The Beech Grove

STAR

November ’11 - January ‘12

Upcoming Events:

Sunday, Nov. 6

Daylight Savings Time

ends --fall back 1 hour

Friday, Nov. 11

Veterans Day

Thursday, Nov. 24

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, Dec. 18

Christmas Cantata

7 pm

Saturday, Dec. 24

Candlelight Service

7 pm

Sunday, Dec. 25

Merry Christmas!

One combined service,

time TBA

Thursday, Dec. 29

Salvation Army lunch

Sunday, Jan. 1

Happy New Year!

Monday, Jan. 16

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Holiday

Peek Inside for More News:

Missions

Team

Projects

Habitat

House

BGUMC

Veterans

UMM/UMW

4251 Driver Lane, Suffolk, Virginia 23435 (757) 538-8353 phone

office@beechgroveumc.org

Greetings in the name of our wonderful Lord! It is a terrible feeling when we mistake the regularity of life for dullness. The sun came up again this morning, much as it did yesterday. But what a symbol of God‟s love! And how terrible if it had not come up or perhaps had been a couple of hours late. A child is born – what a common event. Yet how bleak is the life that has ceased to wonder at the miracle of birth. A person dies, another very common event since it will be a part of everyone‟s life sooner or later. It is the sameness, the regularity, the commonness of the seasons of life that give them their glory and

Pastor’s Corner… “Communication Problem”

Welcome Home, Welch Family! Just in time for the holidays, Katrina Welch soon will have a home of her own to celebrate with her family. Following the realignment of the UMC Virginia districts, former Portsmouth District member churches chose to leave a legacy with a home built by its members through the Habitat for Humanity program. Currently living in Suffolk, the Welch family was selected into the

meaning. It is good to know that charge conference has come again as we celebrate the wonderful ministries of our church, and made plans that prepare us for next year. The humble celebration of All Saint‟s Day is upon us. The holiday season is in our midst, and Thanksgiving is around the corner. It is good to know that Advent and Christmas will come again, at the same old time, that we will sing many of the same old songs, and there will be joy as we mark it on our calendars. This year we will journey through the eyes of significant characters of the Christmas story. You will be invited to follow the services by

Habitat SHR Program this past May. Katrina is the single mother of two sons: Khalil attends John Yeates Middle School and KaeVon is enrolled at Creekside Elementary School where he has been on the Honor Roll and earned the Perfect Attendance Award during several grading periods. Katrina also has a 21 year-old daughter, Leysha, who lives in Chesapeake, and her mother is close by for

support when she needs an extra hand. The Portsmouth District House had plenty of extra hands

(continues)

(continues)

Happy Birthday!

DECEMBER 2 Cindy Eberwine 7 Carol Jones 8 Jim Mackey 8 Jack Meyers 10 Lisa Price 11 Chrissy Callahan 14 Nicole Leidel 14 Morgan Magrisi 15 Mary Hassell 21 Jean Devers 23 Lorraine Mims 23 Jim MacCord 25 Jesus Christ 28 Bonnie Bagwell 28 Richard Stevenson 29 Butch Reynolds 29 Sarah Smith 29 Stephanie McCook

JANUARY 1 Keira Zirkle 25 Philip Sandoval 1 Carolyn Smith 26 Hannah Bartholomew 9 Matthew Eberwine 26 Rue Bagwell 9 Steve Shultz 26 Janice Morris 11 Jessica Price 29 Cameron Willis 12 Jason Smith 30 Carole Clarke 18 Bryant Goodloe 31 Joe Johann

Nov. 5th -- Turn Your Clocks Back One Hour

Don‟t forget to “Fall Back in Time” when you go to bed on Saturday, Nov. 5th. It‟s the official end of Daylight Savings Time, so set your clocks back one hour to ensure you‟re not late for church on Sunday!

Cookies Needed for

Salvation Army Lunch There is one last Salvation Army Lunch on December 29th. The menu is planned, and servers are secured, but help is needed for cookies for dessert. Look for the “clipboard of opportunity” in December. Your participation as dessert makers and helpers has been greatly appreciated in 2011!

NOVEMBER 5 Liz Addison 7 Cole Dykes 7 Samuel Linyear 8 Patrick Stevenson 9 Cheryl Lumbard 10 Sharon Davis 13 Weston Lumbard 13 Helen Freiler 16 Justin Willis 16 Jill Spencer 18 Marty Rintamaki 20 Buzz Bender 21 Minta Wood 23 Robin Magrisi 25 Alexis Peay 26 Margie Stalls 26 David Willis 26 Tyler Jump 30 Penny Reynolds

Fair Winds and

Following Seas Best wishes to the crew of Sea Scout Ship 16 on their upcoming entry in the Koch Cup Qualifying Race. Held Nov. 12 and 13 on Lake Crabtree near Raleigh, NC, Skippers George Hackett and Caroline Kuzio and crew Josh Cutchin and Kathleen Blasiole compete with four other sailboats in hopes of landing a berth in the 7th Annual William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup held next summer at the California Maritime Academy. Koch Cup finalists will compete in the same Pacific coast waters that host the world's best sailors vying for the America's Cup trophy in 2013!

T

Usher in the New Year

with a smile and helping hand

You guessed it, now is the time to sign up for Sunday morning ushers! If you're interested in serving as an usher at any 8:30 or 11 am service during 2012, please contact Brenda Bell at 394-1426 for more information and registration. No previous experience is required, and training will be offered.

The UMW wish to thank the Beech Grove congregation for all its generous support during 2011. Our two fundraisers were wildly successful because you gave of your time and money to support our causes --thanks!!! Special recognition also recently was awarded to Brenda Hawkins for her time and dedication. Additional honorees are anticipated in the coming months.

Plans are underway to join the UMM for an annual Christmas outing, but there will be no other called meeting in December. We will resume our regular 4th Tuesday meetings in January and enjoy a prayer breakfast with the District each month. All women of the church are invited! We hold our meetings in the Fellowship Hall at 11:00a.m., followed by a brown bag lunch.

Are You Connected? Beech Grove communicates with our members regularly during the year using e-mail. Additionally, plans are underway to take our newsletter digital, so be sure the office has your current e-mail address on file. Don't panic --we'll continue to print hard copies for distribution in the sanctuary and upon request. If you're not currently receiving our messages, please contact Tammy Waters to update your information at #538-8353 or office@beechgroveumc.org.

A Blessed 2011: Helping Others Besides our on-going projects, Beech Grove contributed funds for the Portsmouth District Habitat House, Mozambique mission trip and a Lithuania Mission Trip. Our regular projects proved to be very successful. Thanks to all of you. A special note of recognition is given to all scouts who helped with our causes. The following persons from Beech Grove made up our mission committee and also deserve a special thanks: Brenda and Steven Bell, Butch and Penny Reynolds, Brenda Hawkins, Carol Vernon, Jon Morris, Janice Morris, Sydney Eberwine and Lisa Price. We are happy to report that Janice Morris will be the new Outreach chair for 2012. Carol Vernon will assist her. She looks forward to discovering more about our “old” projects and finding new avenues. She already has been an active and vital part of this ministry. We know she will have great congregation support. Thanks for supporting us in our efforts.

~Jean and Les Devers

reading a devotional book to point us toward the greatest birth of all time. This year you will be offered the opportunity to give an amount equal to your cost of Christmas gifts to support children both near and far for our Christmas Eve offering. It is good to know that God meets us in the sameness of life and surprises us with extraordinary glimpses of His love. More and more we come to realize that it is the sameness that tells us that all is in God‟s hands and we can trust him. There really is a contentment in all of life by trusting all we have and are to the one who entrusted life to us. Blessed is the person who sees this, accepts it with a sense of joy and wonder, knowing that the same God who give us a sunset will give a sunrise. Thoughts worth pondering,

Pastor Keith Moore

Pastor’s Corner (continued from cover)

You're Invited: YAH! Are you 55 or over? Or do you just feel like you are in this age group? If so, the YAH group is for you! The new YAH (Young At Heart) group was recently started as part of Beech Grove‟s senior ministry focus. Our next meeting dates are Tuesday, Nov. 15

th

and Thursday, Dec. 8th. Meetings begin at 10:30 am

in the Fellowship Hall. At the November meeting, we will make wreaths to take home or give to some of our shut-ins. Grilled and fried chicken will be provided, and everyone is asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. We also will have a wonderful time socializing and (hopefully) time for Bingo. Please join us as we get together to enjoy each other‟s company and find ways to be a vital part of the ministry of our church by doing for others. If you have questions, please contact Penny Reynolds at 488-0444 or 288-8738. Hope to see you there!

Tackling Yardwork

with Teamwork

The Building & Grounds Committee extends a hearty "Thank You!" to all the Scouts and individuals who helped maintain our lawn and flower beds this year! We couldn't have done it all without your help!

Treasurer’s Report

July-Aug. „11 Year-to-date Income

Plate offerering $ 31,345.58 $131,586.75 Sunday School offering 0.00 27.25 Building fund 120.00 445.00 Easter Egg Project 350.00 112,568.87 Other $ 992.98 $ 24,741.51 TOTAL $ 32,808.56 $269,369.38

Disbursement Operating/program expenses $ 10,052.64 $ 42,477.85 UMC district/conference fees $ 1,615.72 30,494.38 Pastor/staff compensation $ 17,624.44 72,113.26 Other $ 442.60 $ 46,449.38 TOTAL $ 29,735.40 $191,534.87

Beech Grove UMC

Mission Statement

Our Beech Grove family seeks our Lord's will and shares

Christ's love with all.

Help Replenish the Food Pantry Our cupboards aren't bare, but could use a little restocking. Please consider adding a few items to your grocery basket to share with those in need (no glass jars, please). Some suggestions include instant oatmeal, pop tarts, canned soups, spaghetti sauce, tuna, peanut butter and jelly.

An Invitation from the United Methodist Women Please join us for a holiday outing to Blackstone, Va. We‟ll meet at the church and drive over for a Christmas program and dinner. Cost to attend is $40 per person, and reservations are required. To reserve your seat, please call Brenda Johnson at #484-0954. Also, we recently elected new officers for 2009 and invite you to be a part of our fellowship group. Brenda Johnson serves as president, Dorothy Guill as vice-president, Jean Devers as secretary and Carol Vernon as treasurer. There’s still room for you!

[continued from front cover] this past summer as the community labored together to build the new house. It was dedicated on September 25th. Assistant Director of Li'l Folks, Katrina has been employed there for nearly a decade and currently teaches the pre-Kindergarten class. While moving into her new home is a joyous occasion, she is most excited that her boys will have their own yard to play safely. "Home ownership is a great accomplishment that I never thought I could provide for my children on my own. I am so excited and so very grateful to everyone who has helped fulfill my goal of home ownership. Thank you!"

Calling All Elves to Fill 100 Christmas Stockings

It happens every year, Christmas arrives before we know it! But the Outreach/Missions Team is gearing up for the holiday shopping season and needs your support. The goal is to fill 100 stockings for area needy children who may not receive anything else this Christmas. Red stockings are available in the sanctuary and should be returned by Thursday, Dec. 8th. Be sure to label your stocking for a boy or girl and indicate an appropriate age range (infant, toddler, 5-8 years, 9-12 years or teen). Please note, NO chocolate, peanuts, glass containers or other dangerous items are permitted.

Please fill and return as many as are practical for you to help us meet our goal of 100. Thanks so much for helping us play Santa again this year! If you need some suggestions on items to help stuff a stocking, consider any of the following:

School supplies: Toys: Personal care: Miscellaneous: Pencils Dolls, cars Toothbrush Hats and gloves Pens Stuffed animals Small toothpaste Socks Crayons Jump rope Comb/brush Sunglasses Markers Card games Lip balm/gloss Hair accessories Solar calculator Small books Hand/body lotion Jewelry/watch Small writing pads Yo-yo, jacks Bubble bath/beads Hard candy/Pez Sudoku/word search Coloring books Pocket mirror Candy canes Stickers/stamps Electronic games

The Welch Family (left to right): Khalil, Katrina and KaeVon.

THANK YOU! The Welch's new home would not be possible without the dedication and support of the member churches of the former Portsmouth District and these generous donors:

▪ ACS, Inc. ▪ A.D. Stowe, Inc. ▪ All Pro Painting ▪ Andrews Roofing ▪ Bay Mechanical ▪ Birdsong Charitable Foundation ▪ Brickcraft Masonry, Inc. ▪ Ellsworth Plumbing and Heating ▪ J. F. Whitlow, Jr. and Sons, Inc. ▪ L.E. Ballance

Beech Grove UMC's

Plan for Ministry

We are called to be a compassionate,

nurturing congregation who serves God

through prayer, worship, fellowship,

study and missions as we

“Honor the past, serve the present and

build the future.”

The Outreach/Missions Team again will be collecting donations this fall to fill Thanksgiving Baskets for area needy families. Choose a card with a specific grocery item or give a monetary donation to purchase the fresh turkeys. All checks should be made out to Beech Grove UMC and noted for "Thanksgiving Baskets." The Girl Scouts were a tremendous help last year and will participate again in hopes of matching last year's number of eight baskets. All donations of groceries or funds must be returned to the church by Sunday, Nov. 12th. Thank you for your support!

Give Thanks in a Basket!

Donations Requested by Nov. 12th

Beech Grove

United Methodist Church

4251 Driver Lane Suffolk, VA 23435 Return Service Requested

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

SUFFOLK, VA PERMIT NO. 105

Annual Christmas Cantata

Sunday, Dec. 18th ● 7 pm

The adult choir of Beech Grove presents the Christmas music of "Mary, Did You Know?" (written by Russell Mauldin, Sue C. Smith and Johnathan Crumpton) for their annual Christmas cantata on December 18th at 7 pm. "Mary, Did You Know?" is a Christmas celebration filled with classic carols and hymns balanced by stirring new songs in celebration of the wondrous miracles surrounding the birth of our Savior. Guests are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share as we socialize and celebrate the season in the Fellowship Hall following the cantata. Open Call for Teens and College Students: The program also includes a series of complementary narrated parts for teens and college students. If you'd like to participate in this holiday celebration, please contact Patty Yandle by Nov. 20th.

The United Methodist Men stay busy with a series of projects and fellowship events year-round. Plan to join them for any of the following: Nov. 4-6 Men's Spiritual Retreat Blackstone, VA

Saturday, Nov. 19th Breakfast & Meeting Fellowship Hall, 8 am

Wednesday, Dec. 14th Dinner out with UMW Location TBA, 7 pm

Saturday, Jan. 21st Breakfast & Meeting Fellowship Hall, 8 am

Helping Men Grow in Christ So Others

May Know Christ

Beech Grove Salutes Veterans As a church anchored in a military community, Beech Grove is especially proud of its members who have given themselves in service to our country. Please remember the sacrifices they and their families have made to preserve our freedoms, and continue to pray for our country.

Jason Bartholomew Carl Hawkins

Bill Blackwelder Hinton Hurff

Pamela Brookings Joe Johann

Phillip Brookings Arthur Jones

Lee Clark Michael Jump

Mac Clarke Jim MacCord

Thomas Craig Jim Mackey

Ed Crowson Eric Magrisi

Barbara Daigneault Chuck Rintamaki

Rick Daigneault Russell Sanchez

Les Devers Linwood Stalls

Amanda Evans Ryan Thompson

Bill Evans Rod Vernon

Bob Freiler Todd Zirkle

Veterans Day is November 11th

We identify the flag with almost everything we hold dear on Earth: peace, security, liberty, our family, our friends, our home. But when we look at our flag and behold it emblazoned with all our rights, we must remember it is equally a symbol of our duties. Every glory that we associate with it is the result of duty done.

~ Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the USA

Coming Soon... EEF! While the blessed holiday season is approaching, the complementary Easter season won't be far behind. Beech Grove eagerly anticipates it each year with the grand opening of the Easter Egg Factory! Now legendary in status, it spans __ weeks and is an integral part of our church identity. Mark your calendars now with some important dates: mid-February Box and label making March 3, 2012 Factory set-up March 5, 2012 Production begins March 24, 2012 Last day to place orders March 30, 2012 Factory closing/clean-up April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday

When you see Jesus' face, do you see his story? Artist Joe Castillo drew this image of our Savior while he told the Gospel story during a chapel service at Asbury Theological Seminary. Look closely, the lines of the drawing also depict scenes from Christ's life. The longer you look at the picture, the more you see!