Bering Memorial

United Methodist Church

Opportunities for Lay Ministry 2015

1440 Harold Street Houston, Texas 77006

713-526-1017

On the Web: www.beringumc.org On Twitter: @BeringUMC

On Facebook: Bering Memorial United Methodist Church & Bering Support Network

2015 Lay Leader:

Dave Jones, djones@txfb-ins.com

Worship / Altar Guild

Revealing Christ to the world is the primary purpose and mission of Bering. We strive to be a welcoming church. We are called to share “The Good News of Jesus Christ” to all people.

One of the primary ways the Good News is shared is through our communal worship experience. It is the charge of the Worship Ministry to provide a welcoming and meaningful worship experience to all who attend or in any way participate in the life of the worshipping community. This charge requires a tremendous amount of both time and talent in planning, coordination, and execution. Many staff and volunteer hours each Sunday are committed to leading the congregation in thanks and praise to God.

You can assist with the Altar Guild by:

ü Baking communion bread ü Replacing oil in the candles ü Setting up the paraments, linens and communion ele-

ments before service ü Cleaning the altar linens and vestments ü Checking inventory of supplies (lamp oil, communion cups, grape juice, wine,

wine away (spot cleaner), cleaning alcohol, candles. ü Cleaning and polishing the sanctuary before Christmas and Easter. ü Inspecting and repairing banners ü Designing new banners ü Cleaning and ironing the alms ü Cleaning up after 10:50 am communion ü Cleaning and ironing the paraments

You can help with Worship Leadership by:

ü Being an acolyte ü Being the Cross bearer (Crucifer) ü Being the Lector ü Being a banner bearer ü Reading the Gospel from the pew ü Delivering the Communion Elements to the front of the sanctuary ü Serving Communion on the church sidewalk ü Coordinating the Worship Leadership one Sunday a month

Contact for the Worship Committee: Pastor Ernie Turney – erniet@beringumc.org

Sound and Light

The sound/ light operators are responsible for ensuring the proper lighting and sound sequences are followed as cho-reographed by the worship committee. Additionally, the operators are responsible for ensuring that the sound

equipment that is necessary for each service is available for the participants, which consists of ensuring the wireless microphones are put out at the beginning of a service with fresh batteries and put away after the service. The operators for the late Sunday morning service and any special services are responsible for recording the sermon, which is made available on the internet. This is a great way to provide service to the church if you are someone that does not like to be in front of groups.

You can assist with the Sound and Light by:

ü Volunteering one Sunday a month to operate light & sound at the 10:50 service ü Volunteer for a Special service to operate light & sound

Coordinator for the Sound and Light: Mitchell Cole – elocm@att.net

Music Ministry: Chancel & Bell Choirs

When people visit Bering, they remember our choirs! Under the direction of our talented music ministers, the Bering choirs enrich our communal worship experience.

Chancel Choir

The Bering Chancel Choir is an integral and important part of the 10:50 worship service. Through its weekly musical offerings, the liturgy and worship experience is greatly enhanced. Anyone who wishes to be a part of this great ministry is welcome! Experience with choral music is helpful, but not necessary; all you really need is the desire to sing and willingness to commit to once-a-week rehearsals and services.

Bell Choir The handbell choir rehearses once a week and plays in the 10:50 service once a month. The handbell choir plays pieces alone, as well as in conjunction with the chancel choir. Experienced ringers are always welcome, but it is not necessary to have played before.

You can become involved in the Music Ministry by:

ü Singing in the Chancel Choir ü Offering your special musical gifts in worship during the choir’s summer hiatus ü Ringing with the Bell Choir ü Attending special music events held at Bering and elsewhere

Director of Music Ministries: Rob Seible - RobS@beringumc.org

Evangelism Committee & Bering Welcome Team

Everyone who comes to Bering is touched by the Evangelism ministry. Bering UMC has long been a place of solace and outreach to those longing for a connection to a people and a God.

Whether Bering is seen as a place of solace or outreach often depends on how welcoming and embracing we are to visitors. Evangelism is at the center of that open embrace. Members of the Welcome Team greet visitors and members at 4 locations each Sunday. Evangelism also hosts Second Sunday Birthday celebrations each month. As part of the “PAL” program, Evangelism seeks to embrace new church members, helping them to feel welcome by being a listening presence and encouraging them to share their gifts with the church. The mission of Evangelism is three-fold: Reaching out, Welcoming, and Nurturing. We strive to care for whole people of faith, from the moment God first speaks to their heart through their 100th year as a Christian!

You can become a part of Evangelism by:

ü Joining the Welcome Team & greeting visitors at an entrance one Sunday a month

ü Writing emails/notes to first time visitors or making telephone calls to visitors ü Assembling welcome packets for first time visitors ü Maintaining Children’s Worship Bags ü Seeking out visitors after services and inviting them to fellowship ü Show visitors and those with questions to the Welcome Center ü Serving cake and punch during the monthly birthday

celebration after the 10:50 service ü Being a “PAL” to participants in the new members class ü Being a smiling face in the pew and taking an interest in others ü Praying for Bering and your church family

Co-Chairs of Evangelism Committee: Carissa Gigliotti - bluejuniata@hotmail.com, & David L. Johnson, Jr. - david.johnson.hou@att.net

Children’s Ministry

The mission of the Children’s Ministry is to nurture, respect, care for, and guide the children who attend our church. Our goal is to maintain a safe, secure and loving place where children may grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially. This is done through a variety of programs and services which are based on biblical

principles.

You can help with Children’s Ministry by:

ü Serving as a leader or helper in Children’s Church ü Leading Children’s Time ü Encouraging those you know with children to come to church ü Volunteering to help out with a special activity, such as the

Easter Egg Hunt Staff Director of Children’s Ministry: Stephanie Snyder - StephanieS@beringumc.org

Young Adult Ministry

Bering seeks to support our youth and young adults through events and studies tailored to the particular needs and concerns of this age group. Young adults gather together for Bible studies and Sunday School classes, as well as for fellowship and fun. All of these events provide safe spaces for young adults to talk about issues of faith and share their questions, concerns, and doubts with others without judgment.

Opportunities for Young Adults at Bering:

ü Participating in young adult Sunday School at 9:45 am ü Attending young adult Bible study on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 pm ü Eating lunch together after the 10:50 service twice per month ü Volunteering at Open Gate Hawthorne Lunch (4th Sunday of each month) ü Participating in other group service and fellowship opportunities ü Inviting a friend to church or a young adult activity

Staff Director of Young Adult Ministry: Stephanie Snyder - StephanieS@beringumc.org

Adult Education

Bering supports adults through education and other events that nurture and sustain their spiritual lives. Bering feels it is important to provide opportunities for growth through discussion of challenges in today’s world and topics of Christian significance. Each Sunday morning, adults have the opportunity to participate in the class of their choice. Sunday School classes include Bible studies, book/movie discussions, or special topic presentations and may be led by the pastoral staff or church members. Bering also frequently offers Disciple Bible classes for those who want to study the scripture together in-depth.

You can help with our Adult Education by:

ü Planning a special education opportunity ü Assisting with a Church retreat ü Leading a Sunday School offering or Bible Study ü Joining others at a Perkins Lay Ministry offering ü Attending a District Training Event

Contacts for Adult Ministry: Randy Scott - rscott05@sbcglobal.net and Dave Jones - djones@txfb-ins.com

Fun & Fellowship Committee

We all seem to lead such busy lives, and it seems there are not enough hours in the week for some “down time” with our church family at Bering. It is very important that we take this time to grow closer as a community of faith by getting to know our church family not only on Sunday in

worship, which is undoubtedly important, but in informal and fun social settings.

You can help with our Fellowship ministries by:

ü Hosting a Second Friday Game Night ü Coordinating the Christmas dinner, serving in the kitchen, or decorating a table ü Planning special parties or celebrations ü Helping plan and/or host a fellowship event like Dinners for 8 or Dinner & a Movie

night Chair of Fellowship Committee: Currently seeking a new chair Coordinator of Game Night: Mitch Spivey - spiveymm@bp.com

Second Blessings

Second Blessings receives donations from church members, their friends and family, antique dealers, and estate sales. Items are often donated to help many people in need of a helping hand. Bering Omega Community Services, The Montrose Center, and Bering Support Network are among the many organizations whose clients have been assisted by the donation of furniture, health equipment, clothing, shoes, and coats. Second Blessings holds two, large annual rummage sales in the fall and spring. They also offer Boutique hours during certain week days for those who want

to shop all year long!

You can help with Second Blessings by:

ü Unpacking boxes, pricing items, and re-packing items for storage ü Going out on donation pickups ü Driving the Second Blessings truck ü Cleaning up after estate sales ü Photographing items for uploading to the website ü Working the Boutique either during the week or after church on Sundays ü Donating gently used items ü Buying items for your home ü Volunteering at a Rummage Sale

Chair of Second Blessings: Mike Dohoney - mcdohoney@comcast.net Matriarch of Second Blessings: Mary Parker

-

Open Gate Homeless Ministry Open Gate is a ministry for teens and young adults ages 18 to 24 who are homeless or at risk street youth in the Montrose area and who regularly congregate within a 10-12 block radius of Bering. Although they come from all areas of Houston and beyond, we have recognized the need to be the church to these young people in particular. It is our intent to provide a safe sanctuary, free from the biases and discriminations they face on the street. The ministry attempts to engage these youth in healing moments in an atmosphere of radical

acceptance and reconciliation. We focus on the essential spiritual core of the gospel message: trust, hope and love. Beginning with feeding their bodies, it is our goal to nourish and guide them so that they will find their God-given gifts and be able to lead productive grace-filled lives.

Open Gate hosts Hawthorne Dinners each Sunday. The doors open at 12:30 on Sunday afternoons, and snacks and drinks are provided. Table games and conversation corners are available, as well as access to Holding Hands case workers, and the opportunity to utilize Bering Place (computers). Dinner is served at 2:00 p.m. An adult table host facilitates discussion during dinner. After dinner, the facilities are available until 4:00 for continued opportunities with our Holding Hands partnering agency(s), discussion groups, and opportunities at Bering Place. You can help Open Gate by:

ü Volunteering in the kitchen to prepare or clean up a Hawthorne Dinner ü Participating in training to be a table host ü Signing in clients and performing setup tasks ü Donating toiletry items or participating in yearly backpack drives ü Supporting it through your donations and prayers

Chair of Open Gate Board: Daniel Haeusser - daniel.p.haeusser@uth.tmc.edu Staff of Open Gate: Tommy Caldizas & Kelly Rivera - OpenGate@beringumc.org

Bering Support Network (BSN)

BSN Provides nurturing care and support for individuals who are affected by HIV/AIDS. Each week, BSN hosts the Tuesday afternoon Lunch Bunch, an HIV support group, as well as the Bering Spiritual Support Group on Wednesday evenings. BSSG is open to individuals infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS. The gathering includes a potluck dinner, followed by a special topic presentation and small group discussion. Each Thanksgiving, BSN offers its clients a family style dinner

prepared and served by members of the church. BSN also offers the Grief Recovery Program, which is open to all individuals dealing with loss, as well as periodic workshops and talks of interest to the GLBT and/or HIV communities.

You can become involved in BSN by:

ü Training to become a BSSG facilitator ü Volunteering to help with the client Thanksgiving dinner ü Baking or buying a dessert for the annual Oodles of Noodles

fundraiser ü Soliciting donations for Oodles of Noodles ü Volunteering to work in the kitchen or serve at Oodles of Noodles ü Spreading the word about BSN to those you know who are

affected by HIV/AIDS ü Supporting it through your donations and prayers

Chair of BSN Board: Jill Seale - jseale27@sbcglobal.net Staff Director of BSN: Rev. Larry Leutwyler - LarryL@beringumc.org

Bering Heritage Committee

The Heritage Committee maintains the story of this community of faith by remembering and preserving our rich Bering Memorial UMC history. Members archive church documents and artifacts and maintain the collection, draw the congregation’s attention to our history through rotating history displays and periodically update the written record of our congregational journey through time.

You can help our Heritage Committee by:

ü Photographing church events and labeling the photographs ü Maintaining the archives and updating the collection ü Collecting oral history stories from members and staff

Heritage Committee Chair: Mark Albright - malbright@st-agnes.org

Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC)

The mission of the EAC is to serve as an interfaith association of congregations covenanted to promote the self-sufficiency of its clients by assisting them with basic needs. Since 1983, the EAC has helped thousands of families in our community meet their basic needs and has promoted self-sufficiency through an interfaith association of Member Congregations. Throughout the history of

the EAC, the vast majority of its work has been accomplished by its volunteers. Member congregations have made it possible to serve thousands of clients with minimal paid staff and overhead expenses. The support of congregations and volunteers makes the EAC mission possible. Bering has been a member of the EAC from its inception. You can help the EAC by:

ü Volunteering at the Emergency Food Pantry located at Houston Food Bank ü Volunteering at the EAC Clothing Center on Fannin Street ü Donating to and/or volunteering for the yearly Books and Backpacks campaign ü Supporting it through your donations and prayers

Bering’s EAC Liaisons: Paul Dalton - cougartown3@gmail.com, & Claire Lapointe - clapo55@sbcglobal.net

Pride Parade & Festival

The Pride Parade is an annual event involving members and friends of Bering. Our involvement in the Houston Pride parade shows God’s love and compassion to over 100,000 people who may feel shunned by the church at large. When people see Bering marching in that parade they

are seeing that there is a very special place for them to experience God’s unwavering love and compassion.

You can be a part of Pride by:

ü Joining the Pride committee and helping design the float

ü Recruiting volunteers to march in the parade ü Working the Pride booth ü Assisting in fundraising

Pride Parade Chair: Michael Glazner - glazner27@gmail.com Pride Festival Chair: John Hayden - john4906@comcast.net

Reconciling Ministries Network/Breaking the Silence

“Creating Space at the Table for ALL of God's Children: Mobilizing United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to transform our Church and world into the full expression of Christ's inclusive love” is the rallying cry of the Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), a national grassroots organization that exists to enable full participation of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the life of the UMC. Breaking the Silence (BTS) in the Texas Annual Conference has the same goal.

Bering’s RMN/BTS team is responsible for keeping the Bering family connected to the national RMN movement to challenge the UMC to be an inclusive church. Efforts are ongoing to insist that our de-nomination end institutional discrimination for GLBT peoples in all areas, especially ordination and marriage. It is our goal to support the national RMN and conference BTS efforts wherever possible with our

prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service. To that end we offer a variety of opportunities and educational events not only to the Bering family but to the greater Houston area and the Texas Annual Conference.

You can become involved in Bering’s RMN ministry by:

ü Attending the Breaking the Silence and/or Reconciling Ministries Network events

ü Becoming a delegate to Texas Annual Conference ü Working with Breaking the Silence by arranging table

space and literature ü Publicizing events and recruit attendees

RMN/BTS Contacts: Randy Scott - rscott05@sbcglobal.net, Roy Hollis - royhollis01@yahoo.com, & Becky Jones - beckyjones@mac.com

Bering Memorial UMC is a Reconciling Congregation. We proclaim that all people are created in the image of God and affirm that each person, regardless of age, economic status, faith history, ethnicity, gender, mental or physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, is a beloved child of God and worthy of God's love and grace. We support the full participation of all persons in every phase of church life. Through education and informal discussion, we will strive to better understand those who are different from ourselves to bring about a more accepting society We see this network as a sign of hope and through the association offer our witness to other congregations within our denomination to foster the spirit of reconciliation and movement toward inclusiveness. We recognize ourselves to be a reconciling congregation within The Texas Annual Conference and choose to officially associate ourselves with the Reconciling Ministries Network within the United Methodist Church.