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 BISHOP
BEVEL JONES
By: Marilynn Bowler
Charlotte Rotary members were treated to the depth and breadth of
the wisdom and humor of noted Methodist Bishop Bevel Jones and the
esteemed speaker had the packed house at Sheraton Four Points eating
out of his hand. Appearing in a red pullover sweater under his
respectfully demure black clerical jacket, he has the grace to pull
it all off … beginning with his self-disparaging remarks about his
fiftieth wedding anniversary, moving to his off-the-cuff teasing of
John Belk’s “college yearbook photo in the Rotary Club Roster” and
finishing off with his sly taunting of Clemson University, Bishop
Jones is a preacher and public speaker to be reckoned with. His
remarks hit the spot, proving clearly why he was the popular keeper
of the faith for the Methodist Western North Carolina Conference for
a twelve year period ranging from 1984-96. At present (after
supposedly retiring) he is bishop-in-residence at his alma mater,
Candler School of Theology at Emory University as well as
bishop-in-residence at First United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA,
according to his college-years cohort and close friend, Lee Morris.
Lee set the tone for the Bishop’s presentation by opening his
introductory remarks with, “Following the graduation ceremony at
Emory University in Atlanta in May 1949 …two individuals walked off
the campus with degrees … one, Bevel Jones, took the high road with
a degree in Theology. The other, Lee Morris, took the low road with
a degree in Journalism.” Interestingly enough, it is Bishop Jones
who has published a book entitled, “One Step Beyond Caution,” which
entails his reflections on life and death.
Leading us through his message by defining what L – E – A – R – N
really signifies, we now understand that to Bishop Jones those
letters stand for “Laughter,” “Exercise,” Attitude,” “Reflection,”
and “Nurture.” From his very funny “Mother’s Little Darling” story,
to his poignant thoughts on Thanksgivings past and present, to his
quite serious reminder to us that the principals upon which Rotary
is founded are the practical frameworks to living a beneficial and
meaningful life, the Bishop held our attention from the get-go.
Mixing philosophically religious thoughts such as “Society is
overwhelmed and undernourished,” to the three-martini jokes, and
going headlong into T.S. Eliot quotes all captivated the audience
and we could have listened to his remarks for much longer time.
Surely the pews in the Methodist churches in Georgia are full when
news of Bishop Jones’ impending arrival is announced.
In closing, the Bishop would wish to remind us of the perils of
passing through the metal detectors in an airport when wearing shoes
with metal inserts. Come back soon, Bishop Jones. It was our
pleasure and joy to have you as our speaker at Charlotte Rotary!
Head Table:
Richard Bailey, Duke Ison, Lee Morris, Tom Robertson,
Charlene Kammerer, Powell Majors; Invocation: Chip Gwynn
Visitors and
Guests:
Gene Bratek; Health & Happiness: Tom Hutchins; Song: David
Erdman
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in memory
JOHN W. LAYNE
1929-2003 |
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Rotarian John Layne
passed away quietly at home on Thursday, November 13, 2003. Born
October 8, 1929 in Jasper, Tennessee, John was a graduate of
Marion County High School and attended Tennessee Tech on a full
athletic scholarship. He served in the 1st Division
Reconnaissance Company, U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War, from
1950-1952. He entered the University of Tennessee in 1953 and
completed a B.S.M.E. degree with a HVACR sub-major in 1955.
After joining The Trane Company in Lacrosse, Wisconsin, he
quickly became recognized for his dedication to quality business
practices, leadership and integrity. Upon moving to Charlotte,
John became the owner and manager of Layne Trane, Inc. for 35
years. John received numerous awards and was quite active in the
Charlotte community and business affairs. In 2002, the Layne-Trane
Air Conditioning Lab was dedicated at CPCC in recognition of Mr.
Layne’s vision and commitment to helping CPCC’s HVAC program for
the future.
John is survived by Judy Thoreson Layne, his wife of 32 years,
his three children, Catherine, Kimberly, and John Walker Layne,
Jr., and six cherished grandchildren. Memorials may be made to
Christ Episcopal Church, Thompson Children’s Home, or the Dowd
YMCA. |
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2003-04
RI
Theme
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z Frank
Martin gave an overview of the
“Football & Fashion” dinner to be held Monday, December 8 at
Founder’s Hall. Panther players and their wives will be modeling
clothes. Proceeds will benefit the Harvest Kitchen Outreach.
Contact Frank if you would like to purchase a ticket.
z
The Charlotte Chapter Association of Fund Raising Professionals
has awarded the 2003 Philanthropy Award to
Rusty Brink.
z
Rich Campbell is a member of the
25th Anniversary class of Leadership Charlotte.
z
Congratulations to
Tony and Sarah Lathrop upon the
birth of their third child, Henry.
z
Chase Saunders has been named the
2003-2004 president of the Mecklenburg Historical Association.
z
Tony Marciano’s
article in the Charlotte Observer
explains how the Charlotte Rescue Mission changes lives by not
only providing food, clothing and shelter to the homeless, but
also a free residential comprehensive drug and alcohol recovery
program for men and women.
z
Wishes for a speedy recovery…Erskine
Harkey had arthroscopic knee
surgery on Tuesday;
Steve Carter is suffering from a
herniated disk and pinched nerve in his back;
Charlie Williams’ wife, Totsie
has been released from the hospital;
Frank Timberlake fell and will
be needing hip replacement, as well as angioplasty.
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Attendance
Record |
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11/18/03 |
11/19/02 |
| visitors &
guests |
19 |
16 |
| club
members |
197 |
187 |
| total
attendance |
216 |
203 | | |
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Wedding
Anniversaries |
25 Mae and Gary Scott
26 Debbie and Sadler Barnhardt
01 Laura and Randolph Smith
01 Regina and Kurt Waldthausen |
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New Members - November |
Mary Ciminelli
Michele Matthews
Ward Matthews
David Norman
Jim Bensman
Joni Davis |
| Roaming
Rotarians |
Mary Rinehart, Hong Kong
Kurt Waldthausen, Berlin | |
| Birthdays and
Birthplaces |
25 Doug Booth, Atlanta, GA
26 Billy King, Kings Mtn, NC
26 John Shell, Olney, MD
26 Christie Taylor, Winston Salem, NC
27 Ron Vinson, Ft. Worth, TX
29 Richard Early, Alton, IL
30 Byron Bullard, Lumberton, NC
30 Bob Freeman, Hendersonville, NC
30 Tony Marciano, Jersey City, NJ
30 Gayle Smith, Kinston, NC | |
| Resignations (November) |
Kurt Scholler
Jon Barton |
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