Beaver Blessings Newsletter

We are busy as beavers here at BMUMC. Learn more about our church mission, events, and other important information by reading our monthly newsletter.

Beaver Blessings

June 2021

"Welcoming all with God’s love, serving all in God’s name”

Beaver Memorial United Methodist Church ∙ 42 South 3rd Street ∙ Lewisburg ∙PA ∙ 17837
www.beavermethodist.org ∙ (570)524-0809

Sunday Morning Worship Services

Starting Sunday June 6 worship service at 10am.

If you cannot attend in person, then please join us via live YouTube stream of our 10am service. We encourage everyone to join us for worship either in-person or online! Masks will be required to attend in-person services.

From The Pastor's Desk

Together we are partners with Christ in the ministry of the church to our world. In the Proverbs we read “As iron sharpens iron so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)

Was it just me or did the month of May feel unusually cold? In conversation with Mrs. Brooke she shared with me that her garden flowers seemed equally confused as I was. Boy was I relieved. Moreover, I pray that both Brooke’s flowers and I will find a sense of clarity in the month of June. Apart from this, June is one of my favorite months for a couple of reasons. First on June 18th, my youngest daughter Amber, celebrates her birthday. Secondly, June 19th also known as Juneteenth, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in the United States. Lastly, as a church this will be our first month operating in our new “normal.”

With the recent news from the CDC and the governor about changing requirements related to the COVID pandemic, the BMUMC Leadership team are in conversation about what we can do to return our worship experience to “normal.” We are excited about some of the changes that are coming and remain committed to keeping our members safe. Brothers and sisters, there are so many great things happening at Beaver Memorial and much more to come! Thank you for being with us at such a time like this.

Blessings, Pastor Leah

Congratulations to Pastor Leah on receiving her Master of Divinity from Gammon Theological Seminary.

New Mask Policy at Beaver Memorial

We are so grateful that threats on contracting COVID are decreasing! In keeping with the improved conditions, but still being mindful that not all risks are completely over, Pastor Leah and the Leadership Board have agreed that a change in our COVID mask policy is appropriate.

Starting immediately, masks are required only when entering and exiting the sanctuary for worship and while we are singing. Those who are fully vaccinated may remove their masks during the sermon and at other times when we are seated. Soloists and those leading the hymns may remove their masks when singing unless their personal preference is to leave them on.

We all have seen how guidelines have changed with new discoveries about the virus and new revelations about vaccine effectiveness. Should any new information evolve that would impact this policy, we may need to change it once again. For now, at least, let us enjoy the broader freedom from masks and seeing one another's smiles again! We thank God for these and his many blessings

The Hymn of the Month

How Great Is Our God

Ministries of Our Church

Youth From Mindy Moore

Hello Beaver Family!

United Youth Group is doing well. We are still meeting in Mindy’s backyard every Sunday from 5:30pm-7:30pm. If you want more information feel free to email unitedyouthlbg@gmail.com.

A big THANK YOU to everyone that helped us cover the cost of all the new seating in the new High School Youth Room. We have reached the $700 goal. You all are amazing and we are so grateful for you!
United Youth Group is planning to have a Sporty Summer. We will be playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, dodgeball, and some made up water “sports”. We are hoping to hold our first ever Marshmallow Olympics this summer as well. We will also enjoy movie nights and all the food. I mean, you can’t have Youth Group without food!

Thank you so much for all your continued love and support.

Mindy Moore, Youth Director

Children's Sunday School

Sunday School for elementary age children is continuing via zoom for now at 9am on Sunday mornings.
We are making our way through the 66 books of the Bible! We have journeyed through the Old Testament and started a 12-week session on the New Testament the week after Easter. It is a great time to join us!

Please reach out to Crystal or Kirsten at crystallangdon@gmail.com or kgwinner1024@gmail.com if your child would like to join us, and we will get a workbook delivered to you!

The Beacon Free Shop

Please welcome Ms. Susan Colón as the new Beacon Shop Ministry lead! A native of Lewisburg, Susan has served the Lewisburg community in various capacities and has a heart for those who are struggling economically, socially and spiritually! Susan is an avid advocate for change and is the ministry lead for a new recovery group at BMUMC.

The Beacon Free Shop is open from 1-3:00pm on the first Friday of each month. Can you help with staffing the Beacon Free Shop? Anyone that would like to donate hygiene products, laundry detergent, diapers, cleaning supplies or feminine products may bring them in during office hours.

Busy Beaver Daycare

Busy Beaver is very excited for the month of June! This month we will be celebrating our Preschool graduates with a ceremony on June 18th. This celebration will take place on the new playground and the children's parents will be invited to attend. On June 22nd we will be attending a field trip to the Lewisburg Children's Museum! We are very excited to be able to do this again since COVID prevented us from visiting last year. We will begin new enrollment for fall in the near future!

Charlene Reigle, Director

Kinderfolk

Kinderfolk Preschool is finishing up its 20/21 school year with lots of fun in the classroom! We always fill the last weeks of school with the K'folker's favorite projects, such as spin art and getting messy (and then very clean!) with shaving cream, not to mention lots of epic rounds of Candyland. We're so grateful for the support of our Kinderfolk families and BMUMC. The start of the year was a bit fraught with COVID-related worries as we all returned to the classroom this past October, but we're ending on a happy and healthy note which wouldn't have been possible without everyone's understanding and flexibility.

Ways of Giving

During in person worship service.

Mail your contributions to: Beaver Memorial UMC, 42 S. Third Street, Lewisburg, PA 17837

Online giving by clicking https://www.beavermethodist.org/giving.

Electronic Bank Transfer or Bill Pay through your bank

Drop off contributions in the drop box on the church office door

Church Events & News

• The work of the church treasurer is sometimes not recognized as a ministry because it is done behind the scenes. Nevertheless, it is a specialized, vital ministry in which the treasurer exercises his or her spiritual gifts. The whole congregation benefits indirectly from the work of treasurer. Therefore, let us thank Mr. Doug Winner for his time as church treasurer. We wish you the best of luck in your retirement! Join us after church on Sunday June 13th for cupcakes as we celebrate Mr. Doug and Pastor Leah

• We welcome Ms. Stephanie Keith as our new Church Treasurer. In her most recent role as business administrator for Trot fitness, Stephanie brings a solid understanding of business finance. Additionally, Stephanie is the lead liaison for the GOP, which is the Guardian of Pride LGBTQ social group at BMUMC. Welcome, Stephanie!

• A few Sundays ago we said our goodbyes to "Uncle Grant" as he relocated back to Wisconsin. Grant, Pastor Leah's uncle, relocated to Lewisburg to help with the cleaning at Beaver and to spend time with his niece and her family.

• We cheerfully welcome Kairo Trotter as our new church sexton! Kairo is a walking example of God's love and has a way of connecting with everyone he meets! Along with Stephanie, Kairo is the co-lead of the Guardians of Pride group at Beaver. Welcome, Kairo!

Below is a list of speakers/pastors for the upcoming weeks:

May 30th Pride Sunday Speaker Kairo Trotter

Summer Preaching Schedule (Worship starting at 10am)
June 6th Rev. Ralph Hibbs
June 13th Pastor Leah Williams
June 20th Rev. Jeff Moore
June 27th Rev. Jeff Moore
July 4th "Hymn Sing" Sunday

Upcoming Events:

Starting Wednesday, June 23rd at 7pm for 6 weeks we will be doing a joint Bible Study with St. Paul's (Book of James) Location to be determined.

Guardians of Pride is a new LGBTQ+ social group at Beaver Memorial. We welcome anyone who would like to join us! Please contact the church office or Stephanie Keith at sistakeith@gmail.com for more information about our upcoming meetings.

TREASURES FROM YOUR FRIENDS
Mark your calendar for June 11 and 12. That’s the dates for our next sale of treasures from your friends. This event will be held in the Martha and Chuck Root Hall. Items you may want to add to the sale can be brought to church after June 1 to be stored in the Hall of All People. However, donations made the week of the sale should be left in the Martha and Chuck Fellowship Hall. Extra hands are welcome to help set up the sale, price items, be present during the sale, and clean up after the sale. Lots to be done and lots of fun!! Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to bolster the church’s unified budget. Please be in touch if you can help us. Your friends for PAG, Karen Nicholson and Nancy Shinn

A NAMING OPPORTUNITY
Busy Beaver Day Care Center has been overwhelmed with requests for infant care. Presently there are 15 infants waiting for space. The Leadership Team has agreed to the Ginny Beck Room being used for this purpose. The cost for making this transition is $10,000. This includes alterations to the room with insulation, additional equipment, staff, toys and supplies. The room will remain the Ginny Beck Room that holds the Infant Care Center. Our community outreach includes caring for the youngest. Is proper infant care something that you hold dear to your heart? We would be pleased to add your name(s) to the donor plaque that will be hung appropriately. If interested please contact Pastor Leah Williams, Karen Nicholson, or Nancy Shinn.

WORSHIP LAB
I am so excited to have the privilege to lead worship. I talked with Leah and want to explore a couple of different ways we can shape our time together so on the Sundays I am leading worship we are going to experiment with some options. If you like the changes or you don’t, please let us know and we will be able to evaluate any ways we want to incorporate these changes. - Rev Jeff Moore

Submit content for the newsletter to lornawcurry@yahoo.com by the 18th of the month prior to the newsletter.

BEAVER MEMORIAL

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

all are welcome

Beaver Blessings Newsletter