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Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Where the Spirit Takes Flight
BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday, February 24, 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 February 28
- FEBRUARY is BLACK HISTORY MONTH
- LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
aaaaaaaaaby Dr. Kevin Brooks
- 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Movement Ten Commandments
- PASTOR OUT of OFFICE through 3/6
- CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING March 7 after worship
- PW BIBLE STUDY with Rev. Anne Hagler
- AROUND MEMPHIS
- As of today, teachers, child care providers and people 65+ now eligible to be vaccinated
- BOIL WATER ALERT
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- CONTACT INFORMATION
- BPC Photos
- Worship Ash Wednesday and last Sunday
LINKS to DOCUMENTS:
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ONLINE on YouTube at 11:00 am
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The BUILDING is CLOSED
BUT
BALMORAL is OPEN !
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Our Session is committed to providing worship during the pandemic that reaches everyone. Those of you who do not have computer access or SmartPhone access, Idlewild will continue to broadcast all of the worship services on the radio 96.1 FM.
Stay at home! Stay Safe!
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REMINDER: Everyone who comes onto the BPC property MUST WEAR A MASK, including those who are only in the parking lot. NO ONE is allowed in the building without authorization.
We must help to keep our Worship team and the SEED children safe!
Requests for use of the property (including the parking lot) MUST prepare a proposal to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force (Scott Hill and Mary Schmitz, co-chairs) for review; the task force will review the proposal, then make a recommendation to the Session for consideration.
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Worship
Balmoral Presbyterian Church
Sunday, February 28, 2021
BALMORAL WORSHIP at 11:00 AM on YouTube
aScriptures: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16
& Mark 8:31-38
a aSermon: "Covenant Partners"
with Rev. Anne Hagler
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SUNDAY STUDIES at 10:00am on Zoom
Join with members & friends of BPC and Circle of Faith
for either one of our two classes available:
- "Christ in Crisis?" by Jim Wallis
- BIBLE STUDY of Paul's letters
aaaaaaaaPlease read 2nd Corinthians chapters 4 to 6 for this Sunday.
(A full schedule for the Winter quarter is available
at the end of this Newsletter under Document Links.)
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CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP at 9:00 AM
on ZOOM
Everyone is also invited to join the Circle of Faith service led by Rev. Cliff Stockton. The link will be listed each week in the ONLINE EVENTS calendar in this Newsletter!
(The service ends in time for our joint Sunday Studies classes.)
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You will receive emails on FRIDAY & again on SUNDAY with a link to the YouTube site for Worship & a downloadable Sunday Worship Guide and links to the Sunday Studies classes on Zoom.
The Idlewild service will also still be available at 11:00 am on the radio at 96.1 FM or you can go online to the Idlewild Livestream broadcast at
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the
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LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE
Dr. Kevin Brooks
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Dr. Kevin Brooks, Executive Director of the Lynching Sites Project of Memphis, was asked to share his perspective regarding the work that needs to be done locally and nationally. These are his thoughts on some of the issues that racism and injustice can bring forth to consider. |
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TThe French novelist, Victor Hugo, penned the famed proclamation to paper, “If the soul is left in darkness, sins will be committed. The guilty one is not he who commits the sin, but he who causes darkness.” Out of this quote, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, put forth a critical response to the violent urban rebellion across American cities in the summer of 1967. He notes, “THE POLICY MAKERS OF THE WHITE SOCIETY HAVE CAUSED DARKNESS In AMERICA”S CITIES; they created discrimination; they created slums; they perpetuate unemployment, ignorance and poverty.”
Dr. King challenged the Darkness of America. He learned early to let his Light Shine. The son of a Baptist preacher, he was reared to live in a horrifically racist dark climate with the Light of Christ as his illuminator. Despite living in the midst of a thousand midnights, Dr. King’s zeal for being the light in Darkness resulted in his death on April 4, 1968. America’s racist demons of Darkness succeeded at putting out the Light of Dr. King but did not succeed at extinguishing the Flame that remained a central theme of his Faith, Family and Community.
Like Dr. King, we are reminded of the pioneering of investigative journalist Ida B. Wells, who appealed to the Darkness of America by positing, “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of Truth upon them….” Ida B. Wells walked in the Light of Truth. Guided by Faith and Family, she carried the Light of Truth haunted by the bellowing cries from the graves of Lynched African American Men and Women.
Inspired by the 'hoop' of the Black Preacher in the Black Church, blood from in her Church as preachers preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ as written in John 8:12, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will not walk in Darkness, but will have the light of life.” Ida B. Wells demonstrated “The Courage to Be.” She set out “To BE” the light in a Dark World. She challenged the tyranny of the times, the demonic hegemony of the decade and the asinine neglect of an eon.
America, rooted in its “Original Sin,” remains largely divided by the Darkness of White Supremacy and Racism. Our Union is far from perfect. We witnessed this fact while observing the acts of terror on January 6, 2021. Fueled by the irresponsible racist rhetoric of President Donald Trump, a band of marauders, mobsters, and domestic terrorists climbed the walls of Capitol Hill, made it to the sacred halls of our democracy and erected a Confederate Battle Flag. This singular political act of evil was such a feat that General Nathan Bedford Forest and Confederate President Jefferson Davis could glory in hell.
Not since the Civil War has America been so blatantly reminded of its original sin of slavery and racial terror. A time when the Darkness of hate was central to our American identity and lynching was its primary modus operandi. An erected gallows and noose were publicly displayed as a reminder from whence we came and foreshadowing of things to come, where we are going.
We continue to live in the Darkness of 21st Century America. All Americans, if we are to survive, must ask ourselves; “Do we have the light of Freedom, Justice and Equality illuminating our souls?” We all must “Turn the Light of Truth” on history of injustice. Does our organization? If you said, “yes,” I wonder, do you have the courage to congruent the demons of darkness with your light; do you put that light under a bowl that shows your complicit-ness to racial terror, a complicit-ness that darkens the clouds of doom and encourages the dark-hearted man/woman to be filled with hate, a cowardly countenance that empowers hate to terrorize good.
Can we all be like Ida B. Wells in the 21st Century and commit ourselves to being The Light Of Truth? There is a New Dawn in the Midst of Darkness in America. If, like Ida B. Wells, we Lift the Light of Truth and Justice in our own lives, we will draw all Americans to Love and Be Loved. .
“This little light of Mine, I'm gonna let it Shine, This little light of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine, this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine……”
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A native of Memphis, Dr. Kevin Brooks has spent twenty-five years leading efforts to transform communities by connecting people to policy, philanthropy and advocacy. An experienced educator, organizational leader and fundraising development consultant, Kevin brings to Memphis a commitment to foster equity and shared prosperity for all its citizens.
The Lynching Sites Project is part of a growing network of people who want the whole and accurate truth to be told about the history of Shelby County. We believe that we can heal and grow in understanding when we face openly the history of racial violence in our community. Joining with the national effort of the Equal Justice Initiative to memorialize over 4,000 known lynchings in our country between 1877 and 1950, The Lynching Sites Project of Memphis collaborates with others to cultivate courageous conversations and programs that uncover the whole truth of racial terror and violence and change the narrative in Shelby County, leading to understanding, compassion, and healing, while working toward racial equality and justice.
For more information about The Lynching Sites Project and Dr. Kevin Brooks, please refer to these links:
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The 1963 Birmingham Civil Rights Movement Ten Commandments
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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In April 1963, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. spelled out a radical strategy to change culture in his book, Why We Can’t Wait. Each participant in the Birmingham protests was required to abide by
Dr. King’s “Ten Commandments.”
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I hereby pledge myself—my person and body—
to the nonviolent movement,
therefore I will keep the following ten commandments
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MEDITATE daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. aaaaaaaaa
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REMEMBER always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation—not victory. aaaaaa
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WALK and TALK in the manner of love, for God is love. aaaaaaa
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PRAY daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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SACRIFICE personal wishes in order that all men might be free. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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OBSERVE with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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SEEK to perform regular service for others and for the world. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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REFRAIN from the violence of fist, tongue, or heart. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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STRIVE to be in good spiritual and bodily health. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
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FOLLOW the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
This pledge was taken by all demonstrators during the Birmingham civil rights movement of 1963.
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Rev. Carla Meisterman will be on vacation through Sunday, February 28, 2021 and using a planning week Monday, March 1, 2021 – Friday, March 6, 2021.
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Rev. Anne Hagler will fill the pulpit Sunday, February 28, 2021 and Anne will be on call Monday, February 22, 2021 through Friday, March 6, 2021.
You can contact Anne by phone or text 901.628.2104 or
email anneh6616@gmail.com.
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CALLED CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
Sunday, March 7, 2021
12:15 pm on Zoom
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The 2021 Nominating Committee has completed their work together to discern the names of three members who are called as Ruling Elders in the Session Class of 2024.
On Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021 the Session heard the report from the Nominating Committee and call a Congregational Meeting for Sunday, March 7, 2021 for 12:15pm to elect Ruling Elders to the Session Class of 2024.
The link to the Zoom meeting will be provided in next week's newsletter, along with profiles of the proposed slate of candidates.
Thank you for prayerfully submitting names of those who are called to lead our church as Ruling Elders on the Session for the next three years.
And thank you to the members of the Nominating Committee: Ted Pearson, Gordon Brigman and Jessica Orians.
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BIBLE STUDY with
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021 10:30am
What a better way to spend time in reflection during Lent than to join friends for Bible Study with Rev. Anne Hagler! Even if you have not participated before, "visitors" and new participants are always welcome! The March meeting will cover Lesson 6, “Lament over the City.”
Bring a snack to your computer and join us!
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BOOK CLUB for MARCH
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 1:30pm
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The BPC Book Club welcomes all book lovers to join us on the second Tuesday of each month to enjoy books together. If you have ever been curious about the book club but hesitant to commit, please "visit" our next Zoom meeting, Tuesday, March 9, beginning at 1:30 p.m., when we will discuss our March book selection
The Nikel Boys by Colson Whitehead
(discussion leader: Do Kaiser)
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In this Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times bestselling fiction book based on the real story of a reform school in Florida that operated for 111 years and whose cruel practices warped the lives of thousands of boys who were sent there. A devastating, driven narrative that showcases a great American novelist writing at the height of his powers.
Looking ahead, here are the books we have identified for the rest of the academic year:
April 13: The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan, Led by Kathrine Getske
May 11: All Over But the Shouting by Ricky Bragg, led by Cathy Bailey
June 8: The Overstory by Richard Powers, led by Bob Kaiser
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BEST NEIGHBOR EVER
by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service
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Connect to the Work and Life of Fred Rogers on ‘Mr. Rogers’ Day’ March 20 |
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LOUISVILLE — It’s nearly time to celebrate “Mr. Rogers’ Day” in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and what better day to do so than March 20, the birthday of one of the most well-known ordained Presbyterian ministers of all-time, everyone’s neighbor — Fred McFeely Rogers (1928–2003).
“In the 1980s the Peacemaking Program worked with Fred Rogers himself, and then again in the 1990s, with the producer of his television program ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,’ to create resources for Presbyterian congregations and families,” said the Rev. Carl Horton, coordinator for the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program. “Those resources, though dated, are still available and as timeless and relevant today as is the wisdom of Fred Rogers.”
It was Rogers himself who said, “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It’s easy to say, ‘It’s not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.” Rogers also said, “Real strength has to do with helping others.”
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When Rogers was a child and would see scary things in the news, his mother would say, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” He took comfort in knowing that especially during times of disaster, there are still many caring helpers.
Rogers hosted 895 episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,”
transforming educational television for children for generations.
(Contributed photo)
“As a young child in a rural area that didn’t have preschool, Mr. Rogers was my first teacher,” said Stephanie Fritz, mission coordinator for Christian Formation in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. “Looking back, I think he was also a first pastor for many children as he embodied the Christian life in a way children connected to.”
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“The neighborhoods in which our Presbyterian congregations reside today are still Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood — places that need us to be good neighbors, offering hospitality and welcome to all, and breaking down the long-standing structures and barriers that divide neighbor from neighbor,” Horton said. “I’m thrilled that the church is setting aside this date and remembering the lessons of Fred Rogers. I’m going to put on a cardigan sweater and sneakers on [Saturday] March 20 and try to channel as much of him as possible.”
Horton added, “Next year, March 20 will fall on Sunday, so we hope to put together an entire worship liturgy — Mr. Rogers’ style.”
Learn more about the Office of Christian Formation and access all
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IN THE NEWS AROUND MEMPHIS
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VACCINATION GROUPS EXPANDED
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As of Wednesday, February 24, teachers, child care providers and people 65+ are now eligible to be vaccinated.
Additional vaccine sites are also available.
The Health Department is making some new first- and second-dose appointments available this week. The following signup links are posted on the Health Department’s website. Anyone without internet access may call the Health Department’s vaccination hotline number: 901-222-7468 (SHOT) for assistance in setting an appointment. That hotline is staffed from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. seven days per week.
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After a miserable week of freezing temperature and snow covered roads, the weather has finally improved.
But the havoc continues, with Memphis water pressures low and possible bacteria in the water, Memphians are advised to boil water for at least 3 minutes then cooled before use for consumption and washing foods & dishes.
The boil water advisory could end by later this week according to MLGW. Nick Newman, MLGW’s vice president of engineering and operations, said the testing done so far found no bacteria issues.
“That’s a great sign, and we will continue to test throughout the week,” Newman said.
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For COVID-19 testing information, go to this link:
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FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS:
Rick Pride (24), Art Hall (25),
Emmy Orians (27), Rosie Schmitz (28)
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Robin Ashworth (4),
Bill Hooker (13),
Robin Van Nortwick (20),
John Gilmer (27)
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ONLINE
EVENTS
SUNDAY WORSHIP LINKS
Every Monday
2:00pm Writer's Group via Zoom
1st Wednesday of the Month
Bible Study with Presbyterian Women 10:30 am
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
Ellis Small Group 10:15 am
2nd Tuesday of the Month
BOOK CLUB meets via Zoom
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, February 28, 2021
9:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
2nd Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 7, 2021
9:00 AM Circle of Faith Worship on Zoom
10:00 - 11:00 AM Sunday Study on Zoom
11:00 AM BPC Worship Service via YouTube
3rd Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 7, 2021
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
12:15pm on Zoom
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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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Pastoral Care will be supplied by Rev. Carla Meisterman
and by Rev. Anne Hagler as a backup.
Rev. Carla Meisterman 901.235.1014
or email carlam@balmoralpc.com
Rev. Anne Hagler 901.628.2104 or anneh6616@gmail.com
The current Session members have been re-aligned to be your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the new contact list:
Lori Blackwelder .... (901) 262-8282 ............... LORIEB1165@yahoo.com
Cathy Bailey ........... (901) 481-6395 .............. catbailey2017@gmail.com
Frank Carney ...........(901) 337-4917 ............. fcarney@evanspetree.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
Don Lamb ............... (901) 754-5530 ............................ fbslamb@aol.com
Ted Pearson home: (901) 754-9796 ................... pearsonteda@aol.com
...........................cell: (901) 486-6117
John Van Nortwick (901) 605-2907 ............ jvnortwick@cornerstone-
systems.com
(NOTE: Many of these Session members are working 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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ASH WEDNESDAY
February 17, 2021
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Musicians Linda Warren, William Warren, Clinton Bailey, John Gilmer, Fran Addicott |
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BPC Worship
Sunday, February 21, 2021
1st Sunday of Lent
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Introit "When Jesus Wept"
Kristen Gurlen, Janice Hill, Fran Addicott, Frank Carney, Linda Warren, Leiza Collins, and John Gilmer
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"God of the Sparrow"
Linda Warren, William Warren, Fran Addicott, Pete Addicott, Clinton Bailey, Leiza Collins, and John Gilmer
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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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FEBRUARY 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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