December 2023

Here at Burke UMC, we welcome all to experience Christ's life-changing love as we worship, learn, and share in caring community!

We believe that a holistic approach to discipleship includes engaging in all the core ministry areas of worship, learn, care, and share. This includes all ages, from the youngest to oldest members of our community. Be sure to scroll through this newsletter and read about upcoming opportunities to connect and engage in December.

As a heads up, the church office is closed the week after Christmas so our staff can rest and spend time away from work. You can leave a message on the church voicemail if you have urgent needs – we will monitor that line occasionally over the break.

This Christmas, my brothers and I have put out a podcast that we have been working on throughout the year. It was really just an opportunity for us to do something fun together (you can check it out here if you are interested). The premise is that we listen to as many versions of a holiday song as we can and then talk about them and rank our top 3. The thing I have found so interesting about doing this was how much I found I enjoyed the versions and voices I have loved over the years (Kenny Rogers, Lena Horne, Ray Charles) and also how much I loved hearing new or different versions of these songs that I have grown to love. It reminded me of this place I tend to find myself. I remember Adam Hamilton saying that he would get parishioners asking him whether he was conservative and he said yes…I love tradition and heritage. I love the idea of responsibility when it comes to our finances and our actions. Then someone would ask are you progressive and he said yes…I love finding new ways to engage the world. I love seeking change in places that so desperately need it. I resonate with this. I love traditions and am super nostalgic. I love history and the ways that we can preserve the things that have been handed down to us. I also am someone who loves new technology and innovation. I love when we find new and unexplored ways to engage the world

I love being in that space that holds these two ideas together and doesn’t see them as opposites. I think it is also modeled for us in the scriptures. Particularly as we approach Advent and Christmas, I am reminded that Jesus comes to honor and preserve so much of the tradition of the people and also quotes and points back to the Hebrew Bible throughout the gospels. Yet, he brings new ways of approaching the world and challenges the norms of the religious and political leaders in ways that bring new ways of living that honor God’s reign in our world. As you come to this holiday season, may we get excited about our family and societal traditions around the holidays, while also finding and seeking new ways to reflect and remember Christ’s birth and the impact on our lives. I speak on behalf of our staff and leadership to wish each of you a wonderful Advent season and a very Merry Christmas.

Blessings,

Pastor Jason

We can't wait to celebrate Advent and Christmas together:

• December 2 (3:30 pm): Camel Lot Musical by Rob Howard, Presented by the Good News Singers and members of In His Name youth choir. Join us as we journey to the manger... by camel!
• December 2 (4-6 pm): Advent Celebration – A Night in Bethlehem, Visitors will participate in a census, visit scenes from the Christmas story (shepherds in the fields, the magi, and the nativity), crafts, live music, refreshments, fire pits with s'mores and live animals.
• December 10 (9:30 am): Lessons and Carols Service
• December 16 (9 am-12 pm): Co-Op Parent Holiday Shop
• Donate gifts by Dec 14 - or shop our Amazon Wish List!
• December 21 (7:30 pm): Longest Night Service
• December 24: Christmas Eve Services
• Family Services – 10:30 am* and 5 pm
• Candlelight Communion Services – 7 pm* and 9 pm

*Services will be live-streamed

• December 31: Online-Only Worship Service

You can find more information at burkeumc.org/advent!

In honor of MLK Jr Day, Burke UMC is encouraging our community to engage in educational events and service projects. Come January, we will let you know of many different service opportunities in the local area, as well as places to go for MLK weekend (such as the African American History and Culture Museum, and the MLK memorial). 

This year, the church will also be hosting a trip to the Frederick Douglass house in Anacostia, Washington DC. The abolitionist, politician, advocate and author resided in this home from 1878 through his death in 1895. This historic site offers guided tours, during which we can learn about his life and his legacy in the fight for racial justice. The church has reserved 25 spots for Saturday, January 13 at 10:45am. Please use the link below to let us know if you are coming!

February 1 is the United Methodist Day at the General Assembly; an opportunity for Methodists around the state to gather in Richmond and talk with their representatives about important legislative action in Virginia. This is an all-day event located in Richmond. For all information, and to register, please click here.

The deadline for early registration in January 7! If you register and would like to travel with us there, please also put your name down on this sign up genius, so we know you are coming! 

Thanks to everyone who placed stickers on our banner signifying that you voted! We were glad to have such a high turnout at the polls this year.

Upcoming Worship Opportunities:

• December 3: Beginning of Advent and Holy Communion
• December 10: Lessons and Carols
• December 17: 3rd Sunday of Advent
• December 24: Christmas Eve!
• December 31: Online-only Worship Service (no in-person worship)

Ongoing Worship Opportunities:

• Weekly Sunday Morning Worship: 9:30 am, In-Person and Online on our website at burkeumc.org/online
• Children's Church: Children age 4 - 2nd grade, begin worship in the Sanctuary with their families. They will be escorted to Children’s Church when directed. Contact Katie Glick with questions.
• Missed a worship service? Really loved a sermon and want to listen again? Check them out by clicking HERE.

Prayer Opportunities:

Prayer Resource Table - There is a prayer resource table at the entrance to the Narthex. These resources are available to borrow for your use or share with friends. Upper Room devotionals are available in printed copy. You may also view the Upper Room daily devotions here: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals

Sunday Morning - On Sunday morning between 8:45 and 9:15 am you are invited to gather to pray for our morning worship and its leaders. The Prayer Focus Team members facilitate this gathering, but others are encouraged to participate. A notebook with full instructions is on a small table in the chapel. You may also sign up online to be the leader using this link!

Thursday Morning - Join facilitator Jane Wilson in the Sanctuary on Thursday mornings from 9:00-9:45 am to pray together about current events and issues facing the world and prayers for those on BUMC’s ongoing prayer list. All are welcome and encouraged to attend whenever possible for prayers of the people.

Prayer Chapel - Our relocated prayer chapel (on the lower level underneath our office complex) provides a peaceful, calming area for personal prayer or small group prayer. The chapel is open during church office hours and on Sunday. Stop in and visit this beautiful space and admire the stained glass windows.

Advent studies are in progress! You can find information about all of the opportunities to learn in community now through the end of the year at burkeumc.org/learn.

Lessons on Carols: December 10

Have you ever wondered where your favorite Christmas Carols come from? Are you interested in the historic and theological meanings behind the songs we sing every year? Join us for this one-time class, where we explore the meaning and origins of popular Advent/Christmas hymns like O Come O Come Emmanuel, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and more.

Sign up isn't required, but encouraged. Sign up here!

United Women in Faith Book Group at Sydenstricker UMC

Interested in learning and growing alongside other women in our Methodist connection? Join these ladies as they read books about spiritual growth, leadership development, social action, and more. The group will meet on the 4^th Sat. of each month at 10 am (Jan 27, Feb 24, Mar. 23, Apr. 27, May 25) to discuss the books. You can find the full book list HERE.

Advent Celebration - December 2

There are still some opportunities to volunteer. Sign up here!

Greeters needed for Christmas Eve Services! 

Come a bit early and share a warm greeting with those worshiping at BUMC on this special day. Scroll down to find the service that works for you on Christmas Eve Services at 10:30am, 5:00pm, 7:00pm and 9:00pm. Sign up using this link!

Come support the United Methodist Men's Christmas Tree Sales

Beautiful trees at great prices. They could use a helping hand too. Visit the link to sign-up for a two hour slot.

Need a Christmas gift for your fitness fan?

Ready for new gear to inspire your New Year's resolution? Check out the new BUM Fitness T-shirts by clicking here!

Women's Retreat: June 7-9, 2024

A $100 non-refundable deposit is due by December 31 and the final payment will be due February 25. The retreat will be held at Shrine Mont and there are 20 slots available. You can learn more HERE. Questions? Reach out to Sandy Latta at slatta@fourthwave.com.

College Student Ministry:

Our College Student for this week is in her Sophomore year at Longwood University. Please be sure to sign our card for her at the Connection Center or send a personal note - and doing both would be great too! Students are headed into exam time and words of encouragement are always appreciated!

Delaney Rever  

Longwood University

#453750

201 High Street

Farmville, VA  23909

Feeding Ministries:

Every 4^th Sunday morning Farah Greeley and other volunteers prepare a meal that is delivered to Rising Hope Mission Church. Rising Hope has just let us know that their guest numbers have increased drastically from around 30 to 65. Farah Greeley is in need of additional help to meet this increased demand! Be in touch with Katie Glick for more information on how you can support this ministry. (katieglick@burkeumec.org).

Burke Gives Back Community Co-op & Parent Shop:

Our community co-op continues to serve those experiencing food insecurity in the Burke, Springfield, and Fairfax areas.

On November 18^th we distributed around 145 Thanksgiving Boxes to members of our co-op. We could not have done this without the support of the BUMC congregation! Thank you to those who donated food, prepared a box, contributed financially, or offered their time!

We are now busy preparing for our Co-op Holiday Parent Shop. On December 16^th we will hold a parent shop for our co-op members where they can pick out 2 gifts for each of their children. In order to make this happen we need donations of gifts! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed-we are off to a great start! But we still need many more gifts. We invite you to use our Amazon Wishlist if you would like or you are welcome to pick out gifts on your own and deliver them to the church. You are also welcome to donate financially and let us do the shopping if you’d like. In addition to gift donations, we are in need of volunteers to make this event happen. Sign up today!

Current Co-op Needs:

• Canned soup
• Canned corn
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Pasta
• Flour
• Sugar
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, body wash, shampoo, feminine pads

Donations for the co-op can be placed in the donation bins outside of the church entrance.

Weekend Food Bags

We continue to provide weekend food bags to our partner schools to support children who would otherwise be food insecure over the weekend when they are not receiving school breakfast and lunch. We invite you to donate food items to support this ministry! Find the list of needed items below. If you would rather support this ministry by making a financial contribution, you are welcome to make a check out to BUMC and note Weekend Food Bags. Thank you in advance for your support of this important ministry!

Weekend Food Bag Needs:

• Fruit cups
• Pudding cups
• Milk boxes
• Cracker and cheese (packs of the 6 sandwich crackers)
• Individual pasta cups
• Granola Bars

White House Ornaments

We have White House Christmas Ornaments available for sale in the church office for $25. All proceeds benefit Bethany House. Bethany House explains that they are “a Christian ministry located in Fairfax County, Virginia, providing short-term housing and life advancement services to women and children escaping domestic violence. We provide women with safe, restorative care while giving them the support and resources they need to transition into independent lives free from abuse. BHNV is funded by grants and donations from businesses, charitable foundations, churches, organizations, and individual community members.” Stop by the church office to purchase your ornament!

If you have any questions or suggestions for the Outreach Team please be in touch with Katie at katieglick@burkeumc.org.

Click below to see highlights of upcoming opportunities for kids and youth this December! Visit our website for a full list of opportunities.

Leadership Board: 

At the Leadership Board meeting held on November, Jason gave his Pastor’s Report and Jane Wilson provided an update on the Green Church Initiative. Jason also provided an update on the Stewardship Campaign.

Action items included: 

1. Approval of the 2024 Church Operating Budget as having been presented at the October Board meeting.
2. Approval of a proposal from the Investment Team for the short term investment of monies received early in the year when some members provide all their annual pledged contributions during January and February. 
3. Approval of establishment of the church founding as having occurred in 1927 as opposed to 1929 which had been previously thought. Jason provided an updated synopsis of available historical data which led to the conclusion that the church really began in 1927.

The next Leadership Board meeting will be held via Zoom at 7 pm on January 18^th. You can register for the zoom meeting using this link.

2024 Offering Envelopes:

2024 offering envelopes are available if you’d like to take a booklet home. Please contact Julie if the booklet needs to be mailed to your home by calling the church office (703) 250-6100 or emailing juliechapman@burkeumc.org. Your financial support makes a difference!

Financial Report:

A note from our Financial Secretary, Jim Silverthorn: First of all, thank you for your stewardship to the mission of BUMC. It is always amazing how willing our members give and support our missions with their time and tithes. The number of hours members have spent and are spending in support of our church renovation and the food co-op is inspiring. We all need to thank these dedicated volunteers. But we also need to thank all those who financially support all the endeavors of the church. Their contributions make this a vibrant church and congregation. Click here to continue reading.

A note from our Treasurer, Bill Cultice:

As year end approaches, another quick reminder about required minimum distributions (RMDs) and Qualified Charitable Deductions (QCDs). For those in the congregation age 73 and older (who must take RMDs from traditional IRAs and 401Ks before December 31st this year), please consider a QCD to benefit Burke United Methodist Church. A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA, payable directly to a qualified charity (BUMC!). Amounts distributed as a QCD can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year, up to an annual maximum of $100,000. In addition, the QCD is excluded from your taxable income. Just ask you IRA custodian to send your QCD directly to Burke United Methodist Church and enjoy paying less tax while supporting BUMC’s mission.

Your tithes and gifts continue to be essential to the successful operations of the church. Our members are continuing to give faithfully and thereby helping to fulfill the Church’s mission. Thank you for your continued support!