2014-03 Newsletter for Web

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2014-03 Newsletter for Web, Outreach opportunities, change the world, calendar, Lent, Bake-a-Wish

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March 2014

Berkeley Buzz

E

very four years, United Methodist clergy are allowed a four-week leave for continuing education and spiritual growth. The purpose is to allow uninterrupted time away from the daily and weekly responsibilities of pastoral ministry, in order to go deeper into study and prayer. I am now serving my fourth year as Berkeley’s pastor. The Staff-Parish Relations Committee has reviewed the provisions for this leave in our Book of Discipline and we have scheduled it for March 7-April 5, 2014. During this time, Rev. Barrett Renfro, a retired pastor in the Southwest Texas Conference who belongs to our charge conference, will provide pastoral care as needed and requested. If you need to contact Barrett, you can call him at 512-4975543. I am grateful for his willingness to insure that your needs are met during this time. On the first four Sundays in Lent (March 9 through 30), guest preachers will provide leadership in our worship services: On March 9, Mike Crevier, chair of our SPRC and former student local pastor in the Northwest Texas Conference;

on March 16, the Rev. John McMullen, recently retired as pastor of First UMC, Austin; on March 23, the Rev. Don Brewington, campus minister at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin; and on March 30, Clayton Karrer, currently a student at Perkins School of Theology and husband of our former pastor, Rev. Cynthia Kepler-Karrer. As always, our music will be capably led by Vikki Schwarz and Tyler Mabry. In March 2009, I had my last continuing education and spiritual growth leave while I pastored Trinity UMC in San Antonio. The congregation and I were reassured by the experience, during which time worship and pastoral care continued uninterrupted. I appreciate the support of our SPRC and I trust I will return on Sunday, April 6 ready to provide refreshed leadership as your pastor. Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee members in 2014 are: Mike Crevier, chair; Julie Burns; Jeff Cecil; Teresa Errington; John Finley; Brenda Johnson; and Carolyn Brown, ex-officio as lay leader. Your Pastor, Jeanne Devine

Lay Ministries Class Submitted by Carolyn Brown, Outreach
Consider registering for the Basic Lay Ministries Class at Crestview UMC, March 22 and April 5. This 2-day class is being offered by the Austin District Lay Servants. It is open to anyone who is considering this ministry of caring, communicating and leading. The cost is $40. To register, call Arlene Smith at (512) 345-6717, or e-mail her at [email protected].

BERKELEY STAFF
PASTOR Rev. Jeanne Devine [email protected] DIRECTOR OF MUSIC Vikki Schwarz [email protected]

MINISTERS Members of the Congregation PIANIST Dr. Tyler Mabry [email protected] ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Niki J Torres [email protected]

YOUTH DIRECTOR Devan Gartman [email protected] CHILDCARE DIRECTOR Allison McGillicuddy [email protected]

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” - Acts 2:42

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Shrove Tuesday Gourmet Pancake Dinner
Come hungry leave happy! We're turning the traditional Pancake Dinner into a Gourmet Breakfast for Dinner! Blintzes, Cinnamon Rolls, Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits and Gravy, and more! Serving on Tuesday, March 4 from 5:30-6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. RSVP by signing up in the foyer, or email [email protected]. Love offering goes to Berkeley General Fund.

BIRTHDAYS
3/04 Glenn Dunn 3/05 Carol Denton 3/06 Marilyn Wasson 3/10 Patty Gaston 3/12 Ineke Dunn 3/15 Chris Burnett 3/24 Marshall Trudell 3/31 Linda Green

Ash Wednesday Services
After feasting at our Gourmet Breakfast on Tuesday night, come join us for our contemplative Ash Wednesday services on March 5, one at noon and the other at 7pm. We'll be sharing in prayer and ashes to begin the Lenten season. The evening service will include singing as well.

ANNIVERSARIES
3/20 Rich and Teresa Errington

Taize Pilgrimage of Trust
Submitted by Vikki Schwarz, Worship

Brother Emmanuel, a monk from the Taize community in France, will be joining Berkeley UMC for an evening of prayer and information on Monday, March 17 at 7pm. We invite everyone to come worship, meet Brother Emmanuel, and learn about the Pilgrimage of Trust in the Austin area. Additionally, hosts are needed for some of the young adults who will be coming to Austin for the large Taize gathering March 21-23. You would be accommodating them for two nights, two breakfasts and travel needs. See Vikki Schwarz for a housing form.

Church-512-447-6633 Childcare Center-512-443-3509 [email protected]

2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX 78745 www.berkeleyumc.org

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat
1 10am Lifetouch (FH) 6:30p Amen Austin! Church (FH)

2 Communion Sunday 4p Tai Chi (FH) 5p Cov’t Grp (9) 5p Youth Fellowship (Manchaca UMC) 9 Daylight Savings Tme Begins! 4p Tai Chi (FH) 5p Cov’t Grp (9)

3 10a Women’s Group (9) 7p SPRC (7)

4 Shrove Tuesday 5:30pm Pancake Breakfast Dinner (FH) 6:15p Childcare Board (7) 11 5:30p Prime Timers (FH)

5 Ash Wednesday 12pm Service 7pm Service

6 5:30—8p Saint Louise House (CLC)

7

8 7:30am Emmaus Team Mtg. (FH & Sanc.) 6:30p Amen Austin! Church (FH)

10 10a Women’s Group (9) 5pm Outreach (7) 7p Worship Design Team (Sanc.) 17 10a Women’s Group (9)

12 9:30a UMW Women in Action Circle (CLC) 6p Handbells 7p Choir 19 6p Handbells 7p Choir

13 5:30—8p Saint Louise House (CLC)

14

15 7:30a UMW Women in God’s Grace Circle (7) 6:30p Amen Austin! Church (FH) 22 7:28a Men’s breakfast (FH) 9a Trustees (9) 6:30p Amen Austin! Church (FH) 29 7:30am Emmaus Team Mtg. (CLC & Sanc.) 6:30p Amen Austin! Church (FH)

16 12p Youth Fellowship (FH) 4p Tai Chi (FH) 5p Covenant Grp (9) 23 12p Youth Fellowship (FH) 4p Tai Chi 5p Covenant (9) Newsletter deadline 30 12p Fifth Sunday Potluck (FH) 4p Tai Chi 5p Covenant (9) 5p Youth Fellowship (Manchaca UMC)

18

20 5:30—8p Saint Louise House (CLC)

21

24 10a Women’s Group (9)

25 5:45p Spiritual Care (9) 7p Church Council

26 6p Handbells 7p Choir

27 5:30—8p Saint Louise House (CLC)

28

31 10a Women’s Group (9)

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss, in The Lorax

REACHING OUT

Outreach Ministry Update
Submitted by Ginger Wahlers, Outreach

We can spend our lives putting things off until tomorrow or waiting for someone else to do it. But the truth is, we can all make a difference even if it is done in the most humble way. Here are some ways you can make a difference:

 Change the World
The Outreach Ministry will coordinate our 2nd Annual Change the World Weekend event on May 17. We will need volunteers once more to help with set-up, working the event, and break down, as well as people who would be willing to donate items to be sold or auctioned. More information will follow soon; in the meantime, please mark your calendar.

 What’s in Your Closet?
This month the Outreach Ministry will collect dresses to donate to high schools for girls who cannot afford to buy a dress for prom. Do you have men’s ties you no longer wear? We are also collecting ties to provide for graduating seniors. If you have ties or evening attire (including prom dresses, bridesmaids dresses, etc.) appropriate for a high school student that you would like to donate, please contact Ginger Wahlers at [email protected] or 512-291-9329.

 Outreach Highlight of the Month
Each month, Outreach will highlight an opportunity for making a difference. This month we are calling attention to Bake-A-Wish. Can you imagine having no one to bake you a birthday cake? Bake-A-Wish is composed of a group of volunteers who do just that—they provide cakes through Austin-area agencies that cater to neglected/ abused/abandoned children and youth, and the elderly/disabled in affordable housing communities. For more information visit http://bakeawishaustin.org/.

 Random Acts of Kindness Update
I wanted to share that yesterday I went to HEB and took a cart from the parking lot for my shopping expedition. I noticed there was a prescription bottle in it, so I picked it up and, sure enough, it was a full bottle, so I took it inside to the Pharmacy. Later, when I finished loading my groceries in my car, I closed the trunk and turned to take my cart to a basket keeper space. Just then, a man walked up to me and asked to take my basket. As I got into my car and prepared to leave, I noticed he took the basket to put in the front with the others, then walked inside without one. And that's how random acts of kindness work.

Have a great month and Happy Spring!

UMW 2013 Mission Outreach
Submitted by Myrna Cavender, UMW

Thanks to all UMW members and others in the congregation who have supported United Methodist Women mission projects for 2013. Support includes buying Fair Trade coffee, tea, and cocoa; donating school supplies for students at Cunningham Elementary and Widen Elementary; donating and putting together sewing kits for Mission U; making crafts and baked goods for Cookies and Crafts; purchasing items at Cookies and Crafts; and a generous Holiday Tea love offering for local flood victims. The UMW executive committee met on Saturday, February 15 and voted to support these mission outreach programs: $200 $500 $125 $125 $125 $125 $125 $300 $400 Berkeley UMYF and Family mission trip support (already given) “Raise the Roof” at Montopolis Friendship Community Center—roof repair (already given) *Southside Community Center in San Marcos—housing, homeless shelter, emergency assist *Good Neighbor Settlement House in Brownsville—hot meals, emergency assist, food, etc. *Holding Institute in Laredo—occupational and vocational classes for adults *Wesley Community Center in Robstown—child care center Austin Region Justice for Our Neighbors—legal assistance for immigrants Partial scholarship for secondary student in Honduras thru Honduras Outreach Inc. (HOI) Miles Scholarship—help with post-secondary schooling/training for those living in the Montopolis neighborhood $200 Montopolis Friendship Community Center—support of Thrift Store, childcare, other center needs * Indicates a UMW district or conference-supported mission project

Fair Trade Sale
Submitted by B.J. Johnson, UMW

Invite from University United Methodist Church
University United Methodist Church invites you to join them on April 4-6 for a weekend of teaching and conversation with Dr. Marcus Borg on "What Does It Mean To Be Christian Today?" A major figure in scholarship related to the Historical Jesus, Borg is the author of 20 books and serves as Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. Described by The New York Times as "a leading figure in his generation of Jesus scholars," Borg has appeared on NBC's "Today Show" and "Dateline," PBS's "NewsHour," ABC's "Evening News" and "Primetime," NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, and several National Geographic programs. Online registration is open now at http://www.uumc.org/borg. General Admission: $40 | Student Admission: $20 Co-sponsored by First United Methodist Church and the Methodist Federation for Social Action

The UMW will present another fair trade coffee and tea sale from March 16 – 23. By doing this, UMW makes money for our mission work as well as benefits the Equal Exchange program the United Methodist Church supports. We will have coffee (whole beans or ground) and tea (in tea bags) for sale. To learn more about fair trade and the Equal Exchange program that sponsors fair trade, go to www.equalexchange.coop and read more.

“...lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.—Colossians 1:10

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Killing Jesus
By Bill O’Reilly & Martin Dugard; Submitted by Kathy Beth Stavinoha, Spiritual Care

For my birthday, my brother and sister-in-law gave me the book Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. I stared at the cover. I’m not a Bill O’Reilly fan. I read the flap. It sounded interesting, but it referred to the book as a “fact-based account.” Really? So what is the Bible? Fiction? I began reading, looking for problems. My greatest difficulty with the book was that it frequently wrote what people were thinking, or the order in which certain things happened; unrecorded events, such as when Mary and Joseph searched the temple for 12-year-old Jesus. I was also turned off by detailed descriptions of the depravity of certain leaders of the time. I had put the book aside when someone from my Sunday school class endorsed it. I respect her opinion, so I decided to give it another try. At some point it became a page-turner! It used vivid imagery which brought events from the Gospels to life. Most heart-wrenching was the descriptions of Jesus’ suffering and death. Sure, I believed Christ had died for my sins, but this book made me feel that each sin I commit is ripping his flesh anew. As I finished the last page, I was very glad I had read the book through to the end.

Lenten Prayer Study
Submitted by Letha Peters

Everyone is invited to join in a study of prayer this Lenten season. Beginning Sunday, March 9 from 3:30-5pm in Room 7, there will be an opportunity to delve into various approaches to prayer. Each week will explore a different prayer style. Here is an overview of the study: March 9 – We will discuss the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How of prayer. March 16 – Using the book A Bead and a Prayer, we will explore Protestant prayer beads; we will also make our own beads during this session. March 23 – We will learn more about our Methodists prayer roots by studying John Wesley and his views on a strong spiritual prayer life. March 30 – We will practice praying Psalms. April 6 – We will approach prayer from a physical view point by walking the neighborhood and praying. April 13 – We will take a closer look at the Labyrinth going into Holy Week. The classes will be led by Letha Peters, Mike Crevier, Vicki Schwarz, and others in the congregation who will share their spiritual gifts as we explore ways to enhance our spiritual lives through prayer and deepening our relationship with God. Our hope is that many of the Berkeley family will participate in all or even a few sessions as you are able – you do not have to commit to the entire series. A sign-up sheet will be in the narthex beginning Sunday, February 23 for anyone who is interested.

Christ at the Movies

Submitted by Kate Hill, Worship

Austin is fortunate to be among the U.S. cities that receive first-run movies dealing with Christian themes. Recently shown was Gimme Shelter, the story of a homeless girl who finds salvation because Christians show her compassion and love. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens, James Earl Jones, and Brendan Fraser. Gimme Shelter is an excellent depiction of the power of Christianity to shine Jesus’ light in a culture grown dark. During the past year, other excellent Christian films have run in Austin: Restless Heart, Mary of Nazareth, Philomena, and The Christmas Candle. These movies often go unnoticed because they don’t have the huge promotional budgets of Hollywood movies that often glorify licentiousness, criminality, and the drug culture. A new movie, Son of God, opened February 28 in Austin. Son of God is the biography of Jesus, a derivative of the hugely popular television miniseries, The Bible, that garnered record-setting sales and audiences worldwide. Roma Downey (star of Touched by an Angel) stars as Mary, the mother of Christ. Roma and her husband, Mark Burnett, are staunch Christians who produced the miniseries and the new movie. Your patronage of these Christian-message movies will enable moviemakers to continue shining the light of Jesus into the mainstream culture.

Keep Your Prayer Heart Beating
Submitted by Rachel Trudell, Spiritual Care

The Spiritual Care Ministry thanks those who participated in the Secret Prayer Pals during Valentine’s Week. There is so much more involved in this than just a pretty basket of pink and red paper hearts in the Narthex. This event connected us in the circle of shared prayer. It allowed a designated time of one week with a primary prayer focus, for the one praying over that offered heart. What an opportunity to be a vessel of that flow of Grace on behalf of another. It also gave the opportunity for folks to offer a desire or plea from their heart, to open up in trust to an unknown person, in faith their burden would be daily cared about and prayed over. The secret, private, prayer heart-sharing is a tangible way of experiencing faith-filled connectedness, knowing we do not walk alone in this body of Christ. Now we want to take it one step further. As we enter the Season of Lent, a time we generally reflect on giving up something for 40 days, we ask you to take on a 40 day task: praying daily for Berkeley church; that the work and mission of our church continue to thrive and grow, that each attendee find their part of the body in which to serve; that the gifts of the Holy Spirit flow generously throughout our church, and that our church bear fruit in the way that the Lord intends for us. So, to keep those prayer hearts beating, we suggest that each of us take some time at noon (even a brief moment) each day during Lent, to offer a prayer for Berkeley. It is exciting and uplifting to think of the whole church sharing daily prayer for its life’s work and future - what a powerful way to feel connected each day!

BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX. 78745 (512)447-6633 Email: [email protected] ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Connected to God
Submitted by Kathy Beth Stavinoha, Spiritual Care

I recently told my Sunday school class about a visit my husband I had with Tommy, my mother's first cousin. Tommy was in a health care facility due to dementia. He talked about things that made no sense, but seemed to enjoy our visit. As we prepared to leave, knowing that he was a man of faith, I asked him if he wanted to pray. I was prepared to say the prayer, but as soon as I asked my question, he strongly gripped my hand and all signs of dementia vanished as he communed with God in fervent prayer. This touched several of us in the truth that the Holy Spirit resides within us no matter the condition of our temples (bodies and minds), ever ready to reach out to God the Father...as well as the message that even in dementia, even as we become like small children (which is what Jesus called us to be like), our connection to God is ever-present! Ever-ready! AVERAGE ATTENDANCE JANUARY WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL 2014
117 27

GIFTS AS OF JANUARY 31 YTD
117 27

2013
132 41

MONTHLY INCOME MONTHLY EXPENSES YEAR-TO-DATE INCOME YEAR-TO-DATE EXPENSES

$ $ $ $

20,942 22,186 20,942 22,186

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