THE BEACON February 2021 - Brookstown United Methodist ...
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THE BEACON
February 2021
Brookstown United Methodist Church
A Message from Pastor Chip
Eminent Domain, Right-of-Ways & Living in Community
This week I have been thinking about my daddy, who retired early from Duke Energy in 1988 with thirty-
seven years of service. Dad ‘traveled’ with the company, working in the Transmission Lines Department,
overseeing construction in the Duke system in several states. He always drove a company truck or car,
and inside the vehicle was a Motorola radio. If the radio was on, Dad was working. We inherited his hard
hats, safety recognition pins, some tools and lots of galvanized Bethlehem Steel, but what I would really
love to have was the big button that he pinned on his jacket when he anticipated ‘bumping into’
landowners. It was an official Duke Power-issued button, and it read: “Hey Neighbor!”
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your
neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord. -Leviticus 19: 18
Before I made it to the sixth grade, I had been to work with Dad, visiting tower construction on various
right-of-ways, and had learned about “eminent domain”. No one really likes eminent domain! It happens
when someone powerful tells you how your land is going to be used for the benefit of everyone, and pays
you some money for that use. Sometimes, it is a little money and you get to keep your land, and use it
only in ways that are okay with the powerful folk; like when someone runs a power line or gas line or
sewer line through your property. You get to fence it in and let your cows eat grass but you cannot build
anything on it. Sometimes, you get a little more money and you get booted off your land, and the powerful
tear your house down and build a road, with or without your permission. People take offense; exchanges
become heated. The action might be best for the neighborhood; but some, a few, will bear significant
costs on others’ behalf. Neighbors.
The second is this: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other
commandment greater than these. Mark 12: 31
In our neighborhood, we have lots of folk from different places. We live in a very diverse community,
reflecting the ethnic and racial diversity of greater Pfafftown. We have Baptists, Pentecostals, Moravians,
Muslims, Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, Coptics, Methodists, Episcopalians; Republicans,
Democrats and Independents; African-Americans; Anglo-Americans; Hispanic Americans; Indian
Americans; Asian Americans; Middle Eastern Americans, and a few Native Americans. Most speak
English; some don’t. Some stay inside; some are walkers. If we pass one another during our walks, we
just say, “Hey Neighbor!”
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing
among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in
Egypt. I am the Lord your God. Leviticus 19: 33-34
Dad was on the right-of-way one day in South Carolina, near Clemson, when a man came running across
his field hollering, fussing and cussing, and wildly waving his arms at the dozer operator. Dad reached
into the truck and quickly pinned on his “Hey Neighbor!” button, and headed toward the angered
landowner. The wild South Carolina man started picking up scattered Mason jars which the dozer had
unearthed. Apparently, he was using his right-of-way land to bury his homemade tonics. He cooled down
when those Duke guys stopped their work and helped him locate and secure his entire collection. Later,
he told them that they treated him like a neighbor, and offered each of them a jar.
The most disagreeable situation can be improved with a Godly attitude and adherence to the divine
decree, endorsed by Moses and Jesus [and Duke Energy], that we are neighbors and are expected to act
accordingly.
“Hey Neighbor!”
Lenten Living
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17 this year. Christians have observed this
season of the church year since the fourth century. It’s traditionally a time of reflection,
penitence and spiritual renewal before Easter.
During Lent, some Christians give up something that hinders their relationship with God.
Others do something extra for their spiritual growth or make a special sacrifice. The key is to
make Lent a memorable season of sincere spiritual growth — a time that can set the tone for
the rest of the year. ~ from “The Newsletter Newsletter”
Terrific Tuesdays: Ash Wednesday
Tune In; Tune Out; Tune Up! February 17
Fat Tuesday, February 16 thru On this special day of the Christian year,
Maundy Thursday, April 1 worshipers’ foreheads are often marked with
7:00pm on BUMC Zoom ashes in the sign of the cross. The ashes
During the Lenten Season, you are invited traditionally come from burning palm
to join together on Brookstown ZOOM for branches from the previous Palm Sunday.
moments of Redemptive Fellowship, In Old Testament days, ashes were a sign
Inspiration, Reflection and Response- of mourning and repentance. Today, some
Tuning In! Consistent with the themes of worshipers wipe off the ashes before leaving
Lent, this online gathering will focus our church, to symbolize being cleansed from sin
attention on the presence of God in our lives, by Jesus’ death. Others wear the ashes the
while we identify and relegate distractions to rest of the day, carrying the cross of Christ
their proper place- Tune Out! Our hope is to into the world. The speaking of Genesis 3:19
provide a weekly digital assembly wherein often accompanies the placement of ashes:
our vision is upwardly focused, our hearts “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
are lifted up, and our highest aims are
encouraged- Tune Up! For God so loved the world that
If you are interested in participating, He gave His only begotten Son.
contact the church office. A Zoom invitation ~ John 3:16
will be emailed to those who wish to
participate. ~ Pastor Chip
Lenten Prayer Room
Thursdays at 5:30pm, February 18 – April 1
Prayer Room via Zoom will resume on Thursdays at 5:30pm, beginning February 18 for
Lenten prayer. Each week our lectionary provides four Scriptures, and Prayer room covers at
least one of these. The lectionary Scriptures can be found at this link: http://textweek.com/. We
are in Year B in our lectionary (in case you want to read ahead for a particular date).
Our Brookstown Challenge is for you to consider videoing yourself or your group reading one
of the Scriptures from the lectionary either outdoors, in your study, or at some other place that is
meaningful for you. We can upload your video to Google drive, or share from a video link you
provide.
Email your video or video link to BrookstownChurch@gmail.com. (This is a zoom email
account and not for communicating with church administration.) Thank you! ~ Georgia Saylor
“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not.”
~ C.S. Lewis
God’s Hands
“Our life is like the dial of a clock. The hands are God’s hands, passing over and
over again, the short hand of discipline and the long hand of mercy. Slowly and surely,
the hand of discipline must pass, and God speaks at each strike. But over and over
passes the hand of mercy, showering down sixtyfold of blessings for each stroke of
discipline or trial. And both hands are fastened to one secure point: the great,
unchanging heart of a God of love.” ~ Virginia Brandt Berg
Fat Tuesday Fat Tuesday Drive-thru Meal
February 16 February 16, 4-6:00pm
Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," also
Come and enjoy a delicious meal of chicken
called Shrove Tuesday. It is the day before Ash
pie, green beans, slaw, roll and peach cobbler
Wednesday, which marks the start of the
the last evening before the Season of Lent
Christian Lent season leading up to Easter.
begins! Invite your neighbors and friends in the
During Lent, many Christians fast, and the name
community. Donations accepted.
Fat Tuesday refers to the last day of eating rich
foods before the leaner days of Lent begin.
“Love is taking a few steps backward,
~ Wikipedia
maybe even more … to give way to the
Special Dates happiness of the people you love.”
African-American History Month ~ A.A. Milne
Transfiguration Sunday, February 14
2021 Annual Conference
Valentine’s Day, February 14
Presidents Day, February 15 Virtual Meeting
Ash Wednesday, February 17 Saturday, June 12
10:00am
Quilt Update Affectionately Yours
The story of the quilt that was donated for the St. Valentine, a Roman priest, was martyred
2020 quilt drawing has a new chapter! Ed and in 270 A.D. for loving Jesus. Some sources say
Jacqueline Green won it, and wanted to donate it he performed weddings after the emperor
to someone. (Ed is Judy Macemore’s and banned them; others say he rescued Christians
Brenda Mendenhall’s cousin.) from Roman prisons. Two centuries later, the
It was given to Karen Powers, who was pope declared February 14 St. Valentine’s Day.
thrilled to receive it. What a lovely thing for Ed According to legend, the priest signed his
and Jacqueline to do! letters “Your Valentine.” Later, Christians
followed suit to honor him. By the mid-1700s,
“In the coldest February, friends and sweethearts exchanged heart-
as in every other month in every shaped trinkets or sent handwritten notes of
affection on February 14.
other year, the best thing to hold on to
in this world is each other.” “Love doesn't make the world go round.
~ Linda Ellerbee Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”
~ Franklin P. Jones
Valentines to Give Your Children
• Acceptance – Teach children that you love them for who and what they are.
Give this gift with a kiss.
• Self-confidence – Help children understand that they can trust themselves.
Give this gift with a hug.
• Life without needless fears – Don’t let your children see you as a worrier.
Give this gift with laughter.
• Appreciation – Help children acquire a spark of gratitude and enjoy all of life.
Give this gift as they go out the door.
• Faith – Introduce your children to God, the best friend they’ll ever have.
Give this gift by taking them to church.
“Looking back over a lifetime, Dear children, let us not
you see that love was love with words or speech
the answer to everything.” but with actions and in truth.
~ Ray Bradbury 1 John 3:18
Below is the list of 2021 Gifts of the Month for Crisis Control Ministries
for you to clip and carry with you, or to put on your refrigerator as a reminder.
CCM Gifts of the Month for 2021
January –Beef Stew
CCM Food February – Instant Potatoes CCM Food
Pantries Are March – Instant Grits Pantries Also
Often Low On: April – Instant Oatmeal Distribute:
Cooking Oil May – Toilet Tissue Personal Hygiene
Spaghetti Sauce June – Canned Meats Products
Beef Stew (Salmon, Beef, Spam, Tuna) Laundry Aids
Canned Meats July – Peanut Butter & Jelly Cleaning Supplies
Canned Fruit August – Cooking Oil Paper Products
Toothpaste September – Pasta
Toothbrushes October – Apple Sauce Crisis Control Gift
Potato Flakes (No glass jars please) of the Month
Box Dinners November – Sugar, Flour, for February:
Baking Items Baking Items Instant Potatoes
December – Saltine Crackers
There are bins at the entrances to the church for donations;
please help fill them for those who are in need.
Scout & Family Ski Day at Winterplace Ski Resort
Sunday, March 7
Hopefully there will still be enough snow for us to go skiing this year at Winterplace on
March 7! There are some changes this year: We will each need to drive our own vehicles
instead of taking the church bus; no outside food is permitted in the Lodge due to COVID 19
restrictions. Pricing
Ski Package is $75.00 and includes:
• A full day (open to close) lift ticket
• Ski rental equipment (boots, poles, skis)
• Helmet
• Customized 90-minute group lesson
• Meal voucher (no outside food permitted this year)
Two-hour Snowtubing Package is $36.00 and includes:
• Meal voucher
• Additional hours can be purchased in 2 hour blocks for $28.00 per two hours
Add-ons & Upgrades:
• Snowboard Rental (in addition to ski package) $10.00
• Extra Meal Voucher $8.00
• Special Add-on Snowtubing (2 hours snow tubing to your ski package) $28.00
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 21
Registrations received less than 10 days prior to ski date
will be charged a $5 late fee per participant.
Have questions? Contact Roberta Lasley: 336-817-3051
VCC BBQ Chicken Fundraiser
Saturday, February 20 at 11am
The Vienna Civic Club will have a fundraising BBQ Chicken Take-out Dinner on February 20,
from 11am until sold out. A $10 dinner includes BBQ Chicken, baked beans, slaw, roll and
dessert. You can drive through at West Central Community Center on Yadkinville Road and
pick yours up. Don't wait until too late in the day; we have sold out the last few times.
Thank you for your support! Last year we were able to give scholarships to 13 high school
and college students because of the generosity of the Vienna Community. Thank you!
~ Roberta Lasley
ANNIVERSARIES The Greatest Love Of All BIRTHDAYS
Ed & Vikki Heaney 12 On Valentine’s Day, we remember that Chris Ziglar 2
Chip & Kathy Webb 27 God is the source of all love in the world. Eli Lowrance 2
His perfect love for us has made all Theresa Williams 4
human love possible. Susie Douglas 5
Sandy Tysinger 5
Savannah Heaney 7
Hannah Snarski 8
Michael Hough 9
Rick Steppe 9
“They who love are but Kathy Webb 11
one step from heaven.” Church Contact Information David Fulton 12
336-945-3029 Sherrill Sharpe 14
~ James Russell Lowell
6274 Yadkinville Road Camden Douglas 15
Pfafftown, NC 27040 Bruce Bailiff 15
If your birthday or anniversary
brookstown@triad.twcbc.com Lou Brown 17
needs to be added,
brookstown.umcchurches.com Wesley Douglas 18
please let me know.
Like us on Facebook Carol Sprinkle 20
Lavonda
Tommy Beroth 21
Sign Volunteers Erin Jameson 22
Roberta Lasley Bob Harrell 22
Jimmy Holder Margarita Burton 23
Grant Brown 23
Jerry LaPrad 23
Flowers for
Brenda Mendenhall 26
Worship Services
Nancy Marvel 28
February 7 - Open
14 - Marge Lanier
21 - Nina Anderson “Let all you do
28 - Charles & Sherrill Sharpe be done in love.”
1 Corinthians 16:14
Sharing His Light Sharing His Love
My prayer to God is that you see God of love, as we share Valentines
His presence when you look at me. this month, remind us also to share
His steadfast love has set me free, practical expressions of Your love
and His reflection I can be for all: food, shelter, clean water,
when God is shining bright in me. acceptance of differences,
~ MaryAnn Sundby a helping hand.
Brookstown United Methodist Church
6274 Yadkinville Road
Pfafftown, NC 27040
Love Is a Gift
“Love is a fruit in season at all times,
and within reach of every hand!
Spread love everywhere you go.
First of all, in your own house; give love to your family.
In your community, give love to a neighbor.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Be the living expression of God’s kindness –
kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes,
kindness in your smile,
kindness in your warm greeting!”
~ Mother Teresa
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