MERRITT’S MUSINGS The first real job I ever had was delivering the old "Roanoke World-News" to a neighborhood surrounding Raleigh Court Park in southwest Roanoke. I was fourteen, and an older teen had handed his route over to me when he had earned enough to buy a car and could begin spending more time with his girlfriend. The "World-News" was at that time the evening sister of the morn- ing "Roanoke Times", and 70-80 households expected the paper to be delivered late each after- noon for evening perusal. So Monday through Friday, around 5:30 or so following football or baseball or basketball or band practice, I'd go to the corner of Avon and Windsor, open up the large stack of newspapers just dropped off by the delivery truck, stuff in whatever extra sales flyers had to be added, load all the papers into the bag hanging from my shoulder, and begin my two mile round-trip journey, fold- ing newspapers while walking up sidewalks, and tossing them onto all those front porches. Sat- urdays I had the same route to cover, and then on Sunday mornings, early on before Sunday school and church, I'd deliver the fat "Times" Sunday edition to those "World-News" subscribers who wanted a Sunday paper (the "World-News" didn't print a Sunday evening edition). It was all good exercise, of course, and I did learn some good customer service skills. I found ways to deal with suspicious dogs, I invented games to keep from getting too bored ("how close can I come to the front door tossing the paper from down here on the street...."), I got to know some nice adults who really did appreciate what I was doing. I also learned something about going the extra mile, doing something for another that is above and beyond the call of duty, more than what is expected. To be specific, I learned how nice it is to be tipped. One of the jobs of the paperboy in those days was to collect payment for the newspaper each week or so. We would get paid by the newspaper company from what we collected, so collec- tions were important. I had figured how much I would make from my cut each week---not all that much, but more than I would have if I remained an unemployed 14-year old! So as I began my collections circuit, I knocked on the first door---Mrs. Moore, a smiling older lady--and was amazed that she gave me a quarter more than she owed. (Remember, I've been around a good while, and a quarter back then was really worth something!) As I made my rounds, several oth- ers did the same, paying me more than they owed, always saying "thanks for getting my news- paper to me". "Wow", I thought, "these folks really do appreciate what I'm doing. They are giv- ing more than I have earned, more than I deserve, just to say thank you." Of course, there were those who didn't tip, there were even those who would sometimes make it hard to collect what was owed, but what stuck with me in the two years I had that route was how several of my customers would go above and beyond what was expected to show how much they cared, how much they appreciated. Most of us are brought up knowing how important it is to do our share, to do our duty, to accom- plish what is expected of us. But I wonder how much better the world would be if we sometimes pushed ourselves just a bit to add a tip on to that effort--to give an extra word of thanks, to show a little bit more kindness than is normal, to be just a touch more interested and engaged in another's needs. Those paper route customers certainly didn't have to give me a tip--their regular payments were enough, they fulfilled the "social contract", they did what was necessary and "right" and "good". But their small gestures of extra appreciation--giving a gangly young teen a bit extra for his efforts--did make an impact, and in their own small way they made the world a little bit better. What about us? Are there "tips"--not necessarily financial, but extra little efforts--that we can make, that go a step beyond what is deserved and expected, that can shine just a touch more light into the dark world? As we move into our new 2019, that's something worth thinking about! 3911 Greenland Ave NW Roanoke, VA 24012 (540) 366-8115 Church Office Hours: M-Fri 8:30 am–12:30 pm Staff Pastor Russ Merritt [email protected]540-493-9622 Secretary Susie Tallmage [email protected]Music Director Melissa Hudson [email protected]Elders Class of 2019 Margie Cundiff, John Kabana, Allen Kling, Sarah Plymale, Holly Woodson Class of 2020 Lynn Kirby, Dave Snider, Bob Newman, Bob Bielawski, Frankie Bielawski Class of 2021 Judy Ferrell, Jeremy Newman, Vee Hayes, Ray Williams, Chuck Lockard January/February 2019 THE LINK Northminster Presbyterian Church
Transcript
MERRITT’S MUSINGS
The first real job I ever had was delivering the old "Roanoke World-News" to a neighborhood surrounding Raleigh Court Park in southwest Roanoke. I was fourteen, and an older teen had handed his route over to me when he had earned enough to buy a car and could begin spending more time with his girlfriend. The "World-News" was at that time the evening sister of the morn-ing "Roanoke Times", and 70-80 households expected the paper to be delivered late each after-noon for evening perusal.
So Monday through Friday, around 5:30 or so following football or baseball or basketball or band practice, I'd go to the corner of Avon and Windsor, open up the large stack of newspapers just dropped off by the delivery truck, stuff in whatever extra sales flyers had to be added, load all the papers into the bag hanging from my shoulder, and begin my two mile round-trip journey, fold-ing newspapers while walking up sidewalks, and tossing them onto all those front porches. Sat-urdays I had the same route to cover, and then on Sunday mornings, early on before Sunday school and church, I'd deliver the fat "Times" Sunday edition to those "World-News" subscribers who wanted a Sunday paper (the "World-News" didn't print a Sunday evening edition). It was all good exercise, of course, and I did learn some good customer service skills. I found ways to deal with suspicious dogs, I invented games to keep from getting too bored ("how close can I come to the front door tossing the paper from down here on the street...."), I got to know some nice adults who really did appreciate what I was doing.
I also learned something about going the extra mile, doing something for another that is above and beyond the call of duty, more than what is expected. To be specific, I learned how nice it is to be tipped. One of the jobs of the paperboy in those days was to collect payment for the newspaper each week or so. We would get paid by the newspaper company from what we collected, so collec-tions were important. I had figured how much I would make from my cut each week---not all that much, but more than I would have if I remained an unemployed 14-year old! So as I began my collections circuit, I knocked on the first door---Mrs. Moore, a smiling older lady--and was amazed that she gave me a quarter more than she owed. (Remember, I've been around a good while, and a quarter back then was really worth something!) As I made my rounds, several oth-ers did the same, paying me more than they owed, always saying "thanks for getting my news-paper to me". "Wow", I thought, "these folks really do appreciate what I'm doing. They are giv-ing more than I have earned, more than I deserve, just to say thank you." Of course, there were those who didn't tip, there were even those who would sometimes make it hard to collect what was owed, but what stuck with me in the two years I had that route was how several of my customers would go above and beyond what was expected to show how much they cared, how much they appreciated. Most of us are brought up knowing how important it is to do our share, to do our duty, to accom-plish what is expected of us. But I wonder how much better the world would be if we sometimes pushed ourselves just a bit to add a tip on to that effort--to give an extra word of thanks, to show a little bit more kindness than is normal, to be just a touch more interested and engaged in another's needs. Those paper route customers certainly didn't have to give me a tip--their regular payments were enough, they fulfilled the "social contract", they did what was necessary and "right" and "good". But their small gestures of extra appreciation--giving a gangly young teen a bit extra for his efforts--did make an impact, and in their own small way they made the world a little bit better.
What about us? Are there "tips"--not necessarily financial, but extra little efforts--that we can make, that go a step beyond what is deserved and expected, that can shine just a touch more light into the dark world? As we move into our new 2019, that's something worth thinking about!
The month of January has been a popular time for Northminster mem-bers to present their children for baptism. This year we are remember-ing three of our precious children and their families. The Baptismal Can-dle will be burning brightly to remind us that not only did their parents present these children for baptism and declare to us and to the Lord their intentions to help their children know and love the Lord, but we as a congregation accepted the responsibility to be an influence that would guide them in their Christian faith.
We will light the candle on January 6th as we recall that Kallie Jean Cameron was baptized on January 3, 2016. Celebrating with Kallie are her parents Kevin and Emma and a special friend, Lois Hopkins.
The candle will also burn on January 20th for Amai and Amari Gillard who were baptized on January 11, 2015. Their mother, Brett Newman and father, Eric; grand-parents, Bob and Debbie Newman along with aunt and uncle, Jeremy and Kristin Newman are rejoicing with them.
Worship Christian
Education
Mission Building/
Grounds
Stewardship/
Finance
Judy Ferrell Vee Hayes Ray Williams Jeremy
Newman
Chuck Lockard
Session Nominating Committee
The congregation approved the above slate of elders for 2021 after morning worship, on November 11. Also,
due to her current health issues, Sara Plymale is unable to complete her final year. Susan Graybill has agreed to
fill her term on Christian Education.
January
1/26/1974 Don & Sandy Smith
February
2/17/1979 Tom & Hope Hale
January
2 Hunter Hayes
8 Karen Smith
8 Paula Jones
9 Emily Ferrell Allen
9 Lois Hopkins
9 Don (Buddy) Smith
13 Kellyann Bryan
17 Reba Kling
19 James Norris, Jr.
26 Maggie Graybill
31 Devin Jones
February
3 George Wingeier
8 Marie Haines
10 Bobby Brammer
14 Jo Ann Threlkeld
15 Rose Howard
15 Mason Esworthy
16 William Young (son of
Sara Zax Young)
23 Sara Zax
25 Bill Waddell
26 Shirley Wynn
Financial Summary for December 2018
Budget amount needed per month: $13,525
Total receipts for month: $13,126
Total expenditures for month: $18,654
Total Receipts Year to Date: $148,449
Total Expenditures to Date: $181,482
By The Numbers—Sunday Worship
November December
4 68 2 93
11 75 9 No Church
18 74 16 80
25 60 23 87
30 50
Northminster Love & Concern
Betty Dixon continues to greet all her visitors at the Brammer home with that
sweet smile and that same interest in all that goes on at Northminster. Her
movements are limited but she is still the same Betty we have loved for so long.
She would love to have a visit.
Michael Hambrick is recovering from the latest surgery. The report was
not as good as they had hoped. There is still some cancer remaining. He will
have to go to Hampton to have some proton beam radiation which will be fol-
lowed by chemo. This will all be over a period of time and is all very compli-
cated to try to explain in this newsletter. Just know that he still has some very
major health issues. We want to keep him and Maggie and the rest of the family
in our prayers and let them know we are here to help them in any way we can.
Barbara Jones continues to improve. It was so great to have her back at
church a time or two. We hope to see her back again soon. We need you to
keep Jyke in line, Barbara.
It is always so wonderful to see those who have had health problems coming to
church almost every Sunday. Heading that list is Floyd Moretz. He and Mary
are very special people.
Add to that list of special people – Sarah Plymale. After some very serious
surgery this fall Sarah is doing well. It is so good to see her smiling face each
Sunday and she is getting better all the time.
Mary Simpson had one of those unusual accidents – she broke her toe. If you
have suffered from such a problem, you know it is no fun. Hope it is better
soon, Mary, and that you are soon back to normal.
JoAnn Threlkeld continues her recuperation at Richfield from that nasty fall
she had.
Another one of those who were missing from our Sunday morning ranks for a
while was Bill Waddell. Bill is back with us now and seems to be doing fine.
We send our best wishes to you and Lois.
Shirley Wynn is enjoying her life at Friendship Assisted Living. She is in Room
319. She says that the workers there are so attentive to all her needs. If she
doesn’t come to a meal, they are at her door, asking why. She likes the idea of
not having to go grocery shopping or cook her meals. That sounds like a good
idea – no dishes to wash.
Bobby Brammer seems to try to find ways to keep us alert as to just how he is
and where he is. As you know he had a bad injury to his foot and then devel-
oped infection in that knee that was replaced some time ago. He has been giv-
ing the hospital, nursing homes and Dy a real work out. At this point we believe
he is back home. Stay tuned, we let you know the latest.
Lois Hopkins recently received a note from Rose Howard. She has moved to
Assisted Living at Brookdale in Hickory North Carolina. She is recovering from
a broken foot and a recent stroke on Christmas Eve.
Happy Birthday to Lois Hopkins who recently celebrated her 88th birthday.
