A Look Ahead to Our 50th
The year 2012 will bring our church’s 50th anniversary. BPC was chartered as a congregation of Boston Presbytery in May, 1962. Our planning is just beginning! So far, persons who have agreed to serve on an anniversary planning team are Judy Brunner, Jen Dewar, Susan Kemen, Stephen and Barbara Karanja, and Rod MacDonald. Other volunteers for this celebration would be welcome!
It would be wonderful to receive some ideas from the church family about what you feel would make this an especially meaningful, joyful, remembering as well as forward-looking time for the congregation. Feel invited to speak to any of the folks just name.
To current, former, and prospective members of the Burlington Presbyterian Church Choir
Choir practice will start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, 2011. It goes to 9:00 p.m. All are welcome. For those who read music and have trouble making Thursday night, arrangements can be made to have you practice on Sunday before the service (at 10:00 a.m. starting on September 11). The choir numbers are before the Word for Children on most Sundays. Sunday School teachers and youth can participate. On Communion Sundays, the choir sings during the offertory. If you want to sing but are teaching, we’d love to have you whenever you can make it.
At this time, Praise Group is planning on singing for September 25 and October 16. On those days, choir has off.
News from Christian Education
The beginning of the 2011-2012 Sunday School is fast approaching and we are hopeful that we will have enough teachers for all our classes.
Rally Day is September 11. The first day of classes will be September 18. There will be our Sunday School Teacher’s commissioning service on September 18 also.
By some quirk of nature our Sunday School will have no 4-year olds; all our 4-year olds are moving into the K-2 class. The 3-year olds will occupy the double classroom aka the toddler room. The smaller room will be reserved for younger children. The 3’s will have a bit of structure in their classes.
I would like to take this opportunity to say ’thank you’ to all who served as teachers and aids in our summer activities program of 11 weeks.
See you in September, Judy Brunner for CEC
Peacemaking Offering
The Peacemaking Offering was created in 1980 to support the efforts of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to live out a deeper commitment to peacemaking. This is one of four special offerings designated by the General Assembly.
During September, there will be bulletin inserts describing the peacemaking efforts in three different areas. The first is the Red Hand Campaign which discourages countries from using children under the age of eighteen as soldiers. UNICEF estimates that as many as 300,000 children are engaged in armed conflicts around the world. To learn more and/or participate in this campaign, contact Beth Denier.
The second emphasis is on gun control. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reports that at least half of the guns found at crime scenes can be traced to one percent of lawful gun dealers. At the root of the problem are “straw buyers” who purchase guns with the express purpose of selling them illegally. The bulletin insert will describe what one church in Pennsylvania is doing about this problem. This is also a huge problem here in Boston Presbytery.
The third bulletin insert will describe a “Peace Camp” program with neighborhood children. Please take time to read the bulletin inserts and plan to participate in the Peace Offering. The offering will be received on World Communion Sunday, October 2. For the past few years, the twenty-five percent of the offering retained by the congregation has been used to help fund scholarships for local high school seniors who have been involved in peacemaking activities during high school.
Arts and Crafts Fair
Our church is planning an Arts and Crafts Fair October 22, from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. We are planning to have a bake sale and to have lunch available for the crafters as well as anyone else. This all will happen if lots of people can put in some time helping. We especially need help Friday clearing out Fellowship Hall and setting up tables. Of curse, we can’t be in Fellowship Hall until after nursery school is out. If you can’t help, setting up or taking, down perhaps you can donate to the bake sale or help in the kitchen during lunch.
Annual Choir Festival
We have been participating in the Annual Choir Festival. This year, it is on Sunday, October 23, at
4:00 p.m. “Something to Sing About”. I have received the list of numbers, and will order music when I know who would like to participate. You don’t need to be part of the choir to sing. Regional rehearsals are Saturday, October 15, 7:00 p.m. at West Acton Baptist Church, Sunday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Woburn, and Monday, October 17 at 7:00 p.m. at Second Congregational Church in Beverly. The concert is at Gordon College, with a final rehearsal at 1:30 pm on the day of the festival. Please let me know, or I am likely to bug you! Nancy Timmerman
Presbyterian Church in Burlington 