August 2012

Berkeley BUZZ
Berkeley United Methodist Church
Celebrating 40 years, 19722012

T RU S T I S S U E S
Last month, the Gallup poll found that 44% of Americans express a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the church or organized religion. Out of the 16 institutions tested, the church/organized religion ranks fourth, on par with the medical system. This might not seem worrisome until you look back at 1975, when 68% of the respondents expressed high confidence in the church/ organized religion. The trend line has gone down ever since, more steeply among Catholics (only 46% now express high confidence) than Protestants (56%). Its easy to ask, Whose fault is it? Its harder to ask, What has caused this decline?, to ask if we ourselves have anything to do with the cause, and to ask how we ourselves can help restore trust and confidence in the church. Leaders know that the surest way to create trust is to tell the truth, do what you say you will do, and offer transparent information. Even if other institutions fail to do these things, the church and its leaders can and should do them. Regrettably, all kinds of churches have failed or refused to do them. Similarly, institutions in the wider society have failed. Penn State University has acknowledged failing to protect children and youth from predatory abuse by its athletic staff. It will face severe punishment in the arena that seems to matter most, college sports. Its championship records have been erased; the statue of former coach Joe Paterno has been removed, and his halo (no kidding) painted over on a mural. A $60 million fine, equal to one years (no kidding) football revenue, has been assessed on Penn State. Students and alumni struggle to believe what happened. My nephew graduated from Penn State last year. People across the state and country are forced to admit that trusted leaders failed in their duty to protect the most vulnerable. Similar disregard for children and youth in many religious bodies has been revealed in the last few decades, coinciding with the decline in confidence with the church/organized religion. At last, many churches have instituted policies similar to our Safe Sanctuaries. Berkeleys Child/Youth Safety Policy is designed to assure the highest standard of care for those entrusted to our ministries. Once broken, trust takes a very long time to restore. My commitment, and our commitment as members of Berkeley UMC, is to honor God and serve our neighbors by doing no harm, doing all the good we can, and following Christ. Walking the talk of the gospel is the only way to testify to the truth of the gospel. Im thankful to serve as your pastor.

Your Pastor~ Jeanne Devine

Berkeley United Methodist Church

2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX 78745 (512) 447-6633 Fax: 851-8438 www.berkeleyumc.org Childcare Center: 443-3509 Ministers Members of the Congregation Pastor Rev. Jeanne Devine revjeanned@sbcglobal.net Pastoral Intern Katie Frederick
Katie.frederick@student.austinseminary.edu

S P I R I T UA L S U M M E R R E A D I N G
SUBMITTED BY SPRITUAL CARE COMMITTEE "The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 This month we offer two very different readings, one classic and one contemporary, both disturbing in their own ways as they portray some harsher aspects of human society, cruelty in all extremes. They also both portray Christian character(s) in ways that make for interesting discussion. Our committee is aware these particular suggestions are not what generally comes to mind when Christian-based readings are mentioned (other than Roz's lovely offering last month), but that is our intent. Are we not challenged to find God at work in all areas of the human struggle, both in His way and in the ways we humans mess it up? So, instead of "happy reading" with this month's offerings, we say "thought-provoking reading". Discuss them with someone. May they challenge you in Godly ways. "A Personal History of David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens Review by Donna Bostick I was cruising around the house, looking for something I hadn't already read, when I found a handsomely-bound copy of "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens. Although familiar with many of his stories from their ubiquity in TV, film, and even Disney cartoons ("Oliver"), I haven't actually read much Dickens. I was delighted to find the characters so vividly drawn and contemporary, despite being set in 1850's England. Essentially the title character's coming-of-age story, David, like us, is influenced by the many persons he encounters. There are numerous portrayals of Christian characters, both good and less-than-stellar. In particular, the generous and caring Mr. Peggotty's long and arduous search for his dishonored niece reminds me of Jesus' parable of the shepherd leaving the ninetynine sheep to look for the lost one. Conversely, the rigid and self-righteous Mr. and Miss Murdstone are prime examples of How Not to Be. And the book is laugh-out-loud funny in so many placeswell worth the 826 pages! "abduction" by Wanda L. Dyson Review by Kathy Beth Stavinoha I was in Half Price Books perusing the Christian Fiction section when I saw a book title in lowercase letters that caught my eye: abduction by Wanda L. Dyson. Part of the synopsis on the back cover leaped off the page: Seven month old Jessica is gone, stolen during the night. I immediately thought of Baby Lisa who disappeared from Kansas City, MO last October. However, this story was written in 2003 and is not based on that story. I couldn't read it fast enough! I was turning pages one right after the other. Jessicas parents, Karen and Ted Matthews, are initially considered the prime suspects. Eventually Karen becomes the focal point of the investigation. The back cover asks, Has God forgotten Karen Matthews, leaving her to suffer through a shattered life alone? One of the characters in the book is a psychic. Another character (and obviously the author) had a problem with that and quoted Acts 16:16, Deuteronomy 18:10 and Jeremiah 14:14 as an argument that her abilities were not from God. I didnt have a problem with her psychic abilities, but I wasnt offended by the characters view, nor did I find her arguments against it to be preachy. The author is a Christian counselor whose writing has appeared in several magazines. Abduction was her first novel.

Director of Music Victoria Schwarz vlschwarz@aol.com Pianist Dr. Tyler Mabry tgmabry@gmail.com Media Manager Elizabeth Walters
mariewalters1996@austin.rr.com

Administrative Assistant Tara Nash bumc78745@sbcglobal.net Childcare Director Allison McGillicuddy bumc.childcare@sbcglobal.net

Newsletter articles and contributions are ALWAYS welcome..as well as suggestions for content. You can email the church or put submissions in the Admin. Assistant box in the church office.
Deadline: Sunday, August 26

G OT N E W S ?

G ENEROSITY AND B EYOND

SUBMITTED BY JEFF CECIL, STEWARDSHIP CHAIR Are you committed to Christ? We have all heard the story on how the hen participates in breakfast but the pig is committed. Christ may not expect us to be the pig, but he does ask for our commitment. After all, Christ gave his commitment to us when he was hung on a cross and raised that first Easter morning. Our relationship with Christ begins when we accept Christ as our Savior. Its personal. Over the next few months, consider how you can deepen your walk with Christ through prayer, Bible reading, worship, witness, financial giving and service. The good news is that you dont have to do this alone. Support is always there on Sunday morning. See you in church on Sunday.

Here are just a few things that we have done since last month: July Mission Focus Offering: School supplies for Cunnhingham and Widen Elementary Schools $618. Berkeley UMW members and friends (UPDATE) 69 bags were sewn by UMW members and friends. The school bags will be used for school kits, a mission project for the UMW School of Christian Mission (SOCM) at Mt. Wesley in Kerrville, supporting UMCOR. UMYF participated in 30 Hour Famine, June 16-17 (UPDATE): BUMC youth raised over $950 for World Vision. Great job! BUMC Church-wide mission trip to the Methodist Mission Home, San AntonioJuly 13-16: Over 21 BUMC adults and youth participated. Hard work and lots of fun! Thanks for your service. See more details on page 6. Outreach has purchased shoes for students at Cunningham Elementary. They will be delivered in August before school starts. Ineke Dunn was in charge of this project. Wonderful work! July 5th Outdoor Cookout for Saint Louise House: Lots of food and fun! Thanks to Carolyn Brown for organizing and for all who served. Opportunities to Give generously to the Glory of Jesus Christ. August Mission Focus Offering will go to support the Texas Wesley Campus Ministries at UT. www.texaswesley.com UMW School Supply DriveSundays, July 29, August 5 & 12: Lists of recommended supplies available in the narthex. Worship needs YOU! Participate in worship by serving as acolyte, worship leader, or running the media console. Contact the church office to see how you can make a difference. Your Pledge to BUMC: Please help keep your giving current. Our mission depends on you! BUMC Service: Volunteer to serve on a church committee. Contact Pastor Jeanne (447-6633). Capitol Area Food Bank. Volunteer your time. Bring your food donations to the church food pantry. www.austinfoodbank.org Visit a homebound or hospitalized member. Contact Claudia Wenzel (441-3285) or Mary Lynn Smith (282-6054) for this and other opportunities. Expand your giving options: You dont use checks anymore? Set up an auto bank draft for your pledge to BUMC. Consider giving via your will or estate. Contact your bank and/or Berkeley Treasurer, Ray Curtis (280-1313), for details. PRAYERMake it a habit. It helpsjust ask our Lord. Contributions to this column are always welcomeplease email Jeff Cecil at njcecil@sbcglobal.net

YOUTH NEWS
SUBMITTED BY KALLIE GREEN This summer, Matt Cecil and I have had the honor of leading the youth group. For both of us, youth group was a key factor in our growth as Christians, so the chance to give back as volunteer co-youth directors has been very meaningful. Over the course of the summer the group has met every Sunday night, as well as for youth activities week, the 30 Hour Famine, and the church mission trip. We make certain to rotate elements of worship, study, service and fellowship in everything we do. This summer has been a blast getting to know each of the youth better and growing together. We would like to invite you to a potluck dinner on Sunday, August 5th, at 5:30. This will be a chance for the church to see what the youth have been up to all summer and get to know them a little better. We will have a selection of pictures from many of our events, as well as give the youth a chance to share. There will also be a chance to add to their mission fund, to make up for funds used on this years trip. Many people say the youth are the future of the church, but this will be a chance to see how they are also a part of the present church. Hope to see you there!

CHOIR RESUMES W E D N E S DAY , A U G U S T 2 2

SUBMITTED BY VICTORIA SCHWARZ, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Wow! Seems like the summer has flown by! Yet, here we are about to start school and the new season of music at Berkeley. I am excited to see you all again! The new season begins with the Chancel Choir rehearsals on Wednesday, August 22, at 7:00 p.m. and Berkeley Bells on Wednesday, September 5, at 6:00 p.m. We welcome all in the music ensembles and hope you'll show up and sing or ring with us this year.

Celebrating in

August!

ICE CREAM SOCIAL CANCELLED

Due to extenuating circumstances, the Ice Cream Social/Hymn Sing scheduled for Wednesday, August 15, has been cancelled. Spiritual Care will host a Carols and Cookies event on December 4.

U M W S C H O O L S U P P LY DRIVE
The Berkeley UMW school supply drive will take place over three Sundays: July 29, August 5, and August 12. A collection box will be in the narthex. We will be collecting the following for Cunningham and Widen Elementary Schools: Cunningham: Back packs Composition notebooks (approx. 8" x 10", 60-100 sheets, black marble or black and white) Colored pencils Zip pencil bags Folders with brads Widen: Underwear for boys and girls, sizes 4 thru size 16 Socks Navy or gold polo shirts, sizes 4-16 Back packs Plastic folders, any color

Birthdays 8/1 Ron Meade 8/3 Charlotte Campbell 8/3 Daniel Carlton 8/3 Kit Cavender 8/4 Rachel Trudell 8/10 Polly Aranda 8/12 Kallie Green 8/12 Kyle McClanahan 8/13 Buddy Cox 8/13 Neil Huff 8/14 Emily McClanahan 8/15 Jayna Hamilton 8/18 Mary Phillips 8/19 Jennie Gaston 8/20 Tara Nash 8/23 Robert Hendricks 8/24 Casey Denton 8/24 Mike Royal 8/26 Steve Cavender 8/27 Mike Crevier 8/30 Bob Moses Anniversaries 8/12 George and Iris Field 8/28 Bob and Ann Moses

SUCCESSFUL MISSION TRIP TO METHODIST MISSION HOME

SUBMITTED BY KATIE FREDERICK

Over the course of a long weekend of July 13-16, a total of 10 adults and 11 youth associated with BUMC journeyed to northwest San Antonio for a mission trip to Methodist Mission Home (MMH). Fellowship with students at MMH began on that Friday when we joined approximately 50 students who are part of the SCHI (Southwest Center for Higher Independence) program for lunch. This fellowship continued on the following evening when we provided a cookout for these students and some of the staff members. The cookout consisted of grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, eating together, and playing basketball in the gym. Physical work began on Friday afternoon with scraping and sanding metal railings that needed to be repainted. Another group of volunteers who had worked at MMH before us had started the project, and we were continuing on with it. Our work continued on Saturday, and on Sunday we finished our part of project by painting the railings with primer paint. Some of us also worked indoors by polishing pews in the chapel and helping with administrative tasks. Throughout the trip we also enjoyed cooking meals together, playing games, having daily devotionals, worshipping at University UMC Sunday morning, and singing songs accompanied by a mandolin. A fellowship highlight among the group also was painting fun and colorful t-shirts. Our trip concluded on Monday with a stop on the way home at Blanco State Park for swimming and a hotdog cookout (followed by smores). Many thanks to everyone who participated and supported us as we served our neighbors in San Antonio! Forrest Arnold Katie Frederick Kyle McClanahan Cameron Burns Jennie Gaston Elizabeth McGillicuddy Julie Burns Patty Gaston Kate Noll Matt Cecil Robbie Gaston Kasey Triggs Nancy Cecil John Green Elizabeth Walters Laurie Cook Kallie Green Julia Wasson Greg Frederick Emily McClanahan Marilyn Wasson

SUBMITTED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE

FINANCE REPORT

Just more than halfway through 2012, we can say that Berkeley UMC is fulfilling its mission in significant areas. Our intergenerational mission team spent a long weekend at the Methodist Mission Home and contributed significantly to the campus, both in terms of fellowship with students there and in terms of improvements to the campus. Our covenant partner, Becky Harrell, inspired us with her work at the Latin American Biblical University in San Jose, Costa Rica. We have already completed our financial commitment to her ($1400 for the year). We have paid 50% of our apportioned funds for mission and outreach through the Southwest Texas Conference. Berkeley donated the secondhighest number of school bags (69) at the recent School of Christian Mission at Mt. Wesley. These commitments remind us of what God makes possible, through the church. The regular, planned support of our members and constituents all year long sustains our mission and outreach. So where are we? For the first half of 2012, our income was $121,931. Our expenses were $135,580. We have spent $13,649 more than we have received. How? We began 2012 with a sizable carryover from 2011, a remarkably generous year. We have been drawing down our starting balance. Some unforeseen expense occurred when the childcare center flooded in January; the childcare center, church and churchs Endowment Fund all contributed to repair this uninsured damage. We also repaired air

conditioners more frequently than expected. Administrative, program and payroll expenses are all within or under budget. Those who estimated their giving for the yearthat is, those who planned their givinghave contributed 96% of their pledges. 77% of the general fund and almost all the capital asset fund income have been given by pledgers. Thank you for your generosity! However, far less income has been received than anticipated from non-pledgers; only 23% of the general fund has been contributed by people who did not estimate their giving. It makes a difference to the church to know your estimate of giving. It makes a difference to you as well. Why? So your giving is not random, but rather reflects the value you place on Gods work through your church. The Finance Committee is determined to do the best job possible to match the churchs resources with the churchs plans for ministry. Our church is determined to carry out Gods work in our community and our world. We encourage you to consider the support you offer your church. Does it reflect the value you place on its worship and music life, its age-level ministries, its outreach? We ask you to be intentional about your financial support. Together we can accomplish Gods work. On July 29 and August 5, midyear statements of giving will be available in the narthex. Please pick yours up and reduce our mailing expenses. Thank you.

COMMITMENT TO CHRIST PRAYER AND BIBLE READING

SUBMITTED BY JEFF CECIL

To faithfully participate in its ministries by their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service, and their witness. Does this sound familiar to you? As a member or regular attending at Berkeley, you should recognize this as the promise made when someone joins our church. Take the time to read it again. Its different right? A few years ago (2009), the Discipline changed the wording to add these words: their witness. This is the step where we take our faith outside of our church walls. But before we do that, it is important to focus on prayer. Prayer is our conversation with God. This is where we all begin to determine what it means to accept Christ and what is his plan for us. To be a disciple of Jesus Christ requires an all in approach. We tend to focus on good works as a measurement of a good Christian. Yes, this is very important, but anybody can be a good person and not have a relationship with God. So there has to be more. John

Wesley believed this and after several years of thought and practice, Wesley made this distinction: there are almost Christians and altogether Christians. Both do good works, feed the hungry, are honest, go to church and pray. But he declared that the altogether Christian does more. The altogether Christian has a heart filled with the love of God and neighbor; believes the historical doctrines of the church are true; believes the Holy Scriptures are true; and above all, has faith in the saving power of Jesus Christ.* Are you an altogether Christian? Recommit your vow to the church and Jesus Christ. Pray intentionally and read your Bible. *Committed to Christ by Bob Crossman

THANK YOU!
As Pastor Jeanne said, FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, I want to thank my Berkeley family for making it easy for me to get moved. In fact, making it possible! I would never have gotten that mound of things situated and in order to have my garage sale so I could get packed up to move. I wont name names, because I may leave somebody out and that would never do you will know who you are. There were people who arranged for a few stout young men to help move and set up, and they knew just what to do. When the sale began there was a quartet of ladies who sat in, took money, and acted as my sales ladies and look outs. By this time I was feeling really tired, as I had been in the mode of packing and selling for over two months and was almost to the stand still spot. And as you all know, I am not a spring chicken! I am in pretty good shape as of now and getting rested, enjoying my new place and church. If I dont look out the window, I can look at my things and imagine I am on Southwind. I will, by the grace of God and the help of Berkeley, be okay. Things have gone so smoothly, I am thinking this was meant to be, and my daughter and son-in-law seem to be really pleased that I am near them. I know that I like that part. Once again, thank you Berkeley. You have been my stand-by for many years, and are not letting me down now. I Love you all! Your Sister In Christ, Barbara Lupo, Harker Heights, TX

AVERAGE ATTENDANCE JUNE 2012 YTD 2011 WORSHIP 116 125 144 SUNDAY SCHOOL 41 41 38

GIFTS AS OF JUNE 30 MONTHLY INCOME: $18,808 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $21,588

MEMORIAL FUND $379.57

ENDOWMENT FUND $54,174

BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2407 Berkeley Ave. Austin, TX. 78745 (512)447-6633 Email: bumc78745@sbcglobal.net ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Right Road

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does, in fact, please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Thomas Merton, Trappist Monk, 1915-1968