BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday,
April 13, 2022
mailing address:  Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
NEWS THIS WEEK

  • WORSHIP for EASTER SUNDAY, aaa APRIL 17

  • MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE, APRIL 14 6:00pm

  • PC(USA) One Great Hour of Sharing

  • TROUBLE I'VE SEEN will be THURSDAY, April 20 - NOTE the DATE CHANGE!

  • SUNDAY STUDIES for SPRING

  • SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED for May 29

  • HOLY WEEK MESSAGE from aaaaa Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, aaaa Stated Clerk PC(USA)

  • BPC Photos
  • Worship Sunday April 10
  • Eli Gurlen in SISTER ACT, Jr.

WEEKLY INFORMATION
  • Birthdays
  • Calendar of Events
  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • WORSHIP & BUILDING POLICIES & PROCEDURES

OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
  • BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
  • Give out Hospitality bags
  • SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
  • BRING YOUR QUARTERS for the GOAT STICKS
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the CHURCH OFFICE

REMINDERS:
  • NOTE ABOUT YOUR CONTRIBUTION STATEMENT THIS QUARTER
  • PW Synod Gathering: Fueled to Serve
  • IS MUSIC CALLING YOU to MONTREAT THIS SUMMER?



BPC WORSHIP

Easter Sunday
aaaaaApril 17, 2022


11:00am IN BPC's SANCTUARY

Scripture: Isaiah 65:17-25 &
Luke 24:1-12


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 at 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.
MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
April 14, 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
"Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father."
John 13: 1

Worship with us on this holiest of nights as we gather together at the Lord's Table.
April 17, 2022
One Great Hour of Sharing
Balmoral will be collecting One Great Hour of Sharing gifts this Easter Sunday, April 17. Envelopes are provided on the sanctuary table. Or you may put a check marked for OGHS in the offering plates.
For more than 70 years, our gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing
have connected us in God’s healing, tending and growing
to create a world where all needs are met.

Thanks to your heartfelt gifts, One Great Hour of Sharing currently supports projects in more than 100 countries. Visit pcusa.org/oghsmap for locations and ministries.

Your gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing are shared with the ministries of the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Self-Development of People and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. To learn more about how your gift to One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference visit pcusa.org/oghs
TROUBLE I'VE SEEN for APRIL
will meet on Thursday, APRIL 20
This month only: TIS will meet a week later than usual on the 20th at 7:00pm
SPRING 2022, April 24--May 22
9:30am
Two classes will be offered:
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
SOUP KITCHEN
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.

If you are interested in signing up, send a signed text to Scott Dawson 901.849.1685.

BOOK CLUB
for MAY:

Author Phyllis Blackstone will lead the discussion of her new book,

"My Storied Life"
Tuesday, May 10
1:30pm in Classroom A

Don't miss it!
IT'S NOT SPAM!
We're trying something new - we're sending your Giving Statement by email to those who have valid emails in our system.
Our copier can send emails!
Your email will say that it's from "scanner@balmoralpc.com"
The SUBJECT on the email will say
"Message from KM_C458"
(KM_C458 is the copier's computer name, Konica Minolta model C458)
Open the Email to find your statement attached as a .pdf file. When you click on it, you'll find your statement under the heading like this:
If you would prefer to get your statement by good old snail-mail in your mailbox, please let Fran Shannon know.
TURN YOUR EYES TO JESUS
Stated Clerk commemorates Holy Week
April 11, 2022
As we look back at that final week of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we can just imagine the energy in the crowd as he came into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey while crowds cheered and waved palm branches.

But how swiftly the public tide can turn. Within days, Jesus would hold his final meal with the 12 disciples as religious leaders plotted his arrest and death. Knowing what was ahead, imagine the agony and loneliness he felt as he prayed for God to deliver him from his destiny.

By the end of the week, he stood beaten, battered and half dead as a death sentence was delivered. Barely able to stand, the son of God staggered through the streets of Jerusalem with a heavy cross on his back. The same people who cheered and adored him just days earlier were now cursing him and demanding his crucifixion.

Holy Week is much more than the affirmation of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection. In many ways, it is a narrative for the human race. Within a few short days, shouts of adoration and praise were replaced by hatred and violence. We find ourselves today in a world dealing with the same issues.

Ukraine remains a shattered country as the Russian military continues to mercilessly destroy cities and murder innocent people because they think and feel differently. Millions continue to seek refuge from the war. More than 13 million people remain displaced in Syria as its nine-year conflict continues. Immigrants crowd our southern border in an attempt to escape the violence and deaths in their own countries. They come to us in hopes of providing peace and a future for their families, only to be met with a closed door and a broken path to citizenship. These scenarios continue to be repeated throughout the world.

We have entered a new era in our country where the Christian population continues to shrink. Our government leaders are at opposite ends of the spectrum and a means of compromise or seeing the otherness of others is not tolerated.

We’re coming out of the worst health crisis we have ever seen and yet the value of human lives and doing what is necessary to protect each other takes a back seat to profit and power. I can imagine Christ still praying as he did the night before his crucifixion, asking for mercy upon the people.

In this holiest of weeks, we must once again turn our eyes to the One who gave all. Everything we have faced, from despair, loneliness, rejection — he felt them first. God the Creator, in human form, experienced the worst. Yet, in his worst time, that sacrifice gave us hope, joy and eternal life.

In your communities, your church, your home, find that place of solitude this week. Wipe everything from your mind and heart and pray to the Almighty God for hope, faith, forgiveness.
May we see God in everything we do and seek the wisdom that only the Creator can provide.
OPPORTUNITIES for OUTREACH
FILL UP
the
FOOD CART
AGAIN!
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, cheese crackers (NO PEANUT BUTTER!!), clean socks - when you see someone asking for a handout, hand them a Hospitality bag!
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 some 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.)
Worship & Music 2022
at Montreat
Is Music Calling You to Montreat This Summer?


Conference Dates:
Week 1 | June 19-25, 2022
Week 2 | June 26-July 2, 2022
Virtual | June 26-July 2, 2022




To learn more about this conference, please visit the Presbyterian Association of Musicians website. There you will find conference rates, registration information, class descriptions, and the daily schedule.  

BIRTHDAYS for
Doreen Lutey (20); Sean Orians (27)
 
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
Thursday, April 14, 2022
MAUNDY THURSDAY COMMUNION SERVICE
6:00pm in the sanctuary

Sunday, April 17, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
(no Sunday Studies)
11:00 AM BPC Easter Sunday Worship in the Sanctuary
& on LiveStream

Sunday, April 24, 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
BPC PHOTOS
Worship from Palm Sunday
April 10, 2022
Choir with Musicians
Fran Addicott, cello; Kenna Chelsoi, violin;
Rachel Randall, flute; Leiza Collins, piano
The Rev. Mary Newberg Gale,
Transitional Pastor
Liturgists Janice Hill and Bill Hardwick
Eli Gurlen had a Blast in Sister Act, Jr.
Sister Act is a wrap! Congratulations to Eli Gurlen & the whole cast & crew! And many, many thanks to the friends who came out to show support & represent Eli’s Balmoral family!  
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. 
NEW POLICIES for WORSHIP & BUILDING USE
effective March 6, 2022
Now that the latest surge has passed, Balmoral is REMOVING many of the restrictions:
 
  • 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.
NOTE: Since the church office is NOT currently manned and the outside doors remain locked, those needing access to the church office will need a key or be with someone who has a key. Please continue to stay vigilant about keeping the SEED children safe by avoiding going into their area. Thank you!
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.
APRIL 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.