That’s Jesus, inviting his disciples to retreat and rest after they’ve been doing ministry around the countryside. Trying to get away from demands for awhile, and to feed his spirit, is not unusual for Jesus in the gospels.

“Burnout” isn’t a word Jesus and his disciples would be familiar with. But they faced the human reality that we can’t constantly spend our energies, even on those things that feel most important, without balancing it with some breaks – and, in the case of our faith, times for real spiritual nurture.

Your Session recently had an impromptu conversation about exhaustion in the church; and it is real. A church which maintains an active pace like ours (and folks new to us often comment on this) requires a lot of energy. Inevitably this means that at least some committed people at any one time will have feelings of burnout, which one author as described as the body’s doing the work, but the spirit’s not present. To a busy church life, add unexpected losses, drawing on our emotional and physical resources, and the general aura of discouragement so many sense in the world at large these days, and we have a mix that leaves many folks feeling depleted and less than joyful even about service in the church.

Taking a cue from Jesus himself (!), which we church leaders should always be more attentive to than we have been, we’ll be making this a theme for 2012.

There are many more aspects to our “recovery” than I can mention here. They include much more than just “time off” for busy people, though those who have served long at the same tasks may need encouragement to do that. Also important will be some reassessing of what we’re doing and what’s most valuable to continue, and what’s not, and offering more opportunities for refreshing the spirit.

Maybe nothing’s more important, though, than seeking to welcome the gifts of volunteers in those areas which they feel most suited for, and which can make them feel most glad. You can expect (I hope!) more use of what members have shared on the time and talent commitments for this year, as areas of our life together in which they might truly feel called to join in. If you haven’t completed a time and talent form for 2012, it’s not too late to do that! They’re available in the church entryway, or just ask.

Peace,

Rod

Join the Youth and me in collecting canned goods for the annual Souper Bowl of Caring.

Check out the details here: http://www.souperbowl.org/

We’ll be collecting items prior to Chuch on the morning of the big game – Feb. 5th.

We typically look for canned goods, but any non-perishable items are helpful. In the event you forget, we’ll certainly take cold, hard cash .

What ever you can donate to the effort would be greately appreciated.

Thanks,
Brian and the Youth

The new year opened with a season of sorrow for two families and our church community. But we are grateful to God for the life among us of Nick Horeanopoulos and Jay David, who were welcomed into God’s peace on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day, respectively.

We hold their wives, Lee and Sheila, and the rest of their families in our prayers.

Both men lived and served with faith and grace, and will be missed greatly by the BPC family.

Called to Serve

As we enter a new year, there are still opportunities for service on all our boards! Please contact the Nominating Committee (Brenda Flynn) if interested, or with your suggestions.

Thank you from Jena Horeanopoulos Day

Dear Rod & friends in Christ,

My family is so very grateful to each and everyone of you for your kindness and support after the death of my father. Your presence brought great comfort to us. The memorial service was the perfect opportunity to witness to unsaved family members. We were overwhelmed by the extent of your caring exhibited by the luncheon you prepared for after the service.

Thank you does not begin to express how appreciate we are to all of you. May God richly bless each of you as you continue to show his love to those around you. Thank you, thank you. God Bless you.

Jena Day

Deacons Corner

We would like to thank the deacons who are leaving the board this year: Trish Briggs, Linda McCusker and Dayse Doliver, our coordinator. Thanks for all your hard work!

We would also like to thank everyone who helped with the memorial service for Nick Horeanopoulos, especially Sally Morrison.

Stewardship and Mission

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Christmas Joy Offering. The offering totaled $1,853.74. This money will be used to help active and retired church workers in times of crisis and enable young men and women to receive a good education at some of the schools and colleges supported by PC(USA).

Ash Wednesday Service
February 22, 7:30 p.m.

Quiet reflection, music and prayer will be the focus of this service to assist our meaningful entry into the season of Lent. The Worship Committee is planning a Taize style service this year, which will provide a time of peaceful renewal in the midst of our challenging days.

Join the church family, and help us welcome others, to this traditional service marking the start of Lent. There will be ashes and an opportunity for placing them on our foreheads as the sign of our humility and dependence upon God’s grace (use of ashes will be voluntary).

This can be an important start, in the right spirit, to the journey of Lent toward Holy Week. Please plan to make it part of your life.

One Great Hour of Sharing

The Presbyterian Church (USA) is one of eight denominations supporting this offering. Each denomination decides how the money will be used. In PC(USA), the offering is divided among three programs. Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance each receive 32% and the Presbyterian Hunger Program receives 36%. The additional 4% is used for the Hunger Program’s work on homelessness and affordable housing.

During Lent, the children will receive the usual fish banks for their part of the offering and there will be envelopes in the pews. A Sharing Calendar will be available for those interested in a daily reminder of what our gifts can accomplish. For more information on this program, check www.pcusa.org/oghs. Our offering will be received on Palm Sunday, April 1.

Beth Denier

Save the Date(s)!

The 50th Anniversary Planning Team announces the following events to celebrate BPC’s 50th Anniversary:

Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.

Worship Celebration & Anniversary
Reception

Put them on your calendar and plan to come.

Stay tuned for exciting details of all events to come.

John Gloucester Memorial Presbyterian Church Scholarship

College students from Presbyterian churches may be eligible for this scholarship established in 2000 at the time of the closing of Gloucester Memorial Presbyterian Church in Roxbury.

Contact Rev. MacDonald for more info.

Hosting Coffee Hour

Thanks to all of you who hosted in 2011. Members and visitors alike look forward to this time of fellowship and refreshment following worship each Sunday.

Nurturing Nest Preschool
Registration Event

The Nurturing Nest Preschool has classes in full swing from September through May. We have started enrollment for the 2012-2013 school year. The following programs will be offered:

3-day Program (4 year olds)  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Monday, Wednesday, Friday

(Tuition $2,650.00 per year)

2-day Program (3 year olds)  9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Thursday

(Tuition $1,550.00 per year)

There is a non-refundable registration fee of $85.00

Our Open House will be held on February 13, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is a chance for families to experience the school with their children.

If you know someone who is looking for a quality, yet low-cost preschool experience for their
3 or 4 year olds, we would appreciate your spreading the word! There are several spots open for both programs. Interested families should call registrar Linda Benson at 781-272-0081, extension 2 for more details. Church members should invite anyone who might be interested and also spread the word (post a flyer) in their local grocery store, library, or other public place.

Occasionally we will share a few tidbits in Crossroads about this important community service which our church oversees. For now, as you leave Fellowship Hall on Sundays or after week night meetings, remember that there will be a group of preschoolers there the next morning. Make sure that you dispose of your trash, lower the tables, raise the shades, pick up all personal possessions and leave the room ready for action.

And spread the word about registration. We appreciate your help.

Submitted by the Nurturing Nest Board

]]> http://burlingtonpres.org/2012/01/27/february-2012-crossroads/feed/ 0 bflynn http://burlingtonpres.org/2012/01/04/nick-horeanopoulos/ http://burlingtonpres.org/2012/01/04/nick-horeanopoulos/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:49:27 +0000 bflynn http://burlingtonpres.org/?p=480 Continue reading →]]> Dear BPC Family,

By now most of you are aware that Nick Horeanopoulos was called home to God on New Year’s Eve. He lived a full and faithful 87 years, and he will be missed very much. I know that you are keeping Lee and the rest of the family (their children, Mark, Jena and Kyle; grandchildren and great-grandchildren) in prayer.

Here are the arrangements for remembering and celebrating Nick’s life:

Visiting hours this Wednesday (January 4, 2012), 2-4 and 6-8, at Sullivan Funeral Home, Winn Street, Burlington.

Memorial Service this Saturday (January 7, 2012), 10 am, in our sanctuary.

There will be a reception following the service, and more will be communicated soon for those who would like to help. Anyone wishing to bring something to the reception should contact Sally Morrison.

Peace to you as we begin this new year,
Rod

]]> http://burlingtonpres.org/2012/01/04/nick-horeanopoulos/feed/ 1 bflynn