June 2012

Berkeley BUZZ
Berkeley United Methodist Church
Celebrating 40 years, 19722012

P A S TO R S P E R S P E C T I V E
So much seems to be happening in June! Our summer youth program is underway, including Youth Activities Week (June 4-8) and the 30-Hour Fast in the middle of the month. Thanks to our summer youth interns, Kallie Green and Matt Cecil, for their dedicated leadership. Vacation Bible School (June 25-29) will be held jointly with the Church of the Nazarene on Manchaca Road; in addition to childrens classes and youth aides, we will offer an adult Bible Study component. It takes many committed, caring people to make these ministries effective. I thank all of you. Carolyn Brown is Berkeleys lay member of annual conference. She and I will attend the session in Corpus Christi, June 7-10. In addition to the standard business sessions, we will consider a proposal for our Southwest Texas Conference to begin the unification process with the Rio Grande Conference. Depending on the votes in both conference sessions, the process could begin in 2013. The worship services are the highlight of my time; this year the ordination service will include Stephen Echols, husband of Berkeleys Emily (Smith) Echols, who will be ordained an elder, and Lizzie Wright, a former pastoral intern and youth director, who will be commissioned as a provisional member of the conference. On a personal level, I will spend June 1-3 in New Haven, Connecticut at my 40th college reunion at Yale. (Something fuzzy about that math, I think; how can it be 40 years ago?) We dont always recognize each other at first glance, so thank heaven for name tags with large print! As I did in 2007, I volunteered to help organize our memorial service, which takes on added meaning as the years go by. Classmates of many faiths gather in the historic Battell Chapel to sing the hymns of faith and to remember the friends of our youth, with laughter and tears. And on June 26 I will move out of the Austin district parsonage, where I have lived since August 2010. Our new district superintendent, Steve Purdy, and his wife, Vicki, will move in soon afterward. I know we will welcome Steve warmly and support him with our prayers as he begins his ministry among us. My new home in Double Creek (S. First St. and 1626, near Akins HS) will be completed by the end of July, I do hope. Thanks to this church for the many kind offers to help pack and unpack; I will gladly take you up on it! I am truly thankful to serve as your pastor and look forward to the ministries God has for us, now that were 40 years and one month old! Your Pastor~ Jeanne Devine

Berkeley United Methodist Church

2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX 78745 (512) 447-6633 Fax: 851-8438 www.berkeleyumc.org Childcare Center: 443-3509 Ministers Members of the Congregation Pastor Rev. Jeanne Devine revjeanned@sbcglobal.net Director of Music Victoria Schwarz vlschwarz@aol.com Pianist Dr. Tyler Mabry tgmabry@gmail.com Administrative Assistant Tara Nash bumc78745@sbcglobal.net Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy bumc.childcare@sbcglobal.net Pastoral Intern Katie Frederick
Katie.frederick@student.austinseminary.edu

S P I R I T UA L S U M M E R R E A D I N G
SUBMITTED BY SPRITUAL CARE COMMITTEE

Newsletter articles and contributions are ALWAYS welcome..as well as suggestions for content. You can email the church or put submissions in the Admin. Assistant box in the church office.
Deadline: Sunday, June 17

G OT N E W S ?

Summer is here! Spiritual Care Ministry would like to encourage Christian-based reading in hopes that you will experience the wide variety of reading material that is housed in our own Berkeley UMC library, aka Room 9, in the CLC. The Library Task Force has been working to organize the library, but final cataloguing remains to be done. The books are there and eager to be read! Check out is by the honor system, of course! There is a small tin box in which to place the card from your chosen book. If the book does not yet have a card inside, just make a note for the box, then go ENJOY a summer of mental stimulation with a spiritual focus! Kathy Beth Stavinoha has reviewed a book that several of us have enjoyed reading. I love to read. Fiction, non-fiction, childrens books, true crime, biographies, history, mysteries... One day while waiting for a meeting to start in our church library, I scanned the bookshelves. (We have quite a collection!) I selected a book by Terri Blackstock and started reading. I was hooked! After finishing the novel, I bought some more of her books. Most recently I read Evidence of Mercy. The main characters, Lynda Barrett and Jake Stevens (a man who was interested in buying her plane), survived a plane crash. There is no question that there was sabotage, but why, and who was the intended victim? The conversations between characters seemed real. The emotional struggle of dealing with the injuries caused by the crash was not sugar-coated. The mental struggle of submitting to Gods will mimicked struggles Ive had, and the conversations between characters about Gods love and forgiveness did not sound preachy. The story was complex and believable. Terri Blackstock is an award-winning novelist who has sold over 6 million books worldwide. Though a successful novelist, she felt she had made some compromises in her career which took a toll on her spiritual life. After much soul-searching, she decided she would never write another thing that didnt glorify the Lord. She decided to take a stab at writing Christian novels, weaving a faith message into a fast-paced page-turner with ordinary people in jeopardy. In the welcome message on her website she writes, Its my goal to write fiction that will keep you up all night, and I work hard to pull that off. Having read three of her novels with three very different plots, I can vouch for her success at reaching her goal! For more about Terri Blackstock, visit www.terriblackstock.com Please come take advantage of the multitudinous books available in the BUMC library! And enjoy the spacious, orderly look of the library now.

G ENEROSITY AND B EYOND

SUBMITTED BY JEFF CECIL, STEWARDSHIP CHAIR SUMMER VACATION IS HERE! Family vacations, travel, kids out of school - summer is our time to rest and prepare for the coming fall. This is true for most of us, but summer is not a time to break away from your Christian responsibility. God doesnt take a break and neither should we. Church attendance, participation, service, and gifts are promises to be maintained all year round. So while you are having a wonderful summer, dont take a vacation from church. Consider paying your estimate of giving before you leave town. See you on Sunday! Here are just a few things that we have done since last month: May Mission Focus Offering: Society of St. Andrew (hunger relief) $308.61. BUMC 40th Celebration, May 6: What a wonderful time. Thanks to all who served, donated, and attended this celebra tion of our churchs life. Youth Sunday, May 20: Thanks to our BUMC youth who led both worship services. Great job! Saint Louise House Mothers Day: Thanks to all who provided Mothers Day casseroles to the moms of SLH. Library Update: UMW donated two new mahogany bookcases to our library. All are welcome to visit and check out books. Located in the CLC-Room 9. Thanks UMW! Opportunities to Give generously to the Glory of Jesus Christ. June Mission Focus Offering, June 3, will go to support Peace with Justice initiatives. July Mission Focus Offering, July 1, will go to purchase school supplies for Cunningham and Widen Elementary Schools Montopolis Friendship Community Center and Widen Elementary School: Support these missions by donating your Labels for Education and Box Tops for Education. There are containers in the narthex for your donations. Sponsored by the UMW. Contact Julia Lancaster for more information, j.lancaster@att.net Your Pledge to BUMC: Please help keep your giving current. Our mission depends on you. BUMC Service: Volunteer to serve on a church committee. Contact Pastor Jeanne (447-6633). Wesley House: College student ministries at UT. Your donation is always welcome. Donate through our church or at www.texaswesley.com Capitol Area Food Bank. Volunteer your time. Bring your food donations to the church food pantry. www.austinfoodbank.org Generous commitment of your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service. Visit a homebound or hospitalized member. Contact Claudia Wenzel (441-3285) or Mary Lynn Smith (282-6054) for this and other opportunities. Become active in small groups: Sunday School, UMW, UMM, etc. Volunteer at the downtown Homeless Work Corner on Sunday morning. Contact Irma Trevino (552-3554). Expand your giving options: You dont use checks anymore? Set up an auto bank draft for your pledge to BUMC. Consider giving via your will or estate. Contact your bank and/or Berkeley Treasurer, Ray Curtis (280-1313), for details. Church Pledge Did you miss out on pledging last Fall? No worries. Pick up a Scope of Ministries brochure in the narthex, complete the estimate of giving card inside and turn into the office. Your estimate can be changed or canceled at any time. You help to support Christs ministries at Berkeley. Contributions to this column are always welcomeplease email Jeff Cecil at njcecil@sbcglobal.net

F I RS T S U NDAY M I S S I ON G I V I N G
On June 3, Peace with Justice Sunday across the United Methodist Church, we will offer support to ministries here in the US and around the world dedicated to enhancing peace and justice ministries. For example: The Just Peace League, a United Methodist ministry in the Philippines, mobilizes youth and adults to help poor farmers and their families seek justice, economic survival and peace. Half of the Philippines population, and most of its poor, live in depressed rural areas, many barely surviving by farming. But United Methodists there are making a difference, and so are we by our giving. Envelopes will be available in the bulletin. On July 1 our offering will provide funds for Cunningham and Widen Elementary Schools to provide school supplies to students in need. We will also request donations of school supply items later in the summer. The funds allow school staff to supplement donated items before registration and the beginning of the school year. Our partnership with public schools is strong and demonstrates our concern for our neighbors. Reminders about first Sunday mission giving will appear in the Sunday bulletin and in the Buzz the week before, to allow people to plan their giving in advance. Thank you for your generosity.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 2529

SUBMITTED BY LETHA PETERS

Celebrating in June!
Come join VBS this year which will be held jointly with South Austin Church of the Nazarene the week of June 25-29. Get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you head out to beautiful SonRise National Park! Kids will be awestruck by snow-capped mountains, thundering waterfalls, wildflower meadows bursting with color, and amazing animals like soaring eagles, friendly huskies and herds of caribou. As kids explore SonRise National Park, theyll learn the most important survival skill of all: they can always depend on Jesus and his promises of true peace, true riches, true power, true love and true hope! In conjunction with the children, Mike Crevier will be leading a study on Creation for all interested adults. More details to follow, so keep an eye out for how you can participate. Any interested volunteers should contact Letha Peters at 512-312-5592.

UMW SCHOOL OF CHRISTIAN MISSION

SUBMITTED BY JULIA LANCASTER

July 12-15, UMW School of Christian Mission (SOCM), Mt. Wesley, Kerrville. Women, men, youth, and children are welcome to attend. Saturday study if pressed for time ($60, includes lunch). Entire event (adults and youth, 8 meals, $185, on campus). See registration form for other options and costs. Geographic Study: Haiti; Social Issues Study: Poverty; Spiritual Growth Study: Immigration and the Bible; Youth Study: Haiti Registration form will be available on BUMC's web site and also in the church office.

Birthdays 6/1 Dorothy Slusher 6/4 Katharine Triggs 6/4 Jane Wade 6/5 Betty Barnes 6/5 Doris Holdcroft 6/5 Ed Wootton 6/7 Ron Cranston 6/8 Judy Funke 6/8 Stan Phillips 6/8 Edwin Wenzel 6/9 Vikki Schwarz 6/11 Suzanne McClanahan 6/13 Cameron Burns 6/13 Emily Huff 6/14 Dale Lyon 6/15 Richard Meziere 6/17 Don Campbell 6/17 Phyllis Coombes 6/18 Roz Hodson 6/21 Joanne Meziere 6/26 Scott Gamble 6/28 Steve Collins Anniversaries 6/12 Dave and Jamie Justus

WELCOME KATIE FREDERICK!

Berkeleys new pastoral intern, Katie Frederick, will begin her internship on June 12. We are excited to have Katie on board!

M ISSION & O UTREACH

"Love is the root of missions; sacrifice is the fruit of missions" Roderick Davis

HONDURAS MISSION TRIP 2013

SUBMITTED BY CAROLYN BROWN

SAINT LOUISE HOUSE SUMMER COOKOUT

SUBMITTED BY CAROLYN BROWN

The dates for the next Honduras Mission Trip with Tarrytown UMC have been finalized for January 26 February 2, 2013. Save these dates and start making plans to go with us. Speaking Spanish, while helpful, is not necessary. With three areas of focus, theres a place for everyone Education, Construction, Medical. For more information contact Carolyn Brown at 4432600.

BUMC is reaching out to our neighbors at Saint Louise House. We will host a cookout for the residents at 6:30pm on Thursday, July 5. We will need some help BBQ grills brought to the church and used to cook the meat Several people to serve and/or clean up Help with games/ activities Donations of side dishes If you are willing to help, please call Carolyn Brown at 443-2600. Watch for more information in the Daily BUZZ.

MISSION TRIP

TO

SAN ANTONIO
ryone and model a life of Christian service. Accommodations will be available in the MMH gym (with showers) or nearby. Cost to participants is estimated to be no more than $40. Adults planning to participate are asked to complete a background check by June 24. For details, contact Letha Peters at 497-5952 or ldptrs74@gmail.com Deadline to sign up is July 2. If youre interested or possibly interested, please e-mail Rev. Jeanne Devine at revjeanned@sbcglobal.net or leave a message for her in the church office. Summer pastoral intern Katie Frederick, and summer youth interns Kallie Green and Matt Cecil, will participate in the mission trip. We hope you will seriously consider joining them, or supporting the youth missioners by purchasing shares of stock on Sundays, June 24 and July 1. For more information about The Home, visit their website: www.mmhome.org.

SUBMITTED BY REV. JEANNE DEVINE

There are 5 historic San Antonio missionsand then theres Berkeleys intergenerational mission trip to the Methodist Mission Home in San Antonio! We have been invited to spend July 13-16 on the 25-acre campus in northwest San Antonio providing outdoor and indoor assistance to the MMH staff, who will provide directions. Our group will also interact with MMH clients in sports and projects. You may remember that Berkeley welcomed residents and staff from MMH last December, as their Signs of the Times choir of hearing-impaired young adults offered musical praise in sign language. We have supported MMH in our Christmas offerings in 2010 and 2011. Who can go? You, if you are willing to devote one, two or three days to this ministry of service. The trip is intended to involve all ages. The UM Youth Fellowship will participate. Adults employed during the week may want to participate on Saturday and/or Sunday. Parents with young children can certainly find activities at MMH to engage eve-

FREE EDUCATIONAL ITEMS FOR KIDS

SUBMITTED BY JULIA LANCASTER The Berkeley UMW has long supported the Montopolis Friendship Community Center (MFCC), which was founded by the Austin District UMW in 1957. One way our unit supports MFCC is by collecting "Labels for Education" so that MFCC can get free educational supplies for the children there. Our unit has expanded collection efforts to include Widen Elementary School via another popular program, "Box Tops for Education". We do this for MFCC and Widen to show our love and support for God's children! How can you participate? By collecting labels for the kids at MFCC and Widen. When you see "Labels for Education" UPC or a "Box Tops for Education" on a product, cut out the label and place in one of two marked containers located in the narthex (see below). You can go to the below web sites for a list of participating products and to read more about details. Find extra lists in the green folder located in the church office UMW mailbox. Labels for Education are for MFCC http://www.labelsforeducation.com

Box Tops for Education labels are for Widen Elementary http://www.boxtops4education.com

THANK YOU!
Dearest in Christ at Berkeley UMC, Thank you so much for your continued support of me as a GBGM Missionary in Costa Rica. I look forward to being with you July 8. Bendiciones, Becky Harrell

BUMC CHILD CARE GETS T H U M B S U P F R O M T H E S TA T E !

Child Care Director, Allison McGillicuddy, shared this exciting news in her May newsletter: I have to brag a bit about our center. A licensing rep from the state showed up unannounced and performed an inspection of our facility. She was visiting from Lubbock and told me that I have an excellent daycare, that we were in complete compliance, and have very caring teachers. Congratulations Allison and BUMC Child Care staff on a job well done!

Congratulations to Forrest Arnold and family on the new addition of granddaughter, Cecily Ann, on May 17.

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE APRIL 2012 YTD 2011 WORSHIP 162 128 165 SUNDAY SCHOOL 45 41 40 MEMORIAL FUND $353.95

GIFTS AS OF APRIL 30 MONTHLY INCOME: $25,107 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $23,466

BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX. 78745 (512)447-6633 Email: bumc78745@sbcglobal.net ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

ARE WE THERE YET?

This age-old refrain of young travelers is followed by a second question: How much longer? How similar those queries are to the psalmists oft-repeated cry, How long, O LORD, how long? (Psalm 6:3b, NIV). Patience is an uncommon virtue these days. Were anxious to get where were going or to get what we want. But think how much we miss while wishing we were elsewhere! In our rush to reach a destination, we fail to grasp lessons that can be learned only along the way. What blessings might you be overlooking in the here-and-now and the right-where-you-are? Kari Myers The NEWSLETTER Newsletter