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PASTORS PERSPECTIVE

June 2012

Berkeley BUZZ

So much seems to be happening in June! Oursummer youth program is underway, including YouthActivities Week (June 4-8) and the 30-Hour Fast in themiddle of the month. Thanks to our summer youth in-terns, Kallie Green and Matt Cecil, for their dedicated

leadership. Vacation Bible School (June 25-29) will beheld jointly with the Church of the Nazarene on Man-chaca Road; in addition to childrens classes and youthaides, we will offer an adult Bible Study component. Ittakes many committed, caring people to make theseministries effective. I thank all of you.

Carolyn Brown is Berkeleys lay member ofannual conference. She and I will attend the session inCorpus Christi, June 7-10. In addition to the standardbusiness sessions, we will consider a proposal for ourSouthwest Texas Conference to begin the unificationprocess with the Rio Grande Conference. Depending onthe votes in both conference sessions, the processcould begin in 2013. The worship services are the high-light of my time; this year the ordination service will in-clude Stephen Echols, husband of Berkeleys Emily

(Smith) Echols, who will be ordained an elder, and LizzieWright, a former pastoral intern and youth director, whowill be commissioned as a provisional member of theconference.

On a personal level, I will spend June 1-3 in

New Haven, Connecticut at my 40th college reunion atYale. (Something fuzzy about that math, I think; howcan it be 40 years ago?) We dont always recognizeeach other at first glance, so thank heaven for nametags with large print! As I did in 2007, I volunteered to

help organize our memorial service, which takes onadded meaning as the years go by. Classmates of manfaiths gather in the historic Battell Chapel to sing thehymns of faith and to remember the friends of ouryouth, with laughter and tears.

And on June 26 I will move out of the Austindistrict parsonage, where I have lived since August2010. Our new district superintendent, Steve Purdy,and his wife, Vicki, will move in soon afterward. I knowwe will welcome Steve warmly and support him with ouprayers as he begins his ministry among us. My newhome in Double Creek (S. First St. and 1626, near AkinHS) will be completed by the end of July, I dohope. Thanks to this church for the many kind offers tohelp pack and unpack; I will gladly take you up on it! Iam truly thankful to serve as your pastor and look for-ward to the ministries God has for us, now that were 4

years and one month old!

Your Pastor~Jeanne Devine

Berkeley United Methodist Church

Celebrating 40 years, 1972

2012

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Members of the Congregation

Rev. Jeanne Devinerevjeanned@sbcglobal.net

Victoria Schwarz

vlschwarz@aol.com

Dr. Tyler Mabrytgmabry@gmail.com

Tara Nashbumc78745@sbcglobal.net

Allison McGillicuddybumc.childcare@sbcglobal.net

Pastoral InternKatie Frederick

atie.frederick@student.austinseminary.edu

Newsletter articlesand contributionsare ALWAYS wel-come..as well as

suggestions for con-tent. You can email

the church or putsubmissions in theAdmin. Assistant boxin the church office.

Deadline:

Sunday, June 17

Summer is here! Spiritual Care Ministry would like to encourage Christian-basedreading in hopes that you will experience the wide variety of reading material that ishoused in our own Berkeley UMC library, aka Room 9, in the CLC. The Library Task Forchas been working to organize the library, but final cataloguing remains to be done. Thebooks are there and eager to be read! Check out is by the honor system, of course! This a small tin box in which to place the card from your chosen book. If the book does noyet have a card inside, just make a note for the box, then go ENJOY a summer of mental

stimulation with a spiritual focus!Kathy Beth Stavinoha has reviewed a book that several of us have enjoyed read

ing.I love to read. Fiction, non-fiction, childrens books, true crime, biographies, his

tory, mysteries...One day while waiting for a meeting to start in our church library, I scanned the

bookshelves. (We have quite a collection!) I selected a book by Terri Blackstock andstarted reading. I was hooked! After finishing the novel, I bought some more of her boo

Most recently I read Evidence of Mercy. The main characters, Lynda Barrett anJake Stevens (a man who was interested in buying her plane), survived a plane crash.There is no question that there was sabotage, but why, and who was the intended victimThe conversations between characters seemed real. The emotional struggle of dealing

with the injuries caused by the crash was not sugar-coated. The mental struggle of submitting to Gods will mimicked struggles Ive had, and the conversations between chara

ters about Gods love and forgiveness did not sound preachy. The story was complex an

believable.Terri Blackstock is an award-winning novelist who has sold over 6 million books

worldwide. Though a successful novelist, she felt she had made some compromises in career which took a toll on her spiritual life. After much soul-searching, she decided shewould never write another thing that didnt glorify the Lord. She decided to take a stab

writing Christian novels, weaving a faith message into a fast-paced page-turner with ordnary people in jeopardy.

In the welcome message on her website she writes, Its my goal to write fiction

that will keep you up all night, and I work hard to pull that off. Having read three of he

novels with three very different plots, I can vouch for her success at reaching her goal!For more about Terri Blackstock, visit www.terriblackstock.com

Please come take advantage of the multitudinous books available in the BUMC library!And enjoy the spacious, orderly look of the library now.

SPIRITUAL SUMMER READING S U B M I T T E D BY S P R I T U A L CA R E C O M M I T T E E

http://www.terriblackstock.com/http://www.terriblackstock.com/http://www.terriblackstock.com/

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GE N E R O S I T Y A N D BEYOND

On June 3, Peace with Justice Sunday across the United Methodist Church, we will offer support to min-istries here in the US and around the world dedicated to enhancing peace and justice ministries. For exam-ple: The Just Peace League, a United Methodist ministry in the Philippines, mobilizes youth and adults to helppoor farmers and their families seek justice, economic survival and peace. Half of the Philippines population,and most of its poor, live in depressed rural areas, many barely surviving by farming. But United Methodiststhere are making a difference, and so are we by our giving. Envelopes will be available in the bulletin.

On July 1 our offering will provide funds for Cunningham and Widen Elementary Schools to provideschool supplies to students in need. We will also request donations of school supply items later in the sum-mer. The funds allow school staff to supplement donated items before registration and the beginning of theschool year. Our partnership with public schools is strong and demonstrates our concern for our neighbors.

Reminders about first Sunday mission giving will appear in the Sunday bulletin and in the Buzz theweek before, to allow people to plan their giving in advance. Thank you for your generosity.

F I R S T SU ND AY M I S S I O N G I V I N G

Family vacations, travel, kids out of school - summer is ourtime to rest and prepare for the coming fall. This is true for most of us, but summer is not a timeto break away from your Christian responsibility. God doesnt take a break and neither should we. Church

attendance, participation, service, and gifts are promises to be maintained all year round. So while you are having a wonder-ful summer, dont take a vacation from church. Consider paying your estimate of giving before you leave town. See you on

Sunday!

: What a wonderful time. Thanks to all who served, donated, and attended this celebra tion of our churchs life.

Thanks to our BUMC youth who led both worship services. Great job! Thanks to all who provided Mothers Day casseroles to the moms of SLH.

UMW donated two new mahogany bookcases to our library. All are welcome to visit and check outbooks. Located in the CLC-Room 9. Thanks UMW!

will go to support Peace with Justice initiatives.will go to purchase school supplies for Cunningham and Widen Elementary Schools

Support these missions by donating yourLabels for Education and Box Tops for Education. There are containers in the narthex for your donations. Spon-

sored by the UMW. Contact Julia Lancaster for more information, j.lancaster@att.netPlease help keep your giving current. Our mission depends on you.

Volunteer to serve on a church committee. Contact Pastor Jeanne (447-6633).College student ministries at UT. Your donation is always welcome. Donate through our church or at

www.texaswesley.com. Volunteer your time. Bring your food donations to the church food pantry.

www.austinfoodbank.orgyour prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service.

Contact Claudia Wenzel (441-3285) or Mary Lynn Smith (282-6054) for thisand other opportunities.

Sunday School, UMW, UMM, etc.on Sunday morning. Contact Irma Trevino (552-3554).

You dont use checks anymore? Set up an auto bank draft for your pledge to BUMC. Considergiving via your will or estate. Contact your bank and/or Berkeley Treasurer, Ray Curtis (280-1313), for details.

Did you miss out on pledging last Fall? No worries. Pick up a Scope of Ministries brochure in the nar-thex, complete the estimate of giving card inside and turn into the office. Your estimate can be changed or canceledat any time. You help to support Christs ministries at Berkeley.

Contributions to this column are always welcomeplease email Jeff Cecil at njcecil@sbcglobal.net

S U B M I T T E D BY J E F F C E C I L , ST E W A R D S H I P C H A I R

http://www.texaswesley.com/http://www.texaswesley.com/http://www.austinfoodbank.org/http://www.austinfoodbank.org/mailto:njcecil@sbcglobal.netmailto:njcecil@sbcglobal.netmailto:njcecil@sbcglobal.nethttp://www.austinfoodbank.org/http://www.texaswesley.com/

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6/1 Dorothy Slusher6/4 Katharine Triggs6/4 Jane Wade6/5 Betty Barnes6/5 Doris Holdcroft6/5 Ed Wootton6/7 Ron Cranston6/8 Judy Funke6/8 Stan Phillips6/8 Edwin Wenzel6/9 Vikki Schwarz6/11 Suzanne McClanahan6/13 Cameron Burns6/13 Emily Huff6/14 Dale Lyon6/15 Richard Meziere

6/17 Don Campbell6/17 Phyllis Coombes6/18 Roz Hodson6/21 Joanne Meziere6/26 Scott Gamble6/28 Steve Collins

6/12 Dave and Jamie Justus

VA C A T I O N B I B L E SC H O O L J U N E 2529S U B M I T T E D BY L E T H A P E T E R S

Come join VBS this year which will be held jointly withSouth Austin Church of the Nazarene the week of June 25-29.Get ready for exciting wilderness thrills as you head out to beau-tiful SonRise National Park!

Kids will be awestruck by snow-capped mountains, thun-dering waterfalls, wildflower meadows bursting with color, andamazing animals like soaring eagles, friendly huskies and herdsof caribou.

As kids explore SonRise National Park, theyll learn the

most important survival skill of all: they can always depend onJesus and his promises of true peace, true riches, true power,

true love and true hope!In conjunction with the children, Mike Crevier will be

leading a study on Creation for all interested adults.More details to follow, so keep an eye out for how you

can participate. Any interested volunteers should contact LethaPeters at 512-312-5592.

UMW S C H O O L O F C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N S U B M I T T E D BY J U L I A LA N C A S T E R

July 12-15, UMW School of Christian Mission (SOCM),Mt. Wesley, Kerrville. Women, men, youth, and children are wel-come to attend.

Saturday study if pressed for time ($60, includeslunch). Entire event (adults and youth, 8 meals, $185, on cam-pus). See registration form for other options and costs.

Geographic Study: Haiti; Social Issues Study: Poverty;Spiritual Growth Study: Immigration and the Bible; Youth Study:Haiti

Registration form will be available on BUMC's website and also in the church office.

W E L C O M E KA T I E F R E D E R I C K !

Berkeleys new pastoral intern, Katie Frederick, will begin her

internship on June 12. We are excited to have Katie onboard!

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The dates forthe next Hondu-ras Mission Tripwith TarrytownUMC have beenfinalized for

Save thesedates and start making plans to go with us. Speak-ing Spanish, while helpful, is not necessary. Withthree areas of focus, theres a place for everyone Education, Construction, Medical.

For more information contact Carolyn Brown at 443-2600.

Roderick Davis

MISSION & OUTREACH

H O N D U R A S M I S S I O N

T R I P 2013S U B M I T T E D B Y CA R O L Y N B R O W N

There are 5 historic San Antonio missionsand thentheres Berkeleys mission trip to the

in ! We have beeninvited to spend on the 25-acre campus in north-west San Antonio providing outdoor and indoor assistanceto the MMH staff, who will provide directions. Our group will

also interact with MMH clients in sports and projects. Youmay remember that Berkeley welcomed residents and stafffrom MMH last December, as their Signs of the Times

choir of hearing-impaired young adults offered musicalpraise in sign language. We have supported MMH in ourChristmas offerings in 2010 and 2011.

Who can go? You, if you are willing to devote one,two or three days to this ministry of service. The trip is in-tended to involve all ages. The UM Youth Fellowship willparticipate. Adults employed during the week may want toparticipate on Saturday and/or Sunday. Parents with youngchildren can certainly find activities at MMH to engage eve-

ryone and model a life of Christian service.Accommodations will be available in the MMH

(with showers) or nearby. Cost to participants is estimatto be no more than $40. Adults planning to participate asked to complete a background check by June 24. Fortails, contact Letha Peters at 497-5952 or

ldptrs74@gmail.comto sign up is . If youre interest

or possibly interested, please e-mail Rev. Jeanne Devinerevjeanned@sbcglobal.net or leave a message for her inchurch office. Summer pastoral intern Katie Frederick, summer youth interns Kallie Green and Matt Cecil, will pticipate in the mission trip. We hope you will seriously csider joining them, or supporting the youth missioners bpurchasing shares of stock on Sundays, June 24 and Ju

For more information about The Home, visit theiwebsite: www.mmhome.org.

M I S S I O N TR I P TO SA N AN T O N I O S U B M I T T E D B Y RE V. J E A N N E D E V I N E

SA I N T L O U I S E H O U S E S U M M E R

C O O K O U T S U B M I T T E D B Y CA R O L Y N B R O W N

BUMC is reaching out to our neighbors at Saint Louise House. Wwill host a cookout for the residents at 6:30pm on Thursday, Ju5.

We will need some help

BBQ grills brought to the church and used to cook the meat Several people to serve and/or clean up Help with games/

activities Donations of side

dishes

If you are willing to help,please call CarolynBrown at 443-2600.

Watch for more informa-tion in the Daily BUZZ.

mailto:ldptrs74@gmail.commailto:ldptrs74@gmail.commailto:revjeanned@sbcglobal.netmailto:revjeanned@sbcglobal.nethttp://www.mmhome.org/http://www.mmhome.org/http://www.mmhome.org/mailto:revjeanned@sbcglobal.netmailto:ldptrs74@gmail.com

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APRIL 2012 YTD 2011WORSHIP 162 128 165SUNDAY SCHOOL 45 41 40

MONTHLY INCOME: $25,107

MONTHLY EXPENSE: $23,466

$353.95

F R E E ED U C A T I O N A L IT E M S F O R KI D S S U B M I T T E D B Y J U L I A LA N C A S T E R

The Berkeley UMW has long supported the Montopolis Friendship Community Center (MFCC), which wasfounded by the Austin District UMW in 1957. One way our unit supports MFCC is by collecting "Labels for Education" sothat MFCC can get free educational supplies for the children there.

Our unit has expanded collection efforts to include Widen Elementary School via another popular program, "Box

Tops for Education". We do this for MFCC and Widen to show our love and support for God's children!How can you participate? By collecting labels for the kids at MFCC and Widen. When you see "Labels for Educa-

tion" UPC or a "Box Tops for Education" on a product, cut out the label and place in one of two marked containers locatedin the narthex (see below).

You can go to the below web sites for a list of participating products and to read more about details. Find extralists in the green folder located in the church office UMW mailbox.

Labels for Education are for MFCChttp://www.labelsforeducation.com

Box Tops for Education labels are for Widen

Elementaryhttp://www.boxtops4education.com

T H A N K YO U !Dearest in Christ at Berkeley UMC,Thank you so much for your continued sup-port of me as a GBGM Missionary in CostaRica. I look forward to being with you July 8.

Bendiciones,Becky Harrell

Congratulations to ForrestArnold and family on thenew addition of grand-daughter, Cecily Ann, onMay 17.

B UM C C H I L D CA R E G E T S T H U M B S U P F R O M T H E STA T E !

Child Care Director, Allison McGil-licuddy, shared this exciting news in herMay newsletter:

I have to brag a bit about our center.

A licensing rep from the state showedup unannounced and performed an in-spection of our facility. She was visitingfrom Lubbock and told me that I havean excellent daycare, that we were incomplete compliance, and have very

caring teachers. Congratulations Allison and BUMC Child Care staff

on a job well done!

http://www.labelsforeducation.com/About-the-Program/LFE-Toolshttp://www.labelsforeducation.com/About-the-Program/LFE-Toolshttp://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspxhttp://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspxhttp://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspxhttp://www.labelsforeducation.com/About-the-Program/LFE-Tools

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2407 Berkeley Ave.Austin, TX. 78745

(512)447-6633Email: bumc78745@sbcglobal.net

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

AR E WE TH ER E YET?This age-old refrain of young travelers is followed by a second ques-tion: How much longer? How similar those queries are to thepsalmists oft-repeated cry, How long, O LORD, how long? (Psalm6:3b, NIV).

Patience is an uncommon virtue these days. Were anxious to getwhere were going or to get what we want. But think how much wemiss while wishing we were elsewhere! In our rush to reach a destina-

tion, we fail to grasp lessons that can be learned only along the way.What blessings might you be overlooking in the here-and-now andthe right-where-you-are?

Kari MyersThe NEWSLETTERNewsletter