December 2008
Advent and Christmas 2008
In this Holy Season, we are…
Watching…
Watching for the
coming of Christ, as by his grace we seek to follow his ways.
Sermon: Eye
on the Sky
Scripture: Matthew
24:36-44
Sunday, November 30 (8:00,
9:20 & 11:00 AM)
Preparing…
Preparing the way for
others to receive Christ, just as John the Baptist did.
Sermon: Earth
Movers
Scripture: Matthew
11:2-11
Sunday, December 7 (8:00,
9:20 & 11:00 AM)
Receiving…
Receiving into our
hearts, minds, and souls
the blessings of the
promised Savior.
Sermon: Even
for You (8:00 AM)
Scripture: Isaiah
61:1-4,8-11
Cantata: O
Holy Night (9:20 & 11:00 AM)
Sunday, December 14
Resting…
Resting in God’s will,
just as Mary did, that
we may be open to the
Lord’s plan for me.
Sermon: Let
It Be
Scripture: Luke
1:26-38
Sunday, December 21 (8:00,
9:20 & 11:00 AM)
Rejoicing…
Rejoicing with the
angels and the shepherds at the birth of Jesus…
God in the flesh.
Sermon: Joy
to Your World
Scripture: Luke
2:1-20
Wednesday, December 24 (7:00,
9:00 & 11:00 PM)
Living…
Living each day like
the Wise Men, knowing that Jesus is the answer to a joyous and fulfilling life.
Sermon: In
Search of…
Scripture: Matthew
2:1-12
Sunday, December 28 (8:00,
9:20 & 11:00 AM)
WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS MEAN TO YOU?
Rick Warren, the author of The Purpose Driven Life, has written a
new book which explores the real meaning of Christmas. The Lightner Library is sponsoring a
three-week study during the Advent season to view the DVD featuring Mr. Warren
and to discuss the book. Each
participant will be provided with a study guide, and the book The
Purpose of Christmas will be available for purchase at a discounted
price ($10).
Two sessions are being offered:
Wednesday mornings, December 3, 10, and 17,
from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
Thursday evenings, December 4, 11, and 18,
from 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Advent
Concerts
Wednesday, December 10 ♦ 12:00 Noon
C. Milton Wright High School Concert
Choir
Directed by Paula Roberty
Wednesday, December 17 ♦ 12:00 Noon
Bel Air High School Men’s Chorus &
Pop Choir
Directed by Terri Matthews
How can you share the love of the Christ Child this season?
·
Share our Advent and Christmas service
times with others. (You can use the
green bookmark which was provided in your bulletin.) Invite your family, friends, neighbors, and
co-workers -- and offer to bring them to the services with you.
·
Care for those who are hurting during
the holiday season. If you know someone
who is not up to attending a traditional Christmas service because of grief,
divorce, unemployment, illness, or another concern, bring them to our
reflective service called “Blue Christmas” on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 PM at
Mt. Carmel Chapel.
·
Send Christmas greetings to church members – and
reach out to those in need in our community.
Sign the giant Christmas card on the bulletin board in the Lobby (near
the Parlor). With the money saved in not purchasing cards and postage, you can
make a donation to Pass It On ministry.
(You are also welcome to use the “BAUMC Post Office” in the Lobby to
distribute your Christmas cards to the congregation.)
·
Care for those in need through alternative giving. If your loved ones do not need more material
things, consider making a gift in their honor to local, national, or
international missions. Bring in canned food for Neighbors In Need and
Manna House. Give yarn to the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Donate a case
of Bibles to the Prison to Praise Jail Ministry. Purchase a window for
the health clinic in Zimbabwe. Donate funds for the upcoming Volunteers In
Mission and Youth Mission trips. Cook a
meal for the Welcome One Homeless Shelter or Welcome One Fellowship Center.
·
Donate to the Congregational Relief Fund. On the first Sunday of each month, we take a
special offering for the Relief Fund – to help members and constituents of the
congregation who are experiencing economic struggles.
Sunday, December
21, 2008
7:00 PM at Mt.
Carmel Chapel
Come for a time of reflection and worship.
Come and find comfort, those who mourn.
Come and find peace, those who are
burdened.
Come and worship Jesus and find hope.
Worship Services
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
4:00 pm “Candles of Christmas” Family Service in Sanctuary
5:00
pm Candlelight Service @
Mt. Carmel Chapel
6:30 pm Musical Prelude for…
7:00 pm Candlelight Communion Service in Sanctuary
7:00
pm Ignite Service in McComas
Hall
7:00
pm Candlelight Service @
Mt. Carmel Chapel
8:30 pm Musical Prelude for…
9:00 pm Candlelight Service in Sanctuary
10:30 pm Musical Prelude for…
11:00 pm Candlelight Service in Sanctuary
Christmas Offering
Board of Child Care of the United
Methodist Church
During
this special time, you are asked to remember the Board of Child Care – an
organization that has worked with the United Methodist Church to provide care
and support to vulnerable children and their families for 135 years. Every gift from you, no matter how large or
small, benefits the children. The
holidays are brightened for thousands of children and youth in our group living
programs and emergency shelters. Our
community programs are enhanced as well – adoption and foster care services,
the mental health clinic which supports children’s emotional health, the
nonpublic school which services children with special needs, and other programs
that make early childhood education or car loans available to low-income
families. In return, the Board of Child
Care provided counseling staff and financially supported the participation of
Baltimore City youth in Conference-sponsored summer camps. And we will soon be breaking ground on a new
group living facility on the Eastern Shore.
Please
use one of the special offering envelopes in the bulletin or provided in your
mailing packet to make your donation to the Board of Child Care. Checks should be made payable to Bel Air UMC, with the memo “Board of
Child Care.”
A Message from the Finance Committee about
Stewardship…
We believe that it is truly a sign of God’s
hand at work in our congregation that even as many of you have been personally
affected by the current economic downturn, quite a few of you have still found
it in your hearts to make a pledge to Bel Air United Methodist Church for this
coming year. The leadership of BAUMC thanks you for your commitment. Your
pledge will go a long way to help our church serve God’s people in our
congregation and in our community. At this time, it seems appropriate to take a
moment to address some of the stewardship questions that we have been hearing.
1.
What impact has the current economic downturn had on BAUMC?
We started 2008 with expectations
for weekly giving that reflected the pledges we received and our normal weekly
giving patterns. Unfortunately, 2008 has not turned out to be a normal year.
Part way through the year, it became obvious to us that we would not be able to
support our planned budget with our reduced expectations for weekly giving. The
leadership of the church froze non-essential spending and made budget cuts that
required our staff and ministry leaders to explore creative ways to save money.
Thermostats were reset, and we have used more e-mails and less hard copy
mailings to save paper and postage. At this point, we think we have been able
to live within our means, without having a negative impact on our desire
to touch and change lives in a positive way.
2. If
we had budget problem, why did we do building renovations around the church?
This
has to do with the difference between operating expenses and capital expenses.
As instructed by the Book of Discipline, the church’s operating budget, funded
primarily by the weekly giving, is managed separately from the capital and
building fund. The operating budget pays for things like the ministry areas,
the utility bills, and staff salaries. The capital and building fund, managed
by the Board of Trustees, is a wholly separate fund that is funded by special
donations and capital building funds. We cannot, per the rules of the church,
cover shortfalls in the operating budget with money from the capital and
building fund. So while we needed to tighten controls on the operating budget,
the Trustees were able to still complete projects such as the McComas Hall
renovation, construction of the new Groseclose Prayer Chapel, and numerous
other building projects.
3. Are
we on track to finish the year at a break even point?
It
is too soon to tell. We had a strong finish in 2007, which gave us a small
surplus to start 2008 with. At this point, we are hoping that we can end the
year in the black. However, that depends entirely on having our usual generous
giving in the month of December. Typically, with higher attendance, special
Christmas offerings, and as folks consider their year-end charitable
contributions, we see nearly double the rest of the year average giving. If
this pattern continues, we should break even for the year.
4. What can you tell us about 2009?
While we may not know what will happen
in the financial markets next week, next month, or even next year, we know that
the commitment and the faithfulness of our church members and friends will
endure. Individuals and families will continue to give of their time, talents,
and treasures because they know that together we can make a difference for the
kingdom of God.
The leadership of BAUMC
thanks you for your continued service to Christ and for providing your church
with the resources needed to continue to be faithful to the call of Christ in
the midst of these challenging times. So
hang in there and remember the words in James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres
under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of
life that God has promised to those who love him.
Our new Prayer Shawl
Ministry has already begun to bless those who need comfort, healing,
strength, joy. Prayer shawls are
presented to persons in hospitals, nursing homes, shut-ins, recently bereaved,
new moms – those who need to feel the warmth of God’s love wrapped around
them. We already have a team of about 40
crocheters, knitters, quilters, and several who are learning or who want to
learn! We will be meeting in the
Groseclose Prayer Chapel on Thursday, January 8 at both 10:00 AM and
7:00 PM. Join us! For questions, contact Pat Jones at
410-838-9562 or e-mail jjohnandpat@aol.com.
Volunteers In Mission Trip to Louisiana
January 18-24, 2009
VIM will be returning to Lake Charles to help
repair homes damaged by Hurricane Rita and most recently Hurricane Ike. If you are interested or need more
information, contact Andy Hessenauer at 443-206-6126 or e-mail andyhess1@msn.com. Financial assistance is
available, if needed.
BLOOD DRIVE NEWS
♥ November Results… A total of 59 units of blood was collected
during our Blood Drive on November 10, 2008.
These included three “double red” donations in which individual donors
contributed two units of blood. We
extend our sincere thanks to everyone who came out in support of the
Blood Drive.
♥ Student
Donors… Our last Blood Drive
included a group of willing student donors from Bel Air High School. The State of Maryland allows 16 year old
students to donate, with written parental permission. In general, donors must weigh at least 110
pounds, be in generally good health the day of the donation, and have not
donated whole blood in the past 56 days.
♥ Our First Blood Drive in 2009 is
scheduled on Monday, January 12 from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM. As you decide what gifts to give for
Christmas, why not consider the most precious gift of all to someone in
need? Signup now for an appointment! (The signup sheet is located across from the
Church Office.)
Thank you…
Harford Habitat for Humanity
Joann Blewett, Executive Director
We
appreciate your recent donation of $6,000 to Harford Habitat for Humanity. Your contribution will be applied to our
Faithworks III build. (Note: This home in Aberdeen is now complete, with a
dedication held on December 13.)
Exciting
times are ahead as we plan for six new homes in Aberdeen and Havre de
Grace. Our families have been selected
and are working their sweat equity hours with Harford Habitat. As these partner families build equity in
their homes, they break the cycle of poverty.
For many, this is the start of a new life!
Again,
thank you for being a part of our Habitat ministry. Your donation helps keep the hammers
swinging, the nails pounding, and the homes built! We are grateful to you, your congregation,
and the VIM Team.
……..
Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United
Robert Meza,
Site Director
Welcome One
Fellowship Center
On
behalf of FCCAU, the Fellowship Center, and especially our population in need,
thank you and Elizabeth Horn for the recent donation of blankets and
jackets. These wonderful items are a
blessing and will assist many of our homeless men and women.
We are
grateful to Libby and to you – our friends at Bel Air United Methodist Church,
for thinking of our ministry at the Fellowship Center in Edgewood. Many of the clients we serve are living
outside and/or in the woods. At our day
site, we offer our fellow brothers and sisters warm day shelter, a safe haven,
breakfast, lunch, food, services, and transportation.
As the
season gets colder, we are extremely blessed to receive blankets and
jackets. These much-needed items have
already been distributed and will help provide much needed warmth during the
cold days and nights.
We truly
appreciate all of your kindness and generosity.
Together we can all make a difference in the community and in the lives
of many. We pray that the Lord will
bless all of you and the ministries at Bel Air United Methodist Church.
Bel Air
United Methodist Women Christmas Program
“God’s Extravagant Love”
Sunday,
December 14, 2008
3:00 PM
at Mt. Carmel Chapel
LIVE LIFE LAUGHING
a seminar for everyone!
Tickle Your Soul and
Rejuvenate Your Spirit
with Roz Trieber
Roz
presents effective strategies for using humor
and
optimism to help you create a life of health, joy, and happiness.
The Bel
Air United Methodist Women are sponsoring
this
seminar in McComas Hall on
Tickets
are $25 per person.
To
register, contact Colleen Dombroskie at 410-838-6198
or e-mail colleendombroskie@comcast.net.
Focus on the Family® presents a Premier Simulcast Event
FOCUS ON MARRIAGE
Seeing your marriage through the eyes of God
Saturday, February 28, 2009
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Live via
satellite in McComas Hall and featuring today’s leading marriage and family
experts:
Beth Moore, Living Proof Ministries
Dr. Gary Smalley, Author, The DNA of Relationships
Dr. John Trent, Author, Breaking the Cycle of Divorce
Gary Thomas, Author, Sacred Marriage
Dr. Del Tackett, Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project
Jeremy Camp, Special Music Guest
Registration
forms are available on the church’s Web site (www.baumc.com) and from the
Church Office. For information, contact
Cathy Kogler at 410-877-7434 or e-mail cdk07@comcast.net.
Grace Connections…
Christmas Cards and other items may now be
purchased three ways. All proceeds go to
BAUMC missions!
TABLE: We will
again do table sales on Sunday, December 14.
Then on the first Sunday of each month, Grace Connections will have a
display table in the Narthex. Free gift
bags will be available to “Create a Gift of Assorted Cards.”
ORDER FORM:
You can also pickup an order form at the Welcome Center, fill it out,
and place it in the “G” mailbox in the Lobby.
Please include a check made payable to Bel Air United Methodist Church with the order form. Christmas orders placed by Friday, December
19 will be ready for pickup on Sunday, December 21.
ON-LINE:
Orders may be placed at any time through the church’s Web site www.baumc.com.
Click on the Grace Connections link (on the right side), then click the
link to the type of cards you want to purchase.
Whether you have a personal PayPal account or not, your credit card
payment will go directly into a BAUMC account and your order will be mailed to
you.
If you have questions, contact Donna Smoot at
410-838-0926 or e-mail graceconnections@comcast.net.
TINY TOTS SCHOOL NEWS
from Joan Ellofff, Director
In
November, we counted our blessings as we learned about classical music, the
Golden Rule, and thankfulness. We did
science experiments and traveled to Brazil in social studies. We took a field trip to Goucher College to
see American Indian Dancers. And we
collected canned food for Manna House.
Our Tiny
Tots are very excited and quite busy in December. We’re using an Advent calendar to count the
days until Jesus’ birthday. We have a
Hat and Mitten Tree in the hallway to help those less fortunate. In social studies, we’ll travel to Israel. We’ll sing holiday songs and learn about
Tchaikovsky and “The Nutcracker” ballet.
We invite everyone to our Christmas
Program on Thursday, December 18 at 9:15 AM in the Sanctuary.
Tiny Tots
School will be holding registration for 3 and 4 year olds for the 2009-2010
school year in January. If anyone is
interested or knows someone that would like to register, please call the school
at 410-838-6399 (Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-12:00 Noon).
Looking for something
to do on New Year’s Day?
Join with Bel Air UMC friends and family at the Annual BAUMC On Ice at Ice World in Abingdon on Thursday,
January 1, 2009, 2:30-4:30 PM. Admission
is $10 per family OR $3 per person (whichever is less), plus $3 skate rental if
needed. Bring a friend who does not
attend BAUMC, Tiny Tots, or the Children’s Christian Center and everyone gets
free – you and your friend! Sponsored by
Bel Air’s Children & Family Ministries.
Three Steps to Membership
At Bel Air United Methodist Church, our commitment
to you begins on the day of your first visit.
We aspire to help you grow in discipleship, and to be there for you in
the joys and sorrows of life. Membership
is about your commitment. It is where you confirm your faith in Christ,
and your partnership in the mission and ministry of our church. If you would like to become a member, the
steps to membership are easy and can be completed in any order. We’ve outlined them below so you can decide
what your next step will be.
1. Attend a Discovery Class. We invite you to come and meet our pastors
and find out more about our church. Whether
you are a newcomer or a regular attender, Discovery is a unique opportunity in
your faith journey. Contact Lisa Wong
Wolf at 410-838-5181, ext. 17, or e-mail wolfl@baumc.com
to register for the next class.
2. Get connected. Join a home fellowship group, an adult class,
or an on-going ministry in our church that puts you in connection with other
members. We believe the church is made
of people, growing and serving
together to reflect Christ’s love in the world. To learn more about ways
to serve and grow with us, check out our website at www.baumc.com, or call the
Church Office.
3.
Come to our 2-session
Membership Class. You’ll get an overview of what
it means to be called United Methodist, and how you can continue to grow and
serve at Bel Air UMC according to your unique, God-given design. You’ll also make some new friends! Our next Membership Class will be held in the
Spring, and we receive people into membership about twice a year. Please register in advance by completing the New
Member Profile, or by contacting Lisa Wong Wolf.
Russia Mission Trip for 2009
A trip is being planned by the Bel
Air UMC Russian Outreach Committee (ROC) for about 12 days in July/August, 2009
(the window is July 25 to August 15).
This will be our first group trip since 2003. We will be combining with Trinity UMC in
Prince Frederick, MD, Liberty Grove UMC in Burtonsville, MD, and perhaps
others.
We plan to visit Moscow, Voronezh,
and Millennium UMC in Oryol, our adopted church in Russia. We will also be doing volunteer work at Camp
Crystal near Voronezh. If enough show
interest, there will be an opportunity for individuals to visit St. Petersburg.
Reverend Charles Harrell from
Trinity UMC, our partner church in the support of Millennium UMC, will lead the
group. He has been on many mission trips
to Russia. The most important aspect of
the trip for the people from Bel Air and
Trinity UMC will be to visit and worship with Reverend Lev Mikhailov, pastor of
the Millennium UMC, and his congregation.
The cost of the trip is currently
estimated to be approximately $3,000 to $3,400 per person. This covers air fare, food and lodging,
ground transportation, and other team charges (about half of the cost is for
airfare). Fund-raising may defray some
of the cost. For those interested in St.
Petersburg, it would be at an added cost of about $800 per person for 2 to 3 days.
Requirements for the trip include
a feeling for the Russian people, their challenges, and their culture, basic
good health, a current passport (valid at least through February 28, 2010), and
at least 17 years old. Minors must be
accompanied by a parent or a guardian.
Participants on a similar trip led by Liberty Grove UMC in 2007 were
from ages 17 to 80.
Additional information is available
on the Russian Outreach Committee display board located in the hallway outside
the Church Office. Updates will also be
posted on the display board.
Anyone interested in going should
contact the ROC Chairperson, Carol McCormack, at 410-734-7476,
e-mail robncarol@comcast.net,
or call the Church Office (410-838-5181).
The ROC normally meets on the
first Monday of each month at 7:00 PM. Due
to the holidays, there will be no meeting in January. The next meeting will be held on Monday,
February 4, 2009.
Reverend Lev Mikhailov (with tie) and
his Millennium UMC Congregation (2007)
CHABADZA: HEALING HANDS ACROSS
ZIMBABWE
Building a Christ-Centered Medical
Facility
November 2008
|
|
Beacon
of Hope in Munyarari
We are
pleased and blessed to announce the opening of a beacon of hope: our new United Methodist Munyarari Mission
temporary medical clinic.
Septic ditch
with stones for inside facilities of clinic
Thanks
to your support, and your commitment to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” we can
now bring life-saving healing to those in dire need.
Sister Fashu
of Fact counseling a couple in the clinic
We are now in the process of:
·
Hiring three
nurses to provide care and counseling, and a custodian to maintain the
facility.
·
Sending
additional medicines to the temporary clinic and the Chitora clinic in
December.
·
Searching out
basics like beds, tables and chairs.
In June 2009, our mission team will formally dedicate
the temporary clinic and begin work on the permanent facility. We are also
planning to help inoculation efforts for hundreds of people in the area.
This success, however, is only the beginning. God has
called us to build a permanent, self-sustaining medical and educational
outreach facility that will serve more than 20,000 people. Building this vision
will require a huge financial commitment; one that will require a number of
partners, including:
·
Bel Air United
Methodist Church
·
The
Baltimore/Washington Conference of the
United Methodist Church
·
The Zimbabwe East
and West Conference of the
United Methodist Church
·
USAID
·
CrossLink
International
To fulfill God’s call, however, we will need even more
partners. That is why we are creating a 501(c)3 Charitable
Corporation called the Healing Hands Outreach Foundation.
The mission: To provide sustainable
healthcare, education, and outreach programs for those in need around the world
using a holistic approach; healing the mind, the body, as well as the spirit.
The key word here is “sustainable.” The Zimbabwean
government is unable to support this venture. While we
can help build the clinic, we cannot support it indefinitely. Instead, we must
work with our Zimbabwean friends to create business opportunities that will
generate enough revenue to pay salaries and purchase equipment and supplies. To feed patients and staff, for example, we
will develop a farm. God has blessed us with land and an underground water
source.
We will need to tap that water supply, develop an
irrigation system, and train local villagers in farming techniques.
For power, sanitation and water purification, we will
form partnerships with experts. Electrical power in Zimbabwe is erratic; we
will need solar and wind power systems to back up the onsite fossil fuel
generators. We will have to create and build all these systems on site.
We have already made one significant step: our
temporary clinic has the
first indoor plumbing
at the Munyarari mission. We will extend the system
to include the medical facility, staff housing, and eventually, the mission
schools.
These are the challenges we face; however, we know the
Lord will continue to provide, as He already ha
s
through the hard work and deep faith of our Zimbabwean friends, and through
your generous support. May God Bless you
all as we put our faith in Jesus Christ into action.
Dave
Talbot, Chabadza Leader
Share the Light of
Christmas
Christmas
shopping for folks on your list and supporting our brothers and sisters in
Zimbabwe can happen at the same time.
Consider honoring your loved ones by making a donation to buy a window,
door, etc. for our future medical clinic.
Your practical gift will truly let in the light while sharing the light
of the world, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
An
attractive certificate will be sent for you to give to your honoree. For Christmas delivery, place your order by
Tuesday, December 16. You can use the
order form found on page 12 or stop by the Zimbabwe display table in the Lobby. All donations are appreciated!
Your Junk Mail Can Save Lives
Your
unwanted Christmas catalogs could bring the gift of life to Zimbabwe. Just take
all that junk mail (and your newspapers and other papers) to the bright yellow
bins near the back parking lot of Bel Air United Methodist Church (near Country
Village Apartments).
Our
recycled paper is being turned into funds that pay nurses’ salaries at the
Chitora clinic. Right now, recycling money is covering about 80% of those
costs. But here’s how you can help us reach our goal of 100%. You can volunteer to make your neighborhood a
recycling partner. We’ll supply everything you need, including Chabadza
brochures and handouts detailing the kinds of paper we can take.
Several
of us have already started in our neighborhoods. We are delighted to welcome
the Avondell Retirement Community as a partner, and Country Village Apartments
will be joining us soon.
Be
sure to tell your friends and neighbors how their unwanted paper could change
lives. You’ll not only help raise more funds, you’ll put the work of Christ
before your neighbors.
To
volunteer, call Bev Talbot at 410-836-8412.
Thankful Mission Dinner
Excellent
food and lively fellowship highlighted our third annual Thanksgiving mission
dinner and silent auction on November 12th. Our thanks go to Candy Ellenberger
and her hospitality crew for an outstanding turkey dinner. Thanks also to
everyone who dined with us and supported the event.
We
urge you to patronize these local businesses, who showed the spirit of Chabadza
with their generous donations to our silent auction. Special thanks to:
Bel
Air Athletic Club, Brooms Bloom Dairy, Bel Air Fast Lube, Bonefish Grill,
Christopher Matthews Christian Store, Curves, Decker’s, Drayer’s Florist,
Garceau Realty, Giant Food, Greenery Florist, Huckleberry’s Coffee & Tea,
Main
Street Tower Restaurant, Mrs. Flowers, Inc.,
Open
Door Café, Scotto’s Restaurant, Snap Fitness, Starbuck Coffee, Tea by Two Tea
Room, and Weis Market.
Did You Know?
The
Chabadza Medical Outreach Committee has been accepted as an official mission
partner with Crosslinks
International.
This prestigious global organization collects, stores, and redistributes vital
medicines, medical supplies, and prescriptions to people in need.
We
are delighted with this valuable new partnership. Our first order from
Crosslinks will be shipped in December to both the Chitora clinic and the new
temporary clinic in Munyarari.
Mission Trip to Zimbabwe is a “GO”
for June 2009
After
much prayer, and with great regret, we postponed our mission trip to Zimbabwe
scheduled for August 2008. Post-election
violence and unrest posed too much risk at the time.
While
the situation is still very difficult, our Project Coordinator, Rev. Lloyd
Nyarota, and other Zimbabwe missions have assured us that travel will be safe
now. So we are happy to announce that we have rescheduled our trip for June
2009.
We are
tentatively scheduled to leave
on June 19th or 20th, and return June 29th or 30th. These dates
were
chosen so that we could attend the dedication of the interim medical
clinic, get an
update on the
situation at the Chitora
Clinic, located within
30 kilometers of our present
clinic (where our paper drive supports the nursing staff), and begin moving
forward with Phase 1 of the permanent clinic.
Even
if you’re not sure you can go on the mission trip, you’re welcome to attend our
meetings. We realize that the time and
financial commitments involved require planning and prayer. We can take up to
15 people on this trip.
Accommodations
have already been arranged at the LaRochelle Hotel, near the campus of Africa
University. Deb Englar has stayed there before and had a good experience.
Now
is the time to demonstrate our support. Our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe
are going through tremendous difficulties now. We need to show them that our
faith is strong, and our commitment to the clinic is unwavering. If you feel
the Lord is asking you to be part of His mission there, please attend our next
Chabadza – Zimbabwe Mission Team meeting on Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00 PM in
the Church Office.
We
hope you will help us show the spirit of Chabadza, and journey with us to show
Jesus’ love.
You Can Be A Volunteer
As the mission
grows, we always need more volunteers for our Chabadza team. There are many ways to serve. Those who feel led by the Lord to volunteer
should contact Dave Talbot at 410-836-8412.
Our team meets one evening a month at Bel Air United Methodist Church
and each volunteer is welcome. In
particular, we need people who can: help maintain our website, help coordinate
the collection of medical supplies, help us with printing services, join us on
our next mission trip, coordinate volunteers, assist with fundraising, provide
agricultural advice, and many other necessary and vital services.
Donations for Chabadza can be sent to:
Chabadza
21 Linwood
Avenue
Bel Air, MD
21014-3914
Please make checks payable to Bel Air United Methodist Church, with “Chabadza” in the memo.
Honor someone you love by
giving a Christmas gift of hope and light! Give the light of healing in their
name. You can give a door, a window, or light for a much-needed health clinic
for our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe.
Needed are 20 doors &
doorframes and 22 window frames & glass.
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Item Name
|
Price
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Item Number
|
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Window and Door
Hardware
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$300
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Item #1
|
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One Door Frame &
Door
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$150
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Item #2
|
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One Window &
Glass
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$100
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Item #3
|
|
Open Door Donation
|
$25
|
Item #4
|
|
Open Window Donation
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$15
|
Item #5
|
|
Donation of Light
& Hope
|
You Decide
|
Item #6
|
For questions, call
410-836-8412. Mail form to:
Bel Air UMC, 21 Linwood Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014.
ORDER FORM
Please complete this form and
return with payment to Bel Air United
Methodist Church, memo: Chabadza.*
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Item #
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Description
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Qty
|
Price
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Name:
Address:
Phone:
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Order Total
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$
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Method of
Payment: Cash,
enclose check, or visit www.chabadza.org and pay through Pay Pal.
(Please
make all payments payable to BAUMC, memo: Chabadza.)
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Signature:
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Date:
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DEADLINE FOR ORDER – Tuesday, December 16
Certificates will be mailed
to your above address for you to give to the honoree.
CERTIFICATE FORM Use back of this
paper for additional honorees.
Honoree’s Name:
__________________________________________________________________________
(as you wish to have it
appear on the certificate- ex.- Mom, Dave, Mr. John Smith)
Donor’s Name:
____________________________________________________________________________
(your name as you wish to
have it appear on the certificate)
THANK YOU from Chabadza, Healing Hands Across Zimbabwe!
Bel Air United Methodist Church
SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES
8:00 AM (Communion), 9:20 & 11:00 AM in Linwood
Sanctuary
9:20 AM Ignite Youth Worship in McComas Hall
7:00 PM Evening Worship at Mt. Carmel Chapel
MORNING FELLOWSHIP in McComas Hall – 8:45-9:15 AM and
10:30-11:15 AM
CHURCH
OFFICE
Phones
410-838-5181 or 410-879-2797
Fax
410-893-8363, E-mail info@baumc.com
Who You Should Call:
To
schedule a meeting or use building Alice
Archer
To
use The Homestead Cheryl
Firth
To
schedule a wedding Cheryl
Firth
To
schedule a baptism / Baptism Class Judy
Jones
About
membership / Membership Classes Lisa
Wong Wolf
About
Christian Learning (Sunday School, VBS) Joni
Behrendt
About
children and family ministries Joni
Behrendt
About
adult learning opportunities Cindy
Caldwell
About
small group fellowship Cindy
Caldwell
About
the bulletin (Deadline: Wednesday, 12
Noon) Judy Jones
About
the e-Spire (Deadline: Thursday, 12
Noon) Judy Jones
About
the SPIRE (newsletter) Alice
Archer
About
programs and ministries Cheryl
Firth
About
finances - envelopes, invoices, etc. Phyllis
Kordek
About
Children’s Christian Center Anjanette Jacobs, Director
(410-420-8304)
About
Tiny Tots School Joan Elloff, Director
(410-838-6399)
Please Call the Church
Office:
If your address or phone number has
changed.
If there’s been a birth or
death in your family.
If you are ill or
hospitalized.
The federal regulation
called HIPAA, the Health Information Portability
and Accountability Act,
applies to how the church will minister to you,
through clergy visits
and the Prayer Chain, while you are hospitalized.
For the Prayer Chain:
Please contact Andrea
Whitcomb, 410-803-8520 (please
leave a message if there’s
no answer) or send an e-mail
to andreaandbillw@comcast.net.
|
SPIRE MAILING TEAM:
SPIRE Editor - Alice
Archer
SPIRE Mailing - Sandy
and Palmer Paules
SPIRE Circulation -
Bruce Allen, Margaret Browning, Audrey Tolston Coale,
Shirley Cooney, Phyllis
Cooper, Elaine Crowe, Lloyd & Kathleen Fry, Bob & Sue Gillette,
Pat Grahe, Nellie
Graybeal, Betty Hartsock, Jean Henderson, Garner Jones, Elsie Kaste, Mary Ann
Keele, LeRoy Knepper, Jane Knode, Glenn & Edith Leydig, Irene Littleton,
Shirley MacLean,
Wayne & Jane Mason, Jean Moore, Duke & Nancy Paris,
John & Shirley Renshaw,
Doris Scholl, Norma Smith, Ruth Smithson, Carole Vangrin,
Mary Walker, Marguerite
Ward
BAUMC ON-LINE... The SPIRE is posted on our webpage at www.baumc.com.
The e-Spire, a weekly
update of information, devotions, upcoming events and activities, and a
printout of the previous week’s sermon, is distributed via e-mail (usually on
Fridays). If you would like to receive
the e-Spire, please send your e-mail address to info@baumc.com. If you do not have e-mail and would like to
read the e-Spire, copies are available at the Welcome Center.
Here are the e-mail
addresses for the church staff. Please
use these addresses for information, announcements, prayer concerns, etc. Use e-mail for any questions you have or to
sign up for any church activities.
Archer, Alice archera@baumc.com
Behrendt, Joni behrendtj@baumc.com
Caldwell, Cindy caldwellc@baumc.com
Cardwell, Rev. Stan cardwells@baumc.com
Firth, Cheryl firthc@baumc.com
Hidey, Rev. Barry hideyb@baumc.com
Hodges, Tom hodgest@baumc.com
Hollida, Rev. Doug hollidad@baumc.com
Jones, Judy jonesj@baumc.com
Kordek, Phyllis kordekp@baumc.com
Pazdersky, Rev. Carol pazderskyc@baumc.com
Schepers, Jim schepersj@baumc.com
Wolf, Lisa Wong wolfl@baumc.com
Children’s Christian
Center ccc@baumc.com
Tiny Tots School tinytots@baumc.com
Bishop – Rev. Dr.
John R. Schol
District Superintendent
- Rev. Dr. Karin Walker
Lead Minister - Rev.
Barry Hidey
Associate Minister –
Rev. Carol Pazdersky
Off-Site Minister –
Rev. Stan Cardwell
Director of Worship
& Arts – Rev. Doug Hollida
Director of Children
& Family Ministries - Joni Behrendt
Director of Adult Discipleship
- Cindy Caldwell
Director of Student
Ministries – Tom Hodges
Church Administrator
- Jim Schepers
Bookkeeper – Phyllis
Kordek
Pastoral Administrative
Assistant – Judy Jones
Office/Facility
Coordinator - Alice Archer
Congregational Care
Coordinator - Cheryl Firth
Membership/Data Base
Coordinator – Lisa Wong Wolf
Building
Superintendent/Custodial Supervisor –
Don Sandefur
Custodians – Stephen
Kenly, Thureen Drake,
Jeff Shimek
Chair, Administrative
Council – Tony Vinciguerra
Secretary, Administrative
Council – Jen Evans
President, Board of
Trustees – Rick Schulte
Chair, Finance
Committee – Tony Ciampaglio
Chair, Staff-Parish
Relations – Jane Russell
Secretary, Lay
Leadership Committee – Dina Willard
Lay Leader – Beverly
Talbot
13th Annual COOKIE CUPBOARD
Sponsored by Volunteers In Mission (VIM)
Saturday, December 13, 2008
10:00 AM in McComas Hall
How does it work? Members and
friends of the church bake their favorite cookies and deliver them to McComas
Hall on Friday, December 12. Thank
you to all of our bakers!
Then on Saturday, December 13 you can purchase a container for $8 and
fill it from the variety of cookies on display.
Fill your container and have it bound (tied with ribbon) for
travel. Enjoy your cookies yourself,
share them with others, or freeze them for later.
This fundraising project helps missions in Bel Air, Harford County,
across the country, and around the world.
The Volunteers In Mission reach out to touch others! Thanks for your support!
Looking for a Christmas tree?
Stop by the church and purchase a tree from Boy Scout Troop 777.
Sponsored by Bel Air UMC for over 50 years, Troop 777 uses the proceeds
from this annual Christmas Tree Sale to obtain equipment and supplies for their
camping trips. For information about
Scouting, contact Greg Wheeler at 443-567-6521 or e-mail gwheeler412@comcast.net.
THE SOUND OF HOLIDAY MUSIC
presented
by the
Bel
Air Community Chorus
Sunday,
December 14, 2008
7:00 PM
at Bel Air
United Methodist Church
