Highlight for the Week:
As I return from a week of vacation, my mind is already racing, thinking about what lies ahead of us. There is always something on the calendar, something on the agenda, and we discern ways to move onward together as God’s Kingdom and presence in the world.
I wonder how daunting this may feel to many of us, or even how tired we already are. However, this Easter season, I want us to pause…well only so much, we still have events, studies, and “things” to do.
No, pause in a manner of inventory-taking as a church. At our last Council Meeting, I (encouraged by our Simplified Accountable Structure Discernment team) presented the Council with the idea of a “ministry audit.” The idea being, to take a look at everything we do at Beech Grove, with spirits on hearing where and how God is calling us to live into his vision for us.
We ask questions like:
What does it mean to be present?
What are we good at?
What do we need to work on?
What do we need to let go of?
Where do we need to grow, mature, or learn?
It is interesting that this process began during Lent, but even more so, that it will do work during this season of Easter. As we encounter the resurrected Christ, we wrestle with what death and resurrection means to us.
I invite you to join us in this journey as we continue to find ways to embody God’s Spirit in this community. While the inventory will begin with only a few people looking at everything we do, it will hopefully continue through conversations, and ultimately end with a vital structure and ministry plan moving forward.
This is a call toward continued prayer and inventory as we hear God speaking to us.
—
PRAYER SHAWLS
We were able to donate 12 lovely prayer shawls for our General Conference in April. (They have requested a total of 250 shawls.)
Consecrated Prayer Shawls are available for those in need of comfort and prayer. Those who are submitting names for the prayer list may want to consider gifting your person(s) with a comforting shawl. Call the church office at (757) 538-8353 if you would like to pick one up.
RECYCLING
Cindy Eberwine reports that we have a “pre-campaign” head start of plastic collected. Keep saving plastic! Our next project will be announced.
To learn more about our collection efforts and needed plastics, click here.
SALVATION ARMY MEAL
Our next scheduled meal is Thursday, May 30th. We will also meet on May 29th to prep for the meal. This effort is a labor of love to our Suffolk neighbors in need.
Contact Christopher Matson at 757-404-6600 for information.
BLESSING BOX
Items most needed are canned meats, vegetables, peanut butter & jelly. (Please bring food items in plastic or aluminum containers. Paper or cardboard packaging tends to draw bugs into our Blessing Box.) You may place these items directly into the Blessing Box near the street in front of the annex as you are able.
BEECH GROVE COMMUNITY GARDEN
Are you interested in growing a small garden but have no space in your yard? It’s not too late to get started.
Anyone interested in working in the garden and/or having a garden bed of your own should speak to Darryl Yandle or Ali Cunningham.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2024
Mark your calendar! VBS is scheduled for Monday, July 8 through Thursday, July 11. Sunday, July 14th is VBS Sunday.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Our next scheduled blood drive is Tuesday, July 13, 2024.
(Leaders: We request that if your group’s meeting deviates from the stated cycle, please notify the church office so your listing is accurate each month.)
WOODBURNING WORKSHOP
NO WOODBURNING WORKSHOP on April 10th
Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month.
To participate or for more information, call Darryl Yandle (757-620-2078).
SCRAPBOOKING WORKSHOP
Meets Saturday, April 13, at 10 a.m.-10 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
Contact Katrina Coggins (757-285-8491) to register and for more information.
THE FOODIE GROUP
Meets Wednesday, April 17th at 6:00 p.m.
No matter your cooking skill level, this group is open to ANYONE with an interest in or a passion for food.
Contact Ali Cunningham (503-468-9067) or ajcunningha2@gmail.com for information.
SINGLE ADULTS GROUP: Single Still or Single Again!
Meets Saturday, April 20, at 5:00 p.m. (3rd Saturday of each month.)
For details, contact Cindy Eberwine (757-291-9888) or Carol Jones (757-672-3466).
CARD-MAKING WORKSHOP
Meets Tuesday, April 30, at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon (Last Tuesday of each month). Learn how to make beautiful handcrafted greeting cards. (3 cards for $15.)
RSVP to Brenda Bell (757-338-4586).
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Meets Monday, May 13 (2nd Monday of each month)
For information, contact Carol Vernon (757-692-5073)
A VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER is scheduled for
Saturday, May 4, 5:30 p.m. Volunteers…mark your calendar.
WEEKLY SUNDAY MORNING SCHEDULE:
9 a.m. - Adult Sunday School in the Annex
10:00 a.m. - Coffee Fellowship in the fellowship hall
10:30 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary (or join virtually: click here)
Children’s Sunday School is offered during worship after the Children’s Message
Current Series:
“By Which We Are Healed” Eastertide 2024
Series Synopsis:
The Book of Acts offers a historical account of sorts, for many of the activities and encounters in the early church. In a reverse-story arch manner we will dive into many of these stories as we live in this resurrection season.
NEXT SUNDAY: April 14, 2024
Sermon theme: “Through Action and Message”
Scripture: Acts 3:12-19
Reader: Minta Wood
Ushers: Cindy Eberwine and Minta Wood
Upcoming Events
Coffee at Gather Cafe with Pastor Andrew on Thursday, April 11th, 9:30-11:45 a.m. 2125 Starmount Pkwy #109, Chesapeake, VA 23321
Easter Egg Factory Volunteers Appreciation Dinner, is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 5:30 p.m.
A Sign-up sheet for volunteers for Bennett’s Creek Little League concession stand is available on the bulletin board. (Game schedule has not been posted yet.)
Upcoming Meetings
SPRC Meeting - April 14, 2024, after worship service in the annex
Church Council - May 19, 2024, after worship service in the annex
New Financial Reimbursement Policy
If you have made a purchase for the church and need reimbursement, please complete an “Expenditure Request” form and attach your receipts. These forms can be picked up from Bette Moore, Outreach Treasurer; Chris Matson, Church Treasurer; Jason Bartholomew, Finance Chair; or the church office. You will need to get this form signed by either the pastor or the chairperson of the area it will come from.
Submit your completed form to Chris Matson, Church Treasurer.
Thank You! — Jason Bartholomew, Finance Chair
Celebrations at Beech Grove
Birthdays!
Matt Price - April 11
Bill Hodges - April 11
Anniversaries!
None this week
News From the Virginia Annual Conference
Sunday, April 21, 2024 will be “Announcement Sunday” for all 2024 Clergy Appointments. This is following the precedent set last year of sharing all appointments on one Sunday.
Bishop Timothy Whitaker, retired, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Bishop Whitaker, a member of the Virginia Annual Conference, was assigned as Resident Bishop of The Florida Conference in 2001 and served for three four-year terms in Florida until his retirement in 2012. Funeral services are April 8 at 1:30 p.m. at Johnson's UMC in Machipongo, Va., Northampton County. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Beginning July 1, Rev. Beth Givens (currently serving Haygood UMC in Norfolk) will be the new District Superintendent for the Coastal Virginia District. Read more here
The 2024 Virginia Annual Conference Session is scheduled for June 20-22, 2024 in Hampton, VA at the Hampton Convention Center. Yvonne Matson is our church’s representative at the Annual Conference, but Conference sessions are open for anyone to attend. Bishop Sue has released more information about the 2024 Annual Conference, click here for more information.
All God’s Children Camp - A ministry of the Virginia Annual Conference, All God’s Children Camp is a weeklong overnight camp for children ages 7 to 12, with an incarcerated parent. They are in need of mentors for this summer’s camps. For more information and dates to volunteer, click here.
United Methodists from all over the world are traveling to attend General Conference in Charlotte, NC from April 23-May 3, 2024. Psalm 46:10 sets the theme for this important gathering: “…and know that I am God.” In all we do, God guides our every decision. The gathering is expected to attract about 5,500-7,500 people. You are invited to serve as part of our Welcome Team during General Conference and offer gracious hospitality to our guests. Learn more...
The Virginia Annual Conference has done a video series, exploring several topics around General Conference. We have shared a few of them here, but would encourage you to watch/listen to all of them. Click here to watch the videos and learn about our global denomination.
For more information from the Virginia Conference, see the weekly Advocate and view and subscribe here.