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John 15:13
D
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FA I T H
S E RV I C E
Greater love has no one than
this: to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends.
ET
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H O DIS
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EMBRACE Newsletter
Sharing the Gift of Life
Gordon Sherard
As a lifelong Methodist, I recently transferred from my hometown church to
Buncombe Street. I was donating blood late in the day at the first blood drive,
when the nurse told me I was their target patient. “Target patient?” I asked.
“Yes, we hoped to get 27 donations and you are number 27.” I thought, we
are a big church, surely we can do better than this. I have since learned that
we have about 2,700 people on our roll, so 27 is only 1% of the total congregation. Subsequent drives have produced increases, and Dr. Howell has challenged us to get at least 50 donations at the next blood drive scheduled for
May 7.
Matthew 25:37 says, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you?”
Matthew 25:40 says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of
these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” If you feed someone as
an act of stewardship, you sustain them for a few hours. How much greater
of an act of stewardship it is to donate blood, which may literally save the
recipient’s life! As I write, we have a BSUMC member in intensive care who has
received blood transfusions. Had it been possible, would you have donated
blood to save Jesus’ life? His brothers and sisters are still here.
Volume 19, Issue 5 May 2017
Seekers Mission Fund Ensures Class
Legacy of Faithfulness
Julia Sibley-Jones
Outreach has been a core value of the Seekers
Sunday school class since its inception in 1972.
This year, the class is taking outreach to a new
level by establishing a fund within the BSUMC
Endowment Fund. The SEEKERS MISSION
FUND will help those in need by providing funds
to organizations equipped with the resources
and expertise to serve those individuals most in need.
Trent Ninestein remembers the class holding pancake breakfasts to raise
money for charitable causes. “In 2000, we dropped the pancake breakfast
and established our Saint Nicholas Fund. Through this fund, we have donated over $100,000 to those in need. Now that we are in our retirement years,
establishing an endowment fund was the next logical progression.”
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life
for one’s friends.” Fortunately, we do not have to lay down our lives to give
blood...a needle stick and squeezing a ball for a few minutes is all it takes to
make a donation that could save a precious life.
Linda Sarratt agrees. “We realize we’re no longer the ‘young couples’ class!
We’ve raised our children, taken care of aging parents, and saved for retirement. With those major life goals accomplished, we felt it was the right
time to establish a permanent mission fund that will forever help the disadvantaged. After all, the Seekers mission statement is: A disciple obediently
follows Christ in thought, word, and deed. We were also inspired by the John
M. Holmes Class that established a similar endowment fund.”
The next BSUMC blood drive through our local Blood Connection is Sunday,
May 7, in the parking lot toward First Presbyterian Church. This is in conjunction with our annual Boy Scout Chicken Dinner, and pre-registered donors
will receive a free Boy Scout chicken dinner. Two-for-one! As they say, “Help
The Blood Connection save lives and support our Boy Scout Troop 9!”
The John M. Holmes Class established an endowment fund in 1996. That
initial $82,000 gift has grown to more than $111,000 AND, in just the past
ten years alone, has distributed almost $50,000 to local charitable organizations. What a class legacy!
Continued on fourth page.
BSUMC BLOOD DRIVE
Sunday, May 7
8:00 AM until 1:00 PM
*Donors who contact the church office to pre-register (864-232-7341;
[email protected]), will receive a FREE Boy Scout chicken box lunch.
GET A FREE
CHICKEN
DINNER*
Discipleship Ministry
Bob’s Corner
Rev. Roy Mitchell, 864-371-6096; [email protected]
“Abundant Blessings”
John Wesley created small groups for Methodist Societies called “classes” and
“bands.” He modeled these after the example that Jesus used with 12 apostles
(classes), and it certainly appears that Jesus also had a smaller group (band)
with Peter, James, and John. The point: small groups are both scriptural and
within our Methodist DNA. Small groups are certainly one of the best ways to
connect with others in a large church. Small groups serve another important
function: to keep one accountable and to work on spiritual goals to grow in
faith. A wonderful thing about small groups is that they can meet anytime and
anywhere that the group decides, as long as they consistently meet. They can
meet for a short-time (6-8 weeks) for a specific purpose, or they can meet as
an on-going ministry group. Would you be interested in leading a small group?
Perhaps you could lead a group to read our summer book, “Three Simple
Rules,” or perhaps you would like to lead a small group of 6-8 people in the
fall? We are looking for leaders. Maybe one of those leaders is you. Come to
our Small Group Leader training launch on Tuesday, May 16, from 6:00 PM
until 7:30 PM to learn more about how we are envisioning small groups, what
it means to lead one, and find out about some good resources to help along
the way.
There is so much going on at Buncombe Street this month! We have
officially adopted Trinity UMC and are in the process of gathering a
transition team to help make this a smooth adoption. Two members
of Trinity and five members of Buncombe Street will comprise our
transition team. They will guide our process and help us become
one church with the single mission: To Be and To Make Disciples of
Christ.
On May 21, we will receive our first Duke intern. (See the related story
in this newsletter.) Tim Hale has completed his first year of theological education at Duke Divinity School and will spend the next ten
weeks learning and sharing with us in ministry at BSUMC. He will
preach twice in each of our services and will teach in Sunday school
as he is available. If you would like to get on the list to have him
teach, please let us know of your interest. Young men like to eat, so
you may want to invite Tim to your home for an evening meal. If you
would like to have Tim in your home, Stacy Phillips will have a calendar for meals. You can secure a date for him to dine in your home by
calling Stacy (864-371-6084) at the church. Help us welcome Tim to
Buncombe Street.
May 14 is Mother’s Day. It is always one of the largest worship
services and joyous celebrations in the church year as we give thanks
to God for our mothers. So mothers, bring your children; children,
bring your mothers, and join us as we worship and give thanks.
May 21 is Graduation Sunday when we will be recognizing our graduates and celebrating their accomplishments while praying for them
as they begin a new chapter in their lives. We hope you will join us as
we support the young people who are so much a part of our church
family.
May 28 is Memorial Day Sunday. In the Sanctuary lobby there is a
memorial plaque with the names of those from Buncombe Street
who gave their lives in service to our country. On this day we remember, not only our members, but all those who have made the ultimate
sacrifice to guard our freedom.
This year, the month of May concludes the Easter Season. Easter is
a joyous time of celebration for Christians, and we will have many
things to celebrate, but our most important celebration is the celebration of our Risen Lord. Please join us in worship as we celebrate
God’s goodness and give thanks for God’s grace.
Easter Blessings,
Bob
Let’s come together! Summer is a great time to read
a book. The idea of ONE BStreet is simple. It is to
bring folks in the church together to both nurture
spirit and to build community. The first program of
ONE BStreet is a summer reading program (like a
book club). This summer we will read Three Simple
Rules. It is written by a United Methodist Bishop,
Rueben Job, and is based upon the three rules that
John Wesley gave to all Methodist Societies. The
book will be available in the office for $5, and we
will have them in the Sanctuary lobby as well on
Sunday mornings to make them easy to pick up.
It is a great book to study in a small group or to read on your own. We will
plan some “community conversations” later in the summer to come together
for dialogue and to learn from one another. We are even making plans for
our Children and Student Ministries to be involved in this program as well, so
this really is for all ages. As Clemson Coach Dabo would say, “All in!” If you
have questions, or would like to start a small group, please contact Rev. Roy
Mitchell, BSUMC’s Associate Pastor of Discipleship ([email protected];
864-371-6096).
ONE
Bstreet
Nurturing Spirit & Building Community
Circles - A Worthy Mission
Judy Brown
The Circles mission is to Inspire and
Equip Families and Communities to Resolve
Poverty and Thrive.
What is a Circle? Circles recognizes
that this is the time for a new conversation about poverty and to help
people in poverty be in charge of their
own lives. In that initiative, they are
known as Circle Leaders, and each
Circle Leader takes an increasingly
active role in leading their Circle and
giving back to the community. A Circle is a supportive, intentional, reciprocal, befriending relationship made up of one Circle Leader, who is a person
living in poverty, and two to three Circle Allies, who are volunteers giving
their time to build supportive relationships that help people achieve their
goals. Tackling poverty requires many people working together. Circle Allies
and other Circle volunteers join Circle Leaders in advocating for removing
community barriers for people who are working to move out of poverty.
BSUMC and SHARE launched the first South Carolina Circles in September
of 2015. The goal of Circles is to connect people who are living in poverty
with people and resources in the community that can help them build a more
secure future. Essentially every Wednesday, Circles has met at BSUMC to
build relationships across class lines, teach personal and professional skills,
break down barriers, and most importantly, love and support one another.
Our Circle Leaders have accomplished a lot in the months since the launch.
Three have started their own business, two have begun working at TD Bank,
some have returned to school, and others have received promotions or begun
new jobs. This year on June 3 our first group of Circle Leaders will graduate.
It has been exciting to watch the Circle Leaders (all women) build skills that
are essential in ensuring that they and their children can better manage and
minimize the effect of adverse factors on their family. One of our Circle Leaders said, “I went into the program not knowing what to expect or what I
was going to get out of it, but I was open-minded to accepting the process.
I have found a new confidence, I have awakened a fighter in myself. A fighter
that is determined to NEVER be a quitter.” This Circle Leader is thriving. She
has launched a business that has created over 25 new jobs! Another Circle
Leader said, “When my children and I come to our Circle meeting, we know
we are going to be surrounded with people who care and are truly concerned.
Circles has provided me with the tools to look into the future and know that
I can achieve my goals because I now understand it was my lack of support
that kept me from reaching my goals in life.”
The second annual Circles GALA, “Follow Your Dreams,” will be held on June
3 at the Greenville Shrine Club located at 119 Beverly Road in Greenville.
Tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. The cost for a table of eight
is $400. Contact Carol Ferguson (864-241-2840; [email protected]) if you
would like to attend. The featured speaker will be Circles Leader Ebony Clayborne, owner of In Loving Hands Home Care Agency, LLC. Come join this
celebration and graduation ceremony for our Circle Leaders.
To all the BSUMC volunteers, we extend our special thank you as it is you
who have contributed your time and talents that strengthen this mission
of the church. We have seen the power of God at work within our Circles
program. To God be the glory.
“The Power of a Nametag”
Rev. Dr. Justin Gilreath
Have you gotten a nametag? I love the nametags. You might ask,
why? There are many obvious reasons why a nametag might be
beneficial. It prevents you from being embarrassed by not knowing the name of the person you have already met five times. They
are a great help to pastors who want to use your name during
prayer or communion, and they really help in welcoming new
members, but the truth is, it is really more than a nametag. The
nametag represents our desire to be one body, one church. It
helps us build community. We are a big family and we want to
make every attempt we can to know one another.
The nametag shows newcomers to our church or Sunday school
class that we want them to feel a part of us. We want them to
know us, just like we know each other. In many ways, it says that
we are not about us, rather we are about you!
I would encourage you to heavily consider the importance of
ordering a nametag and wearing it every time you are in the building. Get your Sunday school class to provide temporary name
tags for those who are new. Consider ordering one for someone
who doesn’t have one, possibly a routine newcomer. Let’s start
learning each other names, and let’s be the family of God.
Visit the website (www.bsumc.info/name-tag) to purchase a
nametag, or stop by the church office.
Music & Arts Ministry
Rosemary Hughes, 864-371-6092; [email protected]
When In Our Music
God Is Glorified
“He who sings,” said St.
Augustine, “prays twice.”
The holy Bishop of Hippo
meant that singing adds to
our praise and worship of
God—that our voices are
gifts with which we can
make music to the Lord.
Sung prayer expresses the
joy of the heart, the happiness resulting from one who
has encountered Jesus Christ
and experienced his love.
Sung prayer reaches its high
point in the sacred liturgy,
the public worship of the
Church. The worship of God
is made more beautiful by the singing of every voice in the congregation, all
who are called to active participation. Christians have sung in sacred liturgy
since the Church’s earliest days, and the Jewish people have sung praise to
God, in the context of holy worship, for thousands of years. The Psalms are
the record of the liturgical song-prayers of the Jewish people. When we sing
in worship, we join a sacred tradition that dates back to at least the time of
King David himself. “Let us come before him with a song of praise,” wrote
King David, “joyfully sing out our psalms.”
When we sing, we experience God’s presence in a new way. Come and join
us in the Great Day of Singing on Sunday, May 7, during the traditional
worship services.
May we sing together—in holy worship—in praise and thanksgiving for all that
God has given us.
Youth Ministry
John Fahrney, 864-371-6094; [email protected];
Cody Puck, 864-371-6091; [email protected]
We are off to a great start in our work with Ministry Architects! Over our first
few weeks, the Renovation Team made great progress and continues to grow
in excitement for where God is leading us. We have begun working to increase
hospitality and a feeling of welcome for both our regular youth and the youth
who are new to BSUMC. We are hopeful that our new signs and check-in
policies will make it easier for youth and families, and that this will create a
greater feeling of community
with the church as a whole.
We are developing a new way
to identify our volunteer needs
and how we reach out to the
BSUMC community to get
you involved in the great things that are happening in youth ministry. Don’t be
surprised if you hear from one of us over the coming weeks! Cody Puck and John
Fahrney are identifying ways that they can continue to work in great partnership
with each other and grow individually in their ministries. We have also begun
working on a new B-Street website. Be watching for more information on all we
are doing, including the Visioning Summit happening in May. We are thankful
for your continued support and prayers.
The College and High School Class of 2017 will be recognized at Buncombe
Street UMC’s Graduation service on Sunday, May 21, during the 11:00 AM
traditional worship service. The festivities will begin with brunch at 10:00 AM
in the Truluck Dining Room. Attention, students: we ask that you wear your
graduation cap and gown to participate in the worship service (unless your
school does not use a formal cap and gown).
On May 7 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, the youth department will host a
Family Picnic & Welcome for confirmation families. The picnic will be held
at Legacy Park located at 336 Rocky Slope Road in Greenville. Watch for
the RSVP Sign-Up Genius (you may want to check your spam folder), or
email John ([email protected]). Everyone is welcome. Come out and
welcome the new confirmation class to the youth department. The church
will provide Bobby’s Barbecue, paper products and flatware. You are asked
to bring a side dish and dessert to share, along with beverages (and cups),
and a chair. Start practicing now - our famous Corn Hole Match will be held!
SEEKERS MISSION FUND continued from the front page.
Employee Anniversaries
Join the church staff in recognizing the following individuals and to
thank them for their service:
David Stubbs, Director of Evangelism, 38 years of service
Grover Putnam, Parish Minister, 18 years of service
Sara Tillinghast, CDC Teacher, 7 years of service
April Phillips, CDC Teacher, 5 years of service
Lindsey Townsend, CDC Teacher, 4 years of service
Aja Miller, CDC Teacher, 3 years of service
Tierrhane Huff, CDC Floater, 2 years of service
Hannah Sewell, Church Nursery Assistant, 1 year of service
Lashundra Stewart, CDC Teacher, 1 year of service
Collective giving is a powerful way to continue a legacy of faithfulness. That is
the main intent of the Seekers Mission Fund: to create “a permanent witness
to the divine love of Jesus Christ.”
This witness is also a personal act of commitment for Trent.
“This past year, ten of my friends from high school and college passed away.
I also turned seventy years old. These events started me thinking about what
I can do with the time I have left that will make a difference. Joining with the
other members of the Seekers Class in establishing our Seekers Mission Fund
enables me to make a difference both now and long after I’m gone.”
If you would like to discuss including the Endowment Fund in your estate; or, if you would
like to designate current giving, we would be delighted to meet with you. If your estate
plan has been completed, simply notify us of your plans to leave a gift to the church through
the BSUMC Endowment Fund. Contact Julia Sibley-Jones, Endowment Administrator, at
803-414-3275 or [email protected].
2017 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES
Christ Church Episcopal
Greenville High
William Lee Hudson
William Patterson Luce
Thomas Charles Mann
Reid Caroline Powell
Christopher Sean Riley, II
Caroline Ruth Wilson
Julianne Grace Wise
Eastside High
Emily Taylor Steele
John Patrick Jopling, IV
William Dixon Douglas
Greenville High
Tillman Clayton Chase
Millard Bradley Chastain
William Thomas Freeland, III
Emma Collins Grover
Bradley Allen Hughes
Aubrey Ryan Keffer
Robert MacFarlane Luce
Recreation Ministry
Tom Buchanan, 864-373-6461; [email protected]
BSUMC’s Twilight Par 3 Golf is held weekly on Monday evenings at the Cross
Winds Par 3 course at 6:00 PM. The season is underway and will continue
through September 25. The nine-hole fee is $9 per player. The only three
Mondays we will not play fall on holiday weekends: Memorial Day (May 29),
Fourth of July (July 3), and Labor Day (September 4). Come join in the fun and
fellowship, and bring a friend.
BSUMC Youth Warrior Basketball Camp will be offered for ages 5 to 14 from
July 11 to August 17. The program will be held at the church from 10:00 AM
until 12:00 PM. The cost for the six-week program is $240. Ages 5 to 10 will
participate on Tuesdays, and ages 11 to 14 will participate on Thursdays.
Registration begins on May 1. During this two-hour program, participants
will work on sports strength training and conditioning in the first hour, and
basketball drills and scrimmage in the second hour. Participants can expect
strength training, sports conditioning, Plyometrics, MMA conditioning,
obstacle courses, flexibility training, sports specific drills, and basketball
scrimmage. Contact Tom Buchanan to register.
J.L. Mann High
Keyton McNeill Daniels
John Hudson Davis
Daniel Alexander Esteban
William Dale Heflin
Canon Holley Langer
Howard Robert Pitts
William Ernest Revell
Taylor Keaton Scarborough
Southside Christian
Benjamin David Rheney
Trident Academy
Langdon Bates Kennedy
Wade Hampton High
Nancy Ballentine Neil
Alaina Leora Riordan
Maria Locke Sellers
Jordan Mei-Lin Winiski
Children’s Ministry
Rev. Gayle Quay, 864-371-6089; [email protected],
Candice Lenthe, 864-371-6104; [email protected]
The Children’s Ministry is excited to partner with the Adopt-a-Cop program
of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department. This program allows individuals, families, churches, businesses, etc., to “adopt” an officer within the
department and offer support and encouragement to them. The Sprouts
were very excited to get this project started for us! They wrote cards for our
officer and went shopping for some special goodies. We plan to have our
different Sunday school classes, VBS groups, and summer camps do special
projects for the officer. We received a wonderful thank you from our officer
and found out a little bit more about him.
Our officer is an arson investigator, a bomb technician, and an explosive
detection canine handler. He cannot wait to introduce the kids to his robot
and his canine partner! We are certain that the children will be as thrilled to
meet them all.
The church staff is equally thrilled to be able to have our children encourage,
support, and minister to this fine community hero!
Please join in welcoming those who have recently completed the Compass Class and become members of the
church. For information about future classes, contact
Stacy Phillips in the church office ([email protected];
864-371-6084).
Welcome Hannah Bachman and Josh Eaker. Hannah and
Josh are engaged to be married and both work for Ferguson Enterprises. Hannah is an e-Business Specialist, and
Josh is in sales. They live at 116 Austin Brook Street in
Simpsonville.
Welcome Emily Weber and Graham Herron. Emily and Graham are engaged
to be married. Emily is a media and account specialist at Vantagepoint
Marketing, and Graham is a sales representative. The live at 40 Briarcliff
Drive in Greenville.
Welcome Aimee Aird-Powell. Aimee works in government and institutional
banking at Wells Fargo. She lives at 322 Chick Springs Road in Greenville.
Welcome Amy and Matt Dey. Amy is in sales at Pfizer,
and Matt is a sales representative for Infor. They have two
children, Colin and Catherine, and live at 223 Buckingham
Road in Greenville.
Welcome Merrill and Robert Fallis. Merrill has retired as
principal of the D. Thomas School in Tampa, Florida, and
Robert has retired from financial services. They live at 176
Chapman Road in Greenville.
Welcome Elaine and Rob Walter. Elaine is a retired legal
secretary, and Rob is a consultant. They live at 404 Rivercrest Drive in Taylors.
Merrill and Robert Fallis
Amy and Matt Dey
Hannah Bachman and Josh Eaker
Elaine and Rob Walter
Emily Weber and Graham Herron
Aimee Aird-Powell
Spiritual Gifts
Doug Himes
We are called as stewards to commit directly to God’s work a portion of
the time, talent, and treasure that God has entrusted to our care. We can
calculate numerically our time and our treasure, but what do we mean by
our talent?
What we call a talent, scripture calls a spiritual gift. A spiritual gift is not a
natural aptitude, like having an ear for music or an eye for painting. Nor is
it a developed ability, like shooting under par on a golf course or turning a
perfect spindle on a lathe. Spiritual gifts do not explain what I can do. They
define who I am in all aspects of my life and my faith. They establish my place
and function in the Body of Christ and in my specific community of faith.
We know from letters by the Apostle Paul (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12) and
his followers (Ephesians 4) that the ministry of the early church was grounded
in spiritual gifts. The Greek word used most often by Paul to describe a spiritual gift was charisma, literally a gift-in-grace, a sign of God’s free favor with no
regard to merit or reward. Gifts of the Spirit are not given to enhance the
individual, but rather the community in which the individual serves. The real
value and strength of spiritual gifts emerge when they are linked with the
spiritual gifts of others. When each person’s gifts join the gifts of others, the
result is greater than the sum of the parts. Spiritual gifts are to be used in
Christian community.
The gifts that God gives, however, are not given primarily to support the
work of the institutional Church. Instead, the institution of the Church was
created to provide an environment in which spiritual gifts can be discovered,
developed, and deployed for the transformation of the world. The institution exists that we might be the Church for the world. Just as in our financial
stewardship, we do not give to our local church, but rather to God through our
local church; so also is our local church a community in which we can join
our spiritual gifts with the spiritual gifts of others, not to enhance the local
church, but rather to advance the kingdom of God and thereby to honor the
Giver.
Spiritually-gifted people live in a dynamic relationship with the Holy Spirit.
As in any healthy relationship, there is growth and change. What might be a
predominant spiritual gift during one phase of life might diminish as another gift increases later in life. Understanding our spiritual gifts—and ways in
which the Giver is calling us to use those gifts—requires ongoing prayerful
discernment.
Buncombe Street UMC offers a tool to help you identify your spiritual gifts
and to find ministries in the life of the church where you can join your gifts
to the gifts of others. The BSUMC Spiritual Gifts Survey is available online
at www.bsumcspiritualgifts.com. Take the survey. Pray about the results. Discover
what wonderful spiritual gifts God has given to you, and where God is calling
you to apply those gifts as a faithful steward in the Buncombe Street chapter
of the Body of Christ.
“The Discipleship Trail”
Step In, Step Up, Step Out
Rev. Roy Mitchell
When I think of a trail, I automatically think of the Appalachian
Trail. This trail goes from Georgia to Maine and is 2,190 miles long.
It is the longest hiking-only footpath in the world. It crosses 14
states and has over 3 million annual visitors on its path. There are a
lot of ups and downs, and winding, steep climbs. While I have hiked
sections of the A.T., and found it is both beautiful and exhausting,
here is what I know about a trail: you have to put one step in front
of the other and keep going.
Our Adult Ministries Council has, for months, been looking at
“The Discipleship Trail.” We know the spiritual journey, like life
itself, has lots of ups and downs, and winding, steep climbs. But
those “mountain top” experiences make the climb worth it. What I
have learned in my short time here at Buncombe Street is that our
servant leaders want to help everyone along the trail so as many
people as possible experience and appreciate the vistas from the
mountain top. Whether it is through our Adult Ministries Council,
B-Street Women, Missions/Outreach Committee, B-Street Student
Ministry, or Children’s Ministries — everyone is given opportunities
to “step in (grow), step up (engage), and step out (thrive).” We want
you to grow, engage, and thrive….not just survive. So ask yourself
where you are along the “discipleship trail” and where you want to
be. Then take the next step. Keep moving. Keep growing. Step in,
step up, step out, in faithful discipleship.
Church Staff
Directory
Alison Lister
CDC Director
233-5050
Bob Howell
Senior Minister
232-7341
Boy Scout Troop 9
Scout Hut
371-6102
Candice Lenthe
Children’s Ministry AssistantEducation
371-6104
Chris Malaska
Church Administrator
371-6085
Cody Puck
Associate Youth Director
371-6091
Crisis Ministry
235-6011
David Stubbs
Director of Membership
and Evangelism
371-6088
Gayle Quay
Children’s Minister
371-6089
Grover Putnam
Parish Minister
371-6098
Jerry Hill
Minister of Missions and Outreach
371-6090
John Fahrney
Youth Minister
371-6094
Julia Sibley-Jones
Endowment Administrator
803-414-3275
Justin Gilreath
Associate Minister
371-6086
Mike Baxter
Facilities
371-6093
Nancy Gobble
Finance
371-6087
Prayer Chain
371-6099
Rosemary Hughes
Director of Music and Arts
371-6092
Roy Mitchell
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
371-6096
Stacy Phillips
Membership & Ministry
Administrator
371-6084
Tom Buchanan
Leisure Ministry Coordinator
373-6461
Vance Jenkins
Sanctuary Organist
371-6092
Worship
Contemporary Worship, Sundays
at 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM (Sisk)
Graduation Sunday on Sunday,
May 21, at 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Great Day of Singing on Sunday,
May 7, at 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM
(Sanctuary)
Traditional Worship, Sundays at
8:45 AM & 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Events
College/Young Adult Gathering
on Sunday, May 7, at 12:00 PM
(Truluck)
Greenville Chamber Singers on
Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 PM
(Sanctuary)
Identity Theft Seminar on
Monday, May 1, at 11:00 AM
(Truluck)
SC Bach “Shorts” Concert on
Friday, May 12, at 6:30 PM
(Memorial Chapel)
Recreation
Joyous Joggers/Walkers,
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6:00 AM
Men’s Basketball, Mondays at
6:00 PM (Drake)
Well-Balanced for Seniors,
Tuesdays & Thursdays at 9:30 AM
& 1:15 PM (Drake)
Music
Child Development
Center
CDC 3K Music, Wednesdays at
9:45 AM (Choir Room)
CDC 4K Music, Wednesdays, at
10:30 AM (Choir Room)
CDC Afterschool Music, Fridays
at 4:00 PM (Choir Room)
CDC Board on Wednesday, May
24, at 12:00 PM (102)
CDC Chapel, Tuesdays at 10:30
AM (Memorial Chapel)
CDC Graduation on Friday, May
19, at 3:30 PM (Sisk, Drake)
CDC Mother’s Day Tea on
Friday, May 12, at 3:30 PM
(Drake)
Study
Compass Class on Wednesday,
May 3 & 10 & Sunday, May 7, at
6:15 PM (115)
Disciples II, Sundays at 5:15 PM
(301)
Sunday School, Sundays at 10:00
AM
The Gospel of Light and Life,
Mondays at 6:30 PM (217)
Unfamiliar Treasures of the Old
Testament on Wednesday, May 3,
at 5:30 PM (301)
Young Women’s Study, Tuesdays
at 7:00 PM (114)
The Church Office and CDC
will be closed for
Memorial Day on Monday, May 29
GAIHN Week
May 21-28
Volunteers Needed!
Contact Brian Sharp for details & to volunteer.
([email protected]; 803-417-6812)
Chancel Choir, Wednesdays at
7:15 PM (Choir Room)
Mother/Daughter Bells on
Sunday, May 7, at 4:00 PM
(Handbell Room)
Rushingbrook Children’s Choir,
Mondays & Thursdays at 4:00 PM
(Choir Room)
Rushingbrook Singers, Mondays
at 6:15 PM (Choir Room)
Scouts
Adam Johnson Eagle Ceremony
on Sunday, May 21, at 12:30 PM
(Memorial Chapel, Truluck)
Boy Scout Troop 9 Court of
Honor on Wednesday, May 17, at
6:00 PM (Memorial Chapel)
Eagle Review Boards on
Thursday, May 4, at 6:30 PM
Girl Scout Troop 9 Court of
Honor on Wednesday, May 24, at
6:00 PM (Memorial Chapel)
Meetings
Archives Committee on
Wednesday, May 10, at 9:30 AM
(Archives Room)
Children’s Ministry Board on
Sunday, May 21, at 11:00 AM
(102)
Church Council on Monday, May
22, at 7:00 PM (Truluck)
Circles Finance Class, Mondays at
5:45 PM (115)
Circles, Wednesdays at 5:00 PM
(Sisk, Drake, 209, 215, 216)
Emmanuel’s Hammer Board on
Monday, May 22, at 12:00 PM
(102)
Fellowship Club on Tuesday, May
16, at 11:00 AM (Truluck)
Finance Committee on Monday,
May 22, at 6:00 PM (102)
Ministries Leadership Team on
Monday, May 22, at 12:00 PM
(217)
Mission Commission on Tuesday,
May 16, at 5:30 PM (102)
MOPS, Monday, May 1 & 15, at
9:00 AM
Music and Arts Ministry Board
on Wednesday, May 3 & 31, at
12:00 PM (Choir Room)
Narcotics Anonymous, Tuesdays
& Fridays at 8:00 PM (217)
Nominations and Leadership
Development on Monday, May 8,
at 12:00 PM (102)
Staff-Parish Relations Committee
on Monday, May 1, at 6:00 PM
(102)
Stewardship Committee on
Thursday, May 4, at 12:00 PM
(102)
Vacation Bible School
Training on Sunday, May 21, &
Wednesday, May 24, at 6:00 PM
(217)
Women’s Ministry on
Wednesday, May 10, at 11:00
AM (102)
Worship Staff, Mondays at 10:00
AM (115)
View the church calendar
at www.BSUMC.com
The JUNE 2017
EMBRACE copy
deadline is
Thursday, May 4.
Membership and Evangelism
David Stubbs, 864-371-6088; [email protected]
If you are interested in becoming a part of this family we call Buncombe Street,
the Compass class is for you! Session I will be held on May 3 or May 7 (select
one of these dates, whichever is best for you), and Session 2 will be held on
May 10 or 17. Food will be available during each class, and childcare will be
available upon request. Visit the church website to register (www.bsumc.info/
about-us/joining-the-church/compass).
BSUMC is launching two initiatives beginning in May. The first initiative is
a volleyball league geared to apartment dwellers living in communities near
the church. Church members are asked to help out in several ways beginning
Tuesday, May 16. Needed are people to operate the scoreboard, distribute
Gatorade, and run the gym on Tuesday evenings. Also, if any church members
would like to play, we need for you to do that also! The second initiative will
be to assist with special events that Care Teams in the apartment complexes
offer their residents. Contact David if you would like to help or get a list of
opportunities.
One of BSUMC’s best community outreaches is MOPS. With many young
mothers already involved in this ministry, we need your help. If you can
help keep children for two hours on the first or third Monday mornings of
the month, please contact Susan Finch
([email protected]). It’s only a couple of
hours, but it means so much to these mothers
and their spiritual health.
Do you have RightNow Media? Sign up for this free service from the church
website (www.bsumc.info/rightnow-media) and get over 10,000 Christian videos for
the entire family!
TROOP 9
DINNER
24thAnnual Event
Sunday, May 7
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Purchase ticket in advance for $8
per person from any Troop 9 Scout
on Sunday mornings!
Sympathy
The church extends Christian sympathy to the following individuals and their
families:
To Anita Burton in the death of her brother.
To the family of Frank Prentiss Hammond, Sr.
To Jane Hudson in the death of her sister.
To Caroline Jarvis in the death of her husband, Jim.
To Anne Moore in the death of her sister.
To David Sherer in the death of his brother.
To Gwen Wise in the death of her father.
Stewardship Reflection
Some years ago at the Special Olympics, nine contestants, all physically or
mentally challenged, assembled for the 100-yard dash. At the gun they started out, not exactly in a dash, but with a relish to run the race to the finish
and win—all, that is, except one boy, who stumbled on the asphalt, tumbled
over a couple of times, and began to cry. The other eight heard the boy cry.
They slowed down and paused. They turned around and went back—every
one of them. One girl with Down’s Syndrome bent down and kissed him on
the cheek and said, “This will make it better.” Then all nine linked arms and
walked together to the finish line. Everyone in the stadium stood. The cheering continued for ten minutes. People who were there still tell the story. Why?
Because deep down we know one thing: What matters in this life is more
than winning for yourself. What truly matters in this life is helping others to
win, even if it means slowing down and changing your course. The only way
to receive the gift of life is to share it with others.
Memorials
In memory of Bob Ely by Sally & Bill Adkins, Kay Hosler, Trent Ninestein, Linda &
Jim Sarratt, Carolyn Sue Wilson
In memory of Nancy Eskew by Betty Crenshaw, Markie & Eddie Gunn, Erin &
Brian Kiser
In memory of Ron McKinney by Tiby Weinstein
In memory of Gordon Pillsbury by Mrs. Alex Meyers & family, Trent Ninestein
In memory of John Sanders by Jean & Richard Greer, Linda & Jim Sarratt
In memory of Hilda Suitt by Mr. & Mrs. Clarence B. Bauknight, Mrs. Elton
Crenshaw, Ann & John Evans
Gifts
To Crisis Ministries by Anonymous, Kathleen & David Cull
A gift has been given in honor of the birthday of Helen F. Meyer by Helen M.
French
Non-profit
Organization
Greenville, SC
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit #603
Rev. Dr. Robert (Bob) Howell
Senior Minister
Rev. Dr. Justin Gilreath
Associate Minister
Rev. Roy Mitchell
Associate Pastor of Discipleship
Rev. Grover Putnam
Return Service
Requested
Parish Minister
To Be and To Make Disciples of Christ
200 Buncombe Street, Greenville, SC 29601 864-232-7341 www.bsumc.com
Worship Schedule
Non-Traditional Worship, Sundays at 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM (Sisk Hall)
Traditional Worship, Sundays at 8:45 AM & 11:00 AM (Sanctuary)
Healing Worship Service, First Wednesday at 6:00 PM (Bryan Crenshaw Prayer Chapel)
Church Staff
Mike Baxter
Candice Lenthe
Tom Buchanan
Chris Malaska
Cody Puck
Stacy Phillips
John Fahrney
Rev. Gayle J. Quay
Nancy Gobble
Julia Sibley-Jones
Rev. Jerry M. Hill
David Stubbs
Director of Facilities & Engineering
Leisure Ministry Coordinator
Associate Youth Director
Youth Minister
Finance
Minister of Missions & Outreach
Rosemary Hughes
Director of Music & Arts
Vance Jenkins
Sanctuary Organist
Children’s Ministry Assistant-Education
Director of Administration
Membership & Ministry Administrator
Children’s Minister
Endowment Administrator
Director of Membership & Evangelism
Child Development Center
Alison Lister
Director
Epworth is Our Ministry
Welcome, Timothy Hale
Did you know that in the last year Epworth Children’s Home gave 150 children a safe and loving place to call home? Each of these children had this
opportunity because people and churches like us embrace and provide for
this wonderful ministry for the children and families in South Carolina. We
will participate in the annual Mother’s Day Offering on Sunday, May 14, to
benefit the children who call Epworth home. Please be in prayerful consideration of what God is calling you to give to this valuable and life changing ministry. More information about Epworth Children’s Home is available
online (www.epworthchildrenshome.org).
I grew up in Galax, Virginia, as the only
child of two school teachers. I attended Galax High School, where I was a
“mathlete,” competing in scholastic
competitions, as well as on the tennis
team. Following my graduation from
there in 2013, I then attended Emory
& Henry College, where I majored in
Religion and minored in Psychology.
I graduated magna cum laude with a
BA in the Spring of 2016. After enrolling at Duke Divinity School, I quickly
became a basketball fan and now wear
Duke blue with pride. I am a life-long
United Methodist, and for the past
three summers, have worked at Camp
Dickenson, a United Methodist camp
in Virginia. Music has always been a
large part of my life. I love bluegrass
music, and in my free time, I enjoy
playing fiddle, guitar, and piano. Also
in my free time, I enjoy hiking, tennis,
and reading about John Wesley, as any
young future minister should.