|
Sunday School doesn't end when the school year is out - it just transforms into Summer Sunday School! Students automatically "age up" after Father's Day and are welcome to attend the grade they will be attending in the fall.
PreK
Students will be in the "Castle Room" (Room 9 near the Sanctuary) over the summer. They will be using Dr. Seuss books to learn a basic lesson - and then play, color, build friendships, and have fun!
Kindergarten - 4th Grades: SUMMER OF SEUSS!
Using Dr. Seuss and Bible stories, students will have the opportunity to learn more about God, themselves, and the world. They will engage in discussion, friendship building, crafts, and more! Meet in "The Dock" downstairs to begin; ages will split from there.
Club 56
5th & 6th grade students will spend their entire summer thinking about the Apostles Creed and creating an art installment for our church! This incredible summer opportunity gives "tweens" the chance to brainstorm, build, be creative, discuss - and consider what they believe - and how they can demonstrate it in a cool way for all of us to experience!
Youth: 7th-12th Grades
Students will engage "Tough Questions" of faith using a Coffee House format (including yummy coffee and treats)!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are thankful for our teachers who volunteer all year - and now we need YOU to join us as a summer volunteer! We provide everything you need - we just need you there to help us make it happen! See Katie Webster, Katie Glick, or sign up for a few dates in the entryway!
|
|
 |
|
|
Learn more or Register for Burke UMC's VBS
We are excited to welcome more students than ever this year! In order to love our community that way - we need adult volunteers. We supply everything you need - we just want you to join us for the best week of the summer. Sign up in the entryway or see Katie Webster or Katie Glick
with any questions!
|
|
|
|
|
UMC Missionary, Esther Gibotu, to Visit BUMC on Sunday, July 17
Come for inspiration, learning, and lunch on July 17, 11:30AM and meet Esther and daughters Jeanette, Michelle, and Lindsay. Esther will speak briefly at each service and during our potluck lunch will share slides and much more information about her vital work in Cambodia with time for questions. Please help Ann Stingle and me show Esther the radical hospitality we received from her while traveling in Cambodia in 2013 and 2015.
Esther Karimi Gitobu is a
missionary of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) currently serving in Phnom Penh, Cambodia with the Methodist Mission of Cambodia (MMC).
She has been a wonderful host to many that have traveled to Cambodia from Virginia, and she uses her gift of communication in mission interpret
ation, grant writing, and in her role as United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) coordinator.
As UMVIM coordinator, Esther facilitates short-term mission experiences through which volunteers can gr
ow to appreciate the transformational power of serving and being served. Her greatest joy, Esther says, is "to see volunteer teams share their resources, skills, and manpower with churches and programs in Cambodia, only to walk away completely and forever transformed by how much more the Khmer people teach and give them in return. The road of transformational servant hood is a two-way street."
While serving in Southeast Asia, Esther has felt a growing passion to help young people in Cambodia acquire the resources needed to obtain high school and college educations. But, before becoming a missionary, Gitobu worked for the Central Bank in Kenya, transferring commercial funds to the government. In this video, But it was transferring money and not seeing the impact of the transactions.
But as a missionary she can see the faces of those whose lives are transformed. Gitobu shares "I now see the way funds are helping to bring true transformation into the lives of young adults and communities in Cambodia, I see the faces of those who benefit from the assistance." . For many Cambodian students she is known as Mama Esther. For $10 a month she knows a girl can continue to go school. For $450 a month a young woman can go to college or a training school and avoid being part of the human trafficking that plagues poor girls and young women in Cambodia.
One of her dreams is the creation of a Scholarship Endowment Fund to assist future generations. Esther was instrumental in initiating "Youth Camp," an opportunity for youth from across Cambodia to come together for fellowship and learning. It has become an annual event for the Methodist youth there.
From 1999 to 2002, Esther and her husband, Nicholas, then a missionary and now in seminary, served in the Southern Congo Annual Conference in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). There, Esther was involved with peace and reconciliation efforts, which gave her experiences that translated well to Cambodia, a country still recovering from the brutal Khmer Rouge regime.
VA UMC Conference through Initiatives of Hope will sponsor a trip to Cambodia , January 8-20, 2-17 to introduce others to the work of the Methodist Church in Cambodia, Come and listen and consider if you might be interested!
Sign up on table in the entryway to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert for the luncheon and to assist with set up or cleanup.. Thank you.
Questions: Contact Jane Wilson, Ann Stingle or Judy Fender
|
|
|
|
BUMP is dreaming of a new playground that will provide opportunities for safe play for the kids of BUMP, BUMC, and the neighborhood! We have started a GO FUND ME Campaign (
click here) to reach our goal of raising $37,600. However, if you would like to give a tax deductible donation to support the construction of a new playground, feel free to make a donation to the church office or in the offering plate - just label the donation "PLAYGROUND." Thank you!
|
|
|
|
 |
by Ken Madsen
This was my fourth trip to the Dominican Republic, and each time has been a totally different, and life changing, experience. This year, we helped to build a Pastoral house, working with local Dominicans. Each afternoon, over 55 children between the ages of 4 and 14 attended Vacation Bible School.
One morning, Kim Bland, our missionary gave us the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit several families that are now living in actual caves with little water, food, or clothing. These families had been physically removed from their own town, which they had built from the ground up, by the government, due to land-rights issues. To make matters even worse, the local school is so far away now that the children rarely get a chance to go to school. For several hours, we had the chance to talk, sing, laugh, and play games with children and adults alike and this is what made my trip. Seeing the joy, laughter, and smiles on everyone's faces was a blessing.
It doesn't matter where we come from, what material objects we own, or where we live, as long as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is at the heart of it all.
Todos somos hijos de Dios: "We are all God's Children" (This was on the backs of our T-Shirts, coming and going to the DR).
Peace and Grace,
-Ken
Hear more about the trip to the Dominican Republic from our mission team at a lunch on
Sunday, July 10 at 11:45!
Hear from the Dominican Team about their trip! Join the team for food and discussion about what the team learned about the Dominican Republic, about God's presence in our world, and about themselves. We will be providing a simple Dominican meal of rice, beans and veggies - no need to bring anything except your ears and your hearts! If you are planning to attend, please sign the clipboard in the entryway.
|
|
|
|
|
Mark your calendars for 4 potluck small group opportunities at Burke UMC this summer:
July 6 & 20
;
August 3 & 17
;
6-8PM
After enjoying a meal together - one of BUMC's small group leaders will use a Far Side cartoon by Gary Larson to ask a theological question and begin a conversation!
All are welcome; you can attend as many as you are able! Expect laughter, learning, and an opportunity to make and build friendships.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It's the Most Wonderful time of the Year Back to School initiative!
Did you know? Parents of school children are expected to provide the school supplies the kids need in their classrooms. For an elementary child, this costs over $30. Many poor families struggle to provide this - can you imagine having to choose between food this week or making sure your child has what he needs for the first day of school?
Every year BUMC collects school supplies, backpacks and money for scholarships to help kids locally. Our packed back packs will go to kids at Bethany House, all of the kids who attend Camp Rising Hope, and some of the hundreds of kids served by ECHO.
During this time, we also collect for scholarships for our own preschool and for donations to help fund our Weekend Food Bags and Middle School Munchies "Hungry Kids" initiatives.
See the display in the entryway beginning Sunday July 10 to see how your family can participate!
|
|
|
|
|
Missions Marketplace: Save the Date!
Save the Date! Our second annual Missions Marketplace benefitting both local and international ministries will be held on Saturday, November 5.
Last year the Fellowship Hall was filled with crafters from our church as well as AlterNatives, supporting the Highland Support Project. This year we hope to have a booth of women from the Wedgewood Community Center who are learning to knit and crochet to create products for sale to augment their income.
If you are a "crafter" who would like to participate or for more information, please contact Ann Stingle (
[email protected]).
|
|
|
|
Nearly 4,000 clergy and laity representatives of United Methodist churches across Virginia gathered at the Berglund Center in Roanoke June 17-19 for the 234th Annual Conference meeting of worship, mission projects, celebration of ministries and conducting the business of the conference. Theme for the 2016 Virginia Annual Conference was "Thy Will be Done." Bishop Young Jin Cho presided over the proceedings for the last time before his retirement.
Bishop Cho led the Annual Conference in remembering victims of the Orlando shooting.
With 49 candles on the altar representing lives lost during the Orlando shootings, Bishop Cho read a statement from the Council of Bishops and offered prayer for the victims' families, leaders of the country and members of the Florida Conference. Annual Conference members later approved a resolution encouraging United Methodists to work to destroy the systemic fear, hatred and discrimination that leads to violence against LGBTQ persons and communities.
Episcopal Address
In his episcopal address, Bishop Cho looked back on the accomplishments of the Virginia Conference over the last four years. He highlighted major ministry moments including the Imagine No Malaria initiative in which the conference raised more than $1 million in 15 months.
He said he commissioned a task force to review and evaluate the strategic plan of All Things New-Equipping Vital Congregations adopted in 2008. Bishop Cho said the task force's final report will be presented to the new Virginia Conference bishop as a guide and a way forward for the conference.
The Rev. Ted Smith (center) is endorsed for bishop.
Members of Annual Conference vote by acclamation to endorse the Rev. Dr. Ted Smith, Fredericksburg District superintendent, for election as bishop at the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference to be held in July.
Service for the Ordering of Ministry
Twenty-one men and women were ordained elders, two were ordained deacons, 14 were commissioned as provisional elders, two were commissioned as provisional deacons and 31 were licensed as local pastors in the Saturday evening Ordering of Ministry service.
Bishop Mark J. Webb, Upper New York Annual Conference, delivered the sermon and spoke about celebrating those who have chosen to be available to God's call upon their lives and the importance of a willingness to serve.
Conference Mission Worship Service
The Rev. Eun Pa Hong, pastor of Bupyeong Methodist Church in Incheon, Korea, preached for the Mission worship service saying Korea was thankful for the Americans who fought for their freedom and that he was thankful for American missionaries who came to Korea and built schools, hospitals and churches.
The Rev. Eun Pa Hong (right), pastor of Bupyeong Methodist Church in Incheon, Korea, preached for the Mission worship service. The Rev. Won Gyu Lee (left), associate pastor of Fredericksburg UMC, was translator.
To date, $131,003.58 has been received for this year's Annual Conference special offering, nearly $19,000 shy of the goal of $150,000. The offering will help the Methodist Mission in Cambodia train lay and clergy leadership and build churches; support the Methodist Church of Brazil programs with at-risk children; provide education and resources for training laity in United Methodist churches in Mozambique; and fund disaster response in Virginia, particularly long-term recovery work following Feb. 24 tornadoes in three districts of the conference.
Bible Study
Dr. L. Gregory Jones, Duke University Vice President and Vice Provost for Global Strategy and Programs, led stimulating Bible study.
Recognition of Bishop Cho's Ministry
In a recognition of Bishop Young Jin Cho's ministry, Shirley Cauffman, chair of the Committee on Episcopacy, recounted his four years of service as bishop of the conference. The Rev. Tom Berlin, Committee on the Episcopacy, said, "You have reminded us that where there is great prayer there is great power."
|
|
Bishop Cho dances to "Happy" with members of the Youth delegation.
|
Cauffman announced that $14,310 has been contributed to the Bishops Foundation for spiritual leadership training in Bishop Cho's name.
A video was shown highlighting Bishop Cho's ministry. Following the video, the song "Happy" by Pharrell was played as members of the youth delegation danced with the bishop on stage.
The Rev. Clarence Brown, pastor of Annandale UMC, started a bidding war to buy a life-size cutout of Bishop Cho. The Rev. Bob Parks offered the winning bid of $3,200 from the Cabinet. The funds will go to the Annual
Conference offering.
Harry Denman Evangelism Awards
This year's Harry Denman Evangelism Award for clergy was presented to the Rev. Emmanuel Nkrumah, founding pastor of Ghana Wesley UMC in Arlington. Denman Laity Award went to Mary Elle Fuquay, chair of the Evangelism/Vital Church Team at St. Matthias UMC in Fredericksburg. Denman Youth Award went to Heather Galway, member of St. Paul's UMC in Staunton who has been instrumental in raising money for mission work.
Order of Deacon
A celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Order of Deacon included a video and presentations from deacons talking about the ministries they provide.
Conference Business
Ten churches were discontinued in five districts. Five new faith communities and their pastors were introduced. Fifteen new faith communities have been started this quadrennium.
The Rev. Marc Brown, director of Connectional Ministries, announced the Sept. 1 retirement of Linda Rhodes, conference director of Communications, and said that Madeline Pillow has been named interim director of Communications. Steven D. Brown was elected conference chancellor for the next quadrennium.
Resolutions
Annual Conference voted to urge Virginia state legislators to enact legislation banning questions about criminal history from initial job applications for public and private employment. Annual Conference members also voted to encourage all United Methodist local churches to establish a ministry in which congregation members provide guidance and encouragement to adolescents who are not reaching their full academic potential. A third resolution, "Responding to requests from Christians in the Holy Land," was withdrawn because it was already approved by General Conference.
2016 General Conference Report
Martha Stokes and the Rev. Tom Berlin, the laity and clergy heads of the General Conference delegation, reported on General Conference 2016. Speaking on the issue of human sexuality and the conversations
Berlin was part of during General Conference, he talked about the number of opinions people have on this issue and the weariness people feel over the arguments. But he urged members not to trivialize this debate
"Because even though we are weary with the argument, we've got to stick with it because we're talking about people's lives," Berlin said.
Berlin said he believes the special commission on human sexuality to be named by the Council of Bishops will do "the most important work in the next decade of the United Methodist Church."
But he reminded members that the real problems facing the denomination are the financial situation of the church and the decline of U.S. membership just as churches in Asia and Africa are growing rapidly. He emphasized the U.S. denomination is at a "pivotal, critical moment" and he asked members "to g
et down on
et down on your knees with us."
Wrap-up stats
Annual Conference members brought 52,016 disaster relief kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to Annual Conference.
Kits included 29,676 Health Kits; 17,637 School Kits; 2,634 Birthing Kits; 1,352 Layette Kits; 303 Cleaning Kits; 55 Bedding Kits and 359 Sewing Kits.
Attendees of conference contributed 10,039 pounds of canned goods and boxed dry foods as part of the "4 Cans 4 Conference" drive to benefit the Roanoke area Rescue Mission.
Members approved a 2017 budget of $32,000,000, down 0.96% from the 2016 budget.
As of the end of 2015, membership stood at 327,647, down 0.46 %.
Worship attendance stood at 98,253, down 4%.
Reaffirmations of faith were at 4,010, down 6 %.
For 2017, there is a 2.2% decrease in apportionments towards mission and ministries
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Summer is the time for Youth Missions!
July 17-23 Carolina Cross Connection in Asheville, NC. High School youth will serve 3-4 families in need with home repair projects such as wheelchair ramps and underpinning mobile homes.
July 26-29 - Camp Rising Hope at Burke UMC. Our Youth will work with children from the Route 1 corridor who are connected with Rising Hope Mission Church. BUMC Youth will provide a Vacation Bible School type program including transportation to and from Alexandria.
July 31-August 6 - Jeremiah Project in Romney, WV. Middle School students will work to make homes warmer, safer, drier, and more accessible for God's people in need. Four spaces for Middle Schoolers are still available.
Youth Summer Sunday School has begun!
Each Sunday (other than Family Worship Sundays), we will be holding a coffee corner as we discuss serious answers to hard questions. Want to know what the bible says about stress? What to know how to handle different relationship through Christ? Then join us as we discuss how God is showing us the answers to these questions.
POOL PARTY!
All Youth are invited to a Pool Party on Sunday, July 10th, 5-8PM at Old Keene Mill Pool. Please sign up in the entryway and indicate whether you are an OKM member as we'll need a headcount so we can pay for guests. Food/drinks will be provided. Bring your bathing suit and towel. This will be in place of our regular youth group meeting on July 10th.
|
|
|
|
|
Save the Date!
Save the Date! Our second annual Book Sale benefiting educational needs for our friends in Cambodia will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4 in conjunction with the annual Education and Family Ministries Fall Tailgate.
Last year year's Book Sale was spearheaded by Melissa Toler as her Girl Scout Silver award project and raised over $800. In addition, all the leftover kids and youth books were donated to the 4 community centers run by FACETS for use in their annual book giveaway program.
Donations of gently used books (no textbooks please!) can be dropped in the bin in the entryway - over 15 boxes of the 80 we need to be successful have already been donated!
|
|
|
|
|
Nursery Volunteers
- We are looking for teen and adult volunteers to pair with our nursery staff on Sunday mornings in our childcare rooms. See Katie Webster if you are interested in learning more!
VBS Decorating Chairperson
- uses suggestions from Cokesbury and coordinates what the sanctuary and entryway will look like for the best week of the summer (August 1-5)! See Katie Webster if interested.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 16, 8:00AM, Men & Women Welcome!
The United Nations underscores the role of violence in trafficking, defining it as "the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
As United Methodists, we proclaim faith in the God of freedom and condemn slavery as wrong and incompatible with Christ's teachings. Since the creation of the 1908 Social Creed, Methodists have publicly called for "equal rights and complete justice for all (people) in all stations of life", the abolition of child labor, an end to the "sweating system" and a living wage in every industry among other issues that would protect workers.
We recognize that we are called to follow Christ in proclaiming release to the captives and setting the oppressed free (Luke 4:16-19). We affirm that each person is of equal value in the sight of God and will work to create communities in which each person's value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened.
Through current events such as the kidnapping of Nigerian girls by Boko Haram, unaccompanied minors crossing through Latin America to the Mexico/US border, and the enslavement of women and children in Syria, we recognize that there are many factors that create vulnerability, including:
- Sexism
- Racism
- Poverty
- Sexual and Gender-based Violence
- War / Conflict /Militarization
- Climate Change
- Media/Cultural images and beliefs that promote internalized oppression
Human trafficking denies the sacred worth of God's children and destroys the fabric of our communities. Victims endure psychological trauma, physical injury, economic hardship and stigmatization that can create lifelong scars and barriers for full participation in one's community.
|
|
|
