Connections:
A Monthly Newsletter of Burke U
MC
Do you have news to submit? Great! Contact the staff person who serves that area and they will assist you.
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June always is significant for me because it is the end of the school year. As a teacher, I was very cognizant of when summer began. Now, as both of my boys are in school, it is significant for different reasons. Yes, as a teacher, the vacation piece was always nice. But it was also a big transition. As a high school teacher, I would have to say goodbye to students each year who I had seen almost every day. I also knew it would mean a whole new set of students coming in once September hit. For my children, they will be saying goodbye to their teacher and to students in their class, some who may be in their class next year, some moving away or going to a different school. It is a transition point that happens all at once for teachers and students.
The church has transitions as well, just usually not all at once like schools. As June comes at the church, I am looking forward to some exciting things. We have graduations to celebrate, confirmations, adults and children being baptized, people joining the church. But, living in a transient area, I also know of at least six families who we will say goodbye to as they move out of the area. It reminds us that our lives are constantly moving and shifting, but amidst those shifts in the church, we are also reminded that we are all part of the one body...part of Christ. And even as people come and go, we all have a shared mission wherever we find ourselves to be formed as disciples...to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
As I look back on my first year, I am in awe of the ways in which Burke UMC has been transformational in the lives of the community and the congregation in ways that express the love and grace of Jesus Christ. And as summer comes and I am overwhelmed with joy for those coming into the life of the church and sad to see some of our community moving on, I am glad to know that the body of Christ continues to be a place of hope and peace, for all people. For all who are feeling the challenge of transition as we move into summer, may you know God's blessings. And no matter where you may find yourself this summer, may you continue being a source of hope and joy to all people in the name of Jesus Christ.
-Pastor Jason
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by Jane Wilson
Each year, the United Methodist Women hold a 2-day learning experience about topics that are important to their mission. This year it will be held Friday, July 28 & Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Bon Air United Methodist Church 1645 Buford Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235.
The study topics are:
· Climate Justice
· Living as a Covenant Community
· The Missionary Conferences of the UMC in the US (Red Bird, Oklahoma & Alaska)
In addition to the classes there is worship, fellowship and other speakers addressing social justice issues.
I went for the first time last summer and, in addition to the 10 hours I spent learning about how environmental issues in our world disproportionately affect the poor, I spent many meal times listening to dedicated United Methodist Women who didn't necessarily agree with me about some of the pressing social justice topics in our country and world. Some of their personal stories helped me better understand their point of view, and I hope I was able to open their hearts to at least listen to mine. This fellowship time was as educational for me as the classes were, as I strive to be a more effective voice for those in our neighborhood who need advocacy.
Pastor Judy and I would love to have other women from BUMC join us for this conference.
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Thanks to everyone involved in our Change the World festival last Sunday! What a joyous day of fellowship and mission! As a congregation, we:
· packaged 20088 dehydrated meals to be used primarily in school feeding programs in under-developed countries
· filled 150 school bags
· rolled 104 health kit "burritos"
· made 108 birthing kits
· assembled 30 little dress kits
· packaged 350 weekend food bags
· made 300 sandwiches and snack bags for the kids at Poe Middle School
Plus we filled 50 "Olive's Comfort Bags" for families who find themselves unexpectedly in the hospital, a program developed by our own Katie and Olive Webster.
Our pastors will take the school bags, health and birthing kits we made on Sunday as well as 84 health kits made by a family in the congregation and 65 school bags made at last fall's Burke Community Festival to Annual Conference in June. That's a total of 619 kits which will replenish the United Methodist committee on Relief (UMCOR) supply.
Special thanks to Kevin Taylor for his leadership, but he can't do it alone - it takes a whole church to make a festival like this happen. Thanks to all who contributed and participated!
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by Rev. Judy Fender
The third annual Tea and CHICO Fashion show on May 7 at 2:30pm was a delightful afternoon of fellowship in our Fellowship Hall. The FH was transformed into a colorful tea room with tables covered in tablecloths with flowers, china tea cups, and favors. Delightful tea sandwiches and savories followed by desserts, including chocolate covered strawberries, were served. Varieties of tea were served in lovely and whimsical tea pots. With polish, Katie Webster emceed lovely fashion outfits from CHICO's worn by our own Burke UMC models. A high note was the 12 plus young girls and BOYS who hit the runway under Katie's direction. Cambodian merchandise was available for purchase as well as creative silent auction items. Lovely door prizes for adults and our children added to the fun.
Barbara Nowak and Lynn Gramazov, Volunteer in Mission participants to Cambodia in January 2017, began the event by sharing their experiences, slides and thoughts. It reminded those gathered that our event was more than a pleasant afternoon but that funds raised would help transform the lives of women and girls in Cambodia through educational scholarships and livelihood projects for women. Due to the generosity of many and a special donation $3300 will be sent to Cambodia.
We are so appreciative of the helping hands who made it possible as well as those who attended and brought their friends and family members. A shout out to Jane Wilson who helped in so many ways; to Mike Zerbo and Mike Holmes who cleared FH and helped with tables, Sue Turchan, Nancy McFadden, photographer John Richards and my sister Susan and daughter Kim and those who helped clean up at end of event.
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The United Methodist Church celebrates several Special Offerings during the year. They are designed to make clear the calling of the church and to give people the opportunity to contribute to these special programs. In June, we collect for 2 programs:
- Virginia Annual Conference Offering which this year will benefit conference initiatives in Cambodia, Brazil, Mozambique, as well as Virginia Long Term Disaster Recovery, Ethnic Minority Ministries and Virginia Volunteer in Missions support for small congregations
- Peace with Justice ministry of the United Methodist Church.
Here is some information about The United Methodist Peace with Justice Initiative:
In Arizona border towns, communities facing social challenges are dramatically divided. In Liberian villages, citizens' human rights are being violated. In local U.S. communities, women and girls are being bought and sold against their will.
Moved by Christ's love to pursue reconciliation and peace, honoring the dignity of every individual made in God's image, The United Methodist Church is unwilling to turn a blind eye to injustice.
We recognize that talking about peace is not enough. We also recognize that praying for peace must be accompanied by our actions. Mother Teresa said, "If we have not peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
The work of Peace with Justice Ministries occurs because we know that unless we all are at peace; there will not be true peace for any of us.
Although we may lack the resources alone to effect change in a broken world, your giving is vital for the UMC to continue its global ministries of reconciliation. When you give to Peace with Justice, your gift makes possible our critical kingdom work in the world. Because you give:
- Methodists spearhead a peace ministry uniting Arizona border communities
- United Methodists in Liberia are being equipped to implement the denomination's Social Principles to address social-justice issue
- Pennsylvania students are educating their community about sex-trafficking at home and abroad
In Jesus' inaugural address, standing in his home synagogue in Nazareth, he detailed his game plan,
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)
Through your giving good news is proclaimed to-and experienced by-the poor.
To learn more or to donate to this ministry, visit the Missions table outside of Fellowship Hall.
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Small groups are the primary vehicle for discipleship at BUMC.
We gather with our friends and neighbors to live life together, experience the gospel, wrestle with the truths of the Bible, and love one another. THRIVE is the name of our adult small group program.
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Volunteers are needed to join our audio/video tech team on Sunday morning. Volunteer for one or both services and be trained during worship this summer! Sign up on designated sheet in the entryway or email Tammy Zerbo today to get started.
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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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J
oin us Sunday, July 2, as we welcome our new Associate Pastor:
Rev. Katie Carson Webster.
Katie has serv
ed as the Director of Education at BUMC for 6 years. She graduated with her Master of Divinity from We
sley Theological Seminary in May - and is appointed as Associate Pastor beginni
ng July 2.
Installation Worship Services
July 2, 9:00AM & 10:30AM
Reception
July 2, 11:30AM
Join us as we "welcome" Katie in a new way!
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Staff Update
T
he SPRC is delighted to announce that Anne Sawin and Kristin Kelso have accepted positions -
removing "Interim" fr
om their titles. We are grateful for their willingness to step in for a year as
interim leaders - moving us from one season of ministry at BUMC to the next. We're even more delighte
d that they are remaining on staff!
Thank you to Anne & Kristin for incredible work, dedication, and passion for the children & youth of BUMC.
Kristin Kelso, Children's Ministry Coordinator
Anne Sawin, Youth Ministry Coordinator
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by Kristin Kelso, Children's Ministry Coordinator
While summer vacation for most school-aged children is still a few weeks away, I bet many families have summer travel plans on the calendar, weekend get-aways booked, day camps, and other "fun stuff" mapped out to fill the kids' summer vacations. Often a break from school means a break from church - as if the school year calendar is connected to the church year calendar. Whether you're out of town on a Sunday; or just want to sleep in; or hit the pool or the park early in the day; going to church often takes a "back seat" to other activities over the summer. What kind of message does it send to our kids?
I'm reminded of a scripture from Hebrews when facing the conundrum of "church in the summer."
And let us consider each other carefully for the purpose of sparking love and good deeds. 25 Don't stop meeting together with other believers, which some people have gotten into the habit of doing. Instead, encourage each other, especially as you see the day drawing near.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 (CEB)
At Burke UMC, we continue to have Sunday School classes for Preschool through High School all summer long. Our format changes slightly and our volunteer teachers are offered "time off" to attend worship with their families and enjoy their own vacations. Our hope (and expectation, honestly) is that we'll see your kids at Sunday School whenever you're in town this summer. Regular attendance (even in the summer) teaches kids that coming to church and learning, worshipping, and praising God is how we continue to grow closer to Him. It shows commitment, promise, dedication, love. If you sign your child up for swim team and they're expected to be at practice at 8AM during the week in the summer (even when the water is freezing cold!), you'll make sure they are in attendance. Isn't church on Sunday also a practice to which you've made a commitment?
Of course, we understand that you will be away some weeks and we want you to enjoy your vacation! But let's not forget about "church" while you're out of town... In the coming weeks, you'll hear more about a summer travel bag that will equip your family for staying connected to God and church over the summer. Keep in mind that wherever you might go on vacation, there's probably a church nearby. Check one out on a Sunday morning - don't be shy - most areas that see an influx of tourists over the summer welcome visitors in their local churches! Take notes with your kids about how the "vacation church" is the same or different from ours. What did you like about it? What did you see in the Sanctuary or in the church building? Bring home a bulletin or other handout as a souvenir and share it with staff. Share your family's experience about visiting an out-of-town church on social media or via email to me. And if your vacation takes you to a remote cabin in the woods or to a deserted island? Find "church" there too! Explore nature and marvel at God's wondrous creations. Have your kids ask "Siri" (or Google or "Alexa") to find a Bible verse about trees, the ocean, camping, or rock climbing and recite that scripture together as a family. Sit in silence. Listen. Talk. Play. Take time to reflect and pray together as a family...yes, on vacation!
To answer the question posed in the title of this article, "Is Church on Summer Break Too?" The short answer is "no." Whether we're here or not, God's here. Wherever you travel, God is everywhere you are. Seek Him. Find Him. Praise Him. Show your kids that we don't take a "break" from God because he never takes a break from us. Church continues... even in the summer!
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The Life Youth Fellowship
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Youth Summer Mission Trips - Final Call
Don't miss out on these amazing opportunities! Make friends - Serve communities - Be transformed! All 7th thru 12th graders join the Reach Summer Mission, July 9-15 in Crossville, TN. The Jeremiah Project mission trip is July 23-29 in Winchester, VA and open to all students who've completed 6-8th grade. Applications available in clipboard alley or contact Anne Sawin.
THE LIFE This Summer
Coffee, Costumes and Creativity. Summer Sunday School begins on June 25th. Youth, rising 7-12th grades, meet in the Youth Room, B5 at 10:30am. Kick off the morning with our "Coffee Bar" and a time of fellowship. We will be exploring the Fruits of the Spirit this summer, creating super hero characters and producing short videos. Come check it out!
Youth Group will meet on Sunday evenings all summer! Join us for fellowship, fun and following Christ. In addition to meeting at church, plans are in the works for several off-site events as well. More details to come!
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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
[email protected] 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
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Click here to visit our Sign Up Genius - and sign up to help out this summer. Thank you!
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We are thrilled to welcome into our church family 17 Confirmands who have met together for many months asking questions, learning, exploring, having fun, and growing in faith. A special thank you to Ellen Quisenberry who organized the Confirmation process this year, and to the many teachers, mentors, and parents who joined us along the journey!
Welcome!
Isabelle Clark *
Ryan Clark *
Liam Henry *
Hannah Kuchta *
Mckenzie Laccone *
Parker Latta *
Tate Lewis *
Julia Martens *
Denver Martin *
Katie Medley *
Palmer Moore *
Anastasia Putnam *
Andy Slayton *
Cecilia Spain *
Emma Swofford *
Luke Teasley *
Charlotte Terrill
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"Do you have the gift of compassion and encouragement?
Are you a good listener?
If you find it in your heart to care for others, our newly created Nurturing Care Ministry may be for you! We are ready to form and train Care Teams to visit those in our congregation who are hospitalized, having surgery, in rehab, or who are "shut in" and unable to attend church.
The two teams will be led by Karen Evans, Karen Panos, April Kaminski, and the Pastoral Staff. Training will be provided early summer. If you have questions or are interested, please contact
Karen Evans or sign up is in the Narthex.
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