We regret to announce the death of Rev. Robert Williams, founding minister of Beacon United, on July 29 in Woodstock, Ontario, and extend our sincere condolences to his wife, Zelma and all the family.
THIS WEEK:
Pause to remember the Anniversary of the atomic bombs dropped by the U.S. military on two Japanese cities:
August 6 th, 1945 on Hiroshima caused 66,000 (est) immediate deaths
August 9 th, 1945 on Nagasaki caused 39,000 (est) immediate deaths, followed by many thousands more dying from severe injuries and radiation sickness. May our world leaders find the path to peace.
Wednesday Aug. 6th 7:00pm Worship Committee meets(L)
NEXT SUNDAY: August 10th Scripture Readings: Genesis 37: 1-4, 12-28, Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b, Romans 10: 5-15, Matthew 14: 22-33.
10:45 am Favourite Hymns
11:00 am Family Worship, Sunday School with Holy Communion.
COMING UP
Sunday Aug. 17th Radio Broadcast/Sermon Circle
11 am worship will be heard on CJLS at 6 pm and will be followed at 7.30 pm by a Sermon Circle, here at Beacon United. Everyone is welcome to gather and share their reactions to the morning sermon. Light refreshments will be served.
Official Board: Message to Congregation
For many years, Beacon United Church has been running a deficit in our yearly operating budget. We have been fortunate that we have had reserve funds we could use. At a congregational meeting a few years ago, the congregational members present asked the Official Board to examine the financial situation at Beacon because it was felt that a plan needed to be put in place, recognizing that we could not live off our reserve funds forever and that our current facility far exceeds our needs for worship and conducting the business of our church family. The Official Board appointed a Financial Planning Committee made up of representatives of various groups within the church. On Sunday, July 6, the Financial Planning Committee submitted its report to the Official Board. The members of the Official Board felt it was important to keep congregational members informed about what was discussed and what decisions were made.
The Official Board decided to take the following action to begin to alleviate our current financial crisis:
• Ask the Stewardship Committee to investigate the follow-up program to the Celebrate Stewardship campaign that was held in the fall of 2006.
• Ask the Stewardship Committee to look at the idea of sending letters to non-attendees or non-residents on a regular basis informing them of special financial campaigns.
• Rental fees will be raised 10% beginning on September 1, 2008.
• Non-paying groups will be informed about our financial crisis and asked to contribute what they can.
• Ask the Board of Stewards to consider an efficiency test of our heating system.
• Encourage regular presentations during worship services on stewardship matters.
• Allow ThYARC to investigate our property to determine if they would be interested in purchasing it. A spokesperson was appointed to begin dialogue with representatives of ThYARC.
• To invite other churches to think about the possibility of sharing a church building. This would mean two churches functioning as separate congregations within one building.
Some of these recommendations may seem drastic but the board members present felt that we need to begin looking at cost-cutting and fund-raising matters in a more aggressive and substantial way than we have in the past. The larger issue at hand is the practicality of our present structure in relation to the size of our congregation.
The Official Board will be keeping the congregation informed about all these matters. If you wish to respond to any of these actions or have any thoughts or ideas, please contact me at 742-6252 or Leslie Robinson at 742-5051. Janet M. Sollows Chair of the Official Board
Can you help? Sunday Coffee Hosts needed: if you can do one or more weeks, please sign up on sheet in Parlour today.
Bulletin Dedications: are available for 2008, if you would like to dedicate one or more weeks please see Donna in the Church Office.
Name Tags: Newcomers to Beacon really appreciate knowing your name. Please help them to feel welcome by wearing your name-tag every Sunday.
Change for Change: Please remember to empty your pocket change in the Change for Change jar in the church Narthex. Saving change at home and bringing it each week is a great way to help too. Money will be used by the Sunday School for outreach projects.
Canadian Bible Society requests if you have any stamps , please
bring them in and put in box in the Narthex.
Shawl Ministry Beacon’s Shawl Ministry is now operating and all knitters of the congregation are invited to be part of this project. If you would like more information on how to get started, please contact the Church Office 742-4320. This is a Pastoral Care Team initiative.
