The BEACON The Newsletter of Binkley Baptist Church

Transcription

1 The BEACON The Newsletter of Binkley Baptist Church January 2014 SUNDAY SCHEDULE 11 am Worship Binkley Baptist Church 1712 Willow Drive Hill NC Church Staff Peter JB Carman Minister Dale Osborne Associate Minister Stephanie Ford Minister of Christian Formation Leandra Merea Strope Minister of Music Music Blog binkleymusic.wordpress.com Bo Lloyd Organist Duane Gilbert Business Manager Lucy Kucmierz Office Manager PUBLICATION DEADLINES Newsletter: The 20th of January Bulletin and Friday Update: Wednesday 12 noon CELEBRATING LIGHT The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. EPIPHANY TREE OF WARMTH John 1:5 The writer of John s gospel describes the power and gift of Jesus coming as Light overcoming darkness. Having just passed the Winter solstice, we appreciate the blessing of sunlight, and the promise that with each day, the light is lengthening. Light is significant as the source not only of our physical being, but metaphorically, of our spiritual being. Quakers speak of the Light Within, that spark of divinity to which every soul is connected. Our essential core draws its energy from the Light of God. And so, Magi from the East, perhaps Zoroastrian priests from Iran, were drawn to a star, a light that appeared over the birthplace of Jesus. Zorastrians studied the heavens for signs, and these travelers followed this compelling sign of divine direction. With them, these Wise Men brought gifts of incense, healing balm, and gold to honor this auspicious birth. Indeed, spiritual Light became manifest through this little child for the whole world. Alleluia! The Feast of Epiphany (January 6) celebrates this revelation of the radiance of Divinity in Jesus. As we meditate on His words and seek to imitate His way of love and justice, especially for the poor, we deepen our connection to the Divine Light within us. To dwell in Christ is to become more and more available to the Divine power within us, and to seek to be a vessel of Light to others as Jesus was. We cannot do it on our own strength; we need the inflow of Divine energy. Two questions arise: How am I tending the spark of Divinity within me? How am I staying plugged into the powerful Light of God as I go about my daily chores? A small, but steady group in our congregation has been celebrating Early Worship this past fall. After prayer and conversation, the staff has discerned to keep this light going among us in Spring Early Worship is not only for families with children, and we welcome you to give this informal, interactive service a try. Beginning again January 5 th (to celebrate Epiphany Sunday!), we will be meeting in a new space: the. We will also be meeting at a new time: 8:45-9:25am. In God s joyous Light, Stephanie Please bring your clean winter hats, scarves, gloves and coats to decorate our Tree of Warmth in the Narthex. The tree will be in the Narthex through January 12th. All contributions will be delivered to St. Thomas More clothing distribution center on January 13.

2 CONFLICT RESOLUTION UPDATE As the consultant coordinating team of Jordan Hale, Claudia Templeton, and Peter Carman updated us in the last newsletter, our church welcomed a visitor in early November 2013: Susan Nienaber from the Alban Institute, an organization that works with church congregations, groups and other teams that seek assistance in ways they can grow from and process community conflict. Susan spent three days with members of our congregation and left us with ideas and resources that will assist us to move forward in managing congregational conflicts that may arise, such as Ray Speller's request for ordination last year. One of the ideas Susan shared was to sponsor an all-church-read of the book Congregational Fitness: Healthy Practices for Layfolk by Denise W. Goodman. After discussion at our November and December meetings, the diaconate has decided to take on sponsoring this all-church-read! Deacons will be leading conversations about this book throughout the month of January at both Sunday school and Wednesday evening times. Wouldn't it be fantastic if every member of our congregation could attend at least one session? As stated in the forward to this book, "This book prescribes how a congregation-as-a-whole can transform the challenges of congregational conflicts into opportunities for spiritual well-being and faithful ministry." Claudia Templeton (claudiatempleton4@gmail.com) has a limited number of books available, and additional books can be ordered through other on-line retailers. Each discussion session will also have copies available for sharing and reading together. We hope you will mark your calendars to join the deacons in conversation to increase our congregation's fitness! Perhaps one of the chapter titles below especially grabs your attention? ALL-CHURCH-READ of the book CONGREGATION FITNESS discussion sessions schedule: Session 1: Sunday, January 5-9:30-10:30 am Chapter1 - Why We Fight Chapter 2 - Conflict: Normal and Healthy or Destructive? Session 2: Sunday, January 12-9:30-10:30 am Chapter 3 - Who Are We and Why Are We Here? Chapter 4 - Responsibility and Accountability Session 3: Sunday, January 19-9:30-10:30 am Chapter 5 - Reducing Anxiety Chapter 6 - Repeal the No-Talk Rule Session 4: Wednesday, January 22-6:00-7:00 pm Chapter7 - Beware of Platitudes Chapter 8 - Clear the Decks Session 5: Sunday, January 26-9:30-10:30 am Chapter 9 - Exorcise the Ghosts Chapter10 - What about the Pastor? Session 6: Wednesday, January 29-6:00-7:00 pm Chapter11 - When You Need Help Chapter12 -If You Are Wounded Chapter 13- The Rewards of Fitness Please feel free to contact Diaconate Chair Lori Cahill (lcahill@nc.rr.com) with any questions. We look forward to our discussions together! -The Binkley Diaconate

3 JANUARY ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL The New Year begins with a January Term for adult Church School classes. Classes will meet from 9:30-10:45am (with a bell ringing at 10:40 to remind parents to pick up their children). The mini-term offers two opportunities: Congregational Fitness,, facilitated by Deacons As part of our all-church read in January, the Deacons will be facilitating a discussion of the insightful book by Denise Goodman. Each week, two chapters of the book will be explored, with time for discussion. Even if you aren't able to read the book ahead of class, you are welcome! (The other chapters will be discussed at two Wednesday Night Suppers, Jan 22 and 29, see the article on Conflict Resolution). Session 1: Sunday, January 5: Chapter 1 - Why We Fight / Chapter 2 - Conflict: Normal and Healthy or Destructive? Session 2: Sunday, January 12: Chapter 3 - Who Are We and Why Are We Here? /Chapter 4 - Responsibility and Accountability Session 3: Sunday, January 19: Chapter 5 - Reducing Anxiety /Chapter 6 - Repeal the No-Talk Rule Session 5: Sunday, January 26: Chapter 9 - Exorcise the Ghosts /Chapter10 - What about the Pastor? Mindful Parenting, Sunroom, Christine Jernigan, Ashley Nissler, & Stephanie Ford Back from last January by popular demand is a discussion class on parenting. Each week, we'll discuss ideas about parenting from current resources. The simple format includes the following: prayer, brief check-in, summary of the book chapter, or article, and discussion on prepared questions. Parents, grandparents, and anyone are welcome! After all, we "parent" ourselves, too! INTERGENERATIONAL GAME NIGHT Kids of all ages are invited to an evening of PIZZA ($3 per person), fellowship, playing games, and sharing dessert on Friday, January 24, 2014 in the, 6-8pm. Bring a favorite game from your shelf and a dessert to share. Please call the office by noon on Friday (1/24) to get your pizza order in. --The Children s Team NEWSLETTER NEWS Beginning in March the newsletter will contain information for 2 months. The first edition of the new format will be Mar/Apr and the deadline is February 20th. We welcome feedback on this new format! FLOWER COMMITTEE The Flower Committee invites you to sign up for sanctuary flowers in the narthex. We have many vases you can use to make your own arrangement or you can order from a florist. You may honor or remember a special person or occasion by notifying the office the Wednesday before flowers will be provided. Please contact Janet O'Neal at joneal23@nc.rr.com. EARTH MINISTRY Do you have ideas for an environmentally friendly or helpful service or volunteer activity that we can do as a church in the next several months? Please contact Stewart Bankhead at jsbankhead@gmail.com. CHURCH FINANCES GENERAL FUND: November 2013 Actual Budget Difference Totals $587,504 $612,073 -$24,569 PASTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND Balance 11/01/2013 Gifts Received** Disbursed Balance 11/30/2013 $626 $4,390 -$1,166 $3,850

4 GROUNDS COMMITTEE NEWS Sidewalk repairs completed: Our unsafe sidewalk at the entrance near Meals on Wheels has finally undergone repairs. Our new brick bordered concrete walk will provide a safe and welcoming entrance. New Benches in the Courtyard: Our courtyard needs rejuvenation to create a congenial gathering place for members and friends to visit over coffee, have meetings, await the Easter sunrise, or sit to enjoy nature and pray. With the generosity of members and friends to Binkley, the Landscape Discretionary Fund has purchased new outdoor furniture. Our new additions are in the courtyard. The furniture is comfortable, easy to maintain and made of recycled plastic bottles. In alignment with Binkley's concern for the environment, we are pleased that each bench removes 600 plastic bottles from the environment! A story from Binkley's History: The benches in the courtyard that have served us for several decades were built by Ed Overton as an Eagle Scout project. Ed's Eagle project also included landscaping work around the scout hut as well as at the corner of the parking lot near what is now K&W. Ed is the son of Binkley member Ann Overton and husband John Overton. When Ed contributed this gift as a teenager, he may not have realized how long his benches would serve as courtyard seating through numerous sunrise services, ice cream socials and informal gatherings. Thank you to the Overton Family for this gift. PEARL SEYMOUR CELEBRATION CONCERT Seymour Center Saturday, January 25 at 3 pm SMALL GROUP NEWS BINKLEY DAYTIME BOOK GROUP Tuesday 10:30 am January 8 The Light Between the Oceans by M.L. Stedman discussion led by: Beryl Holmes February 25 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald discussion lead by: Anne Winfield FRIDAY NIGHT BINKLEY READERS 6pm January 10 The Brigade by: Harold Blum February 14 Stations of the Heart by Richard Lischer WELCOME TO BINKLEY! New Member & Visitor Orientation Class Look for Information in Upcoming Bulletins and Friday Updates SERMON-SHAPING BIBLE STUDY Tuesday 1 pm MORNING PRAYER Wednesday 9-9:45 am BI-WEEKLY FIRESIDE CHATS Tuesday 7 pm Jan. 14 & 28 Feb. 11 & 25 Osborne Home BYOM (Bring Your Own Marshmallows) PRIMETIMERS Wednesday 12 pm January 8 Ellie Kinnaird: Fixing voter Registration February 12 Weldon Thornton: The Bible as a great book of literature Sign up on Dale Osborne's door.

5 1 JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Allen Davidson; Hu Lung Lian; Siang Lian; Ilecia Mabry; Enh Rocham; H Be Siu; Haih Siu 2 Jayne Howard 3 Ella Jackson; Bruce Pratt 5 Meg Graham; Yvonne Holt; Lynn Houser 6 Claudia Cannady; Amelia Wise 8 Billie Cox; Andrew Mabry; Bill Powell 10 Sibyl Wagner 11 Sue Schroeder; Mark Willhoit 14 Ed Davis; Len Keller; Lal Ram Muan; Ann Overton 15 John Overton 16 Kimberly Brewer; Chuck Hinnant; Brian Ivey 17 Erik Butler 18 Linda Vaughn 19 Ben Carman; Daniel Textoris 20 Deepmala Ford-Williams; James Stock 21 Wyatt Forbus 23 Sarah Buren; Avery Jenkins 24 Christine Jernigan 27 Curt McLaughlin 28 Den Whitaker 30 Kit Conway 31 Zir Kunga; Anne Winfield JANUARY ANNIVERSARIES 1 Peter Zul & Tlan Zir Mawi 4 Poul Poul & Zing Cuai 7 Jordan & Tessa Hale 8 Kay & Bruce Pratt NEW MEMBERS Please welcome Rachael Elliott & Jeff Rawson, Howard Ammerman, and April Harper. We are glad to have you here! PRAYER CONCERNS Bob Phillips Jayne Howard Ann Cockrell Claudia Cannady Dot Simpson Bill Bodkin Martha Henderson Willard Hamrick Jack Waddell Marion Summerville Jody Hite Jo Flair Jim Summerville Peggy Kinnaird Health Center/Hospital Residents Ann Overton Joan Ewing Marj Boltz Jean Breckenridge Hilda Moffitt Ernie Roberts Laurie Freeman Leo and Rusty Wagoner Billie Cox Extended Family Tony Baker (brother of Drew Baker) Pauline Binkley Cheek Tal & Beth Black (friends of Marge Miles) Barbara Brown (daughter-in-law of Gladess Crisp) Violeta de la Mata Bruno (cousin of Maribel Bruno) Dot Cansler (former member health center Carol Woods) Lucile Carman (aunt of Peter Carman) Kim Carson (friend of Al Wheless) Mona Chahine (cousin of Ralph Nissler) Janet Claire (sister of Barbara Elder) Tan & Scott Coats (missionaries in Thailand) Steve Emrich (friend of Joe and Nan Pardington) Pat Florian (friend of Janet O Neal) James Fulcher, Sr. (father-in-law of Caryl Fulcher) Sally Gulley (sister of Teeta West) Hawk Hawkins (friend of Jane Maske) Andrew Henley (Carl's son) David Houser (son of Lynn Houser) Larry Kupper (friend of Martha Henderson) Bill & Betty Kraus (uncle & aunt of Karen Long) Alec & Steve Lansing (grandson & son of Ginny Lansing) Jenny Lawrence (cousin of Marge Miles) Tony Lea (husband of Jo Lea) Dana Maxfield (sister-in-law of Ginny Lansing) Joseph Niedzwiecki & Ann Yang (friends of the Andersen s) Dot Peterson and family (Susan Resnik's aunt) Hartley Plyler (friend of Gloria Lightsey-Lewis) Carolyn Ripley (mother of Carol Ripley-Moffitt) Michael Shoemaker (nephew of Billie Cox) Donna Whitley (friend of Martha Henderson) Divine Healer, Please give courage and strength to our friends. Help them to be strong and to heal. Help them through these difficult times and provide them with your loving support. Amen. please contact the office to remove names from the above lists*

6 EARLY WORSHIP Begins: Sunday, January 5 New Time: 8:45 am New Place: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 OFFICE CLOSED HAPPY NEW YEAR am Worship: Music Sunday 1:30 pm Chin Worship, 17 4 pm Carol Woods Worship 6 7 pm Diaconate, pm Primetimers, Choir 9 2:30 pm Health Ministry, 7 pm Old Time Ensemble 10 6 pm Binkley Readers am Worship 1:30 pm Chin Worship, pm Adult Christian Formation Team, 7 pm Board of Outreach, 14 7 pm Fireside Chat, Osborne Home 15 Choir 16 9:30 am Grounds Committee, Lib 2 pm Worship at Carolina Meadows 17 Newsletter Deadline am Worship: Healing Service 12:15 pm Personnel Committee, 1:30 pm Chin Worship, 20 Newsletter Deadline pm Session 4: All- Church Read Choir 23 7 pm Old Time Ensemble 24 6 pm Intergenerational Game Night, 25 3 pm Pearl Seymour Celebration Concert, Seymour Center am Worship 1:30 pm Chin Worship, pm Peace & Justice, 28 7 pm Fireside Chat, Osborne Home 29 6 pm Session 6: All- Church Read 30 31