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November 2014
The Beacon
I LOVE APPORTIONMENTS
Seriously, I love apportionments. Before I go any further, I probably need to address two questions.
First: why am I bringing this up? I'm bringing this up because Stewardship Commitment Sunday will
be November 16 and we are inviting you to be praying over your financial faithfulness for the coming
year.
The second question I need to address: what are apportionments? The short and simple answer is
that apportionments are a percentage of our budget that we give to the North Carolina Conference
of the United Methodist Church. There are some, however, who offer alternate answers. Some suggest that apportionments are a sort of franchise payment that we make to the corporate office each
year to keep "United Methodist" on our signs. Others say that they are a tax we have to pay if we as
a congregation are going to stay United Methodists.
Apportionments are not a tax nor a franchise payment. Instead, people who serve at a conference
level use apportionments to fund missions and ministries in North Carolina and all over the world.
This bit of information changed everything for me. I used to give to my local congregation out of
obligation. The logic behind my giving was, God says, “give”, so I guess I'll give. Plus, I use the church
facilities so I guess I'll give my fair share to pay for the lights, air conditioning, and the candy I steal
from the pastor's office. Once I realized that the money I gave didn't just go to utilities and paying
the pastor to buy more candy to put in the candy dish, I got excited. My small act of giving was
actually changing people's lives around the world. Very often, I'll hear people in our congregation say
things like, "There are so many children in abusive homes that need a better place to live. I wish we
could do something about that." Or, I'll hear, "I wish we could do more to advocate for prison
reform." Or, "All the wars throughout the world are leaving countless refugees. Why aren't we doing
anything about that?" Or, "I don't think the church does enough to help with education in the developing world."
We are doing something about all of these things. You are doing something about all of these things.
Not by stressfully figuring out what needs there are in the world, scouring the internet for reputable
organizations to help, then becoming overwhelmed by the idea that we have little to offer as individuals. Instead, through our regular giving and through our apportionments, we unite together with
faithful servants around he world to show people the love of Christ and the power of the
resurrection.
Blessings
Rev. Jeff Babajtis
Prayer Concerns: Names on the Prayer Concern List will remain two weeks unless advised otherwise.
Gwen Baskett, Jim Bond, Cathie Brink, Mary Alice Brown, Becky Clegg, Bill and June Davies, Marie Edwards, Emma Ferrell, Dwight Greene, Bettye Greger, Grace Hale, John and Pat Lee,
Mike and Carla McKinney, Floyd and Jeanne Munson, Dottie Piontek, Winton Rankin, Virginia Rogers,
Sandy Smith, Vic Sydnor, Penny Tate, Barbara Whitlock, all Service men and women serving our country.
Names on the Prayer Concern List will remain two weeks unless advised otherwise.
Sympathy is extended to… Jack and Linda McCaslin for the death of Jack’s brother.
…..the family of Marie Sheets. Marie passed away October 11, 2014.
PRESENCE….
Sunday Worship Attendance:
October 5—211
October 12—251
October 19– 239
October 26—244
Sunday School Attendance:
October 5—138
October 12—133
October 19—124
October 26—149
Wednesday Worship Attendance:
October 1—31
October 8—24
October 15—24
October 22—30
October 29—will be posted in the December Issue
Baptism, Camden Clark Schmelzer, son of Adam and Margaret Schmelzer.
Welcome New Members, Adam and Margaret Schmelzer
Lynne Sizemore
ANNOUNCEMENTS
REMINDER—TURN YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR SATURDAY EVENING , NOVEMBER 1. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS.
ADULT FELLOWSHIP, NOVEMBER 13, 11:30 A.M., FELLOWSHIP HALL – Lunch will be provided by Karen Van Voorhis,
Family Fellowship Committee. Cost will be $5 per person. For more information contact Kay Stockett 919-788-0300
or Patsy Skinner
919-866-4556.
NOVEMBER 2, WE CELEBRATE ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY DURING MORNING WORSHIP SERVICES. All Saints’ Sunday is a
day for remembering the saints, who according to the New Testament are all Christian people of every time and
place. We celebrate the communion of the saints as we remember the dead, both of the Church universal and of our
local congregation. For this reason, the names of persons in the congregation who have died during the past year are
read aloud as a candle is lit and a bell is chimed.
CHURCH COUNCIL MEETS NOVEMBER 2 FOR A MINI-RETREAT, 12:15-3:00 PM., FELLOWSHIP HALL - Lunch will be provided. See page 7.
THANK YOU to everyone who helped out with Trunk-or-Treat, decorated a trunk, and came to enjoy the evening with
us! Everyone had a great time! We ended up with 32 trunks and about 140 people. This was a great ministry to show
hospitality to our community and I thank you for supporting it! Cortney Babajtis.
ANNUAL BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR JESUS, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 12:30 – 2:00 P.M. HOSTED BY THE CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TEAM.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE GONE TO PILGRIMAGE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9. There will
be no Middle School First Friday on November 7 and no UMYF on November 9.
YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 4;00 – 6:00 P.M. PLACE TO BE ANNOUNCED.
COLUMBARIUM NICHES AND MEMORIAL PLAQUES – BMUMC provides facilities and opportunities for Christian growth
from birth throughout all stages of life including a final resting place for its members. The Benson Columbarium offers
a dignified and serene setting where church members and their families are remembered and honored. Information
concerning internment procedures, purchase and payment terms, and cost for niches and plaques are available in the
narthex and business office. Interested members may call the church office or Ron Oates for additional information for
this practical low cost and valuable benefit. Thank you to Lay Ministry for providing the beautiful fall flowers at the Columbarium.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, LAITY SUNDAY AND STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT SUNDAY - Our Lay Leader, Chuck Moore,
and other lay servants will lead the morning worship services and we will make our financial commitments for Christ's
Kingdom work through Benson Memorial UMC in 2015. PLEASE BRING YOUR STEWARDSHIP
Announcements continued...
COMMITMENT CARDS TO WORSHIP AND A COVERED SIDE DISH or DESSERT TO SHARE AT THE CHURCH WIDE LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW! See insert page 6.
THE ANNUAL CHARGE CONFERENCE WILL BE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 7:00 P.M., WESTOVER UMC (300 POWELL
DR. RALEIGH). All members of Administrative/Church Council are voting members of the charge conference and expected to attend. However, everyone is welcome!
BENSON MEMORIAL UMC IS HOSTING THE INTERFAITH COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING SERVICE THIS YEAR ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 25, 7:00 P.M., SANCTUARY.
TRUSTEES WILL HOLD A GROUNDS WORK SESSIONS. 9:00 A.M. – NOON - NOVEMBER 15. We hope this will give
more members an opportunity to help us beautify the campus grounds and fellowship with the church family at the
same time. For more information contact Jerry Crenshaw jerrychome@gmail.com.
ANGEL TREE MINISTRY – Evangelism has requested families this year in the areas of 27612, 27613, 27545, 27609,
27607, and 27614 with the date being set for Saturday afternoon, December 13, 1;00—3:00 p.m. An important part
of this ministry is prayer! We ask you to begin lifting up the families that God places before us as we enter into this opportunity to be God’s servants again. Activities will include, decorating Christmas goodies, reading the Christmas story,
gifts, and Hot Chocolate with Santa. Cindy Hallman and Emily van derHoeven, Evangelism Committee.
CHANCEL CHIMES NEEDS THREE NEW MEMBERS –We would love for you to join us. The group meets Sundays 2:153:15 p.m. Please contact Jennifer Riggert (919) 785-9079 or jdriggert@att.net.
NURSERY VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ON WEDNESDAYS, 6:00 - 8.30 P.M. AND ON SUNDAYS DURING THE 11:00 A.M.
WORSHIP SERVICE. Please contact Cortney Babajtis (cortneypaige84@gmail.com; 919.787.0789) if you are interested
or would like to discuss this further. Thank you!
URGENT PASTORAL CARE NEEDS – If you need pastoral care after office hours, please be in touch with Pastor Kelly Lyn
or Pastor Jeff and leave a detailed message. The pastor on call will follow up as soon as possible. Kelly Lyn Logue,
Senior Pastor - 0919.462.0339, Jeff Babajtis, Associate Pastor – 919-545-4080.
WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY PLANS – NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER – SEE PAGE 5.
BENSON MEMORIAL UMC
Benson Memorial United Methodist
Church
Kelly Lyn Logue, Sr. Pastor
4706 Creedmoor Road
Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: 919-787-0789
Fax: 919-787-0466
Web Address: http://
www.bensonmemorial.org
URGENT PASTORAL CARE NEEDS
If you are in need of pastoral care after office hours,
please be in touch with
Pastor Kelly Lyn Logue or Pastor Jeff Babajtis
and leave a detailed message.
The pastor on call will follow up as soon as possible.
Kelly Lyn Logue, Senior Pastor—919.462.0339
Jeff Babajtis, Associate Pastor—919.545.4080
CELEBRATE OUR FAITH, STRENGTHEN OUR FAITH,
SHARE OUR FAITH
Information for the December Beacon
is due
November 15.
Please submit all information to Mary Honeycutt.
(919) 787-0789
mhoneycutt@bensonmemorial.org