FEBRUARY 2011 NEWSLETTER
BURNT FACTORY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
STEPHENSON, VIRGINIA 22656
PASTOR C. STEVEN MELESTER
Our Mission Statement: “Sharing the love of Christ with all people.”
“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Recently on the radio, I heard a sage observation, “Christianity has only two gears, forward and reverse.
No neutral and definitely no park.” Perhaps I should exclaim, “Get it in gear,” (I have heard that a few times).
For God’s people to grow closer to Him, it requires movement. God is always reaching to us, and the church
should be promoting and nurturing its members to reach to God. A new opportunity is coming to Burnt
Factory.
Starting Wednesday, March 16th, we will begin a Wednesday night program. It will begin at 6:30 with a
casual half-hour worship service in the sanctuary. We will begin with prayer and singing. The Lay speakers of
our church will take turns offering a meditation; and we will close with more singing and prayer. The worship
service is another means of grace to connect with our Lord and His people.
After the service, various classes and studies will be offered from 7:00 to 8:00. Initially we will have two
classes. Scott Snyder will be moderating a class titled, Suffering in Christianity, based on the book, If God Is
Good, by Randy Alcorn.
The second offering is Methodist Heritage. The class will include our Wesleyan history and how the
United Methodist Church came to being as well as the history of Burnt Factory UMC. How the United
Methodist Church is structured; what is a “connectional system”; where does the money go from the offering
plate; what do we believe; and what are UMC stances on social issues are a few of the topics that will be
covered.
Sign-up sheets will be available February 6th. As the Spirit leads us, more classes will be offered to
include small groups and Youth. Come to worship, come to fellowship.
Don’t forget the ongoing opportunities of Sunday School. No offense to Pastor Steve, but Sunday School
offers you the chance to talk back and explore your faith with friends and family. In the social hall, Pastor Jay
Hanke is continuing a DVD series with the current topic of Jesus’ Life and Ministry. Pastor Steve will be starting
a new study, 40 Days of Fruitful Living (Robert Schnase), beginning February 27th, located in his basement office.
The Young Adults are currently studying, When Christians Get It Wrong (Adam Hamilton). There are classes for
Elementary, Middle and High School ages. Join the other 60 – 70 members who are learning together.
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). What is your
“new”? Many opportunities are before you, and all of them will be left unfilled until you make your move.
Thanks be to Him who never changes and never stops changing you and me into the likeness of Christ.
In Christ,
Rob
CHURCH EMAIL LIST
ARE YOU RECEIVING CHURCH EMAILS?
Church Emails provide a weekly list of meetings and events going on within the church, messages from
the Pastor or important messages or reminders from the church and also a way to find out about
schedule changes during bad weather. Your Email address is protected and Emails are sent, recipients
not disclosed, to protect your privacy. If your Email has changed or you just want to get on board, send
an Email to me, john.k.roberts@comcast.net. Just put “LIST ME” in the subject line and I’ll do the rest.
THANKS, KEITH ROBERTS
Johnny and Darlene Morrison and family in the passing of their daughter-in-law
Beverly Michelle Nethers
who went to be with the Lord on Tuesday January 25, 2011.
Know that your family at Burnt Factory holds you in our hearts with love and caring.
Hello Church,
Over the past several years, we have had injuries and illnesses amongst our church family, sometimes
requiring medical equipment. Some of you may have durable medical goods (walkers, tub benches, etc.)
stored in your attic or basement. We are making up a list of available equipment that you would be willing to
lend or donate as needed. Due to lack of storage space please do not bring any items to the church. Simply
email me at kcooper@visuallink.com and your item will be added to a central list. Please indicate whether
you would like to loan or donate each item listed. If you have questions as to whether an item is appropriate
for this list, you may call me at 662-4440. Thank you for your support.
Blessings, Barbara Cooper
A Confirmation Class is now forming. If your child is in the 6th grade or higher
and you would like them to participate, please contact Rob Moss, 540-303-7161
or ram288@comcast.net.
5th
8th
11th
12th
14th
16th
Sonny Sibert
Charlie Shepley
Buddy Willis
Jim Livengood
Amanda Simmers
John Nevitte Renner
18th
19th
20th
21st
22nd
25th
Ruth Ann Snyder
Ed Cooper
Barbara Cooper, Rhonda Snyder, Evan Taylor
Chris Kennicott
Chad Earhart, John Butcher
Shelly Snider
14th Bob & Kathy Hunt
Ron & Jo Anne Baker
18th Tim & Michelle Hardee
21st Fred & Rhonda Snyder
Nurture News
The Nurture Committee recently met on a snowy January evening and made some dates and
plans for this year. Some upcoming dates to keep in mind are March 16 is the beginning of
Burnt Factory’s Wednesday night worship and Bible study. More details in the March
newsletter. Movie Night will be on March 18. “Letters to God” will be the feature movie.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Can you do this puzzle…
LOVE IS...
All except one of the Words of Love hidden in this puzzle can
be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Words can be found in any direction.
Can you find them all?
PATIENT
KIND
TRUSTS
PROTECTS
NOT RUDE
NOT PROUD
NEVER FAILS
AGAPE
PERSEVERES
HOPES
TRUTH
DOES NOT ENVY
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
We were glad to finally get our postponed December meeting in! We met at Pat Perry’s “still decorated” home on
January 13 with Ruby Beck as co-hostess. Thanks, Pat, for leaving your decorations up so we could still be in the spirit of
Christmas!
We made our annual contributions, (which were a little late) to the following groups: ARC, C-CAP, Special Love, Abba
Pregnancy Care Center, The Laurel Center and Henry & William Evans Home. We gave Dolores Knight a UMW pin in
honor of her 15 years of dedicated service as Parish Nurse.
We will honor the UMM with a Sweetheart Dinner at the Ruritan Building on Saturday, February 19 at 6p.m.
Our committee is Melanie Melester, Theresa Seddon, Nancy Hulver, Rachel Hayton, Norma Duvall and Cindy
Miiller. Watch for a sign-up sheet in the social hall.
Angela Renner revealed our prayer partners for 2010 and we chose new ones for the coming year. Look for a
separate article in this newsletter regarding Prayer Partners.
Mark your calendar for the Prayer Breakfast to be held March 5 at Lee-Jackson. Bring canned goods again to
build a centerpiece at our table. They will be presented to Rev. Keary Kincannon, the guest speaker, for his
ministry at Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church in Alexandria. Special music will be The
Ambassadors of Joy from Strasburg United Methodist Church. Tickets are $11. Melanie will take your
money.
Our next meeting on Thursday, February 17, will be the Call to Prayer program by Susie Gerometta. An offering will be
taken to send in to the district. It will be held in the social hall with Audrey Thomas, hostess, and Nancy Hulver will serve
as co-hostess. We look forward to having lots attending this meeting. Ask someone who hasn’t been coming. We
welcome new members! Remember to ask someone to ride with you! Carpooling is better than coming alone and several
don’t drive at night.
-Polly Duvall, president
From a branch on the Vine,
Being on the job a few months now, I have been to a few meetings. With any “business”
meeting, I am concerned that the goal of the gathering is kept in focus. We all drift to tangents
(every 15 seconds in the high school Sunday school class). Yet, I am continually amazed in
these meetings to see the focus remain on Christ and the mission of our church, Sharing the
Love of Christ with ALL People – with each person who God sends through our doors and into
our lives. It lifts me, challenges me and inspires me to honor God and my church family.
Burnt Factory is growing because we have someone to focus on and unite us. God gave us
His son, Jesus Christ. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was
life, and that life was the light of all mankind (John 1:3-4). It is because of Jesus we have a reason to gather, a purpose in
our actions, a mission to the world, and a promise of life, complete and full, in Heaven.
In every action you take, please remember the focus. I say this to myself. I have caught myself working on activities just
to complete tasks. Lord forgive me when I elevate my works over their purpose. If our goal is to be the body of Christ,
then the dinners, the diapers, the donations, the school kits, the offerings are a means to show love. If I give all I possess to
the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing (1st Corinthians 13:3).
We gain so much by embracing and showing the love of Christ.
To the members and visitors of Burnt Factory: Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.” (John 6:28-29). Believe in Jesus and become
a new creation with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thank you to the old and new at Burnt Factory for putting Christ first. The joy of God has come to you. Go and show it
to your world.
In Christ,
Rob
Spiritual Formation
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
God has blessed us with a good start this year with our chili making at Stonewall Ruritan.
There were 27 people making and packaging 54 quarts of chili for C-CAP on January 17th.
Thanks to Jack for delivering it on Tuesday, January 18th. I would like to thank everyone who
donated items for this great project and all the good help.
Outreach had their first meeting for the year on February 1st with a good turn out. We discussed our up and coming
projects. We will be sending care packages to our college students, which we will pack on Saturday, March 19th at 10a.m.
in the church social hall. Anyone wishing to help with this task is more than welcome. There are sixteen students on a list
that will be posted on the bulletin board in the social hall. If you know of anyone we have missed, please let me know.
March will be the quarterly collection of items for C-Cap and the Laurel Center. Those collection dates will be
March 20th and 27th.
Our next Outreach meeting will be March 22nd at 7:00 p.m. in the church social hall.
I am happy about working with all of you after seeing how much this Committee is committed to outreach
ministries.
God be with you all,
Ron Baker, Chairman
PRAYER PARTNERS
Isn’t it comforting to know someone is praying for you? That’s why we have prayer
partners among the women in our church. First and foremost, the purpose is to pray for that
person.
We have opened this up for the last couple of years to go outside the UMW membership and include others.
So, some of you may be participating for the first time. We have approximately 50 on the list.
When you drew a name, you were given her birth date as well as an anniversary, if applicable. As joys and
concerns are expressed during worship, this is a good time to know what might be happening in your prayer
partner’s life and present a wonderful opportunity for a card, a small gift or a call without revealing that she is
your prayer partner. If you would like to remember them at Easter and Mother’s Day, there are opportunities
through the church to purchase a flower.
Please remember to pray for your partner and once in a while you may want to let them know through a card,
etc. that they are in your thoughts. Just keep it simple!
The first 2011 Burnt Factory Church Council meeting will be held on Tuesday
February 15th at 7:00 PM. All our committees have met and have begun to make great
plans for our church to begin another Christ led year. I would like to take this
opportunity to invite all who may be interested in the operations of our Church to come. I ask that the Chairs and/or CoChair of every committee try to be present or send a report from their committee.
I would also like to thank the past Chair of our Council, Tom Duvall, and all the Committee Chairs who served. Certainly
without the guidance of Steve and the Holy Spirit all that we accomplished would have been impossible. It is only because
of these Servants of God that our Church has been led in a wonderful direction.
May the Peace of God be with each of you,
Pat Perry
Council Chair
2011 began with a regular meeting at Greenwood with the topic of living the Christian life outside of church.
The Lord blessed us with 30 youth - we have a community. Our vine is growing, and it will continue as long as
we stay connected to Jesus and His body, our home churches. Don’t let us forget!
When you think of Youth, does the image of kids strumming guitars around a campfire, singing Kum ba yah
come to mind? Paintball is almost like that. 24 combatants braved the mud and snow just for the opportunity to
get a big welt from being shot. It was a great time with strategy and teamwork, and the chance to brag about your
wounds. Thanks Brad for giving up your body; sorry about your neck, David.
On a serious note, the Youth will be participating in World Vision’s 30 hour Famine March 4th – 5th. The kids
pledge to skip three meals, feed others, and raise funds for the hungry in Haiti. More details will follow. We ask
for your support in prayer and giving. If your day is consumed with finding food, there is no time for school, a
job, a better life. Please help us change a part of the world.
Youth Upcoming events
February 6th
February 20th
March 4/5th
Super Bowl Party at Brucetown
5:30 – ?
Bring a can of food for CCAP, and a snack to share
Meeting at Burnt Factory
4:30 – 6:30
30 Hour Famine
Fill my cup, Lord
Burnt Factory
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
2~9:30am-12:30pm
Church Office Hours
February 2011
5:30 to End of Game
Youth Super Bowl
Party at Brucetown
13~8:30am-Worship
9:45am-S. S.
11:00am-Worship
Blood Pressure Clinic
7
3
8
7pm-Finance
Committee Meeting
at Sonny Perry’s
9~9:30am-12:30pm
Church Office Hours
10
Charlie Shepley-B
6:30pm-Choir
14
Bob & Kathy Hunt-A
Ron & Jo Anne Baker-A
15
16~9:30am-12:30pm
Church Office Hours
20~8:30am-Worship
9:45am-S. S.
11:00am-Worship
21
Barbara Cooper-B
Rhonda Snyder-B
Evan Taylor-B
Chris Kennicott-B
17
John Nevitte Renner-B
Amanda Simmers-B
6:30pm-Choir
4:30-6:30pm-Youth
Meeting at BFUMC
27~8:30am-Worship
9:45am-S. S.
11:00am-Worship
Thursday
Friday
4~PRINT
NEWSLETTER
Saturday
5
Sonny Sibert-B
7pm-Outreach
Meeting
6~8:30am-Worship
9:45am-S. S.
11:00am-Worship
BF Pantry Collection
Church Calendar
7pm-Church
Council Meeting
22
7pm-UMW
Meet in
Social Hall
23~9:30am-12:30pm
Church Office Hours
24
11
12
Buddy Willis-B
Jim Livengood-B
18
Tim & Michelle
Hardee-A
19~ 8am-UMM Breakfast
Meeting
Ed Cooper-B
Ruth Ann Snyder-B
6pmSweetheart
Dinner at
Stonewall Ruritan
25
26
Fred & Rhonda Snyder-A
6:30pm-Choir
28~Newsletter articles to
Charly today thru 3/2
6:30pm-Choir
Chad Earhart-B
John Butcher-B
Shelly Snider-B
REMEMBER ~ A “B” after a person’s name stands for “Birthday.”
AND
An “A” after a couple’s names stands for “Anniversary.”
SOME WORDS OF WISDOM BY ANDY ROONEY
THESE ARE WRITTEN BY ANDY ROONEY, A MAN WHO HAS THE GIFT OF SAYING SO MUCH WITH SO FEW WORDS:
I’ve Learned…That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
I’ve Learned…That when you’re in love, it shows.
I’ve Learned…That just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!’ makes my day.
I’ve Learned…That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
I’ve Learned…That being kind is more important than being right.
I’ve Learned…That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
I’ve Learned…That I can always pray for someone when I don’t have the strength to help in some other way.
I’ve Learned…That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
I’ve Learned…That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
I’ve Learned…That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did
wonders for me as an adult.
C. Stephen Melester, Pastor
Burnt Factory United Methodist Church
1943 Jordan Springs Road
P. O. Box 399
Stephenson, VA 22656
Tele. (540) 667-4993
www.burntfactory.org
BURNT FACTORY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY
2011
Charlene P. Kammerer, Resident Bishop
Virginia Conference
Richmond, Virginia
Larry R. Thompson, Jr., District Superintendent
Winchester, VA 22601
www.winchesterdistrictumc.org