This 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

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!

Carpet installation next week!

Beginning on Monday, June 10, and continuing at least through Wednesday, new carpeting will be installed in the entryway, offices, and hallway behind the sanctuary. Both pastors and Alexis will be working from home so please use their personal phones or emails to contact them as needed.  

For safety reasons, the north entry will not be available on Monday or Tuesday. On Wednesday, the south entry will be available for access to the basement only. The church office is closed all week. 

To prepare the space, we are needing some help. If you are not attending the picnic after worship on Sunday and can help move items out of the area to be recarpeted, immediately after worship please look for Linda Wolf who will provide directions on where to place them. 

Thank you to each and everyone for your support of this big project! Contributions of suggestions, questions, finances, physical assistance, encouragement, and patience have made this part of ReFRESH possible! 

Need additional information? Please contact Carol Lindquisr or Dave Wysong via email or phone.

May 2024 Food Bank Statistics

Open 5 Wednesdays

Families served: 111

Individuals served: 301

Food donations

Beacon Heights: 422 lbs.

Associated Churches: 960 lbs.

Other Churches: 940 lbs.

In addition, Beacon Heights shoppers spent $1551.41 for 1313 lbs.

28 Beacon Heights Food Bank volunteers spent 177 hrs. to keep the Food Bank operating in May

Thank you to all the April 2024 volunteers

Brandon Fox, Brenda Galbraith, Braydon Fox, Kathy Schmidt, Sharon Heitz, Jan Lung, Maurie Sperry, Dianne Lung, Mary Whitehead, Jeanie Lantz, Ev Kilgore, Lois Guess, Susan Harroff, Tom Coursen, Rachel Harroff, MaryJane Coursen, Kyla Harroff, Tom Bever, Sean Harroff, Ruth Ann Bever, Kyla Zehr, Dena Corey, Sandy Kiracofe, Paula Urich, Kris Bohnstedt-Thorn, Barb Bohnstedt-Thorn, Bill Hollenberg, Amy Hollenberg

Auditions for The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church

a comedy by Bo Wilson

The roads are flooded, the bridges are washed out, and less generous souls are staying safely indoors, but it takes more than a little rain to keep the ladies of the Charitable Sisterhood from fulfilling their sworn mission. Bea Littleton is the pastor’s wife; Lorraine Jensen is the tireless mother of nine; Tina Yates is the transplanted Yankee; and Janet Murchison is the newest arrival. When these ladies meet to organize a relief effort for homeless Guatemalans, they are greeted with a small mountain of community donations—but one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure, and that pile of stuff in this little church basement is hiding a thing or two. Come sit in on this month’s meeting in the basement of Second Trinity Victory Church; our five angels of mercy will leave you breathless with laughter as they do their best to help the victims of global disaster, spiritual deprivation and, most of all, one another. A hilarious and heartwarming play!

Cast Requirements
5 women ages 20-60
2 men for voice over roles
Southern accent required one woman will also need a NJ accent.

Auditions are June 29 at 2pm at Lincolnshire Church of the Brethren.
Visit https://lcobtheater.wixsite.com/lcob-theater/events/audition-registration to sign up for auditions.

If you have any questions, contact Jane Matarese at lcobtheater@gmail.com or text

260-240-9575.

Next SUNDAY: June 16, 2024

Theme:  Standing by the Side of the Bed

Come along for the ride! We’re going to do a deep dive into Jesus’ Prayer (aka The Lord’s Prayer). This is week one of three in a series. But don’t worry if you need to miss a week! While they will connect, the focus for each week stands alone, too. For Week One, we will explore the phrase, “Abba God, hallowed be your Name!” Like – what does that even mean? And how does it relate to our daily living? Pastor Paula plans to lead the children in something interactive for the Children’s Time during worship; and we’ll also encounter the scripture in different ways through word and music. 

To prepare, please read:  Luke 11:1-4.

Pastor Paula Ulrich

Published by Beacon Heights
Church of the Brethren

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

We have two email lists for news: the Beacon (which you're reading) and the Local Congregation (which includes worship information and other announcements). Contact the Office to be added or removed from either list. We also have a private email prayer chain (active participants may contact the Office to opt-in.)