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Wednesday,
August 17, 2022
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mailing address: Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
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NEWS THIS WEEK
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CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING this Sunday, August 21, after worship
- JOHNSON AUXILIARY NEEDS YOU!
- FOCUS on SMALL GROUPS:
- The Writing Group
- DOES WONDER HAVE a SHELF LIFE?
- BPC Photos
- Worship 8/14
- Birthday Dinner
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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!
BPC SUMMER SCHEDULE
- SUNDAY STUDIES will start back up September 11
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BPC WORSHIP
Sunday, August 21, 2022
11:00am
IN BPC's SANCTUARY
Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6
& Jeremiah 1: 1-10
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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 still available on the
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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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SUNDAY STUDIES is
ON VACATION for the SUMMER
Studies will start up again in September
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CALLED
CONGREGATIONAL
MEETING
Sunday, August 21, 2022
after worship
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The Session has called a Congregational Meeting for the purpose of electing members of the Pastor Nomination Committee. The 2022 Nominating Committee will give their report and make a motion to nominate members selected to conduct the search for a new, permanent paster. | |
JOHNSON AUXILIARY NEEDS YOU!
Jogging pants -- men & women(all sizes), and T-shirts are in short supply at Regional One right now.... Your donations are needed!
Can you help?
Bring your donations and place them next to the Food Cart!
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BOOK CLUB
SEPTEMBER 13, 1:30pm
Classroom A
(postponed from August meeting)
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We will be discussing the book Seed to Dust by Marc Hamer. Janice Hill and Ted Pearson will co-lead the discussion.
The author is an English vagabond turned gardener, philosopher, poet and artist. This journal will mesmerize non-gardeners as much as those with green thumbs, as Hamer reflects on "the cycles of birth, growth, life and decay in nature . . . and the mysteries of being alive."
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THE WRITING GROUP
meets every Monday at 2:00pm
on Zoom
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Each week, a topic is presented to the group for each of us to consider. We then write down any thoughts that the topic has generated. Some in the group may write a short story or a poem or about an event in our lives - or simply a stream-of-thought list of ideas or feelings similar to a journal entry.
On Mondays at 2:00, we share what we have written, if desired, or discuss what the topic brought to mind.
Some topics are serious, some are fun, some are an article written by someone else to agree or disagree with, some are just a phrase or even just a word. And in the sharing, we have learned a lot about each other.
You don't have to be an accomplished writer, you don't have to share what you've written. But I guarantee you'll enjoy the conversations!
For more information (and to get a copy of the week's topic), contact Ted Pearson at pearsonteda@aol.com.
Or simply join in to listen to see what the group is all about by clicking on the Zoom link below! U
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FALL SUNDAY STUDIES
BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 9:30am in Classroom A!
Our Fall Sunday Studies book study will be:
We Cry Justice: Reading the Bible with the Poor People's Campaign
by Liz Theoharis.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible proclaims justice and abundance for the poor. Yet these powerful passages about poverty are frequently overlooked and misinterpreted.
Enter the Poor People's Campaign, a movement against racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, and religious nationalism. In We Cry Justice, Liz Theoharis, co-chair of the campaign, is joined by pastors, community organizers, scholars, low-wage workers, lay leaders, and people in poverty to interpret sacred stories about the poor seeking healing, equity, and freedom. In a world roiled by poverty and injustice, Scripture still speaks.
Organized into fifty-two chapters, each focusing on a key Scripture passage, We Cry Justice offers comfort and challenge from the many stories of the poor taking action together. Read anew the story of the exodus that frees people from debt and slavery, the prophets who denounce the rich and ruling classes, the stories of Jesus's healing and parables about fair wages, and the early church's sharing of goods. Reflection questions and a short prayer at the end of each chapter offer the opportunity to use the book devotionally through a year.
The Bible cries for justice, and we do too. It's time to act on God's persistent call to repair the breach and fight poverty, not the poor.
LEADERS: Ted Pearson and Cliff Gurlen
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DOES WONDER HAVE A SHELF LIFE?
Presbyterians Today August 12, 2022
Musings on “WOW”-Fade
by Ken Rummer for Presbyterians Today |
Special to Presbyterian News Service
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Does wonder have a shelf life?
Does it come with a best-if-used-by date?
I’m asking because of the mountains.
Just to be clear, we don’t have mountains in Iowa. Our elevation leader, Hawkeye Point, only makes it up to 1,670 feet. We have bluffs, we have knolls, we have hills. But no mountains.
So massive granite pressing into cloud above the tree line — that gets my attention. As it did on a recent trip to Alaska.
The Rockies from an airplane porthole. Mt. Rainier out the hotel window. Denali through the curved glass of the train car.
Jaw drop.
And the sightings continued. Saw-toothed peaks. Mist-shrouded heights. Big mountains still wearing snow in mid-summer. Likely places, à la Moses, for a rendezvous with God.
Amazing.
Mountains embracing glaciers. Mountains with their feet in the sea. Mountains behind other mountains catching the orange light of late evening.
Wow.
But somewhere along the way, about day 12 of the trip, I realized I was losing interest in tall peaks. Astonishing views started to look like just more snowy mountains. Not that unusual anymore. Not that exciting. The mountains were fading into the background like wallpaper you’ve lived with a little too long.
Did the wonder reach its expiration date?
I once saw a man sitting in his driveway. Just beyond his back yard, Lake Huron stretched to the horizon looking blue and beautiful. But the man wasn’t looking at the big water. He was facing the street out front, reading a newspaper.
I’ve judged that stranger rather harshly over the years, but now I’m realizing that he and I share the same affliction. We both suffer from the waning of wonder. As the once-astounding becomes commonplace, we no longer notice the wow-worthy, even in our own backyard.
But maybe that can change.
The poet T. S. Eliot wrote:
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.” (“Little Gidding,” 1942)
I arrive where I started my mountain tour, at home. What would it be like to see this place, this life, as if for the first time?
Taking a look around, I’m finding a few wonders that have gotten lost in the wallpaper:
Flesh and bone turning food into energy and breath into life.
Light leaving distant stars ages and ages ago, only just arriving.
The snapping turtle laying her eggs on the bank above the creek.
Tiny factories in every green leaf making tree food out of sunshine.
The marvelous human being still sharing life and love with me.
The way I’ve come to see it, newness fades but wonder remains,
waiting for rediscovery by eyes that see anew.
What are you noticing? Is there something WOW-worthy you want to reclaim from the invisibility of the everyday?
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- WORSHIP will be IN-PERSON and LiveStreamed as usual at 11:00am each Sunday all summer!
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SUNDAY STUDIES will be ON VACATION for the SUMMER (We will start up again September 11)
Check with your Small Group Leaders about their Summer Plans!
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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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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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CLOTHES DRIVE
for
JOHNSON AUXILIARY
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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
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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!
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Beverly Hooker (19), Barry Dotson (26)
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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
CHECK WITH YOUR SMALL GROUP LEADER for their SUMMER SCHEDULE
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Sunday, August 21, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
Sunday, August 28, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
Sunday, September 4, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
11:00 AM BPC Worship & Communion in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
Sunday, September 11, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM Sunday Studies Begin for Fall in Classroom A
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream
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Brass Quartet Ken Spain, Russ Clements, Bill Flores, and John Gilmer; with Leiza Collins on drums | |
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Fran Shannon presents Thank You's
to Dick Vosburg for his service as BPC's Treasurer
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R J Powell celebrates her birthday at dinner
with Cathy and Clinton Bailey
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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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AUGUST 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.
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