November 2015 Newsletter
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Transcript of November 2015 Newsletter
Pastor’s Perspective
Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite
holidays. When we consider God’s bounty and generosity
toward us, we become more thankful and generous. Spiritually,
emotionally and physically, we benefit from living with an
attitude of gratitude.
Churches traditionally ask members to make faith
commitments around Thanksgiving, and it seems right to do
that. Thankful people are cheerful givers. On Sunday,
November 8, we observe Generosity Sunday. We ask you to
bring your estimate of giving to worship (or mail it in if you’ll
be absent). We are not fund-raising for the church. We are
returning a portion of what God has generously given to us in
order to continue the mission of Jesus Christ.
This year, I want to challenge us to do three specific
things. First, if you don’t currently have a plan and estimate of
giving, make one. Our finances are an important part of our
faith. As Jim Harnish says, “Salvation is about more than
money—but it is never about less than money.” Second, give
more in 2016 than you do in 2015, to move toward a tithe of the
first 10%. Increase your giving by 1% or more of your
income. Third, support our plan to hire an outreach staff
member by giving an additional $350 in 2016; that’s what we
need to move forward to connect with families with children
and youth who live near us.
I have been blessed by the practice and discipline of
tithing, giving God the first 10% of my income. Some of you
know that blessing too. As we thank God on November 26, I
pray we will express that thankfulness in generous living.
Your pastor,
Jeanne Devine
COMING UP THIS MONTH: Walk to Emmaus Gathering,
St. Louise House Thanksgiving Dinner, and more!
BERKELEY STAFF Ministers
Members of the Congregation
Pastor
Rev. Jeanne Devine [email protected]
Director of Music Vikki Schwarz
Pianist Dr. Tyler Mabry
Administrative Assistant Liz Smith
Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy
Nursery Supervisor
Sami Burns [email protected]
Church Office Hours
Monday—Thursday 8:45am to 3:15pm
Closed Daily for Lunch from 12 noon to 12:30pm
BerkeleyBuzz Berkeley United Methodist Church
November 2015
Berkeley Buzz, November 2015, Page 2
Church Happenings
Anniversaries
Richard & Joanne Meziere 11/11
Daniel & Karen Carlton 11/22
Bill & Dorothy Rittenberry 11/25
Benny & Letty Villamin 11/26
Birthdays
Roy Holsenbeck 11/3
Angela Clapper 11/4
Julia Wasson 11/4
Bonnie Anton 11/5
Karen Walters 11/6
Kathy Beth Stavinoha 11/10
Claudia Wenzel 11/13
Greg Lasley 11/17
Rev. Jeanne Devine 11/18
Cathy Cranston 11/20
Phoebe Newberry 11/20
John Finley 11/21
Rebecca Thomas 11/23
Helen Campbell 11/25
Lucky Noll 11/29
Pastoral Transition Jeanne Devine
I announced in worship on October 25 that I
have requested retirement in June 2016. The
United Methodist Church has an orderly
process for pastoral transitions, and a new
pastor will begin serving at Berkeley UMC on
July 1, 2016. District Superintendent Rev. Teresa
Welborn will work with our leadership to
understand our specific ministry strengths and
needs, and then consult with Bishop Dorff and
the Cabinet regarding the best pastoral
match. An announcement about the incoming
pastor will be made in the spring.
In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the
church office hours will be as follows:
Wednesday, Nov. 25: 8:45am—12 noon
Thursday, Nov. 26: Closed
Friday, Nov. 27: Closed
During Rev. Devine’s remaining vacation time
in 2015 (November 14-22), Berkeley is blessed to
have two guest preachers who are well known
to the congregation.
Rev. Patti Herndon (November 15) served as
Berkeley’s pastor from 1995 to 2001. Now
retired, she and her husband, Rick, live in
Austin and attend St. John’s UMC. Many will
remember that she officiated at Robbie Gaston’s
Celebration of Life in August.
Mark Horner (November 22), our summer in-
tern from Austin Presbyterian Theological
Seminary in 2014, graduated last May and is
now the Director of Students at the United
Campus Ministry of Houston, an ecumenical
organization serving several campuses.
Church Happenings
Berkeley Buzz, November 2015, Page 3
Berkeley to host November Emmaus Gathering
Berkeley will host the November Gathering of the Greater Austin Emmaus Community on Thursday, November 5th. Singing will begin at 7:00 PM, with wor-ship at 7:30. There will be an Agape Feast (light refresh-ments) afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.
ALL ARE WELCOME whether you have been on a Walk to Emmaus or not! If you are wondering about Emmaus, this would be a good introduction! Please join us to welcome friends from all over the Austin area as we worship together. For more in-formation contact Susan Curtis at 512-280-1313.
St. Louise House Thanksgiving Dinner
We will once again host the families of St. Louise House, for their shared Thanksgiving meal. Dinner
will be served Thursday, November 19; setup begins at 5:30pm. *You can sign up in the Narthex on
November 8h and 15th.
*This year, Berkeley will provide turkey and desserts; the families will bring their favorite side dishes to
share. We request monetary donations to purchase turkeys, donations of desserts, and commitments of
time for setup, serving and cleanup.
Church Conference December 3
Every professing member of Berkeley is invited to attend and vote at our annual church
conference on Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m. District Superintendent Rev. Teresa
Welborn will preside. We will elect leadership for 2016 and consider how we are aligned
with our mission and vision. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Church Happenings
Berkeley Buzz, November 2015, Page 4
SpiritualGrowth
The Word of God
The word of God
Is living and active.
Like the ever blowing wind
Its breath bites and gnaws and carves and whittles
Our sharp edges until we are polished smooth.
The word of God
Is living and active.
Like dewdrops and rain and ice and snow
It seeps into our unyielding hearts and
Crumbles our rocky-ness so we can be
Scooped up and molded into something new.
The word of God
Is living and active.
Like the sharpest doubled-edged sword
Its blade pierces and stabs and slices and bores
Cutting right through where soul meets spirit,
Until we are released unto freedom.
© 2015, Karen Walters
Berkeley Buzz,
November 2015, Page 5
Across Many Mountains By Yangzom Brauen Submitted by Carolyn Brown
In this memoir, Yangzom Brauen tells the story of her now 90-year-old grandmother Kunsang (a nun) and grandfather’s (a monk) daring decision to flee from Chinese-controlled Tibet to India with her mother, then 6 years old. With little money and no idea of what they would meet along the way, they began their journey to cross the Himalayas on foot.
This is a fascinating story of courage and faith as well as an insight into the Buddhist faith.
UMW Reading Program Category: Nurturing for Community
Spiritual Care Ministry
Submitted by Rachel Trudell The Spiritual Care Ministry hopes you find this message
inspiring and encouraging as we grow in our discipleship
journeys with Christ:
Excerpted from The Upper Room Disciplines, May 15:
“Many of us struggle to share our faith, to engage in con-
versation with others about our beliefs, our core values.
We assume those conversations would be rude and disre-
spectful to others and in some instances, an intrusion into
other people’s lives. But what is our call?
God has entrusted a message to us that we can’t keep to
ourselves. The majority of us embrace this call, and with
joy we leave the safety of our sanctuaries and walk into the
community as bearers of God’s Word. In our society, we
probably will not endure what Stephen did as we speak
and live out God’s message. However, we do have mis-
sioners responding to God’s call in regions of the world
that involves risk in doing so. Nevertheless, if we trust
God is calling, we let go of fear, step out of our comfort
zone and into the world. Then, like Stephen, we will see
“the glory of God.”
Prayer: God, give us Stephen’s passion for bearing wit-
ness to the powerful message of the Gospel. Give us
strength to overcome any obstacle in our journey. Amen.
Berkeley Buzz, November 2015, Page 6 Change
The World
On-going needs (most urgent needs in bold)
Clothing – all sizes, especially men’s clothing, shoes, coats,
and new underwear.
Household items, especially kitchen items and bedding.
Books.
Hygiene items, such as hotel samples.
For large items, such as furniture – Call first (512-469-7970)
BUMC members are encouraged to visit the store during op-
erating hours, then spend a few hours volunteering. Experi-
ence what it is like to get to know the store’s clients. Remem-
ber, poor people are people first. Be in ministry with, not just for
others.
If you cannot deliver the items yourself, contact Carolyn
Brown at 512-443-2600.
Address: 1717 E 12th St.
Austin TX 78702
Phone: 512-469-7960
Justice for Our Neighbors
Berkeley UMC has reserved a table for 8 at the upcoming
benefit dinner on Saturday, November 14 for the Austin Re-
gion Justice for Our Neighbors clinic. Entitled “Stand With
Us”, the evening will include stories from staff attorneys
about a few individuals they have been able to help. This
year alone, they have provided direct legal services to more
than 100 clients. The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the
Family Life building of First UMC at 1300 Lavaca.
JFON provides hospitality and compassion to low-income immigrants through legal services,
advocacy and education. It is a ministry of the Capital District of the United Methodist Church.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 COMMUNION
SUNDAY Daylight Saving Time Ends 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)
5pm Covenant Group (9)
2 10am Women’s Group (7)
3 6pm ESL (9)
4
4pm Prayer
Ministry (Sanc)
6pm Handbell
Choir (Sanc)
7pm Chancel
Choir (Sanc)
5 5:00 Emmaus Gathering (FH and Sanc.)
6 9am ESL (7)
4pm Folklorico Dance (FH)
5:30pm Spanish Bible Study (7)
6pm Ballet (FH)
6:45pm Know Your Rights (9)
7pm Ballet (FH)
7 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)
8
8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 3pm Nominations and Lay Leadership (7) 4pm Tai Chi (FH)
5pm Covenant Group (9)
9 10am Women’s Group (7)
10 5:30pm Prime Timers (FH)
6pm ESL (9)
11Veteran’s Day 9:30am UMW Women in Action (FH)
4pm Prayer
Ministry (Sanc) 6pm Handbell Choir (Sanc) 7pm Chancel Choir (Sanc)
12 5:30pm St. Louise House (CLC)
13 9am ESL (7)
4pm Folklorico Dance (FH)
5:30pm Spanish Bible Study (7)
6pm Ballet (FH)
6:45pm Know Your Rights (9)
7pm Ballet (FH)
14 2pm Private Baby Shower (FH) 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)
15 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)
5pm Covenant Group (9)
16 10am Women’s Group (7)
17 6pm ESL (9)
18
4pm Prayer
Ministry (Sanc) 6pm Handbell Choir (Sanc) 7pm Chancel Choir (Sanc)
19 5:30pm St. Louise House Thanks-giving Dinner(CLC)
20 9am ESL (7)
4pm Folklorico Dance (FH)
5:30pm Spanish Bible Study (7)
6pm Ballet (FH)
6:45pm Know Your Rights (9)
7pm Ballet (FH)
21 7:28am UMM Breakfast (FH) 7:30am UMW Women in God’s Grace (7) 9am Trustees (9) 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)
22 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)
5pm Covenant Group (9)
23
10am Women’s Group (7) 5pm Childcare Center Set Up (Room 7 and FH) 6pm Girl Scouts (8)
24 8:30am –1pm Childcare Center Thanksgiving Feast (Room 7 and FH) 6pm ESL (7) 7pm Church Council (FH)
25
Church Office Closes at Noon
4pm Prayer
Ministry (Sanc)
26
THANKSGIVING
27
Church Office Closed Today
28 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)
29 First Sunday of Advent 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)
5pm Covenant Group (9)
30 10am Women’s Group (7)
November 2015 Berkeley Buzz,
November 2015, Page 7
BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2407 Berkeley Ave.
Austin, TX. 78745
512-447-6633
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Monthly Income $ 18,285
Monthly Expenses $ 22,738
Year-to-Date Income $ 196,511
Year-to-Date Expenses $ 209,604
Gifts as of September 30
September 2015 YTD 2014
Worship 101 104 113
Sunday 30 30 34
Average Attendance
Our Mission: To make new disciples of Jesus Christ
for the transformation of the world.
Our Vision: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Berkeley will show our community and the world the
transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ by sharing God’s love in ministry with our
neighbors. We will offer pathways for new and committed disciples to grow in faithful-
ness. We will joyfully share our faith, resources and energies in partnership with our
community and the world.