In loving memory…
In a great shock to his family, church, and many, many friends, Whitey Graham died suddenly on July 9.
The service of witness to the resurrection took place in a full sanctuary.
Our special prayers are with Jean, Alex, and Andrew, and Hazel, Christopher, Barbara and Ryan, and the many dozens of foster children cared for by the Grahams.
Our church family is just beginning to comprehend this loss, to the Deacons, the Dwelling Place, our cookouts and suppers, and so much more.
Multi-accomplished swimmer, Amina Meho…
…swam with a team from the nation of Lebanon in the Rome and Jordan international meets during the summer, and did very, very well!
With great pleasure, the congregation will be providing Amina with a scholarship of $1,000 a year over 4 years in loving memory of her mother, Lynda.
Chancel Choir Rehearsals
Come sing with us!
Chancel Choir rehearsals resume on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The choir meets from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays and at 10:00 a.m. before morning worship on Sundays. The ability to read music is NOT REQUIRED. All voice parts are welcome. Please join us.
Here Comes Sunday School!
Yes! Another year of exploring the faith with young and old will begin on September 13, with a rally for children in Preschool through Grade 5 at 10:30 a.m.
We hope that you had a good summer; it has been one for the history books! Now we move into fall and the CE Committee wants to give you a few facts about our program this fall. The curriculum that we are using is the same as last year. We Believe – God’s Word for God’s People. The class structure will remain the same as well. Preschool (ages 3-5), Younger Children (K-grade 2), younger youth (Grades 3-5) and Older Youth (Grades 6-12) all classes begin after the Word For Children.
On August 30, the teachers will be meeting for a workshop in preparation for Rally Day on September 13 and the first day of classes on September 20.
Positions available! That little “nudge” you’re feeling might be God’s call to be part of one of our rotating teaching teams, as teacher or assistant. For more information, contact Judy Brunner (781-275-8353) or speak to Rod MacDonald. You’ll have lots of support, divine and human!
The CE Committee
Judy Brunner, Chair
Carillon (Bell) Choir Rehearsals
Bell choir rehearsals will resume Sunday, September 27, at noon, before if possible. We have lost a few people so we need some people who would like to learn to ring. Ringing hand bells is a good way to be part of the music program in the church if you feel your vocal skills are not up to singing in the Chancel Choir. We rehearse after church for about an hour. Show up or call me.
Judy Brunner, 781-275-8353
Deacons Corner
The Deacons would like to thank all the people who contributed food and supplies for Whitey’s funeral reception and all who helped with set-up and clean-up. We are sure that Whitey would have been happy that all the leftovers went to the people at the Dwelling Place. Thanks to all.
Valuing Families
I recently read an article in Presbyterian Today entitled, “Valuing Families.” The article emphasized the importance of families and their foundational function of inspiring young disciples. Families are where kids first learn to model important values like fairness, equality, justice, integrity, and honesty. Unfortunately, making sure that our families make the most of the opportunity to instill these values is much easier said than done. You, as a parent/family member, most certainly want the best for your children and family, but we all face challenges that complicate our best intentions. Some of the barriers you may face are busyness, the current economy, unseen tragedy, disability, or personal issues. So what can we do as a congregation to become a community and make sure that amid adversity we can still value our families? Personally, I was raised in a family with many challenges, a single-parent home with a mom who was extremely busy and who often had more on her plate personally than she could handle. Even in the middle of economic and personal challenges my family was able to become a discipleship tool, because of my church community. Valuing families is a job for all church members. Parents, grandparents, adults, children, everyone should be on the lookout to help value families and provide a foundation of Christ-like living to inspire the youngest members of our church family.
David Bielik
Christian Education
Adult Sunday School Class Fall 2009:
The Cost of Discipleship
For the first part of the year, the Adult Class will be reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship. The book is a study of the Sermon on the Mount and was written during the Nazi party’s rise to power in Germany in the 1930’s. Copies of the book are available at the church. We’ll also be taking a look at the Barmen Declaration, assembled by Boenhoeffer and other leaders of the Confessing Church in response to the National Socialists’ efforts to nationalize the churches – this is its 75th anniversary year. The class meets from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in Fellowship Hall beginning on September 20th. If there is a need, child care can be provided. If you have any questions, please speak with Rod or with Mary Anne McDonald. Hope to see you on September 20th!
Peacemaking Offering
World Communion Sunday
October 4, 2009
Our gifts to the Peacemaking Offering helped to fund a travel/seminar to South Africa and Malawi where participants learned about the effects of HIV/AIDS and ways PC(USA) partner churches are responding to the pandemic. Peacemaking money also supported a project in New Orleans to help the urban poor rebuild their homes and lives after Hurricane Katrina.
Twenty-five percent of the Peacemaking Offering stays in the congregation to support peacemaking activities. In recent years, our money has helped to provide Peace Scholarships for local high school seniors who have participated in peacemaking activities during their high school years. An additional twenty-five percent goes to Presbyteries and Synods for their peacemaking work. The remaining fifty percent supports the denomination’s various peacemaking activities.
Thanks Children’s Celebration Leaders!
Your efforts in providing care and learning activities for our mixed age children’s group on summer Sunday mornings were generous, and very valuable. And thanks to David Bielik, our CE/Families coordinator, who developed the activity plans around the parables of Jesus.
BPC’S Safe Child Policy
Now an “Export”
Session has granted permission to the Presbyterian Church in Whitinsville, MA to adopt the fine program for the safety of children and training of adults which was developed and approved here at BPC. The church found it to be just what they were looking for. Once again, our thanks to BPC members who put such time and care into developing and implementing our policy—Ray Gabler, Sue McGilvray-Rivet, and Linda Roscoe.
Another Organ Fundraiser!
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. – Organ Concert in the sanctuary. Nancy Timmerman will play works of Bach, Pachelbel, Stanley, Guilmant, Leighton and others. There will be a freewill offering to support the organ fund (to reimburse expenses paid a year ago in the purchase of our instrument). The music is different from that of the concert she gave in October, 2008. Please come.
Got Books Project
Have you “fed” the Got Books box in the church parking lot on occasion? It should interest you to know that since it was installed, the congregation has benefited by over $1,250 dollars. The book collection organization gives us 5 cents for each pound of books placed in the box.
45th Annual Choir Festival
“God’s Eternal Song of Love”, a Service of Ecumenical Song will be October 25, 2009 at 4 p.m., at Gordon College in Wenham. Members of Burlington Presbyterian Church will be participating. If you are interested in singing, please let Nancy Timmerman know, as music needs to be ordered. Alternatively, music will be available at the regional rehearsals: Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Brookline (Korean Presbyterian Church), Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. in West Acton (Baptist Church), Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in Woburn (United Methodist Church) or Monday, October 19 at 7 pm in Beverly (Second Congregational). A final, “dress rehearsal” will occur at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25 at Gordon College. The concert is free and open to the public. Please see Nancy Timmerman if you want to join the singers from our church.
Need Assistance?
To Members of the Congregation and friends,
Beginning in September, I will be helping people with food stamps, fuel applications, and housing for free. Anyone who needs help can contact me at coffee hour through my email address, joannejstp@aol.com. Please let me know if you need help.
Thank you, Joanne Stephen
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 