Volume 39, Issue 6
Be r ke le y U n i t e d Me t h o d i s t Ch u r c h
BERKELEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2407 Berkeley Ave.
Austin, TX. 78745
(512)447-6633
Email: bumc78745@sbcglobal.net
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
The Day of Independence
The day of independence
Came 2,000 years ago,
When a man from Galilee,
Gave His Body, Spirit, Soul,
And took our place in punishment,
Bore stripes without a fight,
Obedience to His Father’s plan,
Was utmost in His sight!
He came to set His people free,
From bondage to their sin,
And gave them all a reason,
To trust in Hope again.
When freedom now we celebrate,
Let’s keep in mind this thought,
The freedom that sets us truly free,
Was by Jesus’ blood bought.
By Peggy Jeanine Woody
June 25, 2009
Non Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #2713
Austin, Texas THE BERKELEY BUZZ
Berkeley A WORD FROM PASTOR JEANIE
United Methodist Church
I am pleased to introduce the lay members from our church that joined me Thursday,
June 18th at Hyde Park UMC in a new Ecclesiastes Project with eleven urban Methodist
2407 Berkeley Ave. Churches in the Austin District: Myrna Cavender (Ad. Council Chair), Rachel Trudell (Lay
Austin, TX 78745 Leader), Phyllis Coombes (Finance Committee Chair), Ray Hodson (Treasurer), and Brian
(512) 447-6633 Peters (Trustee Chair). The eleven churches are: Asbury, Berkeley, Crestview, Faith,
Fax: 851-8438 Grace, Hyde Park, Memorial, Parker Lane, St. Mark, St. Luke and Simpson.
bumc78747@sbcglobal.net
This project is the next step in the process of congregational discernment about the fu-
ture ministry of our churches which we started three years ago with the Don Nations and
Childcare Center: 443-3509
Holy Boldness initiatives. The Austin District Superintendent, with the support of the
Bishop and the Cabinet of the Southwest Texas Conference, is providing the eleven
Ministers churches with guides, consultants, and networking opportunities to enhance and
Members of the Congregation deepen our holy conversations begun in our Faithful Practices and Task Force groups.
Additionally, the churches will have a contractor available to work with trustees in as-
sessing building code requirements and the estimated cost of making updates.
Pastor
Rev. Jeannie Whitehurst
You might consider the following metaphor to understand the lengthy process involved
in this multi-year journey: Take an onion. Now peel back the outer layer of the onion
Youth Director skin, such as we did with the Holy Boldness and Don Nations initiatives. In fact, we
Paul Seeman really took off about two to three layers of the onion in getting the information required.
Now, the Ecclesiastes Project will help us take off more layers of the onion to assist us in
Director of Music conversations toward discernment for the future ministry of Berkeley.
Victoria Schwarz
A proposed timeline for the project is as follows:
Pianist May 28th—D.S. met with the pastors of each of the eleven churches.
Tyler Mabry June 18th—D.S. met with pastors and key lay members.
August—Written documents completed and compiled.
Administrative Assistant August 20th—District Professionals meeting, followed by Ecclesiastes pastors gathering.
Tara Nash September—Facilitators begin congregational visits.
October—Bible Study for the pastors of these churches by Dr. Beverly Jones, chaplain of
Childcare Director Southwestern University.
Allison McGillicuddy November 8th—Possible Group Charge Conference for all Ecclesiastes churches.
We are very happy that the conference is working in partnership with us to plan for our
future ministry. It was gratifying to all of us to know that the connectional system is
working for and with us. Only God knows the future of our ministry. Please continue to
pray and work together to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. ―All will be well, and
all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.‖ ~Julian of Norwich
~Pastor Jeannie
Serving God +++Sharing Christ+++Receiving Mercy
P age 2 V o l um e 3 9 , I s s ue 6 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z P age 7

The mission trip to

B E R K E L E Y D I R E C TO R I E S ARE IN!
We’re excited to announce the new church directo-
Mathis, Texas is fast
approaching and eve- C URTAIN C ALL
ries are here! You can pick up your labeled copy in ryone is invited to go.
We will leave July The Berkeley Child
the designated box located in the Narthex. 19th, work for three Care is in the begin-
days and then go to ning stages of a long
Congregational Care would like to thank Kallie the beach on the last awaited makeover!
Green and Ray Hodson for the many pictures they day before heading During the next sev-
home on July 23rd. It eral weeks the class-
took of our church family in action. And special rooms will be painted
thanks to Kallie for the exact hours she put into will be a great oppor- and other updates will
the layout and design. She did a fabulous job with tunity for everyone to be made. If anyone is
the cover and ministry pages. Thank you, thank bond, work, worship interested in helping
and play together. sew new curtains for
you!!! The cost is $200 and the rooms, please con-
needs to be turned in tact Allison at 443-
along with your regis- 3509.
Dear Berkeley Family,
Thank you for your concern, prayers and cards during tration form by
the illness and death of my father, Pieter Vercouteren. Wednesday, July 1st.
We are so thankful that we were able to celebrate his You can bring it by
100th birthday on April 8th. Both my daughters, Marita and the office or give it to
Elke and their husbands were also present.
He died about two weeks after his birthday. Berkeley Paul Seeman.
Church was very special to my father. He ―found‖ the church in
1976 when he and my mother were visiting us from Holland.
He would walk every Sunday morning to different churches and CARES AND CONCERNS
after finding Berkeley he kept coming back. It is about three BY JUNELL TREECE
miles from our house to Berkeley. He loved to walk and three
miles was not far to him. (He rode his bicycle till he was 95!) Congratulations to our You may not be aware that currently there are at least 53,000 people in the United States waiting for life-
We belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church and he was an
Elder for many years.
recent confirmands saving transplants of which approximately 3,000 are in Texas. That staggering figure is the result of a
lack of organ donors which has created a national medical crisis. There are facts and figures we do not
I found BUMC bulletins and newsletters from that time who were confirmed on see everyday that nonetheless reveal cares and concerns to which we may respond.
with his papers. When I would give him greetings from some of
you, he would be amazed and say ―Do they still know me?‖. My Pentecost Sunday, May
father had a good life and we will miss him.
31st, 2009: You can do your part to help overcome this crisis by becoming an organ donor so that at the time of your
death healthy organs can be given to someone in need or to medical research to help eradicate deadly
Thank you with love, diseases. More information can be found at www.utmb.edu/renaltx/dcard2.htm.
Ineke Dunn and Family
Robbie Gaston
Thank you for your prayers and support following Betty’s recent Jonathon Kaylor ATTENDANCE: MEMORIAL FUND:
surgery. Special thanks to those who donated food for us in- GIFTS AS OF May 31:
cluding one person whose name we do not have. We’re hold- Kyle McClanahan MAY 2009 2008 MONTHLY INCOME: $19,467 $9,041
ing your dishes. WORSHIP 786 540
Elizabeth Walters SUNDAY SCHOOL 257 194 MONTHLY EXPENSE: $18,115 ENDOWMENT FUND:
Jim & Betty Barnes $65,272
P age 6
V o l um e 3 9 , I s s ue 6 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z P age 3

BERKELEY UMW PROGRAM AND MISSION PROJECT

S AY YES VBS!
BY JULIA LANCASTER

TO Berkeley UMW will sponsor a pro-

gram entitled ―Giving Our Hearts
Away: Native American Survival‖
tricts have been asked to collect
UMCOR Health kits. We would
appreciate any new items you can
KIT CONTENTS:
1 hand towel (15‖x25‖ up to
17‖x27‖, no kitchen towels)
Kids, bring your friends and jump into bayou fun at Crocodile Dock!
scheduled for Saturday, July 11, provide. A collection box will be 1 wash cloth
You’ll participate in memorable Bible-learning activities, sing catchy 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the available (location pending) be- 1 comb (large & sturdy, not
Christian Life Center. Our very ginning Sunday, July 5. pocket-sized)
songs, play teamwork-building games, dig into yummy own Vikki Schwarz is the pre- 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no
senter; she is the Berkeley UMW UMCOR needs particular kit emery boards or toenail clippers)
treats, experience electrifying Bible adventures, collect Mission Coordinator for Education items, so it may be helpful to 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and
Bible Memory Buddies to remind you of God’s Word, and and Interpretation. have the following list handy up)
when shopping. Non-specified 1 toothbrush (single brushes only
create Bible Point crafts you’ll take home and play with all summer Vikki has presented this study at items and partial kits will also find in original wrapper, no child-size
the School of Christian Mission in their way to someone in need. brushes)
long! Kerrville and to various other Place your items inside a sealed, 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile
churches around the conference. one-gallon plastic bag. bandages
Parents, Crocodile Dock is for kids from 3 years to 5th grade and will run Monday, We look forward to learning some- $1.00 to purchase toothpaste
thing new. Come join us on July (UMCOR Sager Brown is now pur-
July 13 through Thursday, July 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each day. To regis-
11th. chasing toothpaste in bulk to be
ter, call the church at 447-6633 or pick up a form in the Narthex. added to health kits before ship-
In conjunction with our program ping to ensure that the product
we will start a hands on mission does not expire before they are
program sponsored by the School sent.)
of Christian Mission. UMW dis-

ANSWERED PRAYERS
BY DONNA BOSTICK

1999 was a bad year for our family. Just before his years ago. Early this year, ―Koch’s Rowdy Rolf‖, her
81st birthday, my father suffered a stroke and de- beloved Schnauzer, was suddenly stricken with sei-
clined rapidly until he passed away on Pearl Harbor zures and other old-dog ailments and had to be put
Day, a fitting day for an old military man who had down. This has been extremely hard for her, and she
served in both Navy and Army. My mother spent the misses him terribly, but God has answered her prayer.
next year learning to live on her own and do everything
herself. In 2001 she was diagnosed with bladder can-
The other thing my mother has really prayed for over
cer and began to prepare for her demise. We, her chil-
the years is to live long enough to see Reno graduate
dren, son– and daughter-in-law, and grandson con-
CORNER Sunday Nights
5:30 p.m.—Dinner ($2.00)
vinced her to undergo an ileostomy, and after a rough
start and a short bout with depression, she rallied and
from high school. Earlier this year, she gave me his
graduation card ―just in case‖, but as it turned out, I
brought her down for the McCallum Fine Arts Academy
has done remarkably well, still living independently in
6:00-7:30 p.m.—Youth Group
UMYF

convocation the day before graduation, when Acad-

her own home, driving, and caring for pets. emy kids receive certification for fulfilling all the re-
quirements of their respective fine arts strands. It
June 28 Lesson on Job
As she has gotten older it is obvious she is not as en- was her first trip out of Temple since her surgery in
July 5 Worship night ergetic as she once was and mother began to worry 2001, but once again the Lord answered in the af-
July 12 Mission trip preparation about what would happen to her pets should they out- firmative and fulfilled her desire. She says she is con-
live her, or if she should have to go into a nursing tent now to live out her days trying to be the best per-
July 19-23 Mission trip to Mathis home. She prayed that God would let her outlive son she can be, as God leads her.
them. Lucky, the little lovebird, passed away several
Page 4 V o l um e 3 9 , I s s ue 6 T H E B E R K EL E Y B U Z Z P a ge 5

STUDY TIME COMING SOON

Each Week: BY JUNELL TREECE

SUNDAY The Disciple 1 Bible Study,

6:30 am Work Corner Prep a 34-week course, will be-
8:30 am Worship gin Thursday, September The Berkeley Women in Action
9:00 am Children’s and Youth 3rd from 6:30—8:30 p.m. (WIA) Circle will be hosting a lunch-
Choir
in room 7 of the Christian
9:40 am Sunday School
Life Center. We will be eon at the Cherry Creek Restaurant
10:50 am Worship
sharing our views on vari- on Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 11:00
5:30 pm UMYF (FH)
5:30 pm Covenant Group (9)
ous books of the Bible, a.m. This will be in lieu of our regu-
both Old and New Testaments, always seeking to lar monthly meeting.
MONDAY grow in our faith and God’s plan for us. Classes
10:00 am Women’s Group (7) will be held each Thursday and facilitated by
7:00 pm Covenant Group Junell Treece. All women of the church are invited
WEDNESDAY
to attend. Hope to see you on July
10:00 am CC Chapel
There is a participant book available at Cokesbury 8th for some good food and fellow-
Christian Bookstore for a cost of $40 and we will
7:00 pm Choir
be placing an order on August 19th. Please con- ship!
tact Chris or Judy Funke at 423-6551 or Junell
Treece at 215-9054 if you are interested. Child-
care will be provided if needed.

Saturday, June 13th Berkeley held a Play Day at the church.

7/1 Summer Kaylor Games, puzzles, food and dancing were just a few of the activities
7/2 James Hamilton that ―made the day‖. Some participants spent the day and some
7/3 Nicole Cecil
came and went as their schedules permitted. Everyone present
had a great time bonding with friends as well as creating new
7/4 Patti Schultz
7/5 Susie Parkinson
friendships.
7/9 Barbara Lupo
7/10 Robert Kaylor The Stewardship Committee invites you to join the next Play Day at
7/11 Alva Brown Berkeley on October 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
7/11 April Starnes
7/12 Alma Nave
7/13
7/16
Hugh Moore
Karen Winsor
J U LY I N T E N T I O NA L P R A Y E R C A L E N DA R
7/18 Carolyn Brown July 5-11: For the military at home and abroad: thanksgiving for their service and sup-
7/18 Charles Hempel plication for their safekeeping.
7/19 Lisa Brown
7/27 Susan Curtis July 12-18: For a successful and Spirit-led VBS, blessing both leaders and participants.
7/29 Sara Kelley July 19-25: For a successful and Spirit-led work camp, blessing both participants and re-
7/31 Sue Bordovsky ceivers.

July 26-Aug. 1: For safe travel for vacationers.