Deeds and Opportunities

Transcription

1 Deeds and Opportunities Brentwood Community United Methodist Church 809 Second Street Brentwood, CA Office: (925) Fax: (925) Alexis Easton, Pastor Website: Brentwoodumc.org Facebook Group: Brentwood Community United Methodist Church Betty Gaughan, Editor: August 2013 Pastor Alexis, Staci Webb & Alivia Logan Celebrate Sunday

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3 Heart to Heart (The Pastor s Column) Greetings, Friends Most of you know that I will be retiring from as of July 1, 2014 less than a year from now. I have truly enjoyed my ministry here in Brentwood for the past eight years and anticipate thoroughly enjoying it with all of you for 11 months more. As you read this newsletter, you ll notice some exciting events and plans upcoming this fall. The BCUMC Church Profile Survey, which Staff-Parish Relations Committee chair Polly Gallagher mentioned recently at worship, will be coming out to all of you soon. One of the questions asks what you might like to learn or experience from me in coming months. Please respond to the Survey, and if other ideas arise later, let me know. In September I ll be going back to school at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley for two classes. I ve taken three and need three more in order to complete the Certificate in Islamic Studies next spring (so when I retire I can just watch TV all day oh, you don t believe me?). I ll be looking for ways to share some of the learnings in the coming year. Please let me know what questions, concerns, puzzlements you may have about Islam, Muslims, Christianity and Islam, etc. And as I mentioned at worship recently, I will do my best to lead you and support you in your conversations and discernment about the next step in ministry/mission at BCUMC. Please remember: Your clarity about that next step is the priority now. It is such a temptation to start thinking of what sort of pastor you want or need. I suggest to you that is a temptation! Rather, as you discuss and gain some consensus as to the ministry, the gifts and graces, skills and values of your next pastor will become clearer. We UMC pastors are appointed by the Bishop with the support of the Cabinet comprised of the Bishop (Warner Brown) and the District Supts (Kristie Olah is our DS). The clearer and more articulate your request, the greater the likelihood that the Cabinet will select a pastor who is a wonderful fit for BCUMC. So start discussing this with one another now. The Holy Spirit will work through these conversations. And those of you who are new to BCUMC, please do participate through your questions and suggestions. New folks often have fresh eyes and see things the long-timers don t notice. Everyone s input and attentive listening is valuable. The more hearts and minds are involved, the better! Blessings to you,

4 Staff Parish Relations Committee Celebration was the theme on Sunday, July 14, for several marvelous reasons. First, we welcomed back Staci Webb, whom we are always glad to see when she comes into Brentwood to visit. Staci was choir director for many years until the Webb family moved north to Washington. Second, we were most pleased to announce the hiring of Alivia Logan as our new choir director. Alivia has been a vocal presence in our church for many years gracing us with her beautiful voice. She has recently graduated from the University of the Pacific with a degree in vocal music and is starting her professional music career with us, excited to bring her own fresh ideas while building upon the strong program already in place. Last, but not least, can it be true? we offered the official announcement of Pastor Alexis s retirement a year from now in July This year will be filled with many last opportunities that we and Pastor Alexis want to make sure we take full advantage of. In a couple of weeks, SPRC will be sending out a church survey that we encourage each of you to spend some time considering your responses. The survey will help shape this final year of Pastor Alexis and will guide the SPRC and the District Superintendent in the upcoming task of finding a new pastor for BCUMC. We look forward to hearing from you all. Sing with Spirit! CHOIR WORKSHOP Brentwood Community United Methodist Church Saturday, August 17, :30-4:00 Facilitators: Alivia Logan, Pastor Alexis Easton, and Sue Stuart PART 1: Encounter the Basics A voice lesson example All those pesky musical/choral terms PART 2: It s Not Just the Sound Text: How do words matter? Spirit: How does the choir lead worship? POTLUCK LUNCH Bring goody to share. PART 3: Phrasing Sculpts the Music PART 4: Let s Put It Together for (Workshop) Performance All are welcome -- choral singers and prospective choral singers. Sign up on Fellowship Hall clipboard, or call and leave a message at BCUMC church office:

5 A FOND FAREWELL TO MASON MATTHEWS 9:00 am Sunday, August 11, 2013 Youth Room Those of us who have been fortunate to get acquainted with Mason Matthews over the past 2-3 years know that Mason is an articulate, reflective young man with a heart for service and a gift for observation. You are invited to a BCUMC Mason send-off morning gathering on Sunday, August 11. Mel Strong has graciously agreed to donate the 9:00 class that morning to Mason s farewell. In addition to informal conversation, Pastor Alexis will interview Mason for his young adult perspective, including questions about where he is on his own faith journey and what he has observed in other folks in their teens and 20s. Mason intends to be candid, and perhaps attendees may get some direction about building relationships with young adults in Brentwood. Join us to celebrate Mason s time with us and to pray for his continued academic success as he relocates South to UC-Santa Barbara. BACK TO (SUNDAY) SCHOOL Sunday School will begin again on Sunday, September 8th, but there is no need to wait on those School Supply donations. The sales have started, so feel free to buy a little (or a lot) extra and watch for the notices of how and when to contribute. The kids always have a great time packing up others' backpacks; join the fun! Also, we are still in need of a few substitute teachers for Sunday School. We have an excellent curriculum, so planning will be a minimum. If you could serve one Sunday or a few, please contact Jennifer Dunn at habitot.here@gmail.com YOUTH GROUP READY TO START AUG 16TH!!!!! After a month off, the youth group will be starting Aug. 16 th with our fabulously fun Friday Night Drop In. Drop your 6 th -12 th grader off at the church at 6pm and pick them up at 10pm. Parent/Grandparents: There will be a potluck and orientation meeting Aug 29 th at 6:30, with the meeting starting at 7:00. Come and hear about the upcoming events and how the youth program is progressing. Tentatively the events schedule is: (Events/dates subject to change) DATE 2013 EVENT DATE 2014 EVENT 16-Aug Friday Night Drop In 10-Jan Spaghetti Fed 29-Aug Parent Potluck/Meeting 17-Jan Bowling Overnighter 06-Sep Movie: Beautiful Mind 07-Feb Friday Night Drop In 22-Sep Six Flags 16-Feb Valentines Fundraiser 24-Sep Movie: Unstoppable Feb 30 Hour Famine 04-Oct Friday Night Drop In 04-Mar FAT Tuesday Dinner Fundraiser 18-Oct Overnight Event 07-Mar Day of Prayer/Drop In 27-Oct Bless the Pet Luncheon Mar Sierra Service Project 27 Oct Interfaith Costume Night (Walnut Creek) 18-Apr Friday Night Drop In 01-Nov Friday Night Drop In 17-May Glide 8-11 Nov Sr High Interfaith Youth Camp 06-Jun Swim Party 22-Nov Movie: Hunger Games/Overnighter 06-Dec Advent Event 20-Dec Christmas Party If you have questions contact Youth Team Members: Carla Marks (CarlaLSMarks@outlook.com), Julius Lukacs (Julius.lukacs@hotmail.com), Jennifer Dunn (habitot.here@gmail.com), Paul Slay (paul@brentwoodumc.org), Rebecca Feldermann (rfeldermann@yahoo.com or the official youth team youth@brentwoodumc.org.

6 MERRY METHODISTS FLY AWAY Merry Methodists will see the new Disney film 'Planes' at the Concord West Wind Drive-In, 1611 Solano Way, on Saturday, August 10th. Meet there at 6:30 for tailgating and bring something to share. And mark your calendars for September 21st. Merry Methodists will have Debra and Rick Urzua to thank for an entertaining evening at BCUMC: Joke Night is back! BIBLE 101 If you know little of the Bible, or you know some parts well and others not at all or something in between, please join friends at BIBLE 101, taught by Pastor Alexis at 3:00-4:30 pm on Wed afternoons. TENTATIVE STARTING DATE: August 14. Watch on website and in bulletins for specific confirmation and book information. Some of you have been waiting for weeks or months to make the commitment to membership/discipleship at BCUMC. A three-session preparation class with Pastor Alexis and other leaders will be scheduled in September with the tentative reception date Sunday, October 20 which is LAITY SUNDAY. Watch BCUMC website and bulletins for specifics. Are you alone and need help getting your groceries? Do you no longer drive and need someone to take you to the doctor? Or to get your hair cut? NEW MEMBERS IN FALL October 20 LAITY SUNDAY Do you need someone to read to you? CONGREGATIONAL CARE NETWORK Or, are you a caregiver that needs a "caregiver" yourself so you can have some time away from the care giving you give? CCN is a group of people from this congregation who are available to help you with your needs. The coordinator of this ministry is Robin Vaughan. Please call me (Robin) so I can schedule someone to come and help you. My number is Thanks much, and God bless you. FINANCE COMMITTEE To all our cheerful, faithful givers we want to say THANK YOU! Due to your continuing support we were able to pay all of our June, 2013 expenses with the following results: Total Income $14,126 Total Expenses 11,921 Net $ 2,205 We are asking all Committee Chairs and Team Leaders to give us their 2014 Budget requests by September 1, Finance can then plan what our needs will be as we proceed with developing our Financial 2014 Stewardship Campaign. This will include projecting variable options for pastoral support (full-time, parttime) who will succeed Pastor Alexis as of her retirement July 1, Keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers. John D. Moore, Finance Committee Chairman

7 ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL The Administrative Council met on June 25 to bring all the leadership of the all the ministries together around a table to discuss and interact for the benefit of you, the congregation! We have lots of exciting things to report about our church that include New Visitor Packets, an extremely active Youth Team, and a vibrant Adult Education. Do you need a Quiet Room to go and contemplate your faith in God? The morning Women s Fellowship has re-designed the room formerly known as the library, so go check it out! The UMW of the Evening heard from the Green Team that estimates for a dishwasher and dishes are being obtained to go green and stop using Styrofoam and paper products so much. The wonderful UM Men s group raised lots of funds with the Bean Feed, such that several scholarships will be presented soon to college-bound youth. The Trustees replaced the main beam over our front door and the one behind it was found to be rotten, also. They decided to honor Helen Halsey by naming the elementary classroom for her. Trustees have been busy assessing needs at the parsonage and H.O.P.E. House also and we thank them for all this hard work. BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS October 27, 2013 An Outdoor Worship with Pets and People In October when the weather is cooler, we will celebrate and give thanks (and lay-hands-on, when appropriate!) for our precious pets. All pets are invited and must be on leash or in crates. Get ready for some petty music as well. Start training your pet for this social and spiritual adventure now! A LAY LEADER S PERSPECTIVE: A SEASON OF CHANGE By now most of you are aware of Pastor Alexis entering into her final appointment year as our pastor. You are also being made aware this month of a pending survey hosted by SPRC. As the Lay Leader of this church, I recognize this will be a great time of concern for some. Change, while never easy, creates an opportunity to reflect back on all the great things this church has done and all the opportunity ahead of us. This period of time will challenge all of us to think about the leadership we bring to BCUMC and the direction we would like to take our church to serve its people and God. We have such great opportunity and passion to create something really special these next years. As we prepare ourselves for our new Pastor, we look forward to hearing from you on what you would like Alexis to do in her final year as well as radical hospitality ideas to welcome new members into BCUMC. Practice your SIMPLE CHURCH pitch to folks. What would you say when they hear we are having a pastor change? Growing as a disciple of Jesus Christ is our own personal mission so that we can serve others and transform the lives of folks around us. Remember, the most important Sunday is this Sunday. That certainly holds true for those seeing BCUMC for the first time. This is a very unique time for us to evaluate where we are at and where we need to get to as we prepare for a new spiritual leader. Please take the time to be heard and lead.

8 CHURCH FAMILY NEWS CONCERNS: Cheryl Breitenbucher s mother's heart condition is getting worse. Beverly Tucker requested prayers for her family following the death of her nephew. Robin Vaughan traveled to Seattle to pack her mother s belongings into a POD because her mother is moving into assisted living in California. Lee Laird passed away. He was married to Jane Ann Nunn. A celebration of his life was held in his home on July 27. William Dobson passed away. Bill and Charlene were married 59 years. A celebration of his life was held on July 27 at BCUMC. Bill served in the armed forces in Korea - July 27 was the 60 th anniversary of the end of the Korean War. Ed and Judy (Gauger) Ferraro were hospitalized with illnesses. Debra and Rick Urzua s great nephew Manuel was shot and killed as he was walking along a sidewalk at 6 pm June 19 in San Jose. He was 16. The Urzuas are thankful that his organs could be donated and they pray that the people who committed the crime are apprehended. JOYS: In July, Vernon Noble took part in a StoryCorps program sponsored by the Contra Costa County Library. The event occurred over three days at Library Headquarters in Pleasant Hill. StoryCorps has recorded thousands of conversations between couples all over America reminiscing about their own life experiences. Vernon s partner was Liz Fuller, Librarian of the Brentwood branch of the COCA Library. All participants receive a recorded disc of their conversation. A copy of the disc is filed in the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. Kim Fraley received her teaching credential after four years of study. Ame Bartlebaugh returned to college in Akron Ohio after the family camping trip, Her grandparents live in Akron and Ame likes going to school and living there. Scott Bartlebaugh will fly to Venezuela to meet Hannah. They will complete a short tour of South America, then Hannah will finish her summer classes in Nicaragua. BIRTHDAYS 1 Jim Collins 2 Nate Ekpemiro 5 Jo Prewett Tennant 5 Ezihe Ekpemiro 6 Miriam Pflum 8 Dolores Hauan 8 Gerald Sorenson 15 Cliff Fortner 16 Ginny Driscoll 21 Connie Azevedo 22 Ethel Badham 23 Justine Joaquin 26 Lisa Slay 30 Jo Merritt 30 Jonathan Kurz ANNIVERSARIES 5 Blanca & Carlos Malagon 15 Julie & Sean Clarke 19 Jillian & Don Stirling Worship Leaders Ushers/Greeters 4 Carla Marks Robin & Michael Ann 11 Polly Gallagher Lisa & Marge 18 Rebecca Feldermann Mel & Cheryl 25 Charlene Dobson Bob & Dolores Communion Assistants:

9 HARD ROAD TRIO A Fundraiser for H.O.P.E. HOUSE Container Remodel! What will it take for the container to get transformed (soon!) into the semblance of a building volunteer sweat, some paid construction and materials, permits, and upwards of $5,000. YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED. The HARD ROAD TRIO, a bluegrass ensemble based in Las Cruces, New Mexico, has offered a concert, which will help us generate as much of the $5K as possible. Lead singer and guitarist Chris Sanders is a long-time friend of Pastor Alexis. Check out their website and watch for information soon on the church website. Then save the date, and invite your friends and family. Kid- and youth-friendly, with nursery care provided for the youngest little ones. Lectionary (Scripture Readings) SUNDAY/SPECIAL DAY OLD TESTAMENT PSALM EPISTLE GOSPEL August 4 11th Sunday after Pentecost Hosea 11:1-11 Psalm 107:1-9, 43 UMH 830 Colossians 3:1-11 Luke 12:13-21 August 11 12th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 1:1, Psalm 50:1-8, UMH 783 Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16 Luke 12:32-40 August 18 13th Sunday after Pentecost Isaiah 5:1-7 Psalm 80:1-2,8-19 UMH 801 Hebrews 11: Luke 12:49-56 August 25 14th Sunday after Pentecost Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 UMH 794 Hebrews 12:18-29 Luke 13:10-17

10 Statement of Inclusion: Because we believe that no one is excluded from God s love and that all may come who hear the Shepherd s voice (John 10:1-18), so we affirm: In keeping with the spirit and teachings of Jesus Christ and with United Methodist principles, the Brentwood Community United Methodist Church welcomes all persons into our fellowship. Resident Bishop: Warner H. Brown, Jr. El Camino Real District Superintendent: Kristie Olah Pastor: Alexis Easton; Lay Leader: Julius Lukacs Secretary: Debra Urzua The Mission of the United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Brentwood Community United Methodist Church 809 Second Street Brentwood, CA TIME DATED MATERIAL