Guest Preacher, August 23
Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig
Our congregation, and any welcome guests, will have a special opportunity on this Sunday to hear from the National Organizer for The Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig will be visiting in our area that weekend and has accepted an invitation to preach.
Tricia has been very active on behalf of the Network, which is an affinity group (or unofficial advocacy organization) within the PCUSA, to help achieve the goal of a truly inclusive church. In particular, during 2008-2009, she has helped to coordinate efforts to support the amendment which our church’s Session, and Boston Presbytery, submitted to the General Assembly. It was successful at GA, but subsequently wasn’t approved by the needed majority of the presbyteries. It did come much closer than the last time such an amendment was considered. It would have changed a provision in the Book of Order to open the door to ordination (as ministers, elders and deacons) persons who are gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender.
The Covenant Network’s aim is a church as generous and just as God’s grace. Come to hear this tireless and articulate servant of the church!
Deacons Corner
Red Cross Blood Drive
In Memory of Vickie Graham – July 7, 2009
For those of you who didn’t know Vickie Graham, Whitey and Jean’s daughter – she was a child who grew to young adulthood in our church family. This wonderful young woman was active in the youth group, Sunday school, as a worship assistant, and just about anything else when the church needed help. Everyone who knew her loved and respected her. The Lord took her home much too soon. Please participate in a blood drive dedicated to Vickie’s memory on Tuesday, July 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
‘At My Father’s Table’ Cookbooks
now available!
Out new BPC cookbooks, chock-full of wonderful recipes from our members, are available for the modest cost of $12.00
All proceeds will help to replenish funds spent for our new organ, when the need suddenly arose last summer. Thanks to Jane and James McIninch for their great work on the book.
And don’t forget: you may still purchase organ keys from the old organ as keepsakes, or unique gifts. Inquire at church.
Come to the Church Picnic!
Sunday, July 12
The church picnic is always a great time. We come to service wearing our summer clothes, and then after worship we troop over to Springs Brook Park in Bedford – about 15 minutes away. Springs Brook Park is located on Springs Road just before the V.A. Hospital. It is a man-made, filtered swimming facility surrounded by sandy beach, grassy picnic area and wooded areas. Meat will be provided, please bring a side dish, a salad, or a dessert to share. There are picnic tables under lovely shade trees, grills, food concession, small basketball court, volleyball, lap swimming lanes, sprinkler park, dock, and playground equipment. If you have folding lawn chairs or beach chairs you may want to bring them.
There is a staff of 20 lifeguards/swim instructors who are certified in Water Safety, Lifeguard Training, First Aid and Professional Rescuer C.P.R. Springs Brook Park is also a smoke-free swim area.
The cost for the park is $7 a person. If you would like to attend and this will be difficult, please see a member of the Hospitality Committee.
We’ll see you there!
Directions:
Head northwest on Cambridge Street/MA-3A toward MA-62. (0.7 mile)
Turn left on Francis Wyman Road/MA-62. (1.5 mile)
Turn right at Bedford Street/MA-62. Continue to follow MA-62. (2.4 mile)
Turn right at Page Road/MA-62. Continue to follow Page Road. (1.0 mile)
Turn right at Springs Road. (0.3 mile)
Look for sign to turn into park.
It’s Time to MATE again!
Let’s explain that… our summer work crew will head for central Maine and Mission At The Eastward for the week of July 26 – July 31. We are eager again to work on renovations and repairs on homes of the rural poor and elderly, coordinated by the North Parish Housing Ministry of MATE (MATE is a cooperative parish of 9 congregations in the region, mostly Presbyterian).
We’ll be joining with good folks from the Waltham and Natick Presbyterian Churches. We stay in a dorm of the U. Maine, Farmington, and share good times together. COME ALONG (even for part of the week)!
You Can Help!
Donations toward our “board” – Here are some specific items you can help provide. Baked goodies are always welcome, of course!
Variety Chips (lunch size bags)
Lunch Bags
Apples
Oranges
Salad Dressing (4 kinds)
Sandwich baggies
Donations toward scholarship assistance – Our joint crew will include some folks who would be helped greatly by some assistance with cost. We hope to cover the $175 per person MATE fee (for building supplies) for all; added costs per worker include about $100 for a week’s lodging in a dorm at the U. Maine, Farmington, and up to $40.00 for food supplies.
Walk for Hunger
This year’s team from BPC to do the Walk for Hunger was made up of Sue McGilvray-Rivet; Colin Rivet; Candy and Sarah McLaughlin; Amina Meho; James, Jane and Kasper McIninch; Dayse, Marcos, Jonathan and Davidson Doliver; Susan Kemen; Niloo Hennings and Linda Roscoe. We were among 44,000 other walkers and 2,000 volunteers to raise a projected $3.8 million for 400 emergency food programs throughout Massachusetts.
Thanks to Sarah who designed it, some of us wore a tee shirt that said “BPC When you pray, move your feet!”
Thanks to the BPC family and our other contributors, the team raised $1,504 which was considerably above our goal of $1,000!!
We received a plaque from Project Bread to thank us for our participation and a letter saying that the need is still great. Although the walk raised $3.8 million, the goal was $4.1 million. If anyone didn’t get to donate and would like to do so now, Linda will collect and forward money to Project Bread or checks can be sent directly to: Project Bread The Walk for Hunger, 145 Border Street, East Boston, MA 02128-1903.
Guest Preacher, August 23
Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig
Our congregation, and any welcome guests, will have a special opportunity on this Sunday to hear from the National Organizer for The Covenant Network of Presbyterians. The Rev. Tricia Dykers-Koenig will be visiting in our area that weekend and has accepted an invitation to preach.
Tricia has been very active on behalf of the Network, which is an affinity group (or unofficial advocacy organization) within the PCUSA, to help achieve the goal of a truly inclusive church. In particular, during 2008-2009, she has helped to coordinate efforts to support the amendment which our church’s Session, and Boston Presbytery, submitted to the General Assembly. It was successful at GA, but subsequently wasn’t approved by the needed majority of the presbyteries. It did come much closer than the last time such an amendment was considered. It would have changed a provision in the Book of Order to open the door to ordination (as ministers, elders and deacons) persons who are gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender.
The Covenant Network’s aim is a church as generous and just as God’s grace. Come to hear this tireless and articulate servant of the church!
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 