Greetings from Jacob & I-Chun

Jacob, I-Chun and Sofia have their new home in Elletsville, Indiana. If you need their address, please contact the church office. The family is busy, but they sent a few pictures for us to enjoy. That little girl is growing fast!

USSV Needs for November 2007

United Samaritan Services of Vernon has need of any non-perishable food item right now except rice and dried beans.

Meet the Members: October 2007

Brad and Raji met while they were both undergraduates at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. Brad grew up in west Texas and Raji originally came from southern India. They both attended Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where Brad completed a triple degree plan and Raji completed her Masters in Health Administration. They married in 1993 after a long courtship and now have three sons: James (9), Aidan (8), and Kiran (2). The B family moved to Vernon in 1999 from Dallas, where Brad was a food processing Plant Engineer and Raji was an Administrative Director at Parkland Hospital. Brad is currently employed by Tyson Foods, where he is a Senior Industrial Engineer. In 2001, Brad was diagnosed with a very severe cancer, but with God's grace and the help of family and friends, he has since had a full recovery.

Today, the B family leads a very busy life that includes church, school and the boys' activities. Brad and Raji both serve on local community boards. James and Aidan enjoy sports, reading, bicycling, legos, video games, and many other boy-type activities. Kiran tries to keep up with his older brothers. Brad is an avid reader and enjoys bicycling, working outdoors, and photography. Raji is currently a stay at home mom who enjoys movies, reading, gardening and spending time with friends. They are grateful for the blessings they have received and for the love and support they are given from the Vernon community.

Weekly Vine: Oct 28 - Nov 3, 2007

OCTOBER 28-NOVEMBER 3 CALENDAR

Sunday (10-28)

• 9:00 am - A time of Prayer for our Worship
• 9:30 am - Sunday School classes
• 10:50 am - Worship
• 7:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study, Parlor

Monday (10-29)

• 6:00 pm - Wolf Den, Tate
• 7:00 pm - Troop 87, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm - Pack 87, Halloween Carnival, Staub Hall

Wednesday (10-31)

• 11:00 am - Prayer Group
• 7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Thursday (11-1)

• 7:00 pm - TYC Bible Study

Saturday (11-3)

• 9:00 am - Work Day in the Church

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PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL NEEDS YOU!

Please join us for a Work Day this Saturday, November 3^rd at 9:00 am. We will be cleaning out the north bed in the south courtyard. This area collects trash and leaves which blow into the Narthex. We will dig out unwanted plants and lower the level of the bed for better water drainage away from the building. Volunteers should bring shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows.

The Nursery is also in need of cleaning. Volunteers are needed to sort toys, discard broken items and clean surfaces and toys.

If you have ever complained about the unsightliness of the church property and wondered why someone doesn’t do something, this is your opportunity to help us get things cleaned up.

NEW DIRECTORIES
The updated directory is on the table in the Narthex. Please be sure to get your copy.

ALL SAINTS SUNDAY
On Sunday, November 4, we will be celebrating All-Saints Sunday. During that service, we will be remembering those who in the last year went to be with the Lord. If you have any friends or family that you would like to remember, contact the church at vernonpres@sbcglobal.net or call 553-3925. Please do not assume that we will remember without your help. We do not want to miss anyone.

Victory Field is Not Closing

All of you may be familiar with our ministry out at Victory Field which includes weekly Bible Study, prayer for the cadets, monthly birthday fellowships, and parental support. You may also be aware of some discussion about closing the facility.

Misti Jacobs, Community Relations Coordinator for Victory Field, sent us a e-mail about the current situation. This is provided for our volunteers and for your information.

VFCA got a lot of bad press last week after the Corrections Committee meeting on Wednesday that made several staff and community members uneasy. I have been out of the office due to mandatory meetings and training. I did not have all of your email addresses to send an update to you prior to now. What I can tell you right now is that VFCA is not closing. However, that does not mean we may not have programming changes as needed in the future. We have been told since the beginning of the legislature sessions this past spring that TYC would have to streamline services which could result in the operation of facilities at a lesser capacity or closure. These decisions were to be based on several factors including an independent risk management assessment, an ACA assessment, and personal visits from Ms. Pope (acting Executive Director) and other Central Office staff. These assessments are taking place at EVERY facility.

My understanding is that in the Committee meeting in Austin last Wednesday, Will Harrell (Ombudsman), was asked if there were any other facilities in poor condition like the contract facility Coke County that was closed several weeks ago. He stated VFCA was in his opinion one of the "most inadequate facilities" among other negative comments to the press after the meeting. He visited VFCA in late August on a nonschool day and a platoon who was actively being defiant that day and refusing to do daily chores. Mr. Harrell's job is to look for all of the "bad stuff" at any facility to make sure the problems are recognized and corrected to provide a safe and appropriate environment for TYC youth. He is not hired by TYC and is independent of TYC. He has no direct authority regarding TYC. He simply makes visits to the facilities and expresses his findings. Mr. Brooks promptly responded to Mr. Harrell's complaints with evidence to document why things were the way they were. For example, Mr. Harrell and the newspaper reported we have blind spots on the dorms (in regards to security cameras) and poor radios. We know that. We have sent requests for additional camera equipment and updated radios several times and the completion of these projects was put on hold for reasons in Central Office. It's frustrating to hear someone like Mr. Harrell degrade our facility, staff, and programs. However, it's one man's opinion based on limited knowledge.

One thing to understand, Houston families have ALWAYS been against Victory Field because they did not like their children being placed so far away. If anything was ever said that our facility was inadequate, they will run with it. If you read the variety of articles Thursday, the Houston Chronicle was the most degrading toward VFCA. The Austin Statesmen was more balanced in reporting that Ms. Pope defended our facility based on her visit a few weeks earlier that Mr. Harrell (several of you were there). Then, you probably saw the article with Mr. Hardcastle regarding all of this reassuring that there would not be a swift closure of VFCA.

Bottom line is that we have not received any indication that we are closing. Ms. Pope's Chief of Staff and several other team members came to the facility Thursday and Friday and gave us a good review. An audit team will be here later this week for several days. The important thing to remember is that all facilities are undergoing these assessments. We have not been singled out. What I have heard is the most destructive part of any of these reviews of VFCA are staff, volunteers, and community members saying negative things about the facility, administration, and programming. I am not referring to true problems which need to be addressed with no question, but simple and ongoing petty complaining and negative attitudes toward TYC. We should all be working on the premise that "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" regarding general thoughts about VFCA and TYC. There are several staff, volunteers, and community members that are faithful and dedicated to helping these young men make choices for a better life regardless of where they have been.

We all need to stay focused on what's best for the youth and keep moving forward. If I ever hear anything as important as the facility was closing, I would personally be on the phone to you to keep you posted and advising you what you can do as a volunteer. The staff and youth continue to need your support. Please pass this on to your volunteer groups. Thanks for everything you do! Have a great day!

Misti Jacobs
Community Relations Coordinator
Victory Field Correctional Academy

Victory Field: Deadline for Fingerprinting

All of you may be familiar with our ministry out at Victory Field which includes weekly Bible Study, prayer for the cadets, monthly birthday fellowships, and parental support. Due to new regulations, all regular volunteers need to be fingerprinted.

----Original Message-----
From: Tammy Vega
Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 2:22 PM
Subject: Deadline for fingerprinting is extended until October 31

As you know, during the past several months, we have worked very hard to get all of our enrolled volunteers fingerprinted so that we comply with the new requirements of SB 103. We appreciate the hard work you have invested into this process! We are so proud of the work our volunteers do and we want to provide every opportunity possible to get printed. We truly hope to maintain our volunteer core.

We are pleased to announce that we will be extending the deadline for volunteers to get fingerprinted until October 31. We believe this permits our remote facilities to schedule at least one (and in many cases, two) on-site session and increases the likelihood that more volunteers will be fingerprinted.

For those volunteers who have not been fingerprinted by the deadline of October 31, their volunteer enrollment status will be suspended until they get fingerprinted or until May 1, 2008 – whichever comes first. If they have not been fingerprinted by May 1, 2008, TYC will be required to deactivate their volunteer status. During the period of suspension while we are waiting for the volunteers to get fingerprinted, the volunteers will not be allowed to continue their volunteer activities. If they are fingerprinted and cleared by May 1, 2008, then their suspension will be rescinded and they can immediately resume their volunteer activities.

For those applicants who have applied to become a TYC volunteer and have been fingerprinted and are awaiting the results, unless we have reason to suspect a criminal history that would prohibit their involvement, they should be okay to volunteer pending the results. They will receive final clearance when the results are received.

Revisions of the Volunteer Services Policies have been drafted, reviewed by a multidisciplinary workgroup, and are pending approval. These policies will explain our process in seeking an executive waiver to the criminal history eligibility of volunteer applicants.

Thank you again for your hard work and your commitment to the youth we serve. Please continue to encourage your volunteers to schedule a fingerprinting appointment as soon as possible. If you need any assistance with this process, please contact Tammy Vega at 512.533.2752.

Tracy Levins
Director, TYC Administrative Services and Community Relations

Tammy Vega
Manager, TYC Volunteer Services

PROPERTY AND PERSONNEL NEEDS YOU!

Please join us for a Work Day Saturday, November 3^rd at 9:00 am. We will be cleaning out the north bed in the south courtyard. This area collects trash and leaves which blow into the Narthex. We will dig out unwanted plants and lower the level of the bed for better water drainage away from the building. Volunteers should bring shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows.

The Nursery is also in need of cleaning. Volunteers are needed to sort toys, discard broken items and clean surfaces and toys.

If you have ever complained about the unsightliness of the church property and wondered why someone doesn't do something, this is your opportunity to help us get things cleaned up.

Tailgate Party: October 26

The Fellowship committee is sponsoring a Tailgate Party this Friday, October 26 at Staub Hall from 5:00 to 7:00 before the football game. There is no charge for the hamburger meal, but tickets are available for everyone to give to friends and family as an invitation and reminder. Please take some tickets, bring family and friends and enjoy good food and fellowship on Friday night.

Weekly Vine: Oct 21-27, 2007

OCTOBER 21-27 CALENDAR

Sunday (10-21)

• 9:00 am - A time of Prayer for our Worship
• 9:30 am - Sunday School classes
• 10:50 am - Worship
• 7:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study, Parlor

Monday (10-22)

• 7:00 pm - Troop 87, Staub Hall

Tuesday(10-23)

• 6:00 pm - Den Leader’s Meeting, Staub Hall

Wednesday (10-24)

• 11:00 am - Prayer Group
• 5:00 pm - 11^th & 12^th Grade Youth Dinner
• 7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Thursday (10-25)

• 7:00 pm - TYC Birthday Party

Friday (10-26)

• 5:00 - 7:00 pm - Tailgate Party, Staub Hall

Weekly Vine: Oct 14-20, 2007

OCTOBER 14-20 CALENDAR

Sunday (10-14)

• 9:00 am - A time of Prayer for our Worship
• 9:30 am - Sunday School classes
• 10:50 am - Worship
• 7:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study, Parlor

Monday (10-15)

• 7:00 pm - Troop 87, Staub Hall

Tuesday(10-16)

• 3:30 pm - Webelos 1, Hodsden, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm - Session Meeting, Staub Hall

Wednesday (10-17)

• 11:00 am - Prayer Group
• 11:00 and 12:00 - High School Luncheon
• 7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Thursday (10-18)

• 3:30 pm - Campfire, Burrus, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm - TYC Bible Study

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN

The 2008 Stewardship Campaign has concluded for this year. If you have not yet made your pledge, please turn in the information by putting it in the offering plate, mailing it, or bringing it by the office. If you still have one of the batons, please return it to your captain so he or she might turn it in. Prayerfully consider what God is calling you to give so we might maintain and expand the ministries of our church.

Weekly Vine: Oct 7-13, 2007

WEEKLY CALENDAR OCTOBER 7-13

Sunday (10-7)

• 9:00 am - A time of Prayer for our Worship
• 9:30 am - Sunday School classes
• 7:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study, Parlor
  

Monday (10-8)

• 6:00 pm - Wolf Den, Tate, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm - Troop 87, Staub Hall
  

Tuesday (10-9)

• 3:30 pm - Webelos 1, Hodsden, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm.- Property and Personnel Meeting

Wednesday (10-10)

• 11:00 am - Prayer Group
• 5:00 pm - Dinner @ Baras, 9^th-10^th grades
• 7:00 - pm - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Thursday (10-11)

• 7:00 pm - Tiger Cubs, Thiemann, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm - TYC Birthday Party
  

HAVE YOU CHECKED US OUT YET?

We are on the web! Welcome to cyberspace. The First Presbyterian Church now has a home on the World Wide Web. We still have some work to do, but we welcome your thoughts and comments. Do you have some ideas on how to improve the site? Would you like to help develop this communication tool? Please speak up. Check us out at: http://www.firstpresvernon.org/

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
The 2008 Stewardship Campaign is half over. If you have not received the baton so you can make your pledge, you should get it this week. Please fill in the pledge card promptly and get it to the next person on the list. Prayerfully consider what God is calling you to give so we might maintain and expand the ministries of our church.

Weekly Vine: Sept 30 - Oct 5, 2007

CALENDAR FOR SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 5

Sunday (9-30)

• 9:00 am - A time of Prayer for our Worship
• 9:30 am - Sunday School classes
• 10:50 am - Worship & Playground Dedication
• 10:50 am - Stewardship Drive Begins
• 7:00 pm - Pastor’s Bible Study, Parlor

Monday (10-1)

• 7:00 pm - Troop 87, Staub Hall

Tuesday (10-2)

• 9:30 am - PW Circle Meetings:

Circle 1: Carolyn Smead’s home

Circle 2: CeCe Wright’s home

• 3:30 pm - Webelos 1, Hodsden, Staub Hall
• 7:00 pm.- Christian Education Meeting

Wednesday (10-3)

• 11:00 am - Prayer Group
• 5:00 pm - Dinner with Middle School @ Baras
• 7:00 pm - Choir Rehearsal, Choir Room

Thursday (10-4)

• 7:00 pm - TYC Bible Study
• 9:00 pm - 108^th Stated Meeting and Retreat of Palo Duro Presbytery begins

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
The 2008 Stewardship Campaign kicks off on September 30. The theme this year is “Running the Relay”. Captains received the batons for their teams this morning. When you receive the baton, please fill in the pledge card promptly and send it on to the next person on the list. Prayerfully consider what God is calling you to give to maintain and expand the ministries of our church.