November 2009 Crossroads

The BPC Fall Lunch

Whitey Graham Food Drive – a great success!

In a good collaboration between BPC and Simonds Lodge (Masons), October 17 saw a fine ingathering of food for the Burlington Pantry, with plenty of volunteers (of all ages!) to receive and sort. Let’s do it again next year!

New cabinets – thanks to Lynda Graham-Meho memorial funds

Stop in and see the new cabinets in our front classroom/meeting room at BPC. What a great difference! Thanks to funds given in memory of Lynda, and the efforts of Jim, Judy and Todd Brunner. Also in the works with remaining funds is a renovation of our youth room (back classroom).

Deacons Corner
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Whitey Graham Memorial Food Drive in any way. A special thanks to Deacon Peggy Houghton who suggested that tribute to Whitey and worked with the Masons in the planning.
As we near the Thanksgiving and Advent seasons, there will be many ways to express our thanks for all God’s blessings by helping those in need. These include:

The Emergency Fund which is used to assist members and friends in immediate need of help. Envelopes for contributions will be available in the pews.

Food for the People Helping People Thanksgiving Baskets will be received on November 22 as part of our stewardship offering. A list of foods requested will be found elsewhere in this issue. Checks, payable to the Burlington Food Pantry, are also welcome.

Pajama and Underwear Drive: Betty Doubek will coordinate the drive for our congregation. Cards describing the items needed should be available in early November.

Wish Tree: The Wish Tree will run from November 27 to December 16. Volunteers are needed to staff the Wish Tree at the Burlington Mall. Our assigned days are December 3, 8, and 12. Please contact Linda Roscoe if you are able to help.

Explorers Group
November 1 and 8

New to BPC and wondering who we are? Want to understand better what the Presbyterian Church (USA) believes and does? And what being a member means? Or would you just like to get to know some other folks, whether new or settled members?

Our Explorers Group is for you! You are invited to meet on Sundays, November 1 and November 8, after worship (12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m., with a light lunch). We’ll consider these questions, and reflect on our own faith. The group is led by Rev. MacDonald and hosted by the Hospitality Committee. For those who choose to join our church, this is also preparation for membership.

Call the office at 781-272-9190 or email burlpres@aol.com for more information, or to sign up.

Advent Workshop for the Church Family
Tentative Time:
Sunday, November 22 after worship
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Plan to stay for a light lunch or snack…
Enjoy a story and song…
Make an Advent wreath for your family…take home simple prayers which you may use with your wreath during Advent…

Watch for confirmation of time and sign up!

Thank you!

Dear Rod and The congregation,

I would first like to tell you how much I appreciate this scholarship you have given me. I am honored you have chosen me. I know my mom is thankful also. But I am sorry I could not be in church to receive it in person. My father told me he would go and accept it for me and he enjoyed seeing everyone there.

College is finally here for me! The first few weeks here at UMass Amherst have been such a whirlwind of both hard work and fun! I have continued swimming here on their Division 1 swim team. It’s a lot of hard practices both in the morning and at night but it will definitely be worth it in the long run. The swim meets start in October and I will let all of you know how they go! Thank you again for all the support you have given me and I can’t wait to see you all soon!!

Love, Amina

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 23, 7:00 p.m.

Join with neighbors of different faiths in common expression of thanksgiving at the annual Burlington Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Monday, November 23, 2009, 7:00 p.m. at St Margaret’s Church (109 Winn Street, Burlington). Leaders and worshipers will represent Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu traditions. The preacher will be Father John Capuci from St. Malachy’s Church. As in past years, the offering will be for the Burlington Covenant for Basic Needs (emergency fund of People Helping People, administered by the Burlington Community Life Center). This a wonderful opportunity to be joined with others being grateful for the community we have, and the gifts of our Creator, even in these troubled times.

Burlington Food Pantry
2009 Thanksgiving Food Baskets

The Burlington Pantry will be giving all the food for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner to over 130 families, including elderly shut-ins and veterans, on Sunday, November 22nd. We hope you will participate in the food collection for this project.

Again this year, the collection and distribution will be at the United Church of Christ, Congregational, on the corner of Bedford and Lexington Streets. Please bring the food you have collected to the UCC church between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 22nd. If you have questions about the collection or the delivery, please call Rev. Peggy Derick at 781-272-4547.

We are requesting the following specific list of foods for a Thanksgiving dinner. Please Only New Purchases, No Expired Dates!!!

Stuffing (bags or boxes)

Cranberry Sauce

Gravy

Chicken Broth

Corn

Apple Juice Concentrate (canned, not frozen)

Cornbread Mix

Mayonnaise

This is a relatively short list – but we need many of each item. Fresh vegetables (potatoes, carrots, green beans, squash, etc.) will be purchased, so if any of your members would like to contribute money instead of food items, such donations would be welcome. Checks should be made payable to People Helping People. Rotary will be providing the turkeys again this year. Cub Scout families will be providing pies.

Our Need to Give

As we journey through another season of stewardship at BPC, the Session and I invite you to reflect on this statement:

Stewardship is not about the need of the church to receive; it is about our need to give.

That’s the joyful need of our spirits (not the obligated need of our consciences!) to give in thanks to God. Stewardship is first of all a spiritual matter, about our relationship with God and God’s creation. Stewardship recognizes that all we are and all that is around us are God’s giving; to be in a relationship with such a God involves our care of creation, our responsibility as citizens, our balance of our time and nurture of our families, and yes, our financial giving to church and beyond. That’s the way to true abundance, deeper mutuality with God.

Here’s something else to ponder:

In a new study called Passing the Plate, Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith say that Protestant Christians, on average, give 1.8 percent of their after-tax income to the church. They point out that if American Christians were more serious about giving, the impact would be amazing. If regular church attenders or those who describe themselves as “strong” or “very strong” Christians tithed (meaning, gave 10% of after-tax income), that would provide an extra $46 billion a year. They go on to say:

With that, we could basically end poverty, eliminate diseases such as malaria, feed and house and clothe the world’s refugees, provide five million microloans, and have a lot left over.

In other words, we could most definitely change the world.

Maybe it’s not surprising that Jesus talked more about money, and our relationship to it, than just about anything else. Something more to think about in this season of stewardship.

Over the next few weeks, you’ll be hearing more about stewardship, and its relationship to our faith, and abundant living (even in times that can be hard). And yes, also about the ministry and mission of BPC, and the fellowship and service we care deeply about.

On Sunday, November 22, we will celebrate our annual “harvest of offerings,” including our pledges of money, time and talents for the coming year, and bring Thanksgiving food donations for the Burlington pantry.

Peace,

Rod

Missionary Visit

This is a last-minute opportunity!

Session has welcomed a visit from a missionary couple (serving in Africa) next Tuesday evening, Oct 13, 7:30 pm. Ted and Sue Wright are part of a denominational project to bring missionaries to local churches, and the Wrights’ itinerary includes Boston Presbytery. They have been part of evangelism and church growth work, based in Zambia (with connections to Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique). He’s a minister, she’s a social worker and has taught in a Zambian university.

Everyone is invited to drop in for a short visit – no obligations, no need to bring anything (just yourselves).

Breaking ground on a new church in Tete, Mozambique

Fruits of Autumn

I think I’ve been hearing it even more this year than usual: Can summer really be over? It seems like it just started. Maybe it was the distinctly un-summerish weather that seemed to rule so long. Maybe it was the lateness of Labor Day, and its golden warmth followed so swiftly by cooling nights and mornings…and are the leaves beginning to turn ever-earlier?

And often, with the surprise seems to come an edge of regret. There seemed so little time for things that we dreamed we’d do when summer came…

In the autumn season of my human passage, I find similar thoughts come more frequently about life itself. The many things that might once have been imagined are less likely to come to pass. Why did I not do this? Why not go there? Where has the time gone? I assume this is part of being human; also, that there is no excuse to become maudlin about it!

Because, as one of my favorite poetic passages, reprinted here, says, every season is a time of God’s grace:

God made sun and moon to distinguish season,
and day and night,
and we cannot have the fruits of the earth
but in their seasons;
but God hath made no decree to distinguish the seasons
of his mercies;
in paradise the fruits were ripe the first minute,
and in heaven it is always autumn,
his mercies are ever at their maturity.
God never says you should have come yesterday;
but today he will hear you.
He brought light out of darkness,
not out of lesser light;
he can bring your summer out of winter,
though you have no spring.
All occasions invite his mercies,
and all times are his seasons. (John Donne)

Rather than regret the lost might’ve beens of summer, it is time to sample the rich beauty and ripeness of autumn, especially in our beloved New England. And instead of melancholy at the passage of life’s seasons, we can remember that all times are God’s seasons, and the fruits of God’s grace are always ready to be harvested.

October Crossroads

World Communion Sunday
is October 4

Be sure to be part of the church family,
as we share in communion around the table
and celebrate our unity
with brothers and sisters around the world.

This is also the Sunday of our annual
Peacemaking Offering
to support programs
for peace education and advocacy
Locally and as part of the PCUSA’s efforts.

Deacons Corner
A family, which has been providing meals at the Dwelling Place when there was a fifth Wednesday in the month, is no longer able to supply the food although the parents will continue to help serve the meal. Our willing chef, Sally Morrison, will prepare a meal, but will need some help with side dishes. There is a fifth Wednesday once a quarter. The Deacons hope our congregation will be willing to take on this additional job. A sign-up sheet will be posted in Fellowship Hall when needed.

Easter Breakfast – Teacher Recognition Luncheon – Fall Soup and Salad Luncheon -Dwelling Place – and always there was Whitey in his apron. What better way is there to remember him than by organizing a community food drive? Deacon Peggy Houghton has volunteered to contact people and organizations who might be willing to help. Volunteers will probably be needed to be at the church at specified times to receive contributions for the Burlington Food Drive.

Whitey Graham Memorial Food Drive
For the Burlington Pantry
October 17, 9-12

Plans are being finalized for an ingathering in honor of Whitey in several weeks. This effort for a cause Whitey believed in will be a joint project of BPC and Masons (Simonds Lodge), two communities close to Whitey’s heart!

It looks like the “harvest” time will be Saturday, October 17, probably 9-12. Masons already have an event scheduled at the church during this time. BPC helpers should be needed to help receive and sort the donations.

Some items especially need by the Pantry:

• Mayo
• Catsup
• Beans
• Hot chocolate
• Pancake Mix
• Pancake Syrup
• Canned fruit
• Peanut Butter and Jelly
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Tuna
• Spaghetti Sauce

Need Assistance?

Beginning in September, I will be helping people with food stamps, fuel applications, and housing for free. Anyone who needs help can contact me at coffee hour through my email address, joannejstp@aol.com. Please let me know if you need help.
Joanne Stephen

People Helping People News
People Helping People has been busy and BPC folks have helped! Over the week of August 23 – 30 several successful fundraisers were held. On Tuesday the 25th Flatbread Pizza donated a percentage of their profits to PHP, we held a bake sale and sold cookbooks. In all, that raised $1,335. Thanks to BPC bakers, and to Ray Gibson, who helped to staff the bake sale table. On Thursday the 27th folks enjoyed “Chocolate and Jazz” which raised another $905. Several BPC folks contributed goodies and/or attended the event. Then on Sunday the 30th, Rod and Cathy MacDonald, Peggy and Avery Rose Houghton, and Shirley Thornton participated in the “Walk for the Pantry”, attended the dedication of the renovated pantry, and helped serve at the barbecue on the Town Common. The Walk raised $1,120 and the barbecue $1,155. Lee and Nick Horeanopoulos, Anne and Beth Denier, Sally Morrison, Art Roscoe and Marcia Gedick were great at serving and all-around helping. In all, these fundraising events contributed close to $9,000 to benefit the food pantry, holiday program and the emergency fund.

Those funds will soon be needed. Roberta Damelin, the Pantry Coordinator, estimates that she spends more than $2,000 each month on food for needy families in Burlington. Currently the pantry is serving 150 families, and it’s estimated that there will be 180 families by Christmas.

There are other critical needs besides money. On the first and third Tuesdays of each month baggers are needed from 9:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. to do the prep work for the Wednesday food distribution. Shoppers are needed at any time, as are folks to pick up goods from the local sites. Right now, the PHP Board is considering obtaining a credit card to use for purchases, but needs someone to do the research as to which card will offer the most benefit. Is anyone interested??? If you are, let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the pantry co-coordinator.

Linda Roscoe

45th Annual Choir Festival

“God’s Eternal Song of Love”, a Service of Ecumenical Song will be October 25, 2009 at 4 p.m., at Gordon College in Wenham. Members of Burlington Presbyterian Church will be participating. If you are interested in singing, please let Nancy Timmerman know, as music needs to be ordered. Alternatively, music will be available at the regional rehearsals: Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Brookline (Korean Presbyterian Church), Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. in West Acton (Baptist Church), Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in Woburn (United Methodist Church) or Monday, October 19 at 7 pm in Beverly (Second Congregational). A final, “dress rehearsal” will occur at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25 at Gordon College. The concert is free and open to the public. Please see Nancy Timmerman if you want to join the singers from our church.

A scene from our recent Fall Lunch

Christ goes in the guise of a stranger

Hospitality Basics

A Celtic Rune of Hospitality

We saw a stranger yesterday,
We put food in the eating place,
Drink in the drinking place,
Music in the listening place,
And, with the sacred name of the triune God,

He blessed us and our house,
Our cattle and our dear ones,
As the lark says in her song:
Often, often, often, goes Christ in the
stranger’s guise.

Are we ready for guests?

Every church wants to be known as a friendly church, of course. But the reality goes much deeper. To extend a true welcome, the hospitality of Christ, is to do all that is possible to make a place for every one who comes seeking a spiritual home.

The new season will bring guests our way. Let’s be sure we’re prepared with the basics:

A church that looks fresh and cleaned as though prepared for company

Greeters at the door—always

The front entryway as “the welcome zone” on Sunday mornings (the job of any member there is to say hello to everyone who comes in the door—other discussions should take place around the corner in the hallway)

Every member feeling equipped to introduce themselves to visitors and offer to give directions, answer questions, and invite to coffee hour

To give us a chance to brush up on our basics, the Hospitality Committee is planning for sometime in early fall to provide all worshipers with our “Guidelines” piece on being a welcoming church.

The committee will also be reviewing the use of the sample church “business cards” provided in the spring so that members may have a resource to hand any acquaintance as part of an invitation to our church.

“As you have done it to the least of these my brothers and sisters you have done it to me.”

Enjoy these golden days of late summer!

Peace,

Rod

September Crossroads

In loving memory…
In a great shock to his family, church, and many, many friends, Whitey Graham died suddenly on July 9.

The service of witness to the resurrection took place in a full sanctuary.

Our special prayers are with Jean, Alex, and Andrew, and Hazel, Christopher, Barbara and Ryan, and the many dozens of foster children cared for by the Grahams.

Our church family is just beginning to comprehend this loss, to the Deacons, the Dwelling Place, our cookouts and suppers, and so much more.

Multi-accomplished swimmer, Amina Meho…
…swam with a team from the nation of Lebanon in the Rome and Jordan international meets during the summer, and did very, very well!

With great pleasure, the congregation will be providing Amina with a scholarship of $1,000 a year over 4 years in loving memory of her mother, Lynda.

Chancel Choir Rehearsals

Come sing with us!

Chancel Choir rehearsals resume on Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The choir meets from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays and at 10:00 a.m. before morning worship on Sundays. The ability to read music is NOT REQUIRED. All voice parts are welcome. Please join us.

Here Comes Sunday School!
Yes! Another year of exploring the faith with young and old will begin on September 13, with a rally for children in Preschool through Grade 5 at 10:30 a.m.

We hope that you had a good summer; it has been one for the history books! Now we move into fall and the CE Committee wants to give you a few facts about our program this fall. The curriculum that we are using is the same as last year. We Believe – God’s Word for God’s People. The class structure will remain the same as well. Preschool (ages 3-5), Younger Children (K-grade 2), younger youth (Grades 3-5) and Older Youth (Grades 6-12) all classes begin after the Word For Children.

On August 30, the teachers will be meeting for a workshop in preparation for Rally Day on September 13 and the first day of classes on September 20.

Positions available! That little “nudge” you’re feeling might be God’s call to be part of one of our rotating teaching teams, as teacher or assistant. For more information, contact Judy Brunner (781-275-8353) or speak to Rod MacDonald. You’ll have lots of support, divine and human!

The CE Committee

Judy Brunner, Chair

Carillon (Bell) Choir Rehearsals

Bell choir rehearsals will resume Sunday, September 27, at noon, before if possible. We have lost a few people so we need some people who would like to learn to ring. Ringing hand bells is a good way to be part of the music program in the church if you feel your vocal skills are not up to singing in the Chancel Choir. We rehearse after church for about an hour. Show up or call me.

Judy Brunner, 781-275-8353

Deacons Corner

The Deacons would like to thank all the people who contributed food and supplies for Whitey’s funeral reception and all who helped with set-up and clean-up. We are sure that Whitey would have been happy that all the leftovers went to the people at the Dwelling Place. Thanks to all.

Valuing Families

I recently read an article in Presbyterian Today entitled, “Valuing Families.” The article emphasized the importance of families and their foundational function of inspiring young disciples. Families are where kids first learn to model important values like fairness, equality, justice, integrity, and honesty. Unfortunately, making sure that our families make the most of the opportunity to instill these values is much easier said than done. You, as a parent/family member, most certainly want the best for your children and family, but we all face challenges that complicate our best intentions. Some of the barriers you may face are busyness, the current economy, unseen tragedy, disability, or personal issues. So what can we do as a congregation to become a community and make sure that amid adversity we can still value our families? Personally, I was raised in a family with many challenges, a single-parent home with a mom who was extremely busy and who often had more on her plate personally than she could handle. Even in the middle of economic and personal challenges my family was able to become a discipleship tool, because of my church community. Valuing families is a job for all church members. Parents, grandparents, adults, children, everyone should be on the lookout to help value families and provide a foundation of Christ-like living to inspire the youngest members of our church family.

David Bielik
Christian Education

Adult Sunday School Class Fall 2009:
The Cost of Discipleship

For the first part of the year, the Adult Class will be reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship. The book is a study of the Sermon on the Mount and was written during the Nazi party’s rise to power in Germany in the 1930’s. Copies of the book are available at the church. We’ll also be taking a look at the Barmen Declaration, assembled by Boenhoeffer and other leaders of the Confessing Church in response to the National Socialists’ efforts to nationalize the churches – this is its 75th anniversary year. The class meets from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings in Fellowship Hall beginning on September 20th. If there is a need, child care can be provided. If you have any questions, please speak with Rod or with Mary Anne McDonald. Hope to see you on September 20th!

Peacemaking Offering
World Communion Sunday
October 4, 2009

Our gifts to the Peacemaking Offering helped to fund a travel/seminar to South Africa and Malawi where participants learned about the effects of HIV/AIDS and ways PC(USA) partner churches are responding to the pandemic. Peacemaking money also supported a project in New Orleans to help the urban poor rebuild their homes and lives after Hurricane Katrina.

Twenty-five percent of the Peacemaking Offering stays in the congregation to support peacemaking activities. In recent years, our money has helped to provide Peace Scholarships for local high school seniors who have participated in peacemaking activities during their high school years. An additional twenty-five percent goes to Presbyteries and Synods for their peacemaking work. The remaining fifty percent supports the denomination’s various peacemaking activities.

Thanks Children’s Celebration Leaders!

Your efforts in providing care and learning activities for our mixed age children’s group on summer Sunday mornings were generous, and very valuable. And thanks to David Bielik, our CE/Families coordinator, who developed the activity plans around the parables of Jesus.

BPC’S Safe Child Policy
Now an “Export”
Session has granted permission to the Presbyterian Church in Whitinsville, MA to adopt the fine program for the safety of children and training of adults which was developed and approved here at BPC. The church found it to be just what they were looking for. Once again, our thanks to BPC members who put such time and care into developing and implementing our policy—Ray Gabler, Sue McGilvray-Rivet, and Linda Roscoe.

Another Organ Fundraiser!
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. – Organ Concert in the sanctuary. Nancy Timmerman will play works of Bach, Pachelbel, Stanley, Guilmant, Leighton and others. There will be a freewill offering to support the organ fund (to reimburse expenses paid a year ago in the purchase of our instrument). The music is different from that of the concert she gave in October, 2008. Please come.

Got Books Project
Have you “fed” the Got Books box in the church parking lot on occasion? It should interest you to know that since it was installed, the congregation has benefited by over $1,250 dollars. The book collection organization gives us 5 cents for each pound of books placed in the box.

45th Annual Choir Festival
“God’s Eternal Song of Love”, a Service of Ecumenical Song will be October 25, 2009 at 4 p.m., at Gordon College in Wenham. Members of Burlington Presbyterian Church will be participating. If you are interested in singing, please let Nancy Timmerman know, as music needs to be ordered. Alternatively, music will be available at the regional rehearsals: Tuesday, October 6 at 7:30 p.m. in Brookline (Korean Presbyterian Church), Saturday, October 17 at 7 p.m. in West Acton (Baptist Church), Sunday, October 18 at 7 p.m. in Woburn (United Methodist Church) or Monday, October 19 at 7 pm in Beverly (Second Congregational). A final, “dress rehearsal” will occur at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 25 at Gordon College. The concert is free and open to the public. Please see Nancy Timmerman if you want to join the singers from our church.

Need Assistance?

To Members of the Congregation and friends,

Beginning in September, I will be helping people with food stamps, fuel applications, and housing for free. Anyone who needs help can contact me at coffee hour through my email address, joannejstp@aol.com. Please let me know if you need help.

Thank you, Joanne Stephen

Whitey Graham’s Last Sermon

Our beloved member, Whitey Graham, died unexpectedly a few days before he was due to deliver the Sunday message. He had finished writing the sermon he intended to give. Here is a transcript of his sermon.

When I was asked to preach this week, I figured that I had not done this for several years, so how hard could it be! Then the reality set in, and I had to sit down and write this sermon.

I searched the scriptures and tried to figure out how to write a sermon about a King who was dancing around the Ark, or a king with mixed emotions about to behead a prophet. Great choices…

Then I looked at what I had preached about before and decided those subjects were talked out. So I guess my faith would be a good topic.

Webster defined faith as “a belief and trust in God or a religious conviction”. I think the poet Paulene Dishmon says it best:

The origin of faith
Is from God above.
It’s a gift he offers
To all in love.

We cannot muster faith
In a minute, an hour.
It’s the result of belief
In the creator’s power.

We can build, share
Care, plant a seed
But faith is a blessing
He gives as we need.

I believe we were put here for some reason, and someday my faith will point that out to me. In the mean time, I will just try to figure it out.

When I first became a Mason, I was asked in whom I put my trust. It being in God, I was told to take the arm of my Conductor, and fear no danger. My faith in God would help during my path. I have tried to follow that path all my life.

When life dealt me some bad or terrible things, I placed my life in the hands of God, and somehow or other, the bad always comes and goes. The good always outlives the bad and life goes on.

When my mother said she would like to see my children before she died, something drew me to Sears, where my future wife was working, and great things happened. First marriage, then three of the greatest kids any family would want, and an additional couple of hundred others who needed direction and help, who have become children of our hearts.

I’m sure many of you have heard this story before, but after we were married, I became a Presbyterian, and we traveled to Quincy every Sunday until Alex arrived. Jean asked why we didn’t go to the Presbyterian Church here in Burlington. Sounded good to me, so here we came, and after being chased down the hall by Mark Wells after checking the spot on the welcome pad “Interested in Joining”, we joined with another couple. And here we are some 20 years later, and still loving it.

Our faith has helped us to be Elders, Deacons, teach Sunday School (including me as a Jr. High teacher and making it through all those interesting questions of the Jr. Highers). Cooking Easter Breakfast for those 20 odd years. And my favorite is cooking for the folks at the Dwelling Place.

Every class of new members is asked about their faith journey. Mine was simple. I moved from Lexington Street to Cambridge Street, from the oldest to one of the newest churches in Burlington. Boring, but before I met Jean, my faith had floundered a bit, and she gave me some new direction.

After losing my job of 30 years, faith directed my family to caring for those 200 plus kids we’ve had.

Believe me when I say these kids can test your faith, but with prayer and the Lord’s guidance, we seem to get through it.

After Vickie died, I thought my life was over, but faith kept me going and God sent Barbara back to us, along with Ryan. Although it’s not the same, it kept us going and once again the direction changed and faith played a huge part of it.

Faith is a funny thing. Just when you think you have lost it, there it is again. Our faith has been rattled by the Commonwealth many times, but faith has kept us on track and still doing what we love to do.

Our commitment to all these kids has been unwavering and even those who tested our faith to the extreme limits still remain in our hearts.

You can really make a difference in the world, even if it is only one child at a time, and that’s what we’ve come to understand.

Former First Lady Hilary Clinton wrote the book, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child” and she is correct. You are our village, and we thank you all for that.

You renew our faith every time we come to this village.

We seem to be continually asking for God’s help to overcome fear and resistance. At any step our belief in God has us praying all the time. It might not be the drop down on your knees type of prayer all the time, but simple requests for guidance.

Remembering Whitey Graham

By now you’ve joined the shock and sadness over Whitey’s sudden death, of a heart attack brought on by aneurysm while he was working in Cambridge yesterday. Jean, Alex, Andrew, Christopher, Barbara and little Ryan and Darryl are buoying up one another together with the many folks calling and coming to the door.

The plans for remembering Whitey are these:
There will be visiting hours at the Sullivan Home (43 Winn Str., Burlington), Monday, 4-8 (followed by Masonic service).
The funeral will be at Burlington Presbyterian Church (335 Cambridge St., Burlington) Tuesday, 11 am, followed by burial at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, then a reception at St. Malachy’s Church (99 Bedford Street St., Burlington).

Betty Doubek will be coordinating the reception.

You might remember that Whitey was scheduled to be “guest” preacher for this Sunday. By God’s grace, Whitey had already finished preparing his sermon–and it will be the basis of the message Sunday. I will be there, rather than away.

I hope that many of you will be able to be there, too. It is a time when many in our church family will be need the reminder of the strength of our bonds in Christ.

Whitey Graham

We received news today that Whitey Graham died of a heart attack at 1 pm, July 9th. Whitey was a beloved member of Burlington Presbyterian. We will update as soon as we have information on what services and remembrances will be held for Whitey. Please hold Whitey’s family in your prayers.