Weekly Visitor Online Edition

I have always found it interesting how we are frequently taken in by the exception rather than the rule. It's the tail wagging the dog syndrome. We are all guilty of doing this. Newspapers are notorious for lifting up the exception and having everyone wonder if that calamity will happen to them. You've read the papers or watched television this past couple of weeks about the shark attacks that are happening just feet from the shoreline. There has even been a boy and a man killed this past week as well as several injured. In fact it appears that there is an epidemic of shark attacks and anyone who goes into the ocean is placing their lives in jeopardy. The truth of the matter is that shark attacks are about normal this year as compared with previous years. The explanations for these attacks are many but the truth is that no one really knows why. It would be great if we could ask the sharks why they are biting humans so close to the shoreline, but of course they aren't talking.

This tail wagging the dog syndrome happens in groups as well. When someone becomes dissatisfied with the way an organization is moving, they will often say something or do something that tears at the organization. It is rarely beneficial but that wasn't the purpose of the comments in the first place. Unfortunately, most people will not challenge the individual, but will assume that whatever is said or done was correct. It doesn't take long until a handful of malcontents have a large number believing that what they said was true.

As in the shark attacks reported by the media, so it is in any organization, our responsibility to check out the information to see how accurate it was. And should we find that there is a difference we need to go back to the person or persons spreading that information and let them know what we have discovered. There is no guarantee that simply by reporting different information the miss-information will stop, but it will help others evaluate what they have heard and maybe have a more informed opinion. When I heard that a person in this country is four times more likely to be hit by lightening than be bit by a shark then I knew that the media hype given to the sharks was grossly overplayed. It helped me put things in perspective. And when you hear something that sounds out of character you may want to check other information to corroborate what you first heard or to go back to the source and let them know what you have found out. One thing is for sure- the organization will be the healthier for it.

We would like to say thank you to all of our church family at Decatur for being there for Kelly and Bryan’s wedding. Having that much love and support from our church family made the day even more special. You all will never know how much it meant to us to have you share that special time.

BOARD MEETING this Sunday September 9 following the morning service. There are three important issues of business that we need to consider. (1) The Permanent Fund proposal prepared by the Board of Directors, (2) Officers for 2002 and (3) the church budget for 2002.

The fund raiser for Nathan Luechauer’s Eagle Scout Project is this Saturday, September 8, in the Christian Family Center. Spaghetti will be served anytime between 5 – 8:30 p.m. Authentic Italian entertainment! Donations accepted! If you would like to donate a bench for the outdoor worship area in honor or memory of someone, a donation of $100 will cover it.

Next week’s “Refill Your Cup”dinner will be Lemon Pepper Chicken and dessert of Strawberry Cheescake. Reservations are necessary in order to have enough food for every one. Please make yours Sunday!

Children will be practicing on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-7:00 for their Christmas program. From 7-7:30 p.m. an exciting program sure to entertain and delight has been planned for grades 1 through 8. David Young will be using the Backyard Sciences for this time. Hope to see you on Wednesdays at the dinners.

Skating resumes this Friday, from 7 – 9:30 p.m. in the Christian Family Center.

We just thought the anticipation would make the music that much sweeter! Make your plans now to attend this year’s Carpenter’s Crew Concert – our 11^th – on Sunday night, September 16. This year’s concert will be dedicated to the memory of our former member and special friend, Malcolm Yelvington. Come and hear some of his favorite songs and some new ones, too.

Babysitting will be provided and if you need transportation, call the church office and let Ada know. A reception will follow the concert in the CFC.

What’s one of the perks you get when you attend the Carpenter’s Crew Concert? Enjoying refreshments at the reception afterwards!

To make the reception a success, we need volunteers to help provide cookies for the event. Any donations of home made or store bought goodies would be very much appreciated.

Cookies need to be delivered to the church kitchen by Sunday morning, Sept. 16. Please label for the reception.

We could also use volunteers to help serve punch and help with clean up. Please call or see Kathy Srygley if you can help. Thanks!

Kingsway Christian Church will celebrate their 45^th birthday on Sunday, Septemer 16. Dr. Gary Straub will preach at 8:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Special remembrances at 9:30 a.m. and a pot luck picnic supper at 6 p.m. All former members and friends are invited!

Please mark your calendar for the All Church Retreat October 19 & 20 at Cordova Baptist Camp Grounds. Rev. Joe Bryan will be at resource leader. More information will be coming in the near future – hold these dates open!

The Café Praise Team is looking for a new coordinator. We would like some fresh new ideas. Café Praise is a time to gather for fellowship and a little snack. You do not need to attend SALT to be the coordinator. If you are interested and want more information, please contact Scott.

There is a Church Blood Drive scheduled for Sunday, September 9, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Lifeblood donor center at 3866 Covington Pike, #102. We need YOUR help to ensure that we have an adequate and safe blood supply on hand.

The Kairos #9 weekend at the West TN prison for men at Henning TN will be held September 13-16. Your help is needed in these areas:

A cookie bake day will be held at DTCC’s kitchen on September 7 starting at 11:30 a.m. Call Ruth Simpson if you can participate.

Some of you newer members might not know about the Love Wagon yet, and we would like to take this opportunity to remind our long-time members that are still doing the Love Wagon once a month. We have just lacked someone to take it around, but that is going to change.

It is the little red wagon in the education wing that sits there Sunday after Sunday waiting to be filled. The Outreach Department is in charge of Love Wagon Sunday and of preparing baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas. On the 3^rd Sunday of each month we bring food for those less fortunate than ourselves. Because we love Jesus we listen to His admonition to us in Matthew 25. Some of this food is give to people who come by and ask for it, but a lot of it goes into the baskets of food at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some times part of it is taken to MIFA if we have an abundance.

At Thanksgiving and again at Christmas we fix some 10-15 baskets for people who need a helping hand with groceries. Since the Love Wagon goes around to Sunday School

classes once a month only and there are only three more times before Thanksgiving, we are suggesting that you bring canned goods for now. It would be best to bring flour, cornmeal, rice, pasta and boxed things in November so they won’t sit on the shelf too long and become buggy.

So look for the Love Wagon to roll around the church on September 16 and help fill it with love and canned goods, peanut butter, jellies, pickles, jello, raisins, you name it – things that won’t spoil. Look for the Love Wagon and be prepared!

The theme for Oktoberfest is based on Luke 19:1-10 – the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. We’ll explore how we can count on God to accept, love and welcome us and then how God counts on us to accept, love and welcome others.

Mary Group & Sarah Group – Ruth Simpson, leader, will meet at the home of Mable and Bill Parks this Saturday at 11 a.m. Spouses are invited!

Lydia Group, Trina Luechauaer, leader, will meet at her home on Monday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m.

Tabitha – Theresa Utley, leader, will meet in the Agape room on Thursday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m.