The Window Newsletter 7.21.21

All Invited to Coffee & Fellowship in Room 302
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Make a plan to stop by the Good Shepherd Room this Sunday morning and meet up with other friends and guests of Broadway before your class starts. Coffee and pastries are served each Sunday from 9:00 – 9:30 in Room 302. 
 
This week our coffee fellowship features delicious homemade pastries from our neighborhood friends at 3 Danes Baking  as well as regular and decaf coffee from our local Starbucks. Hot tea is also available.
 
Broadway’s coffee fellowship is a pay-what-you-can coffee house. Everyone is encouraged to do one of three things: 

• pay what you can afford
• pay what you would normally pay
• pay it forward, i.e., pay what you normally would, plus a little extra

Stop by Sunday morning to support these great local businesses, enjoy some delicious coffee and pastries, and fellowship with your friends at Broadway. 
 

Worship Sunday, July 25, at 10:50 a.m.
This Sunday, July 25^th, Peter Nelson will be in the pulpit as Ryon Price travels to Passport Camp with our children. Peter, our Director of Community Ministries & Partnerships and Church Administrator, will preach from John 6:1-14. The Chancel Choir anthem will be “Sing, Be Joyful” by Henry Purcell. Kyla Rosenberger will be the guest organist.

Masks are optional in worship. For those who feel more comfortable with people around you also wearing masks we will have two designated spaces which require masks: back balcony and the last few rows of the south side nave for those with mobility needs. See an usher for assistance. 

Join us for worship in person or via live stream on our website or on our Facebook page. 
 

Information From the Justice Committee Concerning The Texas Legislature Bills SB1 and HB3

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
 
A primary focus of our Texas Legislature’s Special Session are bills affecting voting, including the omnibus bills, SB1 and HB3, and numerous other bills targeting specific aspects of voting. 
 
The Justice Committee asks you to consider the potentially disproportionate impact these bills could have on people of color, individuals with disabilities, elderly people, and working voters. Regardless of our political affiliation, our biblical and Gospel values compel advocacy for the disadvantaged and powerless.  As the late John Lewis said, “If you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.”
 
While many of us will not feel particularly disadvantaged by the restrictions in these bills, many of our neighbors will—those who do not have ready transportation, who work multiple jobs to care for their families, who are differently abled, and/ or are homebound will be disadvantaged.   
 
We urge you to educate yourself on the pending legislation and consider personal action. Some specific concerns include:

• Giving partisan poll watchers access that could disrupt voting and intimidate voters.
• Eliminating the ability of election officials to communicate with Texans about voting by mail.
• Making it substantially harder for Texans to access vote by mail applications and adding new requirements for voter ID on a Vote by Mail ballot. 
• Negatively impacting voters with disabilities and forcing those voters to disclose private medical information about one’s disability to access vote by mail.
• Eliminating existing voting procedures that provide extended voting hours for shift workers and drive-thru voting. 

Even now, with the Legislature unable to act, it is important to encourage decision-makers to care for all voters in Texas. For those who wish to act in response to this issue, the best advice we have received is to call your legislators. To assist you in this effort, please see the link below.
Tarrant County Senators and Representatives

The Broadway Justice Committee
Do justice, Love mercy, Walk humbly

Kristofer Schleicher, Josh Lucas, Susannah McDaniel, Chris Mack-Lloyd, John Kundra, Bob Madeja, Harriet Harral, Katherine Godby, Elise Walker
 

Special Called Church Business Meeting
Wednesday, July 28 at 6:30 p.m., Room 302
All members are encouraged to attend a special called church business meeting, which has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, for the purpose of voting on a recommendation from the Organist Search Committee. This meeting will be held both in person and via Zoom. As a reminder we require a quorum of 100 members to conduct business meetings, so your participation is important!

Attend in person or by Zoom: Broadway members will receive an email today with meeting documents to review ahead of time as well as a Zoom link for those who whish to attend virtually. Please email Jenn Nelson in the church office with questions. 

Community Center Closure Week of July 26 – 30
Broadway’s Community Center will be closed for cleaning and maintenance the week of July 26-30. All services except the Agape Meal will be suspended for the week. The Center will reopen with its regular schedule on Monday, August 2. If you or someone you know has an emergency need next week while the Center is closed, contact Peter Nelson for assistance. 
 

Voter Registration at Agape Meal
Thanks to the members of Broadway’s ACT Council who registered several of our neighbors and friends to vote at last week’s Agape Meal. Many of our guests, particularly those experiencing homelessness, find it difficult and challenging to navigate the voter registration process. We are thankful for these volunteers who are able and willing to help. Volunteers have completed their training and been officially deputized to register voters. 

If you are interested in assisting with voter registration or becoming a Volunteer Deputy Registrar, contact DeReall Moore or more information. 
 

Community Center Volunteers Needed
As we continue to expand the essential services provided through our Community Center, we need of additional volunteers who can assist. In particular, we are looking for volunteers who can help with the organization of our May Street Market food pantry in the afternoons between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Volunteers should be able to move freely about the food pantry and lift up to 15-20 lbs. Volunteers who are not fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask. If you are interested and available to help, contact Peter Nelson for more information. 
 

Grants Available for Members in Need
Many members of our congregation are feeling the financial effects of the COVID 19 crisis.  Some have been furloughed from their jobs, some have incurred medical expenses, while others have lost their livelihood altogether.  To assist with the many needs arising from this crisis, funds from the Congregational Care and the pastoral care budgets are being made available for our members.
 
Each grant amount will be up to $500, depending on the need of the individual or family.  We are asking that members in need of assistance complete a simple grant application form.  Information from the application will be kept in strict confidence.  Our Pastoral staff will review the applications and make the grant assignments.
 
If you and/or your family could use some help during these uncertain times, please email Fran Patterson for an application.  Also, if you are looking for ways to help during this crisis, please contact Fran.
 

App Tip: If you are a member and don’t see the directory tile, go to profile and log in again. 

Need login information? Contact Jenn Nelson. To download the app click HERE.

Summer Giving
Summer is the season of the year where our church’s expenditures often exceed our contributions. This year is no exception as we have already re-opened worship services and our church offices. Youth and children’s camps resume this summer, and we continue to provide a wide range of essential services through our Community Center. Summer electric bills, repairs, and routine maintenance do not take a vacation. Thank you for your faithful support of Broadway’s ministries. Please prayerfully consider how God is leading you to give over the summer. Thanks.
 

Online Giving
If you would like to contribute to the ministries of Broadway Baptist Church, you can do so by visiting our website Giving Page, download our Mobile App, or text “Give” to 817-383-1336.