1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

The
Briarwood
Vision
June 2015
Rev. Charles N. Bowdler, Senior Pastor
Volume 17 Issue 6
Dear Briarwood Family of Faith,
School is out and summer is here! It was a
delight to recognize our confirmands on Pentecost
Sunday. David Bowdler, Abby Hogue, and Grace
McElroy did an excellent job in presenting their
faith statements to the Session and in answering
questions about our common faith. We are really
proud of them. It was a joy to see them together
at the Baptismal font publicly declaring their
faith.
June will be a busy month with Summer
Adventure, our Vacation Bible School for the
children of StewPot Ministries, on June 15-18,
followed by our own Vacation Bible School on
June 28-July 1. Our adult speaker this year will
be the Rev. Samford Turner. Samford is the
Executive Presbyter of South Alabama
Presbytery. He will be speaking to us about some
of the core texts of the Old and New Testaments.
He is a winsome speaker and I know you will
enjoy meeting him and hearing him.
giving by $25.00 a month, but others may be able
to give more than $25.00. In looking at our
giving trends, it appears that many of you have
already increased your giving. The session is
grateful for your generosity. If you have not
increased your giving, please prayerfully consider
joining us in this challenge.
Finally, the long season of Ordinary Time has
begun in the liturgical year. The color for
Ordinary Time is green. It signifies growth. I
want to encourage you to grow this summer in
prayer, in Bible reading, in worship, and in
service. Take advantage of all the opportunities
that Briarwood offers to grow spiritually.
Yours with Christ,
The Session has also asked me to remind you of a
challenge we presented to the congregation at our
Annual Meeting in February. This year's budget
includes a $36,000.00 faith budget. This is
substantially higher than faith budgets in the past.
However, the session is committed to meeting
this challenge because we believe that the funds
are needed to sustain our current ministry and
expand into new areas, particularly in spiritual
formation (helping people grow spiritually). To
that end, the Elders unanimously committed to
giving an additional $25.00 each month to meet
the challenge. Based on the number of folks who
pledge or contribute regularly, we discovered that
if everyone could give an addition $300.00 a year
(or $25.00 a month), we would easily meet this
faith budget challenge. The Session realizes that
some people may not be able to increase their
Newsletter 1
There is no Mary Martha Day in June, however,
we are collecting breakfast bars for Stewpot
children to have during the summer. Please have
them at the church by June 15.
Marimae Colemn.
PW Calendar
June 9
5:30 p.m. – PWCT
6:00 p.m. – Salad Supper
The first summer combined circle meeting will be Tuesday, June 9. The Coordinating Team will meet at
5pm and a salad supper will follow at 6.
Circles hosting – Rachel & Lydia
Following a brief business meeting and the election of 2015-2016 leaders, Rev. Martha
Blount will present a review entitled “The Gift of Aging”. Make plans to attend. Bring a
favorite salad dish to share and invite a friend.
Alabama/Mississippi Women’s Conference
July 15 – 17
First Presbyterian Church
Greenville, Mississippi
Introducing the 2015-2016 Bible Study
Come to the Waters by Judy Record Fletcher
Briarwood Women at Come See Columbia Day, April 16
Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia
Marcia Magee, Marimae Coleman and Betty Simmons
I didn’t have enough cards for my entire Briarwood
family! Hope you can pass on the announcement to the
congregation and especially Presbyterian Women
because neither myself nor my friends would have
made it without the yearly cookie delivery!
Annette Colman
Newsletter 2
SERVING THIS MONTH
ELDERS OF THE WEEK
7
14
21
28
Rick Barker & Doris Schneider
Warren Dorsey & Susan Sumrall
David French & Anne Dreher
Sandy French & Jimmy Hulsman
2
3
4
6
USHERS
Warren Dorsey (Capt.)
Suzan Dorsey
Scott Steele
Nora Brunson (Capt.)
Debra Kinser
Press York
Warren Dorsey (warrendorsey@comcast.net) is chair of the Usher
Committee. Call him or your usher captain, if you need to change a
day. Then inform the office.
FLOWER TEAMS
7
14
21
28
Simmons, Doty, Jones
Simmons, Doty, Jones
Bailey, Forkin
Bailey, Forkin
Debra Sikes
Warren Hogue
William Rock
Rosanne Smith
Jordan Henry
7 Gene Naylor
9 Don West
12 Larry Coleman
Rick Barker
16 Virginia Sims
If you have a birthday this
Donald Guild
month and don’t see your
17 Thomas Williamsen name, contact the office.
19 Elizabeth McCormick
Tyshanlynn Moore
Budget Snapshot
April
Budget Offerings
$36,499.54
Budget items spent
40,029.95
Income over (under)
($ 3,530.41)
SANCTUARY PREPARATION
7
14
21
28
21 Frank Bowling
Drew York
22 Art Magee
William Bowdler
23 Ricky Foster
Ricquie Barker
24 Evelyn Stevens
26 Jon Huey
27 Theda Ruff
29 Courtney Hogue
Eleanor Bessonette
30 Rosanne Fischer
Dotty Claybrook
Doris Schneider
Nancy Bailey
Marcia Magee
Ella Edwards
Year to Date
$ 150,453.05
153,091.68
($ 2,638.63)
Pentecost Offering - $427.00
(as of May 27)
The Origin of Father's Day
Sunday, June 7
Preparation Team: Nancy Bailey & Gail Howell
Young Disciples K-5th Grade
CATECHISM CLUB moves to Sundays at 9a.m.
in Room 103. Some children will continue from
this year’s Wednesday Night program and
others will be starting to learn the catechism.
Newsletter 3
One Sunday in 1909, Sonora Smart Dodd listened
to a sermon honoring mothers. Her mother had died
some years before, so her father had raised her by
himself. Dodd wondered why there wasn’t a day to
honor fathers, so she arranged a tribute to her
father at a church in Spokane, Washington. The
date was June 19, 1910. Many people believe this
was the beginning of Father’s Day.
Another account holds that a West Virginia church
held a tribute service for fathers in 1908, following
a mine explosion that killed 360 men. Regardless of
which story is correct, President Calvin Coolidge
was the first president to designate a special day to
honor fathers. In 1924, he proclaimed the third
Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL –
June 28 - July 1
6pm – catered supper
$6/adults; $3/children under 17; $15/family maximum
ADULT TOPICS
During VBS, Our Young
Disciples will be
“traveling” to Mt. Everest
under the capable hands
of Barbie Doty and
Heather Williamsen. They
will gather in rooms 103 and 106 for each
evening’s program where they will be learning
to conquer challenges with God’s mighty
power.
Sunday morning
“The One Great Theme of the Bible”
Rev. 1:12-18; 21:1-5; Romans 8:31-39
Have you ever wondered whether there might
be one theme in all of Scripture? Well there
is!
Sunday evening
“Our Call from God”
Genesis 12:1-4a
Each one of us has a call from God. It is also
a call of this Church and every Church.
Monday
“What is God Up To?
Isaiah 43:15-19
What is God doing in your life? In theChurch?
In the World?
Tuesday
“How Shall We Respond” Matthew 22:34-40
Given what God is up to – what are we to do?
Summer Fun
with
Tuesday’s Kids
For our Young Disciples age 5 through rising
5th graders. We will meet at the church 9:30 1:00 pm for activities and a light lunch.
• June 9 - making t-shirts
• June 23 – Water Games
(bring a change of clothes and towel)
Please let Susan Sumrall know if your child is
coming.
Wednesday
“The 3 Commandment” Matthew 28:16-20
What are we to do?
rd
W. Samford Turner, Executive Presbyter of
South Alabama Presbytery for the past 13
years, was born in Mobile, AL (1947) and
educated at the University of S. Alabama,
Emory University (MBA in Finance) and Union
Theological Seminary (M.Div). He and his
wife, Carol, served in the Peace Corps in
Columbia, South America (1973-75). He has
served churches in Foley, AL and in Mobile.
He and Carol have two adult children.
Samford has also worked with Mississippi
Presbytery on a contract basis for the past 2
years.
Summer Adventure 2015
June 15 – 17
8:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
“Faithfulness” is the theme this year with
great stories of Jonah, Jacob’s Dream, Walls
of Jericho, Noah, Moses’ dry feet, Deborah,
Ruth and Naomi. This exciting ministry
partners Briarwood with the children of
Stewpot for a morning of singing, Bible
stories, crafts and lunch. Everyone is invited
to the Closing Ceremony on Thursday at
approximately 10 AM in the Sanctuary.
Contact Tena Becker for more details.
Newsletter 4
Peace! Be Still: Sleeping in Peace and Safety
It seems that every time I pick up a magazine or newspaper lately, there is another
article on the importance of getting adequate sleep. Talk show hosts and programs
dedicated to health recommend everything from a regular bedtime routine to herbal
supplements. As our world becomes increasingly dangerous (or perhaps as we become more aware of
danger that has always been), sleep eludes many. This is nowhere more true than in hospital rooms, where
one of the chief complaints is interrupted sleep and one of the things to which patients and the family
members who watch with them look forward is a good night’s sleep in their own bed.
The way King David ends Psalm 4 gets our attention. “I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for
you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety.” This might suggest that David was either in denial or just
not being honest if it were not for the rest of the psalm. The first two verses tell us that while God has heard
him in the past, David is once again in peril, surrounded by lies, and humiliated (v. 2). David may well have
written this psalm amidst the revolt of his own son, Absalom. The fallout of his son’s actions left him
wondering who he could trust and aware that many no longer trusted him.
How could David honestly profess to believe in God’s faithfulness or urge others to trust a God who
allowed him to be so alone? He tells us in verse 8. He is able to both lie down and sleep because amidst the
betrayal of family and friends and what looked like a hopeless political situation, David’s focus was not on
the people who lied or betrayed. While he acknowledged the desperate nature of his situation, that was not
his focus either. David was looking to the Lord who was the only one who could truly “make him to lie
down in safety.”
Safety for David was not in seeing a circumstance changed or a misunderstanding righted. Safety for
David was being with God and in accepting God’s presence and peace even when circumstances tempted
him to close himself off. David did not even put his hope in an assurance that God would resolve his
situation. It was the company of the Creator in the midst of trouble that allowed David to sleep.
Sometimes most of us have nights when sleep does not come easily. There are times when rest is
interrupted by pain or worry or missing someone we wish were at our side. But a key to rest that we cannot
find anywhere else is found in realizing that the root of the last word of this Psalm (safety) is the same as for
the word for trust. What David professes and urges others to accept is something better than depending on
people or on living without challenge or pain. David urges us to focus on the inward peace that comes of
recognizing the presence and power of a loving and merciful God, even in the dark of a long night. And if
your time of communion with God ends up being in the night when others are snoring, remember to find a
place for a nap the next day. Sometimes David probably had to do that, too.
Dear Briarwood,
Thank you so much for your support of me and the Cystic Fibrosis Walk. It means a lot
to me to have a church as kind as you are. With your help I raised over $1,000, and it will
all go to find a cure that will help Gracie and Amos. You're the BEST!
Love,
Evie
Dear Briarwood family,
Your overwhelming support for our granddaughter, Evie, and her recent participation in the Walk for
Cystic Fibrosis, proved once again what a loving and kind church family we belong to. She has learned how
important it is to be a part of such a family. We also appreciate your continued prayers for Gracie and Amos.
Sincerely,
Dan and Polly Duggan
Newsletter 5
Minute for Hymnals
It has been almost 25 years since the PCUSA last produced a hymnal. Our musicians are excited
to start using this new book of congregational song. It includes:
•
Over 800 hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs.
•
Approximately 50% of included hymns are from the 605 hymns in the 1990 Presbyterian
hymnal. The remaining pieces come from former Presbyterian hymnals and other
denominational songbooks
•
The new hymnal is the same size as the 1990 hymnal except it is slightly thinner. They used
the same thin paper used in the pew bibles.
•
There is a musical setting of almost every Sunday lectionary psalm.
•
Music from six different continents.
•
Music covering all major historical and contemporary sacred genres, including approximately
thirty-five African American/Gospel hymns.
•
The usual comprehensive indexes.
Glory to God contains worship aids and printed liturgies for Sunday services (including baptism and
the Lord's Supper) and services for daily prayer. Complete orders of service will include
congregational responses, prayers, and creeds.
Memorials and Dedications may be made at $20 per hymnal. Memorials or honoraria will be
acknowledged inside the front cover of the new hymnals. On dedication day, we'll acknowledge all
donors together in the bulletin.
Hymnals will be purchased after the first of the year if enough donations have been made to fill the
sanctuary. We need 272 to reach our goal of 2 hymnals for each pew book holder. Most of the
book holders have 3 of the older hymnals now and it is a tight fit. 2 hymnals per book holder is a
better balance.
Since the budget is already stretched this year, it is not anticipated that we would purchase any
hymnals from the budget. There is no hurry. We'll just continue to use the 1990 hymnals until we
reach our goal.
In Memory of:
______________________________________________________________________________________
In Honor of:
______________________________________________________________________________________
Given by:
Fill out the form and return it to the church office or place it in the offering plate along with your donation
(remember to mark your check Hymnal Fund).
Newsletter 6
Sunday
Monday
1
Tuesday
2
Wednesday
3
Thursday
4
Friday
5
Sunday School
Fellowship Time
Morning Worship
Congregational
Care Meeting
Classes resume
8
9
Tuesday’s Kids
9:30 – 1:00
Congregational
Care Meeting
PWCT
Salad Supper
14
Sunday School
Fellowship Time
Morning Worship
15
16
10
12
13
Ed. Meeting – 5pm
Little Light House
Parents Meeting
17
18
19
20
26
27
Congregational
Care Meeting
22
Jackson Quilters
Sunday School
Fellowship Time
Morning Worship
Congregational
Care Meeting
28
29
Sunday School
Fellowship Time
Morning Worship
Session
11
Elder Training
Summer Adventure
21
6
Elder Training
LLH Staff
returns
7 Communion
Saturday
23
8:45am – 12:45pm
24
Tuesday’s Kids
9:30 – 1:00
30
25
TLLH Meeting
July 1
Congregational
Care Meeting
Family Vacation Bible School
June 28 – July 1
6pm –Supper
6:30 Programs for all ages
Newsletter 7
Elder Training
The Briarwood Vision
Non Profit Org.
US Postage Paid
Jackson, MS 39205
Permit No. 452
Briarwood Presbyterian Church
620 Briarwood Drive
Jackson, MS 39211
601.956.4553
briarwoodchurch620@gmail.com
www.briarwoodpres.org
National Flag Day
June 14
For fun
Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow forced his
fond father to fork over the farthings and flew far to foreign
fields and frittered his fortune, feasting fabulously with
faithless friends.
Fleeced by his fellows in folly and facing famine, the fellow
floundered as a feed-flinger in a filthy farm. Fairly famished,
he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from
fodder fragments. “Fooey, my father’s flunkies fare far finer!”
The frazzled fugitive forlornly fumbled, frankly facing facts. He
fled forthwith to his family. Falling at his father’s feet, he
forlornly fumbled, “Father, I’ve fruitlessly forfeited family
favor.”
The farsighted father, forestalling further flinching, frantically
flagged his flunkies to fetch a fatling from the flock and fix a
feast. The fugitive’s fault-finding brother frowned on fickle
forgiveness of the former folderol. But the faithful father
figured, “Filial fidelity is fine, but the fugitive is found! What
forbids fervent festivity? Let flags be unfurled! Let fanfares
flair!”
Newsletter 8