Summer Crossroads Notes:

From our monthly Newsletter

Magic and Movies Win! A night of learning magic tricks and a movie party are the top choices for fun activities for the Kidz Comings Youth group for the next year, according to a survey that drew eight responses from our Kidz entering grades 2-6 next autumn. Magic and movies also made the top six (out of 15 choices) in a separate parents' survey, which drew six responses. Other fun activities that made the top six for both parents and kidz are swimming and visiting the Burlington Science Center. For service activities, kidz and parents agree on baking cookies for The Dwelling Place, building gingerbread houses to auction for Habitat, and planting flower bulbs around the church. One very important question on the parents' survey was whether or not to mix social and/or religious programming in with the fun and service. Opinions are divided, but lean toward "yes". For social topics parents and kidz are most interested in a program on respectful friendships. For religious topics, there is interest in both other religions and in Presbyterian roots, traditions and sacraments. Regarding logistics, one parent prefers having meetings on Sunday afternoons (rather than the current Friday nights), and a couple of parents said that transportation to the meetings is a problem. Over the summer I'll take this input (as well as input from the Christian Education committee, and from Laurel Collins, who has volunteered to be a co-leader for next year) and will see what kind of feasible plan we can put together for next year. In order to make all of these activities happen, I'll need help, so please consider whether you can do any of the following: Can you help us plant flower bulbs? Do you have a friend of a different faith who could teach us about his/her religion? Can you teach us a magic trick? Can you lead a session on what it means to be Presbyterian? Can you give children rides to/from church? Do you have ideas for fun activities to teach kids how to build respectful friendships? Can you help chaperone a swimming party? Can you supply a simple supper one Friday night, or a lunch one Sunday afternoon? Can you help bake cookies, or decorate gingerbread houses? The kidz and I will appreciate any assistance you can give. Thanks, Judy Silver judysilver@comcast.net Office Hours for the Summer During Rod's sabbatical, Deacon Moderator Millie Wiegand will hold office hors at the churhc on Thursdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. During this time she will be available for phone calls and visits. Stop in and say hello! Session Clerk Mary Anne McDonald will also be available for office hours at the church on Thursday mornings. Church secretary Ann Montague will be in the office on Mondays and Thursdays during July and August from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mail, email and phone messages are picked up daily.

BPC Walkers Report In The 2004 Walk for Hunger team had 10 participants! All together we raised $1,000. Some of us walked halfway, some full distance. Colin has now handed down his Walk for Hunger, Burlington Presbyterian Church tee shirt, so we need to recruit someone younger for next year. Save the date -- the first Sunday in May! On another, not-as-nice-weather Sunday in May, three of us trekked through Concord to raise funds for multiple sclerosis. The Dot and Fran team (walking in memory of Dottie Anderson and Fran Anthony) raise approximately $840. Thanks to all who pledged -- we couldn't do it without you! Yard Sale Appreciation The Deacons wish to heartily thank everyone who helped to make this year's Yard Sale possible. AS usual, teh BIGGEST THANK YOU goes to Deacon Marion McPhee, who coordinated the entire event, and without whose leadershp the Yard Sale would not have been possible. Please see upcoming Crossroads articles to find out more about the success of the sale. People Helping People Needs Help! The Burlington Food Pantry is looking for a few good shoppers!! That's right, folks who have time and energy to help with shopping for the pantry. Ideally it would be someone wiling to volunteer 15 - 20 hours a week as a Coordinator, but two or three good folks willing to do part of the weekly shopping would help significantly. If you can help the ocmmunity in this way, or if you'd like more information, please call the pantry at 781-270-6625 or speak to Linda Roscoe. Headed for MATE At this time, it appears that Sue Channell will be BPC's only participant in the multi-church team of volunteers headed to do housing ministry for Mission at the Eastward in Maine this summer. So hsare your well-wishes with her, and keep her in your prayers, August 1-7.