BPC Welcomes Rev. Becca Messman as Senior Pastor

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Burke Presbyterian Church (BPC) is thrilled to announce the arrival of its new Senior Pastor and Head of Staff, the Reverend Becca Messman. She will preach at BPC’s Sunday morning worship service (10:00am, in person and online) for the first time on October 24, 2021.

Messman joins BPC from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Herndon. There, she served as co-pastor for 15 years, ministering to a congregation of about 600 and helping to launch a new worshipping community of recent immigrants called Lunch for the Soul. “Becca has a profound commitment to social witness and mission,” said Eva Thorp, a member of the BPC Pastor Nominating Committee. “It really complements her gifts of pastoral care and preaching.”

A prolific writer, Messman has served as Vice President of the Presbyterian Outlook magazine and co-authored “Cultivated Ministry,” a book about church vitality. She was Co-Chair of VOICE, Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement. She served as a Young Adult Volunteer with the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Guatemala and speaks fluent Spanish.

The ministry of the church includes vibrant and engaging programs for all ages, as well as strong local and international mission partnerships focusing on hunger, housing, health, and education. BPC recently completed a major construction project, adding a bright and spacious gathering space and expanding seating capacity in the main worship area. The BPC Preschool occupies the lower level of the building and provides a child-centered, developmental program for young children ages 3 to 5.

Farewell to Pastor David

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Rev. Dr. David Ensign has served our congregation as Interim Pastor for almost two years. This Sunday, September 19, is his last Sunday with us. Please join us as you feel comfortable for worship, when we will reflect with much appreciation on Pastor David’s ministry with us.  A light reception will be held outdoors after the service. #receivelovegiveloverepeat

Introducing Our Next Senior Pastor/Head of Staff

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We are thrilled to announce that Burke Presbyterian Church has called Rev. Becca Messman as our next Senior Pastor and Head of Staff. Her nomination was unanimously approved at a meeting of the congregation on August 22. Becca will begin her ministry with us on October 23, 2021.

In-Person Worship Begins August 1!

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Beginning August 1, we will be worshipping in the Meeting House on Sundays at 10 am. Worshippers need to make a reservation to attend, and masks are required. (Email office@BurkePresChurch.org if you need the link to make a reservation.) Want to know more about our policies? Check out this fact sheet, which is updated periodically.

A Congregational Meeting is Scheduled for August 22.

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We will be meeting and voting on the BPC Pastor Nominating Committee’s selection for our new pastor/head of staff! Mark your calendars!

The BPC Building is Open for Small, Scheduled Gatherings!

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In mid-May, the BPC Session approved use of the BPC building for small, scheduled gatherings and meetings. Contact ministry leaders or the church office (office@burkepreschurch.org) to learn more. Worship continues to be all online, pending a plan from a newly created task force. Stay tuned!

Preschool Registration for 2021-22 is Open!

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Burke Presbyterian Church Preschool is excited to announce that registration for the 2021-2022 school year began Monday, February 22. You can find the preschool’s fall class offerings, tuition/fees, and registration forms here. Please contact the Preschool Office for registration instructions.

A Session Statement on the Domestic Terrorism in Washington

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A note from the Session of BPC:
“Last week we all witnessed mob violence at the U.S. Capitol, as we saw an attempt to disrupt our democratic process. However you identify politically, violence against persons is an affront to our faith. Last week’s events were difficult to watch unfold during an already challenging season, and we want to affirm that whatever grief, anger, worry or confusion you feel is valid and understandable. And at the personal level, all of us have friends, family, and perhaps fellow Christians with whom our relationships have grown even more strained because of these events. In these times, a call for unity or healing may feel premature. Instead, we invite you to join in a time of community prayers for the nation as we continue to live through these tumultuous days. As elders in the Presbyterian Church, we have made promises to lead with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. Our times demand nothing less. We pray for the courage to listen for the voices of those long silenced, and to work together for justice and peace. In the present moment, that work compels us to lift prayers for all of our elected officials, and for a peaceful transfer of power. We invite you to join us in prayer.”

Our Pastor Nominating Committee’s “Ministry Information Form” is Ready!

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BPC is in the process of hiring a new senior pastor. A first step in this critical process is producing what is known as a “Ministry Information Form,” which helps potential candidates learn more about us. That form may be found here: BPC.MIF

We are so excited to see where the Spirit leads us in this transformative time!

Welcome BPC’s Own Little Free Library!

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A creative and enterprising BPC youth has built a wonderful new addition for our property: a “little free library.”
Harper Ham has spent part of her quarantine time building the structure, and this past weekend it was installed next to the BPC parking lot at the start of the path that leads to Kohl’s. Our hope is that it will serve the many community members who use the path, church members, and eventually, when the school is up and running again, preschoolers! Harper will serve as the librarian, and she has placed a donation bin in a covered spot under the back steps to the cottage. Here’s where you come in! If you have books that are suitable for adults, youth, or children that you would like to donate, just swing by the church and add them to the plastic donation bin. Harper will periodically curate the donations and make sure a good blend of choices are always available in the library.
Want to learn more about the national “little free library” movement? Go here! https://littlefreelibrary.org/ We are waiting for the official plaque that has BPC’s registration number on it, and once received, Harper will be able to add this to the national map of libraries.Thanks especially to Harper and also to the Mission Committee and the Session for developing and supporting this wonderful community project.