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A Note From the Pastor
 
Signs of New Life
 
This year, Easter falls in April. I remember always hearing the saying, "April Showers bring May flowers" growing up. It was a saying that established April as a month that is designed for preparing for new life. My son Graham turns 6 this year on the 21st of April.  Six years ago, April 21st was on Maundy  Thursday. I was associate pastor at Fairfax UMC at the time and our house was right across from the church. That year was one of the only years in that last couple decades of my life that I didn't go to church on Easter. In fact, Sarah and I were leaving to go to our first pediatric check up as we maneuvered past the congregation coming for the worship service. 

As we spent our April that year preparing for the literal new life that was going to be born, we missed the rituals of worship that prepare us for the new life experienced in the resurrection at Easter. I was struck by how much I missed them. I've come to rely on those rituals of preparation. I missed the sharing of communion  on Thursday; I missed hearing the story of the passion  on Friday; I missed the stone being rolled away and the disciple's response. I missed all that goes into the new life we celebrate at church. 

Of course, I always encourage attendance on Easter, but you will also find I unapologetically encourage the congregation to come to Maundy  Thursday and Good  Friday or to experience the Stations of the Cross. To come to see Holy Week as a time of preparation for the new life proclaimed at Easter. The ritual helps us appreciate and understand Easter so much more. The rituals of Holy Week are the showers that help to create the flowers of Easter. So as Holy Week is before us, I hope you will join me in taking time to honor this week, come to worship at  7:30 on Thursday and  Friday, and allow that worship and the rituals to bring you new life as we come together to celebrate on Easter. 

-Pastor Jason
 
 
 
Change the World Needs
 
Our annual Change the World Festival is just 7 weeks away!  As in the past, in addition to packaging 20,000 dehydrated meals for distribution to feeding programs in hungry countries, we will be assembling birthing kits, school bags and health kits for our delegates to take to Annual Conference in June. 

We will also be assembling "Comfort Bags" for www..teamolive.org.  When Olive Webster's family had to spend time in the hospital during Olive's stays there, they realized that sometimes family members didn't have with them just some basic things that would help them cope a little better.  We will be assembling these bags for Olive's family to distribute to partner hospitals.  

We will start collecting supplies on April 23, but if you are shopping and find any of these items, we'll take donations at any time!



School Bags
1 pair blunt scissors
180
1 hand held pencil sharpeners
133
3 units of paper
388
1 30 centimeter rulers
151
6 unsharpened pencils
92
1 2 ½ inch erasers
122
1 canvas bags
44
1 24 count box of crayons
197
 


Health Kits
1 hand towels 15" x 25" to 17"x 27"
91
1 washcloths
77
1 combs
78
1 metal nail files or clippers
26
1 toothbrushes
100
6 adhesive bandages
278
 


Birthing Kits
2 receiving blankets 30"x 30" or 32"x 32"
126
 

"TeamOlive" Comfort Bags
1 Bar of soap or body wash
30
 1 Shampoo/conditioner
50
1 Deodorant
50
1  Hand sanitizer
50
1 Toothbrush
50
1 toothpaste
50
1 Chapstick
50
· 1 Hand Lotion
50
1 Journals
50
1 Pens
50
·          Optional Items:
50
o         Snack items
50
§          Dried fruit, granola bars
 
o         Deck of cards
50
o         Notecards
50
o         Wash cloth
50
o         Word Puzzle book
50



If you haven't already started filling your "Change the World" coin can to help offset the $5900 expense of the dehydrated meals, there are cans on the entryway table.  One of the most fun activities at the Festival (other than the Cake Walk for Duffy House!) is the sorting of the coins - grownups hovering around the table flinging pennies into baskets!
It's Going to be a SUPERHERO kind of Summer!

Spring has finally sprung in Burke which means summer is right around the corner!  Children's Ministries has planned many super-sized, squash-buckling, unbelievable activities to keep kids (Preschool-through rising 6th grade) engaged and building their strength in God this summer.

We're excited to announce that Summer Sunday School kicks off on June 25th!  Preschoolers will spend each Sunday learning about heroes of the Bible using activity books and short movie clips.  Preschool will meet in Room 9 this summer at 10:30AM and will be led by Lindsey Lyons. Children's Church at 9AM each week will also follow a hero theme as we revisit familiar stories about David, Abraham, Nehemiah, Daniel, Esther, Peter, Paul, Thomas, and John.


Our 10:30AM Sunday School theme for rising K-4th graders is "Be a Superhero" and will focus on the qualities of superheroes - love, kindness, understanding, resilience, patience, spiritual strength, and many more. This curriculum is centered around the Bible verse: "Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31b (NIV). Volunteer Shepherds are needed to lead Summer Sunday School - we'd love for you to be a part of this team!  Sign up on clipboard alley (one week commitment) if interested.

Club 56 (rising 5th and 6th graders) will learn about the Fruits of the Spirit and will create a fruit-inspired superhero each week which will be on display in the Narthex. We believe that our preteen students hunger for something different from younger kids, but aren't often developmentally ready for Youth Ministries. Club 56 helps to bridge the gap by using a format similar to youth programs, but with subject matter and activities that address age-appropriate needs and issues. Creating "Captain Kindness" in the likeness of a strawberry suits the interests and activity level of Club 56 quite well!

Finally, our very popular Vacation Bible School camp will be held August 7-11, 9:00AM-12:15PM for Preschool through 4th grades, and Camp Mission EDGE is open this same week, 9:00AM-2:00PM.  Our VBS theme is "Hero Central: Discover Your Strength in God" where children will enjoy an interactive, energizing, Bible-based good time as they discover their strength in God! They will become Heroes and will explore how to serve God and understand God's mission for their lives! VBS activities include a high-energy opening assembly at Hero Central, interactive Bible stories revealing Hero Codes, Art Exploration, Science "Imagineering", Superhero Sports, Amazing Music, and Powerful Snacks. Hero Central VBS is designed to equip your Heroes for an active life with God. Your Heroes will discover a daily Hero Verse that will remain with them in their faith long after VBS.



During the week, your Heroes will hear about our mission project and how they can respond to a call for action.  VBS and Camp Mission EDGE registration is now open online on the BUMC website or forms are available in clipboard alley. ($20 per child for VBS; $40 for CME). Many volunteers are needed to run this summer camp for 200 children!  Contact Kristin Kelso, VBS Director at kristinkelso@burkeumc.org with questions or sign-up on the Hero Central VBS Volunteer sheet in the entryway.

We look forward to an amazingly awesome Superhero summer with you and your children!
Do Good, Seek Peace, and Go After it! Psalm 34:14b
 
F ACETS Breakfast
 
On April 20 from 8:00 -9:00 am, FACETS will be holding their annual "Opening Doors" breakfast at the Marriott in Fairview Park.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about the organization that we partner with for all our B5 (Brick by Brick by Burke) activities (to name just a few):
  • Hypothermia Prevention week
  • Hot Breakfast for the Homeless'
  • Mentoring of formerly homeless folks
  • Community center lunches
  • Holiday angel tree and vegetable programs
People who have worked with FACETS will tell their stories, and this year, Jane Wilson will also be speaking about her involvement with the non -profit.  If you are able to attend, please sign up in the entryway or email Jane ( janewilson@burkeumc.org) - she is looking to have as many friendly faces in the audience as possible!



  
Rebuilding Together
 
Reminder:  BUMC's Rebuilding Together project is on April 29th this year.  Our House captains are already working to assess the needs and will have enough work lined up to keep LOTS of people busy!  If you haeven't already signed up to help, there is a sheet in the entryway or you can contact Mike Holmes ( mandm.holmes@verizon.net) for more information.

Jane Wilson is looking for a few people willing to help make lunches that morning (April 29) for our hard-working team - if you can help out from 10:00-11:30, please let her know!  (janewilson@burkeumc.org)



 
 
 
 
Romy Visit: April 15, 9AM
 
Join us for a delicious breakfast on Saturday, April 15 at 9:00 am to hear more about the important work being done by the UMC missionaries in Cambodia that Rev. Fender, Ann Stingle, Barbara Nowak and Lynn Gramzow have visited with on their trips to Cambodia.  Our friend Romy del Rosario will be here to update us on work that we support in that very needy country.  

Sign up in the entryway or contact Jane Wilson  for more information.

Read more about Barbara & Lynn's trip to Cambodia here!

 
April Mission Events
 



Missed a sermon? Listen on line any time! Click on the image above (or the same image on the main page of our web site) to listen to sermons from previous Sundays. 
(Sermons are uploaded each week by Thursday if not sooner.)

 
The Life Youth Fellowship



The Youth Program Needs You!

Are you young, older, or in-between? 
Do you work full time, part-time or are you retired?  
Do you like to laugh and have fun?  

You are perfect for youth ministry!  

Sharing your time, your experience and your faith journey with the youth of our church is an amazing gift.  
Talk to Anne Sawin to become part of the team.   annesawin@burkeumc.org .
Middle School Youth Inspired by Journey Weekend
By Ren Hartigan, 8th Grade


 
"Are we there yet?"  The trip to Rockbridge Young Life Camp in Goshen, VA took even longer than expected as we crawled along in Friday afternoon traffic on I-66 and then slowed down to 30 mph in the sleet and snow on Rt. 81.  We finally arrived as the heavens opened up and dumped rain and small ice pellets on us.  But it was all forgotten once we settled in and attended our first evening session.
 
 The auditorium was a buzz, packed with middle school youth and their leaders.  Praise music filled the room and we clapped and sang together as we worshipped God.  The next day the sun came out and we enjoyed the beauty of the camp.   We had our meals together in the dining hall as well as worshipped and shared general sessions together. The youth were able to pick their own small group sessions and events for recreation time (including rock climbing, organized games, exploring the grounds and more).  We had some wonderful discussions about our faith journey and what it means to follow Jesus.
 
The Journey staff was wonderful, the time was well planned, the speaker was inspirational and the students were amazing.   Here's what a couple of them thought about their time at Journey:
 
"First I'd like to thank Mrs. Sawin and Mr. Scott for taking us on this amazing trip. They were very gracious and gave up their weekend for us. I loved Journey because I got to have fun with a bunch of other Christians like me. I also thought it brought me closer to God and helped me get a more personal relationship with Him." -Palmer Moore, 7th Grade
 
"My weekend at Journey was a short, but amazing experience. There was lots of time to meet other campers and make connections with other churches. There were also many scheduled activities that proved to be just as fun. I particularly enjoyed the activities called "General Sessions". We watched funny skits and games put on by the hilarious "Bronas Brothers", a popular comedy group played by two of the camp's directors. We listened to beautiful music performed by the band Relinquish and also thought provoking speeches by a guest speaker named Marco. I always left with a lot on my mind regarding my beliefs and how I fit in to God's plan. I advise future generations of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to come to Journey and revitalize their faith. I promise that you won't regret it!" 




April ECHO Collection
 
 
BUMC collects items for ECHO (Ecumenical Communities Helping Others) throughout the year.  The Youth Group is sponsoring BUMC's once a year special collection in April.  Please put your donations in the big bin in clipboard alley.
Items Needed:
Spaghetti/pasta
Canned tuna
8oz tomato sauce
Rice
Deodorant
Shaving cream
Paper towels
Toilet paper
Pots and pans 2 Qt and larger

Thank you for your support!
 
 
CHICO'S Tea & Fashion Show: May 7, 2PM
 
BUMC's Annual Chico's Fashion Show and Tea will be held this year on Sunday, May 7 at 2:00.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased either in the office during regular hours or between services for the month of April (until they sell out - this is a HOT ticket, so get yours early).

The proceeds from this event are sent to support women's livelihood and girls' scholarship initiatives in Cambodia.  If you are feeling all "Masterchef" and would like to help prepare food for the event, please sign up in the entryway or contact Rev. Judy Fender.





 
Burke UMC: Welcome Statement
 
Welcome!  We are a caring community from various backgrounds, drawn together by the love of God and the transforming message of Jesus. We believe all persons are of sacred worth and dignity as part of God's creation and as demonstrated by the ministry of Jesus Christ. 

We welcome everyone without exception - everyone means everyone - regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, family structure, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, economic background, political affiliation, physical or mental ability, faith history or life experience. 

We recognize among us differences in theology and biblical interpretation, and we covenant to accept, respect, and love one another along our faith journeys. Please join us, because wherever you are on life's journey, there's a place for you here at Burke United Methodist Church!
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