Lenten Prayer Scape Worship Experience

Worship Experiences and Knowing God

by Carolyn Leah, Director of Christian Discipleship

Our worship environment during Lent has featured a unique prayer scape with elements that express the themes of this holy season. You might say, “Well, that is different!” or “What is that doing there?”  As we have explored the scriptures in Job this Lenten season, this prayer scape has added a visual aspect, a reflective aspect and even a tactile aspect to our worship experience. Why might that be important?

Howard Gardner is a developmental psychologist, educational theorist and esteemed faculty member of the Harvard School of Education. In the 1980’s, Gardner worked on a ground-breaking area of study called “multiple intelligences”. Gardner explained that intelligence might not be able to be measured in a standardized way because we compute information using multiple intelligences, some using linguistics, some musically, some visually, etc.  He estimates that human beings have 7 to 10 distinct intelligences. We all have the multiple intelligences but we are dominant in some more than others.

Gardner revolutionized how teachers began to teach, how curriculum was written, and the way we present information, so that we may come to know using different intelligences. The eight multiple intelligences that have been most explored by Gardner are visual/spatial, linguistic, musical, bodily/kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, logical/mathematical and natural. Each of us has the capacity of every one of them, but we generally work with two or three dominant intelligences. So, what do multiple intelligences have to do with a door in the corner and our experience of worship? We each use our intelligences to know God just as we would use them in any other way. Worship happens to be a place where we come to know God through God’s Word being read and proclaimed (linguistic), singing and instrumentation (musical), reflection (intrapersonal), communal actions (interpersonal), liturgical order (logical/mathematical), movement (bodily/kinestetic), colors/symbols (visual/spatial) and even sometimes flowers, etc. (natural). 

What if the intelligences most dominant for you were never or rarely used in worship experiences?  It might hinder your way of knowing God better. To explore and expand the ways that we can reach everyone is to explore and expand ways to know God better. So, when doors, prayer scapes and other new opportunities to learn through worship are presented to us, let’s embrace the difference and ask God to help us grow in one of our less dominant intelligences. We might help someone else come to know God better too. If you’d like to know more about this concept, please contact me at cleah@beulahpresby.org.

To learn more about worship at Beulah, please visit our website worship page.

WHAT BEULAH CHURCH MEANS TO ME

You Can Go Home Again

by Ann Turnock

Most Beulah members are aware that I have the best job I've ever had in my life, as Beulah's Congregational Care Assistant, doing home and hospital visitation for our members.  I'm actually rather obnoxious about telling the tale of the time three and a half years ago when Beulah was looking for someone to fill the position, but I didn't know it, and I was unsuccessfully looking for part-time work, but no one at Beulah knew that. A "chance" encounter (which you and I know was divinely arranged) with Alex Ruzanic at Five Guys led to a call from Cynthia and my enthusiastic "Yes!"

Twentieth century novelist Thomas Wolfe wrote a book entitled "You Can't Go Home Again." Well, I'm here to tell you Tom got it wrong. You can go home again.  I'm living proof.  Let others (including my siblings) retire to Florida.  They can have it.  I retired to PITTSBURGH, and I love it. Even the winters. (Although I admit it's nice to have a job where, if I wake up to three inches of snow on the ground, I can call up that day's appointments and those I was going to visit say, "Oh, I'm so glad you're not coming out in this mess.") After 40 years in California, the change of seasons, the green hills, and flowing streams are exhilarating.

Beulah is my home again. I would not be who I am today if I hadn't grown up at Beulah Church. Beulah is still shaping me and helping me grow, and I hope to be here the rest of my life.

 

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Ann Turnock serves as the Congregational Care Assistant at Beulah, ministering to our elder members and those who are homebound.  She is an ordained Elder and a gifted Bible teacher, volunteering her time in both adult and children's educational ministries, and with the office communications team.  Ann also manages the editing and coordination of content for the monthly church newsletter, a job that her mother also once held!

 

To learn more about Beulah Presbyterian Church, please visit our website or find us on Facebook!



ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE RETURNS

Friday, May 19, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, May 20, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

No early birds please!

NEW THIS YEAR!  Organic vegetable plants, honey, and flowering shrubs from Garfield Community Farm!

Donations accepted starting Monday, May 15th between 8:30 am and 6:00 pm.  NO clothing, electronics or exercise equipment accepted.

Helpers are welcome to assist with sorting and placing items Monday through Thursday. contact Tori Zido (412-417-1378) or Phyllis Rinsma (412-480-7795) to volunteer.

Summer Sunday Education and Mission for All Ages!

This summer, we invite all ages to come together in MGB Fellowship Hall between worship services (9:45 AM – 10-45 AM) on the 2^nd Sundays of June and August, and the 3rd Sunday in July to learn about and actively experience the ministry of mission at Beulah Presbyterian Church!  Each of these Sundays, we will learn about mission areas that Beulah Presbyterian Church is currently supporting from Malawi to Haiti, from Garfield Farm to the PRISM ministry and much more!  During this time together, adults, youth and children will have hands-on ways to dig deeper into the mission focus.  Don’t miss these dates:

Sunday, June 12:  Hear from the Morgan family about their trip to Malawi, Africa, and our support of the Migowi church there.  Learn about the country, the people and the culture that the Morgans experienced.  Be a part of making our own “chitenge cloth” and praying for the people in Malawi.

Sunday, July 17 *: Grab your passport at the door and visit several different areas to discover how we are serving people in our own communities, nationally and abroad.  Folks of all ages will get to visit with some PRISM (the Pittsburgh Regional International Student Ministry) students and also see what our work with Open Door, Haiti, Garfield Farms and some of our Special Offerings and mission ministries do!  Again – there will be hands-on activities for everyone while we learn and fellowship with one another.  Special treat for those who get their passports stamped at each station!

Sunday, August, 14:  We will be packing school-age backpacks to give to children in need in our local communities.  We will collect items to go inside the backpacks throughout the summer. We will also be making some backpack to remind the recipients that Jesus is with them.  Lots of hands-on fun! 

You won’t want to miss a Sunday!  Bring yourself or bring a family to learn and work together as one big Beulah mission team! 

There will be no other children, youth or adult classes during the summer.  For individual learning and growing this summer, check out a book or two from the Beulah Library!  New titles have been added and our library offers some great ways for children, youth and adults to deepen relationships with God and explore the Bible and topics in Christian living.   

* This is a change from the previously announced date.

NEW in 2016-Sonshine Daycamp

June 13- July 15 and August 1-12, 2016,  $185/week

Beulah's Children's Ministry is taking on the administration and leadership for the summer day camp program previously run by Beulah Christian Preschool and Child Care.  All children kindergarten through sixth grades are welcome!  Registration forms are now available.

At SONSHINE CAMP  you'll have GREAT fun with games, Bible lessons, crafts/art, sports, swimming and more! Families may register for as many weeks as you would like, in any combination! Before and after care is available for additional fees.

WOMEN’S RETREAT 

Friday and Saturday April 29 and 30, Beulah Presbyterian Church

Friday: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm and Saturday: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm 

$25.00,  Breakfast and Lunch Provided

Childcare by Reservation

 Hello, Girlfriends!

 Doesn’t a spa-themed getaway sound amazing? Get away from the busyness of life as you relax with friends, share laughter and stories, and spend time with God. Join us at our Lavender Springs Spa retreat to experience all this and more!

 Lavender Springs Spa includes worship, Bible study, and time for laughter, as well as time for quiet reflection. We’ll be focusing on the book of Psalms and will be encouraged by God’s faithfulness and love. Younger women are urged to attend and to let us know if there are childcare needs so that we might make arrangements to provide that care. Teen and almost-teen girls are also encouraged to attend, so that inter-generationally we might pass on our faith stories and help each other see and learn from one another.

 Our retreat will be held at Beulah and the cost is only $25 per person! This covers your study book, a continental breakfast, lunch, and a copy of the retreat music. Take time to relax, make new friends, worship, and draw closer to God. We hope you’ll join us at Lavender Springs Spa.

 Call the church office at 412-242-4570 to make your reservation by April 22. For questions about the retreat, to discuss scholarship availability and for child care please contact Carolyn Leah, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries, by calling the church or by email at cleah@beulahpresby.org.

We encourage you to invite your friends to join us, too! Carolyn Leah, Director of Christian Discipleship, will be our worship leader for the weekend.

 Beulah Presbyterian Church
 2500 McCrady Road Pittsburgh, PA 15235 412-242-4570
 www.BeulahPresby.org
Beulah Church - reaching out… to welcome and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ

WHERE WOMEN REST IN GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Adult Education During Lent

The adult class featuring a DVD discussion on Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey began in February and will finish on March 13th. 

Have you wondered why the church stirs up such negative feelings in some people these days?  Phillip Yancey has been asking this all his life as a journalist. His perennial question is more relevant now than ever: research shows that favorable opinions of Christianity have plummeted drastically and opinions of evangelicals have taken even deeper dives. Yet while opinions about Christianity are dropping, interest in spirituality is rising. Why the disconnect? Why are so many asking, “What’s so good about the Good News?”In Vanishing Grace, Yancey shows the desperate need our world has for grace, and how Christians can truly make the Gospel good news again.

In this video-based small group Bible study, participants will explore what kind of news is good to a culture that thinks it has rejected the Christian version. Wading deep into the transformative power of grace, they will hear illuminating stories of how faith can be expressed in ways that disarm even the most cynical.

On two Sundays, March 6 and 13, Alex Ruzanic - our own Director of Youth and Outreach Ministries - will tackle some of the basic biblical and theological topics that we bring to the table in our normal confirmation class curriculum.  They are timeless basics that all Christians and Presbyterians specifically should know.   Join us so we can explore these topics together and hear each other across generations.  

On March 20th is your chance to hear about the Haiti Mission Trip from Alex Ruzanic and Carolyn Leah, along with the entire Haiti Mission Team.  They will share pictures and inspiring stories from their experience in February.  This combined class if for older children, youth, and adults.

If you haven’t been to an Adult Discipleship class, why not join us in the new year?  Childcare and children’s classes are offered for all ages during the Discipleship Hour.