Beulah Beacon

Beulah Beacon Beulah United Methodist Church July, 2008 W hat one sees is our sanctuary. Cross of Christ lifted high, tabernacle tent spread wide. Called out. Gathered by the Spirit. Included in God‟s mercy, grace, and salvation. A place of rescue. That‟s what one sees walking on the road up from the soccer fields. No, the fields are not actually there as I write. They are very much in process, a process that David Glass, Steve Clarke, our Board of Trustees and others could sure tell you about. The road, however, and that view, they are in place. And what also needs to be in place among us all is a spirit of excitement, hospitality, welcoming, and witnessing. Upward Soccer will bring us the opportunity to be in the presence of more children and families, on our campus, than we have long dreamed about. Good, loving, caring Beulah folk will be the connection for many from the view of the sanctuary to the joy of receiving what the One worshiped there promises to all His children. Please pray about how God is calling you to respond! Pray, too, about some extra special worship times this month: July 13, associate pastor, The Reverend Ben Horrocks, preaching, and July 20th‟s Upward Celebration. Your Pastor, Joe Carson T hings continue to move forward with Vacation Bible School as volunteers are being enlisted, decorations made and supplies purchased. The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School program is "Power Lab, where kids discover Jesus' miraculous power!" Beginning on Sunday, August 3rd, the church campus will be turned into a giant science lab complete with bubbling and smoking test tubes and beakers. Beginning at 4:30, we will kick-off a week of fun and fellowship as we all worship together during the FOCUS service with singing and worship. Dinner will be served nightly from 5:30-6:00 (maximum $12.00/family) and then families will enjoy the "opening celebration" together nightly from 6:00-6:30. At 6:30 the children and adults will split up for their own programs. Adults will have a variety of options including speakers from Chesterfield County Council on Aging and Virginia State Police. There will also be an adult Bible study as well as an offering of CLASS 101 (watch your bulletin for more details on adult programs). Everyone will be finished and headed for home by 8:30! With an evening Bible School, dinner and programs for all ages, I hope this will be an opportunity to invite friends and neighbors. Mark your calendars now and plan to bring a friend! Blessings, Dianna Hastings, Christian Education theater if the content becomes inappropriate – stand up for your values – it will speak volumes! Finally, On June 22, New Life for Youth‟s Mercy House Home for Women and the Trophies of Grace Music Ensemble blessed us with an evening of music, testimonies, and the Word. Two women honestly shared that through their residency in the Mercy House, they have come to know Jesus personally, overcome addictions, and have found hope again. The Mercy House is funded solely through the donations from local churches, and right now they need assistance from those who have “green-thumbs.” Call Christa at the church office if you can volunteer any time. Look forward to seeing you at church! Christa Helms night, August 5 (during OntheTuesdayprogram), we welcome VBS Bridget Soyars to Beulah as she presents a program entitled "Brain Healthy Tips and Dementia - What is It?" from 6:307:30. She is one of the speakers who have been lined up during the week long Vacation Bible School program for Families. Dinner will be served prior to the program at 5:30. Watch your bulletin for more information and call Dianna Hastings with any questions. Blessings, Dianna Hastings Congregational Care W e are so blessed to be able to offer a variety of programs through FOCUS, and I want to thank all of you who volunteer countless hours making this ministry possible. Your dedication to this ministry is beyond words! In June, FOCUS was privileged to host several speakers, and I also want to thank those of you who supported these programs with your presence. On June 8, the Rev. Dr. Rhonda VanDyke Colby delivered an inspirational message from John 10: 1-18, where Jesus describes Himself as both the Good Shepherd and the Gate-Keeper. Our minds find it difficult to comprehend how Jesus could be both; however, Rev. Dr. Colby explained it like this: Sheep respond to the sound of their shepherd‟s voice, so the shepherd calls out to his sheep by name, and the sheep recognize his voice and follow. Jesus calls out to each one of us by name, for we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd. Sheepfolds of Jesus‟ time were horse-shoe shaped, requiring the shepherd to lay down his life once the sheep were inside and become the gate which kept the sheep safe, in green pastures, away from thieves, robbers, death, & destruction. Likewise, Jesus laid down His life for us on the Cross, dying for our salvation, that we may spend eternity with Him and the Father in Heaven. The Rev. Dr. Colby went on to encourage us to listen and follow when Jesus calls, and encourage others to listen and follow His call. As a church, we must equip and encourage congregants to listen for Jesus‟ call and to follow it. Perhaps, if we make ourselves accountable to do this, then the UM Church will not lack an entire generation of ministers, like we now do. On Father‟s Day, June 15, Commonwealth Parenting‟s Susan Brown, delivered a message about parenting with faith, values, and wisdom. She encouraged parents to sit down and actually talk about the values they wish to instill in their children, to lead by example, and to limit and monitor television usage. Don‟t be afraid to turn off the television or leave the movie Music Ministry Music for July: July 6 Joseph Carson IV, soloist July 13 Debbie Phillips, soloist July 20 Piano/ Organ duo; Beulah Road Quartet July 27 Michelle Niccoli, soloist Christmas Cantata 2008 The Christmas Cantata Choir will be presenting Glory to God in the Highest on Sunday, December 14, at the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services. The program will be a combination of dramatic presentations and the Seven Carols for Christmas by Robert Shaw & Alice Parker. Beulah's Music Ministry invites any and all singers to join us in presenting this beautiful music. Rehearsals begin Thursday, September 4 from 7-8 pm. Sherrie Liz, Minister of Music Page 2 Beulah Beacon July Calendar 29 Joshua Ethier, Jennifer Staneart 30 Craig House, Lindsey Childress, Lisa Davidson, Davey McKissick 31 Jean Lane, Russ Parrish August 1 Glenn Magee, Heather Solan, Della Delbridge, Mal Caborn, Michelle Wagner, Louise Coleman, Beth Butner, Crystal Grady 2 Margaret Schools, Jason Davis, Ann McCutcheon, Lois Quaiff, David Conner, Tim Thomas, John Sherrill, John Hall, Melanie Knowles 3 Bernice Clarke, Martha Vaughan July, 2008 We do appreciate your kind and thoughtful gesture for allowing us to have the “home going” service in your sanctuary for our husband and father, Wesley Roache, on April 19. God bless you. Mina Roache and family Dear Beulah UMC, Thank you so much for presenting me with the Holmes Memorial Scholarship. I am very grateful for your continued support throughout college and in more ways than just financially. This support will help me to continue my studies abroad in Prague this fall. Thank you so much and don‟t forget to write! In Christ, Lauren Brooks Dear members of Beulah, Thank you for honoring me with the Matthew Lane Memorial Scholarship. It will be put to good use at R-MC where I hope to study pipe organ and church music. Sincerely, Susanna Carson 2nd & 4thTuesday –Bazaar Craft Workshop 2nd & 4thThursday AM–Hugging Hearts 1 SPRC 8 Finance Committee 9 Evangelism/Soccer/Supper 15 LifeLine Screening 26 Upward Evaluations 29 UMW Ice Cream Social July 1 Bonnie Ramey, Doris Jackson 2 Ken Brooks, Jackie Geiger, Alec Sadler, Joie Jones LeAnne Cox, Gabrielle Jones, Gary Mitchell, Brandon Grizzard Carl Griggs Jim Eads, Nathaniel Ezsell, Michael Boraski, John Geiger Chuck Salmon, Joseph Talley, Herman Kiger Seth Truesdale, Isaac Cordova Peggy See, Karen Phillips, Linda Frazier Bob Casler, P.T. Holmes, Louise Peake, Brooks Taylor Meredith Anderson, Harriett Loving, Becky Smoot Patsy Hayden, Connie Cook, Deborah Martin, Tiff Armentrout, Sherry Harris, Kim Fitzgerald Benzie King, Stacey Beville, Heather Worsham Stuart Henderson, Amber Petrohovich, Donna Copley, Jerry Copley, Julia Allanson, Robin Perdue Lisa Morgan, Pat Caborn Holden Robertson, Jessica Compton Steve Grisham, Jay Wright Sandra Hunt, Brittney House, Linda Waterworth, Lew Troxell Richard Robertson, Thomas Dunnavant, Sydney Emory, Pam Tyler Todd Garrett, Shirley Schmeltzer, Nancy Pugh, Adam Speer Irv Wilson, Ray Crews, Ali Eads Charlotte Thompson, Michelle Guarniere Charlene Parker, Jacob Griffith, Marcia Abernathy, Brandon Brooks, Matt Jones, Charlie Phillips Steven Newsome, Laura Mustian, Mike Armentrout, Loren Walden, Tim Goodrich Jill Coltrain, Logan Spitzley, Sandra Sanderson, Cindy Creasey Don Joyner, Jan Kean, Dorothy House, John Hughes, Kathy Donovan, Bobby Wadkins, Barbara Byers Cathy Witherspoon, Pat Crocker, Jacob Tharp, Matthew Harris, Aimee Crocker, Jhayna Clark, James Niles, Jean Fulghum, Jimmy Hart Shirley Pfeil, Blake Soyars, Wick Dyckes, Lee Goff, Tom Anderson 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T he youth look forward to welcoming Rev. Ben Horrocks on July 1. Our first activity with Ben will be on Friday, July 18 as we gather at The Ramey house for a camp-out. We will meet at church at 6:30 and take the bus to The Rameys‟ where we will enjoy a cook-out, swimming, s'mores and a camp-out. We will return to church on Saturday morning at 10:30. Let's all pray that Ben has a tent and little need for sleep! Please continue to be in prayer for the youth group and the counselors as we plan for a week of camping, mission work, fellowship, and worship beginning on August 11. BUMC Youth Counselors Virginia Tour – Voices of Youth The Voices of Youth singing group will be in concert at River Road UMC on Friday, July 25, at 7:30pm. Conference Thoughts At the time [Sunday Afternoon] that I turned in Beulah‟s Kits, it was the largest number of kits. I‟m sure that there were larger donations turned in later. The Conference Totals are: $74,920.61 in money turned in; 16,895 Health Kits; 15,257 School Kits; 3,676 Sewing Kits; 2,388 Layettes; 33 Flood Buckets; and 42 Bedding Kits. There were 40,300 pounds of sweet potatoes bagged on Tuesday morning for distribution to local food banks. The „preachers‟ for Annual Conference were; Bishop Joe Pennel and Bishop Hope M. Ward from the Mississippi Conference. One retired minister was attending his 74th consecutive Annual Conference. 82% of Virginia Conference church‟s paid their Apportionments 100% for the year 2007. Recommended apportionments for next year were increased 2.8 % There was a large number of youth delegates this year and $7,879.00 was collected for their youth service project. The Conference Budget was passed, totaling $31,463,674.00. I have a copy, if you are interested in the details. Annual Conference for 2009 will be in Norfolk, June 14-17th. Bob Childrey 12 13 Career Closet for Women The Career Closet is a cooperative effort between CCHASM & The Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Dept. of Social Services. It is run by volunteers and established to serve low-income women in our community who are in need of professional clothing for job interviews and employment. Donated items are GIVEN to the women who are referred. The Career Closet is located at S. John‟s Episcopal Church, 11201 Richmond Street, Chester, and is open Tuesday & Thursday, 9-12. For more information or group project donations, please call Cathy Stevens at 796-3715. 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 Conference Kits Collected For Umcor: 567 27 28 With Gratitude Lectionary: July July 6: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67; Psalm 45:10-17; Romans 7:15-25a; Matthew 11:16-29, 25-30 July13: Genesis 25:19-34; Psalm 119:105112; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 1823 July 20: Genesis 28:10-19a; Psalm 139:112, 23-24; Romans 8:12-25; Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 July 27: Genesis 29:15-28; Psalm 195:111, 45b; Romans 8:26-39; Matthew 13:3133, 44-52 (748-2319). “Beulah’s Best” Trips July 24 (Thurs): Selma, NC, American Music Jubilee & lunch; August 20 (Wed): DC-Kennedy Center-”The Lion King” & lunch; Sept. 24 (Wed): Solomon‟s Island, MD w/guide; Oct. 23 (Thurs): Montpelier, lunch at Bavarian Chef; Nov. 12 (Wed): Fredericksburg-”Peter Pan” & lunch; Dec. 4-9: Christmas in Charleston & Beaufort, SC & Jekyll Isle/St. Simons Island/Savannah, GA. Dec. (?): Governor‟s Mansion-lunch @ Jefferson, tour Dooley Mansion. 2009: May 5-13: Mackinac Island, MI; Dec. 17-19: NY For trip info, call Ann Gould at 276-2264. Income from Pledges World Service Gifts Income from Antenna Other Income Total Income Church / District Askings Council on Ministries Staff / Parish Admin Costs, Trustees Total Expenses Shortfall $240,000 $6,000 $5,000 $17,000 $268,000 $37,000 $290,000 $5,000 $5,000 $11,000 $311,000 $37,000 $15,000 $129,000 $93,000 $274,000 $29,000 $152,000 $93,000 $311,000 The Boy Scouts As summer approaches, the troop is out and about. Our May camping trip took us to Amelia Springs where the scouts brought their bicycles for trail riding. It was great fun. Our troop had three new members become Arrowmen as they completed their Ordeal in the Order of the Arrow. We also had one scout get his Brotherhood. Community Service was again at the forefront of our scout activities. Our scouts have accumulated over 600 volunteer service hours as a unit, in just the last several months, by participating in events such as Relay for Life, setting up flags at Amelia Veteran‟s Cemetery, and other various church related activities. On the horizon for us in July is Summer Camp at Camp Powhatan, our Leadership Retreat, and our August camping trip to Virginia Beach. Stay tuned as we report back on these and other scout activities in your monthly Beulah Beacon. Gary Gibbs, Scoutmaster Ladies Night Out All the women of Beulah are invited to attend the annual Ice Cream Social being held in the fellowship hall July 29th at 6:30 pm. This event is sponsored by the UMW, but you do not have to be a UMW member to attend. It is an evening of fun, fellowship, and ice cream along with homemade goodies. You will have an opportunity to learn more about the different “Circles” at Beulah that make up our UMW- when they meet and which missions each one sponsors throughout the year. So don your favorite tropical shirt and capris and join us for the fun! Hope to see you there!! ($6,000) ------- As you can see, the church staff and volunteers are doing a good job of keeping our expenses well under our budget. Unfortunately, giving is a bit behind what we would wish for it to be. However, keep in mind that the $6,000 deficit through May is only 2% of our spending to date. Please call me or the church office with any questions. Jim Tyler, Chairman Do You Know? If you have adult children who are on the membership role, please check with the office to see if we have their latest address, phone #, and/or email address. From The Finance Committee First, thank you for your financial support of Beulah‟s ministries last month. Your gifts celebrating our 125th birthday totaled $7847.50. All of these funds will be applied to ongoing operating needs of the church. Remember, it‟s not too late to give in recognition of this important milestone! Secondly, I wanted to give you some quick financial updates:  The mortgage on our buildings has been paid down to $356,000. This mortgage was $1.2 million only a few years ago.  Our line of credit for improvements to the church has only $33,000 outstanding right now. We have been able to pay for much of our needs from cash received on a monthly basis.  We have $39,000 in cash reserves as of May 31. Finally, so far this year, our expenses are $6,000 ahead of our income. A chart of our income vs. expenses through May 31 may be helpful: Through 5/31/08 Year-toDate Budget-todate All God’s Children Camp This camp for children ages 7-11 of incarcerated mothers will take place in our area August 10-15 at Westview-on-theJames. You can mentor a child, make a donation of money or supplies, or provide transportation to and from camp. More information is available at www.vaumc.org. Under “Ministries”, click “Children‟s Initiative”, and in the left column, click “All God‟s Children Camps”. Mentor applications are available at the “Upcoming Events” bulletin board in the narthex. There will be a collection box in the narthex for supplies. It’s Time to Think Bazaar Our weekly crafting sessions continue on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays (through the summer) from 9:30 until noon, and then weekly through the fall. Please come out and join us when you can. It is a morning filled with fun and fellowship as we work together. If you don‟t have anything to work on, never fear, we will provide you with something. Everyone is welcome, and NEEDED! We also need Beulah members and friends to start saving “stuff” for us. Among the things we need are: jewelry, ribbon, yarn scraps (no amount is too small – and we especially need fancy yarn and fun furs), scrapbooking paper, etc.. As your gardens start to come in, please keep us in mind as you can. If you need jars for your bazaar canning, please let us know. We have lots of canning jars we can give you! If you need jars or have any other questions about the Bazaar, please contact Joanne Crews (303-7121) or Linda Mustain Prayer Calendar “We had eight teens attending career-development classes at a local college two days a week. Three days each week they worked for Looking Glass Community Services in Laingsburg, Mich. During the six-week program they raised garden beds for a gardener in a wheel chair, built three compost barrels on stands, a wheel chair ramp, and numerous community service tasks within the neighborhood.” David Draggoo, church and community worker, Detroit and West Michigan conferences Pray for our missions and missionaries in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and in Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Please keep in your prayers our Youth Choir and chaperones on their mission trip to Orlando, FL the week of June 29th, and also Cathy and Loren Walden traveling to Honduras with FOB July 12th-20th. The prayer calendar is published annually by the General Board of Global Ministries. “On the Road Again” for missions takes us to the 3 locations for CrossOver Ministry, as well as the Development Office at Ginter Park UMC. July 14-19 will give volunteers many opportunities to help with this vital ministry of our church. You can work directly with patients, work in the office, decorate bulletin boards, organize computer records, or paint a room: There‟s something for everyone, and youth are encouraged to participate! If you can speak Spanish, you are especially needed at Sherbourne. You choose the place, the time, and the job. Prayerfully consider giving a few hours during the week. Call Ruth Wilkinson, 747-6493, by July 7. More info in the Narthex. Virginia U. M. Advocate The June issue summarizes the 2008 General Conference, a gathering that saw more recognition of the global nature of our denomination. In fact, the Virginia delegation found itself part-owner, along with Mozambique and Brazil, of a basketball auctioned off to benefit the “Nothing But Nets” anti-malaria campaign and worked out a plan for the basketball to travel to all three areas. There‟s more in this issue: the response to the tornadoes in Suffolk; the impact of the Society of St. Andrew, which has gleaned over a half billon pounds of food; Heart Havens‟ 10th home; UMCOR‟s response to the disasters in Myanmar and China; and more. Don‟t miss the article about the family who took their kids to the School of Christian Mission, and consider taking your kids. The Advocate is available at the Welcome Center in the narthex. Subscribe at any time by calling their office at 5211100. Barbara Tuttle, Beulah‟s Advocate Representative School of Christian Mission The 2008 VA Conference School of Christian Mission will be held at Blackstone the weekend of July 25-27 and the week of July 28-31. There are opportunities for adults, youth, and children 6-12 to learn more about the work of the church in world mission. The cost varies, depending on the age level and which session is attended. The registration deadline is July 17, and scholarships are available. Please look for the registration forms on the “Upcoming Events” bulletin board in the Narthex. Make it a family affair! Habitat for Humanity Trinity UMC, Chesterfield (Petersburg District), is sponsoring their second Habitat for Humanity home, and they need our help. Construction will begin July 23, and the home should be completed by October. To volunteer, please call 748-2439. CrossOver Ministry