Growing With God’s Grace Capital Campaign
Phase II Fundraising
At the end of October, we invited homeowners and volunteers in Washington County to prayerfully consider an end-of-year donation to our capital campaign.
Thank you so much for sharing our dream for a better future! We have been blessed to receive financial support from folks in Burton, Brenham, Chappell Hill and Carmine, as well as from several Houston addresses. It is nice to know that our weekend neighbors also recognize our efforts within the community.
If you did not receive our letter, please contact our office at 979-337-3370 and we will mail you an information packet.
To donate to our Growing With God’s Grace capital campaign, make checks payable to Bridge Ministry of Burton Texas and mail to P.O. Box 68, Burton, Texas 77835. Or donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/growing-with-gods-grace-capital-campaign.
In additional to financial donations, we also are requesting gifts in kind for construction needs: dirt work, concrete, metal building, architectural facades, insulation, HVAC, plumbing or electrical infrastructure, flooring, and lighting.
Construction Update
The building subcommittee has met about our construction project. We are grateful for those who are serving:
Mickie Angerame
Heather Blakey
Barbara Donnelly
Bev Houston
Jerry Martin
Paul McLaughlin
Gary Rothermel
Susie Tommaney
Tom Whitesides
The Board of Directors has been prayerfully evaluating our growth plan, and we are exploring adding a 1,800 s.f. building behind our thrift store so that we can better serve our clients and customers with affordable home furnishings and appliances.
We have selected Gessner Engineering for the concrete foundation plans, and Blake Emmett for our civil engineering needs.
We will continue to update you on Phase II of our Growing With God’s Grace capital campaign efforts.
Bridge Ministry of Burton, Texas is a Christian-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Bridge Ministry of Burton Texas
November 2023 Newsletter
Our mission is to build a bridge between racial, cultural, educational, and economic divisions
within the community.
Join us on Sunday, November 19 for Burton Bridge Ministry’s Community Thanksgiving Meal.
Find details at the end of this newsletter.
A Heartfelt Farewell and “Thank You” to Velta Clifton
VelAnne Clifton, whom most affectionately call Velta, is stepping down as our volunteer
coordinator for personal and health reasons. We have been blessed to work with her these
past few years, as her energy and enthusiasm helped spread the good news about our
ministries to folks all over this region.
Many new volunteers found their way to the “joy of serving others” because of her cheerful
introductions, and for that we will always be grateful.
We’ll still see Velta’s smiling face — and those iconic pigtails — as Velta promises to stay
involved as a volunteer.
Volunteers wishing to change shifts should contact their team leader. Pantry volunteers
should contact Debbie Schroeder in the Bridge office at 979-337-3370 or
burtonbridgeministry@gmail.com.
Food for Families Food Drive
The 28th Annual KBTX Food for Families Food Drive will be held on Wednesday, December
6. This is a multi-county event with nonperishables being collected in Bryan, Madisonville,
Franklin, Hearne, Caldwell, Navasota and Brenham.
Volunteers are needed to help collect, inspect, sort and box donated foods at the Washington
County Expo in Brenham. Bus loads of students show up throughout the day to help, but adult
volunteers are especially needed during the early morning and late afternoon shifts, as well
as for continuity throughout the day.
This drive ensures that a wide variety of foods will be offered in our pantry. If you can work a
shift, please contact Debbie Schroeder at 979-337-3370. Financial donations also are
welcome, as they help underwrite our wholesale food purchases. Visit
https://www.kbtx.com/food-for-families.
Volunteer Appreciation Event
A gentle reminder that our Volunteer Appreciation Event is Sunday, November 5, from 4-6
p.m. at the Oliver Whitener-Roy Winkler Pavilions, 307 North Main in Burton. Everybody who
volunteers with the ministry was invited. The deadline to RSVP was October 30th.
Our Partner Churches
Bethany Church
Christway Temple Full Gospel Baptist Church
First Baptist Burton
Greenvine Baptist Church
Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Hollow Springs Baptist Church
St. John’s United Church of Christ
St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church
St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church
Zion Hill Baptist Church
Zion Lutheran Church
Senior Fellowship and Meal
We welcome anybody 55 and older to join us most Fridays for the Senior Fellowship and
Meal. No reservations are necessary for dine-in service, and the suggested price is $4.
Where: St. John’s UCC, Family Life Center, 516 North Colorado
When: Fellowship and games from 10 a.m. until noon
Bingo at 11 a.m.
Lunch is served at noon
Upcoming Menus:
November 3: Cheese enchiladas, charro beans and Mexican rice (catering by Juanita’s
Tacos, with volunteers from St. John’s United Church of Christ)
November 10: Taco lasagna, salad and garlic bread (catering by white Horse Tavern, with
volunteers from Zion Lutheran Church)
November 17: Chicken pot pie, winter salad and dinner rolls (with volunteers from
Greenvine Emmanuel Lutheran Church)
November 24: No meal due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
December 1: Fried fish, mac-n-cheese, cole slaw and hush puppies (catering by The
Cannery, with volunteers from St. Paul Lutheran Church of Rehburg)
December 8: Sour cream chicken enchiladas, Mexican corn, cornbread (catering by On
Deck, with volunteers from Greenvine Baptist Church)
December 15: Ham casserole, salad, dinner rolls (catering by White Horse Tavern, with
volunteers from St. John’s United Church of Christ)
December 22: No meal due to the Christmas holiday.
December 29: Chicken and sausage gumbo over rice, corn casserole (with volunteers from
Zion Lutheran Church)
If you want a “to go” meal, call 979-337-3370 by Tuesday. We suggest you arrive at 12:10
p.m. to pick up your meal.
If you’re 55+ or have health issues that require you to stay home, let one of our volunteers
deliver a hot meal to you each Friday at no charge. Our delivery area is limited to Burton.
We’re always looking for relief drivers to help out when one of our regular drivers is unable to
make the deliveries.
For more information, call Lois Mooney at 979-421-0617.
Board of Directors
Bill Comiskey, Treasurer
Barbara Donnelly, President
Ivenus Garcia
Carol Gaskamp
Madeline Johnson
Tracy Patterson, Secretary
Gary Rothermel
Pastor Marcus Snowden, Vice President
Administrative Office
601 North Main • 979-337-3370
2023 Days and Hours of Operation:
Mondays 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. - Noon
Wednesdays 2:30 - 5 p.m.
We will be closed on major holidays.
Manna Food Pantry
601 North Main • 979-337-3370
Serving those who live within the Burton Independent School District
Days and Hours of Operation:
Mondays 10 a.m. - Noon
Tuesdays 10 a.m. - Noon
Wednesdays 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturdays 9 a.m. - Noon
We will be closed on major holidays.
Manna Works to “Go Green”
Please help the Manna Food Pantry “go green” by donating reusable cloth, nylon, Tyvek or
canvas shopping bags for our pantry clients. Please drop bags off at 601 North Main while our
pantry is open.
Advent Bundles
Christmas is always a special time of year for our Manna Food Pantry clients. Please help us
build Advent bundles by shopping one or both of our two lists. These premium nonperishables
will be distributed in December.
Advent bundle 1: Mustard, ketchup, steak sauce, Miracle Whip, BBQ sauce, Ranch dressing,
jelly, syrup, seasoning packets (any brand, size and flavor)
Advent bundle 2: Cooking oil, sugar, flour, paper towels, Christmas candy or cookies, salt and
pepper, coffee, creamer (any brand, size and flavor)
November 2-4
If your date book is filling up with events as fast as ours, you’ll want a few new looks for the
holidays. Save big on clothing and jewelry for men, women and children this week at The
Corner Shoppe. We’re unpacking our inventory of cold weather wear, too, so stock up, stay
warm, and feel good knowing your purchase helps underwrite Burton Bridge Ministry’s
programs and services.
November 9-11
Your personal style all comes together with the polished look of quality accessories. Purses
and shoes are both functional and fashionable, and help you make a great first impression.
Save big on pumps, kicks and boots, as well as clutches, handbags, cross body purses and
so much more.
November 16-18
Hey, diddle, diddle. The dish may have run away with the spoon in Mother Goose, but here at
The Corner Shoppe the dishes take center stage. Save 50% on all dishes this week at The
Corner Shoppe. Mix and match to your heart’s content and set a table that will wow your
guests at the next holiday gathering.
November 23-24
We are closed on November 23-24.
November 25
Our hard-working volunteers will spend time with their families on Thursday and Friday,
November 23-24. But shop with us on the Saturday after Thanksgiving as we celebrate a
Manager’s Choice weekend. We’re not sure yet what will be on sale, but we’re fairly sure it
will be both awesome and affordable.
November 30-December 2
Tick, tick, tick. The holidays are nigh upon us and this is the weekend to find fabulous deals
for everybody on your Christmas list. Find clothing, jewelry, linens, fabric and toys at half off
deals this week. Our prices can’t be beat and you might even have enough left in your budget
to treat yourself to something nice.
All sales exclude “red dot” merchandise. More details can be found on our Facebook page
and in the store.
The Corner Shoppe
307 North Brazos, Burton
Open 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thursdays-Saturdays
979-289-2223
Facebook.com/burtoncornershoppe
We Support Area Families
In October, The Brenham Moms Facebook group teamed up with the Brenham Pregnancy
Center to host a community baby shower. More than 30 mothers and mothers-to-be were
provided with a variety of baby essentials that were either donated or purchased with a
financial gift from Citizens State Bank.
Volunteers from The Corner Shoppe helped with this event by donating six “mommy and me”
gift baskets that were creatively designed by volunteer Joan Goebel.
The Corner Shoppe also supports young families by honoring “mommy bucks” gift certificates
that are issued through the Brenham Pregnancy Center.
Toddler Storytime Comes to Burton
Brit Russell is in the planning stages for a new storytime for toddlers and homeschoolers one
or two mornings a month before The Corner Shoppe opens.
Russell is currently recruiting volunteers to help read short children’s books, as well as books
that feature Christian-based values, during these 15 minute sessions. For information, contact
Brit at britvw@gmail.com.
Toys for Tots
It’s that special time of year when we make sure every boy and girl wakes up Christmas
morning with a big smile on his or her face.
Look for our Toys for Tots displays at participating churches and grab an ornament and do a
bit of shopping. We’re grateful for any new, unwrapped toys that you can donate for area
children and teens.
Families in need can pick up a Toys for Tots application from their child’s teacher.
Please bring your new, unwrapped toys and gifts back to church or school no later than
Sunday, December 3. We are blessed by your participation. Call 979-337-3370 or email
burtonbridgeministry@gmail.com to arrange for the pick-up of toys and gifts.
Half Off Furniture Sale!
Saturday, November 11, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
13560 West Washington, Burton
Burton Bridge Ministry is filled to the rafters with donated furniture over at the old Foehner
building, and everything must go as the property has been listed for sale. Church pews,
couches, dining room tables, armoires, recliners and more are all half price.
What’s in stock? Get a sneak peek at the type of inventory we have by visiting Facebook
Marketplace. Look for Burton, Texas and if the seller is board member Barbara Donnelly then
you’ve found our virtual store.
Your purchase helps support Burton Bridge Ministry’s programs and services. Cash only,
please.
Community Thanksgiving Meal
Please join us on Sunday, November 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. for
Burton Bridge Ministry’s
Community Thanksgiving Meal
Burton American Legion, 13100 West Washington
Special performance by the Hilltop Ramblers
All are invited
Thanksgiving meal served at 5 p.m. and catered by Goebel Catering
We are grateful to Citizens State Bank (Burton) for helping to underwrite the meal
Happy November Birthdays
Happy Birthday to Kylie Antkowiak (November 4), James Schulenberg (November 10),
Brianna Lindner (November 11), Joy Hord (November 11), Margie Newton (November 11),
Vivian Layman (November 15), Billie Eckert (November 18), Gloria Stoddard (November 20),
Gloria Niday (November 23), Laurell Smith (November 26), and Linda Knipstein (November
26).
Partner Church News
Ninth Annual Hymn & Beer Fest
The Ninth Annual Hymn & Beer Fest, sponsored by local area Lutheran Churches, will be
held on Sunday, November 12 from 4-7 p.m. at Brazos Valley Brewing, 206 South Jackson
Street in Brenham. Enjoy special performances by Allison Crowson and On Zion’s Hill,
purchase a souvenir glass and two beer tickets for just $25, bid on silent auction items, and
nosh on hot brats (free will offering). Proceeds benefit Burton Bridge Ministry.
Youth Gathering
All 7th and 8th graders and their friends are invited to “Fall Fun in the Park” on Sunday,
November 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Oliver Whitener-Roy Winkler Pavilions at 307 North Main
in Burton.
This youth gathering will be led by Lutherhill Ministries and will include fellowship, s’mores,
games and other activities. All 7th and 8th graders are welcome. Come hang out with local
teens in the Brazos Valley Conference.
The Brazos Valley Conference is hosted by the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the