Crossroads Notes:

News of Our Church Family Well-deserved honors:           Brenda Flynn and Jane McIninch were honored by the CE Committee and Congregation in June for their years of dedicated, loving service to our church’s youth. They received framed scripture verses (with calligraphy by Jen Dewar) surrounded by the names of the youth they have been ministering with. Brenda’s note of resignation includes this: The kids mean more to me than I can say. I worry about them, pray about them, and am bursting with pride for the fine young people they’ve all grown into.           Jane and Brenda have been a significant part of that growth. Thanks, too, for James and Adam’s supportive roles. Now they’re due for some “rest” time with their young families. A Note from Theron’s Family:           We can never express to you how much Burlington Presbyterian have meant to my dad and as a result, to our entire family. You all have welcomed them and us as extended family and we are extremely grateful. You all have helped make our parents last years here in the ‘Nawth’ very warm, indeed. Many thanks and God bless. Much Love, Sally and Susan and Families, Mary Lib (A memorial service for Theron Lemly was held in our sanctuary on June1 17) Standin’ in the Need of Prayer BPC Women’s Retreat June 2-3, 2006             Fourteen women from BPC retreated to the Espousal Center in Waltham recently to surround themselves with prayer. Led by Rev. Jan Gough, we prayed and worshipped and sang and ate and napped and meditated on the nature of prayer.             The schedule for the retreat was flexible so that each woman could participate as much or as little as her life would allow. The program began at 7 pm on Friday evening and concluded at 4:30 pm on Saturday. Overnight accommodations were in single rooms with a bath down the hall. Breakfast, lunch and snacks provided nutrition and opportunities for fellowship.             Study of several scripture passages revealed that we are called to use our whole bodies in prayer – laying on or lifting up hands, kneeling or falling prostrate, dancing and singing, sighing, pouring out our hearts. (If you are interested in reading these passages for yourself, they are Matthew 19:13-15, Psalm 141:1-4, Psalm 150, Romans 8:22-28, and Mark 14:32-39.) We also observed periods of silence so that we could listen and feel God’s presence.            Did you ever worry that you weren’t doing it “right?” Actually, there are many different times, places, postures, patterns, and words (or silence) that are appropriate for prayer, which the Book of Order defines as “a conscious opening of the self to God, who initiates communion and communication with us.” (W-5.4000)            One of the things I will remember from this year’s women’s retreat is the importance of staying in relationship with God even when times are hard. Prayer is possible and called for regardless of our situation, and being open to God allows good to emerge in us. We often call upon God, saying, “Come, Holy Spirit, come,” but in reality God is already present.            This was my second year to go on the BPC women’s retreat, and even in the rain it was a time of renewal for me. I highly recommend it to every woman next time. What a wonderful spiritual experience it would be if every woman could attend! Candy McLaughlin It’s Time to MATE again!           Let’s explain that… our summer work crew will head for central Maine and Mission At The Eastward for the week of July 30-August 4. We are eager again to work on renovations and repairs on homes of the rural poor and elderly, coordinated by the North Parish Housing Ministry of MATE (MATE is a cooperative parish of 9 congregations in the region, mostly Presbyterian). At this time, our crew includes:            Ken Dewar, Whitey Graham, Candy McLaughlin, Bill and Lee Silver, Rob Greco, (and maybe the Greco ladies!), Megan Ferrari and her friend, Carla Quiroz, Rod MacDonald, and possibly Jonathan George.             We’ll be joining with good folks from the Waltham and Needham Presbyterian Churches. YOU CAN HELP!             Donations toward our “board” – Burlington church’s particular assignment is to bring breakfast cereals, individual water bottles, paper napkins, and sandwich bags (paper and plastic). And contributions of baked goodies are always welcome!! Cash donations can also help defray food expenses.             Donations toward scholarship assistance – Our joint crew will include some folks who would be helped greatly by some assistance with cost. We are able to cover most of the $150 per person MATE fee (for building supplies) for all; but added costs per member include about $100 for a week’s lodging in a dorm at the U. Maine, Farmington. Checks (made out to Presbyterian Church and memo’d for MATE assistance) or cash may be given to Rod MacDonald or Jim Brunner. See Rod for more information Sunday Morning Rides Needed           There are two people who need rides to and from church. Please speak to Joanne Stephens. Sign up in Fellowship Hall.

Summer (Worship) Servants Needed!           Summer worship is informal, intimate and friendly – how about signing up to be a Worship Assistant, Coffee Hour Host, or Greeter? Call the office, or email us!           Singers and Musicians are more than welcome to share talents, too. Deacons Corner           The Deacons extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated items, spent hours sorting and pricing and worked the day of the Yard Sale. There was a dedicated group of 'regular' yard sale workers as well as a couple of new recruits: Sue Channell's son Andy and Marion McPhee's good friend Donna. Special thanks also to George Caperell for making brownies to sell at the refreshment window.           In July, we will be preparing and serving dinner at the Dwelling Place on July 19. Please check the signup sheet in Fellowship Hall if you can prepare something for the meal.           Joanne Stephen is coordinator for arranging transportation for George Caperell and occasionally other people to and from church on Sunday mornings. Lee and Nick have generously agreed to drive George during the month of June and Joanne is looking for other people to help in July and August or on a regular basis. The residence where George lives is very close to church - just across Cambridge Street and behind the car wash. Picking up and taking George home takes only a few minutes and he really looks forward to coming to church. ATTENTION! Mark your calendars. The annual Blood Drive in memory of Vicki Graham will be on July 3 this year. Watch and listen for further details. BPC Nursery School Registration           There are some openings left in the afternoon 4-year old class which meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. If you know of anyone looking for a nursery school, please have them call Registrar, Linda Benson at 781-272-9190. Stewardship Church World Services (CWS) Kits Urgently Needed – News Alert           ‘Gift of the Heart’ Kits urgently needed – Needs stemming from the May 27 earthquake in Java, Indonesia, the Pakistan earthquake in October 2005, and the response to the Gulf States area following Hurricane Katrina, are prompting Church World Service (CWS) to issue an urgent appeal to replenish supplies of Health Kits, School Kits, Baby Kits, and Emergency Clean-up Buckets. Vacation Bible Schools, parents and church families are encouraged to add this vital ‘hands-on’ mission outreach project to their summer programs. Kits delivered to the distribution center during the summer months will be processed in time for the upcoming hurricane season. Send all kits to: Church World Service Brethren Service Center Annex 601 Main Street, P.O. Box 188 New Windsor, MD 21776-0188           A monetary donation of $2.00 per Kit ($3.00 per Clean-up Bucket) will help transport kits to the disaster-affected area. Please send – shipping funds to: Church World Service 200 C Gateway Park Drive North Syracuse, NY 13212           Java, Indonesia: The death toll from the earthquake now stands at nearly 5,700. Thousands more are injured, tens of thousands are homeless, and thousands of homes have been damaged or destroyed. With local staff throughout Indonesia, CWS responded immediately with bottled water and CWS blankets to Bethesda Hospital in Yogyakarta, which is receiving many of the injured. CWS has also distributed water, food rations, health kits, blankets, and tents to households in six sub-districts of Bantul. An eleven-ton shipment of additional health kits, blankets, tents, and other supplies is due to arrive from the CWS warehouse in Medan, Indonesia and will be distributed this week.           Hurricane Response: CWS provided over 141,000 ‘Gift of the Heart’ Kits to the Gulf States area to assist families displaced from their homes by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in the fall of 2005. Health kits and blankets were distributed in shelters while school kits were provided to students evacuated from New Orleans to neighboring counties and states. Emergency clean-up buckets continue to help families with the long process of cleaning out their homes. For updates, visit the CWS web site www.churchworldservice.org. For more information contact, May Arnett Church World Service 200 C gateway Park Drive North Syracuse, NY 13212 315-458-8535 or 1-800-297-2767 marnett@churchworldservice.org Picnic In The Park           Our Church picnic is scheduled for July 16, at Springs Brook Park in Bedford. See map below which gets you to the access road to the park. Bring lunch for yourselves and a dessert to share. There are grills available, and a snack bar. Activities include swimming that includes a new water slide, volleyball, and a new play ground. The park opens at 10:00 a.m. Age <1 gets in free. For the rest there is a group rate charge of $5 per person. Mention that you are with the Presbyterian Church of Burlington group. The word is that we will be wowed by the improvements. Hope to see you there.           Your membership committee at work.           Turn left out of church onto Route 62/3A towards Billerica. Turn left onto Francis Wyman/62. Continue to follow 62 into Bedford for about 4 miles at which point 62 is also Page Road. Turn right to continue on Page Road (departing 62) to 4 way stop at Springs Road. Turn right onto Springs road for 0.1 mile to access road to Springs Brook Park.