The BEACON The Newsletter of Binkley Baptist Church

January 26, 2011

Dear Binkley Friends, Recently in church on Sunday morning we sang a hymn that paraphrases Howard Thurman. The original words go like this—some of you have seen them quoted on this page in years gone by. They bear repeating!

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,

When the kings and princes are home,

When the shepherds are back with their flock,

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among others,

To make music in the heart. The spirit of commitment to the still urgent work of healing, release and rebuilding was strong in a recent Carolina gathering of members and friends of the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Six from Binkley attended, and met with others in Charlotte, at Providence Baptist Church. Our meeting featured friends from around the state who shared about their personal “Work of Christmas” (although we didn’t call it that!) We shared our passionate concerns and where we go for renewal and encouragement. At Binkley I am more and more impressed with one thing: we are busy folk! Between what many of us do professionally and our volunteer commitments, this community of faith is deeply engaged making peace and seeking justice. From the halls of legislatures to the dining facilities of our local shelter to classrooms and offices in places like Cambodia and Indonesia, (and Chapel Hill!) many are hard at the work of Christmas—even as we feel called to more. Others of us are just beginning—and not sure where to start. Whether we are just entering in, or are continuing to engage in ANY ministry of justice and peace, we surely need some spiritual nurture, some encouragement in the endeavor. Inevitably we face obstacles that threaten to stop us, or forces that simply wear us down. We all need some simple community, and we need some time, to borrow some Quaker lingo, to “center down.” We need some personal discernment, and we need some prayer. Long ago, a young Franciscan monk I knew described two different strands of his own spiritual tradition: “One side almost sees grace as climbing a staircase to heaven,” he said. “Then there are folks like me. For us it is catch as catch can.” Each of us has our own spiritual needs, our own places of sorrow or weariness; and there is not one method that works for everyone, in opening ourselves to the wells of God’s sustaining love and strength. For this church, our most pressing tasks in the year ahead will include not only the work of Christmas but also the care and deep grounding of the workers. What will work spiritually for you? May God guide us together in finding ways to support one another, as we seek to give witness, every member a minister, to release for the captive, justice for those who have been hard pressed, and peace for all humankind. In Christ’s Peace,

Binkley Baptist Church

1712 Willow Drive Chapel Hill NC 27514

919-942-4964 www.binkleychurch.org

Church Staff

Peter JB Carman

Minister peter@binkleychurch.org

Dale Osborne

Associate Minister dale@binkleychurch.org

John Burton-Crutchfield,

Chris Copeland

Interim Ministers of Christian Education

john@binkleychurch.org chris@binkleychurch.org

Leandra Merea Strope

Minister of Music leandra@binkleychurch.org

Ray Speller

Ministry Intern judahpraiser86@yahoo.com

Bo Lloyd

Organist GEL1210@aol.com

Duane Gilbert

Business Manager business@binkleychurch.org

Maureen Rosen

Office Manager office@binkleychurch.org

Not getting this newsletter by email yet? What are you waiting for? Email us at

office@binkleychurch.org and save a stamp

and a tree!

GENERAL FUND: DECEMBER 2010

Actual Budget Difference

Previous year $3,240 $2,890 $350

Current year $588,739 $607,858 -$19,119

Non-pledged $50,579 $44,000 $6579

Undesignated $12,649 $9,000 $3,649

Birthday bank $1,275 $1,500 -$225

Building use $35,470 $33,600 $1,870

Interest on MM $260 $0 $260

Totals $692,212 $698,848 -$6,636

Balance 12/01/2010 Gifts Recd Disbursed Balance 12/31/10

$1,782 $2,075 -$1,704 $2,153

PASTOR'S DISCRETIONARY FUND

FEBRUARY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Feb 6 11 am Worship: Communion Sunday, Peter Carman preaching

Feb 13 11 am Worship: Dale Osborne preaching

Feb 20 11 am Joint Worship with Barbee’s Chapel at Binkley Church

Feb 27 11 am Worship: Peter Carman preaching

WELCOME TO BINKLEY, NEW MEMBERS!

• Hrang Er; 200 Barnes Street, Carrboro NC, 27510; 923-0755; DOB 11/24/77; spouse Sui Tha Par; child Sylvia Par (DOB 2/5/10)

• Tluang Cung Nung, 86 Hayes Road, CH NC 27517; 240-7180; tluangcungnung@gmail.com; DOB 8/11/80; spouse Esther Lalen Mawi; children Jemimah Siang Cer Mawi (DOB 11/28/07), Nick Bawilion Nung (DOB 3/29/10)

• Kara Baldwin, 1250 Ephesus Church Road, Apt F7, CH NC 27517

• Omar Llanos, 717 Williams Circle, CH NC 27516; 923-5359; ollanos@nc.rr.com; DOB 5/23/71; no spouse listed; children Aleka Naomi and Sophia Alicia

• Barbara Proctor Wilburn (Sam’s wife); joined under Watchcare membership

• Hrang Than Fai; 1749 Dobbins Drive Apt 3-I, CH, NC 27514; 240-7301; DOB 7/23/63; spouse Than Kip Par; children Robin Van Aye Mang, Van Hre Lal, Tin Cer Dim, Judith Van Siang Par

• Biak Ceu, 1105 NC Hway 54 Bypass, CH NC 27516; 260-3184; DOB 12/14/83; spouse Tha Hlei Par; child Flayvia Ngun Hlown Sung (DOB 2/14/07)

FINANCES:

Thanks for supporting our program of ministry. We

finished 2010 very close to budget (99%). When

coupled with underspending, in several categories, we finished in the green for 2010. Now

on to 2011…

- Don Willhoit

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS AROUND THE TABLE

Please join us on Wednesdays in the Fellowship Hall for a hearty meal, children’s choir, and conversation for youth and adults. Each week, you will have the chance to gather around the dinner tables and share in stimulating conversation and fellowship. Upcoming meals and programs listed below.

5:30: Dinner begins (catered or potluck), continues into the discussion time. **Costs below. 6:15 – 7:15: Children’s Choir: Children in Grades K-5, who can read and commit to come each week, gather in the choir room with Leandra and Bo. Children 0-4 years gather in the nursery. 6:30 – 7:15: Youth and Adults remain around the tables for discussions and activities led by church groups 7:30 pm: Chancel Choir rehearsal (childcare provided for those who make childcare reservations)

Sign up EACH WEEK by adding your name to the list in the narthex, responding to the electronic email invitation on Fridays, or calling the church office at 942-4964. You may also sign up to prepare the Fellowship Hall, or clean up afterwards. Friday Update and Sunday announcement pages will have more details.

Jan 19– Feb 23, adults and youth can choose between two exciting classes: - Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest For Just Peace, Facilitated by Christine Andersen: How can we contribute to the cause of a just peace for the people who share the Holy Land today? This 6-week class will be a study/discussion of the origins of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a look at the present situation on the ground, and a guide to the changes ahead in the quest for peace. We will use the 48-page booklet “Steadfast Hope” with accompanying DVD. Class will include an opening prayer, an overview of the readings and DVD viewing, a discussion, and questions for further exploration. Copies of the study booklet, which includes the DVD, are available for $5 each from Christine (932-4509, caandersen@aol.com).

- How A Poem Means, Led by Nancy Joyner and Laurence Avery: Poet Edwin Arlington Robinson, when asked how to read a poem, replied that it should be read one word at a time. These sessions are a continuation of the 2010 spring Church School class in which one or two poems each session will be given a close reading. The method will be to provide copies of the poems at the beginning of class. They will be read aloud twice. The leaders will tell a bit about the poets, answer factual questions if they can, and open the class for discussion. No two people ever read a poem exactly the same, and no one person ever reads a poem exactly the same way twice.

**NON-POTLUCK MEAL COST: $6/ages 10 & up, $3/ages 4-10, free/under age 4,

maximum $20 per household. Meal details will be announced each week.

PRIMETIMERS IN FEBRUARY

Primetimers will meet on Wednesday, February 9, at

12:30, in the Binkley lounge. The program is all about Haiti, presented by Susan Rogers. Cost for lunch is $7; sign up across from the Christian Education office.

Hope you can join us!

AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES OF

THE SOUTH (ABCOTS) Annual Session,

3/31- 4/2: the 41st Annual Session of ABCOTS will take place in beautiful springtime Atlanta, GA this year. Our Theme: “Celebrating God’s Glory, God’s Power, God’s Way” is taken from Isaiah 35. Binkley would love to send delegates to this gathering of American Baptist Churches. The session will include prophetic preaching, educational seminars and spiritual relationship building with friends from Texas to Maryland. If you would like more information about registering for the conference go to

www.abcots.org or speak to Dale, Peter or Connie Gates.

WANTED:

COMMUNION PREPARATION

VOLUNTEER!

We need one person to fill out the two 2-person teams to prepare the communion elements. If we can get one more person, then each team will only have to prepare once every other month. It's not a difficult or time consuming job, but is very important in the life of our church. Contact Caryl or Wayne Price for more information or to volunteer: 932-9420 or carylthomason@aol.com.

IFC COMMUNITY HOUSE OPEN HOUSE: Please join the Inter Faith Council’s staff and volunteers for light refreshments and learn more about why we need a new men’s residential facility in Chapel Hill. Sunday, February 6 from 1:30-3:30 pm. Located at 100 W. Rosemary St., intersection of Columbia and W. Rosemary.

IMPORTANT TOWN HALL MEETING: Mark your calendars for March 21 at 7:00 pm. We need your presence and support at the Chapel Hill Town Council’s public hearing on the relocation of Community House (men’s shelter) to 1315 MLK Blvd. Contact Dale Osborne or Bill Bodkin wmbodkin@yahoo.com if you have questions.

THE SOUPER BOWL OF CARING February 6 is a great Sunday to celebrate and support the InterFaith Council (IFC) in worship. I hope you will be in attendance on this special Sunday to participate in our communion worship service and to possibly contribute to the SOUPER BOWL OF CARING of your choice. I hope your pockets or purse will have at least one $1 bill in them. There will be two large soup bowls in the narthex before and after worship on IFC Sunday. One bowl will display the logo of the NFC football champion Green Bay Packers. The other will display the AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers logo. Please drop a dollar in the soup bowl that displays your favorite team. All the dollars collected will help to feed hungry people in our community through the work of the IFC.

SHROVE TUESDAY: THE PANCAKE FEAST – MARCH 8

AND ASH WEDNESDAY – MARCH 9 Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local

priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began. As far back as 1000 AD, "to shrive" meant to hear confessions. (the term survives today in the expression "short shrift" or giving little attention to anyone's explanations or excuses). Historically, Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the Catholic faithful were forbidden by the church to consume meat, butter, eggs or milk. However, if a family had a store of these foods they all would go bad by the time the fast ended on Easter Sunday. What to do? Solution: use up the milk, butter and eggs no later than Shrove Tuesday. And so, with the addition of a little flour, the solution quickly presented itself in... pancakes. And lots of 'em. In France, (as well as here in the US - or more famously - in New Orleans) it's known as Fat Tuesday which culminates the Mardi Gras festival with wild celebrations just before the austere Lenten season.

At Binkley, our Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper is led by the youth of the church and includes a Talent

Show. All ages are encouraged to sign up on Dale’s door for the talent portion of our night together. The cost for the meal (pancakes, waffles, sausage, fresh fruit and beverages) is $6.00 for 6th grade and above and $5.00 for 5th grade and below. The family maximum is $20.00. Our meal begins at 5:30 pm and is served until approximately 6:15 pm. The Talent Show will begin by 6:30 pm and our festivities should conclude around 7:30 pm. Please join us for this night of fellowship through food, fun and frivolity!

On Ash Wednesday at Binkley we have two types of services where you may worship God and receive ashes

on your hand or forehead. The first opportunity is an intimate gathering of two families at a time scheduled in fifteen minute segments beginning at 5:00 pm on March 9. Dale Osborne leads the children and parents in a time of dialogue, song and prayer as well as an explanation of the ashes. Please sign up on the sheet on Dale’s door by Tuesday night at the Pancake Supper. This gathering will occur in our beautiful chapel.

The second opportunity for a more formal service of ashes takes place in the

sanctuary at 7:30 pm. Peter Carman and the Chancel Choir provide leadership for this worship time. Singing, scripture readings, prayer, special music and the placement of ashes are incorporated into the gathering. We encourage you to take part in this service which prepares us for the season of Lent.

SAVE THE DATES • ABCOTS, March 29-April 2, Atlanta • Alliance of Baptists' Convocation, April 29-May 1, in Louisville, KY; • Vacation Bible School, June 19-24 • Baptist Youth Camp, June 26-July 1, in Laurel Springs, NC; • ABC Biennial, June 24-26, Puerto Rico • BPFNA Summer Conference, July 4-9, in Harrisonburg, VA • Church-Wide Retreat, Haw River State Park, Brown's Summit, August 12-14 (If you would like to help plan this event, contact Chris, chris@binkleychurch.org)

SUMMER COMMUNITIES OF SERVICE: Do you know of (or are one yourself) young adults (ages 19-30) in your communities, local churches, local seminaries or universities who are starting to think about potential opportunities for Summer 2011? Sites for 2011 include: Austin, TX, Biloxi, MS, Chicago, IL, Charlotte, NC, NY, NY, Toledo, OH, Philadelphia, PA, St. Louis, MO and Centreville, VA. Volunteers will have hands-on serving experience at a social ministry setting, live in intentional spiritual community, and connect with a local Alliance of Baptists and/or UCC-affiliated church. Participants will receive a $1000 stipend, housing, health insurance, and a food/transportation allotment. Orientation will be June 1-4 in Raleigh, NC and dates of service at host sites will be from June 5 to August 6. For more information or an application please call 866-745-7609, ext. 204, or visit: www.allianceofbaptists.org/serve/missions/summercommunitiesofservice.

ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES BEGIN FEB 16 John Milton’s Paradise Lost; Lounge, runs through May 22; Taught by Weldon Thornton

In addition to being one of our greatest literary works, John Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost has had considerable effect on how we understand and imagine the biblical story of the origin of Satan, and of what happened in the Garden of Eden, leading to and including the fall of Adam and Eve. Our class will attend carefully to both the literary and the theological aspects of the poem. While I would encourage everyone to read the whole poem, class discussion will focus on only about one-fourth of it. After one or two sessions of context setting, the class meetings will be devoted to close scrutiny of specific passages in the poem. Text: Any text of the poem that has book and line numbers will suffice. The text I will be using is the edition by

David Scott Kastan – a paperback published by Hackett Publishing Company and available for $11.95. Kastan’s

edition has an extensive introduction and line-by-line annotations. (Weldon Thornton is willing to order copies

for those who have trouble getting their own.)

The Church, the Bible, and Social Justice: The Prophetic Imagination; Sunroom, runs through April 10

Taught by Michael Palmer, Maria Palmer, and Charles Coble

In the fall, this class read Walter Brueggeman's book, The Prophetic Imagination, and discussed the nature of ancient prophecy. Participants also investigated the role of Binkley Church as a prophetic voice for today. This semester, the class will engage participants in discussions and readings that link Biblical Prophets with modern era prophetic imagination and see how both address some of the perennial themes of "the human condition" such as power and domination, slavery, systemic poverty, feminine repression, and environmental degradation.

Coffee and Conversation; Room 17, runs through May 22; Facilitated by Marilyn Metcalf

What does it mean to know and be known? What would it take to know and be known by others? Just as Parker Palmer challenged people of faith to wonder about these questions, this class asks participants to risk creating relationships based on knowing and being known. Using poetry, lectionary scriptures, artwork, stories from NPR, or the day-to-day challenges of living, participants in the class engage one another while sharing a cup of coffee. The class is open to anyone who wants to dip their toe in the waters of connection. Our reputation is raucous, but we promise not to bite – too hard! The class shares leadership among its members.

FEBRUARY 2011

HAPPY FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES!

2 Deborah Cousins and Ralf Schmid, 2001

3 John and Wanda Burton-Crutchfield, 1996

14 Nancy Berson and John Woodson, 1981

16 Bill and Pat Harriss, 1963

18 Bereket and Winta Selassie, 2000

23 Matthew and Carol Ripley-Moffitt, 1980

HAPPY FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS!

1: Pat Moore, Thanh Siu 2: Ruth Ann Ross 4: Frankie Andrews, Robin Brice, Scottie Clardy, Carl Moraven, Biruta Nielsen, Ralf Schmid 5: Beth Elder, Alice Glover, Chuck Hudock, Verla Insko, Ruth Nagle, Carol Rhodes, Judy Sordean, Don Willhoit 6: Sarah Walker 7: Aaron Shah, Ahmad Shah 8: Susan Preston, Linda Textoris, Jennifer Van Vickle 9: Sarah Cullen 10: Ilona Page 11: Tim Bradshaw, Vivian Wu 12: Tim Pyatt 13: Barbara Proctor Wilburn, Fred Schroeder 14: Jim Dostert 15: Ellie Kemple 16: Bill Peck 17: Marlene Dickison, Jeff Jenkins, Rachel Jenkins, Chris McDougald, Mary Lee Tyndall 18: James Jernigan, Sue Wallace 19: Karen Reinfurt, Susan Resnik 20: Steve Jernigan 21: Jean Chitwood, Russell Hatch 23: Tyler Berger, Kelly Kimple, Taylor Woodson 24: Will Powell 25: Chris Copeland, Anna Lee Warasila 26: Jack Holland, Kay Maltbie, Frank B. Smith 27: Owen Burton-Crutchfield 28: Dean Smith

Don’t forget

the BIRTHDAY

BANK!

FEBRUARY NURSERY DUTY

Feb 6 Sylvia and Keith Ramer, Pat Shane, Fred and Sue

Schroeder. Betsy Hughes greets.

Feb 13 Matthew Ripley-Moffitt, Becky and Wayne Robinson, Bonnie Stevenson. Angela Snider greets.

Feb 20 Stewart Bankhead and Stuart Cantrell, Somer Szostak, Carol Rhodes. Kara Richards-Baker greets.

Feb 27 Lou Shook, Kristin Smith, Sophia Nissler. Pam Reed greets.

OPPORTUNITY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE

The membership committee is looking for volunteers to help the visitor’s table and with help on one (or more) Sundays with the lemonade and cookies meet and greet time after worship. Both activities don’t take much time and are a great way to meet old and new friends. The visitors table requires the greeter to come 15 minutes prior to the worship service and stand at the visitors table in the narthex to welcome visitors and assist them with a name tag. It is so important that visitors feel welcomed as soon as they step into the church. Often a first impression makes the biggest impression! The lemonade and cookies meet and greet time requires someone to come in 30 minutes prior to the worship service (or church school) and mix up Country Time lemonade, lay out cookies on a plate and roll it all up to the narthex on a cart, hand out cups of lemonade after the service and then take it all back to the kitchen for a quick clean up. Both activities are a great way to get to know folks better. The membership committee is also looking for more members. We meet one time a month and our next meeting is Jan 27 at 7:00 in the church library. Please call or email me if you are interested. Tonya Hamm 732-6934, tonyasusan@aol.com

Prayer Concerns in the Church Family: Pamela Nielsen, Jacob Osborne, Jack Waddell, Rachel Avery, Bob Moorhead, Bradshaw Family, Willard Hamrick, Gladess Crisp, Mary Lou Smith, Norma Willhoit, Beth Welton, Jo Lea, Alice Faulkner, Lew Miles, Nettie Wilburn, Jo Flair, Aaron Shah, Brooke Wheeler, Bob and Betsy Kreutzberg, Martha Henderson, others seeking support..

Prayer Concerns in the Extended Family: Chuck Hancock (friend of Anne Fishel), Michael Nedwidek (Wally Hill's stepson), Christopher Burk (nephew of Marcella Burk Groon, recently injured in Afghanistan), Will Grossman (friend of Sibyl Wagner's), Kent Keller (friend of Susan and Doug MacKinnon), Joan Stacy (Susan MacKinnon's sister), Janie, Boyd and Marvin Switzer (Katherine Walker's mother, father and grandfather), James Weblemoe (Linnea Smith's father), Dot and Fred Byrd (Chris McDougald's parents), Andrew Henley (Carl's son), Mary Jane Burns (friend of Doug and Susan MacKinnon), Jackson Groves (Amy Jackson's infant nephew), Jeremiah Mabry and Iliecia Matos (son and granddaughter of Gwen and Michele Mabry), Malone and Betty Thomason (Caryl Price's parents), Curtis Harper (friend of Billy and Ann Barnes and Frank B. Smith), Pastor Waldir and Igreja Batista Esperança and Congregação Batista Esperança, in Salvador, Brazil, Linda Sisk (Mark Walters' mother), Geoff and Maria Frank (friends of Karen Long), Dot Peterson and family (Susan Resnik's aunt), Brenda Baker (Drew's mother), Gail Carson's sister, Martha T. and Leon Smith (Allison Corum's parents), Sally Rockriver (David Resnik's sister), David McIlwain (Ashley Nissler's uncle), Frances Daughtrey (Heather Rabalais & Nathan Daughtrey's grandmother), Marie Long (Karen's mother), Carley Pardington (Joe's mother), Henry Hall (Howard Lee's brother-in-law), John Kent's mother and father, Johnnie Johnson (friend of Lillian Lee), family of Thomas Barnett (Karen Long's friend), Tan and Scott Coats (missionaries in Thailand), Tara Hogan (Talmadge Walker's niece).

We offer prayers of sympathy to the family of Iris Whitaker, who died on January 22. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 1 pm, in the Binkley sanctuary, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.

In the Hospital/Rehab: Claudia Cannady (Britthaven), Frances Moorhead (The Cedars)

Health Center Residents: Jean Breckenridge, Hilda Moffitt, Rusty Wagoner, Laurie Freeman, Joan Ewing, Carolyn Wallace, Beth Jukes, Marj Boltz

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Binkley Baptist Church

1712 Willow Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 942-4964 www.binkleychurch.org

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