we cannot be responsible for unsolicited articles. To pass along information or story ideas, please leave a note in the editor’s mailbox in the church office, call 272-8622, or send e-mail to ffn@frazerumc.org. Editor..................... Amy Presley Communications Director................. Ken Roach Staff . .................... Kenisha Brown, AnnaBeth Crittenden, Mac McLellan, Mike Presley, Neil Probst, Robin Raiford, Candace Rutherford, Alexia Scott, Martha Poole Simmons, Andrea Vandermey Columnist.............. Ginger Koerner Photographers....... Diana Bunch, Heather David, Harold Hill, Judi Mallory, Mac McLellan, Lori Mercer, Mary Ogden, Martha Poole Simmons, Chris Thornton, Lee Werling, Suzanne Williams
UPWARD BASKETBALL REGISTRATION- Registration is now open for Upward Basketball. Your child will have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of basketball in a Christian environment. Boys age 4-9th grade and girls age 4-12th grade can register in the JEMAC by Nov. 2. Practices begin the week of Monday Dec. 3 - first game is Saturday Jan. 5, 2013 - last game and end of season celebration is Feb. 23,2013. The early bird registration cost is $85, and includes a uniform. Call 495-6459 for more information.
SE R V I N G + G I V I N G Food Pantry and Homeless Hygiene Ministries will collect nonperishable food and personal care items the first Sunday of each month. Please drop off items in the donation carts located throughout the church. MEALS ON WHEELs VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Community Ministries is looking for volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels for two of their routes. Volunteers commit to deliver meals at lunchtime one day a month. If you are interested in helping with this important ministry, please call Robin at 495-6312.
COVENANT 2013- Covenant is a Frazer program designed to communicate God’s plan for sexual purity and marriage to all middle and high school students. The Covenant weekend retreat will be held at Children’s Harbor. Nov. 2-3. Cost is $50, and the deadline to register is Oct. 28. Go to www.frazerumc.org/event/covenant1 for more information. SEEK CHRIST GIRLS NIGHT- Seek Christ, a Crave girls’ night, will take place Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. Girls will spend the evening seeking Christ through fun games, teaching, worship and small groups. Call the Crave office for more information.
October 2012
www.frazerumc.org
OCTOBER 2012 CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2 6:30 a.m. Followership Breakfast Bible Study
6-8 p.m. Alpha Course
9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, Divorce Care, Grief Support 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. English as a Second Language Communion Sunday 6:45 a.m. Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 11 a.m. Step One 12 p.m. First Follower Training Luncheon 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship
3
7
8
Thursday
Friday
3 4 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Men’s and 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare Women’s Bible studies, Children’s ORBIT and Crave students programs 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra
Saturday 5
6 8:30 a.m. Crave Local Outreach 8:30 a.m. Flag Football & Cheerleading Games 9 a.m. Singles Ministry Annual Zoo Day
10 11 12 13 6:30 a.m. Men’s Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 5-10:30 p.m. 12 p.m. Noon Salad Luncheon 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper Seek Christ Crave Girls’ 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Men’s and 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare Night 8:30 a.m. Flag Football 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir Women’s Bible studies, Children’s & Cheerleading Games 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, ORBIT and Crave students programs 6 p.m. S.P.I.R.I.T. Divorce Care, Grief Support 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra 7 p.m. ESL 9
6:30 a.m. Followership Study
MISSIONS GOLF TOURNAMENT at WYNLAKES 6-8 p.m. Alpha Course
15
14 6:45 a.m. Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 11 a.m. Step Two 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Sunday Evening WorshipHealing Service
16
17 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Men’s and 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir Women’s Bible studies, Children’s 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, ORBIT and Crave students programs Divorce Care, Grief Support 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra 7 p.m. ESL
18
19
20
6:30 a.m. Followership Study 6-8 p.m. Alpha Course
21 6:45 a.m. Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 11 a.m. Step Three 12:15 p.m. Churchwide Prayer Circle 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship
22 23 6 p.m. Followership 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study Dream Dinner 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir 6 p.m. Followership Churchwide prayer walks Dream Dinner
8:30 a.m. Flag Football & Cheerleading Games
24 25 26 27 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 6 p.m. ORBIT for children’s activities 9 a.m. 4th Thursday Games & 6 p.m. Silent Social for 8:30 a.m. Flag Football 6 p.m. Followership Dream Fellowship Deaf and Hearing & Cheerleading Games Dinner & Student Ministry Dream 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies Dinner with Brett Younker 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare
at 5:15 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Evening activities cancelled due to churchwide Followership Dream Dinners, Oct. 22-24 (except Children’s ORBIT program on Oct. 24)
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29 6-8 p.m. Alpha Course
COMMITMENT Sunday 6:45 a.m. Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School 3 p.m. Youth Worship Arts 6 p.m. Sunday Evening Worship 4:30-6 p.m. Trunk or Treat
9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare 11 a.m. Friends Bible Study 6 p.m. Men’s Fellowship Supper
30 9:30 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 12 p.m. Prayer for Our Nation 1:15 p.m. Speeders Choir 5:30 p.m. Singles Small Group, Divorce Care, Grief Support 6:55 p.m. Singles TNT 7 p.m. ESL
31 NOVEMBER 2012 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Study 5 p.m. Wednesday Night Supper 1 2 3 6 p.m. Adult Bible studies, Men’s and Women’s Bible studies, Children’s 9 a.m. Women’s Bible Studies Crave Covenant Retreat ORBIT and Crave students programs 6 p.m. Financial Peace University 9:30 a.m. Dementia Daycare 8:30 a.m. Flag Football 7 p.m. Choir, Band, Orchestra & Cheerleading Games- Season ends
Crave Covenant registration deadline
30
For a complete listing of all weekly Bible studies, support groups, Sunday School classes/small groups and other weekly please see the Fall 2012 Connections Magazine, now available in the Atrium and at frazerumc.org/groups 6:45 a.m.activities, Breakfast 8, 9:30, 11 a.m. Worship & Sunday School
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Frazer Family News
Followership continued from page 1
October 2012
How you can participate in Followership 2013:
Every member should receive a Followership packet this month, including a commitment card and a booklet full of opportunities to serve Christ in 2013. Read through the Guide Book, or access it online at frazerumc.org/followership. It explains more about the six key areas of commitment, and it lists all of the more than 200 areas of Service and Mission you can choose from to get involved in following Jesus at Frazer.
Attend a Followership Dream Dinner (October 22, 23 or 24) to celebrate what God is doing at Frazer and hear the vision for where we are going in 2013. Members will receive a personal invitation in the mail, or you can contact Mary Ogden, mogden@frazerumc.org. Pray with us at one of our Followership Prayer events and using the prayer requests on our Prayer Blog. Prayer events are detailed below.
Complete a Followership Commitment card, included in your packet, and turn it in on Commitment Sunday, Oct. 28. The card is also available online and can be submitted electronically or downloaded to print and turn in on Commitment Sunday. Even if you cannot attend worship that Sunday morning, please be sure to complete and return your Commitment card. Take up your cross daily and follow Jesus!
A group of “First Followers” will call members in mid October to make sure they have received their Followership packet and an invitation to attend one of Dream Dinners. For any questions or concerns regarding Followership information packets, Dream Dinner invitations or completing and returning commitment cards, please contact Mary Ogden at 495-6383.
Ways to Pray for Frazer Followership 2013 Nothing could be more important at Frazer than challenging every member to renew their commitment to follow Jesus, so please join in praying for our Followership 2013 initiative in one or all of these ways: • Prayer Box: Look in the Atrium for a special box to write and drop your prayers into. Let’s fill it up! • Prayer Walk: Come early (5:15 p.m.) or stay late (8 p.m.) at our Dream Dinners Oct. 22, 23 and 24 to walk the campus and pray for specific ministry areas. • Circle the Church: Stay a few minutes after the 11 a.m. worship hour on Oct. 21 as we hold hand around the building to pray for our church and our city. • Participate in the Frazer Prays blog: Read prayer requests and post your prayers at our new Frazer Prays blog, frazerumc.org/prayerblog.
October 2012
www.frazerumc.org
Frazer partners with Compassion 21 for School Supply Store By Andrea Vandermey, News Staff Writer
Frazer’s Transformation Montgomery Ministry recently partnered with local ministry Compassion 21 to provide affordable school supplies to low income families in Garden Square and surrounding areas. Compassion 21 is a local ministry that provides services to low-income individuals and families in the community. One of those services is a thrift store located on Lower Wetumpka Road, which also served as the location for the Aug. 18 School Supply Store. The Frazer congregation collected donations of school supplies for a few weeks before the event. Volunteers arrived early on Saturday morning to set up the store; doors opened to the public at 9 a.m. In all, 187 children were able to obtain the school supplies they needed for the year, while their parents or guardians were able to maintain dignity by purchasing the items themselves at an affordable cost. The School Supply Store was a success; we look forward to working with Compassion 21 again in December for a Christmas Store. If you would like more information, or you would like to volunteer with Transformation Montgomery, please contact Robin in Community Ministries 334-495-6312. To learn more about Compassion 21 and the ways they minister to the community, go to www.compassion21.org
Photos BY andrea vandermey
Piles of donated school supplies are ready to be purchased at the Compassion 21 School Supply Store Aug. 18. The Frazer congregation donated items to provide low-income families with affordable options for obtaining needed supplies for their child’s school year. A total of 187 children benefited from the intitiative, run by local ministry Compassion 21.
The Freedom Sound Set Free Now Available in the Frazer Bookstore Free Album Release/Celebration Concert
6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11 in Wesley Hall
www.tfsworship.com
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Frazer Family News
October 2012
World War II Veterans share their stories of courage and service to our country
By Dr. Martha Poole Simmons News Staff Writer
WWII Prisoner of War Survivor: Roy McGinnis Roy McGinnis, a member of the Encouragers Sunday school class at Frazer, was held as a Prisoner of War (POW) in Stalag 17 for 19 months during World War II. On his fourth combat flight as a gunner, Roy’s B-17 bomber was shot down over Schweinfurt, an industrial city on the Main River in the German State of Bavaria. Roy survived the crash along with his 10 member crew of airmen, and they were taken to Stalag 17 for imprisonment until Allies liberated Austria and Germany. In 1943, as American air attacks against Germany increased, the Nazis moved the growing number of captured American airmen into prisoner of war camps, called Stalags. Over 4,000 airmen ended up in Stalag 17-B, just outside of Krems, Austria. On Oct. 13,1943, 1,350 non-commissioned officers of the Air Force were transferred from Stalag 7A to Stalag 17B, which already contained POWs from France, Italy, Russia, Yugoslavia and various smaller nations. From then until the last days of the war, a constant stream of NCOs arrived, and strength reached 4,237 in spite of protestations concerning the overcrowded conditions. The entire camp contained 29,794 prisoners of war of various nations. The Americans occupied five compounds, each of which measured 175 yards by 75 yards and contained four double barracks 100 by 240 feet. The poorly lit barracks were built to accommodate 2,000 men, but at least 4,000 men were crowded into them after the first three months of occupancy. Each double barrack contained a washroom of six basins in the center of the building. The beds in the barracks were triple decked,
and each tier had four compartments with one man to a compartment, making a total of 12 men in each group. Each single barrack had a stove to supply heat and cooking facilities for approximately 200 men. The fuel ration for the week was 54 pounds of coal. Because of the lack of heating and an insufficient number of blankets, the men slept two to a bunk for added warmth. The five compounds occupied by the American POW’s had been previously occupied by Russian POW’s. The barracks were filthy, and the thin straw mattresses were full of bed bugs and lice. Four additional barracks were added in early 1944, but two were torn down because the Germans determined they were too close to the fence, creating an opportunity for the POWs to build escape tunnels. The openpit latrines, situated away from the barracks, were emptied every few weeks, but created an awful smell in part because the men burned the lids as fuel. The outside latrines were not used at night because guards with dogs roamed around the areas. Two separate wire fences charged with electricity surrounded the area, and four watchtowers equipped with machine guns were placed at strategic points in addition to the searchlights from the guard towers to illuminate the area. Each washroom contained 24 cold water taps, and insufficient water was available from 6:30-8 a.m., 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m and 4-6 p.m. No hot water was available, and only one hot shower was available during the last two months. The treatment at Stalag 17B was never considered good, and was at times even brutal. For example, in early 1944 two men were caught attempting to escape when they were found in an out-of-bounds area adjoining the compound. As soon as they were discovered, they threw up their hands in surrender but were shot. One of the men died instantly, but the other was only injured in the leg. After he fell, a guard ran within 20 feet of him and fired again. The guards then turned and fired blindly in the direction of the barracks, seriously wounding an American who was lying in his bunk. The Germans refused to allow the Americans to bring the body of their dead comrade into the compound for burial, and the injured man did not receive medical treatment for several hours. One POW was mentally ill when he was taken to the hospital where they were not equipped to handle such a case. In a moment of insanity, the POW jumped from a window and ran to the fence, followed by a French doctor and orderlies who shouted to the guard not to shoot him. He was dressed in hospital pajamas which should have indicated to the guard that he was mentally unbalanced even if the doctor had not called the warning. As the patient climbed over the fence, the guard shot him in the heart. Roy said, “We were forced to stand outside in extremely cold weather for long periods of time while German agents searched prisoners and their barracks and confiscated any food, tobacco or personal belong-
ings which prisoners may have possessed in excess of limits allowed. Red Cross parcels were issued to prisoners sporadically, but a large percentage of the parcel contents was confiscated by the Germans. The Red Cross parcels contained five packages of American cigarettes, powdered milk, a bar of cheese and a can of coffee. Prisoners bartered cigarettes for other desired merchandise and luxuries such as eggs or blankets with the Germans. The delay in receiving mail was considerable with incoming mail sometimes taking five months for delivery.” On April 8, 1945, Roy was among 4,000 of the POWs at Stalag 17B who began an 18-day march of 281 miles to Braunau, Austria. The remaining 900 men were too ill to make the march and were left behind in the hospitals. These men were liberated on May 9, 1945, by the Russians. The marching column was divided into eight groups of 500 with an American leader in charge of each group, guarded by about 20 German Volkssturm guards and two dogs. Red Gross parcels were issued to each man in sufficient amounts to last about seven days. During the 18-day march, the column averaged 20 kilometers each day. At the end of the day, they were forced to bivouac in open fields, regardless of the weather. On three occasions, the men were quartered in cow barns. The only food furnished to POWs by the German authorities was barley soup and bread. The baked black bread was made from a mixture of rye, sugar beets, sawdust, leaves and straw. Trading with the German and Austrian civilians became the main source of sustenance after the Red Cross parcel supplies were exhausted. The destination of the column was a Russian prison camp four kilometers north of Braunau. Upon arrival, the POWs cut down pine trees
Photo BY MARTHA POOLE SIMMONS
Frazer member and WWII Veteran Roy McGinnis survived 19 months in a POW camp in Germany. After a long career of military service, Roy will celebrate his 90th birthday in January. Top left: An identification photo of Roy, taken sometime before he went off to war.
October 2012 and made small huts since there was no housing available. Roaming guards patrolled the area and the woods surrounding the area, but no escape attempts were made because it was apparent that the liberation forces were in the immediate vicinity. The day after their arrival at the new site, Red Cross parcels were issued to every POW. A second issue of one parcel for every fifth man was made a few days later. All POWs were technically liberated on May 2, 1945, by a tank unit from General Patton’s Army; however, the POWs had to wait several days for the infantry to arrive and to physically take the German guards into custody. A few days later, the POWs were all deloused and flown to U.S. camps in France that had been especially prepared for released American POWs. Roy said, “I never did pray much before I arrived at Stalag 17, but I started to pray a lot while I was a prisoner there. I have been blessed with Christian wives. My first wife passed away from cancer, my second wife suffered fatal injuries in an automobile wreck, and I met my third wife, Hilde, at a grief counseling class at Frazer in June, 1993.” Roy and his wife have been members at Frazer for 17 years. Roy will celebrate his 90th birthday in January, 2013. He was born in Sylacauga, Ala., where he lived until he was 14. His family moved to Mississippi for a few years returning to Alabama to settle at Prattville where he attended high school. He joined the Alabama National Guard in 1940, and his unit was called to active duty where he served in the infantry. He switched branches of the US Armed Forces by serving in the Air Corps and attended the Aircrafts Mechanics School learning the skills as a gunner. After WWII was over and he was discharged, he married and had one child. In 1947, Roy reenlisted in the US Air Force and served a total of 27 years before retirement in 1968. After retirement from military service, he worked with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and became its Director, retiring in 1983. This remarkable American military hero is to be saluted for his military service and especially for his bravery during long, difficult months at Stalag 17.
www.frazerumc.org
Photo BY MARTHA POOLE SIMMONS
Frazer member and WWII veteran Al Barnes.
Al Barnes Recalls His Time in the Pacific Theater Alton R. Barnes, Sr., grew up on a dairy farm. In 1943, after Al finished the 11th grade in Winterboro, Ala., he was drafted into service in the United States Army along with every other male from his high school class. He entered the service during World War II and served in the Pacific. Al took basic and advanced individual training at Ft. McClellan, where he developed skills in placing the water cooled machine gun in and out of action. He was chosen to remain at McClellan for a couple of training cycles to help train others in these skills. In April 1945, he was deployed to the Philippine Islands as a replacement. It was there that his unit encountered sporadic fighting for several months. The combat team was pulled out of combat into a rest area where it began to make preparation for an invasion of Japan in a plan called Operation Downfall. His unit, the 158th Regimental Combat Team, was an activated National Guard Unit composed of predominantly Indians and Mexicans. His unit landed at Yokohoma, Japan on Oct. 13, 1945. They loaded on a troop train and proceeded north to the city of Utsynomia, where they occupied an old Japanese military garrison camp. Al returned to the United States in February 1946. He accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the Alabama National Guard, a reserved component of the U. S. Army, based on his outstanding performance as a top grade enlisted man. He was required to take and pass the officer candidate test. After returning to the United States, Al entered Jacksonville State University and earned a B.S. Degree in Secondary Education. He taught science and coached basketball for a year at Munford High School. In 1950, during the Korean War, he was called to active duty a second time. He served as a 1st Lt. with Tank Company, 31st Infantry Division which had been activated to Ft. Jackson, S.C., and then returned to Japan for a second assignment serving with the 24th Infantry Division. After 19 months of service, he returned home, taught for a year at Munford, then he went to work full time as an
7 administrator with the Alabama National Guard in 1954. Al was called on by the Adjutant General of Alabama to establish the Alabama Guard’s first officer candidate school program. He graduated his first class in 1957. The program was conducted in a small school house located at Maxwell Air Force Base. Al’s school program expanded to Ft. McClellan the following year. Over the years, it became a model program for officer candidate schools over the nation. Al ran the program for 21 years, serving as commandant, and a building at the institute was named for him. With 31 years of military service under his belt, Al’s last assignment was as the Alabama National Guard’s Assistant Adjutant General. He attained the rank of full colonel and retired from the military in 1979. He then worked three years as an assistant administrator at the Alabama ABC Board. Al now enjoys leisure time playing golf and writing; he is a published author of three titles, including “It Had to Be You”, “Night Visitor”, and “Silent Courage,” and each book is available at amazon.com. Approaching his 89th birthday in December, Al knows the Lord has blessed him beyond his years. He recalled having his life spared when he was scheduled to be on a military flight. For no reason that he could determine, his name was removed from the flight list, and the next day news came that all people on board that plane had perished when the plane crashed. Al and his wife, Mary Jo, have been married 66 years. Al said, “I think it is great that the way the Japanese people have bounced back after the war. But think of the way our nation has forgiven what they did at Pearl Harbor.”
Photo COURTESY OF AL BARNES
Al Barnes retired after 31 years of military service in 1979, after attaining the rank of full colonel. Al served in WWII and the Korean War, as well as serving as an administrator with the Alabama National Guard for many years. He will celebrate his 89th birthday in December.
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Frazer Family News
September 2012
Family is thankful to be blessed, shares the blessings with others By Kenisha Stewart Brown News Staff writer
How many times do we pray for something, and then get discouraged because we think God hasn’t heard our prayers? And how often, once we look back, do we realize God answered our prayers, just not in the way we expected? Raquel Velez has such a story. Raquel’s story begins just before Christmas in 2009, when she lost her home in Orlando, Fla. With the help of a brother-in-law, she and her family moved to Montgomery, and purchased a small “fixer-upper. Even though it wasn’t what she had in mind, it was a roof over their heads, and she and her husband would fix it up over time. While some people would complain and blame God in this situation; Raquel maintained her faith and was thankful for what she had. The following February, Raquel became deathly ill with an unknown virus, and was in the hospital preparing her children to continue without her. She began explaining to her 17-year-old daughter where important papers were kept in case she didn’t make it. Within 17 days she lost 50 pounds, and began pleading to God for a miracle. Suddenly, doctors couldn’t explain her turnaround. God had answered her prayers! Then, one morning in July that same year, she was headed to a doctor’s appointment, a follow-up to make sure she was still doing well since her illness. Raquel’s youngest son, Israel needed to go to the library, so she convinced all her children to go with her to the doctor’s appointment and then to the library. A short time later, her husband called, frantically asking about the children; he had just received a phone call that their house was on fire. The Velez family lost everything that morning, except their lives and their faith. Again, some people would start to blame God for the unfortunate events, and question God’s love for them. Raquel instead talks of a peace that came over her, a feeling that nothing would hurt her because God was in control. Shortly after the fire, the owner of the house began to demand full payment for the remaining balance. Raquel again turned to prayer, and God provided. They were able to pay off the house and rebuild in three months, with the help of perfect strangers. One of the firefighters gave Raquel a contact for Frazer’s Community Ministries, and as word spread throughout the congregation, a Sunday School class offered to sponsor the family. Raquel and her family were amazed at God’s provisions through the Frazer family. One example was when a gentleman knocked on the door, still covered in plastic from the hole created by the firemen on the day of the blaze. As Raquel opened the door, the man said he was there to get measurements for the door, because he heard they needed a door and he was going to buy it and install it. Tiny miracles happened similar to this one almost daily. New flooring came at no cost, out of the blue; a garden was planted by the hands of a Sunday School class. All are examples of God’s love for His children. Now, looking back on that time Raquel realizes God answered her every prayer, just not in the way she imagined. She prayed for healing, and continues to live
Photos COURTESY OF RAQUEL VELEZ
Clockwise from top left: The Velez family, parents Raquel and Junior with children Gabby, Izzy and Israel; Gabby and Israel work in the yard on the Great Day of Service; Members of the Explorers Sunday School class help plant a garden and do other landscaping around the Velez family residence on the Great Day of Service; Velez family; Robin Vandermey trims bushes; The Velez children worked alongside the volunteers on the landscaping; Dana Webster and Linda Durrough of the Explorers Class work on the garden at th Velez house.
strong and healthy today. She prayed for friends and family, which she now sees Frazer as a new family. She prayed for a new house, which she now has after rebuilding it from the ashes of the old one. So whenever trials and heartache come, Raquel would say, pray and understand God sometimes answers our prayers in unexpected ways. “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB)
Raquel’s story could end there, and we would have a strong illustration of God’s love for His children, but it doesn’t. After Raquel contacted Frazer’s Community Ministries, she became friends with Robin Vandermey, and felt the call to return the love. Now, Raquel helps others facing similar situations. My question to you is, “What trials has God brought you through that you could use to help others, and further the kingdom of God?”
October 2012
www.frazerumc.org
Update:‘Peaceful and Beautiful’ Move-in Day in Haiti
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By Amy Presley, News Editor
The second wave of families have moved into their new homes in Leveque, Haiti. Kyle Reschke, Frazer’s missionary in Haiti, reports that 20 families- 10 deaf and 10 hearing- relocated into their new houses Sept. 8, and are “happily settled in!” Kyle, who is currently in the U.S. for a time of rest and renewal, wrote, “I had to e-mail these pictures from a very peaceful and beautiful move in day today in Leveque....Praise the Lord for that peace in the community.” Fall promises to be a busy time for the Deaf Community in Haiti with school starting for the children, plans for a fall series of agricultural seminars, and preparing for the next move in date, which is planned for Oct. 6. Please continue to pray for Kyle, as he takes some personal time away from his missionary work in Haiti, that God will give him rest and renew his spirit. Pray for other leaders to step up and continue with the work that God has laid before them to transform this community. Pray for community and the mission teams who will be interacting with them in the coming months. In a Sept. 2 blog, Kyle shared the following prayer from his journal:
“Lord we thank and praise you for challenges – Lord, amidst whatever challenges and darkness may be weighing heavily on our hearts, we know that you are stronger and can overcome anything. Lord, help us to focus on You – to focus on You for whatever period of refinement you have in store for us when we are brought to this place. God, as one leader takes a step back, give other leaders the opportunities to step forward. God, that as they encounter trials, challenges, and maybe make mistakes, you remind them that You are always with them. Lord, for whatever is heavy, whatever is dark, and whatever stands in the way of a heart fully surrendered to You, I pray today that Your light penetrate every corner and dark space. Lord, we do not wish to hide, we do not wish to cower, and we thank you for the opportunity to be humbled, and to come to a new understanding of You and Your work in our lives. Tonight Lord, I pray for peace, I pray for peaceful hearts and quiet minds. It is You who brings perfect peace, perfect healing, and everything that is Good for Your children. In Your name I pray. AMEN.” “Enjoy the pics and keep praying that this beautiful peace in the community grows,” writes Kyle.
Check out Kyle’s blog, kyleinhaiti.com and Frazer’s Transform blog, transform. frazerumc.org for the latest updates.
transform.frazerumc.org Photos courtesy of kyle reschke
Top: Proud new homeowners show off the keys and paperwork to their new homes in Leveque, Haiti.
kyleinhaiti.com
Middle and Bottom: Families move into their new homes in Leveque Sept. 8. Twenty more families received the keys to their new homes in this second move-in phase in the Haitian deaf community. Another wave is planned for early October.
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Part of being ‘grown-up’ involves making wise financial decisions Dear Dave, Recently, I got married and I have $10,000 in student loan debt. I have $50,000 that came from my grandmother, but the money is in a trust controlled by my father, who is an attorney. He says I should use it all to buy a small house outright. I think it makes more sense to pay down my student loan debt. Who’s right? —Elizabeth
Dear Elizabeth, Why not completely pay off the student loan, and put $40,000 toward a big down payment on a house? I’m sorry, but your dad is just plain wrong on this one. You should be debtfree before you buy property, because if you aren’t, Murphy will move into your spare bedroom. Plus, he’ll bring his three cousins—Broke, Desperate and Stupid—with him. Now, part of the reason I’m saying your dad is wrong is based on the assumption that you guys are going to be responsible and live on a plan that’s logical and mature. If he knows better and has seen evidence that you’re irresponsible, he may have
Frazer Family News
Dave Says Dave Ramsey
decided he’s not releasing the money in a way that would allow you to potentially blow it all. So really, a lot of it depends on where you and your husband are in the growth process as a young married couple. Are you going to budget and live on less than you make? Are you going to have a plan and clearly defined goals for your future and your money, perhaps use the remaining $40,000 as a methodology to build up an even bigger down payment? Or, are you going to use the fact that the student loan is gone to consume even more? In other words, how grown-up are you going to be? —Dave
Reprinted with Permission. Dave Ramsey is America’s most trusted voice on money and business. He’s authored four New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover and EntreLeadership. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
Need help? Overcoming and eliminating debt can be overwhelming and even seem impossible. If you would like to get started on Dave’s Financial Peace program with his seven Baby Steps to Financial Freedom, or would like to learn how to create a budget, call Gary Sanderson at 462-0839 or sandersong@knology.net.
October 2012
CARING FOR OUR CONGREGATIon BIRTHS We rejoice with our members who have recently welcomed a new child into their family.
• A son, “Sebastian” Bruce, born to Kelli and Matt Alfreds on July 12, 2012. • A son, “Collier” Durrent, born to Tiffany and Tyler Ashmore Aug. 22, 2012. • A daughter, “Kylee” Grace, born to Katherine and Hunter Taylor on Aug. 23, 2012. • A daughter, “Sophie” Malone, born to Ellenann and Von Yelverton Sept. 17, 2012. We extend our deepest Christian sympathy and love to those families who have recently experienced the death of a loved one. Remembering these families in your prayers, giving them a call or sending a card provides healing ministry and extends the love of Christ during this time of loss and grief.
• Father of Aruna Sibi • Father of Dan Somers • Mother of Richard Crook • Father of Bridget Holliday • Lawrence McReynolds
Register now in the Activity Center
October 2012
www.frazerumc.org
Students, sign up now for Crave Covenant Weekend November 2-3 at Children’s Harbor Staff Reports Covenant is a Frazer program designed to communicate God’s plan for sexual purity and marriage to all middle and high school students. The Covenant weekend retreat will be held at Children’s Harbor. Nov. 2-3, from 5:30 p.m. Friday until they return Saturday afternoon. Cost is $50 per student and the last chance to register is Sunday, Oct. 28. Registration forms are available in the Student Ministry office or online at frazerumc.org Students who attend the Covenant retreat will be given the opportunity to take the Covenant Challenge and vow to live sexually pure this upcoming year at a special Celebration Service that will take place on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Friends and families are asked to attend this service to support our students. NEW THIS YEAR! All parents (whether your student is attending Covenant or not) are invited to a FREE Seminar on training teens in Purity. Jackie Brewton, from Atlanta, Ga, will be speaking to parents about how they can better educate their children about living a life of purity. This Purity Seminar will be held at 6 p.m. in the Crave Room (Room 8251) on Friday, Nov. 2. You can find out more about Jackie at jackiebrewton.com. For more information contact Kathy in the Crave Student Ministry office at 495-6409 or kathy.heibert@frazerumc.org.
What is Trunk or Treat? It’s three simple steps:
1. V olunteers bring their vehicles to the church parking lot, decorate with a festive theme
2. Instead of going from house to house, children can go from car to car receiving candy or other treats from the trunks of vehicles
Sunday, Oct. 28 4:30-6 p.m. Frazer Soccer Fields Parking Lot Enjoy safe family fun for children 12 and under at Frazer’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Frazer volunteers will decorate their vehicles and line the West Parking Lot to hand out candy along with games, hay rides, puppets and more. It’s free and open to the public (concessions will be for sale). Volunteers are needed to decorate vehicles, help with setup and clean up, and donate candy (look for the collection bins around the church). Get your whole Sunday School class or small group together and let’s all pitch in for this great outreach to our community. For more information, contact Kris Johnson at 495.6362 or kris@frazerumc.org or sign up online at frazerumc.org
3. W e share God’s love with each family who comes through our smiles, our service, and giving out additional information about Christ and about Frazer
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PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT MONTGOMERY AL 36119
Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church P.O. Box 241347 Montgomery, AL 36124-1347
OCTO B ER 2 0 12
Inside this issue:
FOLLOWERSHIP 2013 UNDERWAT THIS MONTH................................................... 1 VOLUNTEERS BEGIN RENOVATIONS IN GARDEN SQUARE...................................... 1 FRAZER DONATES SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR COMPASSION 21................................... 5 WAR STORIES: TWO FRAZER MEMBERS SHARE THEIR WWII EXPERIENCES......... 6-7 FAMILY GIVES BACK AFTER BEING BLESSED........................................................8 SECOND WAVE OF FAMILIES MOVE INTO HOMES IN HAITI.....................................9 And more! Save the date:
F o r t h e l at e s t n e w s a n d e v e n t s , g o t o f r a z e r u m c .o rg