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The Beech Grove

STAR

April - May, 2015

Calendar of Events:

Friday, April 3

Good Friday

Sunday, April 5

Happy Easter

Friday, April 16

Movie Night

Wednesday, Apr. 22

Earth Day

Saturday, April 25

World Malaria Day

Thursday, April 30

Salvation Army Lunch

Friday, May 8

Movie Night

Sunday, May 10

Mother's Day

Monday, May 25

Memorial Day

Wednesday, May 27

Blood Drive

More News Inside:

Holy Week

Schedule

Scouting

Reports

Book

Scholarship

Deadline

Women's

Retreat

Family Movie

Nights

Blood Drive

I am writing this note as I’ve returned from a four-day continuing education event. Last weekend six Beech Grove members accompanied me to a district teaching event which challenged us to consider “methods for reaching new people.” I followed it with a two-day clergy training event which challenged me to never give up daily pondering and devotional time because of an overload of ministry tasks. The event also challenged me to consider different organizational and outreach

Pastor’s Note: Challenge - to require or compel

models for living out the church’s mission statement. Whenever I am away from the pulpit on Sunday, for training or otherwise, I always strive to give our congregation a variety of inspirational speakers or preachers to fill the pulpit. I was blessed to have Fran Cooper, an ACTIVE clergy member to substitute for me; and most of you now know her as my wife’s sister, as well. What a rare and wonderful opportunity to have a guest active clergy member preside over the Beech Grove

(continues on page 4)

Witnessing About... Why Christ Died

Jesus the Christ is arguably the most polarizing figure in history. His very life split time (i.e. BC and AD). He was the perfect Son of God - God in the flesh - sent to save us ALL from sin. But what does that mean and why is that important to us? If He was really the Son of God, then why did He have to die? It all started in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve were tricked by

the serpent (Satan) into questioning God’s authority. Ultimately, Eve ate

the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and then gave some to Adam as well, “who was with her,” passively standing by. As a result of their disobedience (or rebellion), sin and death entered the world and the entire universe was fractured.

(continues on page 7)

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

office@beechgroveumc.org

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Happy Birthday!

APRIL 1 Chad Kozoyed 6 Charlie Rintamaki 7 Brenda Wray 7 Robert Dillingham 10 Lynn Harris 11 Matt Price 11 Bill Hodges 12 Bobbi Lassiter 14 Joanne Johann 14 John Woodard 15 Melissa Bartholomew

16 Matthew Yandle 17 Colin McVey 19 Debbie Evans 19 Jonathan Malone 24 Debbie McIntosh 27 Lizzie Smith 28 Theresa Nicholas

MAY 2 Hazel Winbourne 3 David Evans 3 Erin Bonney 6 Ray Vaughan 7 Susan Cherry 8 Kathy Dykes 13 Chris Davis 22 Barbara Cross 24 Frank Cross 24 Kaelynn Coggins 25 Carol Vernon 25 Joel Davis **please let us know if we've missed your special day

On Memorial Day, please remember all the

brave men and women who gave their lives

in service to our country.

~Monday, May 25, 2015~

Mark your calendars: May 15th is the deadline to submit items for our next newsletter issue

(June/July).

It’s time to apply for the $500 college book scholarship! All candidates must have graduated from high school and be attending college this fall. Each applicant also must be a member of Beech Grove UMC, and scholarship money can be received annually for up to 4 years. Interested students must submit an application by June 30, 2015. Applications will be reviewed, and applicants will be notified by the end of July. Current recipients still attending college need not reapply. Contact Sydney Tabor at #434-4465 with any questions or concerns.

Happy Anniversary!

April 15: Ken & Donna Sawyer May 28: Pat & Lorraine Mims (38 years)

Book Scholarship Applications Due June 30th

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Scouting at Beech Grove

Girl Scout Troop 5292:Cookies, cookies, cookies!!! We've endured all types of weather selling our famous cookies to

reach personal goals that include fun trips. We enjoyed all the great tours and volunteer opportunities with the Easter Egg Factory, and held a contest to design a patch for those involved this year! We have partnered with the new “Suffolk on the Move” for weekly Zumba sessions choreographed for our brownies and daisies. All our girls are looking forward to our annual service unit encampment with the theme “Superheroes --Girls Have Superpowers, Too,” featuring canoeing, archery and ropes. Our May Bridging Ceremony honors those moving into a new bracket --juniors are finishing up their Bronze Award; Allison Linner, Symone Scott & Jacquelyn Hendricks earned their Silver Awards, and leader Susan Buchy earned several top council awards this year. We're proud to again be the recipient of the All-Star Troop award! In the coming months, the girls are attending a pottery painting party, having speakers present about sportsmanship and role modeling, feeding the homeless, babysitting for Parents' Night Out, tubing on the James River, swinging in the trees at an adventure park, daytripping to Motor World and overnighting at Great Wolf Lodge.

Boy Scout Troop 16: In addition to all the good works our boys and young men do, we're especially proud to recognize

Harris Fischer for achieving Eagle rank! He is the first scout with Down's Syndrome in our history to achieve this rank and was presented with a commonwealth flag that flew over the capital by the Honorable S. Chris Jones at his Court of Honor! Ethan Jones, whose Eagle project included the new flagpole outside BGUMC, also earned his Eagle rank! We survived frigid temps and turned out a top 3 patrol finisher during January's frigid Klondike Derby and spent time conducting other indoor training sessions this winter for both the boys and leaders. Our own John MacDonald received the District Award of Merit for going above & beyond for Scouting in 2014! Early this year, we hosted our annual Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser and will support the Driver Ruritans BBQ Chicken Dinner in April. We conducted a "service campout" at Bayport Scout Reservation in Middlesex County with more camping to come on the calendar as the weather improves.

Take the Butterfly Pledge Today

Partner with the National Wildlife Federation to help the Monarch butterfly! Upload a photo of you, making the American Sign Language sign for butterfly, as your pledge to help the Monarch butterfly. The sign for butterfly is made by linking your thumbs and crossing your two hands in front of you at the wrists with your palms facing you. After taking the pledge, you will receive a Butterfly Garden Starter Kit, while supplies last. Once you have a kit, learn how to garden and watch your wildlife garden bloom. New Butterfly Heroes who take the pledge by May 15th also can enter to win a trip for four to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida! Visit www.nwf.org/Butterfly-Heroes/Pledge.aspx for all the details.

Ship 16: We helped the Boy Scouts survive crossing a frozen lake during their January Klondike Derby, and have kept

busy with training this winter. We learned about navigation in New Jersey and gained new skills in Maryland. The ship enjoyed a Valentine's dinner together and also enjoyed helping with the Easter Egg factory by making boxes and delicious eggs. As the weather warms up, we'll be getting the boat ready for sailing! We have installed a new bilge pump and are cleaning up the teak wood. You can support our efforts by purchasing Auto Bell car wash tickets for $16.00 this spring.

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Pastor’s Note (continued from cover) She may have challenged you in a new way to hear God’s word proclaimed, and I heard she also shared her wonderful singing voice. I pray all these opportunities became blessings to challenge us to use new perspectives to encourage our greater faithfulness. Being challenged in new ways reminds me of Holy Week, when we remember Jesus Christ’s Palm Sunday entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, trials, crucifixion, and Resurrection. Talk about challenges; our Lord freely took all of it upon Himself to pave the way for our salvation! Being challenged helps us to grow in our faith, while continuing to represent Christ in all areas of our lives. Perhaps this year’s Holy Week experience will challenge each one of us to more effectively live out our Beech Grove church vision statement, “Lord, make me better.” Have a Blessed Holy Week as we celebrate the greatest event in all of history, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Yours in Christ’s Service, Pastor Keith

Stars in the Making at BGUMC "Jesse and Naomi" shot on location

During the week of January 26 - 30th, several members from Beech Grove had the opportunity to be extras in a feature film co-produced by Chris Aronoff, Bernsen’s Home Theater Films and Regent University in Virginia Beach. A portion of the movie was shot within the sanctuary of Beech Grove UMC! The film, Jesse and Naomi, follows the comedic story of young New Yorker, Jesse (Chelsey Crisp), who uproots her life and begins again in Small Town America alongside her ex-mother-in-law, Naomi (Marilu Henner). The pair finds themselves out-of-sorts in a season of forgiveness and adjusting to life on the other side of unexpected trials. Jesse and Naomi is a contemporary faith-based comedy inspired by the biblical story of Ruth. The movie is expected in local theaters in 2016.

Every 60 seconds, malaria kills a child. But malaria is preventable and treatable, and the Virginia UMC churches have pledged to save 100,000 lives this year alone. During May, the Missions Outreach team will be supporting the Imagine No Malaria campaign to collect funds for the purchase of mosquito nets. Each of the nets costs $10. These nets are desperately needed to aid people in countries experiencing a high number of cases of malaria. United Methodist churches in Virginia are making the prevention of malaria a priority in April and May. We will hold special events that will support this effort. If you would like to donate the cost of purchasing one or more nets, please make checks payable to Beech Grove UMC and indicate either “mosquito nets” or “Imagine No Malaria” on the check. Cash donations are also appreciated. Let’s help make malaria a thing of the past!

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There are times when only a mother's love

can understand our tears,

can soothe our disappointments

and calm all of our fears.

There are times when only a mother's love

can share the joy we feel

when something we've dreamed about

quite suddenly is real.

There are times when only a mother's faith

can help us on life's way

and inspire in us the confidence

we need from day to day.

For a mother's heart and a mother's faith

and a mother's steadfast love

were fashioned by the angels

and sent from God above.

Happy Mother's Day Sunday, May 10, 2015

Beech Grove UMC

Mission Statement

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

Christ's love with all.

Grounds Crew Volunteers Needed

Volunteers maintain the church grounds during the Spring, Summer, and early Fall by mowing the lawn, trimming/edging sidewalks, flower bed borders, etc., and blowing clippings from paved areas. The total time required each week is only about 2 to 3 hours. With 32 weeks to cover on the calendar, we sure could use your help! Please consider signing up on the clipboard in the hallway for a week or two. Work may be performed on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, and all equipment is provided. Please contact Joe Bonney (#488-0792) or Rich Stevenson (#538-3717) for more information and to sign up to help keep our grounds well cared for during the outdoor seasons.

Your help in keeping our church grounds beautiful

is greatly appreciated, and the ongoing support from our Scout groups makes a big difference, too!

Collecting Kits of All Kinds for Conference

Each year, members of the Virginia United Methodist Churches are invited to assemble and donate various types of Relief Supply Kits to replenish the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) supply. Beech Grove has provided themed kits for health, sewing, layette, birthing and clean-up as requested by the Conference. This year is no different, with kits being collected from across the commonwealth at the 2015 Annual Conference in Roanoke. Instructions for the health, school and sewing kits will be provided during the last part of April. Kits will need to be turned in by Thursday, June 11th in order for them to be packed and transported to the conference. For information about the kits, please visit www.UMCOR.org.

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Back by popular demand --bring your family and friends to enjoy a series of free movie nights at Beech Grove! All films start at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall with snacks provided. An alternate movie also is shown for younger children with childcare provided.

Friday, April 16th at 6:30 pm

Friday, May 8th at 6:30 pm

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.”

A former pastor who walked away from his calling returns to his small hometown to discover that a mysterious fire tragically struck a local family. When he learns that his childhood friend is implicated in starting the fire, he sets out on a mission to find the truth and, in the process, rediscovers his faith.

All Allyson and her friends want is a peaceful, grown-up evening of dinner and fun --a long needed moms' night out. But in order to enjoy high heels, adult conversation and food not served in a bag, they need their husbands to watch the kids for a few hours ...what could go wrong?

Beech Grove UMC Blood Drive Wednesday, May 27th 9 am - 7 pm

Beech Grove United Methodist Church is holding a community blood drive on Wednesday, May 27th from 9 am to 7 pm. To be eligible, donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be 17 years of age or older. All blood types, especially O, A and B, are needed. Donors receive a mini physical including a blood pressure check, pulse count, temperature, iron level content and a cholesterol screening free of charge. Appointments may be scheduled, but walk-ins are welcomed. For more information, call the American Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator at #287-9872 or the church office at #538-8353.

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Celebrate Holy Week

with a series of special services and observances

Following the season of Lent, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Take advantage of the variety of ways to honor this joyous time of year at any or all of our special Holy Week services: March 29 – Palm Sunday April 2 – Maundy Thursday service, 7 pm, Fellowship Hall April 3 – Good Friday service, 7 pm featuring a Communion Tenebrae Service of Rememberance, sanctuary April 4 – Easter Egg Hunt, 10:30 am, church yard April 5 – Happy Easter – Christ is Risen! 6:30 am -- Sunrise Service, church yard 7:30 am -- Breakfast, Fellowship Hall 8:30 am -- Easter Service featuring Holy Communion

11 am -- Easter Service featuring Holy Communion

Why Christ Died (continued from cover) You see, Adam was given dominion or, to put it another way, was ruler of the Earth. He was given that authority by God. However, when he chose to eat of the tree that God commanded him not to eat from, he essentially gave his “right to rule” away to Satan. Jesus, who is sometimes referred to as the second Adam, came to reclaim that authority and restore the Earth to its rightful owner (God). Jesus, by His death on the cross, paid the ultimate price to reclaim what “we” gave away in the garden. Jesus also died to restore direct communication with God and provide the ultimate “blood sacrifice.” From Adam to Moses, there was direct communication between God and His people. After the Exodus from Egypt, however, the Israelites were given the Tabernacle, a large mobile church, as a place where they could worship God and seek atonement (forgiveness) for their sins. It was at this point that direct communication between God and the people was limited, and even then, only through an appointed High Priest. In fact, God directed that anyone who entered the “Holy of Holies,” the innermost area of the tabernacle, other than the appointed High Priest on that one single day, would be killed (Leviticus 16). Once a year, the appointed High Priest would enter the “Holy of Holies” through a large curtain that served as a physical boundary between God and the people, taking with him animals to use as a blood sacrifice. There the High Priest would talk to God, interceding on behalf of the people and, with the blood of the animals sprinkled on the altar, he would seek forgiveness for their sins. Later, this same curtain boundary was used in the temple. It was this curtain that was torn in two (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38) upon Christ’s death, effectively removing the boundary and restoring that direct communication with God. Additionally, the “blood sacrifice” of Christ –the Ultimate High Priest-- was the last and most perfect sacrifice ever made and would never be required again. It was Christ’s blood shed on the cross that forever provides for the atonement of our sins! He was the perfect fulfillment of the law, the law we as humans can never completely honor on our own. When Jesus cried out “It is finished,” He was announcing the fulfillment, or payment, of the debt (sin) owed by man and the promise made by God of restoration and everlasting life! Hebrews 9 and 10 provide a great synopsis of this from the original covenant given to Adam through the second covenant made by God through Christ’s death. Without the context of the Old Testament, specifically Genesis 1-11, it is difficult to understand why Christ’s death was necessary. Without rightly understanding the starting point, we doom ourselves to an avoidable, faulty ending. The curtain was torn to allow us direct access to God. Jesus Himself has become the Door (John 10:1-16) for us to enter into Glory. Yet, at the same time, He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks (Revelation 3:20). Will we let Him in? Will we let Him be our Savior or will we continue to work for our own salvation. The price has already been paid; we just need to accept it. Christ died on the cross so we would not need to carry our sins past it! Peace! ~ David Willis

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Women's Retreat at Nags Head Shaped by Our Stories: Finding God's Beauty in the Stories of Your Life

On March 20th Beech Grove was blessed to have 14 ladies journey to the Ramada Plaza at Nags Head in Kill Devil Hills, NC to enjoy a weekend of fellowship, spirit-filled speakers, music, and worship. This weekend is hosted annually by an amazing group of ladies at Virginia Beach UMC headed up by Brenda Stahl. Katie Adams, this year’s retreat leader, is a freelance writer, homeschooling mom of 3 and Executive Director of Nica Works!, a nonprofit ministry created by her and her husband Tim which brings hope to the people of Nicaragua. Michelle Lindsey, pastor of Wesley Chapel UMC in Chesterfield County, VA, led our worship and music for the weekend. Before the weekend began, we were asked to collect and bring 3 photos that helped to tell our faith stories. These served as tools to explore our own stories throughout the weekend. Our scripture focus was Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Friday evening, Katie Adams opened with a talk exploring the characteristics of a story teller and how God is the author and perfector of each of our stories. Saturday, we enjoyed many talks surrounding God as the central character in our stories. Katie explored 3 places we find ourselves in God’s story: as recipients of His mercy, adopted children, and as honored guests at his banquet. We also discovered how the brokenness within our stories creates beauty. God wants to transform each of us through our brokenness into someone beautiful. We were privileged to hear Julie Laymen and our own Rebecca Hodges share the beauty that has come from the ashes in their lives. The scripture shared and engrained in these talks was such a blessing. Lori Tignor explored brokenness, on a smaller scale, within our daily lives and the biblical truths scripture gifts us to navigate this every day. We were encouraged to turn our brokenness over to God and place our hope in Him. Sunday morning, Katie spoke on how we can share our stories with others. We closed the weekend in worship by remembering our Baptism in Christ Jesus, the one who has saves us from our brokenness. Those interested were offered the opportunity to take part in Holy Yoga, lead by Karen Lambert. If I do say so myself, it was a wonderful time of reflection and meditation with God. During our break on Saturday some enjoyed a time of shopping and fellowship while others spent time on the beach soaking in God’s creation. All-in-all, the weekend was an awesome time of spiritual growth, renewal and

fellowship with wonderful Christian women. I look forward to attending in years to come.

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Don’t miss Beech Grove’s

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 4th ● 10:30 am

Kids of all ages enjoy special Easter fun at this annual event! Bring the whole family and friends, too, for light refreshments, indoor games and a giant egg hunt on the church grounds. Children are grouped by age to hunt and should bring a basket to fill with goodies they find!

A great big "Thank You!" goes out to all those

who volunteered to help during the Easter Egg Factory! This church-wide project produces more than 100,000 delectable treats each year, and the resulting profit allows the church to meet all financial obligations while continuing to do great things in our community and beyond.

Serve at the Salvation Army Lunch Thursday, April 30th ● 11:00 am

Join the Missions/Outreach Team for the Salvation Army lunch on Thursday, April 30th. Servers are always needed, and you can sign up on the Missions bulletin board or contact Penny Reynolds. We meet at the church at 10 am to load the food and serving items. If you cannot help us serve, please consider donating a dessert. We always appreciate the cookies, cakes and brownies so generously provided for the less fortunate. Mark your dessert item with “Salvation Army” and drop off at the church Fellowship Hall or in the Annex by Wednesday, April 29th. Thank you for your service for this important mission event.

Beneath the Cross of Jesus

(the story of the hymn)

Elizabeth Clephane was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1830. She was a woman acquainted with grief; her parents both died while she was young, and she was never very healthy herself. Nevertheless, she was one of those cheerful people who brighten up others. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she spent her time focusing on what she could do for others. Her friends called her “Sunbeam” - a nickname that may have inspired these lines in this hymn:

“I ask no other sunshine than The sunshine of His face.”

Elizabeth loved poetry and wrote several hymns; another familiar one is “The Ninety and Nine,” inspired by Jesus’ parable about a shepherd who left ninety-nine sheep to search for the one sheep that was lost. In “Beneath the Cross of Jesus“ (1872), Elizabeth alluded to a passage in Isaiah that speaks of “the shade of a great rock in a weary land” (Isaiah 32:1-2):

“The shadow of a mighty rock Within a weary land,

A home within the wilderness A rest upon the way,

From the burning of thru noontide heat And the burden of the day.”

Perhaps one reason this hymn has enjoyed such popularity is that we all know what it feels like to be in a weary place, in need of a mighty rock to shelter us. For Elizabeth, the cross of Jesus IS that resting place, her home within the wilderness, and her rest upon the way. We, too, can cling to the message of the cross of Jesus for our home, shelter and resting place. That is what we do when we claim the SALVATION that is offered to us because of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. Ira Sankey was the song leader for the renowned preacher, Dwight L. Moody. Sankey discovered this hymn and popularized it by using it in Moody’s great evangelistic meetings. It now has blessed people around the world for over a century and a half. "Beneath the Cross of Jesus" by Elizabeth Clephane is found on page 297 in The United Methodist Hymnal.

Richard Neill Donovan, 2008 www.lectionary.org

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Help us adorn our altar each week with blooming examples of God's glorious creation! You don't have to order anything fancy, even fresh-cut flowers or a potted plant will do. Please sign up today on the bulletin board in the hall, and help us continue this lovely and attractive tradition! Special honorary or memorial references will be published in the bulletin upon request.

Recently, seven Beech Grove members had the opportunity to participate in a two-day training entitled “How to Reach New People” held at Virginia Wesleyan College. Too often, churches take a “wait for people to come” approach, or they think ‘invitation’ means standing on street corners or initiating painfully difficult conversations. Not so! The workshop focused on the following topics: --How 1955 strategies no longer work --A discussion about where your church is right now --How to understand and connect with the community around the church --How to re-arrange the pastor’s work week and get him/her out into the community meeting new people

Churches Respond to "Reaching New People" Workshop

--How to develop a culture of invitation in the congregation --How to deal with resistance. Churches change very slowly, but the world around us hasn’t stopped changing. The practices that brought many of us into our church no longer connect with the people who live in our community. The key to reaching new people is to move beyond the walls of the building and develop relationships with people in the community. Reaching out in non-threatening ways to nominal Christians and non-church attenders. We believe that if we make ourselves available to Christ and work on the things we learned this weekend, our church will become even more healthy and vibrant in the months ahead. Even more importantly, several people will find their way to the grace, mercy and love of Christ that we have all grown to cherish.

April Showers Bring May Flowers... Bring Your Flowers to Church!

Upcoming District Events

1. Monday, April 13: District Youth Meeting at Oak Grove, 7pm

2. Saturday, April 18: Global Youth VOLUNTEER Day at Saint Patrick Catholic School contact Crystal Waitekus, at cwaitekus@volunteerhr.org for more information. Interested in volunteering within Hampton Roads go to www.volunteerhr.org.

3. Saturday, April 25: World Malaria Day, Imagine No Malaria

4. May 15-17: Cross-Jurisdictional Seminar at Blackstone Conference Center; join a number of Northeastern Jurisdiction Conferences in Making Racial Justice Happen. See Virginia UMW website at vaumw.org for more information

For more information, contact Fanita Morris at (757) 617-1224 or jakenita@aol.com