On Thursday, April 20, our very own Jonathan Kunkle spoke at the FACETS Spring Opening Doors breakfast (there were 600 people there, so speaking in front of them was no small accomplishment!) about his story and how FACETS and others, including BUMC, have supported him in the last several months.

Just this past weekend, Jonathan was able to use his skills as a trained electrician at our Rebuilding Together worksite helping with the more technical electrical issues being dealt with.

Jonathan said that just a few months ago, BUMC had made a home for him in our congregation and now he was able to give back by helping make a better home for our Rebuilding Together homeowner.

BUMC's Annual Chico's Fashion Show and Tea will be held this year on Sunday, May 7 at 2:30.  Tickets are $20 ($10 for girls under 10) and are still available in the office during regular hours

The proceeds from this event are sent to support women's livelihood and girls' scholarship initiatives in Cambodia.  (Bring your favorite teacup with you!)

If you are feeling all "Masterchef" and would like to help prepare food for the event, please contact Rev. Judy Fender ([email protected]).

By Kristin Kelso, Interim Children's Ministry Coordinator

On Easter Sunday, we had many visitors at our church - grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, extended family and children. During the second two services, I led a total of 50 children to The Dock on the lower level of our church for a Children's Church lesson while Pastor Jason gave his sermon.  Probably half the children attending church on Easter weren't part of our regular Sunday School group - some live here locally and were "checking out" BUMC on Easter while others were from out of town visiting family.  Since it was Easter, I read a story about Jesus' journey from his Triumphal Entry in Jerusalem to his crucifixion later that week.  Because many children were first time visitors, their background knowledge about Jesus and church in general was unknown. When teaching about Jesus' life on Earth, children are often surprised to learn that Jesus had enemies and was hated by many people.  Of course, the question that follows is asking why some people hated Jesus.  To help paint the picture of Jesus as a "good guy", I refer to his teachings about God, love, salvation and forming Christian disciples.  This explanation typically satisfies their question and we move on.  However, I was taken aback on Easter Sunday, when one little girl of 8 years old asked "What's a Christian?"  And it got me thinking - what does it mean for a child to be a Christian? Let's get back to basics...

For a child, being a Christian means that you realize that you cannot be perfect on your own and that Jesus is the Son of God and He came to live a perfect life for you and to die in punishment for our sins. We've all done wrong and we all need Jesus! When you accept Jesus as the Son of God and as your Savior, He actually comes to live in your heart! Pretty cool, huh?

This means that when you die, you'll go to heaven. It also means that Jesus is your brother and you are God's own child! And all other Christians are your brothers and sisters too! Isn't great to be part of a big family like God's family?

So, how do we, as parents, grandparents, mentors, teachers, leasers, and friends, help the children in our lives "be" Christians? We believe that God is who He says He is, and that He can do what He says He can do.We build a relationship with Jesus which is just as real as your relationship with your best friend. And just like the more you spend time with your best friend, the more you start to act alike, the more time we spend with Jesus, the more we'll start to act like Him. We encourage children to show kindness, teach empathy, and be thoughtful of others before themselves.  Are we, as adults, doing a good job of modeling Christian values for our children and grandchildren?

I hope so! But... if you need to brush up on being a Christian? Visit me and the kids in Children's Church or Sunday School anytime!

Excerpts from this article borrowed from Kids on Track for Jesus.

Dear Burke Family,

 

            I am writing to our membership to let you know about a charge conference coming up on  May 9th, 2017 at 7PM. The purpose is two-fold. As we named in worship, we are excited that we are able to have an Associate Pastor next year and even more excited that Katie Webster has been appointed at Burke UMC. Part of the process of a new pastor is setting their compensation package. We will approve these numbers at the charge conference.

            The other purpose is related to finances. In 2001, Burke Church took out a mortgage for a little over $1,300,000. Over the last 15 years, the congregation has been faithful in meeting its yearly expenses, while managing to reduce that debt to a little under $200,000. That has been a huge accomplishment! Before I came a year ago, there was a downturn in finances and the church inflicted some major property expenses due to an aging building, clearing out much of its contingency money. Over the last year, although we have an increase in financial giving, the property issues have expanded and I have made a commitment to address issues in property rather than try to band-aid the situation, which would only cost us more in the long-term. These repairs and upgrades will cost us more than we can finance in a normal budget cycle.

            Knowing that we have to refinance our mortgage in a little over a year and we need some money to get us through some of these issues, the Administrative Board has approved for the Finance and Trustees committees to pursue a refinance/loan that will not exceed $500,000 total. In pursuing this with the Virginia United Methodist Foundation, and not knowing exactly what all the expenses will be, the direction that was suggested was a refinance of the $200,000 mortgage and a line of credit for the remaining $300,000. This allows some flexibility if we do not end up needing to spend the total amount of money. These repairs and upgrades will be evaluated, pursued and completed in the next year. At the completion of the work, all that has been spent will be combined with the mortgage into one loan. We will make final approval on the refinance/line of credit at the Charge Conference. 

            If you want to know more information or have questions, there is a more in-depth explanation available in hard copy in the office or you can contact the office for a copy. You can also call me at the church office or talk with any of our administrative committee chairs (Ken Panos, Wes Griffin, Bruce Tiso, Susan Kinsley, or Robert Greenwood). 

 

Blessings in this Easter Season,

Rev. Dr. Jason Snow