November 2015 Newsletter

Pastor’s Perspective

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite

holidays. When we consider God’s bounty and generosity

toward us, we become more thankful and generous. Spiritually,

emotionally and physically, we benefit from living with an

attitude of gratitude.

Churches traditionally ask members to make faith

commitments around Thanksgiving, and it seems right to do

that. Thankful people are cheerful givers. On Sunday,

November 8, we observe Generosity Sunday. We ask you to

bring your estimate of giving to worship (or mail it in if you’ll

be absent). We are not fund-raising for the church. We are

returning a portion of what God has generously given to us in

order to continue the mission of Jesus Christ.

This year, I want to challenge us to do three specific

things. First, if you don’t currently have a plan and estimate of

giving, make one. Our finances are an important part of our

faith. As Jim Harnish says, “Salvation is about more than

money—but it is never about less than money.” Second, give

more in 2016 than you do in 2015, to move toward a tithe of the

first 10%. Increase your giving by 1% or more of your

income. Third, support our plan to hire an outreach staff

member by giving an additional $350 in 2016; that’s what we

need to move forward to connect with families with children

and youth who live near us.

I have been blessed by the practice and discipline of

tithing, giving God the first 10% of my income. Some of you

know that blessing too. As we thank God on November 26, I

pray we will express that thankfulness in generous living.

Your pastor,

Jeanne Devine

COMING UP THIS MONTH: Walk to Emmaus Gathering,

St. Louise House Thanksgiving Dinner, and more!

BERKELEY STAFF Ministers

Members of the Congregation

Pastor

Rev. Jeanne Devine [email protected]

Director of Music Vikki Schwarz

[email protected]

Pianist Dr. Tyler Mabry

[email protected]

Administrative Assistant Liz Smith

[email protected]

Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy

[email protected]

Nursery Supervisor

Sami Burns [email protected]

Church Office Hours

Monday—Thursday 8:45am to 3:15pm

Closed Daily for Lunch from 12 noon to 12:30pm

BerkeleyBuzz Berkeley United Methodist Church

November 2015

Berkeley Buzz, November 2015,

Church Happenings

Anniversaries

Richard & Joanne Meziere 11/11

Daniel & Karen Carlton 11/22

Bill & Dorothy Rittenberry 11/25

Benny & Letty Villamin 11/26

Birthdays

Roy Holsenbeck 11/3

Angela Clapper 11/4

Julia Wasson 11/4

Bonnie Anton 11/5

Karen Walters 11/6

Kathy Beth Stavinoha 11/10

Claudia Wenzel 11/13

Greg Lasley 11/17

Rev. Jeanne Devine 11/18

Cathy Cranston 11/20

Phoebe Newberry 11/20

John Finley 11/21

Rebecca Thomas 11/23

Helen Campbell 11/25

Lucky Noll 11/29

Pastoral Transition Jeanne Devine

I announced in worship on October 25 that I

have requested retirement in June 2016. The

United Methodist Church has an orderly

process for pastoral transitions, and a new

pastor will begin serving at Berkeley UMC on

July 1, 2016. District Superintendent Rev. Teresa

Welborn will work with our leadership to

understand our specific ministry strengths and

needs, and then consult with Bishop Dorff and

the Cabinet regarding the best pastoral

match. An announcement about the incoming

pastor will be made in the spring.

In observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the

church office hours will be as follows:

Wednesday, Nov. 25: 8:45am—12 noon

Thursday, Nov. 26: Closed

Friday, Nov. 27: Closed

During Rev. Devine’s remaining vacation time

in 2015 (November 14-22), Berkeley is blessed to

have two guest preachers who are well known

to the congregation.

Rev. Patti Herndon (November 15) served as

Berkeley’s pastor from 1995 to 2001. Now

retired, she and her husband, Rick, live in

Austin and attend St. John’s UMC. Many will

remember that she officiated at Robbie Gaston’s

Celebration of Life in August.

Mark Horner (November 22), our summer in-

tern from Austin Presbyterian Theological

Seminary in 2014, graduated last May and is

now the Director of Students at the United

Campus Ministry of Houston, an ecumenical

organization serving several campuses.

Church Happenings


Berkeley to host November Emmaus Gathering

Berkeley will host the November Gathering of the Greater Austin Emmaus Community on Thursday, November 5th. Singing will begin at 7:00 PM, with wor-ship at 7:30. There will be an Agape Feast (light refresh-ments) afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.

ALL ARE WELCOME whether you have been on a Walk to Emmaus or not! If you are wondering about Emmaus, this would be a good introduction! Please join us to welcome friends from all over the Austin area as we worship together. For more in-formation contact Susan Curtis at 512-280-1313.

St. Louise House Thanksgiving Dinner

We will once again host the families of St. Louise House, for their shared Thanksgiving meal. Dinner

will be served Thursday, November 19; setup begins at 5:30pm. *You can sign up in the Narthex on

November 8h and 15th.

*This year, Berkeley will provide turkey and desserts; the families will bring their favorite side dishes to

share. We request monetary donations to purchase turkeys, donations of desserts, and commitments of

time for setup, serving and cleanup.

Church Conference December 3

Every professing member of Berkeley is invited to attend and vote at our annual church

conference on Thursday, December 3 at 7 p.m. District Superintendent Rev. Teresa

Welborn will preside. We will elect leadership for 2016 and consider how we are aligned

with our mission and vision. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Church Happenings


SpiritualGrowth

The Word of God

The word of God

Is living and active.

Like the ever blowing wind

Its breath bites and gnaws and carves and whittles

Our sharp edges until we are polished smooth.

The word of God


Like dewdrops and rain and ice and snow

It seeps into our unyielding hearts and

Crumbles our rocky-ness so we can be

Scooped up and molded into something new.

The word of God


Like the sharpest doubled-edged sword

Its blade pierces and stabs and slices and bores

Cutting right through where soul meets spirit,

Until we are released unto freedom.

© 2015, Karen Walters

Berkeley Buzz,

November 2015,

Across Many Mountains By Yangzom Brauen Submitted by Carolyn Brown

In this memoir, Yangzom Brauen tells the story of her now 90-year-old grandmother Kunsang (a nun) and grandfather’s (a monk) daring decision to flee from Chinese-controlled Tibet to India with her mother, then 6 years old. With little money and no idea of what they would meet along the way, they began their journey to cross the Himalayas on foot.

This is a fascinating story of courage and faith as well as an insight into the Buddhist faith.

UMW Reading Program Category: Nurturing for Community

Spiritual Care Ministry

Submitted by Rachel Trudell The Spiritual Care Ministry hopes you find this message

inspiring and encouraging as we grow in our discipleship

journeys with Christ:

Excerpted from The Upper Room Disciplines, May 15:

“Many of us struggle to share our faith, to engage in con-

versation with others about our beliefs, our core values.

We assume those conversations would be rude and disre-

spectful to others and in some instances, an intrusion into

other people’s lives. But what is our call?

God has entrusted a message to us that we can’t keep to

ourselves. The majority of us embrace this call, and with

joy we leave the safety of our sanctuaries and walk into the

community as bearers of God’s Word. In our society, we

probably will not endure what Stephen did as we speak

and live out God’s message. However, we do have mis-

sioners responding to God’s call in regions of the world

that involves risk in doing so. Nevertheless, if we trust

God is calling, we let go of fear, step out of our comfort

zone and into the world. Then, like Stephen, we will see

“the glory of God.”

Prayer: God, give us Stephen’s passion for bearing wit-

ness to the powerful message of the Gospel. Give us

strength to overcome any obstacle in our journey. Amen.

Berkeley Buzz, November 2015, Change

The World

On-going needs (most urgent needs in bold)

Clothing – all sizes, especially men’s clothing, shoes, coats,

and new underwear.

Household items, especially kitchen items and bedding.

Books.

Hygiene items, such as hotel samples.

For large items, such as furniture – Call first (512-469-7970)

BUMC members are encouraged to visit the store during op-

erating hours, then spend a few hours volunteering. Experi-

ence what it is like to get to know the store’s clients. Remem-

ber, poor people are people first. Be in ministry with, not just for

others.

If you cannot deliver the items yourself, contact Carolyn

Brown at 512-443-2600.

Address: 1717 E 12th St.

Austin TX 78702

Phone: 512-469-7960

Justice for Our Neighbors

Berkeley UMC has reserved a table for 8 at the upcoming

benefit dinner on Saturday, November 14 for the Austin Re-

gion Justice for Our Neighbors clinic. Entitled “Stand With

Us”, the evening will include stories from staff attorneys

about a few individuals they have been able to help. This

year alone, they have provided direct legal services to more

than 100 clients. The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the

Family Life building of First UMC at 1300 Lavaca.

JFON provides hospitality and compassion to low-income immigrants through legal services,

advocacy and education. It is a ministry of the Capital District of the United Methodist Church.

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 COMMUNION

SUNDAY Daylight Saving Time Ends 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)

5pm Covenant Group (9)

2 10am Women’s Group (7)

3 6pm ESL (9)

4

4pm Prayer

Ministry (Sanc)

6pm Handbell

Choir (Sanc)

7pm Chancel

Choir (Sanc)

5 5:00 Emmaus Gathering (FH and Sanc.)

6 9am ESL (7)

4pm Folklorico Dance (FH)

5:30pm Spanish Bible Study (7)

6pm Ballet (FH)

6:45pm Know Your Rights (9)

7pm Ballet (FH)

7 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)

8

8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 3pm Nominations and Lay Leadership (7) 4pm Tai Chi (FH)



10 5:30pm Prime Timers (FH)

6pm ESL (9)

11Veteran’s Day 9:30am UMW Women in Action (FH)

4pm Prayer

Ministry (Sanc) 6pm Handbell Choir (Sanc) 7pm Chancel Choir (Sanc)

12 5:30pm St. Louise House (CLC)

13 9am ESL (7)



6pm Ballet (FH)


7pm Ballet (FH)

14 2pm Private Baby Shower (FH) 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)

15 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)



17 6pm ESL (9)

18

4pm Prayer

Ministry (Sanc) 6pm Handbell Choir (Sanc) 7pm Chancel Choir (Sanc)

19 5:30pm St. Louise House Thanks-giving Dinner(CLC)

20 9am ESL (7)



6pm Ballet (FH)


7pm Ballet (FH)

21 7:28am UMM Breakfast (FH) 7:30am UMW Women in God’s Grace (7) 9am Trustees (9) 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)

22 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)


23

10am Women’s Group (7) 5pm Childcare Center Set Up (Room 7 and FH) 6pm Girl Scouts (8)

24 8:30am –1pm Childcare Center Thanksgiving Feast (Room 7 and FH) 6pm ESL (7) 7pm Church Council (FH)

25

Church Office Closes at Noon

4pm Prayer

Ministry (Sanc)

26

THANKSGIVING

27

Church Office Closed Today

28 5:30pm Amen Austin! Church (FH)

29 First Sunday of Advent 8:30am Worship 9:40am Sunday School 10:50am Worship 1pm Spanish Worship 4pm Tai Chi (FH)



November 2015 Berkeley Buzz,

November 2015,

BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2407 Berkeley Ave.

Austin, TX. 78745

512-447-6633

[email protected]

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Monthly Income $ 18,285

Monthly Expenses $ 22,738

Year-to-Date Income $ 196,511

Year-to-Date Expenses $ 209,604

Gifts as of September 30

September 2015 YTD 2014

Worship 101 104 113

Sunday 30 30 34

Average Attendance

Our Mission: To make new disciples of Jesus Christ

for the transformation of the world.

Our Vision: Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Berkeley will show our community and the world the

transforming power of faith in Jesus Christ by sharing God’s love in ministry with our

neighbors. We will offer pathways for new and committed disciples to grow in faithful-

ness. We will joyfully share our faith, resources and energies in partnership with our

community and the world.

November 2015 Newsletter

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