Newsletter 09 2009

Volume 39, Issue 9

Be r ke le y U n i t e d Me t h o d i s t Ch u r c h BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX. 78745 (512)447-6633 Email: [email protected]

Non Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Permit #2713 Austin, Texas

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THE BERKELEY BUZZ

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Berkeley United Methodist Church 2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX 78745 (512) 447-6633 Fax: 851-8438 [email protected] www.berkeleyumc.org Childcare Center: 443-3509 Ministers Members of the Congregation Pastor Rev. Jeannie Whitehurst Youth Director Paul Seeman

I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp-The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics and the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.

Director of Music Victoria Schwarz

Herb, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How'd all these sinners get up here? God must've made a mistake. 'And why's everyone so quiet, So somber - give me a clue.' 'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock. No one thought they'd be seeing you.' JUDGE NOT!

Pianist Tyler Mabry Administrative Assistant Tara Nash Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy

CALLING ALL STEWARDS! SUBMITTED BY JUNELL TREECE

Stewardship begins and ends with the understanding of God's ownership of all. God’s word says: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." Matthew 6:19-21 "To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14) "All tithes of the land, whether in grain from the fields or in fruit from the trees, belong to the LORD, as sacred to him." Leviticus 27:30 Therefore we are all Stewards of God’s creation. With this as our foundation, Berkeley UMC has started our Stewardship campaign for 2009. All we do as God’s stewards begins with each of us individually. You will be receiving an estimate of giving commitment card in the mail soon. Please take some time to think about your church,

your church family and the needs faced physically and spiritually to sustain and grow as a body of Christ. With your own personal budget in mind, please enter an amount that will help Berkeley continue its mission of “Serving God, Sharing Christ, Receiving Mercy.” The estimate of giving card will have a table on the back offering examples to help compute your own contribution. Please bring completed cards with you to service and deposit them in a basket provided or in the collection plate. If you prefer, you may return them by mail to Berkeley, “Attention Stewardship Campaign”. Keep in mind that by taking the time to make a pledge you help Berkeley plan and prepare a budget to meet our needs. So, we thank you in advance for your pledge as a member of Berkeley, but also in recognition that we are all stewards of God’s creation. Estimate of giving cards are due by Sunday October 4th. So, we will celebrate as all good Methodists know how to do, by having a covered dish luncheon after services on that day. You may help by bringing side dishes and deserts. Main dish will be provided. Hope to see you there! In Christ, Stewardship Committee

www.berkeleyumc.org

Everything Berkeley is at your fingertips on our new and improved website!

Serving God +++Sharing Christ+++Receiving Mercy

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A WORD FROM PASTOR JEANNIE “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

We lost one of our dear and faithful members Thursday, September 24th as Cornelia Moore went to be with her Lord and Savior and our souls are weeping. Yet, in her last few days of life this devoted woman wanted all of us to remember to believe. This one word sums up what we all know of Cornelia’s life—she believed. She lived her life reflecting God’s love and direction in everything she said and did. She loved everyone and shared God’s love with everyone and touched so many lives with her gentle spirit. We will miss her greatly. Berkeley has been molded by dedicated and loving servants such as Cornelia for 35 years and a strong foundation was laid. It is our duty as a faithful community to continue to help others know God’s love and build on our foundation with God’s purpose and guidance. During times of transition and change we are called as disciples of Christ to trust and believe in the direction God has planned for us. The saints watching over us remind us that all things are possible with God. BELIEVE! ~Pastor Jeannie

B E R K E L E Y F A L L F E S T I VA L AND YARD SALE SUBMITTED BY KELLI HANSEN The Berkeley childcare renovation is complete and we applaud the Berkeley trustees and numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes . The parents, teachers and children are thrilled with the drab to fab transformation and brightly colored rooms! What a blessing to be a part of such a loving and supportive community. With gratitude, Allison McGillicuddy, Childcare Director

Dear Reverend Jeannie Whitehurst, One of your community members so graciously delivered thirty-two boxes of brand new school shoes for our Cunningham students. We have parents and teachers who have been asking for shoes for the children, so what a blessing to be able to fulfill their request. Please let the church community know how much we appreciate their support for our Cunningham family. Thank you very much for your support. Sincere.y, Cunningham Staff

It’s time to clean out your closets and consider ways you can be involved with Berkeley’s fall community yard sale on Saturday, October 17th from 8:00 am— 12:00 pm. As usual, we’ll have lots of fun activities, entertainment, and bargains to make it a great time for the whole family. May we suggest: Contributing baked goods to sell. Donating your used plastic shopping bags. Volunteering to price, setup, help during the sale, and take down. Volunteering to help coordinate activities. The yard sale is always a big success, but we can’t make it work without YOU! Call Tara in the church office for information, or see a member of the Young Adults or Cape Crusaders Sunday school classes to sign up.

T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z

P age 7

Middle School Sunday School Class News SUBMITTED BY BARBARA HUFF

The Middle School Sunday school class recently took a religious literacy quiz. See how you would do. 1. Name the four Gospels. 2. Name a sacred text of Hinduism. 3. What is the holy book of Islam? 4. According to the Bible, where was Jesus born? 5. When former President George W. Bush spoke of the Jericho road in his first inaugural address, what Bible story was he invoking? 6. Name the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament. 7. What is the Golden Rule? 8. Is “God helps those who help themselves” in the Bible? If so, where? 9. Is “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God” in the Bible? If so, where? 10. What words can be found in the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish versions of the First Commandment? (Answers in the next Buzz.) The class is also planning how they will participate in the Children’s Sabbath worship service on October 11th. Members are Leyla Washington, Marilyn Wasson, Jonathan Kaylor, Robbie Gaston, Elizabeth Walters, Kate Noll and Kyle McClanahan.

CHOOSING PEACE IN A FRIGHTENING WORLD SUBMITTED BY DONNA BOSTICK

The Academy for Spiritual Formation presents this five day retreat January 11-16, 2010, at Zephyr Encampment on Lake Corpus Christi (near Mathis, Tx). Led by Pastor R. Grace Imathiu and Elise Eslinger, this retreat will focus on prayer, silence, worship, and peace. Persons wishing to attend must register by December 1st, 2009, and must include an accompanying statement of why they desire to experience these days apart. Double rooms are available for $250 and private rooms for $350 for the length of the retreat. Make checks payable to “SWTC Treasurer” and mail to SWTC Registrar, 16400 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, Tx 78248-1693 or visit the following website for more information www.umcswtx.org/academyspiritual-formation-five-day.html

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: AUGUST WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL

2009 140 46

YTD 144 43

2008 120 40

GIFTS AS OF AUGUST 31: MONTHLY INCOME: $18,779 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $18,755

MEMORIAL FUND: $9,715.29 ENDOWMENT FUND: $65,633.95

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T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z

P age 3

SPECIAL CHURCH CONFERENCE CALLED SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 12:30

P.M.

Over twelve years ago the Building Fund was established to fund the construction of our Christian Life Center. The goal to have the pledge drive for this fund last three years was not reached, however, some congregational members have continued to contribute to the Building Fund, which is used to pay the monthly mortgage payment of $2,077.75. Various opinions of the purpose of the Building Fund surfaced when the need arose to pay the insurance deductable on the recent small fire near the sanctuary, and to pay for some minor remodeling to make the men’s restroom a handicap accessible facility. Our search for documentation indicating the intended purpose of the Building Fund has been unsuccessful, with the exception of a line item called “Building Fund debt retirement” on the 2003 Annual Stewardship Campaign Card. So, the Administrative Council voted unanimously on September 22nd to hold a Special Called Church Conference to allow all church members to voice their opinion of the use of the Building Fund and to have a written record of its purpose. Debt Our debt on the Christian Life Center as of 9/23/09 is $74,087.39. The monthly payment of $2,077.75 comes out of the Building Fund. The Building Fund started the year with a balance of $21,951.69. Since 1/09, we have taken in $14,777.26 from pledges to this fund. Our expenses since 1/09 total $16,622 leaving a balance of $19,905.95. How shall we pay off our debt for the Christian Life Center? The bottom line is we have a debt that needs to be paid and we need funds to make improvements and do the ministry of Christ. We will address the debt requirements at the Church Conference on October 11th at 12:30 in the Sanctuary and we will address the needs for new funds at a later date.

YOU’VE BEEN BUZZED! GETTING

UMW ATTEND DISTRICT MEETING SUBMITTED BY BARBARA HUFF

AT

L A K E T R AV I S U MC

Junell Treece, Vikki Schwarz, Julia Lancaster, Susan Curtis and Barbara Huff enjoyed worshipping, studying and socializing with UMW in the Austin District. Three School of Mission studies were offered: Sudan, Food and Faith and Native American Survival. Vikki was the presenter for the Native American Study. Vikki was also elected to the District Nominations Committee, of which Junell is chair. During the luncheon retired Bolivian missionaries, the Verastiguis, shared highlights of their ministry and shared their witness.

TO

KNOW

THE

PEOPLE

OF

Are you interested in finding out noteworthy tidbits about your Berkeley family? Then tune in next month for the inaugural column titled “You’ve Been Buzzed”! We hope to better acquaint you with the people in the church by interviewing and highlighting a person or family each month in this fun and informative piece. We are fortunate to be a part of such a diverse and wonderful church family and think this will be a fun and meaningful way to further appreciate and know each

BERKELEY UMC

other, and because YOU MATTER! To begin we will need volunteer interviewees. Anyone? Anyone? You might be asked questions like “where are you from”, “what do you love most about Berkeley”, or “do you like to sing”. And feel free to provide us with a surprising, juicy morsel of information that few people know! Rachel Trudell will be conducting the interviews for the first few columns and would certainly appreciate any “Buzzers” who would like to help with future interviews and articles. Please call her at 694-3688, or contact Tara in the church office.

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Each Week: SUNDAY 6:30 am Work Corner Prep 8:30 am Worship 9:00 am Children’s and Youth Choir 9:40 am Sunday School 10:50 am Worship 5:30 pm UMYF (FH) 5:30 pm Covenant Group (9) 5:30 pm Financial Peace (7)

Serve the LORD with ss Gladne

MONDAY 10:00 am Women’s Group (7) 7:00 pm Covenant Group WEDNESDAY 10:00 am CC Chapel 6:00 pm Handbells 7:15 pm Choir THURSDAY 6:30 pm Disciple One Bible Study (FH)

Save the date! On Saturday, October 24 the BridgeBuilders ministry will host a picnic at Wesley

10/2 10/3 10/5 10/6 10/8 10/10 10/10 10/12 10/12 10/18 10/20 10/21 10/21 10/21 10/25 10/25 10/28 10/29

Joe Bitner Kelli Hansen Reno Bostick Richard McPhail Myrna Cavender Lois Johnson Patrick Walters Sandy Cox Chris Funke Julia Lancaster Jean Ridenour David Denton Mary Lou Hempel Don Wolfe Jeff Cecil Brenda Johnson Stephen Trudell Brian Peters

10/1 Kimberly & Scott Gamble 10/13 Jim & Betty Barnes

UMC (1160 San Bernard) from 1:00—5:00 p.m. There will be good food, fellowship, games for the kids and fun for all.

Don’t see your birthday or anniversary? Contact Tara in the church office—4476633 or [email protected]

O C TO B E R I N T E N T I O NA L P R AY E R C A L E N DA R October 4-10:

For Christians everywhere!

October 11-17:

For all children and their relation to their creator.

October 18-24:

For discernment in individual calls to service.

October 25-31:

For persons of other faiths to be called to Jesus’ light.