Volume 40, Issue 1

Be r ke le y U n i t e d Me t h o d i s t Ch u r c h
J a n u a r y 2 1 , 2 01 0
BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Non Profit Org.
2407 Berkeley Ave. U.S. Postage Paid
Austin, TX. 78745
(512)447-6633
Email: bumc78745@sbcglobal.net
Permit #2713
Austin, Texas THE BERKELEY BUZZ
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Berkeley A WORD FROM PASTOR JEANNIE
United Methodist Church
A prayer by Andy Langford written in the 20th century and printed in our United Meth-
2407 Berkeley Ave.
odist Book of Worship speaks for us today after watching the TV reports of the terrible
disaster in Haiti.
Austin, TX 78745
(512) 447-6633
“O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation. In Christ you stilled the
Fax: 851-8438
storms, raised the dead, and vanquished demonic powers. Tame the earthquake,
bumc78747@sbcglobal.net wind, and fire, and all the forces that defy control or shock us by their fury. Keep us
www.berkeleyumc.org from calling disaster your justice. Help us, in good times and in distress, to trust your
mercy and yield to your power, this day and for ever.”
Childcare Center: 443-3509
This disaster became personal when my friend, Rev. Suzanne Field-Rabb‘s, husband
Ministers was pinned in the rubble of the Hotel Montana for 55 hours with his missionary com-
Members of the Congregation panions from the General Board of Global Ministries. While Rev. James Gulley sur-
vived the quake, Rev. Clint Rabb, the Director of Volunteer Ministries, and Rev. Sam
Pastor Dixon, the Director of UMCOR later died from their injuries. They had just entered the
Rev. Jeannie Whitehurst
hotel for meetings with representatives from other organizations aimed at improving
health services in Haiti.
Youth Director
I knew of Clint‘s deep passion for mission as he spread the Word of God throughout
Paul Seeman
LENT OFFERS TIME FOR G RO W T H Russia and then into other parts of the world on behalf of all Methodists. Clint helped
local church folks find a place where they were needed and in doing so brought tangi-
Director of Music ble aid to the poorest of the world.
Many of us know our IQ (intelligence quotient), but what about our SQ (spiritual quo- Victoria Schwarz
tient)? These men were doing their jobs, just like we do. They had no warning, no protection,
Pianist and no way to escape the disaster. We can‘t blame others for the suffering and
Tyler Mabry deaths of the thousands of people who are trapped in this horrible situation. They did
Lent is a good time to think about the quality of your spiritual life. Do you think nothing wrong, God isn‘t punishing Haiti or these people. It is a natural disaster that
about God often … or rarely? Do you pray often … or occasionally? How well do you happens as a part of our creation. It is hard to accept the pain and suffering that we
Administrative Assistant
know the Bible? The Commandments? The Beatitudes? The lives of biblical heroes see and know but we must. However, acceptance isn‘t the final step. Action comes
Tara Nash
and heroines? next. As faithful Christians we are called to pray, give, and serve. The United Method-
ist Committee on Relief, while crippled with the loss of these key leaders, is continuing
Childcare Director
During Lent, commit to spending more time in prayer. Also consider selecting a book the work Clint and the others started. There is more to do now than ever. Clinics, or-
Allison McGillicuddy
of the Bible or a particular Bible character to study in-depth during this period. phanages, and schools run by the United Methodist Church were destroyed and need
to be rebuilt to meet the needs in this new reality.
Some people give up particular items or habits during Lent. If used wisely, this disci- If you haven‘t already given to the cause to aid Haiti, please do so now. See the follow-
pline can help you abandon things that have been interfering with your relationship ing page for information on how you can help.
with God.
~Pastor Jeannie
Seek out devotions and books that can help strengthen your spiritual life. Examples
include: Show Me the Way by Henri Nouwen, A Season for the Spirit by Martin Smith,
Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado, and Lent and Easter Wisdom From Thomas Mer- Serving God +++Sharing Christ+++Receiving Mercy
ton edited by Jonathan Montaldo.
P age 2 V o l um e 4 0 , I s s ue 1 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z P age 7

CALLING ALL MEN! WALK THE LABYRINTH DURING LENT

SUBMITTED BY RICH ERRINGTON SUBMITTED BY DONNA BOSTICK

Ever wonder what the United Methodist Men are all about? Think it's JUST food? Well, As part of Lenten activities, Spiritual Care Committee will have the labyrinth
come and find out, joining us on the 4th Saturday of every month as the Berkeley Men join available on Saturday, March 6th, in the CLC. This centuries-old spiritual tech-
together for Food (yes - we do food), Fellowship, and Inspiration. In January, we continue
nique has been used for centering oneself and turning the focus inward – ap-
our discovery of the tools for living as we explore the next piece of the Armor of God, the
Word of God. In what I am sure will be a lively endeavor, we will examine closely the Word of God as a tool propriate for the soul-searching aspect of Lent – or conversely as a meditative
for living for the next months. Also, find out about the other exciting things the Berkeley Men do and how aid, stilling the mind, which can then be quiet and attuned for hearing the
you can be a part! voice of God. Berkeley is very fortunate to be able to offer this opportunity,
and we hope that the congregation and community will take advantage of it.
For more information about dates and times, you can contact the church office or Rich Errington If you haven‘t tried it before, we invite you do so during this Lenten season.
(rlerrington@earthlink.net)

SECRET PRAYER PALS COMING!

SUBMITTED BY DONNA BOSTICK
ARE
HELP FOR HAITI L I F E L I N E S C R E E N I N G , F E B R UA R Y 1 9 , 2 0 1 0
1. SEND MONEY Life Line Screening is the leading provider of community-based preventative health screenings in the
Spiritual Care Committee 31. Take a heart from the The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is U.S. and they will be at Berkeley on February 19th from 8:15 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. Appointments are limited,
will once again sponsor the basket, jot down your prayer collecting money for relief efforts in Haiti. You can send
Valentine‘s Secret Prayer need, and place it in the Val- so please call 1-800-679-5192 for availability. The following screenings are offered:
checks to:
Pals opportunity for inten- entine‘s box. On Valentine‘s Stroke/Carotid Artery Screening
Treasurer, Southwest Texas Conference
tional prayer. You may par- Day, Sunday, February 14th, Heart Rhythm Screening (Atrial Fibrillation)
ticipate as either a ―pray-er‖ the hearts will be selected at United Methodist Church
(one who ran- 16400 Huebner Rd. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
prays inten- dom San Antonio, TX 78248 Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening
tionally for the and Please specify your donation is for 418325 Haiti Emer- Osteoporosis Screening
person or prayed gency Relief.
concern), a for in- You can obtain additional information at www.lifelinescreening.com
―pray-ee‖
2. BRING ITEMS FOR HEALTH KITS
(one who has
a need or 1 hand towel (15" x 25" up to 17" x 27") GREAT NEWS FROM FINANCE!
1 washcloth SUBMITTED BY RAY HODSON
concern for 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
which you desire prayer), or tentionally during that entire 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail The congregation was very generous during the month of December! The total giving was $39,005
both. Look for the Valen- week. What a loving way to clippers) which exceeds any one month giving that I am aware of. $24,821 was given to the General Fund,
tine‘s Box and basket in the express our concern for one 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up) $1,580 for the Building Fund and $12,604 for Designated Funds. Our Apportionments have been paid
Narthex beginning January another! 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No
child-size brushes) along with all bills.
1 large tube of toothpaste (4.5 oz. or larger, expiration
INTEREST IN NEW COVENANT GROUPS date must be 6 months or longer)
SUBMITTED BY DONNA BOSTICK Among the Designated Funds given, $8,270 was for the roof repair and when combined with the $4,545
6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages given on January 3, 2010 makes that fund contain $12,815. Thank you for your continued support and
Spiritual Care Committee would like to assist in the devel- one-gallon plastic bags for packaging sharing the vision of growth at Berkeley!
opment of new covenant groups, but first we need to as-
certain interest in this. If you are interested in forming/ Place these items in the narthex and we will get them to
the SW Texas Conference office in San Antonio, where
being part of a new covenant group, please contact a
they will be sent to Haiti.
member of Spiritual Care Committee: Donna Bostick and AVERAGE ATTENDANCE: MEMORIAL FUND:
Karen Walters, co-chairs, Dave Denton, Kathy Beth Stavi- GIFTS AS OF DECEMBER 31:
noha, Linda Green, or Ron Cranston. Or leave your infor- 3. PRAY DECEMBER 2009 YTD 2008 MONTHLY INCOME: $26,716 $1,518
mation in the Spiritual Care cubbyhole in the church office. Pray for all of those in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. WORSHIP 177 148 144 ENDOWMENT FUND:
We expect to have more information on this subject later Pray for their families. Pray for their future. Pray for all SUNDAY SCHOOL 40 44 45 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $21,199
those persons from around the world involved in rescue, $53,565
in the year.
recovery, and restoration.
P age 6 V o l um e 4 0 , I s s ue 1 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z P age 3

Y O U ’ V E B E E N B U Z Z E D , M Y R NA & S T E V E C AV E N D E R !
SUBMITTED BY RACHEL TRUDELL

Myrna & Steve came to Berkeley UMC shortly
after moving to their Austin home in August 1984. They
came via the Yellow Pages, seeking Methodist
churches in their area. Berkeley , with Kim Cape as
pastor at that time, was the first and only church they
visited, as they found the church ―very energetic and
the Sunday School classes were exciting for us and our
kids, and we just never left!‖ Within 3 months, they
joined via transfer of membership from their Methodist
Church in Midland. Steve, raised as Baptist, was an
―on again off again‖ Methodist when he married Catho-
lic Myrna, and they joined the Methodist Church in
Elgin in the late 70‘s. Today they both attend the So-
journers Sunday School class, and Myrna is part of the
Sunday evening Covenant Group. She also serves as
our Administrative Council Chair and brings a lively,
playful joy to the meetings, as well as her homemade
breads! Steve is serving on the Finance Committee this
year.
Myrna retired last year from her 20 years in the
Hays County School System, where she was Librarian at
Elm Grove Elementary, and prior at Kyle Elementary.
Now she devotes time to her mother who lives in as-
sisted living near Zilker Park, works part-time showing
real estate at La Vid Townhomes, and is committed to
regular exercise at Premier Lady near the church,
keeping her body fit for the energy she devotes not only
to her active life, but as we‘ve seen, to BUMC. Some-
how, she also finds time for her two book clubs! Steve
is also in Education and oversees Austin Area Graduate
Students Night Program at Concordia University. Their
two children carry the family tradition in education:
son Kit, a photographer, works as a teacher in Austin,
and married daughter Holli lives and teaches in Ger-
many. Steve and Myrna love to travel, alternating yearly
national and international exploring. They attended
their daughter‘s very German wedding a few years
back, and this year, they hope to visit Jerusalem and
then make a return visit to Germany.
An unknown personal tidbit from Myrna: ―I
played tennis in high school and junior college, and
even lettered in it.‖ She still has that special letter
jacket, and just might wear it someday! Steve shares
that he loves ―tri-fifties Chevrolets.‖ I had to ask what
that meant and he clarified,‘ 55, ‘56 and ‗57 Chevies,
because his mom and dad bought a ‘55 when he was
little.
Thank you, Myrna and Steve, for sharing your-
selves with us, and now we‘ll see who might take you
up on a game of tennis, (Myrna said she prefers dou-
bles) and does anyone have a 50‘s Chevy for a little JOY
ride?

To our church,
Thanks for all your prayers and visits while I was in the hospital. I am recu-
FROM THE
perating at home while getting over pneumonia and will go back into the
hospital around the 2nd week in February to have some more surgery
CHRISTMAS BOX
done (gall bladder removal, growth on kidney removed and stones re-
moved from urinary tract). Then out to rehab and get back to normal. The following was drawn
Thanks for all your visits, prayers and help. They made a big difference in
my recovery.
at random from the
Christmas box that was
Thanks, placed in the Narthex to
Fred G. West collect Christmas
prayers and wishes of
To my special and dear friends of Berkeley, the congregation: ―For
Thank you for being there for me. By your prayers, cards and phone calls
you have helped me through so very much and are still at it.
reconciliation, peace,
and wholeness for all
God‘s blessings to all, Your world for we are all
Junell Treece Your beloved.‖
 V o l um e 4 0 , I s s ue 1 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z
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Each Week:
SUNDAY
6:30 am Work Corner Prep
8:30 am Worship
9:00 am Children‘s and Youth Choir
9:40 am Sunday School
10:50 am Worship
5:30 pm UMYF (FH)
2/2 Abbey Triggs
5:30 pm Covenant Group (9)
5:30 pm Small group study (7)
2/3 Elizabeth Goble
2/4 Catherine Waltman
MONDAY
2/5 Kate Noll
10:00 am Women‘s Group (7)
7:00 pm Covenant Group 2/5 Allen Smith

Serve TUESDAY
2/9
2/9
Bill Campbell
Jimmie Dittlinger
the
10:00 am CC Chapel
2/11 Bonnie Wolfe
LORD
WEDNESDAY
6:00 pm Handbells 2/14 Karen Carlton
with 7:00 pm Choir 2/18 Kim Royal
ss 2/20 Donna Bostick
Gladne
THURSDAY
6:30 pm Disciple One Bible Study (FH) 2/20 Ian Villamin
2/23 Autumn Kaylor
February Special Dates: 2/27 Doyce Hosenbeck
2/28 Mathew Wenzel
African American History Month
Boy Scout Sunday, February 7, 2010
Transfiguration of the Lord, February 14, 2010
2/14 Dale & Doris Lyon
Valentine‘s Day, February 14, 2010 2/27 Bill & Charlotte Campbell
President‘s Day, February 15, 2010
Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2010 Don‘t see your birthday or anniversary?
First Sunday in Lent, February 21, 2010 Contact Tara in the church office—447-6633
Second Sunday in Lent, February 28, 2010 or bumc78745@sbcglobal.net

F E B R UA R Y I N T E N T I O N A L P R A Y E R C A L E N D A R
February 7 (5th Sunday after Epiphany)—13 : For the rustling of the Spirit within us.

February 14 (Valentine‘s Day, Transfiguration Sunday, Boy Scout Sunday)—20 : For providers
of wholesome activities for youth and for the youth who participate.

February 21 (First Sunday in Lent)—27: For strength as we face the wilderness of Lent.

February 28 (Second Sunday in Lent)—March 6: For focusing on our Christian essentials.