Welcoming all to experience Christ's life-changing love as we
worship, learn, and share in caring community!
In this month's newsletter, you'll find information about the following areas of ministry at Burke UMC. 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, children and youth included. Be sure to scroll through and read about upcoming opportunities to connect and engage in November.
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I just saw the trailer for Lightyear this week. I read an interview where the creators said that when they created Toy Story, they always imagined that Buzz Lightyear’s toy was modeled from a character in a major motion picture. Lightyear will be that picture. What a surprise… it was not a movie I anticipated being made or even that I would have thought of. But it was an unexpected surprise that got me kind of excited.
As we move into November and December, there is a lot of anticipation around the news. Excitement about boosters and kid vaccinations. Concerns about elections and watching the storms that are moving through areas. Watching to see what the flu and pandemic will do as winter begins. Amidst all this news, I seek out those moments and stories that give me an unexpected surprise. A note or text of care sent by a friend. A story of compassion that comes across the newsfeed. A moment where a child engages God or their faith in a new way. There are so many of these that I want to keep my eyes open for, because we are a tired people as we close out 2021 and we may allow the news to drown out those moments. Have hope! Know that there is so much beauty and joy out in our world and, amidst the last year, we sometimes miss it. As we approach Thanksgiving, let us give thanks to God for those moments, the good news that passes our doorways and rejoice in the communities of people that surround and support us. From family, to friends, to our church community. I know I give thanks often to be the pastor at Burke Church and for a congregation that has truly continued to embody the presence of Christ through the ministries of the church, but also in the ways they have been graceful and flexible through this pandemic. We have much to give thanks for as we move through November!!
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It’s November and we are returning to Indoor Worship! Many have enjoyed our time of worshipping outdoors in God’s nature. We’ve enjoyed the fresh air, sunshine, summer’s warmth, fall’s chill, flights of birds overhead. We’ve offered prayers as the emergency vehicles have roared by. But, we know others have been anxious to return to worshipping indoors. We will return to worship in our Sanctuary on November 14.
Watch Pastor Jason’s video with updates and details here. Thanks to all for your flexibility and grace as we continue navigating our course through Covid. The safety of our congregation remains our highest priority!
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Worship Schedule:
· 9:30 AM : Sanctuary – masks required, social distancing sections will be available
· 9:30 AM: Online via Facebook Live and on our website. The service will be live-streamed (starting November 14) so will be available at 9:30AM. You can also watch at your convenience after that time.
All Saints Day
We will observe All Saints Day in Worship on November 7.
What is All Saints Day? When we profess the Apostles Creed, we state that we believe in the “communion of saints.” In Hebrews 12, we are encouraged to remember that a “great cloud of witnesses” surrounds us, encouraging us and cheering us on. Even from the days of early Christianity, there has been a sense that the Church consists of all living believers and, also all who have gone before us. All Saints Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate our history, to remember and to give thanks for those who have gone before us in the faith.
Yes! We STILL need you!
We simply cannot offer quality worship services without our Lay Volunteers! Please prayerfully consider how God may be calling you to serve in Worship as a greeter, usher, Children’s Church support, Online Prayer Reader, and Facebook Worship Greeters. You can find the opportunities and sign up by clicking HERE. If you have any questions or want more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Ellen Quisenberry, meqberry@gmail.com, 703-850-6808.
We're still looking for a few volunteers who would be willing to count & deposit our offerings. Interested? Please contact Jim Coile.
Worship Archives:
Missed a worship service? Really loved a sermon and want to listen again? Want to listen again to some of Pastor Jason's cheesy jokes? You can find all of our past sermons and online worship services on our website! Check them out by clicking HERE.
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On November 2, we will have the opportunity to exercise our right to choose who we think should be our governmental representatives. We may differ in how we vote and some may not vote at all, but we are united in Christ and the Holy Spirit binds us together in community.
Tonight (Monday, November 1) from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., we will come together in silent prayer and meditation to thank God for the ways that we are alike and to ask God to grow the Holy Spirit in all of us so that we can build pathways to peace and unity. This will be a virtual event during which prayers, meditations and scripture will be provided in the chat, and you can log in when you can and stay as long as you would like.
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A Special Speaker for All Saint's Sunday:
Rev. Dr. Margaret T. Kutz
When: Sunday, November 7 - 10:15 am
Where: Outdoor Worship Space
What To Expect: Nevertheless, She Preached is an engaging book about the real-life stories of the two earlier Methodist clergywomen in the state of Virginia. In celebration of All Saint's Day, the author Rev. Dr. Margaret T. Kutz will be joining us to talk about the lives and legacies of these two influential women.
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Looking for a Sunday morning class?
A few of our Sunday morning classes are switching curriculum at the beginning of November, so it's a great time to hop in and start attending a Sunday morning class. You can check our Learn page on the website at any time to see the current study options and reach out to the leaders if you have any questions! Not sure where to start? Reach out to Pastor Evelyn and she can help you get plugged in.
The Sunday School hour will remain at 10:15 am this Sunday, November 7 and then will switch back to 10:30 am beginning next Sunday, November 14 due to our return to indoor worship.
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Amplify is a digital platform you can subscribe to for FREE! It is full of video teaching, conversation, and devotionals from Methodist & Wesleyan teachers for all ages. One member said it was her new NETFLIX!
Click HERE to access Amplify and enjoy learning together as a family on your schedule. You can use the Burke UMC Access Code, which is WHBLZG.
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Advent begins on November 29! We'll have plenty of opportunities to connect during the Advent season as we prepare for the birth of Christ together.
Drive Thru Living Nativity:
We will once again offer a drive thru Living Nativity on December 4th from 6-8pm. If you are interested in volunteering to help and possibly be one of our vignettes, sign up here. Otherwise, we hope you will come through to start your season off with the story of Christ’s birth told in this special way.
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Reverse Advent Bags
We once again will be giving out Reverse Advent Baskets this year! For the last handful of years, we have given reverse Advent Baskets with devotions for each day of Advent and the opportunity to fill the basket throughout Advent with items that can help the church reach out in love to others. These will be available at the end of November and you can bring them back to the church on Christmas Eve or anytime after that. This is a wonderful way to stay focused on the season each day of Advent!
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Other dates to put on your calendar -
- Christmas Tree Sales: Begins November 27
- Inflatables Drive-Thru: Begins December 5
- Longest Night Service: December 16
- Lessons & Carols: December 19
- Christmas Eve Worship: December 24
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Thanks to all who attended our Social Justice Ministry website launch last month!
With the understanding that the causes and effects of social injustice are intertwined and interrelated, our Social Justice Ministry team has pulled together resources and opportunities for engagement in specific areas. These resources were pulled from United Methodist agencies as well as from other organizations and institutions that strive to be a voice and an ally for those affected by injustice. By providing the historical and societal background on social justice issues and some suggested actions we can take, these resources can help us discern whether or not social justice work helps us to fulfill our baptismal vows to “resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” Want to learn more and get involved?
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Another Bloodmobile success!
Thank you to Anne Sensibaugh for organizing a very successful Inova Blood Drive on October 24 and thanks to all who came out to donate. Over 24 units of blood was collected. Since there is a very serious blood shortage in our area we are grateful to all who participated. As we are able to schedule, more blood drives will be planned in 2022.
Sharing joy and fun (and sugar)!
In true BUMC spirit, our community outreach Trunk or Treat event was a huge success! Kudos to Sandy Latta, organizer extraordinaire! Over 25 trunks greeted our guests with “spooky” treats. It was wonderful seeing our youth, preschool and other church folks volunteer their time and resources to making this a special experience for the children.
The Trunk or Treat contest winners were:
- Sawain Family - Best Overall
- Nelson Family - Scariest Decoration
- Katie Nash - Most Original
Looking to get connected with CARE ministries at BUMC?
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BurkeGivesBack
Community Co-op
After a huge month in September, October continued to be very busy in the co-op. We made over 300 Halloween treat bags for co-op kids, including age-appropriate books, Halloween surprises, and an invitation to come to Trunk or Treat!
It takes TONS of food every month to provide for these families – see these pictures from our new partnership with Capital Area Food Bank!
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We will make 200+ Thanksgiving boxes for the families to pick up on Saturday, November 20. Like last year, we are hoping to have a homemade treat to put in every box – “From our homes to yours!” We need lots of donations to make this happen – visit burkegivesback.org to find out how you can help! |
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It’s not too early to be thinking about Christmas. Our plan this year is to support 50 angels from Rising Hope (angels will be available 11/14) and 200 children from the co-op. For the co-op families, BUMC will be holding a Christmas “Parent Shop” where co-op parents will be able to register their kids and then “shop” for them on Saturday December 18. These pictures are from the successful parent shop we held at Robinson Square in 2019. They will pay a nominal fee for each gift, providing them with the dignity that they are providing for their families and not just accepting handouts.
Thanks in advance for your support!
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This year BUMC is combining two annual gift-giving opportunities into one virtual Holiday Marketplace! On our marketplace website, you will find ways to either buy a gift for a loved one or support one of the many ministries and partners of Burke UMC.
You have many choices –
- Purchase a pictured product and pick it up at church any Saturday morning between 10 am and noon.
- Make a donation to one of the many causes listed in honor of someone and have us send the recipient notification of your gift.
- Order White House ornaments
- Shop with one of the many local artisans pictured
This is a way for you to shop from the safety of your home and support crafters who have been unable to exhibit this fall – and contribute to the good causes of our partners doing the work of Christ in our world.
The deadline for Marketplace orders is Thursday, December 16th at noon.
Orders must be picked up by Saturday, December 18th.
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Share Opportunities in November: |
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Teddy Bear Brigade - last four weeks!
The bears are marching in! Other UMC churches and many Scout troops are participating. Our goal for this year is 2021 – please help us achieve that! They can be new or gently used stuffed animals, but please no battery-operated toys. There is a bin in the front circle of the church where they can be placed through the end of November.
Please include $1 per bear to cover shipping costs when the bears make their journey to grateful children (checks can be made payable to GFTW).
Click HERE to download a flyer to share with friends who might be interested in donating!
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Rebuilding Together
For more than 15 years, BUMC has participated (in a pretty big way!) in Rebuilding Together’s National Building Day each April. We have missed the last 2 years, but we are excited to be doing a small project in Burke on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 5-6. Sign up to help by clicking HERE.
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There are plenty of opportunities for children and youth to worship, serve, care, and learn in November!
KIDS:
- Sunday School - This Sunday at 10:15 am (Nov 7), Sundays at 10:30 am (beginning Nov 14); ages 4 through 6th grade
- JUMP (Grades K-2) - November 14, 4 pm
- JUMP (Grades 3-6) - November 21, 4 pm
- Learning with Legos - no November event due to Thanksgiving!
- Children's Church - Sundays at 9:30 am
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Children's Music Groups
YOUTH:
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Sunday School - This Sunday at 10:15 am (Nov 7), Sundays at 10:30 am (beginning Nov 14); 7th-12th grades
- Youth Group (The Life)- Sundays from 6-7:30 pm
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Click here to see our full 2021-2022 youth group calendar
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Connection, a high school small group, Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
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Opportunities to volunteer with children's church and worship
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Youth Music Groups
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BUMP:
The month has been busy with all classes learning about the Fall and Halloween. Many classes are learning about Apples, Leaves, Fall animals, and getting to know more about their classmates and families.
Some highlights include apple tasting, cooking with their apples, and making apple decorations for the classroom and hallway. There was Scavenger Hunts for signs of Fall. Some even used the acorns and apples to paint pictures. The children are learning such fun ways to explore the world around them this time of year.
Each class has been preparing for their first special event… Halloween. They are decorating their classroom doors for this year’s Annual Door Decorating Contest. They are making Halloween crafts and talking about how they hope to celebrate the day. BUMP held its annual Halloween Parade this year last Wednesday and it was a big hit!
Registration is still ongoing. We have added a few new students and staff since the school year began and we still have openings in the 3’s and Transition Class. If you have friends or neighbors looking for a preschool home, please send them to our website at www.bumpreschool.org or they can simply call the Director’s office at 703-250-3657.
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To read the full list of BUMP highlights, see the full children's and youth calendar, and learn more about any of the opportunities listed above, click the button below. |
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As we live into God’s pathways for possibilities, we are so appreciative of the generosity of this congregation. If you have already had a chance to fill out your pledge card for next year, thank you so much! If you still have not, we hope that you will go to burkeumc.org/stewardship where you can look at the brochure, hear stories of the ways your financial gifts make a difference and fill out the online pledge card. If you would prefer a paper copy of the pledge card, feel free to stop by the church during the week and you can get one. Your financial gifts make ministry possible and as we look ahead, we know that God has amazing things in store for Burke UMC in 2022. |
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The Leadership Board met this month. With All Saints Day approaching, we discussed spiritual holidays we observe and family traditions that accompany them. We also had a discussion focused on church communications, including what’s working well and ideas to make these efforts even stronger.
Jason provided an overview of the Pastor’s Report, and we were joined by Katie Glick, who shared an update on children and youth ministries. There are so many opportunities available and we are grateful for all the staff and volunteers who are making these ministries possible!
We received an update on Boy Scout Charters and discussions happening between the Boy Scouts of America organization and the United Methodist Church. We anticipate additional updates in the coming months.
After a good discussion and a review of the survey results, the Leadership Board approved an amended version of the recommendation from Post-COVID Re-entry Group. The PRG has done amazing work to consider the current landscape and latest health data as it makes recommendations for updating BUMC guidance related to COVID-19. As a result of the latest recommendation, we look forward to indoor worship with distancing options. For those who would like to continue online, you’ll have that option, too.
The Charge Conference will be November 14. You are welcome to join us on Zoom!
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We're still cheering you on, college students!
We know students are in the thick of their studies at this point in the semester. What better way to put a smile on their face and remind them that they're not alone out there than receiving a card from their church family?! We invite you to mail a card to the students we share weekly, letting them know they're being prayed for and are loved. Missed some previous students? You can always go back to previous Friday Fives and Newsletters and send cards at any time during the school year.
Here are this week's students addresses:
Cecilia Spain (Freshman at the College of Charleston)
200348
CofC Complex
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
Camille Spain (Graduate Student at Radford University)
523 Clement St
Radford, VA 24141
A reminder: if you've not included your new college student to our list, or haven't updated the info for your returning student, please contact Margaret Yowell at Fitzhughlady@aol.com or 703 451-3287!
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To read Burke UMC's welcome statement and learn more about ways to get connected into the life of this community, click here!
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