This is your invitation to join the story of . . .

“Bringing Unity to the

Community”

Changing the lives of our

Seniors

A Mission of the Burton Area Churches To serve as Christ

To the people in our community

What is Bridge Ministry? What does a community look like where no elderly person feels alone? What happens in a community where every child is given the guidance and support they need to reach their God-given potential? What if there were people standing ready to lend a helping hand to those who truly need it? What can a community accomplish when it comes together with the help of God? Burton Bridge Ministry is an effort by people who want to find out.

Bridge Ministry is a brand new vision for the community of Burton and the surrounding western Washington County area. In the beginning of 2010, all 12 churches in and around Burton decided to combine our outreach efforts and form Burton Bridge Ministry, a separate non-profit organization. We believe that, working together, we can make our community a powerful example of what it looks like when one town commits to truly living out our Christian discipleship, loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.

The Bridge exists to build a bridge across anything that divides the people in our area, strengthening existing friendships and creating new ones. We seek to build bridges between the legitimate needs of individuals and the ability of others to meet those needs. We are a group of people pledging to live out our discipleship of Jesus Christ together. This is your invitation to join us. Please read on inside.

Children & Youth

Neighbors

Entire Community

Burton Bridge Ministry News Spring 2011

“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” - Jesus

Burton Bridge Ministry is a collaborative effort of Bethany Christian Church, Christway Temple Full Gospel Church, First Baptist Church of Burton, Greenvine Baptist Church, Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Hollow Springs Baptist Church, Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church, St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church, St. John’s United Church of Christ, St. Mary’s Baptist Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg, and Zion Hill Baptist Church

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Senior Ministries:

1. Senior Days: We host a “Senior Day” each Friday from 9:30am-1pm at St. John’s UCC Church. Games and fellowship are enjoyed in the morning. Lunch is served at noon for $2.

2. Free Shuttle to Brenham: With assistance from the Brenham Senior Center, we now offer a free shuttle into Brenham on Mondays for people age 60 and over. It leaves from St. John’s at 9:30am and takes you where you need to go, bringing you back in the afternoon. If you want, you can eat lunch at the Brenham Senior Center for $3. To reserve your space, please call Pastor Judy at 289-2485.

3. Geriatric Care Specialist: A senior care specialist with Lutheran Social Services will begin offering monthly workshops on common questions seniors have about health care, home care, nursing care and a variety of topics. She will also be available to contract for help with your own unique needs. Workshops will be held at the Bridge Office on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am, free of charge.

4. Future ministries: As this ministry grows, we have plans to start an exercise class and also to begin taking lunches out to homebound people on Fridays.

For more information about Senior Ministries contact Chairperson Judy Sherman at 289-2485 or ask your pastor.

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Children/Youth Ministries:

1. Camp Hope: This summer we will be offering a two-week day camp for all children in our area who have completed Kindergarten through 6th grade. It will also offer Jr. and Sr. High Youth an opportunity to mentor these younger children. Parents who are looking for a safe Christian community where their children will feel welcomed, grow in their faith, learn Bible stories, get a good lunch, and be under the supervision of responsible, caring Christian adults will want to look for the Camp Hope registration taking place towards the end of the school year.

2. Christian Mentoring Program: We are working to develop a Christian mentoring program for children and teens in our area as a way to support them as they grow into the people God created them to be. We hope to begin this ministry in the 2011-12 school year.

3. Future ministries: We continue to look for other ways to support the children and youth of our area to live better, healthier, more productive, and faith-filled lives.

For more information about Children/Youth Ministries contact Chairperson Lacy Eckert at 251-2313 or ask your pastor.

Burton Bridge Ministry News Spring 2011

Helping Hands Ministries:

1. Home repairs: There are a number of elderly and other people in our community who could use a helping hand with house repairs, yard work, water/sewer hookup, etc. We have a team that screens applicants needs and provides assistance with this kind of work if the client is approved.

2. Resource referrals: There are a lot of resources available to residents in our area who might have a variety of needs. If someone is looking for help, they can come in to the Bridge Office on Tuesday afternoons from 1-3pm and find a person with a comprehensive list of area agencies and ministries who provide services. We will do our best to assist you in getting help from them. Note: We will not be providing direct financial assistance for bills, etc.

For more information about Helping Hands Ministries contact Chairperson Bob Hofmann at 289-2941 or ask your pastor.

Community Ministries:

1. Angel Food: Angel Food is a national Christian food distributor offering boxes of food at wholesale prices. You get quality food at a much lower price than you would pay at a grocery store. You can order boxes designed for a variety of ages and sizes of households. They range in price depending on the amount and type of food you want. Find this month’s menu at your church or online at www.angelfoodministries.com . This quality food will help everyone’s dollar go further! Order your box online or get an order form from your church. Learn more by calling Jacquy Pearson at 289-0135.

2. Community events: Look for information this summer about fun community-wide events that will allow us to enjoy time with the other great people who call Burton, Texas home!

3. Future ministries: health screenings, job training/placement services, literacy, etc.

For more information about Community Ministries contact Chairperson Orangetta Johnson at 451-1377 or ask your pastor.

How Can I Help? Become a “Bridge-builder” Bridge Ministry is a great opportunity to use the talents God has given you to serve other people as Christ served us. Let us know how you would like to join us!

My name is: __________________________. I am most interested in helping: ___ the seniors in our community ___ the children and youth in our community ___ those in need of better housing and quality of life in our community ___ to build up the overall unity and fellowship of our entire community

I am able to support the ministries of Bridge Ministry financially with a gift of:

$__________

For example, a gift of $25 will help buy supplies for repairs. A gift of $50 will fund a week of camp for a child. A gift of $100 will cover the cost of food for a Senior Day. All gifts are tax deductible and greatly appreciated. Checks can be made out to “Burton Bridge Ministry” and mailed to:

Burton Bridge Ministry attention: Judy Sherman, Treasurer

PO Box 68 Burton, Texas 77835

Burton Bridge Ministry News Spring 2011

Stop by the Bridge Office to learn more! Bridge Ministry now has an office at 601 Main Street (the old Schulz’s Corner). It is open for referral visits and general information every Tuesday from 1-3pm. Stop by to talk with a member of one of our churches and learn more.

You will also see that a new BBQ restaurant is open in that location on the weekends. The restaurant is NOT an official part of Bridge Ministry, though it is operated by two wonderful Bridge-builders.

We also have a long-range vision for a Senior/Youth/ Resource Center in town where we can come together as a community for these and other new ministries on a long-term basis. If you have ideas or interest in seeing this kind of center happen, please let us know.

Burton Bridge Ministry 601 Main St.

PO Box 68 Burton, TX 77835

979-203-5776 burtonbridgeministry@gmail.com

Burton Bridge Ministry

PO Box 68 Burton, Texas 77835