January 2023

Here at Burke UMC, we welcome all to experience Christ's life-changing love as we worship, learn, and share in caring community!

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, from the youngest to oldest members of our community. Be sure to scroll through this newsletter and read about upcoming opportunities to connect and engage in January.

2024!!! A new year!! I don’t know about you, but the new year always makes me a bit more contemplative. I think about time and the complexity of it. Sarah and I were recollecting that we remembered when the year 2000 seemed so far off and so far into the future. Conan O’Brien used to have a bit on his show where they would make funny predictions about the year 2000 because it seemed so far off and we are in 2024. It also blows my mind a bit that a lot of the children being born now will get to see the year 2100! Time is a funny thing. It seems like it is going by so quick and yet things I did over the summer seem so long ago. This time of year I think about all that happened over the previous year and then, like most of us, I think about what things I would want the year ahead to include. What items would I like to knock off my bucket list? What ways do I want to grow over the next year? This year has a lot happening in the larger areas of our lives. It is a presidential election year. It is a year where the United Methodist Church will meet and has some big decisions before them. It is a year where countries are still in devastating conflict and I hope that those might come to an end and bring relief to those places and the ability to move forward. I take a new year as a time to look to God. I don’t have answers for the big issues that plague our world, but I like to figure out where my place…my gifts might input to help them, even if that is just in my local community. I think about who God has created me to be and are there things that are holding me back from fully living out that call. I wonder if there are steps in faith I have been reluctant to take that maybe the upcoming year is one that is calling me to make them! January is a good space to do this as we are more holed up in our homes in these winter months. So, I encourage you to be in a spirit of prayer this January and as you look through the newsletter, I pray there may be things at the church that you might decide are helpful for you in your discernment as we all continue to be who God calls us to be and grow in discipleship in 2024! Blessings to all of you as we approach this new year!

-Pastor Jason

In honor of MLK Jr Day, Burke UMC is encouraging our community to engage in educational events and service projects. Come January, we will let you know of many different service opportunities in the local area, as well as places to go for MLK weekend (such as the African American History and Culture Museum, and the MLK memorial). 

This year, the church will also be hosting a trip to the Frederick Douglass house in Anacostia, Washington DC. The abolitionist, politician, advocate and author resided in this home from 1878 through his death in 1895. This historic site offers guided tours, during which we can learn about his life and his legacy in the fight for racial justice. The church has reserved 25 spots for Saturday, January 13 at 10:45am. Please use this link to let us know you are coming!

February 1 is the United Methodist Day at the General Assembly; an opportunity for Methodists around the state to gather in Richmond and talk with their representatives about important legislative action in Virginia. This is an all-day event located in Richmond. For all information, and to register, please click here.

The deadline for early registration is January 7! If you register and would like to travel with us there, please also put your name down on this sign up genius, so we know you are coming! 

Upcoming Worship Opportunities:

• January 7: Holy Communion, Epiphany, Renewal of Baptism
• January 9, 7:30 pm: Wesley Covenant Service

Wesley Covenant Service, introduced by John Wesley in 1775, was an important part of spiritual life in Methodist Societies. It is a time to gather for self-examination, reflection and dedication. The service has undergone many revisions and adaptations, but its purpose remains as a ceremony of commitment to ongoing discipleship and Christ-like character. We hope you'll join us as we participate in this tradition together on January 9!

Weekly Worship:

• We worship each Sunday at 9:30 am, both in person in our Sanctuary and online via Facebook Live and on our website. The service is live-streamed at 9:30 am, although it is also available afterwards so you can watch at your convenience after that time if you're not able to watch live.
• When attending worship either in person or online, please let us know you're worshipping with us by either completing a Connection Card (where you register your attendance and list your prayer concerns) or by using QR codes located in the pews – you can also sign in online at burkeumc.org/attendance.

Children’s Church : Children age 4 - 2nd grade, begin Worship in the Sanctuary with their families. They will be escorted to Children’s Church when directed. They will be returned to the sanctuary during the closing hymn (except on communion Sundays, when they will be returned prior to receiving communion).

Offering Envelopes:

Offering envelopes were ordered for the new year. If you did not receive yours or would like to have a booklet for the year 2024, please stop by the Connection Center to pick a set up. If you need your packet mailed to you, please email bumc@burkeumc.org or call the church office at 703-250-6100. Your faithful support of our church is greatly appreciated.

Ongoing Worship Opportunities:

• Weekly Sunday Morning Worship: 9:30 am, In-Person and Online on our website at burkeumc.org/online
• Children's Church: Children age 4 - 2nd grade, begin worship in the Sanctuary with their families. They will be escorted to Children’s Church when directed. Contact Katie Glick with questions.
• Missed a worship service? Really loved a sermon and want to listen again? Check them out by clicking HERE.

Prayer Opportunities:

Prayer Resource Table - There is a prayer resource table at the entrance to the Narthex. These resources are available to borrow for your use or share with friends. Upper Room devotionals are available in printed copy. You may also view the Upper Room daily devotions here: https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals

Sunday Morning - On Sunday morning between 8:45 and 9:15 am you are invited to gather to pray for our morning worship and its leaders. The Prayer Focus Team members facilitate this gathering, but others are encouraged to participate. A notebook with full instructions is on a small table in the chapel. You may also sign up online to be the leader using this link!

Thursday Morning - Join facilitator Jane Wilson in the Sanctuary on Thursday mornings from 9:00-9:45 am to pray together about current events and issues facing the world and prayers for those on BUMC’s ongoing prayer list. All are welcome and encouraged to attend whenever possible for prayers of the people.

Prayer Chapel - Our relocated prayer chapel (on the lower level underneath our office complex) provides a peaceful, calming area for personal prayer or small group prayer. The chapel is open during church office hours and on Sunday. Stop in and visit this beautiful space and admire the stained glass windows.

Music Ministry at Burke UMC:

December was a busy month for our musicians. Thank you to all our participants for providing beautiful music for us during worship!

Kick off the new year by LEARNing! There are many opportunities for Christian adult classes (on Sunday mornings and other times throughout the week) that you can find on burkeumc.org/learn.

Here are upcoming studies you might be interested in joining in!

• HOPE Class - Sundays at 10:45 am on Zoom
• “Reading Mark in Context, Jesus and Second Temple Judaism” (Ben C. Blackwell, John K. Goodrich & Jason Maston, Editors)
• GIFT Class - Sundays at 10:30 am in the Grace & Peace Room
• Continuing their study of "Revelation for Everyone" by NT Wright
• Tuesday Morning Class - Tuesdays at 10 am on Zoom
• Studying "John" by Adam Hamilton
• WIS Class - Thursdays at 10 am on Zoom
• Reading "Fierce: Women in the Bible that Changed the World" by Jennifer Cowart
• Men's Fellowship - 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm, online and in person option
• Following "Share the Dream: Shining a Light in a Divided World" Amplify study

A Night In Bethlehem - thank you!

Many thanks to the Cubeta family and ALL of the many volunteers that helped make the children's musical "Camel Lot!" and the Night in Bethlehem Advent Celebration a special blessing for us all! It was a wonderful way to prepare our hearts for the Advent season.

January 18: Women’s Connection 

Kick off the New Year in the Fellowship Hall on January 18th at 6:30pm! Join in the fun and fellowship as we set personal focus areas for the year ahead and explore new opportunities to Worship-Learn-Care-Share. Nursery care & light dinner provided. Please reach out to Anne Sawin at sawinfamily@verizon.net with any questions. 

January 20: BINGO

BUMC Bingo is Back on January 20th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall. Come join in a fun night of playing Bingo and meeting new friends in our church community. Snacks and prizes will be provided. We hope to see you there! 

Add Yoga to your New Year self care plan! Yoga with Anna meets on Thursday evenings from 7:30 - 8:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Wear loose clothing, bring your own yoga mat and water. Suggested donation is $10.00/class. There will be no classes held on January 4 and 11. The next class will be on January 18! Restorative classes will be held on the last Thursday of each month during the winter.

Women's Retreat: June 7-9, 2024

We're having a 2024 women's retreat will be held at Shrine Mont and there are about 15 spots still available! A $100 non-refundable deposit is due to the church office to secure your spot. You can learn more and let us know you're coming HERE. Questions? Reach out to Sandy Latta at slatta@fourthwave.com.

Feeding Ministries:

Every 4^th Sunday morning Farah Greeley and other volunteers prepare a meal that is delivered to Rising Hope Mission Church. Rising Hope has just let us know that their guest numbers have increased drastically from around 30 to 65. Farah Greeley is in need of additional help to meet this increased demand! Be in touch with Katie Glick for more information on how you can support this ministry. (katieglick@burkeumec.org).

Burke Gives Back Community Co-op & Parent Shop:

Our community co-op continues to serve those experiencing food insecurity in the Burke, Springfield, and Fairfax areas.

On December 16^th we held our annual Holiday Parent Shop for our co-op families. Parents were able to attend and purchase gifts for their children. Parents paid $5 per child and could pick out 2 gifts per child. Thanks to the generosity of the BUMC congregation and the surrounding community we distributed about 400 gifts for 200 children. Thank you!!!

Current Co-op Needs:

• Canned soup
• Canned corn
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Pasta
• Flour
• Sugar
• Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, body wash, shampoo, feminine pads

Donations for the co-op can be placed in the donation bins -- now located in our back parking lot!

Weekend Food Bags

We continue to provide weekend food bags to our partner schools to support children who would otherwise be food insecure over the weekend when they are not receiving school breakfast and lunch. We invite you to donate food items to support this ministry! Find the list of needed items below. If you would rather support this ministry by making a financial contribution, you are welcome to make a check out to BUMC and note Weekend Food Bags. Thank you in advance for your support of this important ministry!

Weekend Food Bag Needs:

• Fruit cups
• Pudding cups
• Milk boxes
• Cracker and cheese (packs of the 6 sandwich crackers)
• Individual pasta cups
• Granola Bars

Ecumenical Community Helping Others:

After the holidays, on January 2, ECHO, 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, will return to normal hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Current special needs are in the Clothing Room for sneakers (new or used, in good condition) for boys, girls, men, and women. The Housewares Department currently needs towels, shower curtains, bathmats, comforters, and frying pans. The list of ECHO’s needs is always on its website at echo-inc.org.

If you have any questions or suggestions for the Outreach Team please be in touch with Katie at katieglick@burkeumc.org.

Click below to see highlights of upcoming opportunities for kids and youth this January! Visit our website for a full list of opportunities.

Leadership Board: 

Our leadership board wishes you a very merry Christmas season and extends their new year wishes! We are so thankful for the ways they serve and lead this congregation. Their next meeting will be on Thursday, January 18 at 7 pm. Use this link to register for the zoom!

Financial Updates:

Thank you to all who have faithfully supported the ministries of Burke UMC during 2023 with your prayers, presence, service, and financial support. May God continue to work in and through us all as the new year unfolds.