MYSTERY PERSONS! Can you guess who we are!

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1 B ERMUDA HUNDRED UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2025 FLORENCE AVENUE, CHESTER, VA R EV. BETH ANDERSON, PASTOR W EBSITE: WWW. BERMUDAHUNDREDUMC.COM E MAIL: BHUMCHURCH@COMCAST.NET PHONE: July 2015 Newsletter MYSTERY PERSONS! Can you guess who we are! PHOTOS TO BHUMCHURCH@COMCAST.NET Please send us a picture for next month s newsletter! pictures to bhumchurch@comcast.net or drop photos off at the church office. If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please call (804) or us at bhumchurch@comcast.net to have your name removed. Thank you!

2 CENTENNIEL 2015 What does love do? Because we love we think, feel, want, and believe certain things but what does love do? What does God s love cause us to do? How does God s love cause us to be and engage in the world? This past Sunday we explored how God s love comes to us through the incarnation of Jesus Christ to say, I m with you. Jesus came to be with us and Immanuel means God with us. God is with us and through all things we experience this matters more than anything. Over the next few weeks we will continue to explore what Love does! We hope you ll explore this series deeper with a small group in the Sojourner s Group in the parlor (starting this Sunday) or the Just Coffee group in the Fellowship Hall (Starting July 12). During our Love Does Sermon Series you're invited to challenge yourself to do and live in this kind of daring and audacious love. One opportunity to do that is to participate in our Love Does Local Mission Project July Our youth will be spending the night at the church during this mission project and we invite all to participate with us in various ways! Come be with us as we bring Vacation Bible School fun to the Greenleigh Community on Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23 from 1-5pm. On Wednesday, July 22 we will be doing some needed mission projects onsite at church. Would you like to contribute snacks, lunches, or dinner? Would you like to go bowling or swimming with us on some fun outings? Live out how God s love can do great things through you, come have some fun with our youth, and engage in ministry with those in our community! Continued on the next page

3 Continued from the previous page Study Leave Shortly after church on Sunday, July 12, I will head out for a week of sermon planning study leave. I take this week to pray, read, listen to God, and plan out sermons for the next year. My goal in long term planning is to hear God and see the big picture for the year out for preaching and leading our congregation. I m asking you to do to 2 things. 1. Will you pray for me and with me while I am away? Will you pray that God will guide me in planning and guide our church to hear, know, and experience the power of God moving in our church? 2. Will you share with me thoughts you have about sermons and sermon series that both you and our church community could benefit from? Are there books of the bible you want to learn more about? Theology topics you may struggle with or want to explore deeper? What have you always wanted to ask in church but haven t? What questions about the bible do you have? Your prayers and feedback are invaluable! I take in all that you share and listen with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to plan out the year ahead. My goal is always to develop a framework for the year and then the Worship Team and I work together to collaborate creatively to plan each worship service. In years past we have offered worship experiences and sermon series that meet you where you are because of your feedback. Thank you for your help and prayers. You can call or text me at (804) , message me on Facebook, me at revbethanderson@gmail.com, leave a note for me, or meet me to share your thoughts! My head and heart are open to you and my door is always open too! Visioning An Afternoon of Reflection Sunday afternoon we experienced a joyous time of fellowship during our potluck and continued our discussion about the known and unknown expectations and norms of our congregation. Norms are largely unconscious most of the time. It was powerful to name these norms out-loud together in safe space of trust and community. We discussed how a church is a type of family system and how we are interconnected, and thus parts of a whole. You can read more about norms at notes/ / We discussed during our potluck what the norms of our congregation are surrounding the following areas: children, youth, men, women, newcomers, clergy, money, conflict, and cultural/regional/ethnic differences. During our discussion people were able to name what they think and feel in small groups. Each group shared their input and everyone was given the opportunity to speak. We experienced joyous laughter and productive conversation. In God s Love, Pastor Beth Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

4 Vacation Bible School G-Force Thank you to all of our Vacation Bible School Volunteers! Vacation Bible School is and a powerful way we share the love of Christ in our community! We have had a full and exuberant week where we have learned how God calls us to move, act, care, follow, and share! This year children who came to Vacation Bible School received love, learning and a bible! Any child who did not have a bible and who wanted one- received a bible appropriate for their age and reading level. This week children were nourished in their bellies, their hearts, and their heads. They've come to know Jesus and know a church that loves them- and its all because of you! Every one of you at Bermuda Hundred UMC has made this possible! We especially thank you to our WONDERFUL volunteers! VBS Director: Pam Winn; Kitchen: Ann McNinch, Mary Simmons, Kathleen Frick, Tracy Craddock, Lilly Enz, Kay Lundy, Tina Morris, Bill Talley; Nursery: Mindy Cline, Terry Campbell, Delaney Campbell Teachers: Charles Woodard, James and Danielle Yancey, Kailey Craddock and Kathleen McNinch, Debbie Winn, Jared McDonough, Laurel Sage, Deborah Shelton, Wilma Stubblefield, Kevin Anderson, and Tori Alexander; Group leaders: Pat Crawley, Jenna Mathis, Kelly Manor, Mark and Melissa Anderson, Jim Booth, Karen Champers, Amie-Anne Talley, Jason and Ann Coker, Becca Alexander, Kyle Dascoulias, Brenna Dascoulias, Dee Knaggs, Meredith Steinbraker, Jessie McDonough, Summer Lannan, Lisa Crowder, Bobbi Miller, Amanda Brzostowski, Ginger McTernan, Spencer Bethune, Jordan Dobra; Photographers: Sandy Forbes and Mark Anderson. Thank you for your love, service, and commitment to living as a disciple of Jesus Christ and raising up new disciples in these children! Youth and adult volunteers and the children who attended this year s G-Force VBS on the front steps of the church. Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

5 Photos from Vacation Bible School G-Force Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

6 Photos from an Afternoon of Reflection on June 28, 2015 Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

7 233 rd Annual Conference Held in Roanoke June The Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church met in Roanoke for the 233 rd Annual Conference. Four thousand Virginia United Methodists met in Roanoke at the Berglund Center. The Conference theme was From Member to Disciples. This intrigued me because I thought if you were a Member you were a Disciple. I found out that I was mistaken, Bishop Cho is charging us to be more than just a member but a disciple. A disciple is a person who is willing to go out of their comfort zone to meet people where they are and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I realized that our church is doing just that. We are moving leaps and bounds in that direction. I am proud to be a part of a church that cares about our community. Other highlights of the conference were using the hand held voting apparatus. (That whole process was quite enlightening.) I was so glad when the process was over. However, the next voting venture was done the old fashion way. Paper! The results of the conference approved a petition urging General Conference to eliminate the sentence: "The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching" from the United Methodist Book of Discipline by a vote. Members also voted to encourage all United Methodist boards and agencies, conference boards and agencies and local churches to avoid investment in companies with revenues from the extraction and/or mining of thermal coal. The resolution also encourages investment in companies focusing on development and utilization of renewable energy sources and improved energy efficiency. The United Methodist Church contributions to the different organization are as follows: 42,743 disaster relief kits for United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Kits included 23,672 health kits; 11,835 school kits; 4,533 birthing kits; 1,965 layette kits; 180 cleaning kits; 111 bedding kits and 547 sewing kits. The total number of donated kits exceeded last year's offerings by more than 1,500. Attendees of conference were also encouraged to bring at least four cans of food or boxes of dry food to be donated to the Rescue Mission in Roanoke that serves free lunch and dinner every day and just started a food giveaway on Saturday mornings for community residents. The goal was for 10,000 lbs. of canned and dry/staple foods. A total of $128,890 was received in a special offering to support the conference s partnership with the Methodist Mission in Cambodia, UMCOR global health ministries to aid the Ebola-ravaged countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia and children in poverty projects in Danville and the Eastern Shore. At last year s conference, a goal was set to save 100,000 lives for Imagine No Malaria. This year s conference included a golf tournament to raise funds for Imagine No Malaria. In addition, artists from across the conference created pieces of original art that were used to enhance conference worship. The works of art were sold in an online auction, and 100 percent of the proceeds went to Imagine No Malaria. When the Imagine No Malaria report was given Saturday, June 20; 86,454 lives had been saved. The amount raised was so close to the goal that Bishop Cho urged the crowd to attain the goal by the end of the weekend. After he and his wife pledged to give an additional $2,000, an impromptu offering raised $28,560 in cash and $22,000 in pledges. New total was $916,064.16, saving more than 91,606 lives from the deadly disease. This is just $83,936 (or 8,394 lives) short of the conference goal of raising $1 million in order to save 100,000 lives. By Sunday, it had been announced that this effort to save 100,000 lives will continue into the month of September. Members approved a 2016 budget of $32,315,000, down 1.24 percent from the 2015 budget. At of the end of 2014, membership stood at 327,647 down.92 percent from Worship attendance stood at 102,884, down from 104,231 at the end of Reaffirmations of faith were at 4,250. For 2014, there was a 2.5 percent decrease in apportionments towards mission and ministries from I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 Ordination Service. I was in awe of the spirit filled event. It was beautiful and I found myself tearful at times. All in all I had a wonderful time at Annual Conference and I feel so blessed to have wonderful experiences each time. -Tina Morris, Lay Member to Annual Conference Pastor Beth and Tina Morris at the 233rd Annual Conference for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

8 Stewardship All at BHUMC Congratulations! You are a kind, giving, generous and blessed congregation. Through the month of May, not only has our Church touched countless lives and shared The Word with many through our dedicated commitment of time and gifts via the School Backpack Program, the Our Daily Bread Food Pantry, UMW Birthing Kits, feeding the homeless in Petersburg, UMM fund raisers, the Growing a Dollar initiative for Stop Hunger Now!, the refinancing project, Vacation Bible School, and the many other gracefully, unselfish acts of sharing. BUT, we also achieved success through our tithes and offerings in May by paying our Apportionments for the month YES, WAY TO GO! In last month s newsletter we challenged everyone to GIVE MORE share your time, talents and money, with consistency. Well you did! You have been! AND we must continue to do so! BHUMC thanks you for all your gifts and we ask that you recommit yourself to the act of giving during the summer months. It is the goal of our Church to fully fund our Apportionments again this year and we need everyone to contribute, as much as they feel led to give, on an consistent basis no matter how busy and hectic the summer months can get. Below is a snap shot of our year to date success and progress toward successful achievement of our annual goal. We need anyone and everyone s help to stay the course We can and will do it again this year. Thanks you to all and In God s Grace, Your stewardship committee Dave Steinbraker, Dorothy Mooney, Ann McNinch, Charles Woodward and Bill Talley V Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

9 Barbara Rutherford Sunday, June 28 was Barbara Rutherford s last Sunday with us as Music Director for our 11:00 am worship service. We are so very thankful for Barbara s ministry with us over the past 5 years! We presented Barbara with a special hymnal where the congregation signed their names by their favorite hymns. Barbara poses with the choir at the reception held in her honor on June 14, 2015: (l-r) Stuart Morefield, Stan Forbes, Tina Morris, Frank Linkous, Tracy Craddock, Barbara Rutherford, Charles Woodard, Helen Collie, Liz McDonough, Kailey Craddock, Erin Gwinn & Doris Morefield. Please note that the church office will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015 in observance of the 4th of July. Please have a safe and Happy 4th of July! CRAFT LADIES WORK SESSION: It is time to start weekly Crafty Ladies work sessions to get ready for the November Craft Show. Our first session will be July 7th PM in the church Fellowship Hall. Please bring a brown bag lunch as we will break for lunch at noon and have our normal planning meeting. Our guest instructor will be Richard Enz teaching us how to make yarn trivets to be used as hot plate holders, coasters, place mats, etc. Also, at the same time, we will have those that want to knit working on scarves. So if you are a knitter, please bring a set of Size 8 or Size 9 knitting needles and we will get you started on the scarves. If you have a project you are already working on, bring it along and continue to work during the session. We look forward to seeing crafters and having a fun time of fellowship together. Any questions, please contact Betty Forbes at bettyforbes@comcast.net or call The Crafty Ladies work sessions for July: July 7 (FH), 14 (GP), 21 (GP), 28 (FH) from 10am to 2pm. Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

10 Congratulations Alex Wilts! Alex received his Eagle Scout award at his Eagle Ceremony on Sunday, June 7, 2o15. Alex s parents are Marc and Mindy Wilts. Alex is a member of Boy Scout Troop #922 which meets on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm at Bermuda Hundred UMC. Welcome New Members! Gordon & Bobbi Miller Joined BHUMC on June 15, 2015 (if you need a church directory, copies are available at the church or contact Christine in the church office at ) July Meetings & Small Groups Wednesday Morning Prayer Service every Wednesday at 7:00 am The Keenagers meet on Wednesday, July 1 at noon for lunch at Mr. B s located in Chester The Reflection & Vision Task Force meet on Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 pm The Youth Mission Trip will be from July 12 through July 17 Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 6:30 pm Church Council will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 pm The 3-Day Local Mission for UMYF will be July (Local Mission at Greenleigh 1-5pm on July 21 & July 23 Cleaning the BHUMC Kitchen & Nursery on July 22) Pastor Beth will lead a 4th Thursday Worship Service held at the Crossings at Ironbridge on Thursday, July 23 at 2:00 pm Crafty Ladies work sessions on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28 Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

11 United Methodist Women The United Methodist Women will not have a meeting in June, July and August and will resume our meetings in September with a covered dish supper in the Fellowship Hall on September 21st at 6:30PM. The entire church is invited to attend as we will have a speaker from CCHASM to tell us about their work and particularly about their efforts during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to support families. The UMW members will be providing the delicious dinner. We are very pleased to report that the UMW packed 338 birthing kits that were delivered to the Annual Conference in Roanoke on June 19th. We want to thank everyone who purchased items, donated funds or helped pack the kits. Our next yard sale is scheduled for September 26th from 8AM - 12noon. Start saving your precious "stuff" that you would like to pass along to others. All of the funds raised at our yard sales go for mission projects. Many of the United Methodist Women belong to the Crafty Ladies group and are already working on the Craft Show scheduled for Friday, November 20th - 5 to 8PM and Saturday, November 21st - 9AM - 2PM. The schedule for work sessions will be published in the weekly Sunday bulletin so people can participate in making the crafts. UMW Members: Please remember to select books from the UMW library to read over the summer for the UMW Reading Program. There are many books that you will enjoy reading and they will help you learn more about the issues that affect women, children and youth in our country as well as internationally. Have a safe and happy summer and we'll see you in church! -Doris Morefield, UMW President Just Coffee We are pausing mid-old Testament in "The Story." "Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World" is going to be an awesome midsummer study for us! Each week includes a minute DVD segment, and there is a study guide to accompany the DVD. We will be working with "Love Does" through August 9th. Join us in the Fellowship Hall during Sunday School (9:45-10:45am), and visit our blog to stay updated on our studies: Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

12 United Methodist Men The BHUMM did not meet in June, and we are not scheduled to meet in July or August. We hope you are having a great Summer. Keep your eye on the Newsletter for an upcoming event in August. Hint: It may involve Watermelon and/or Ice Cream. Please remember that all men are invited to become members of the UMM, just see me in church or drop me an Charles-Woodard@comcast.net. Go fishing, swimming, boating, camping, vacationing, and enjoy your Summer, but don't forget your church and remember send in your financial commitment. Charles Woodard, United Methodist Men President The Prayer Shawl Ministry will take a break for the summer and resume meeting in the fall. See Lilly Enz for more info. The Keenagers meet at noon at Mr. B s located in the Chester Village Green. Join us for fun, food and fellowship! The Keenagers meet for lunch on the first Wednesday of every month at a different restaurant. 1 Tyler Craddock 2 Evan Nunery, Mark Anderson 4 Pam Myrick, Lucas Sage 6 Tom Myrick, Jr. 7 Cheryl Garrett, Megan Burke, Mary Simmons 9 Edna Sherrill 10 Hunter White 12 Barbara Alexander 13 Kathleen McNinch 17 Mattie Rogers 18 Richard Enz, Tabitha Strickler 21 Jeremy Marshall 22 Josh Webner 25 Bob Collie, Emilee Carpenter Abramson, Keith Weiszbrod 27 Ann Coker, Kyle McTernan 28 Mark Strickler 30 Joseph Rickman, James Manor Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

13 We will be going to Petersburg to feed the hungry on Tuesday, July 7 th. We meet in the church parking lot at 10:00 am and return about 2:00 pm. The preparation of the food will take place in the church kitchen at 10:00 am on Monday, July 6 th. If you are interested in preparing or serving the food you can see Ann McNinch or me at owensmcninch@comcast.net. Please remember the Our Daily Food Pantry throughout the summer. The list of items that are needed are included in the weekly church bulletin. Thank you again to everyone who donated time, food and money to the Backpack program. This program would not be possible without all of your support! Have a safe and wonderful summer! Peace be with you, Ann McNinch, Missions Chair Missions Meal Packaging Event: Saturday, October 17@ 2:00 pm Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church Help us feed 10,000 people a meal! Who can help? Ages 5-105! How much is this?.25 a meal! How many meals can you provide? Help us raise money for these meals! Gather with us on October 17 to package these meals! Invite your friends to participate! The minimum we can do is 10,000 but I believe we can do even more! Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

14 July 2015 Sunday Servants SERVANT JULY 5 COMMUNION SUNDAY JULY 12 JULY 19 JULY 26 8:30 am Usher/ Greeters Marc & Mindy Wilts Neil & Ditty Mooney Deborah Shelton Elaine & Charlie Ruxton 11:00 am Usher/ Greeters Doris Linkous & Sandy Forbes Margaret Reynolds & Martha Meadows Edna Sherrill & Betty Forbes Youth Acolytes TBA Kelsey Callahan & Maggie Steinbraker Dylan Craddock & Tyler Woodell Jeremy Gutshall & Abby Mayes Lay 8:30 am TBA 8:30 am TBA 8:30 am TBA 8:30 am TBA Readers 11am TBA 11am TBA 11am TBA 11am Melissa Anderson Children s Church Volunteer Needed Pam & Clif Winn Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Nursery Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed Volunteer Needed UMYF Meals No Sunday/Wednesday UMYF No Sunday/Wednesday UMYF No Sunday/Wednesday UMYF No Sunday/Wednesday UMYF Altar Guild for July: Doris & Stuart Morefield If you cannot serve on your assigned Sunday, please call your contact as soon as possible: 8:30 AM Ushers/Greeters: Mindy Wilts at :00 AM Ushers/Greeters: Sandy Forbes at Acolytes: Sheila LaRue at Altar Guild: Nancy Byrd at

15 Bermuda Hundred UMC is beginning a Community Garden and we invite all of the Enon community to be part of this joyful ministry of God s creation! Our Vision for this garden is to have a place to teach, share, discover, and nourish others in God s creation, planting and growing food. Our Mission is to teach children where vegetables come from, and pass along our knowledge of gardening, freezing, and canning with others. We will work with each other hand in hand and side by side to share in the joys of God s creation. We plan to work in the Community Garden from 9am to Noon on each Saturday that it is not raining and that the ground is not wet. For information about the Community Garden Charles Woodard at charles-woodard@comcast.net Children s Ministry June is always one of the best months for our children because of Vacation Bible School. What an amazing time of discipleship, fellowship, and of course fun and games! The past two years I was in charge of different areas and the best part of this is getting to see every child that attended VBS. I cannot express how amazing it is to see the joy and happiness on every single face that walks through those doors. If you were not able to volunteer this year, I encourage you to next year. It is a life changing experience being able to help so many young children and show them God s love through Bermuda Hundred UMC. What does July have in store? Glad you asked! We will continue to have Children s Church at least through the month of July. I and Pastor Beth feel this is something the children look forward to and a great opportunity for the parents to have a more relaxing and focused sermon experience. Sign-ups will be in the church binders and on our Children s Church Facebook page. This would be the perfect time for anyone who has wanted to volunteer but may be a little nervous to get started. The number of children attending will be smaller in July. A special thank you to Pam Winn for coordinating, organizing, and managing VBS this year again. Without you NONE of it would have been possible! Thank you to all the volunteers for Children s Church and for VBS, be proud of yourself knowing that you are a positive influence in these young lives. Laurel Sage, Director of Children and Youth Ministry Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church July 2015

16 United Methodist Youth Fellowship June was one of those happy-sad months as we celebrated the graduation of 6 amazing seniors and also had to say god-bye to them at our end of year youth party. Their presence will be missed in our youth group, but they are welcome and encouraged to come back and visit anytime! I want to thank all the youth that helped out during Vacation Bible School, instead of taking a much deserved break, YOU made a choice to spend one of the first weeks of summer vacation helping the youth of tomorrow learn more about God and fellowship. This is Discipleship and witnessing at its finest! June also marked the end of our weekly youth meetings. Don t let this fool you, the youth will still be active this summer in two amazing mission opportunities. As you all know, myself, Christopher Knaggs, and four of our youth; Dylan Craddock, Kyle Dascoulias, Christiana Hodges, and Allison Beaudoin will be headed to Manassas, Va from July th for a week of mission work with Group Missions. This group of individuals has been meeting for some pre-trip devotionals, and I cannot wait to see the hearts of these young adults in action. It will be AWESOME! Don t miss the 11am service on July 19 th when the participants will be giving testimonies about what happened physically and spiritually. We will also be having a Local mission trip this summer! Tuesday through Thursday, July 21 st -23 rd, all youth are invited and encouraged to participate. On Tuesday and Thursday we will be volunteering at Greenleigh (same place the afterschool program is held) during the day and on Wednesday we will be working at our own church helping with a deep clean of the kitchen. The plan is to stay overnight in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesday and Wednesday night so our youth that couldn t attend the week long mission trip will still get the much needed bonding time that comes with overnight mission work. There will also be a fun swimming/cookout event on Wednesday night. For this to happen WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! This is serious, there have been several events throughout this past year that I have planned, or wanted to plan, but could not happen because I did not have enough volunteers. Please know that myself, and the youth, are extremely grateful for all the donations of time and money that we have already received. I am asking EVERYONE (not just parents of the youth) to reach deep and find some time in your schedule to come out and help. Sign-up sheets will be in the binders and also available online. A special thank you to the UMM and UMW for sponsorships and for all the time volunteered via fundraisers and other activities throughout the year. We couldn t have done it without you! Thank you to everyone else who made meals and volunteered your time with our youth this past year. I am so grateful for your love and dedication to the future of this church! Laurel Sage, Director of Children and Youth Ministry Graduates Tori Alexander and Savannah Hodges plant tomato plants in the BHUMC Community Garden with Rev. Kevin Anderson.