BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday,
May 11 2022
mailing address:  Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
NEWS THIS WEEK

  • WORSHIP for SUNDAY, May 15 is YOUTH SUNDAY

  • SUNDAY STUDIES for SPRING

  • CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATE!

  • POTLUCK LUNCH after WORSHIP Sunday, May 22
  • Let us know if you plan to attend!

  • VOLUNTEERS for CLEANUP AFTER the POTLUCK LUNCH

  • BOOK CLUB for SUMMER

  • SUMMER READING

  • MID-SOUTH PRESBYTERY EDUCATION DAY June 4

  • BPC Photos
  • Worship Sunday May 8

WEEKLY INFORMATION
  • Birthdays
  • Calendar of Events
  • CONTACT INFORMATION

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
  • BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
  • Give out Hospitality bags
  • SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
  • SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for May 29




BPC WORSHIP

Sunday,
May 15, 2022

11:00am IN BPC's SANCTUARY

Scripture: Psalm 23 & John 10:11-16
Reflection: Youth Sunday

YOUTH SUNDAY
Our youth members & leaders will lead
Worship as Liturgists!
We will still send an email on FRIDAY
with the LiveStream YouTube link & Sunday Worship Guide. 
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the 
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.

SPRING 2022,
now through May 22
9:30am
The Book of Forgiveness
by Desmond and Mpho Tutu
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize winner, Chair of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, along with his daughter, the Reverend Mpho Tutu, offer a manual on the art of forgiveness—helping us to realize that we are all capable of healing and transformation.

Leaders: Glenda Ellis & Beverly Hooker
Interrupting Silence
Silence is a complex matter. It can refer to awe before unutterable holiness, but it can also refer to the coercion where some voices are silenced in the interest of control by the dominant voices. It is the latter silence that Walter Brueggemann explores, urging us to speak up in situations of injustice.
    
Leaders: Frank Carney & Sherry Wilkins
Casey Gurlen will be graduating this month!
Be sure to congratulate her this morning.
Cards of Congratulations can be placed for her on the table at the entry of the sanctuary
or can be mailed to her home at
6735 Aberfoyle Cv., Memphis, TN 38119-7806
AFTER WORSHIP
SUNDAY, MAY 22
Bring a dish of your choice & join us for a Potluck Luncheon
after Worship!

It's been 2 years since we could do this and we know you are as excited about getting together as we are!
After lunch, Rev. Mary Gale will lead us in a time in Transitional Visioning discussions
as we create a vision that imagines the future for our congregation.
Dishes for lunch can be brought before worship/Sunday studies and placed in the kitchen area.
WILL YOU BE JOINING US for LUNCH?
We would like to get a number of people who will be there so we know how many tables to set up. Please indicate if you will attend by letting the church office know by adding a note in the friendship books or contacting the church office and leaving a message! THANK YOU!
CAN YOU STAY
a FEW MINUTES AFTER the POTLUCK LUNCHEON?
CLEANUP VOLUNTEERS are NEEDED!

We will be asking everyone to clean off their tables and taking everything to the kitchen window after lunch.

We need a few people to put the kitchen area back in ship-shape.

If you are willing to stick around to put the kitchen area back in ship-shape, please contact Fran Shannon by email pfshannon@comcast.net or by signed text to 901.482.6103
OR call the Church Office and leave a message!

BOOK CLUB
THIS SUMMER
Balmoral Book Club is taking a summer break in June,
but plans to meet again Tuesday, July 11, at 1:30 p.m. in classroom A.
We will be discussing the book  Moloka'i, by Alan Brennert,
to be led by Jane Rousseau.
This is the story of a 7-year-old girl sent to a leprosy settlement on the island of Moloka'i, who found a sense of family and belonging there. "Brimming with warmth, humor, compassion and a vibrant cast of vividly realized characters, Moloka'i is a masterpiece of storytelling about a people who embraced life in the face of death."
If you haven't yet read Phyllis Blackstone's My Storied Life, start your summer reading with that! Several BPC members have copies and will be glad to loan it to you! Contact Kathy Singleton (ksingle2@bellsouth.net or text 901.734.7193) or Janice Hill (janicehill81@gmail.com)

On your list, add Moloka'i, by Alan Brennert, the July BPC Book Club selection! Whether or not you are able to attend the July meeting, you'll enjoy reading what BPCers are reading!
Barnes and Noble recommends their list of the
Best Summer Books of 2022
1 Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
All’s fair in love and chemistry. It’s 1960s California and there are certain things that women just don’t do. When scientist Elizabeth Zott finds herself the host of a television cooking show, she kicks off a revolution that does more than just challenge the status quo. 
2 Cover Story  by Susan Rigetti
A whip-smart and delightfully inventive writer, Susan Rigetti brilliantly pieces together a perceptive, humorous caper full of sharp observations about scam culture. Composed of diary entries, emails, FBI correspondence, and more, Cover Story is a fresh, fun, and wholly original novel 
3 Candy House  by Jennifer Egan
The Candy House opens with the staggeringly brilliant Bix Bouton, who is 40, with four kids, restless, desperate for a new idea, when he stumbles into a conversation group, mostly Columbia professors, one of whom is experimenting with downloading or “externalizing” memory. It’s 2010. Within a decade, Bix’s new technology, “Own Your Unconscious”—that allows you access to every memory you’ve ever had, and to share every memory in exchange for access to the memories of others—has seduced multitudes. But not everyone.
4 The Shore  by Katie Runde
Set over the course of one summer, this perfect beach read follows a mother and her two daughters as they grapple with heartbreak, young love, and the weight of family secrets.
5 Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible. “Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” 
For more selections, or for selections by category, go to https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/best-summer-reads-of-2022/_/N-2vji
Dear Friends,
"Everything has changed." "Things will never be the same." Over the course of the last two years, we have heard these or similar words spoken around our churches. These words are true. The pandemic has fundamentally shifted how we have to think and "do" church. Some of these changes have been hard, and some may have actually provided new life and new energy. 
 
On Pentecost weekend we will celebrate the gift of the Spirit, the giver and re-newer of life. In that same Spirit, we invite you to join us on June 4th, 2022 from 9:00-1:00 for the Presbytery of Mid-South Education day. We will be exploring how to be a vital church in a post pandemic world. We are excited to have the Reverend Dr. Jan Edmiston, former co-moderator of the 222nd General Assembly as our keynoter. Jan has a passion for thinking about new and creative ways to do church ministry. 
I hope you will join us. Please feel free to share this event with others around your church. Registration and brochure information is attached to this email.
In Christ,
Rev James L Gale Jr
Executive Presbyter
Volunteers are now manning the church office two days a week!

There will be someone in the office on Mondays and on Thursdays to answer the phone and greet visitors.
(The outside door will be unlocked while the office is open.)

(NOTE: The inside door may be locked at times for security reasons, but the office workers can let you in -
just knock on the door or ring the bell.)
SOUP KITCHEN
SIGN-UPS
for Sunday, May 29
The Soup Kitchen at First Presbyterian is back in business and Balmoral will be participating again! Our turn to serve as hosts is Sunday, May 29, and we need volunteers!

We'll leave a little early from Worship, leaving the parking lot at 11:50am and carpool downtown for lunch together at Westy's on Main Street. We will be working at 1st Pres from 1:30 until about 3:00, then return to BPC.

If you are interested in signing up, send a signed text to Scott Dawson 901.849.1685.
OPPORTUNITIES for OUTREACH
FILL UP
the
FOOD CART!
DONATIONS! DONATIONS! LET'S FILL IT UP!
Now that we can donate food again to the
St. Luke Methodist Food Pantry, let's fill it up!

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!
COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE
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
LITURGIST SIGNUPS
We have LOTS of open slots for Worship Liturgist volunteers. Use the button here to sign-up!
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.)

BIRTHDAYS
Jessica Orians (12); Clinton Bailey (23);
Casey Gurlen (26); Janet Smith (26);
Shirley Vosburg (29); Phil Shannon (30);
Noah Mercer (31)
 
Every Monday
2:00pm Writer's Group CLASSROOM A and/or on Zoom

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY
12:30pm CHAIR YOGA in CLASSROOM B

1st Wednesday of the Month
BIBLE STUDY 10:30am in Classroom A

1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
Ellis Small Group 10:15 am

2nd Tuesday of the Month
1:30pm BOOK CLUB in Classroom A

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

Sunday, May 15, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM SUNDAY STUDIES for Spring Begin:
  • "The Book of Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu and Mpho
  • "Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggeman
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
JOIN US FOR YOUTH SUNDAY!

Monday, May 16, 2022
OPERATIONS COMMITTEE 5:30pm Classroom A

Sunday, May 22, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM SUNDAY STUDIES for Spring Begin:
  • "The Book of Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu and Mpho
  • "Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggeman
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream

Sunday, May 22, 2022
POTLUCK LUNCHEON after Worship
TRANSITIONAL VISIONING DISCUSSION

Sunday, May 29, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM SUNDAY STUDIES for Spring Begin:
  • "The Book of Forgiveness" by Desmond Tutu and Mpho
  • "Interrupting Silence" by Walter Brueggeman
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream

Sunday, May 29, 2022
1:30 PM Soup Kitchen at First Presbyterian
(Contact Scott Dawson to sign up to volunteer)

BPC PHOTOS
Worship from Sunday, May 8
Chiming the Hour
Call to Worship
Liturgist Lorie Blackwelder
& Rev. Elizabeth Dick
Choir with Leiza Collins on piano
Rev. Elizabeth Dick
Musical Offering "Make Us One, Father"
Vocalists Linda Warren and Clinton Bailey
CLOTHES DRIVE
for
JOHNSON AUXILIARY
Men’s Clothing:
  • Men’s Casual Shoes (athletic-type shoes) /Slippers (with backs) (All sizes needed)
  • Men’s Jackets and Hoodies (all sizes) & gloves
  • Men’s Casual Pants—Waist Sizes (All sizes needed, but particularly need sizes 30-36 waist and sizes 44 and up waist)
  • Men’s Casual Pants—Sweatpants (All sizes)
  • Men’s Casual Shirts—long sleeve (All sizes needed, but particularly need sizes XL and up particularly big and tall sizes); button down the front and pullover
  • Men’s underwear and socks (Must be new)—(All sizes)

Women’s Clothing:
  • Women’s sweatpants—all sizes needed
  • Women’s underwear and socks (must be new); all sizes needed
  • Women’s hoodies/casual outerwear (all sizes needed, particularly plus sizes); gloves
  • Women’s casual shoes (athletic-type) /slippers (with backs)—Sizes 9 and up

Other Clothing Related Needs:
  • Umbrellas
  • Rainwear such as ponchos (unisex, preferred)

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.)
VOLUNTEERS are also needed!
Contact Beverley Hooker for more information!

CONTACT INFORMATION
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 
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. 
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.
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!)
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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
MAY 2022
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 2021-2022 calendar is available to you.