Newsletter 10 2009

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

Volume 39, Issue 10 O c to b e r 2 2 , 2 0 0 9

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

The discipline of gratitude Gratitude … goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy. —Henri J.M. Nouwen

Director of Music Victoria Schwarz Pianist Tyler Mabry Administrative Assistant Tara Nash Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy

A WORD FROM PASTOR JEANNIE “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” Jesus speaking in Luke 9:23-25 NRSV. Have you ever asked yourself, as I have, ―Am I a real Christian, a true follower of Christ? Or, am I caught up in the worlds‘ view of Christianity that is more about institutional religion?‖ I want with all my heart, mind, and soul to be a true follower of Christ living each day with God guiding each word and action. Rev. Michael Slaughter in Money Matters says; ―There is no better gauge of our priorities and values than the way we spend money… it is the window to our worldview‖ (p.87). To follow Christ in all of life requires trust, sacrifice, and letting God be in control. Jesus said, ―If you want to be my follower, then deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me‖. During our recent Stewardship Campaign you have heard the needs of the church as we try to grow in spirit and compassion as a congregation. Our purpose is not to raise money and spend it. Our purpose is service and ministry in God‘s name. At the core of our faith is that we are gathered as Christians to preach Christ and minister in his name. Our gifts of time, talent, presence, witness, and money are gifts to God in response to God‘s love for us. It is given with joy, not obligation or guilt. The decision about how much money to give to the church has as much to do with your spiritual needs as it does with the needs of the church. Our national Thanksgiving celebration reminds us to acknowledge the bounteous gifts we have as a nation and as a people. As a community of faith, we are called to share the bounty we have with those who are less fortunate. John Wesley, the founder of the Methodism, believed that the faithful are to live on a small percentage of their earnings then give the rest to the poor. Wesley‘s challenging concept calls us to remember the revolutionary and transformative message of Christ. To be a follower of Christ is calling each of us to a sacrificial giving of ourselves. When we state the Berkeley Mission Statement ―Serving God, Sharing Christ, Receiving Mercy‖, we are declaring our intention to fulfill the scripture to ―deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.‖ Are you willing to give up your own needs and wants (those established by society as essentials) to follow Christ? ~Pastor Jeannie

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

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All Saints' Day is the day we as Christians give thanks for all the good people God has placed in our lives, especially those who are already with God in heaven. It is also a day when we give thanks for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the lives of all people. It is not because people are special in and of themselves that we call them saints, but it is because they are ordinary, everyday people who allow the Holy Spirit to work through them, doing the mighty deeds of the Lord. Martin Luther writes, "the Holy Scriptures call Christians saints and the people of God. To forget that we are saints is to forget Christ and to forget our baptism." All Saints is a day for remembering and giving thanks, as Christians remember the good people they have known and give thanks for the unending goodness of God. Please join us on Sunday, November 1st as Berkeley celebrates and honors its saints that left us this past year: Brenda Pusateri Jack Collins Millie Tower Cornelia Moore Jean Ridenour Annabelle Stroman

Church Conference Report SUBMITTED BY MYRNA CAVENDER

In the well-attended church conference on Sunday, Oct. 11, many members spoke articulately, passionately, and respectfully regarding how the monies in the Building Fund can be used. After much thoughtful discussion, presided over by elder Rev. Sharon Freeto, the majority voted to change the name of this fund to ―Capital Fund.‖ This fund is still to be used primarily for the debt retirement on the CLC but may [with the approval of the Finance Committee and Administrative Council] also be used for necessary capital expenditures. We trust our leaders to keep an appropriate balance in the fund to cover short falls. The entire resolution is listed below:

1. The church establish and maintain a fund to be known as the ―Capital Fund‖ and to be used exclusively for: (1) acquisition, construction, repair or renovation of buildings or other permanent improvements including capital equipment OR (2) for service of debt incurred for any of those purposes 2. The balance of any current church account commonly identified as the ‗Building Fund‘, including proceeds previously designated for retirement of the debt on the building known as the Christian Life Center, are to be credited to the Capital Fund and available for purpose of the Capital Fund. 3. Church affirms its intent to pay off the CLC by 2013. 4. Revised giving cards will be sent out based on the change and will now indicate Capital Fund instead of Building Fund, effective January 1, 2010.

Be it resolved that:

Stewardship Campaign Update Thank you to the congregation for your continued support during the Stewardship Campaign. We kicked off the campaign a month ago and we‘re making some progress. As you can see from the figures below we‘ve received a number of pledges and our goal is within reach, but we still need your help. If you haven‘t yet returned your Estimate of Giving card, please prayerfully consider your gifts of God and making a contribution to the growth and missions of Berkeley. Here‘s what we‘ve received to date: General Fund Number of Pledges Amount Pledged

2009 71 $184,580

2010 54 $146,784

Debt Retirement /Building Fund Number of Pledges Amount Pledged

2009 2010 30 29 $22,860 $21,320 $1,540

Anticipated/Not yet received 27 $57,770 Anticipated/Not yet received 13

May we continue to do our very best to meet the needs of our church as we Serve God, Share Christ, and Receive Mercy.

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

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Honduras Mission—Transforming Faith Into Action SUBMITTED BY CAROLYN BROWN Imagine – living in unsanitary conditions, drinking water that makes you sick, not enough food for your family, no electricity, no running water, no medical care, no way of earning a living, no schools. These are some of the things that Honduras Outreach, Inc. has been working on for the past 21 years. Each mission team does a little, and together they have made a tremendous impact on the lives of the people in the Agalta Valley of Honduras. Conditions are better, but there is more work to be done. Tarrytown UMC is sponsoring this trip once again, and I plan to go with them from January 23-30, 2010, representing Berkeley UMC. This year the TUMC team will focus on three areas: education, construction, and medical. How can you help? Pray – for the ranch, the country of Honduras, the Honduran people, and the mission team Books – We need books in Spanish for Kindergarten-age children Supplies – There will be a list of supplies later. Wait to buy until I have the list. Donate – Your monetary contributions will help offset the cost of the trip. Go with me! Do you remember our conversations last year about being ―at risk in mission‖? Here is your chance to step outside of your box and take a chance. It‘s not too late to decide to go on the trip. I encourage you to pray about this and consider making the commitment to this mission. You will be taking part in an important ministry, and you will gain as much as you give. You do not need to speak Spanish. For more information, please call me at 443-2600 by October 31. After that, questions can be directed to Patrick Peyton of TUMC. He can be reached during the day at 453-6501 or by email at [email protected].

You Can Save 100 Lives! Yes, You! SUBMITTED BY JULIA LANCASTER AND RON MEADE

The UMC has an exciting new campaign underway. It‘s entitled Imagine No Malaria and is a comprehensive approach, which addresses prevention, access to care, and education. And the ―kickoff‖ started right here in the Austin District! Yes, we are the first district in the UMC to implement this campaign. What pressure! What excitement! What can you do to get involved? A goal in Imagine No Malaria is to encourage individuals to make a three-year financial pledge - as part of the Impact 100 Society to help the UMC eradicate malaria in (initially) Sierra Leone, Africa. For example, a Seed Planter (Mark 4:31), the lowest commitment level, is $1,000 over three-years or $28 a

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: SEPTEMBER WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL

2009 145 47

YTD 144 43

2008 134 40

month. Lives saved: 100. Imagine…being part of a larger church body that is known for COMPLETELY eradicating malaria and saving hundreds of thousands of lives. That idea is motivating and exciting! Won‘t you join us? You can learn more about the campaign at the either of the web sites listed below; both sites will take you to the same UMC page: www.umc.org/imaginenomalaria or www.umc.org/nets Send a Net. Save A Life. Imagine No Malaria: Prevention - Treatment - Education And, the goal: Malaria, Eradicated!

GIFTS AS OF SEPT. 30: MONTHLY INCOME: $17,456 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $19,335

MEMORIAL FUND: $9,724.28 ENDOWMENT FUND: $53,027.11

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YOU’VE BEEN BUZZED, PHYLLIS COOMBS! SUBMITTED BY RACHEL TRUDELL

Phyllis reluctantly, but kindly, agreed to be the very first Buzzed interviewee as I cornered her at our Sunday Night Covenant Group! Thank you, Phyllis, for being the test run of this new column! Phyllis has been a Berkeley member for 25 years and is currently Chair of the Finance Committee. She first came to Berkeley through her association with the Wesley Student Foundation at the University of Texas and started attending regularly when Kim Cape was pastor. She made the decision to join because ―it was small and friendly and felt like a community of people who were really concerned and related.‖ Having a father in the Navy she moved around a lot growing up, and finished school in Waco where her father retired. Phyllis has had an interesting career history.! She was a Latin American specialist, which led to statistics, which led to computer analysis, which

led to health care finance, and then worked as Financial Analyst for the Comptroller‘s Office. ―That is the last thing I ever thought I‘d do! I thought I‘d be a college professor of comparative governments.‖ She found the Comptroller‘s Office very interesting and said ―God did me a favor‖ allowing her to work in something really involving. Phyllis shares her ―peaceable kingdom‖ with one dog, Maggie, and three marmalade cats, two sisters and one male—who all get along! In her down time she enjoys the poetry and writing in the ―Rumpole of the Bailey‖ mystery series. And did you know she‘s been training in Tai Chi for twelve years? She trains and teaches in the most popular form, the Yang Family style. She also studies the saber and straight sword forms. Look out! We hope you enjoyed the first edition of You‘ve Been Buzzed. See you next month!

Peaceful Anticipation SUBMITTED BY DONNA BOSTICK

Answers to Religious Literacy Quiz Submitted by Barbara Huff 1. Name the four Gospels. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John 2. Name a sacred text of Hinduism. The Upanishads, the Bagavad Gita, the Kama Sutra 3. What is the holy book of Islam? The Koran 4. According to the Bible, where was Jesus born? Bethlehem 5. When former President George W. Bush spoke of the Jericho road in his first inaugural address, what Bible story was he invoking? The Good Samaritan 6. Name the first 5 books of the Hebrew Bible or the Christian Old Testament. Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy 7. What is the Golden Rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 8. Is ―God helps those who help themselves‖ in the Bible? If so, where? No 9. Is ―Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of God‖ in the Bible? If so, where? Yes, the Beatitudes, part of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. 10. What words can be found in the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish versions of the First Commandment? I am the Lord your God.

Covenant Group Information Submitted by Donna Bostick

Spiritual Care Committee has begun looking at Berkeley‘s covenant groups, with an eye towards forming new groups and/or inviting new members into existing groups. Stay tuned as we gather information from existing groups, and put out interest/signup sheets. More to come …

Dear Berkeley Family— Mollie and I wish to thank the congregation for all their support during Cornelia‘s long illness. We appreciate all the prayers, supportive comments, and for gifts of volunteer time given over an extended period. With love, Hugh Moore

As has been our custom for the past several years, the Spiritual Care Committee will once again open the sanctuary from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on November 30th, December 1st, and December 3rd & 4th. We invite the congregation and friends to steal away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas ―busy-ness‖, and spend a few moments in quiet contemplation of the true meaning of Christmas, or just take a much-needed breather. With candlelight, soft, seasonal music, and decorations, we hope to present the sanctuary as a true haven of peace as we anticipate the miracle of Jesus‘ birth.

The Berkeley community is happy to welcome two new additions! Emma Isabella HuffSifuentes was born on September 29th to Emily Huff and Jonathan Sifuentes. Proud grandparents are Chris and Barbara Huff. Ady Wren Ursin was born on October 13th to Elke and August Ursin. Proud grandparents are Ineke and Glenn Dunn. Congratulations to these families on their new blessings!

Thank Heaven for Little Girls!

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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 7:00 pm Choir THURSDAY 6:30 pm Disciple One Bible Study (FH)

Outreach and Stewardship will co-host the Fifth Sunday Potluck Luncheon on November 29th in the Fellowship Hall following the second worship service. Yes, that is the Thanksgiving holiday weekend and the CLC will be open for business! Please join us and bring a dish to share.

11/3 11/3 11/4 11/6 11/8 11/10 11/13 11/17 11/21 11/21 11/21 11/25 11/26 11/26 11/29 11/30

Roy Holsenbeck Lila Smallwood Julia Wasson Karen Walters Chris Huff Kathy Beth Stavinoha Louise Jennings Greg Lasley Christopher Carlton John Finley John Platt Helen Campbell Charles Jennings Ruth McPhail Lucky Noll Carson Green

Don‘t see your birthday or anniversary? Contact Tara in the church office—4476633 or [email protected]

N OV E M 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 November 1-7:

Thanksgiving for all the saints of the church, both living and deceased.

November 8-14

Thanksgiving for all who have been organ and/or tissue do nors, and prayers that more persons (especially Christian brothers and sisters) will be encouraged to become future donors.

November 15-21:

For the combined church conference, for the Ecclesiastes Project, and for church leadership throughout the year.

November 22-28:

Thanksgiving for all that God has given us, and prayers that we will share Jesus as our leader and example with others.

November 29-December 5:

For the Spirit to still our souls as we enter the Advent season.