Church Family Moment for Sunday, July 14
July 8, 2024
Faces of Faith: Bob Williamson
July 9, 2024High Schoolers Spend the Week in Montreat
Our high schoolers are spending the week in Montreat, NC at the Montreat Youth Conference. This year’s theme is “Planting Peace.” We pray that their faith and friendships are cultivated this week and they find joy and gratitude in the peace and beauty around them. Thank you to our chaperones and leaders for their time and love for our youth!! More photos will be posted next week.
Photo credit: SMPC Youth
SMPC Summer Tradition Pedals on One Key at a Time
Reese was our Summer Organ Sidekick on Sunday! We absolutely love this SMPC summer tradition!
Photo credit: Wimberley Earp
Traffic Circle Construction Continues
While we don’t have an official update from the City of Charlotte on the opening of the Bryant Farms/Blakeney Heath traffic circle, we do have a few pictures to share! Crews have been hard at work all summer. We are so thankful for their dedication despite the relentless heat and look forward to this significant improvement in our church neighborhood!
SMPC Members Volunteer at Freedom School
Doris Boyd, C.N. Jenkins Presbyterian Church member and SMPC friend, invited Donna Brown, Mrna Dibble, and Terry Gaines to read aloud to Freedom School Partners summer students. The six-week summer literacy program’s mission is “to inspire our scholars to love reading and learning, believe in themselves, and create extraordinary futures.” The high energy morning assembly time is called “Harambee,” which is Kiswahilli for “Let’s Pull Together.”
“The Freedom School is a fantastic program that not only provides enrichment and academic growth, but also promotes a positive self image for students,” said Donna Brown. “There are so many ways to get involved – from leadership roles in the classroom, summer readalouds, reading buddies and opportunities to serve throughout the year, there is a place for everyone to plug in at Freedom School.”
What an honor and privilege it was to partner with C.N. Jenkins and Freedom School to love and serve Charlotte’s under-resourced students.
SMPC also supports Freedom School Partners through Alternative Giving.
Photo and article credit: Terry Gaines
Enjoy getting to know Bob Williamson in this week’s Faces of Faith!
Name: Bob Williamson
Family: Wife, Donna Podgorny, and three adult children (who live in far away states) and four grandkids.
Years at SMPC: We first came to SMPC in 2004 when we arrived in Charlotte and became members in 2008.
What brought you to SMPC? I drove past the church and then went back that Sunday. In Matt’s sermon he mentioned reasons for people to come to SMPC and said, “and some people just drive past and stop in,” so I knew he was talking to me!! A few months later our daughter, who was in high school at the time, joined me and became an active member of the youth group. We were hooked!
How have you found connection at SMPC? We attended an evening couples’ event early on and have found great friendships since then through Bible studies, social events, volunteer opportunities and coffee hours.
You help organize the Center of Hope Breakfast each month. What got you started in this ministry and how can we get involved? Donna attended a Center of Hope breakfast event and shamed me into getting up early the next Saturday, then when the previous coordinator moved away I stepped in to continue the program, now more than 20 years old. You know it is a valued service by the community at Center of Hope and it helps connect us to a different segment of the community. It’s a small effort for a large impact.
We need 5 to 7 on site volunteers each third Saturday morning, and anyone can donate food items or make a cash donation. We have a great group of servers, volunteers and food providers but there is always a need for more volunteers! Get up early on the third Saturday and help make a difference!!
Sign up to donate or volunteer.
About Center of Hope:
When women and children have nowhere else to go, they can count on The Salvation Army Center of Hope. Located two miles north of Uptown Charlotte, the Center of Hope sleeps an average of 275 women and children every night. An active member of the Homeless Services Network, The Salvation Army is a leader in providing families with a successful way out of homelessness. Each program is graduated to step clients from the point of crisis to the point of resolution. These programs include emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid rehousing, and shelter diversion.
There is no single portrait of homelessness. Sometimes families lose their homes because of money; women grab their children and run from abusive husbands; an illness strips a person of work; a layoff comes unannounced. In addition to basic needs, clients receive case management, intervention programs, health care, child care for young children, and guidance for school-age children and teens. Shelters are only a temporary solution. Homeless families need help getting back on their feet.
