August 2007
President’s Greetings
Greeting in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
In horse racing circles there is a saying, “There are horses for courses.” That means that some horses and, by projection, some people, that are suited for the jobs they do. BCAC has lost one such person with the passing of our dear Evelyn Selmer in June. Evelyn was a lovely, gentle woman who could get more done than almost anyone I’ve ever met. She has shepherded three BCAC projects for many years: The annual Directory of Churches and Congregations, the Nominating Committee, and Crop Walk recruiting. Her death leaves a huge hole in our organization, as it does in our hearts. It is up to us to pick up the reins and keep driving toward the goal of expanding the Kingdom of God in Berrien County. We can do no other in her memory.
In Evelyn’s honor the Board of Directors voted to establish a scholarship to be awarded to a graduate of our GED program who enrolls in college. Board Members
are contributing to this scholarship and the income from the Annual Meeting will be placed there. Your own contributions are welcome. Please note on your check that it is for the Evelyn Selmer Memorial Scholarship.
We are celebrating the graduation of the first four students from our GED program at the Street Ministry! With appropriate ceremony, these four young women received their Certificates in cap and gown. They are to be congratulated and encouraged by everyone.
In this newsletter is an announcement of the 130th Annual Meeting for the Member Churches of the Berrien County Association of Churches. As wonderful as it is to be part of an organization with such a history (if you don’t know the history there is a well written review in the Directory and also on the web site), organizations are only as strong as the people who make it part of their lives. Each member church is entitled to three Delegates to the Annual Meeting. The Clergy staff of the member churches are also voting members. Please set October 8 aside for attendance at this important meeting.
This year the Board of Directors will be asking the Delegates to approve three amendments to the Bylaws of BCAC. Briefly, Motion #1 removes the specific language about denominational representation on the Board, freeing up the Nominating Committee to select from all available, willing candidates. This motion also increases the possible term of Directors to 6 years from 4 years.
Motion #2 sets the term of all officers at 1 year with reelection to a maximum of 4 years possible. This change will make the operation of the Association much smoother.
Motion #3 asks that these two motions, if passed, take immediate effect, meaning they would apply to the Nominating Committee report at this Annual Meeting.
May God Bless you in every way,
George Lawton, President
April 29 - Sept 9 - Office Closed - Vacation
Sept. 10 - CWEB Grant Application Due
Sept. 10 - BCAC Board of Directors Meeting at 4 p.m.
Oct. 8 - Annual Meeting
130th ANNUAL MEETING
Peace Temple United Methodis Church
275 Pipestone St.
Benton Harbor, MI
Registration: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Sheriff Deputy James Zehn at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: Awareness of Drugs in your area
Business Meeting: 7:45 p.m.
$10.00 donation per person
Call the BCAC office 269-926-0030 for reservations by Tuesday, October 2, 2007 and your ticket may be picked up at the reservation table
There will be a special offering taken in memory of Evelyn Selmer. The Evelyn Selmer Scholareship will to be used to help a student graduating from the Benton Harbor Street Ministry GED program to begin college. This year we have two students planning to enter Lake Michigan College in the Fall.
12th ANNUAL AL STOCKMAN GOLF OUTING
We finallyl have all the monies collected and deposited for the 12th Annual Al Stockman Golf Outing benefitting the Benton Harbor Street Ministry. We are very grateful for the participation of so many, whether golfers, sponsors, volunteers or major sponsors. All working together we netted $41,862.96 for the operational expense of the Ministry.
The committee did an outstanding job getting great prizes and items for the auction. Some new churches played and had a great time; so, start thinking about next year. We will be back. Thanks especially to the committee: Carol Fasbender, Barb Globensky, Chris and Beth Brooks, Pastor James Biffert, Bob Burch and Scott Schalk.
Carol Stockman
BLOSSOMLAND CROP WALK
This year’s CROP Walk raised $40,682.88 despite the cold, rainy day. We thank the 338 walkers and 1,672 sponsors that helped make this Walk a big success. Approximately $10,170.72 will be sent back to our area to help the needy.
Thank you again to all who participated, pledged and helped organize this successful event.
BENTON HARBOR STREET MINISTRY
The After School Program had the opportunity to take twenty-one students and eleven chaperones on a trip to Chicago. The children had the experience of riding the South Shore train line many for the very first time. Upon our arrival we toured Shedd Aquarium and saw the dolphin show. We walked to Millennium Park and had lunch at McDonald’s downtown. Many of the children were amazed at the scenery in the downtown area. Kent Lindquist from Harbert Community Church was our tour guide and he did an outstanding job. Yvonne Wood, a BHSM Board Member provided t-shirts for all the students and chaperones with the BHSM logo. Giordano’s was our dinner stop to experience the Chicago style deep dish pizza. Our After School Program team members are: Jackie Taglia, Yvonne Wood and Stephanie Hester. Thank you for your commitment to the youth in the community of Benton Harbor.
BHSM celebrated its first graduation class from the GED Program here at BHSM. Graduation was held on July 12, 2007 at BHSM and over 50 people attended the ceremony. The students that graduated were: Joy Bell, Cassandra Hicks, Kaitlyn Hatter and Marquita McCree. BHSM would like to take this opportunity say thank you for supporting the work currently taking place at 200 E. Empire and investing in the lives of community and county residents. BHSM looks forward to planning another graduation in September for our currently students completing their test.
United Way Community Week of Caring provided BHSM with volunteers from Whirlpool that installed a dishwasher, ice maker, dryer, washer and wash tub. BHSM will be implementing a Life Skills Program for our After School students. Students will learn to utilize the washer, dryer and iron to prepare them for young adulthood. BHSM looks forward to new volunteers to assist with the program to meet the needs of the youth in the Benton Harbor area. BHSM After School Program will begin Monday, October 1, 2007.
AVAILABLE: cherry Hammond organ & bench. Contact Doris (269)429-8935 for information.
FOR SALE: Walnut Everett console piano. Regularly tuned. $700. Contact Chapel Hill UMC (269)927-3454.
We would like to thank the following for their donations:
Pioneer Memorial SDA, B.S.
Zion UCC, Baroda
St. Peter's Church, S.J.
Stevensville, UMC
Franklin AME, Niles
First Church of the Nazarene, S.J.
We THANK YOU for your continued support for our missions.
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