The Beacon
Newsletter
January 12, 2023 Volume 65, No 2
This Sunday: January 15, 2023
Theme & Title:
As Brethren we aim to “continue the work of Jesus, peacefully, simply, together.” On January 15 we will gather to celebrate the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the great peacemakers of our time. Dr. King’s principles center around the concept of nonviolence and social justice; social justice we understand, and have ideas on how it might be pursued. Nonviolence can be trickier: is there a way to think of this outside of physical violence?
In his “Letter from Birmingham Jail” Dr. King helps us understand nonviolence in a different way, as direct action creating a tension that forces negotiation; negotiation by definition being nonviolent:
“Nonviolent direct action seeks to create such a crisis and foster such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue. It seeks so to dramatize the issue that it can no longer be ignored. My citing the creation of tension as part of the work of the nonviolent resister may sound rather shocking. But I must confess that I am not afraid of the word "tension." I have earnestly opposed violent tension, but there is a type of constructive, nonviolent tension which is necessary for growth.”
Join us next Sunday to learn more, including the witness of the Freedom Riders of the 1960s. Please read Ephesians 2:13–22 and Romans 12:1–2 to prepare.
Donna Kline
Sunday, January 15
9:30 a.m. Eat and Meet
10:30 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. Anne Ott (Parlor)
Monday, January 16
Tuesday, January 17
5:30 p.m. Sophia’s Portico: “I am Love” class
7:00 p.m. Staff Relations meeting
Wednesday, January 18
9:30 a.m. Food Bank
Thursday, January 19
11:30 a.m. Worship Preview meeting
6:30 p.m. Choir Practice
Friday, January 20
Church Office closed.
7:00 p.m. Church Board Retreat
Saturday, January 21
9:00 a.m. Church Board Retreat
Pastor Anna Lisa is out of the office from Saturday, Jan 7 to Thursday, Jan 19. Please contact Deb Romary and the Care team with any care giving needs.
Remember to check the Breeze calendar for upcoming events and activities!
Weekly Announcements
Regular office hours are now Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Meet and Eat is available online - gather in the "Worship and Gatherings" zoom room (the one we used for a couple years for worship) at 9:30am. If you prefer casual conversation, enjoy the Fellowship Hall.
On Friday, Jan 20, the Board gathers in a special location (see your email) from 7-9 pm for gourmet cheesecake and thoughtful, fresh activities. Then we'll get down to business on Saturday at the church building from 9am-3pm. The whole 2023 Board is listed in the body of your Beacon email if you're curious!
Last Sunday, during Meet & Eat, we emptied the giant stocking of socks! They were sorted into groups based on size, and are on their way to help keep folks warm this season.
Statistics 1/8/2023
Worship 69
Offering 1/1/2023 $2,392.00
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Food Bank on January 11:
17 Families served
57 Individuals in families
Another Way of Living
Over the next six Sundays, Beacon Heights is shaking off these dreary weeks of winter by traveling across multiple continents and more than 315 years of history! Join us in person or on Zoom as we connect our theological roots with the ways we can follow Jesus today. What is most relevant and vital of our Brethren heritage and theology for Beacon Heights today?
This Sunday, January 15, Meet & Eat will gather in the parlor for a history class that explores the political clashes and state religions of the German region in early 1700s that drove eight persons to risk their lives against their government and to create Another Way of Living. Worship will weave together the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and others as we reflect on how we can follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
On January 22, guest speaker Jonathan Shively and Pastor Anna Lisa will continue the series by looking at the peculiarities of the Brethren, not just the masculine denominational name or the practice of wearing plain clothes, but the ways we are known by our work and our ways. Small sheets of paper will be provided for notetaking during worship and used during Meet & Eat the following week to help us focus our thinking and discussion.
On January 28-29 our pastoral candidate will be introduced to Beacon Heights members and friends through fellowship and worship. Join us in the Fellowship Hall at 7:00 on Saturday evening for dessert and conversation and then again Sunday morning in person or on Zoom for Meet & Eat at 9:30, Worship at 10:30 with a carry-in lunch immediately following and, finally, Church Council during which the congregation votes on calling the candidate. Be sure to save this date! Additional details will be coming soon.
On Sunday, February 5, the Education Commission invites all children and their families to gather during the Meet & Eat time before worship to discuss Sunday School curriculum, expectations, and etiquette.
Walk/Run Opportunity:
YWCA Northeast Indiana is having a Race Against Racism 5k on Saturday, April 29. If any of you would like to participate in this event with a focus on building health equity, you could:
Sponsor the event
Register as a Walker or a Runner (We could make a Beacon Heights team!)
Make a Donation on behalf of someone on the Beacon Heights team
Funds raised are for Racial Justice organizing in our community.
You can find information, registration, or donation info here:
Next Sunday: January 22, 2023
Theme & Title: Peculiarly: Another Way of Living
We are to be “known by the manner of our living” as Church of the Brethren. It used to mean plain clothes and insular/tight community. What does it mean today? What from our faith heritage and theology is most relevant and vital for us, today?
Please read Romans 12: 2-8 to prepare.
Pastor Anna Lisa Gross
Published by Beacon Heights
Church of the Brethren
Editor: Melinda Long
Phone: (260) 482-8595
Email: office@beaconheights.net