Each Sunday morning at about 10:10am, I rush down the old wing to the last room on the left to find 
ten students, and a parent or two, awaiting Confirmation Class. Around the table - ten journals to 
write their thoughts and prayers, ten credo workbooks to record their homework and findings, ten 
Bibles from which they are reading the Gospel, and ten boys along a journey together at RBUMC to 
confirm their faith.

That’s right, ten boys! 
Ten boys on a journey to manhood. 
Ten boys on a journey to becoming men of God. 
Ten boys moving from the 5th/ 6th grade Sunday School class to the Jr. High class.
Ten boys off to the Jr. High Retreat at Asbury Hills this summer.
Ten boys beginning United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the fall.
Ten boys going on the Confirmation Retreat at Lake Junaluska this month. 
Ten boys standing before the church in April, professing faith in Christ Jesus and His path of 
Discipleship.

RBUMC Confirmation Class of  2011

Jordan Cavendar ~ Mentor: Jennifer Hodge		Ryan Kyzer ~ Mentor: Eric Chapman
Chandler Chapman ~ Mentor: Allison Snelgrove		Koby Sherman ~ Mentor: Lonnie Winkler
Sam Crosby ~ Mentor: John Childers			Cooper Smoak	~ Mentor: Robin Smith 
Jaret Hill ~ Mentor: Scott Cole				Andrew Snelgrove ~ Mentor: Kevin Key
Ryan Jordan ~ Mentor: Tommy Wilkes			Corey Waits ~ Mentor: Mike Roland

The boys will be going on Retreat this month and professing faith in Christ before the congregation 
on April 10th.  Pray for these young people. They are precious in God’s sight and ours.
 

Building News…..

~The parking lot at RBUMC is in the process of transformation! We now have only one entrance, which is 
  located on the Old Barnwell side of the property. We will soon have another entrance off Hwy #6 and a 
  redesigned parking lot. Remember the entrance is designed to be three lanes, one for entering and 2 to 
  exit, so left turns go to the center to help traffic flow. 
~The Building Committee Task Force will be meeting on March 7th at 6:30pm to discuss the progress of 
  installing a boundary fence in front, the cutting of the front drive (by the DOT) and the next phase of 
  laying asphalt. Building Committee Road Task Force Chair: Sid Hawkins
~Did you know that the Old wing of the church now only has one entrance because of construction. Please 
  do not block the driveway when parking on this side of the church.
~The Cemetery Committee will be meeting on Wednesday the 2nd at 6:30pm to give the church a clearer 
  picture of projections for a new fence around the cemetery.  Chairperson: Grady Shull

Thanks for your continued support and cooperation in the midst of these exciting growth, change and 
beautification projects around the grounds of the church!

Joy and Peace ~ Rev. Thomas B. Wilkes III

Important note: In February, the Staff Parish Relations Committee met, as they do annually, to discern 
the appointment of Pastoral Leadership at RBUMC. This year, the SPRC has voted and recommended my 
return as Pastor of Red Bank UMC for another year of ministry. We are thankful for the churches vote of
 confidence, and for your continued support as a congregation as we share in ministry together for the 
 Lord. We are presently in our ninth year of my ministry here at Red Bank. Meg and I have been prayerfully 
discerning, since last spring, what may be the best time of transition for our family, as well as for 
the church. With one child graduating this year from White Knoll High and our middle child in 10th 
grade we are aware that this could be a transitional year for us. We trust the United Methodist Church,  
the District Superintendent, the Bishop, and the Cabinet and lean on the guidance of the Holy Spirit to 
discern the best times of transition for the church and the Pastor knowing that God always provides, 
ordering the steps and securing the path of Ministry before us all. We together “walk by faith,” not by
 sight.