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OUR MISSION: We are an open community who believes God is love
and who lives our belief through praise and service.
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mailing address: Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187
WEBSITE: www.balmoralpc.com
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NEWS THIS WEEK
- WORSHIP SUNDAY, May 12, Sunday Studies at 9:30am Worship at 11:00am
- NEW BPC MISSION STATEMENT
- SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
- DON'T FORGET the FOOD CART THIS WEEK
- SENIOR SUNDAY RECOGNITION May 19
- LITURGISTS NEEDED for MAY & JUNE
- COMMUNITY PICNIC, May 19, after worship
- DEDICATION of the GALE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER at Pinecrest, May 19, 3:00pm
- LET'S JOIN the PARADE! June 1
- EVERGREEN PRES in the NEWS
- MEMPHIS MAGAZINE ARTICLE by JANE SCHNEIDER
- BPC Photos
- Worship Photos
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WEEKLY INFORMATION
- Birthdays
- Calendar of Events
- CONTACT INFORMATION
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES
- BRING FOOD for the FOOD CART
- Recycle Toothbrushes
- Give out Hospitality bags
- Johnson Auxiliary Donations
REMINDERS:
- SIGN UP to be a WORSHIP LITURGIST!
- DON'T FORGET TO SIGN-UP for COFFEE HOUR SNACKS!
- PINECREST SUMMER CAMPS REGISTRATION
- NEW BOOKS on the BOOK SWAP CART
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Sunday Worship
May 12, 2024
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WORSHIP SERVICE 11:00am
Scriptures: Psalm 108:1-6 & John 17:6-19
Sermon: Jesus Prays for Us
Rev. Mark Howland
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Spring Studies
9:30am in Classroom A
The Spring Term will continue until May 26.
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The class will study the book
"Hallelujah Anyway" by Anne Lamott.
LEADERS: Mary Schmitz & Beverly Hooker
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Can't attend Worship in person?
Join us online LIVE!
We will still send an email on FRIDAY with the LiveStream YouTube link
& Sunday Worship Guide.
Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are also still available on the
Balmoral YouTube channel
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The power of prayer is truly an amazing reality. Keeping someone in prayer and letting them know you are praying for them can have a very positive impact upon their lives and situation. It tells the individual that you care for them. You communicate a sense of value to the person.
This Sunday we will hear a prayer that Jesus said for his disciples, and in a broader sense, for each of us. Having the knowledge that Jesus would desire to pray for us gives us a clear understanding that we are valued in Jesus's life. His concern communicates the love which we hear about but becomes more tangible when we read the words which John's Gospel records.
Prayer has great value in our lives and in our world. Let us never underestimate the impact which prayer can provide. Communicate to others that you are praying for them. Always remember that the Lord prays for us still this day.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
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BPC MISSION STATEMENT
The Session on April 21 adopted a new mission statement to reflect who we are in this time. All previous mission statements will be removed. The new mission statement will appear on all our communications. We will be asking all teams and groups to look at how their work fit within the mission statement in the coming months.
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OUR MISSION:
We are an open community who believes God is love
and who lives our belief through praise and service.
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SOUP KITCHEN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! | |
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It’s Balmoral’s turn at the Soup Kitchen at First Presbyterian, Sunday, June 9th, after worship! We’ll carpool from the BPC parking lot after worship and eat at 1st Pres.
Contact Scott Dawson to join us!
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Uh-Oh!
The Food Cart was EMPTY!
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St. Luke Methodist Food Pantry needs non-perishable staples all through the year.... pasta, cereal, peanut butter, can goods of fruits, vegetables, soups, stews or Chili with meat. Add an item or two to your grocery list this week for the Food Cart and let's fill 'er up! If you need assistance to move your donations from your car, contact Scott Dawson! | | |
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BOOK CLUB
for May
Tuesday, May 14, 1:30pm
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at the home of Janice Hill, 2110 Hickory Crest Drive | |
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"The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store"
by James McBride
“A murder mystery locked inside a Great American Novel..." This book has received great reviews by critics and praise from readers, so it promises to bring out another great discussion.
Discussion will be led by Jan Kaplan
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SENIOR RECOGNITION SUNDAY, May 19
Youth will be participating in the service.
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AND we will be honoring our graduating senior,
Eli Gurlen!
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PENTECOST SUNDAY
May 19
The liturgical color for the Day of Pentecost is the red of fire, one of the day’s symbols for the Holy Spirit. The Bible often portrays God’s transforming presence through the symbol of fire: Moses and the burning bush, the pillar of fire that led the people of Israel through the wilderness, the fires of Mount Carmel and the temple in Jerusalem that consumed sacrificial offerings.
The fire of the Pentecost story signifies how a collection of fearful disciples was transformed by the Spirit into a bold and active church.
Remembering that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not just for the church of the past or only a few, everyone is invited to wear red to worship on Sunday, May 19th!
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LITURGISTS NEEDED
for MAY and JUNE!
Don't leave the Liturgist's chair empty - our Liturgists add so much richness to our Worship!
We need Liturgists for May 26
and 3 Sundays in June!
Click on the button below and scroll down to the week you can serve and enter your name. Or contact Kathy Singleton (ksingle2@bellsouth.net.)
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If you haven't served as Liturgist before, we will send you a Liturgist Guide! Why not give it a try?? | | |
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Sunday
May 19
after Worship
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR - We're having a Community Picnic!
We have our grillers already making plans - Hamburgers and brats will be provided....
Bring a side or dessert to share!
Sign up sheet is at the entrance of the sanctuary.
We encourage you to invite guests, friends and neighbors to join us!
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Nurturing the Faith of Those Who are
the Church to Come | |
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A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children.
40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults.
We will be receiving the Pentecost Offering, on Sunday, May 19th this year, nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come.
Begin now considering how you can support this year!
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NEW BOOKS on the BOOK SWAP CART | |
Looking for some summer reading? These two were just added and there are plenty of others to try! | |
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DEDICATION of the NEW Gale Environmental Education Center
Sunday, May 19, 3:00pm
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Read more about Dr. Paula Gale & the Environmental Education Center HERE | |
LET'S JOIN the PARADE!
June 1, 2024
11:00am
Memphis Pride Festival and Parade
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The Session has chosen to have an entry in the MidSouth Pride Festival Parade on Saturday, June 1. We need individuals who are willing to walk in the parade, which is approximately a 5-6 block walk and then the same in return. There may also be one vehicle in our entry which would allow those who are not able to walk to still participate. Please sign up either by contacting the church office or by placing your name on the sign up sheet which is on the little round table in the narthex. | |
The annual Memphis Pride Parade draws a massive audience and offers a production like no other. The Parade Steps off at 4th and Beale and makes its way through the historic Beale Street Entertainment District. The procession features over 110 units with 2,500+ participants of all ages and backgrounds including church groups, performing arts groups, museums, high school & college groups, senior groups, non-profit organizations, city & county leaders, local businesses, and corporate brands. | |
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Memphis church finds new life, ministries in storefront
Presbyterian Foundation May 1, 2024
Evergreen Presbyterian Church pastor: ‘I’m glad [members] were bold enough to take that leap.’
by Nancy Crowe for the Presbyterian Foundation |
Special to Presbyterian News Service
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Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, is writing a new chapter not only in a nontraditional place, but with new friends and missions. (Photo courtesy of Evergreen Presbyterian Church)
Membership had gone from 1,400 to about 160 over the decades. Maintaining a 10-acre campus, with a tall-steeple sanctuary built in 1950, drained money and energy. Church leaders struggled with the implications of closing or merging.
It’s not a new story.
However, Evergreen Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee, is writing a new chapter not only in a nontraditional place, but with new friends and missions.
Wandering
Longtime member Susan Bransford, whose husband Roger served for years on the property and grounds committee, said the congregation made many efforts to lower operating costs.
The sanctuary, gym and education building proved too much to maintain. Discussions about selling the property to the neighboring, Presbyterian-affiliated Rhodes College went on for years.
“We were bleeding money,” Bransford said. “It was very obvious it needed to happen.”
Other members were not ready to let go. But one older member, the wife of an influential former pastor, weighed in.
“She stood up in a meeting and said, ‘I love this building a lot. I love the memories, but it’s time to move on.’ And she made all the difference in the world,” Bransford said.
Evergreen in 2013 participated in the Presbyterian Foundation’s Project Regeneration. This program helps congregations deal with property and other transitions and discern God’s call in writing their next chapter.
The congregation voted that year to sell its property to the college, which has since turned the gymnasium into a bookstore and the sanctuary into a concert hall.
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Eleven years ago, Evergreen Presbyterian Church sold its former building to Rhodes College, which has since transformed it into a concert hall. (Contributed photo)
Evergreen member Mark Hamilton, who led the committee in charge of the sale, said the property could likely have brought in more money on the commercial market. But Rhodes let Evergreen stay for 27 months, rent-free, while it looked for a new home. An afterschool program moved to a nearby public school; the preschool, to another church.
The congregation, then under the leadership of the Rev. Lucy Waechter Webb, tried out different worship spaces for a couple of years. It ultimately decided to use some of the proceeds from the property to purchase its current building in 2016.
Still Evergreen
“We ended up buying a storefront, which is what everybody absolutely agreed they did not want,” Bransford said.
Yet here Evergreen is in a modest single-story space that, from the street, looks like it could house anything from a dry cleaner to an independent bookshop.
Inside are rows of carefully arranged chairs, a multicolored banner with the word “joy,” and a metal sculpture hanging from the ceiling with delicate, flying birds. Abundant natural light flows in through what used to be store windows.
“It looks spiritual, but not like a church,” Bransford said.
That less-churchy vibe turned out to be much more welcoming for those who have been turned off or even harmed by traditional churches, especially Millennials, Gen Z and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Taking “the church isn’t the building” further: “We’ve been known to close down and go somewhere else on a Sunday,” she added — another congregation or a park, for example. They brought Holy Communion to an area where many are unhoused.
“There was something maybe freeing about changing the physical space that none of us foresaw.”
A new income stream
The church rents out its space for meetings, concerts, art exhibits and other events. It has a long-term tenant in the same building, a counseling agency working primarily with those living with HIV/AIDS.
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These rentals are an important source of income, said the Rev. Patrick Harley, Evergreen’s pastor since 2020. Relatively little is spent on the building.
Hamilton, the current church treasurer, said the congregation still faces the same challenges as other churches in the Presbytery of the Mid-South in generating enough pledge income to cover operating expenses.
The rental income and investment income from the remaining proceeds from the property sale cover the shortfall in Evergreen’s operating budget, he said. The goal is to increase membership and pledges to cover all operating expenses.
“I don’t think Evergreen is alone in facing that our Baby Boomer-aged members are funding a high percentage of our pledge income,” Hamilton said.
However, the congregation’s overall financial health is sound. “We continue to find ways to serve our greater community as an inclusive and affirming church.”
The Rev. Sandra Moon, the Foundation’s Ministry Relations Officer for the Cumberland Region, said Evergreen gives her hope.
“Just to see the joy on Rev. Harley’s face when he talks about his congregation, and how they’re utilizing their space as part of their ministry — it was the perfect solution to ‘what do we do with a large, aging church building that no longer suits our needs?’” she said.
Not all congregations will be able to do what Evergreen has done, Moon said. Though the process was lengthy, Evergreen had an ideal buyer in Rhodes College and a congregation willing to make a major change.
“But it does give hope for what can happen if a congregation is willing to put the time and energy into intentionally and faithfully discerning where God is calling them to go,” she said.
A progressive identity
Harley arrived in the early months of Covid. For a time, he led worship in the storefront sanctuary by himself via Zoom.
“It was several months before I realized most of the folks hadn’t been in the renovated space much at all,” he recalled. “It was June 2021 before we were actually inside.”
What Harley found in Evergreen was “a willingness to experiment with how we do church, how we worship, being more involved in mission and justice work and an identity that’s more openly progressive.”
The congregation participates in local Pride events and the Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope (MICAH).
That’s helped attract new, younger members — and not necessarily alienated more seasoned ones, noted Harley, a Millennial himself.
“There are folks in their 80s who were like, ‘No, I’m down for this new thing. Let’s go,’ which was really cool,” Harley said.
Behold, a new thing
The church in February hosted Guns to Gardens, an opportunity to safely and anonymously surrender firearms. Guns were dismantled on-site with a chop saw to be transformed into garden tools.
Artists from the Metal Museum, Moore Tech and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis also created art from the disassembled gun parts at the Metal Petals + Healing Roots event a month later. The creations were displayed at the church.
Making petals out of gun metal, like any transition, takes work.
Harley said it would have been very easy for Evergreen to merge with another congregation or just disperse. Members cared enough, and were stubborn enough, to put time and effort into creating something new.
“It’s something really incredible that we’re getting to do and be here,” he said. “I’m grateful [members]were bold enough to take that leap. A lot of mainline churches don’t like doing that.”
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DID YOU SEE MEMPHIS MAGAZINE THIS MONTH?
BE SURE to READ JANE SCHNEIDER'S ARTICLE!
(NOTE: the article is available online by subscription ONLY)
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Summer Camp
Pinecrest’s Summer Camp season is almost upon us, so the Pinecrest summer camp brochure is attached below. Pinecrest is also looking for staff, so a flyer for information for Staff Hiring as well.
Even if you don’t have children at your church, you may have grandchildren or might be interested in sponsoring a camper!
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REMEMBER to SIGN-UP for
COFFEE-TIME SNACKS !
Volunteers are needed to bring snacks for Fellowship time before and after worship. We ask that you bring 2-3 dozen of your favorite snack item. A sign up sheet is located by the snacks and coffee or contact Paul Below for open dates and information.
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LITURGIST SIGNUPS
Use the button here to sign-up!
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Choose the Sunday(s) you are available to serve. All materials you need will be sent to you for that week!
(Contact Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net if you have questions or need help signing up.)
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OPPORTUNITIES for OUTREACH | |
St. Luke Methodist Food Pantry needs non-perishable staples all through the year.... pasta, cereal, peanut butter, can goods of fruits, vegetables, soups, stews or Chili with meat. Add an item or two to your grocery list this week for the Food Cart! | | |
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RECYCLE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH!
Bring your used toothbrushes & empty toothpaste tubes and place them in the labeled box in the Food Cart for recycling!
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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 or other dried fruit, granola bars, cheese crackers (NO PEANUT BUTTER!!), clean socks - when you see someone asking for a handout, hand them a Hospitality bag!
Please bring what you can!
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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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UPDATED NEEDS for
JOHNSON AUXILIARY
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CURRENT NEEDS: toothpaste, deodorant, hair scrunchies, combs and brushes
JOHNSON AUXILIARY CURRENTLY HAS PLENTY of CLOTHES!
BUT MONETARY DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!
(SAVE ANY CLOTHING DONATIONS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. )
Other Needs:
- Adult coloring and puzzle books; crayons and colored pencils (must be new)
Hygiene Items -- must be new, unused and not beyond expiration date—
- Men’s and women’s deodorant (unscented preferred)
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash (small travel size preferred)
- Body wash (small travel size)
- Large Combs (particularly those for detangling hair) and Brushes
- Nail Clippers
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.)
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BIRTHDAYS
Jessica Orians (12); Clinton Bailey (23); Casey Gurlen (26); Janet Smith (26); Shirley Vosburg (29); Phil Shannon (30); Noah Mercer (31)
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BPC OFFICE HOURS
Monday thru Thursday
10AM - 3PM
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EVERY TUESDAY
8:00am Tuesdays with Ted Small Group
at Cracker Barrel on Hacks Cross Rd.
EVERY TUESDAY & THURSDAY
12:30pm CHAIR YOGA in CLASSROOM A
EVERY WEDNESDAY
6:00pm Bell Choir rehearsal in the Sanctuary
7:00pm Choir rehearsal in the Choir room
1st Wednesday of the Month
BIBLE STUDY 10:30am in Classroom A
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
Ellis Small Group 10:15 am in Classroom A
2nd Sunday of the Month
Lunch with Mark after worship in Classroom A
2nd Tuesday of the Month
1:30pm BOOK CLUB
1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month
COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE
4th Thursday of the Month
10:30am SANDWICH PROJECT in Classroom A
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Sunday, May 12, 2024
Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
Lunch with Mark at 12:30pm in Classroom A
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
BOOK CLUB 1:30pm at the home of Janice Hill
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Pentecost & Senior Recognition Sunday
Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
CHURCH PICNIC after Worship on the church lawn
1:45pm Session Meeting in Classroom A
3:00pm Dedication of the GEEC at Pinecrest
Thursday, May 23, 2024
SANDWICH PROJECT, 10:30am in Classroom A
Sunday, May 26, 2024
Sunday Studies at 9:30am in Classroom A
11:00 AM BPC Worship in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
Saturday, June 1, 2024
MidSouth PRIDE FESTIVAL PARADE
Sunday, June 2, 2024
11:00 AM BPC Worship & Communion in the Sanctuary & LiveStream on YouTube
(NO Sunday Studies)
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Liturgist
Robin Van Nortwick
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Rev. Mark Howland
Children's Moment
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Musical Offering
Leiza Collins, pianist; Ben Legett, director
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L: Hudson DeLoach & Shannon's grandson, Jack, bring quarters
R: Glenda Ellis helps the Shannon's granddaughter, Eleanor, feeding the quarters
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Pastor Contact: Rev. Mark Howland
515-988-5183 or email pastormark@balmoralpc.com
(Mark is usually in his office Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00-noon for drop-ins)
Pastoral Care is supplied by Pastor Associate
Rev. Elizabeth Dick (314.330.0506
or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com)
Session members are your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the current contact list:
Paul Below............. (319) 540-4363 ............... pbelow84@gmail.com
Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com
Art Hall .................... (901) 832-5728 ............... arthall0225@gmail.com
Janice Hill ............... (901) 826-9747 ................ janicehill81@gmail.com
Beverly Hooker.........(901) 496-1241 ................ bev.h@earthlink.net
Karen Pilkington......(901) 262-5810 ............karenlpilkington@gmail.com
Mary Schmitz .......... (901) 496-2799 .......... Maryschmitz4196@gmail.com
Erich Shultz .............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net
Linda Warren...........(901) 573-2654.............emighwarren1947@gmail.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.
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DOUBLE-CHECK our BPC DIRECTORY LISTING!
Contact Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net to get an updated listing emailed to you!
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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 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 be submitted via email to Rev. Elizabeth Dick (elizabethdick2@gmail.com) and to Rev. Mark Howland (pastormark@balmoralpc.com) with a copy to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net.
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May 2024
online church calendar
Click HERE for the BPC 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 current calendar is available to you.
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