2018 has been a year of milestones for Melanie and I, for we both turned 60 and we will also celebrate our 40th anniversary on September 9th. I know what you are thinking; Melanie looks so much younger! And you would be right!! We have been very blessed over the years and those blessings have included a loving family, good health, great friends and most especially -- a loving church that has embraced and supported us for the past 13 years! Melanie and I are so very thankful to have been appointed to this wonderful faith community! The celebration of our 40th anniversary which includes a reaffirmation of our marriage vows followed by a dinner is just our way of saying thank you for your support, love, patience, forgiveness and encouragement over the years!

Here are a few passages of scripture that has helped Melanie and I over the years in our marriage and in life. We know that many of you have experienced very difficult and painful separations and divorce and that many are single in a society that seems to favor couples. Many of you have suffered the death of your spouses. We pray that whatever situation you find yourself in this day, that perhaps these verses will serve to encourage, edify and bring you peace!

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,

kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you

may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on

love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.” Colossians 3: 12-15

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called

according to his purpose. ---- If God is for us, who can be against us? ---- Who shall separate us from

the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or

sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be

slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am

convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or future, nor any

powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the

love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Selected reading from Romans 8

In closing, let me lighten things up a little bit with a quote about marriage from Zig Ziglar, he addressed this to husbands, he said, “Husbands, if you treat your wife like a thoroughbred, you’ll never end up with a nag!” Amen and Amen.

Grace and Peace, Pastor Steve

Burnt Factory

United Methodist Church

SEPTEMBER 2018 CHURCH

NEWSLETTER

Stephenson, VA 22656

C. Steven Melester, Pastor OUR MISSION STATEMENT:

Sharing the Love of Christ with All People

“Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and

praise your Father in Heaven.” ~ Matthew 5:16

The Family of Burnt Factory UMC extend our deepest sympathy to the Drumheller, Crandell and Hughes Families in the passing of Mary Roberta Crandell Hughes, affectionately known as Aunt Bert (just a few months short of her 103 birthday). She has finally claimed the promise of the resurrection she has so patiently waited for. She is now with the Lord.

We also wish to extend our deepest sympathy to Wren Roberts and Family in the passing of her father, Clarence King, who has also claimed the promise of the resurrection.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.

Dear Burnt Factory Family, Thank you for your gifts and support for The Laurel Center. The Center’s staff is always surprised at the copious amount of donations when they come to unload my car.

Peace, Donna Gallagher

Pastor Steve has special notices he needs to send to those who attend Burnt Factory. The notices will include not only prayer concerns, but also schedule changes during bad weather.

Keith keeps an e-mail list in his computer for just such purposes. Your e-mail address is protected and e-mails are sent, recipients not disclosed, to protect your privacy.

Kindly send your e-mail address to Keith Roberts at john.k.roberts@comcast.net with the message:

“ADD ME TO THE CHURCH EMAIL LIST” Thank You

After our short, summer break, we are getting ready to begin “Meeting and Eating” in October.

The new groups will meet together for the months of Oct-Nov-Dec. Groups ranging in size from 7 to 9 people will meet once a month to enjoy meals and fellowship.

Each group has a team leader who helps decide on the date, place and format for the meal. All who were members in the past will automatically be part of this next rotation and do not have to sign up again. If you would like to join the group, please sign-up at the information table in the Fellowship Hall on any Sunday in September. These dinners have been a great opportunity to meet fellow parishioners, eat good food, share stories, and get to know one another. We hope you will join us.

For additional information/questions, please contact Patty Leonard: ricpat5@gmail.com or 540-664-6973.

1st Delilah Murphy

2nd Marilyn Davies

4th Angela Wiseman Bob Hunt

Chrystalyn Edwards Zayne Bryant Cecilyn Bayliss

5th Jim Blankenship Randy Willis Denise Willis

8th David Werdebaugh

11th Betty Livengood

16th Jennifer Stinnette

18th Brendan & Colton Luttrell

19th Fred Snyder Sylvia Woods

20th Sequoia Britton

22nd Liz Duvall Brandy Woods Mallory Henschen

23rd Zoey Corron

26th Grant Henschen

30th Debbie Burke Carter Lynn Kerr

2nd Adam & Brandy Woods

9th Steve & Melanie Melester

21st Chuck & Audrey Thomas Jim & Amy Shepley

26th Barney & Susan Pannell

This year’s Walk to Emmaus is scheduled:

for the Men’s Walk on Oct. 25-28.

The Women’s Walks will follow on Nov. 1-4.

We have a total of 10 people scheduled to go this year. What a blessing for our Church. To quote from our Emmaus Book, “What Is Emmaus?” (Bryant),

“We were reminded that Emmaus is not an

‘emotional bubble-bath.’ It is essentially a

journey with Jesus Christ. The main focus

is not how wonderfully close we have grown

with each other, but how much closer we

are to Christ and how much more effective

we are as servants in his church.”

….quote by a Clergyperson from

Illinois attending.

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.

The Upper Room of the United Methodist Church sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. The three-day Emmaus experience and the follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christians as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body of Christ in mission to the world.

The aim of the Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church members for Christian action—in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.

It has been a blessed summer! I am saddened to see it go but my favorite time of year is upon us! In Autumn we find ourselves steadying back into regular routines, prepping for the upcoming holiday seasons, and as the air cools we are ready to cozy up with whatever “pumpkin spice” flavors we desire. It is my favorite because of God’s brilliant display of colors, sounds and smells. I am beyond grateful for God’s showing of His presence all around us. It is my prayer for an amazing Autumn season for all the wonderful families at Burnt Factory!

Peace and blessings! Carrie Fair

September begins a new year for our Little Singers, our Children’s Choir and Dance Team! We will begin our practices on the first Sunday of every month!

Children’s Choir Practices

September 2nd 4-4:30 Little Singers

4:30-5 Children’s Choir 5-5:30 Dance Team

September 30th 4-4:30 Little Singers

4:30-5 Children’s Choir 5-5:30 Dance Team

October 7th 4-4:30 Little Singers 4:30-5 Children’s Choir 5-5:30 Dance Team

October 21st Little Singers Perform – Early Service Dance Team Perform – Late Service

November Christmas Play Practices Begin! 4-5pm

4th Run Lines Speakers/Soloists only 11th Run Lines Speakers/Soloists only 18th Run Lines Speakers/soloists only 25th All attend Full Run Through

December 2nd All Attend Full Run Through

Christmas Program December 9 at 6pm! God Bless, Carrie Fair Director of Children’s Ministries

On August 14, 2018 Burnt Factory hit a financial milestone!

In September 2014, our church launched an electronic

giving opportunity for congregation members to make tithes

and to provide various financial support to our church. On

August 14, the accumulation of collections since that time

hit $100,000. When our electronic tithing system first

began, we averaged $369 per month. Currently, the

average monthly deposits are approximately $2,800.

Electronic giving has many benefits and it has become a

growing trend among congregations. As times change, the

number of checks written is decreasing as our society is

moving toward an electronic economy. Fifty-two percent of

the millennial generation do not use checks and that

number is growing with Gen Z.

In addition to the reduction of paperwork, electronic giving

allows us the convenience of continuing our tithes when we

are unable to attend worship due to vacations, illness or

bad weather. Now that we have live streaming capabilities,

this also allows our virtual congregation the opportunity to

participate in weekly collections.

Connecting with our electronic giving system is easy. Visit

the church website at www.burntfactory.org and click on

the “Offering” link at the top right hand corner of the page.

You will be directed to our EasyTithe site with instructions

on how to register. Every time you contribute, you will also

receive an acknowledgement email that can be used for

your tax records.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact…

Angie Wiseman

RELAY FOR LIFE

It’s a brand new opportunity to be a “Believer!!”

We had a 2018 season wrap up pot luck on August 19th.

We welcomed Mike Hummer, the 2019 Winchester/Frederick County Relay lead.

There was good food and great fellowship.

The following dates were added to the calendar for fundraising opportunities:

October 4th provide dinner for the Stonewall Ruritan Club

April 13th 2019 Spaghetti Dinner/Theme Basket Auction More details to follow.

If you have not joined our team and would like to, you can register on line at relay.acsevents.org and then,

Click on “Join this Relay”

Create an email account or log in if previously registered

Choose Winchester Frederick

Choose team “The Believers”

If computers are not your thing, you can call (877-957-7848), or fill out a registration form and give it to either Theresa Gilbert or Christina Rohrbach. Participants who have registered for a 2019 RFL event and raised $200 or more by Wednesday, October 31, 2018 will be eligible to receive a t-shirt hoodie. The theme for 2019 Relay is “Carnival” so put on your thinking caps about campsite decorating/fundraising ideas and please join us at the next Believer’s team meeting on Tuesday, September 18th at 7:15 p.m. at the church.

Did you know? The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit to fund cancer research and has contributed to almost every cancer breakthrough discovery. Visit cancer.org/research to find out more.

Theresa Gilbert and

Christina Rohrbach Co-captains

Faith and Health Corner

September 2018

Spiritual Heath

As we face the often hectic fall, it seems timely to consider our spiritual health. What is spiritual

health? We read in Genesis 2:7 that God formed man as he “breathed into his nostrils the breath

of life.” Our real essence consists of our spiritual dimension – that which reflects the “breath” of

God. Spirituality is based on dependence on God and concerns this relationship with God, self,

others, the environment, and our past, present, and future. Spiritual health exists when these

relationships are in balance and support one another. How can we nourish our spiritual health?

Just like our bodies, our spirits need special care and feeding in order to stay healthy. Romans 12

provides a helpful outline for nourishing our spiritual health. FIRST, and most importantly, we

need to involve ourselves in a life of worship. Since we were created in His image, nourishing our

relationship with God is the basis of all health. SECOND, we are encouraged to develop an

understanding of ourselves. A strong sense of self is consistent with God’s perspective on a

healthy life. THIRD, we must nourish our relationships with others. Paul uses the symbol of the

body to remind us that all of us are important parts of the Body of Christ. Our spirituality is

made visible when we live a life that reflects Christ’s love for all people. FOURTH, in our world,

we can live a life of peacemaking. We are able to conquer evil when we reflect the love of Jesus

every day. Following God’s perspective, helps us live a life of peace and joy.

Until the next time … Blessings to you and yours,

Theresa

You can reach me at any time by e-mail at

tgilbert@afpdocs.com or theresa.h.seddon@gmail.com

or by phone at (540) 247-5612.

As your Faith Community Nurse, I am here to serve as a bridge to better health, meeting the

wholistic healing mission of the church by partnering with the Pastor as a healer of the spirit,

mind and body.

Our meeting on August 16th had 18 members present and was chuck full of discussion and action to provide monetary support, along with our prayers, to some residents at Trinity House, Valley Light, and Winchester Together plus plans for the worship service featuring Project Esperanza on Sunday, August 19th. Thanks to Pastor Steve for highlighting the mission school in the Dominican Republic that our unit has been supporting for a couple of years. It is also a signature ministry for our congregation as well. A table was set up in the Narthex for worshippers to view information and offer monetary support to sponsor some students or just help out with the expenses of Project Esperanza. Thanks for your generosity! We are blessed to be able to support this global ministry as well as offering local help. Thanks also, to Penny and Tom Croll for their work in putting together the video!

Many of our members have done a great job of shopping for supplies for the School Kits for Conference. We know we have enough for at least 50 kits that will be put together next May.

We have been diligent in getting forms for our reports to the proper district leaders. This is all in preparation for the Winchester District Meeting on September 23rd at Bethany UMC in Purcellville, VA. Our unit has been very active and try to record achievements in the “Living Into Our Purpose” form. These are all things that reflect the PURPOSE of our organization.

We had a Candle Burning Ceremony honoring any babies that had been born between September 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018. We also remembered those who have died within the same period. We listed members of our church, family members and close friends that have been on our prayer list. They will be included in the District Candle Burning Ceremony. See the names listed with this report.

The Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers for 2019 at the October meeting. The committee consists of Janie Shope, Susie Gerometta and Donna Gallagher.

We voted to increase our district pledge for next year to $1,700.

Thanks for cutting out cancelled stamps and saving Box Tops for Education. Put them in the lavender box in the Social Hall.

Highlighters were given with a missionary name to pray for and e-mail birthday greetings.

We do not meet in September. There will be a date change for our October meeting. Due to Apple Butter preparation, we will meet Thursday, October 11th with Donna Gallagher and Diana Smith as hostesses. The treasurer, Anne Perrault, will have the annual Pledge Service.

Thanks to our members who take an active part in sharing God’s love to those in need.

Blessings, Polly Duvall, president

Names submitted for Candle Burning BURNT FACTORY UMW

September 1, 2017 – August 31, 2018

NEWBORNS: HONOR: Dash Merceruio In Memory: Phyllis Melvin

Kate Tyner Reed Gift to Mission: Harriett Hanke

Brantley Wolf Neff Special Recognition: Penny Croll

Ezra Cisneros Prayer Partner Unit: John Mann/Wesley UMW

DEATHS: Mary Mason David Dillard Jean Saunders Jake Mongold Clyde Miller Bekky Purdy Alice Harrison Stephanie Fitch Becky Miller Dr. Barbara Ann Adams Jess Wismer Chris Skarupa Bobby Carter John J. Straub Bill Mears Jack Hamilton Marie Withers Ginny Smith Rev. Marty Martin Pat Johnson Stan Paskel Tom Vaughan Bruce Powell Debbie Connard Johnny Clevenger Barbara Peters Jimmie Dodson Doris Hoover Charlie Wilson Wilbur Feltner Tony White Leroy Henry Celia McClinton George Baker Kathryn Bowman Peter Bollenbeck Carolyn Reed Ken Unger,Sr. Raymond Henry Johnny Cunningham Jimmy Wilson Ella Holtzman Mary Perry Roger Wells Brenda Vaughan Mary Roberta Hughes Bill Beck Phyllis Melvin Pete Willis Steve Webber Linda Orndorff Katie Baker

CCAP, the Congregational-Community Action Project, is a cooperative ministry of 45 area churches and one synagogue serving Winchester and Frederick County that have joined together to provide financial, material and supportive assistance to people in need. CCAP is located at 112 and 106 S. Kent Street.

On Sunday, Aug 19, our church served lunch to over 50 CCAP clients. We served a meal of fried chicken and all the fixings. We also had healthy take-away snacks of bananas, watermelon and Nutra grain bars. We had volunteers prepare and serve this wonderful lunch.

This mission is done monthly at CCAP on the 3rd Sunday as part of our Outreach Ministry. Our friends at CCAP know we serve on the third Sunday and look forward to our visits. Our next Sunday Lunch will be served on September 16th starting about 12:15 at CCAP. We are usually finished by 1:30. Debbie Walker will be the team lead for this meal. We would love to have more volunteers for preparing food and serving. If you would like to be part of the September meal at CCAP, please contact Debbie at dswalker1@yahoo.com or 540-664-0908.

We always love getting new volunteers at CCAP. There are lots of ways and times to volunteer. We suggest job shadowing to see if you would like this work. Any amount of time is appreciated. Jimmy Grayson has been volunteering for several months doing food pickup runs in the pantry area and Karen Willis has been volunteering often in the Clothing Area. If you feel the calling to serve this

ministry we will be happy to share the contact information with you and take you on a tour.

Thank you for all you do for CCAP. Your continued prayers for the many clients of CCAP are always appreciated.

Patty Leonard Fall is a busy time of the year. We have charge conferences, meetings, retreats and of course Apple Butter. Please mark your calendars for October 20th as that will be Apple Butter 2018, more information will come out on that, but please mark your calendars now so that you will be ready.

The highlight of the UMMen’s Fall was always the Conference UMMen Spiritual Retreat at Blackstone. With the closing of the VAUMC at Blackstone, it caused a two year hiatus for the retreat. After some planning and working with other conference UMMen groups the VA Conference UMMen have unveiled their 2018 Spiritual Advance Weekend in Virginia Beach to be held on October 27 & 28.

You can find the agenda for the weekend at this URL:

http://files.constantcontact.com/f25951aa001/0c28514a-d622-4072-b016-2361c7af9e6d.pdf

Registration can be done at this link:

http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/regform?llr=pjflbvcab&oeidk=a07efhecspje27ad838

Fall has a lot of wonderful ministry opportunities for the United Methodist Men. The Winchester District UMMen’s Fall Rally will be October 13th at 8:00 AM at Riverton UMC. Their guest for this year’s event will be Martha Stokes who will discuss the Commission on a Way Forward’s report and the 2019 General Conference. Martha is a member of the Commission on a Way Forward and will be a delegate to February’s General Conference.

Our next Burnt Factory UMMen meeting will be on Thursday, September 20th, at 7:00PM. We look forward to seeing everyone and discussing ways that the UMMen can be of service to our Lord at Burnt Factory United Methodist Church and in our community. If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me (540) 207-7404; tamtut@comcast.net. Steve Cunningham, President Burnt Factory UMMen

Mission Day: Parents and Youth joined forces on August 4th to give back to our church. Thank you very very much to Angie and Jason, Crystal, Emma and Olivia, Hayden and Stephen, Carrie, Harrison and Glen, Ada and Naleah for working so hard so that all of us can see and feel the beauty of our church. Great Job!!

The struggle is real. With the start of school, band, sports, and saying goodbye to the freedom of Summer, the Youth needed a break. So, on August 26th, we went slip-sliding at the shelter. Our Youth had a fun evening getting wet, eating hotdogs and welcoming our newest members. God is good. A BIG thank you to Jason Wiseman, Angela Wiseman and Crystalyn Edwards or helping!

Upcoming Youth Events: Sunday, September 16th 5 – 7:00pm Regular Meeting in the Fellowship Hall Saturday, September 22nd 9:30 – 1:00 Motel Ministry, meet in the Fellowship Hall Sunday, September 30th “Mystery Fun Event” after Church More information to come. Pastor Steve: 540-550-3189/ pastorsteve58@comcast.net Mr. Rob: 540-303-7161/ ram288@comcast.net

From a branch on the Vine This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you

that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now

choose life, so that you and your children may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

Being the snappy dresser I am, it is a difficult deliberation to

decide gray or brown pants. Occasionally, the rebel in me will go with khakis. Tommy Hilfiger I am not, but I take what I have and make do. It is not a big choice for me; for others, it is.

To eat baked or fried food is a big deal for the health conscious, but, to my detriment, it is not to me.

We make choices. Big ones like going to college or starting a new job, and not so big ones like one scoop or two. We make choices which can make us look brilliant; other times, not so much. Our choices show the good and bad parts of our personality. They result in successes and failures, with consequences for both.

Every time my girls went out, I would drop the phrase, “Make good choices.” What is a good choice?

A good choice results in a benefit, be that safety, security, physical well-being, peace (reduced stress) or a greater peace in your soul. Of those results, which will last – into eternity? Are you mindful of your soul when you make choices?

In his gospel, Matthew puts it this way: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and

broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 7:13-14.

Our pursuit, our desire for Jesus, puts us on the road that leads to life. Jesus is a good choice, but

still a choice left to each of us.

When teenagers choose to come to church, to Sunday School, to Youth Events, those are steps on the road that leads to life. It should be inspiring to all of us. When a person or couple chooses to get up and come to church, we should be happy to welcome them on the road. When a person says I want to show the transformation happening inside me by being baptized, we need to praise God in joy because that is an eternal choice.

At this moment, you and I are facing choices, some are life-changing. The choice, “the road,” that

leads to life is Jesus. To accept Him as a Savior, to receive His forgiveness for bad choices; to let Him love us is to choose the way that leads to eternal life. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “For the wages of sin is

death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Friend, let God help you navigate the complicated world in which we live. It is His nature to love you and wants you to have joy with Him. He made His choice to sacrifice His Son. Your choice is to accept Him or, sadly, not.

In Christ, Rob

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

SEPTEMBER 2nd and 30th – 4-4:30 – Little Singers / 4:30-5 – Children’s Choir / 5-5:30 – Dance Team 1 10am-Intentional Prayer Group Gold Room

2 8:30am-Worship 9:45-10am-Children’s Praise & Mini Worship 9:45am-Sunday School 11am-Worship 11am-Children’s Church

3

4 6:00pm-Choir 7:30pm-SONrise Singers

5 9-12:30-Pastor’s Office Hours 7:00pm-Nurture Team- Lower Cottage

6 7:00pm-Outreach Team-Lower Cottage

7 Women’s

Camp Overlook

8 Women’s Camp Overlook and Sunday, September 9th

9 8:30am-Worship 9:45-10am-Children’s Praise & Mini Worship 9:45am-Sunday School 11am-Worship 11am-Children’s Church Blood Pressure Clinic 2:00pm-Service of Installation of new District Supt. at- Braddock St. UMC

10 6:00pm-RFL Captain’s Meeting at Calvary Baptist 7:00pm-Bible Study- Fellowship Hall

11 6:00pm-Choir 7:30pm-SONrise Singers

12 9-12:30-Pastor’s Office Hours 10:00am-Bible Study Fellowship Hall 1:30pm-Sing-A-Long at Evergreen Nursing Home 7:00pm-Church Council

13 14 15

16 8:30am-Worship 9:45-10am-Children’s Praise & Mini Worship 9:45am-Sunday School 11am-Worship 11am-Children’s Church 12:15pm-Sunday Lunch BF serving CCAP

17

7:00pm-Bible Study- Fellowship Hall

18

6:00pm-Choir

7:15pm-Relay for Life Meeting at BFUMC

7:30pm-SONrise Singers

19 9-12:30-Pastor’s Office Hours 10:00am-Bible Study Fellowship Hall

20

7:00pm-UMMen meet in Fellowship Hall

21 Winchester District Lay Servant

Training at

Duncan Memorial UMC

Berryville

22 Winchester District Lay Servant

Training at

Duncan Memorial UMC

Berryville

23 8:30am-Worship 9:45-10am-Children’s Praise & Mini Worship 9:45am-Sunday School 11am-Worship 11am-Children’s Church UMW-Winchester District Meeting - Bethany UMC Purcellville

24 7:00pm-Bible Study- Fellowship Hall

25 6:00pm-Choir 7:30pm-SONrise Singers

26 9-12:30-Pastor’s Office Hours

10:00am-Bible Study Fellowship Hall

NEED October Newsletter articles by

3:00pm TODAY! Thx, Charly

27 28 Printing October Newsletter

29

30 8:30am-Worship 9:45-10am-Children’s Praise & Mini Worship 9:45am-Sunday School 11am-Worship 11am-Children’s Church

SEPTEMBER YOUTH EVENTS:

Sunday, September 16th – 5-7pm – Regular Meeting – Fellowship Hall Saturday, September 22nd – 9:30-1 – Motel Ministry – Meet in Fellowship Hall Sunday, September 30th – “Mystery Fun Event” after Church

C. Steven Melester, Pastor Sharma Lewis, Resident Bishop Burnt Factory United Methodist Church Virginia Conference 1943 Jordan Springs Road Richmond, Virginia P. O. Box 399 Stephenson, VA 22656 Rev. Dr. Steven Summers Tele. (540) 667-4993 Winchester, VA 22601 www.burntfactory.org www.winchesterdistrictumc.org

Burnt Factory United Methodist Church

Newsletter

September 2018