The BEACON. The Newsletter of Binkley Baptist Church

Transcription

1 The BEACON Binkley Baptist Church 1712 Willow Drive Chapel Hill NC Church Staff Peter JB Carman Minister Dale Osborne Associate Minister Beth Honeycutt Minister of Christian Education Leandra Merea Strope Minister of Music Duane Gilbert Bookkeeper Maureen Rosen Office Manager Bo Lloyd Organist Not getting this newsletter by yet? What are you waiting for? us at and save a stamp and a tree! The Newsletter of Binkley Baptist Church January 27, 2010 Reflections On a Sabbatical Leave In Exodus 20:11 we read, For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but rested the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and consecrated it. These words from Moses to the wandering Israelites were a portion of the laws we call the ten commandments. Moses also instructed his people to store up two days worth of provisions on the day prior to their Sabbath so that on the Sabbath they might find rest. Many cultures and religions observe a Sabbath day of rest. Binkley Baptist Church has carried this holy rest thought process forward by creating a sabbatical leave for its ministers after certain periods of service. I was privileged to experience such a leave from July 5 December 5, I am grateful to all of you for affording me and my family such an opportunity. It is fitting that I take some time in this publication to offer you some remarks regarding my time away. Also fitting is my own realization that rest was necessary after some challenging and fruitful years of service in my beloved congregation. The sabbatical began with a week on Topsail Island with friends and family. The Osbornes have found rest and joy on this jewel of God s creation for many years. A church family was generous and brave enough to let us share their family s island home for a week. For their kindness we are grateful. The relaxing beach offered ample time for reading, walking and swimming with people I love. Shortly after leaving the beauty of the ocean, Suzy and I packed up the girls and headed up to Massachusetts for a brief visits with one of Suzy s childhood friends. Kathy and her husband live in a rural, western section of the state. They have a few beautiful acres of property which comes in quite handy as they have two aging horses and four humongous British Mastiff dogs. The largest weighed approximately 240 pounds and stood nearly as high as a pony. Those four dogs were the highlight of my stay on their farm. They showed us how to eat, play, walk and relax during the sabbatical. From Massachusetts we headed southeast to Beacon, NY on the Hudson River for 3 days of family reunion time. Suzy s father s side of the clan called it the Moore Sisters Family Reunion as there were three matriarch sisters who made things happen back in the 1920s and beyond. We enjoyed a gorgeous boat ride on the Hudson that landed us on a small island for a tour of the Bannerman Castle (not really a castle, more like a munitions warehouse). Gathering with Suzy s side of the family always means good food, great reminiscing and bountiful tears when appropriate. I even shed a few tears of joy myself when a special guest made his way to our intimate gathering at a museum in historic Beacon. Rumors had spread that a folk singing, banjo playing icon might make an appearance at our party. Sure enough, Pete Seeger showed up to chat and (Continued on page 6)

2 BINKLEY S OWN JANET O NEAL RECEIVES LONG LEAF PINE AWARD FROM THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Congratulations to Janet O Neal, who was presented with the North Carolina Long Leaf Pine Award. This award is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina, and is given to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Contributions to their communities, extra effort in their careers, and many years of service to their organizations are some of the guidelines by which recipients are selected for this award. The honor is most often presented when a person retires. A state employee can be awarded The Order if the employee has contributed more than 30 years of dedicated and enthusiastic service to the state of North Carolina. Laurie Ray, a physical therapist with the NC Department of Public Instruction and a long-time colleague of Janet s, nominated her for this award, saying, I nominated Janet because of her more than 30 years of service to NC school children and our state. She has consistently and persistently been an advocate for NC children with disabilities and a leader in school-based physical therapy. She has mentored many professionals in our state and is known for her pursuit of excellence and best service for students with disabilities in Wake County and throughout our state. Janet joins such NC notables as Maya Angelou, Dan Blue, Fred Chappell, Bill Friday, Billy Graham, Michael Jordan, Charles Kuralt, William Ivey Long, Carmen Hooker Odom, Doug Marlette and Bob Timberlake in being honored with the Long Leaf Pine Award. Congratulations, Janet! HAITI RELIEF EFFORT: On Sunday 1/17, $2129 was collected for Haiti relief. That money has been forwarded to ABC's One Great Hour of Sharing. Binkley will continue to serve as a conduit of funds for Haiti relief. One Great Hour of Sharing is an ecumenical effort with United Church, Presbyterians, United Methodists, etc.; they have "boots on the ground" in Haiti and can put the money to immediate use. GOOD BYE 2009, HELLO 2010 Binkley ended 2009 with income $4,070 above budget and expenses $15,018 below budget, for a net excess of $19,088. As discussed at the time of adoption of the 2009 budget, the church council considered the excess and applied it to the 2010 to increase the Board of Outreach budget. The 2010 Program of Ministry budget was adopted by the CIC on January 24. Thanks to all who helped make 2009 a successful year. SAVE THE DATES: CROP WALK, MARCH 21 WOMEN S RETREAT, APRIL 16-18, TRINITY CENTER, SALTER PATH, NC VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL, JUNE 21-25, AND SAVE YOUR STUFF: BINKLEY-BARBEE BIANNUAL YARD SALE AUGUST 2010 (DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED) TOM FEWEL AND JOY WOOD, Co-Chairs SAVE THOSE ALUMINUM CANS! The Binkley Preschool and Operation New Life Daycare are teaming up to raise money for Haiti relief by accumulating aluminum cans to be sold to Raleigh Scrap Metal Inc. All during February, bring your clean ALUMINUM cans to the preschool. Money will be sent to Church World Service as part of Binkley s relief efforts.

3 PRIMETIMERS IN FEBRUARY On Tuesday, February 9, at 12:30 pm, we invite you to join Primetimers as we continue with our reading and discussion of The Making of An Elder Culture. Nancy Joyner will lead the discussion of Chapter 7. The cost is $7.00 for lunch, and the sign up sheet will be posted on the bulletin board across from Beth Honeycutt s office. If you wish to attend but not eat lunch, so indicate when you sign up. See you then! MUSIC NOTES Do you play Handbells? or would you like to learn? Let's prepare some bell music for Palm Sunday. Rehearsals are Sundays, 2/21 through 3/21, at 3 pm. Leandra for more information. Private tutoring is available, prior to February 21, for those new to ringing. (leandra@binkleychurch.org). And exciting things are happening with the Wednesday Night Children! The group that gathers for Music and More (4:30-5:30) has been learning hymns, playing drums, doing art projects, and learning about Binkley's worship services. The kids are developing a booklet to explain what happens in church on Sunday mornings. All children, K-5th grades, are welcome to join us. Come any time! The Children's Choir (6:15-7:15) is preparing music to sing for upcoming worship services - hear them the first time on January 31st! They are also preparing a short musical that will be presented in worship on Palm Sunday. Because of the nature of this ensemble's work, children (K-5 who are reading) are welcome to join through the month of January and are expected to make a commitment to weekly attendance. MARGARET S HEALTH SUPPLY CLOSET: Never heard of it! Located across from the ministerial offices, Binkley has a wonderful closet of health care equipment for members, their families and friends to borrow when in need. Sign up on the sheet and take what you need. We accept donations of walkers, tub chairs, wheelchairs, canes, crutches and other odds and ends. To donate, simply bring them to the closet and let Mo know. We sometimes cull the oversupply by donating to Orange County Program on Aging and other agencies. Right now we have seem to have number of wheelchairs, a rarity. If you or anyone you know needs a wheelchair, feel free to borrow. However, if needed on a long term basis please contact Marge or Linda. We need to keep at least 2 to 3 wheelchairs at the church. Before we find other needs for surplus wheelchairs, we want to see if anyone at the church FAITH AND MENTAL HEALTH: Faith and Mental Health is a six week, small group session being offered as part of Binkley's Brainstormers movement. It will begin on February 21 at 12:15 pm and be facilitated by Beth Welton, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in doing individual and group psychotherapy, a member of Binkley Church and a Stephen minister. If you would like to know more, please contact Dale or Peter through the church office, BINKLEY 101 LUNCH AND CLASS FEBRUARY 7 You are cordially invited to an orientation class for visitors and new members on Sunday, February 7 from 12:30-2:30. Binkley 101 offers a history of Binkley Church, as well as an opportunity for conversation with each Binkley minister. Representatives and deacons will share information on the work of the Diaconate and Church Council. If you would like to attend, RSVP to the church office at DOING PEACE AND JUSTICE: For opportunities on how to help make a better world, click on the link for "Social Justice" on the Binkley Church website. You ll find links to 14 groups in which Binkley people are involved, including Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate, Children s Issues, CROP Walk, GLBT Issues, HKonJ, Immigration, IFC, Mental Health, Orange County Justice United, Peace with Justice, People of Faith Against the Death Penalty, Racial Justice, Refugee Resettlement, Women s Issues. Binkley contacts are listed.

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5 HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS! 1: Pat Moore 2: Ruth Ann Ross 4: Frankie Andrews, Robin Brice, Scottie Clardy, Carl Moraven, Biruta Nielsen, Ralf Schmid 5: Beth Elder, Alice Glover, Chuck Hudock, Verla Insko, Ruth Nagle, Carol Rhodes, Judy Sordean, Don Willhoit 6: Sarah Walker 7: Aaron Shah, Ahmad Shah 8: Christopher Hilburn-Trenkle, Susan Preston, Linda Textoris 9: Sarah Cullen 10: Keefe Dorton, Ilona Page 11: Vivian Wu 12: Tim Pyatt 13: Fred Schroeder 14: Jim Dostert 15: Ellie Kemple 17: Marlene Dickison, Jeff Jenkins, Rachel Jenkins, Chris McDougald, Mary Lee Tyndall 18: James Jernigan, Sue Wallace 19: Karen Reinfurt, Susan Resnik 20: Steve Jernigan 21: Jean Chitwood, Russell Hatch 22: Jonathan Carver II 23: Tyler Berger, Kelly Smith 24: Will Powell 25: Chris Copeland, Anna Lee Warasila 26: Jack Holland, Kay Maltbie 28: Dean Smith HAPPY FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES! 2 Deborah Cousins and Ralf Schmid, John and Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, Nancy Berson and John Woodson, Bill and Pat Harriss, Bereket and Winta Selassie, Carol and Matthew Ripley-Moffitt, 1980 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 21 Feb 28 FEBRUARY NURSERY DUTY Bonnie Stevenson, Gary and Drew Stutts, Jeff and Pam Swanson. Julie Jennings greets today. Barbara and Weldon Thornton, Elizabeth Thompson, Deborah Tippett, Dan Textoris. Angela Snider greets today Dana Trent, Becky and Wayne Robinson, Carol Vander Zwaag and Lin Crockett. Kara Richard-Baker greets today. Lou Shook, Katherine and Talmadge Walker, John Weathers and Janie Benson. Tamara Dempsey-Tanner greets today. FEBRUARY 14, WORSHIP, FOOD, FELLOWSHIP WITH BARBEE S CHAPEL: Our Barbee Chapel friends will be worshiping with us on February 14, Valentines Day. We invite them to join with Binkley for a lunch of sandwiches, salads, cookies and cupcakes. Your presence is desired along with enough food for your family and a guest. Please bring food to the kitchen before the worship service. - Ann Brock WORSHIP PLANNING GROUP MEETING ON FEBRUARY 25, 7:30 PM IN THE LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME! Last fall we solicited interested people to become part of a worship planning group to help us envision and implement ideas around worship, specifically addressing concerns that came out of the discernment report. We welcome anyone who is interested in joining us! For more information, contact Wayne and Caryl Price ( ; carylthomason@aol.com).

6 DEACON NOMINATIONS We are fast approaching the time when Binkley members will elect a new class of deacons. Prayerfully consider this opportunity to serve your congregation. Deacons assist the ministers in providing pastoral care to church members. If you feel this is not the time to accept the nomination, please remove your name from the list of eligible candidates that will be posted in the narthex in February. You may also notify the church office (office@binkleychurch.org; ) to ask that your name be removed. Reflections On a Sabbatical Leave (continued) sing and lead us in the singing of some old favorites. Pete had been a hero of mine since his appearances on Sesame Street around When he finished inspiring us, I was honored to serve as his roadie while carrying his guitar and banjo out to his car. From August through December I was transformed back into the form of a college student as I engaged in three courses at UNC-CH. The physical education class taught me much about nutrition and good exercise (ultimate Frisbee, flag football and soccer with 21 freshmen). My Voice and Diction class set me up for a potential second career if Woody Durham ever retires. A seminar course called Writing the Feature Film nearly proved to be my mental undoing. Writing a screenplay is not for the faint of heart. My movie is not finished, but I greatly appreciated an opportunity to stretch my brain in a different direction. One of the healthiest joys of student life was walking home from campus each day. Chapel Hill Transit would carry me to school in the morning but a leisurely paced walk home awaited me after classes were done. This exercise, along with beach volleyball, tennis and my PE class were enough to remind me that bones and muscle actually do become slightly less nimble after nearly five decades of life. A trip to Brazil had been an important part of my sabbatical planning, but VISA troubles caused that journey to our sister churches to be postponed. Now it is coming to fruition. As you read this article, Roal Carlson and I will be arriving at the Salvador airport in northeast Brazil. We look forward to visiting two churches and the Youth Community Center Binkley helped to establish. So Obrigada (Thank You) friends for extending such a valuable opportunity to me and my family. FEBRUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE SUNDAY, February 7: Communion; Peter JB Carman preaching, Isaiah 6:1-8, Luke 5:1-11; In the Presence SUNDAY, February 14: Transfiguration Sunday; Joint Worship with Barbee s Chapel at Binkley; Bishop Gene Hatley preaching SUNDAY, February 21: First Sunday in Lent; Dale Osborne preaching SUNDAY, February 28: Second Sunday in Lent; Rev. George Reed of NC Council on Churches; Church in Conference following worship SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE SUPPER AND TALENT SHOW FEBRUARY 16 Mark your calendars, make room in your stomachs and dust off your ukulele as you prepare for the sweetest night of merriment and eats this year! The Binkley Youth look forward to hosting, entertaining and feeding you. The talent sign-up sheet for all ages will be on Dale s bulletin board. The cost for the meal (pancakes, sausage, fruit and beverages) is $5.00 for 6 th grade and above, $4.00 for 5 th grade and below with a $20.00 household maximum. More information will follow in bulletins. Meal begins at 5:30 pm. CONGRATULATIONS to 5th grader Jessica Rabalais (age 10) for winning 1st prize in local photographer Aimee Laine's kids photography contest. You can see her winning photo at the following website:

7 WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT BINKLEY: THE PLACE TO BE!!! There are now several program options for children and adults on Wednesday nights. 4:30-5:30 pm, Music and More: kids meet in the choir room with Leandra; for children in kindergarten through 5th grade - a program using different arts (story, visual arts, music) to enter Binkley's worship experience and build community (This program will be very similar to the fall semester's Wednesday evening children's program, and it can easily accommodate children who come from time to time.) 5:30 pm Supper for all: meet in the fellowship hall for dinner; $4 ages 12 and up, $3 for kids; bring your own dishes and utensils! Sign up to help with a dinner team. Tables and chairs will be set up (thanks to Tom Fewel). No cooking: receive catered meals, collect money, clean up. Sign up in the narthex. 6:10 pm Community time; kids go to choir or child care; adults clean up and then meet. CHILDREN: for children in kindergarten through 5th grade who can read and who make a commitment to weekly presence at rehearsal - Children's Choir - learning skills of singing to enter Binkley's worship experience and build community (Families, please Leandra Strope leandra@binkleychurch.org to register your children for Children's Choir. This ensemble prepares music for worship services; singers are asked to commit to attend weekly rehearsals.) ADULTS: January 27: Immigration Awareness, led by Maria Palmer February 3: Childrens Church School Teachers, Library and Youth Room February 10: Getting to Know Chris Copeland and the Alliance of Baptists Future programs are taking shape. Give your input to Peter or Beth now! During Lent, you may choose from 3 classes that will meet for a 5 week period. LENT IS ON THE HORIZON MARK YOUR CALENDARS! February 16 Shrove Tuesday Pancakes and Talent Show, 5:30pm February 17 Ash Wednesday Services in the Evening (no church dinner) February 21 Lenten Art Exhibit begins, featuring depictions of The Last Supper February 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21, 28 Faith and Mental Health support group, 12:15pm each Sunday February 23, March 2, 9, 16, and Discipleship Class for interested youth, contact Dale Osborne February 24, March 3, 10, 17 and 24 Lenten Classes for Adults After Dinner Pausing On The Road to Jerusalem (Lectionary Bible Study), led by Brian Graves Creating Mandalas (experiential art opportunity), led by Gloria Lightsey-Lewis Living Our Values as Parents, presentations and discussions with Sibyl Wagner (clarifying values and dealing with transitions), Dick Clifford (facing decisions about child care), Kay Pratt (family nutrition), Maureen Rosen (talking to kids about money) February 28 Worship with Guest Preacher George Reed, NC Council of Churches March 7 Taize Worship Service; Deacon elections take place in March March 21 CROP Walk March 28 Palm Sunday; Labyrinth set up for Holy Week April 1 Maundy Thursday Meal and Service (no Wednesday dinner March 31) April 2 Good Friday Services, 12pm April 4 Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, Breakfast (No Church School), Worship April 11 Baptism Sunday

8 Prayer Concerns in the Church Family: Family of Rex Dorton, Mary Alice Dorton, Anne Winfield and Bob Phillips, John Holt, Arlon Kemple, Lew Miles, Dick Clifford, Laura Davidson, Marj Boltz, Jo Lea, Nettie Bradley Wilburn, Alice Glover, Bonnie Stevenson, Warren Nord and Nancy Ehle, Mable Strowd, Nancie McDermott, Aaron Shah, Michele Mabry, Claudia Cannady, Brooke Wheeler, Laurie Freeman, Bob and Betsy Kreutzberg, Beth Jukes, Carolyn Wallace, Nina Stein, Martha Henderson, Gladys Matthewson, Phillippi family, members of Job Seekers, others seeking support. Prayer Concerns in the Extended Family: Elizabeth McLachlan (Stacy Shelp s friend), Gail Carson s sister, Amy Lansing (Ginny's granddaughter), Tessa Benjamin's family in Haiti, Charles Clapp (Susan Preston's father), Bob Lewis (Rob's father), Alicia Cariotto (Pat McKenzie's niece), Carol and Butch Bailey (Bess Bailey's children), Eric Wells (Julie Jennings' friend), Susan Campbell (Julie Kern's sister), Martha T. Smith (Allison Corum's mother), Marina Shandor (niece of Marge Miles), Sally Rockriver (David Resnik's sister), Bo Stevenson (Bonnie's father), Malone and Betty Thomason (Caryl Price's parents), Martin Radford (brother of Geraldine King), Lynn Marcin and her mother Jean Steele (friends of Frank Smith), Harvey Zelon (friend of Ellen Stutts), Mary Booth (friend of Caroline Lindsay), David McIlwain (Ashley Nissler's uncle), Ram Thapa, Carol Salzgaber, the Ailstock family (cousins of Sue Wallace), Cathy Hamm (Tonya Hamm's mother), Klaus Ford (friend of Ginny Lansing), George Zangaro (Hill-Wise friend), Frances Daughtrey (Heather Rabalais & Nathan Daughtrey's grandmother), Marie Long (Karen's mother), Shirley Weems (Marty Weems' mother), Meg Kemper (Sybil Wagner's friend), Carley Pardington (Joe's mother), Henry Hall (Howard Lee's brother-in-law), Alan Bibb (Barbara Nettles-Carlson's son), Carol Richardson (Bonnie and Laura Rogers' mother), John Kent's father, Johnnie Johnson, (friend of Lillian Lee), family of Thomas Barnett (Karen Long's friend), Tan and Scott Coats, Tara Hogan (Talmadge Walker's niece), Health Center Residents. Prayers for our men and women in the armed forces: Ray Lloyd, son of Bo Lloyd, who is now in Afghanistan; Paul Smith, grandson of Allen Smith, and Patrick Harris, nephew of Phil and Rhonda Szostak, who are in Iraq. Binkley Baptist Church 1712 Willow Drive Chapel Hill, NC (919) Nonprofit Org. US Postage Paid Chapel Hill, NC Permit No. 70 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED