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Connections is a monthly newsletter from Burke United Methodist Church.
Do you have news to submit? Great! Contact the
staff person who serves that area and they will assist you.
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As September arrives, my mind is on my children. They are getting ready to start a new school, meet a new teacher, ride the bus for the first time (we always drove them). All this after we moved them to a new house in a new area and have introduced them to a ton of new people. I'm also in awe of the way my boys have handled it all. 5 and almost 8 year olds are pretty resilient!!
But my boys are not the only ones with new experiences before them. School begins and there is always excitement and trepidation. Teachers get a brand new set of students. Students get new teachers and classmates. People deal with brand new traffic patterns. We are always experiencing newness. It is a part of life. At some point, your closest friend was a new friend. At some point your favorite jacket was a new jacket. At some point your favorite meal was a new meal. It is always around us and some people welcome newness and others cringe at it. Newness can turn into change and I think those who are averse to change are averse to newness because they know where it can lead.
Paul, in Galatians, is talking about the argument going on in the early church about whether the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) who were becoming followers of Christ needed to be circumcised or not. This was the mark of Jewish men. Paul was adamant that faith was not about this. He knew that this was no longer the marker to define who we were. Christ and the cross were. As I think about all the newness in my life and for all of us, I'm reminded of a great line from the sixth chapter where Paul says, "For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything!"
A new creation...when newness leads to change we have created something new. And in most cases, it brings value, depth and meaning to our lives. These summer months, many have come into the church interested in seeing the "new pastor." It is always the inevitable when pastoral change happens in the United Methodist Church. But Burke has had a lot of newness over the last few years. A lot of change and a lot of transition. And some of you may be nervous about that. But as I look forward, I have nothing but excitement for the possibilities of transformation at Burke. For me, this newness that we are experiencing is opening the door for meaningful and transformative change. A new creation is everything and I am excited to be a part of this new creation as we journey forward together. As the community gathers back in this new school year, may we celebrate newness and seek Christ's transformative presence for us all.
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On the second Tuesday of each month, BUMC will be hosting lunch opportunities for the whole church family. We invite everyone to stay after for lunch from 11:30 to noon - then infants through PreK can go to nursery, children K-6 can attend "Kids Can Do Missions," and teens and adults can stay in the Fellowship Hall to learn and grow together. Our first Second Sunday Lunch will occur on October 9 (poster above) and feature United Methodist Family Services as our guest speaker.
We hope you will plan to stay after and learn more about the important work UMFS does! Sign up in the entryway to join us.
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Want to sing with Chancel Choir for Advent and Christmas?
We will have an "Intreat" rehearsal to begin music for Lessons and Carols on October 15, 10am-12pm, with a potluck to follow. Contact
Tammy
Zerbo for more information.
[email protected]
- September 11, 11:30am-1pm
(lunch provided): Youth Music, 7th -12th grades, In His Name & Joyful Ringers
- September 12,
4:30-6:30pm:
Children's Music, 1st-6th grades, Good News Players & Ringers at
4:30, Good News Singers at
5:15
- September 12, 7:30pm:
Celebration Ringers
- September 18, during
Sunday School:
Cherub Choir, Preschool & Kindergarten
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2016 White House Historical Association Christmas Ornament Sale
Beginning Sunday, September 11
$20 in the entryway
The White House Historical Assoc. has commissioned a single ornament each year since 1981, based on a president, anniversary or historic event. This year's design contest was the first open to students. The design was created by art student Kayla Whelan, the winner of a national art school design competition created by the Association. Whelan attends Montserrat College of Art in Beverly, Massachusetts.
The 2016 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of Herbert Hoover, who served as the thirty-first president of the United States from 1929 to 1933. It is inspired by the fire engines that responded to the 1929 Christmas Eve fire at the White House. Whelan said her replica is similar to the type of pumper used in the 1920s, and not an exact replica of the old Engine 1, a 1924 Seagrave 1,000-gallon pumper that was first on the fire scene. The ornament is crafted from shiny brass plated with nickel and 24-karat gold, and the engine carries a Christmas tree for delivery to the White House.
Proceeds of the ornament sale benefit Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Inc., a mission of Burke UMC. Bethany House is a local (Alexandria, VA) Christian ministry that provides housing and care for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. Ornaments are available for purchase weekdays in the office or on Sunday morning in the entryway through November 6. They make excellent gifts.
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There are children in distress in every part of our world. Children process trauma differently from adults and it often leads to life-long consequences. Gleaning for the World provides stuffed animals along with emergency lifesaving supplies to the families they reach. They are currently working with families in Louisiana.
During September and October, Burke UMC will be collecting stuffed animals - new, gently used, clean, no batteries, not too small or too gigantic - to be sent to Gleaning for the World to help with these kids.
Place donations in the marked bin in the entry way. $1.00 per stuffed animal is requested for shipping. Meredith Moore coordinates.
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Save the Date!
Our second annual Missions Marketplace benefiting 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]).
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BUMC's 11th Annual Hypothermia Prevention Week will be December 11-17.
We will begin the week with a visit from the FACETS Executive Director, Margi Preston, who will have lunch with us on 12/11 and talk about the issue of homelessness in Northern Virginia.
Each year hundreds of individuals living on the streets, in cars, and abandoned buildings in Fairfax County/City search for shelter from the often bitter winter weather. Beginning late in November FACETS works with 34 faith communities to offer safe places to sleep and nutritious meals to men and women who are homeless through our Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program. This program is one of five operated across Fairfax and Falls Church in partnership with the Fairfax County government.
In operation since 2003, the program has evolved from solely offering a safe haven to also offering life-enhancing programs. Last year FACETS served 244 guests in our Hypothermia Prevention and Response Program. Approximately half of these guests participated in case management services, leading to 10 individuals moving off the streets and into housing.
The sign up board for the 150+ volunteers we will need will be up in November, but mark the date on your calendars now so you can participate in this invaluable ministry to the homeless people in our area.
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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!
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Burke United Methodist Church has been a sponsor of the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke (SCFB) since 2011. SCFB is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enriching the lives of adults 50 years and older in the Fairfax-Burke community. Its programs are run by volunteers who use their skills and talents to help older adults live independently and with a sense of purpose and dignity. SCFB is a virtual center with activities located at its sponsoring organizations.
SCFB programs include Accompanied Medical Transportation and Companion Shopping (for older people who are no longer able to drive), Friendly Callers/Visitors program (for people who are mostly homebound), Caregivers Support Group (for those caring for individuals with dementia) and Lunch N' Life, Adventures In Learning, and Wednesday at the Movies which provide mental stimulation and socialization opportunities for older adults.
Watch the BUMC church bulletin for announcements of SCFB programs and services, and also visit the SCFB website,
www.scfbva.org
to see upcoming activities and volunteer needs. SCFB offers opportunities to volunteer and assist older adults living in our community.
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Pastor Judy Fender and Jane Wilson will be facilitating a class this fall about the book summarized below. I found it to be insightful about persons suffering from the effects of poverty, very eye-opening, and it challenged me to think about how can we best fulfill Jesus's wish for us to help our neighbors in need, wherever they may be.
Please consider joining our discussion beginning Sunday, 9/11 at 10:30! Signup sheets are already in the entryway and books will be available next week. Let me know if you have any questions.
When Helping Hurts
by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert
Poverty is much more than simply a lack of material resources, and it takes much more than donations and handouts to solve it. When Helping Hurts shows how some alleviation efforts, failing to consider the complexities of poverty, have actually (and unintentionally) done more harm than good.
But it looks ahead. It encourages us to see the dignity in everyone, to empower the materially poor, and to know that we are all uniquely needy-and that God in the gospel is reconciling all things to himself.
Focusing on both North American and Majority World contexts, When Helping Hurts provides proven strategies for effective poverty alleviation, catalyzing the idea that sustainable change comes not from the outside in, but from the inside out.
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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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Youth Ministry
The youth enjoyed summer Sunday school in the "Coffee House". After working through some "hard questions", they did a 6 week study of "Half Truths". A special thanks to Lena & Cory Steiner and Meredith Moore for leading.
What fun we've had this summer! Youth Group has participated in Q-tip wars, scooter races, hula-hoop challenge, balloon mastery, swan wrangling, water balloon toss, water relays and M&M games. We've shared some great meals together including breakfast for dinner, spaghetti & meatballs and a taco bar.
Youth have had a Bible message and time of discussion with Katie Webster and Pastor Jason focusing on the life of Jesus and what it means in their lives. Friendship, fellowship, furthering your faith journey - come out and be a part of it!
Fall Youth Group Kick-off Event on
Sunday, September 11th
from
5-7 p.m.
in the back parking lot. Parents are invited to join us. The Burke United Methodist Men will grill hot dogs & hamburgers for us. Test your speed in the inflatable obstacle course!
Support the youth ministries by providing a meal for youth group, being a substitute Sunday school teacher or participating at youth group.
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Acolyte Coordinator
We are searching for an acolyte coordinator to assist in organizing the 3rd - 12th graders who volunteer as part of this special worship ministry. The coordinator will oversee the SignUpGenius account where families identify the dates they can serve, and will encourage people to sign up as they see missing dates. They are also responsible for laundering the acolyte robes from time to time and working with the clergy to train new acolytes once or twice a year. See Katie Webster if you are interested!
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Back to School Initiative
Our Back to School program this summer provided:
- 100 back packs with the supplies to fill them to:
- o Bethany House
- o Rising Hope
- o ECHO
- o Wesley Housing
- o Duffy House
- 2 preschool scholarships
- 3 months of Middle School Munchies sandwich support
- Lots of donations for Weekend Food Bags
Thank you so much to everyone who contributed. When Jane dropped the donation off to Wesley Housing, they had very little to distribute and said that our 20 back packs and supplies would make a huge difference. We just don't know how much our help means to our neighbors in need.
Part of our Back to School program is "
The Battle of the High Schools"
Drop your change in the barrel for your favorite school - drop folding money in the other schools' barrels!
The school's score is determined by adding the change and subtracting the value of the bills! Standings as of August 23:
#1 South County
#2 West Springfield
#3 Lake Braddock
#4 Robinson
All money raised will be used to support our Weekend Food Bags program.
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October 1-2
Volunteer Mission Trip to Shalom Farms. From Saturday, October 1 through Sunday October 2, we will spend a day learning about this ministry and gleaning, to provide much-needed fresh food for struggling people in Richmond.
Here's what Sydney Stanley has to say about her experience last year:
"I have to admit, when I first went to Shalom Farms, I was nervous. I didn't want to go to a farm and be out with a bunch of bugs for a couple hours. Once I showed up though, I had so much fun! The people are so nice and they actually explain where all the food goes and why they grow these specific plants. You are never bored and you get to meet different people. You not only gather food, but you also help make the farm better by pulling weeds and doing some gardening. If it sounds like hard work, that's because it is. That being said, it is also so much fun. I recommend going to Shalom farms no matter what age you are!"
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