BPC NEWS BRIEF
Wednesday,
February 9, 2022
mailing address:  Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
NEWS THIS WEEK

  • WORSHIP & SUNDAY STUDIES for SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13

  • NOMINATIONS for ELDER CLASS of 2025

  • CHAIR YOGA is BACK!

  • BOOK CLUB: Tuesday, February 15 (NOTE DATE CHANGE!)

  • FEBRUARY is BLACK HISTORY MONTH
  • Events Around Memphis
  • PCUSA Hosts Forums “Resiliency to Recovery”
  • Dr. Martin Luther King Celebration
  • 11 Things to Do in Memphis

  • PCUSA BOOKSTORE SALE

  • BPC Photos
  • Worship, Sunday, February 6
WEEKLY INFORMATION
  • Birthdays
  • Calendar of Events
  • OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
  • CONTACT INFORMATION
  • WORSHIP IN-PERSON POLICIES & PROCEDURES

REMINDERS:
  • BPC POLICY on CHURCH CLOSINGS for WEATHER
  • FREE COVID-19 AT HOME TESTS
  • RESCHEDULED EVENTS:
  • PRESBYTERY EDUCATION EVENT postponed until June 4, 9-2 at Farmington (Reservations required)


BPC WORSHIP

Sunday, February 13, 2022


11:00am IN BPC's SANCTUARY

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10 & Luke 6:17-26
Sermon: Blessed to Be a Blessing

CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP at 8:30am
IN BPC's Fellowship Hall
Everyone is invited to join Circle of Faith's
In-Person worship service! To enter the building, use Office door to the Fellowship Hall.
Bible Study of Matthew 
led by Clinton Bailey, Stanley Gates and William Warren.
Please read Chapters 11 & 12 for this week.
Meets in Classroom A.
Book Study of "His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis" 
by Jon Meacham; led by Cliff Gurlen and Audrey Davis.
Meets in the Fellowship area
We will still send an email on FRIDAY with the Sunday Worship Guide & a link to the LiveStream on YouTube. 

Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the 
REMINDERS
EVERYONE IS REQUIRED to WEAR MASKS, whether vaccinated or not, and is asked to keep Social Distancing.
SEE BELOW for POLICIES and PROCEDURES.

WEAR YOUR NAME TAGS!
(if you need a new Name Tag, please send an email to the church office at balmoral@balmoralpc.com)
SIGN UP to SERVE
as a LITURGIST for WORSHIP!
Now that we are back in-person for Worship, it’s time to go back to having a volunteer each Sunday to serve as the Liturgist with the Rev. Mary Newberg Gale to lead our service. Liturgists lead parts of the service on one Sunday, such as some responsive readings, one of the Scriptures, Passing the Peace, and other parts of the service. Rev. Gale will provide the script for the Liturgist’s sections. If you are interested in participating in Worship for a Sunday, please contact Rev. Gale at mngale@balmoralpc.com or send her a signed text to 913.481.7427. You will be contacted to schedule a convenient Sunday for you!
NOMINATIONS NEEDED for
3 ELDERS for the SESSION CLASS of 2025
The 2022 Nominating Committee will begin working together to discern the names of three members who are called as Ruling Elders in the Session Class of 2025.
 
You are able to make nominations by email or text as indicated below. We will need one person to serve on the Outreach Committee, one person to serve on the Operations Committee and one person to serve on the Formation Committee.  
 
If you would like to nominate a person or persons to serve in the Class of 2025, please speak to the chair of the 2022 Nominating Committee, Ted Pearson, or send the information about your nomination to Ted by email pearsonteda@aol.com or by phone or text him at (901) 486-6117. There will also be forms for nominations on the back sanctuary table that can be filled in and placed in the offering plate.
 
For each Nomination, please provide the following Information: 
  • NAME of the person to be considered for the Class of 2025
  • COMMENTS (optional)
  • YOUR NAME
 
If you have questions about the process for nominations, please contact Ted Pearson, Lisa Koffman, Phil Shannon, or Rev. Mary Gale.
The Role of a Ruling Elder
As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government
of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons
with particular gifts to share in discernment of God's Spirit
and governance of God's people. Accordingly, congregations should
elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated
skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. 
Ruling elders...are chosen by the congregation to discern and 
measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and 
nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with teaching 
elders, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and
discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation
 as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.
When elected by the congregation, they shall serve faithfully 
as members of the session. When elected as commissioners 
to higher councils, ruling elders participate and vote with the
same authority as teaching elders, and they are eligible for any office.
Book of Order, G-2.0301 _____________________________________________
 
Please speak to the person you nominate before placing their name into nomination to express your belief that they are called to serve on Session.
Members of the Current Session Classes

CHAIR YOGA is BACK!
(Yes, really! )
Join Lynn Ward as we begin chair yoga classes at Balmoral. Each session will begin at 12:30pm every Tuesday and Thursday. Please enter the church by way of the sanctuary door. We will meet in the sanctuary by the windows. The Covid Task Force has asked that all participants wear masks and maintain a six-foot distance from each other. Contact Lynn at 901 600-5397 or email her at lward904@aol.com. 
Everyone is welcome!
BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
1:30pm in Classroom A
NOTE THE NEW DATE for THIS MONTH!
Epiphany: Stories
Each of these novella-length tales focuses on an epiphany--a revelation born of an unlikely interchange.
Ferrol Sams displays the warmth, humor, and wisdom that have delighted readers and earned him many a comparison to Mark Twain.
Cathy Bailey will lead the discussion.
COMING IN MARCH: A Century of November,
by W.D. Wetherell. Led by Ted Pearson on Tuesday, March 8.
FEBRUARY is
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Black History Month Events across the Mid-South
The Mid-South is known for its rich history and culture.
This month, the country honors Black History and FOX13 has compiled a list of events happening in the Mid-South.
(Blue underlined words in this article are links to more information about these evets.)


Hattiloo Theatre
“The Mountaintop,” written by Memphian and playwright Katori Hall, will play the reimagined the events on the night before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination in Memphis, following the delivery of his memorable “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. Visitors can watch the play for $25 to $35 from now through Feb. 13.

Benjamin L. Hooks Library
Black Children’s Books and Authors (BCBA) will hold the fifth annual “Our Stories Matter” African American read-in.
The event will include readings by Erica Martin, author of “And We Rise: The Civil Rights Movement in Poems.” Visitors can hear and read poems selected by Martin.
The event is on Feb. 19 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and it is free.
National Black Presbyterian Caucus
& Presbytery of the Mid South
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CELEBRATION, Sunday, FEBRUARY 20, 2022 3:00 o’clock pm at Parkway Gardens United Presbyterian Church, 1005 East Shelby Drive. Memphis, TN 38116
This is a Presbytery wide celebration. 
 
Natalie Toombs, Regional Representative,
Mid-South Region of the National Black Presbyterian Chapter
 
Live Streamed on Parkway Gardens United Presbyterian Church Facebook page
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to Host Forums Recognizing Black History Month
by Gail Strange | Presbyterian News Service
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is sponsoring a
celebration “Resiliency to Recovery.” The theme observes the strong resiliency of the African American community from a historical to present-day perspective. It examines African Americans’ ongoing ability and need to survive while continuing to fight for justice and equality.

The African American Intercultural Congregational Support Ministries will host three forums to give participants an opportunity to go into a more in-depth conversation around the topics of resistance, rest, recovery, and reparations which are the supporting pillars of the theme. The forums will be held at 5 p.m. (CST) on Feb. 10 and 24 and at 7 p.m. (CST) on Feb. 17 and can be watched on the PC(USA) Facebook page. Click here to join the forum..
THINGS TO DO IN MEMPHIS FOR
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2022
The city of Memphis played a huge role in the Civil Rights Movement and you will experience firsthand the struggles, triumphs, and music along with larger-than-life legends like Dr. king and many unsung heroes who fought alongside him.  
There are plenty of places worth exploring for Black History Month including the following attractions:
  1. The National Civil Rights Museum
  2. Beale Street
  3. Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum inside the historic Burkle Estate
  4. The Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange  
  5. Ernest Withers Collection Museum
  6. Historic First Baptist Beale Street
  7. MLK Reflection Park
  8. I AM A MAN Plaza
  9. The Blues Hall of Fame
  10. Stax Museum of American Soul Music
  11. W.C. Handy Home and Museum
Read more about these places at https://passportsandgrub.com/black-history-memphis/
We have a number of new releases and books that will be available in the next few months and we want you to save 40% on all of them!

We have a new Bible study on the Ten Commandments by Eugenia Anne Gamble and an exploration of Jeremiah from Walter Brueggemann. There are three new children's books that not only teach us about caring for our environment, but also about caring for each other. Other engaging books in this sale include:
You can browse all using the button below. Be sure to check for the publication date on the book's web page to see when it will be available. This sale ends February 15, 2022.
FREE COVID-19
AT-HOME TEST KITS
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
You can order 4 FREE at-home COVID-19 test kits from the government, in an ongoing effort to curb the latest, record-breaking coronavirus surge.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
The tests will be completely free—there are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.

You can visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ to order their free at-home tests or go directly to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) order form here: https://special.usps.com/testkits.
(The government says that a phone number will be set up soon, so that residents can order their tests via the phone, but it is not yet available. When it is published we will publish it in the Newsletter.)
The website is easy to use - simply enter your name and home address. You will get an order confirmation number (and they will email the confirmation # if you enter an email address.)
Mid-South Presbytery Education Day 2022


KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Jan Edmiston,
General Presbyter of Charlotte NC Presbytery






FOR MORE INFO:
BIRTHDAYS
Jane Rousseau (10), Rick Pride (24), Art Hall (25), Emmy Orians (27), Rosie Schmitz (28) 
 
Every Monday
2:00pm Writer's Group CLASSROOM A and/or on Zoom

EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY
12:30pm CHAIR YOGA in the Sanctuary

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
in Classroom A

1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE
Sunday, February 13, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM SUNDAY STUDIES: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  • Bible Study meets in Classroom A
  • "His Truth is Marching On" meets in the Fellowship area
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

TUESDAY, February 15, 2022
1:30pm BOOK CLUB in Classroom A

Sunday, February 20, 2022
8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall
9:30 AM SUNDAY STUDIES: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
  • Bible Study meets in Classroom A
  • "His Truth is Marching On" meets in the Fellowship area
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

Sunday, February 20, 2022
3:00pm Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
Parkway Gardens United Presbyterian Church,
1005 East Shelby Drive. Memphis, TN 38116
PLEASE NOTE: The Church Office will NOT be staffed. Please continue to use your contact lists to reach us!
REMINDERS: We must help to keep the SEED children safe!
Please do not enter the SEED area of the building without authorization and be sure to wear masks around the children.

Small Group Meetings in Classrooms A & B must be scheduled with Barry Dotson, barry.dotson@yahoo.com or signed text/cell: 901. 277.1596

Requests for other uses of the property (including the parking lot) MUST prepare a proposal to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force (Scott Hill, chairperson) for review; the task force will review the proposal, then make a recommendation to the Session for consideration.
BPC PHOTOS
WORSHIP SERVICE
Sunday, February 6, 2022
Musical Offering
“Will You Come and Follow Me"
The Rev. Mary Gale
Erich Schultz
Prayer of Illumination
Ainsley Gale
Old Testament Scripture
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

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 this week will be supplied by Pastoral Care Intern Rev. Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506
       or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com
You may also reach out to our Transitional Pastor
Rev. Mary Newberg Gale at 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. 
CURRENT WORSHIP PROCEDURES
Due to New CDC Recommendations regarding the Delta Variant the following will be observed:
  • Masks will be worn in the building at all times
  • Social Distancing of 6 feet will be observed at all times; please avoid close contact with others, such as hugging or shaking hands. Greet each other with elbow bumps instead!
  • Pastor will be masked at all times except at the pulpit when she is preaching and leading worship
  • Choral leaders will be masked at all times except when they sing or lead liturgy
  • Musicians will be masked at all times, except those who play brass or wind instruments
NOTE that CONGREGATIONAL SINGING restrictions have been REMOVED! The Congregation invites all vaccinated, masked worshippers to join their voices!
UPDATED 12/2021:aa
The Session approved motions from the BPC COVID-19 Task Force the following changes to Balmoral's procedures:
(1) The congregation is permitted to sing, but must wear masks;
(2) the choir is no longer limited to 12 singers, but all must wear masks;
(3) sharing the peace is permitted, but the congregation must be masked and socially distanced;
(4) communion may resume, with details worked out by Rev. Gale and the worship team, followed by approval by the Covid-19 Task Force;
(5) fully vaccinated church officers and volunteers may resume use of the church office, continuing to follow protocols (masked and distanced) and using only a direct path to and from the office from the entrance closest to the office;
(6) As we begin to lift restrictions, the Session encourages unvaccinated individuals to remain safe by joining us on live-stream rather than worshipping in person.

NOTE: Since the church office will NOT be 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!
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: hill8910@bellsouth.net
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.

REMINDER: BALMORAL'S INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
When the weather is bad, BPC's Policy is as follows:

DURING the WEEK:
If the Shelby County Schools are CLOSED for Weather reasons, Balmoral will also close the church and any activities for the day.

ON SUNDAY MORNING:
The BPC staff will monitor conditions Saturday evening and early Sunday mornings and will notify everyone by an email if the Church will be CLOSED and classes & Worship cancelled.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL SUNDAY MORNING BEFORE YOU COME to CHURCH when the Memphis area is under a Winter Advisory.

If you would also like to receive a text when the church will be closed
on Sunday morning , contact Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by signed text to 901.734.7193 with your name & mobile number and we will contact you by text to notify you.
  • 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. Elizabeth Dick (elizabethdick2@gmail.com) with a copy to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net.
FEBRUARY 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.