The Beacon

May 31, 2024 Volume 66, No 22

This SUNDAY: June 2, 2024

Theme: Let the Silence Speak

The Holy Spirit can break into our world through our favorite song or during a savored silence. With beautiful promises in poetry and song, we gather to discover the refuge of stillness and rest, surrendering the work (at least for an hour) to God.

To prepare, please read: Psalm 62:5-12.

Pastor Anna Lisa Gross

Sunday, June 2
9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat
10:30 a.m. Worship
12:00 p.m. BICYCLE Ride
Just Neighbors Meals and Drive Begins

Monday, June 3
7:00 p.m. Worship Team Meeting

Tuesday, June 4
12:30 p.m. Spirit Journey Women
7:00 p.m. Education Commission
Office Open 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Wednesday, June 5
9:30-11:30 a.m. Food Bank
Office Open 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Thursday, June 6
11:30 a.m. Worship Preview Meeting
Office Open 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Friday, June 7
Pastor Paula’s Day Off

Saturday, June 8
12:00-3:30 p.m. Fort Wayne Solar Congress

Sunday, June 9
9:30 a.m. Meet & Eat
10:30 a.m. Worship

Remember to check the Breeze calendar for upcoming events and activities!

Worship on 5/26/2024:

In-person attendance 55
Offering 5/19 $6605.00

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Food Bank on 5/29/2024:

Individuals served: 38

Families served: 19

**Remembering Mary E. Cox**
Pastor Anna Lisa joined the Cox family for prayer at the local family gathering on May 29th. All are welcome to share remembrances on the funeral home’s website. Thank you to those who shared financial gifts with the family.

Meet & Eat

sanctuary space conversations

In 2025, our ReFresh Team will be focusing on changes to the sanctuary, which will at least include new flooring. But what else might renovations include? And will that impact what kind of flooring we want? Are there ways that our sanctuary might more closely reflect our values of community and inclusion? Are there ways that it could be more inviting to families and young children -- or more accessible to those with specific needs? Join Pastor Paula for the next two Sundays (June 2 and 9) to think about our space together. Session 1 will include a very brief history about Church of the Brethren meeting spaces and their evolution. But mostly, we will have small group conversations to explore what we love about our space, and what might be changed to better suit our needs today as a 21st century congregation. We will begin in the parlor at 9:30 sharp both Sundays, and then move to the sanctuary for further reflection and conversation. The two sessions, although related, are not the same. And please note, given our theology of community discernment: any significant or structural change to our sanctuary must be approved by our congregation in a council meeting. That's one reason for us to have these conversations -- peacefully, simply, and together! Please come!

What’s Up with ReFRESH?

Now that the pre-school has concluded and summer weather has arrived, ReFRESH is moving into full swing! Some changes can now be seen in the narthex and during the week of June 10, new carpet will be installed in the entryway, hallway, and offices. To assist with the carpet installation, on June 9 we are asking folks to help move furniture from the narthex and entryway areas to the fellowship hall before heading to the church picnic at Lions Park. Items from the offices will be placed in the parlor. We may need help on Thursday evening to put things back in their proper locations and will notify you if that is the case. Watch for an email that will be sent to the congregation on June 6 with more details about available entryways and rooms, etc., while the carpet is being replaced. We expect both pastors and Alexis to work from home during the carpet installation but the Food Bank will be open as usual.

Thank you for being patient and supportive as the ReFRESH creates an inevitable disruption.

Soon you will see new stair treads in the south entrance as well as new lights and floor repairs in the north entry. Next should be the long-awaited upgrades to the restrooms.

**Seeking Assistant Office Manager at Beacon Heights**
Please consider applying or spread the word to anyone you know who might be interested and would be great for this position. Requirements include:
Regularly working one day a week in the office for 6 hours at $16 per hour.
Serving as a substitute for Alexis when she is away for vacation, etc.
Becoming familiar with our regular office routines and creating the bulletin and slide show every week.
Computer skills (Microsoft Suite – Word and Publisher, and Google Slides).
**Please speak with Dave Wysong if you are interested.**

A message from david radcliff

Dear friends in Christ,

It was so good being with you again a few Sundays back. Forgive me for taking so long to sed this note, but I’ve been traveling ever since.

Thank you for inviting me to join with you for worship. I always find your services inspiring and the people engaged of heart and mind. A special thanks to those who planned and led the service—gifts like this make a big difference to groups like ours.

Blessings on your ministries in your own community and far beyond.

Sincerely,

David Radcliff
In regard to the honorarium issued in April 2024

**Weekly Food Bank Update**
Thank you for all your donations! **Currently, the most needed items are pancake mix and dried rice.** Monetary donations are also appreciated.
**Shoppers are needed for July and August 2024, if you would like to sign-up! The sign-up sheet is located on the office countertop.**

**Service to Families in Need:** Our Beacon Heights fellowship continues to support families transitioning through homelessness at *Just Neighbors: Interfaith Homeless Network.* We will be providing dinners at the Just Neighbors home a few blocks from Church on **June 2, 3, 4**. This will be the second of 3 rotations this year. Please be part of the team providing meal items on one of those evenings. Food dishes will be dropped off, in nonreturnable containers, at the IHN administration office 2925 E. State, back door off of Santa Rosa, prior to 5:00 PM each day. Staff can reheat as needed. Currently nine families (24 individuals) are in shelter. Other supplies are always appreciated, such as bathroom tissue, cleaning supplies, diapers, lunch food, and can be dropped off at Church or directly to Just Neighbors-IHN. Click this link for the full donation wish list. https://www.ihnfamily.org/wish-list.php
Sign up on the poster at church or contact Mark/Barb Beck at 637-2144 or 403-6220 or email markabeck@hotmail.com with questions or to volunteer.

**Solar Congress**
Did you know that we're hosting a Solar Congress? Saturday, June 8 from 12-3:30pm. Come for all or for part. Come to learn more about Community Solar. Come to support Brian Flory's work. Come to meet people who might want to come back to Beacon St. other times, too!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fort-wayne-solar-congress-registration-880328344777

**Vigil for Gaza**
We gather to honor innocent lives lost since October 7th, 5-6pm in the Geo Garden (NE of Kettler Hall) at Purdue Fort Wayne, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd.
All are welcome.

Please respond to Mary Whitehead (mary@dmwhitehead.com) by June 10 if you plan to attend. Drivers are needed for carpooling. Please let Mary know if you are willing to take a group if needed.

It’s time to reserve your Tin Caps Tickets! Come see the Tincaps play the Dayton Dragons on Saturday, June 29, 6:35 p.m. at Parkview Field! Enjoy the game and fireworks with your Beacon Heights friends.
Tickets are just $14 for adults and, thanks to the Education Commission, $7 for children. Please text (260-341-2965) or email Ruth Ann Bever (ruthann.bever@gmail.com)_ how many tickets you need . **We need to finalize the number by June 12, so get your orders in as soon as possible!**

**B.I.C.Y.C.L.E.**
The first Beacons Intergenerational Cycling (Yes Cycling) League of Enthusiasts ride is Sunday, June 2. We’ll leave from the church after the service and ride the River Greenway towards New Haven. Bring a packed lunch that you can eat at the church before the ride. Hope to see you then! For more information, you can contact Brian Zehr at (260)433-6244.

This summer is a great time for us in Northern Indiana to appreciate one of the Church of the Brethren's gifts: Song and Story Fest. This is a week of music, storytelling, hikes, swimming, new friends, old friends (or whatever you like to do at a camp) with really good homemade food. Come for all or part: July 7-13, 2024 Camp Brethren Heights, Rodney, Michigan.
Pastor Anna Lisa is one of the storytellers, along with hot shots like Susan Boyer and Jonathan Hunter - who will knock your socks off! Plus fantastic musicians like Chris Good (married to Heidi Beck, who grew up at Beacon Heights) and Greg & Rhonda Baker (Rhonda grew up at Beacon Heights).
Read more at https://www.onearthpeace.org/song_and_story_fest_2024

Next SUNDAY: June 9, 2024

Theme: What to do with light and dark?

Scriptures, hymns, poetry, and our own speech are full of light and dark metaphor and imagery. This summer solstice, as we celebrate long days and (hopefully) joyous weather, let’s wonder together about the blessings and burdens of using light=good and dark=bad. We know it’s more complicated than that - and we know this language supports racism and colorism in our subconscious. What nuance can we find in scripture and in our lives?

https://www.christiancentury.org/article/features/should-we-avoid-liturgical-language-light-and-dark

To prepare, please read: Isaiah 25: 4; Revelations 21:3-5, 22-24.

Pastor Anna Lisa Gross

Published by Beacon Heights
Church of the Brethren

Editor: Alexis Shoda
Phone: (260) 482-8595
Email: office@beaconheights.net

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