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Wednesday,
November 30, 2022
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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 THIS SUNDAY
- Circle of Faith Worship at 8:30
- Advent Sunday Studies 9:30
- BPC Worship at 11
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SEND a GREETING to ORLANDO!
- PW Bible Study CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday Dec 3
- CHRISTMAS CANTATA DEC. 18th
- IN MEMORY of and TRIBUTES to LOVED ONES at CHRISTMAS with MLGW/Plus1
- PRESBYTERIAN TODAY EDITOR ASKS ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ and ‘What is real?’
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BPC Photos
- Worship Sunday, Nov 27
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- CONTACT INFORMATION
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
- Give out Hospitality bags
- DONATED BOOKS for the VA
- SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
- Johnson Auxiliary Fall Clothes Drive - UPDATED
REMINDERS:
- PINECREST EVENTS
- NaCoMe NEWSLETTER LINK
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BPC WORSHIP
Sunday,
December 4, 2022
11:00am
IN BPC's SANCTUARY
Scriptures: Isaiah 11:1-20 & Matthew 3:1-12
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ADVENT SUNDAY STUDIES
9:30am Classroom A
Two Christmas Stories - see below
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CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP 8:30am
IN BPC's Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to join Circle of Faith's worship service!
To enter the building, use Office door to the Fellowship Hall.
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We will still send an email on FRIDAY
with the LiveStream YouTube link & Sunday Worship Guide.
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the
Balmoral YouTube channel
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For our Sunday Studies for Advent, we will share Christmas books, read by BPC family members. Come join these Classic Christmas stories! | |
December 4
2 books will be read:
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The Crippled Lamb
by Max Lucado
read by Jack & Emmie Orians
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Christmas Day in the Morning
by Pearl S. Buck
read by Scott Hill
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The Gift of the Magi
by O. Henry
read by Beverly & Bill Hooker
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(NOTE: There will be no Advent Studies on December. 18, December 25, or January 1. Winter Studies will begin on Sunday, January 8. 2023.) | |
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Friends, as I shared with you in Worship on November 20th, my time at Balmoral is coming to an end. My contract with the congregation was complete at the end of November, but I will continue with you through Advent and to the end of the 2022 year. Your Session, Pastor Nominating Committee, and HR Team will continue their leadership and visioning in the meantime. You are a strong and vibrant church with much to give your community and the Presbytery of the Mid-South and you are well situated for the road ahead.
And while all things end, not all endings are sad! I have deeply enjoyed serving alongside you for the past year. Your passion, joy, depth of spirituality, and commitment to service have enriched my life. Our work together has been fruitful and fun! I will continue to carry you in my heart and in my prayers and will continue to be the friend that I have been. But ask of January 1st, I will no longer be your pastor. Someone yet unnamed, unknown to you but known to God, will fill that role. I pray you give them the same love, support, and encouragement you have given me.
God is at work in the life of this congregation and in the life of your future pastor, working to bring your paths together. We're not leaving Memphis and I am not disappearing. Balmoral is an amazing congregation with a bright future ahead of you. I look forward to celebrating from the sidelines as God continues God's work in your lives.
In Christ, Mary Newberg Gale
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The MITTEN TREE needs HELP!
If you have eagle eyes, you may have noticed the Mitten Tree has once again graced the Narthex! This year we're collecting mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and socks for those in our community without warm clothing or warm spaces this winter. All items collected will be donated to the First Presbyterian Clothes Closet and shared with their guests and clients.
Let's fill those boughs with warmth as we share our blessings and our prayers.
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ORLANDO WHEATLEY TURNS 21 TODAY!
Orlando Wheatley’s 21st birthday is today, November 30. Send him a birthday greeting by email!
Orlando is currently serving in the Navy; please let him know that we miss him and appreciate his service to our country on his birthday!
You can email him at Orlando.wheatley@cvn76.navy.mil
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PW BIBLE STUDY
CHRISTMAS PARTY
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Saturday, December 3
12:00pm in Classroom A
(note change of location!)
Join us for Presbyterian Women for our annual Potluck Christmas Party. Bring a dish to share.
All are welcome to join us!
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PW BIBLE STUDY
Wednesday, December 7
10:30am in classroom A
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Join us as we study Sabbath as a reminder to honor God who honors us by giving us a day each week to reset our pace, our priorities, and our lives.
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BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, December 13
11:30 am
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Food, fellowship and favorite poems are the focus of the Holiday Book Club on Tuesday, December 13, at the home of Ted and Janie Pearson,
(9625 Spring Hollow Cove Germantown, TN 38139-5639) beginning at 11:30 a.m. Please bring a dish to share.
And bring one (or two) of your favorite poems to read! (They can be nursery rhymes, Haiku, Shakespeare Sonnets, the work of U.S. Poet Laurette Billy Collins, or anything between or beyond.)
We will enjoy lunch together and savor the company and the poetry.
All are welcome!
(We also will further discuss books for 2023,
so please bring your ideas.)
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SUNDAY, December 18 11:00am
Join us as we usher in the Christmas season with a Christmas Cantata, "Christmas Carol Celebration". Fresh, new arrangements of favorite carols reflecting moments both triumphant and tender in the Christmas story, this cantata for choir, instrumental arrangements, congregational singing and narration will be a special worship experience.
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TRIBUTES TO and IN MEMORY OF
LOVED ONES at CHRISTMAS
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The MIFA PLUS ONE offering allows you to pay tribute to, or honor the memory of, the people who have been special in your lives.
For a $12.00 contribution to MIFA's PLUS ONE program, you can name a special person and donate to the PLUS ONE fund that keeps utilities on during winter months for people on the margins of our society.
The names will be published in the worship bulletins for Christmas Eve service, December 24 and Sunday, December 25.
Make checks payable to Balmoral with a note indicating that it is for Plus1 and who you will Honor or In Memory of and place it into the offering plate or send it to:
Balmoral Presbyterian
PO Box 17309
Memphis, TN 38187
Tuesday, December 20, is the deadline for receiving tributes/memorials for this year.
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The Christmas Joy Offering is one of four annual special offerings. The church-wide Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) play an important role in defining what it means to be a connectional church in the 21st century, bringing together the diversity of the PC (USA) to focus and take faith-based action on shared concerns. BPC will be collecting your donations through Sunday, December 25. Make checks payable to Balmoral Presbyterian and note that it is for "Joy Gift." | |
Presbyterians Today Editor Explores ‘The Velveteen Rabbit’ and asks, ‘What is real?’
Presbyterians Today November 30, 2022
The Babe of Bethlehem Gave Humankind Its Greatest Gift
by Donna Frischknecht Jackson | Presbyterians Today
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In the 1922 children’s classic
“The Velveteen Rabbit,” Margery Williams tells the story of a stuffed rabbit who desperately wants to be real. Snuggled in a little boy’s Christmas stocking, the toy seems to be the most wonderful gift ever. That’s until it notices the mechanical toys under the tree. Feeling inadequate, the rabbit asks the oldest toy in the nursery named “Skin Horse” — because all its fur had been hugged off — “What is real?” And with that, the rabbit’s adventure begins.
A century has gone by since the book’s debut, but the message is still relevant today — perhaps even more so in an age of social media facades.
I recently revisited “The Velveteen Rabbit,” having been introduced to it by a mentor who saw my struggle with vocational identity. I was leaving magazine publishing for the pulpit, but still wondered who I was being called to be. She handed me a copy and said, “Here. Read. Allow God to make you real.” What she was really asking was for me not to fear the light inside of me.
Each one of us has that light, yet we often hide it from the world because that light illumines our true selves, which can be scary. Our true selves might ask for us to go on unknown and uncertain paths.
While Williams’ story starts at Christmas, it ends in an Easter sort of way, as the stuffed toy is “resurrected” as a real rabbit. And that to me is the great gift of Christmas that tends to get lost in all the fa-la-las. Jesus was given to us so that we can have new life.
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As editor of Presbyterians Today, I can’t think of a more fitting editorial for you who have shared your God moments with me. That’s because after the March/April 2023 issue, we will be embarking on a journey in becoming real — taking a sacred pause to listen to what God is asking in how we share the stories of hope in the world. I’m excited, even if it means embracing a season of uncertainty, because I know we can’t start living the life God wants for us until we die to our old selves.
“What is real?” I whisper to the Babe of Bethlehem. And in this holy season, I wait eagerly for God’s glorious answer. I pray you will wait with me.
Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today. You are invited to walk alongside the team during this transformation. Email your thoughts, ideas and prayers to donna.jackson@pcusa.org.
PHOTOS: Top picture of the book Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
BOTTOM: The Rev. Donna Frischknecht Jackson is editor of Presbyterians Today. (Contributed photo)
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/presbyterians-today-editor-explores-the-velveteen-rabbit-and-asks-what-is-real/
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!
THE GREAT CINNAMON ROLLOUT
Delicious Pinecrest cinnamon rolls packaged for your holiday giving.
$15/pan of 6-7 gooey cinnamon rolls $14/pan for more than 9 pans
Order by this FRIDAY, 12/2 ... Delivery on 12/10
Orders: 901.878.1247 or EMAIL AMANDA
STARGAZERS U-NIGHT
Saturday, Dec 3 ... 6-8:30p
A little learning, a lot of viewing deep space objects through the incredible telescopes of the Memphis Astronomical Society.
BYO binoculars for added fun.
Pay what you can, but register at 901.878.1247 or EMAIL CHARITY
CHRISTMAS CAMP
December 18-19 ... 2p-5p (27 hours of fun!)
3rd-8th graders ... $125/camper
You finish up your Christmas prep.
Our same, great staff has got the kids.
Register by December 10 HERE
Find these events & more on Pinecrest's website
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For information about NaCoMe events and plans, read their November newsletter at this link! Summer camps, summer staff applications, ways you can support NaCoMe - all can be found here! | |
LITURGIST SIGNUPS
We have LOTS of open slots for Worship Liturgist volunteers. Use the button here to sign-up!
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Choose the Sunday(s) you are available to serve. All materials you need will be sent to you for that week!
(Contact Rev. Mary Gale if you have questions or need help signing up.)
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OPPORTUNITIES for OUTREACH | |
STEWS & MEATY CHILI
are on the MENU FOR THE
FOOD CART!
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St. Luke Methodist Food Pantry needs stews or Chili with meat! Add a can or two to your grocery list this week for the
Food Cart!
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HOSPITALITY BAGS
ARE AVAILABLE NEXT to the FOOD CART -
PICK SOME UP!
You can also pick up Hospitality Bags to donate to those you pass along the road who are in need.
(And bring donations for more bags - bring bottles of water,
And bring donations for more bags - bring bottles of water, boxes of raisins or other dried fruit, granola bars, cheese crackers (NO PEANUT BUTTER!!), clean socks - when you see someone asking for a handout, hand them a Hospitality bag!
URGENT NEED: WE ARE OUT of BOTTLED WATER and SOCKS for the HOSPITALITY BAGS! Please bring what you can!
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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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UPDATED NEEDS for
JOHNSON AUXILIARY
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With cool weather arriving, Regional One needs the following items for our Clothes Closet for men & women:
Clothing:
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Men’s and women’s underwear—must be new, preferably in a package or tags still on them (all sizes needed)
- Men’s and women’s sweatpants, sweatshirts, etc.--all sizes needed (can be new or gently used)
- Men’s and women’s outerwear—all sizes needed (can be new or gently used); outerwear includes items such as jackets, caps, gloves, umbrellas
- Men’s pajama pants (all sizes needed)
- Men’s athletic shoes and house shoes (with backs)—all sizes needed (new or gently used)
- Women’s athletic shoes and house shoes (with backs)—sizes 8 and up (new or gently used)
Other Needs:
- Adult coloring and puzzle books; crayons and colored pencils (must be new)
- Magazines (New or gently used; no more than 6 months old)
- Paperback Books (including large print); new or gently used for both men and women
Hygiene Items -- must be new, unused and not beyond expiration date—
- Men’s and women’s deodorant (unscented preferred)
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash (small travel size preferred)
- Disposable razors and shaving cream
- Large Combs (particularly those for detangling hair) and Brushes
If items have been previously worn, they must be clean, odor-free, stain-free and not in need of repair.
Your contributions really help and are greatly appreciated!
(Place items near the Food Cart in the narthex hallway.)
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THE VA WANTS YOUR BOOKS!
GENTLY USED BOOKS WANTED!
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The VA has a need, a big one, that won’t cost you any money! We need books!! Books in good condition! BUT we need to be a bit picky….
No books that smell of cigarette smoke, no books that have been sitting in open boxes in someone’s garage or attic gathering dust and/or bugs. We need books of many genres, fiction & non-fiction: histories, mysteries, DIY, westerns, biographies, cookbooks, etc. We’ll take some romances, but most of the folks here aren’t big on the Harlequin variety!!
The VA ALSO NEEDS:
We are in desperate need of the following items:
- T-shirts, sizes M and 2XL
- Sleep pants/lounge pants, summer weight, sizes 2XL and 3X
- Deodorant, men’s
Of course, we always need all sizes of underwear, t-shirts, sleep pants, but we are either out of or down to just a few of the items listed above. And we get requests daily!
Anything you can do to help is greatly appreciated.
Karen Pilkington will be collecting the books & clothes – bring them to church in bags or boxes and leave them next to the Food Cart and her DAR chapter will see that they get to the VA.
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Kathy Singleton (2); Ian Mercer (4); Cliff Gurlen (6); Ted Pearson (7); Richard Vosburg (9);
Jerry Francisco (18); Kay Dawson (21);
Carol Mitchell (23); Mary Nell Easum (29);
Stephanie Brigman (30); Janice Carney (30)
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Saturday, December 3, 2022
12:00pm Presbyterian Women Christmas Potluck
in Classroom A
Sunday, December 4, 2022
2nd Sunday in Advent
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM ADVENT Sunday Studies BEGIN in Classroom A with
The Crippled Lamb, read by Jack and Emmie Orians and
Christmas Day in the Morning read by Scott Hill
11:00 AM BPC Worship & Communion in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
Wednesday, December 7, 2022
10:30 AM PW Bible Study in Classroom A
Sunday, December 11, 2022
3rd Sunday in Advent
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM ADVENT Sunday Studies BEGIN in Classroom A with
The Gift of the Magi, read by Beverly and Bill Hooker
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
11:30pm BOOK CLUB at the Pearson's
9625 Spring Hollow Cove Germantown, TN
Christmas Potluck!
Sunday, December 18, 2022
4th Sunday in Advent
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
NO SUNDAY STUDIES
11:00 AM BPC Service of Christmas Music Worship
in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Christmas Morning
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
NO SUNDAY STUDIES
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream
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LEFT: Rev. Mary Gale & daughter Fiona light the 1st candle of Advent
RIGHT: Liturgist Robin Van Nortwick and
Rev. Mary Newberg Gale Call to Worship
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Musical Offering "An Advent Prayer" by Allen Pote, directed by John Gilmer | |
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Pastoral Care is supplied by Pastoral Care Intern Rev. Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506
or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com
and our Transitional Pastor
Rev. Mary Newberg Gale 913.481.7427
or email mngale@balmoralpc.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
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
Karen Pilkington......(901) 262-5810 ............karenlpilkington@gmail.com
Erich Shultz ..............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net
Linda Warren............(901) 573-2654..............emighwarren1947@gmail.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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POLICIES for WORSHIP & BUILDING USE
- Wearing a mask in the church building is optional.
- Social distancing is still encouraged.
- Individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness are asked to not enter the building.
- Unvaccinated individuals are asked to wear a mask, including members of community organizations that use the building.
- Should a surge in Covid-19 infections prompt the Shelby County Health Department to recommend indoor mask-wearing and social distancing, the task force will convene to decide how to react.
- Members who test positive for Covid-19 are asked to notify Rev. Elizabeth Dick, who will notify the congregation so members can decide how to respond.
- To keep the SEED children as safe as possible, the procedures controlling the old end of the building will remain unchanged, except when there is a need for someone to pass through the SEED area.
- Individuals may bring only water into the sanctuary; food and drink is permitted elsewhere.
- Passing plates to collect the offering is permitted.
- The SEED children and staff are allowed to use the new hallway to access the playground and the main bathrooms.
- The drinking fountains are no longer off limits.
- The kitchen is no longer off limits.
- Collections for the Food Cart may resume.
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Small Group Meetings in Classrooms A & B must be scheduled with Barry Dotson, barry.dotson@yahoo.com or signed text/cell: 901. 277.1596 | |
THIS ISN'T ENTIRELY OVER YET, HOWEVER!
PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF and ALL THOSE YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR:
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.
To contact the Chair of the BPC COVID-19 Task Force:
Scott Hill - signed text: 901.277.9794
email: sphill1946@gmail.com (NOTE his new email!)
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IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID
Contact: The Reverend Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506 or elizabethdick2@gmail.com
Let 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 advice.
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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. Mary Gale, 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 be submitted via email to Rev. Mary Gale (mngale@balmoralpc.com) and/or Rev. Elizabeth Dick (elizabethdick2@gmail.com) with a copy to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net.
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DECEMBER 2022
online church calendar
Click HERE for the BPC 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 2021-2022 calendar is available to you.
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