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Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Where the Spirit Takes Flight
BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
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mailing address: Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
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NEWS THIS WEEK
- WORSHIP for SUNDAY AUGUST 22
- RETURNING to WORSHIP
- ACCESS to LiveStream
- CONTACT US IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID
- SESSION ACTIONS 8/15
- Groups Approved to Use the BPC Buildings & Grounds
- Pastoral Care Changes
- Grounds Maintenance Plans
- Postpone of 10th Anniversary Circle of Faith Celebration
- BPC COVID Task Force will be Reviewing Fall Plans
- BLACK PRESBYTERIAN CAUCUS SERVICE PROJECT
- PCUSA DISASTER ASSISTANCE to HAITI
- BPC Photos
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Pilkington's Visit to Parkin State Archeological Site in Arkansas
- BPC Visitors this week
- Happy Anniversary!
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- CONTACT INFORMATION
- HELPFUL COVID-19 LINKS
LINKS to DOCUMENTS
REMINDERS:
- Procedures for Booking a Meeting Room at BPC
- CHANGES to WORSHIP IN-PERSON POLICIES/PROCEDURES
COMING in the SEPTEMBER 1 NEWSLETTER:
- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FALL ACTIVITIES!
- (Fall activities begin Sunday, September 12)
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SUNDAY
WORSHIP
Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Sunday, August 22, 2021
BALMORAL WORSHIP 11:00am
IN BPC's SANCTUARY
Scriptures: Psalm 84 (selected verses)
& Ephesians 6 (selected verses)
Sermon: "Strong in the Lord"
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IN-PERSON WORSHIP
Due to the new CDC Recommendations issued Tuesday, July 27, EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED to WEAR MASKS, whether vaccinated or not.
SEE BELOW for the NEW POLICIES and PROCEDURES.
You will also receive our regular worship email, with the bulletin and link for livestream worship, if you plan to worship at home.
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CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP at 8:30am
IN BPC's Fellowship Hall
Everyone is also invited to join the Circle of Faith's return to In-Person worship service! To enter the building, use Office door to the Fellowship Hall.
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You will still receive emails on FRIDAY & again on SUNDAY with links to the the services online access for Worship & a downloadable Sunday Worship Guide.
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the
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RETURNING TO WORSHIP
We will return, again, to the sanctuary for worship on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 11:00am. Everyone is asked to respectfully observe a minimum of 6 feet of social distance, which means we will not be passing the peace, shaking hands or hugging, out of consideration for one another, and our family and friends who have not, yet, been vaccinated or who are concerned about breakthrough infections.
Due to the CDC Recommendations issued Tuesday, July 27, 2021, the congregation WILL BE REQUIRED to WEAR MASKS, whether vaccinated or not. You will receive our regular worship email, with the bulletin and link for livestream worship, if you plan to worship at home.
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LIVE STREAM ONLINE WORSHIP |
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Balmoral's service will ALSO be LiveStreamed online for those who want to "be there" but still need to be able to worship remotely. You will receive an email on Friday and again on Sunday morning with a copy of the bulletin and a link to the LiveStream online service. |
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WHAT TO DO
IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO
OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID
· Contact The Reverend Carla Meisterman 901.235.1014 or carlam@balmoralpc.com or The Reverend Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506 or elizabethdick2@gmail.com
· Let Carla or Elizabeth know when you were last in church
· Give permission for notification to the congregation
· Get Tested, if you have not already been
· Contact any person or persons you have been with and follow with your doctor's and/or the Health Department's advice.
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The Session met on Zoom Sunday afternoon, August 15. Here are some highlights of approved actions: |
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- MUSIC GROUPS APPROVED to USE the BUILDING:
- Memphis Symphony Chorus on Mondays in the Sanctuary
- Memphis City Sound Chorus on Mondays in the Fellowship area
- Memphis Men of Harmony on Tuesdays in the Sanctuary
NOTE: these music groups will all be using a consistent policy requirement of members being fully vaccinated, and using safe distancing & masking policies consistent with our worship policies.
- BOY SCOUT TROOP 364 APPROVED to USE the BPC Ball Field and designated areas of the Parking Lot
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- CHANGES to WORSHIP:
- Communion for September has been cancelled
- The full Choir will postpone returning to Worship in September as planned and will re-evaluate as the COVID situation improves.
- PASTORAL CARE CHANGES:
- Rev. Meisterman and Rev. Dick will be providing pastoral care by phone or by Zoom but will not be able to do home visitation or hospital visitation while the Delta Variant is on the rise. In addition the session voted that there will be no small group gatherings at the church until further notice.
- The Rev. Elizabeth Dick’s gathering of small groups and home communion are cancelled for now due to the Delta variant
- Operations Committee motion was approved to perform the parking lot sealcoating (including crack repairs), striping, and sidewalk pressure washing project within 30 days of contract approval.
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OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS by the SESSION:
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The 10th Anniversary Celebration of Circle of Faith's activities, originally scheduled for September, be postponed. The Trouble I’ve Seen group will take any final plans for the Celebration to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force who will make recommendations to the Session based on current Covid conditions locally. Plans should include a joint worship service, music, a featured speaker and a meal when the COVID numbers are low enough to permit a gathering of this type.
- In light of the current surge in COVID cases, the BPC COVID-19 Task Force will review the plans for both September and later Fall activities and bring recommendations as needed. This includes (but is not limited to):
- Fall Studies in person vs on Zoom
- Extended Care during Studies and Worship
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Donald Davis (November 12 – 14)
- Trouble I’ve Seen Quarterly Speaker and Meal Event
- Other Public Events planned later this year (BealeCanto, Jubilation Jazz, Alexis Grace and Thomas Bergsteig, Acoustic Eidolon)
- Christmas Special Services (BPC Christmas Cantata, Christmas Eve)
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The BPC COVID-19 Task Force will also be making recommendations for public events that are scheduled or requested to be scheduled in the church, including procedures for social distancing, sanctuary set up, process for notification of infection or exposure, contact tracing, meal service, masking, streaming.
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CURRENT WORSHIP PROCEDURES |
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Due to New CDC Recommendations regarding the Delta Variant the following will be observed:
- Masks will be worn in the building at all times
- Social Distancing of 6 feet will be observed at all times; please avoid close contact with others, such as hugging or shaking hands.
- Passing of the Peace is eliminated from the worship service
- Pastor will be masked at all times except at the pulpit when she is preaching and leading worship
- Choral leaders will be masked at all times except when they sing or lead liturgy
- Musicians will be masked at all times, except those who play brass or wind instruments
- The congregation will not sing on Sunday, August 1, 2021
- Communion is canceled in worship August 1, 2021
The BPC COVID Task Force will be meeting the first week of August to review CDC guidelines and continue to discern and provide guidance for safety for all who enter our building.
PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF
YOURSELF,
ALL THOSE YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR,
UNVACCINATED CHILDREN,
AND PEOPLE WHO WILL COME INTO CONTACT
WITH PEOPLE YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH:
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of illness (EG: sinus infection; flu like symptoms; sore throat; fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea) should consider contacting your Healthcare Provider and let them know you may have been exposed to a breakthrough case of COVID-19 to a fully vaccinated person.
PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE CHURCH
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS
Thank you for continuing to observe
the ever-changing policies
as we navigate the pandemic together.
BPC COVID-19 Task Force
Scott Hill - Chair
Mary Schmitz, Clerk
Kathy Singleton, Barry Dotson, Beverly Hooker,
Scott Dawson, Frank Carney
To contact the Chair of the BPC COVID-19 Task Force:
Scott Hill - signed text: 901.277.9794
email: hill8910@bellsouth.net
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September Book Club will continue their discussion from August on
At Home by Bill Bryson
SEPTEMBER 14, 1:30pm
(Location to be determined)
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Desert Queen:
The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell
by Janet Wallach
OCTOBER 12, 1:30pm
(Location to be determined)
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Nonfiction/Biography - The daughter of a wealthy British industrialist, Gertrude Bell, comes of age in Victorian England. Intelligent and eager to escape society’s narrow confines, Bell goes off to college and eventually becomes enamored with the Middle East. Her fluency in Arabic facilitates travel in the desert where she encounters Saudi tribes as she makes archaeological discoveries. The knowledge she gains proves valuable to the British military once WWI arrives. A fascinating life and story.
– Led by Jane Rousseau
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BLACK PRESBYTERIAN CAUCUS SERVICE PROJECT |
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Supporting Memphis Families in Need |
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The Greater Memphis Area Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus is engaged in a local service project. Donations of new or gently used backpacks, luggage, totes and cosmetic bags are being collected for children in foster care and to the YWCA.
The service drive will run through August 31, 2021. Donations can be dropped off at the Parkway Gardens Church office, 1005 E Shelby Dr, Memphis, TN 38116, Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Natalie Toombs can also be contacted about receiving donations or questions about this service project. 901-286-0797. natoombs@yahoo.com. Your donations are greatly appreciated.
These items will be given to children in foster care. Often time they carry their belonging in bags and boxes from one home to another. Prayerfully these items will create a small sense of dignity in their moves.
If you would like to support this project you can also drop your item(s) off at the Presbytery Office, 449 Patterson Street,
Memphis, TN 38111. Please contact the office at 901-324-7701 beforehand. You must wear a mask.
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And after the earthquake … a sound of sheer silence.
Then there came a voice … that said, "What are you doing here?"
(1 Kings 19:12–13)
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The scale of the disaster facing Haiti after the Aug. 14 earthquake is becoming clearer. The quake and its aftershocks have left almost 1,300 people dead, thousands more injured and an unknown number of people are still missing. At least 13,000 homes were destroyed and roads, bridges and communication systems have been severely damaged. This catastrophe comes on top of Haiti’s ongoing struggles with endemic hunger and poverty, COVID-19 and continuing civil unrest, and as Tropical Storm Grace bears down on the region.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through our established local partners and in collaboration with ACT Alliance and its members. The PC(USA), through PDA and together with regional World Mission colleagues, will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for rebuilding and resilience.
The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are once again called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray.
GIVE. ACT. PRAY.
GIVE: Gifts can be made online, by phone at (800) 872-3283, or by check, which can be mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
ACT: Learn how you and your congregation can help families who have lost everything in the devastation. Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation.
PRAY: As this earthquake continues to cause destruction and loss of life, please pray with us that the communities affected by this event and those offering assistance will be strengthened, have their needs met and be reminded of the hope found in God.
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BPC and CofFCC MEMBERS WHO NEED A MEETING ROOM? |
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Classrooms A and B are available for meetings of Balmoral small groups including the Book Club, Writers Circle, Trouble I've Seen, Glenda Ellis Small Group, Bailey Small Group, and groups coordinated by Pastoral Care Resident, Rev. Elizabeth Dick.
Reservations for Classrooms A and B are required.
Please contact Calendar Coordinator Barry Dotson
barry.dotson@yahoo.com
signed text/cell: 901. 277.1596
to schedule the use of Classrooms A and B
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BPC COVID-19 Task Force
Scott Hill - Chair
Mary Schmitz, Clerk
Kathy Singleton, Barry Dotson, Beverly Hooker,
Scott Dawson, Frank Carney
To contact the Chair of the BPC COVID-19 Task Force:
Scott Hill - signed text: 901.277.9794
email: hill8910@bellsouth.net
We ask that anyone who is experiencing symptoms of illness (EG: sore throat; fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea) not enter the building at any time.
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PLEASE ALSO NOTE: The Church Office will NOT be staffed. Please continue to use your contact lists to reach us! |
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Beverly Hooker (19);
Donna Lamb (23);
Barry Dotson (26)
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Every Monday
2:00pm Writer's Group CLASSROOM A and/or on Zoom
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
Ellis Small Group 10:15 am
2nd Tuesday of the Month
BOOK CLUB meets in person in Classroom A and/or on Zoom
The August meeting will ONLY be on Zoom.
(Bible Study and the Bailey Small Group will not be meeting over the summer)
2nd Thursday Evening of the Month
7:00 pm Trouble I've Seen Small Group
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE
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Sunday August 22, 2021
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
NO SUNDAY STUDIES - NEW CLASSES BEGIN in SEPTEMBER
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream
Sunday August 29, 2021
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
NO SUNDAY STUDIES - NEW CLASSES BEGIN in SEPTEMBER
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream
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REMINDERS: We must help to keep the SEED children safe!
Please do not enter the SEED area of the building without authorization and be sure to wear masks around the children.
Small Group Meetings in Classrooms A & B must be scheduled with Barry Dotson, barry.dotson@yahoo.com or signed text/cell: 901. 277.1596
Requests for other uses of the property (including the parking lot) MUST prepare a proposal to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force (Scott Hill, chairperson) for review; the task force will review the proposal, then make a recommendation to the Session for consideration.
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Don and Karen Pilkington went to Parkin State Archeological Site in Arkansas today to get out and about. The school was for the children whose families worked at the sawmill on the St. Francis River. It was the site of a Native American village. |
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LEFT: William and Linda Warren celebrated their 43rd anniversary at the Terrace at the River Inn after enjoying a lovely, delicious dinner at Paulette’s. |
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The BPC Congregation may have missed Worship on August 15 when we had to cancel worship.
But these visitors certainly enjoyed our hospitality on the BPC lawn!
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If you have photos or items for the calendar, please be sure to send them by email to Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by text 901-734-7193! |
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Click the link below to get current locations for VACCINES:
For COVID-19 TESTING information, go to this link:
NOTE: Several CVS and Walgreen's locations are now currently on the updated list at the link above.
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IF ANYONE IS CALLED TO SERVE....
We work every 1st and 3rd Thursday.
Colonial Park UMC
5330 Park Ave
CONTACT SCOTT DAWSON for more INFORMATION
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THE JOHNSON AUXILIARY CLOTHES CLOSET IS NOW BACK in ACTION!
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ALWAYS in NEED:
SUMMER-WEIGHT CLOTHING!
Men's casual shoes - all sizes
(new or gently used)
Men's new underwear - large and XL
Women's shoes (casual) sizes 9 and up
Women's plus size clothing
New women's underwear - all sizes
Toiletry items - new, unopened (trial size are fine)
ALSO - New adult coloring or puzzle books are needed for people waiting at the hospital while their loves ones are being treated.
Your contributions really help and are greatly appreciated!
Place items in the baskets in the narthex hallway.
VOLUNTEERS are also needed!
Contact Beverley Hooker for more information!
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Pastoral Care this week will be supplied by
Rev. Carla Meisterman 901.235.1014
or email carlam@balmoralpc.com
Rev. Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506
or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com
Session members are your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the current contact list:
Lori Blackwelder .... (901) 262-8282 ............... LORIEB1165@yahoo.com
Leiza Collins ........... (901) 246-5031 ..................... leiza1016@gmail.com
Becky DeLoach ...... (901) 489-3369 ............. BeckyMD2905@gmail.com
Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com
Janice Hill ............... (901) 826-9747 ................... janicehill81@gmail.com
Beverly Hooker.........(901) 496-1241 ......................... bev.h@earthlink.net
Ted Pearson home: (901) 754-9796 ................... pearsonteda@aol.com
...........................cell: (901) 486-6117
Erich Shultz .............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net
John Van Nortwick (901) 605-2907 ............ jvnortwick@cornerstone-
systems.com
(NOTE: Many of these Session members work during the day, so you may want to text them or email them.)
Keep in mind that ANY Balmoral member who is healthy will most likely be happy to help you in case of need as well!
To contact other members, the most-current contact information is available by requesting a copy of the BPC PHONE DIRECTORY from Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by phone or text to (901) 734-7193.
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We have been keeping reference articles in the Newsletter each week throughout the summer. It's time to take them out, BUT some of these may still be helpful, so we will store them and give you links to them, but eliminate them from the body of the newsletter itself. |
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To access a document, simply click on the link name. The document will then open in your browser as a PDF file!
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- Newsletter Articles & Photos should be emailed to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net no later than Monday at noon for the week you want the article in the news.
- Bulletin Information should be emailed to Rev. Carla Meisterman, with a copy to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday noon the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear.
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Prayer Concerns should continue to be submitted via email to Rev. Carla Meisterman (carlam@balmoralpc.com)
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AUGUST 2021
online church calendar
The calendar will take a few seconds to load and, once it opens, you will see the month that we are currently in. To see the next month's calendar, click on the arrow pointing down - it is just to the right of the name of the month. Once you click on that arrow, an icon will appear with all the months of the year listed. Click on the month that you want to see. To see a specific date, click on the number of the day you would like to see. The entire 2021 calendar is available to you.
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