BUCKINGHAM GRAM Presented in reverence by Nance Hall 839th Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery Beach Retreat Ocean City, MD March 3, 2018 April 2018 Volume 10, Issue 4 Buckingham-Gram Editors: Pam Russell Kim Price Office: 410-641-0234 Email: info@buckinghampcusa.org Web: Www.buckinghampcusa.org Today, I stand in front of you with heavy heart as 2 days ago, we at Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin, laid to rest our pastor, Reverend Matt Trask. At the young age of 49, he went home to be with our Lord. While we celebrate in his being in a better place and free of pain, those of us left behind selfishly feel a huge void in our church community and in our hearts. For those who did not know Matt, he was afflicted with diabetes that became quite aggressive in his last couple of years. But while he struggled mightily, he was always committed to his church, its congregation and his constant drive to be a good shepherd to his flock. To watch Matt preach, was to see the Holy Spirit in action. On bad days, we could hear him praying for God's strength prior to a Sunday service. As soon as it was time to start preaching, the Holy Spirit would fill him and the result would be some of the most powerful sermons many of us have ever heard. God gave him a job to do and he would not let his Lord down. Matt worked hard for God's kingdom. He was extremely bright and used his intelligence in his preaching and creative messaging to enable us to experience Jesus on a deeper level. He cared hard and loved hard. He left a legacy so strong to many in our congregation. He knew he didn't have much time left on this earth, but he enjoyed every minute he could; bringing laughter, love and the understanding of God to so many. I am honored to have known such a great man of God, even if for only a short time. But I am reminded that Jesus only walked on this earth for a short time also. And look what He accomplished. So many of us first came to church as Sunday only Christians, but because of Matt, we were taught how to develop that personal relationship and ultimately learn how to walk with Jesus. Matt was a gift from God to us. And to anyone in this room who was initially involved in the search that resulted in Matt being chosen as the pastor for our church, we thank you immensely. We are extremely thankful. We will forever be blessed to have been a part of his flock. We love you Matt. We will miss you. But, we promise to carry on your legacy. We pray for strength and peace for Tracey, Erin and Matthew as well as the rest of the Trask family. 1
Events, Reports, Notices, & Stuff Tuesday, April 3, 2018 @ DeNovo s in Ocean Pines 8:00am FAMILY NIGHT TUESDAY, April 10, 2018 @ 5:30pm Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Sides and Dessert Women s Lunch Bunch Meets Wednesday April 11, 11:30am @ Denny s Restaurant in Salisbury For further information, contact Evelyn Warren at 410-641-2109 3rd JAROSLAW Pylypczuk 13th JOSHUA Shoemaker 14th ELIZABETH Lynch Brooke Warren 16th PAUL Cook 17th CHRISTIAN Beres 18th SUSAN Rencher 19th Bob Schultz DEBRA Trevino 22nd WYATT Parker 23rd DAVID Pruitt 26th Cole Bergey 27th Edward & TCIA Welch From the IGNITE Team of the New Castle Presbytery THINK BOLD In covenant with the congregations of New Castle Presbytery, IGNITE"S purpose is to kindle and tend the spark of mission and ministry uniquely inspired by Christ through and within each At the Beach Retreat this year it was announced that each church in the New Castle Presbytery would receive a check for $5,000 to doing something BOLD in our church to IGNITE it, or something BOLD in our community to make a difference. We are reaching out to you, the congregation of Buckingham Presbyterian Church to make suggestions, tell us of something you've witnessed, something you would like our congregation to do together. Please, let us hear from you. Now is your chance to be BOLD!!! The Mission Committee 2
COMMUNION will be held on the following date: Easter Sunday April 1 Pentecost May 20 Upon request, Communion will be offered to house-bound members of our congregation. Please advise Rev. Trask, a member of Session, or the Church Office if this service is desired. Please hold the following families in your hearts and in your prayers: Family of Rev. Matthew A. Trask Family of Richard & Cheryl Holland, Sr. (Passing of Richard s mother, Nadine Holland on March 13, 2018) Family of Betty Bunting (Passing of Ralph Bunting s widow March14, 2018) Family of Thomas & Lynda Truitt (Passing of Tom s mother, Myrtle Truitt on March 14, 2018) The Lord is calling people home. We must all be ready. Restored: Finding Redemption in Our Mess God can turn our Mess into our Message. His grace transforms our lives. This 6-week DVD study uses Scripture, stories, and personal affirmation to take us on a journey from our own brokenness to redemption and restoration through Jesus. The six sessions are: This Is a Real Mess Who Left This Mess? Bless This Mess No Messing Around Address This Mess The Message in the Mess Beginning on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, join us from 1:30pm-3:00pm for a cup of coffee or tea, - we ll sing a little song, pray a little prayer, watch a little video, and talk a lot of talk. Open to both men & women bring a friend, if you like. This is a study that Pastor Matt had selected for the Lenten season; however, its message is appropriate for any season as Lent is ongoing in the life of a Christian. Pam Russell will facilitate the study. The CRICKET center (Children s Resource Intervention Center Kid s Empowerment Team Sunday, April 22 @ noon, the CRICKET center will be partnering with Hooters for the 5th annual WALK FOR THE KIDS with a goal of raising $15,000 to help in the fight against child abuse. Check out their website, www.thecricketcenter.com for more information. Consider walking with us and even raising some funds. SATURDAY APRIL 14 10AM 2PM In the parking lot of Buckingham Presbyterian Church Donations Accepted Proceeds benefit the Youth Class Local Outreach 3
MISSIONS REPORT March The folks at Operation We Care were most appreciative of all our donations. Thank you so much for shopping for our Troops and First Responders. Mission Committee will be contributing toward the postage, which is a huge expense. APRIL FOCUS TEAM GUATEMALA MISSION EXPERIENCE If you did not attend the March family night, you not only missed a terrific meal, but also a wonderful presentation by/and on Nance Hall s mission trip to Guatemala. As a result of that presentation and first hand knowledge of the needs of folks in Guatemala, for the month of April, we will be collecting donations that will provide hope to the less fortunate people of Guatemala. Donations collected will be personally delivered to Guatemala by someone we know on a mission trip formed by Team Guatemala: Hope Rising, a local group of Christians who serve the people of Guatemala each year. Through donations such as ours, critical items will help an orphanage, infant nutrition center, special needs children s home, p and elderly center at Hope of Life, Guatemala. Anything you can provide is needed and will be used. School Supplies Baby bottles Children s Cough Medicines Antibiotic Ointment Spiral notebooks Baby Tylenol Band Aids Baby Powder Pencils Gauze Baby Wipes Vitamin A Crayons Sippy Cups Ibuprofen (400-600mg) Cotton Swabs Glue sticks Children s Tylenol Medical Tape Baby Formula Folders Bandages Diapers Absorbent bed pads Paper Desitin Tylenol Soccer balls Clothing all ages Flip-flops f/all ages Shoes all ages If you are interested in making the mission trip yourself please contact Nance Hall. Friday, May 4th 7:30pm Back Lawn of Buckingham Presbyterian Church S mores & Popcorn provided Bring your chairs or blankets Bring your friends! Adults & children welcome 4
Easter Sunday, April 1st @10:15am With Continental Breakfast for the Children Donations of wrapped candy and trinkets that will fit into the plastic Easter eggs are needed. Please drop off donations in the baskets provided in Kortright Chapel or the Sunday School room. Meeting will be at Stevenson UMC Thursday, April 26 at New Castle Presbyterian Women s Annual Retreat Friday, April 20 thru Sunday April 22 Dunes Manor Hotel, Ocean City, Maryland. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 10TH Workshops: Book discussion Catching Fireflies This book weaves stories and scriptures to enlighten the heart and spirit, led by Carol Reese Discovering Your Gifts for Mission run exercise to discover gifts you didn t realize you had, led by Judy Persons Fitting into Justice and Peace Puzzle A conversation about white privilege and structural racism, led by Ruth Neal-Dixon & Nancy Long Purse-sonnal Note Cards A neat way to make note cards out of old hymnal pages or sheet music, led by Rosemarie Beron & Peggy Hester Fundraiser Gently used book sale. Christian Education Report Our sponsored child, Sebastian, has a birthday in May. The Children made cards and wrote a letter. We will be sending those with $50.00 so gifts can be purchased for him. Christian Education Meeting May 20th @ 10:00am Ideas and suggestions are welcome!. 5
FLOWERS 2018 BRENDA STEELE BURBAGE In Memory of Parents Arnold & Ruth Steele and Sister Donna S. Campbell In Honor of Grandchildren Jack, Alec, Chase & Caroline SUSAN & HUGH CROPPER In Memory of Dorothy Taylor SUE & JIM MALLORY In Memory of Miles Lee Mallory FRED & CAROL NEAL In Memory of Loved Ones In Honor of Children & Grandchildren THE GUBOSH FAMILY In Memory of Michael X. Gubosh RICHARD & CHERYL HOLLAND In Memory of Roland & Etta Powell In Honor of Edward L. Holland VICTORIA, JEREMY, RILEY & CADE HARSH In Memory of Jeremiah Cade Harsh VICTORIA & JEREMY HARSH In Honor of Riley Pruitt & Cade Harsh CHARLON M. PRUITT In Memory of John Q. Pruitt, Milton & Irene Moore CONFORMATION CLASS INQUIRY The Session is looking for young people who might be interested in joining a confirmation class in preparation for church membership. If you know of any young people who fit this category please let the office or Sally Kohler know. The Session will be working on a joint venture with Ocean City Presbyterian Church at this time. Thanks, Sally Kohler. 410-208-6532 6
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Easter Sunday 2 Communion Easter egg hunt 10:15 2 3 Men s Breakfast @ De- Novo s @ 8am Cub Scouts Session 7pm 4 Formation 5 Choir ; 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Deacon Mtg. 6:00pm Family Night 5:30 Pulled Pork sandwiches with sides & dessert Women s Lunch 11:30am @ Denny s in Salisbury; Form. Choir ; Youth Car Wash 10-2 15 16 17 Cub Scouts 6:00pm 18 Formation 19 Choir ; 20 21 22 CRICKET Center Walk noon 23 24 25 Formation 26 VBS Mtg. SUMC Choir ; 27 Arbor Day 28 29 30 1 Men s Breakfast @ DeNovo s @ 8am Cub Scouts 2 Formation 3 Choir ; 4 Outdoor Movie 7:30pm Session 7pm 7
BUCKINGHAM GRAM VISION STATEMENT We are a community of disciples, Who honor all people, Care for those in need, Share the hope we receive from Jesus Christ. 8