In the meantime, Emerywood has been moving right along, thanks to our dedicated members, our gifted staff, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.

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1 THINK. LIVE. SERVE. FAITHFULLY. THE VENTURES JULY 2017 Volume XLVI, Issue 07 A WORD FROM THE INTERIM Dr. Bill Leathers The Interim Process Here are some significant steps that the church has taken/is taking during this interim: Last fall, Dr. Ferguson completed his ministry at Emerywood. The church contracted with Dr. Bill Wilson to serve as coach to advise and offer guidance for the congregation through the calling of our next Senior Minister. In December you elected the Phase 1 Team, whose task was to develop a profile describing Emerywood Baptist our heritage, our strengths, our challenges, our congregational understanding of who God is calling us to be, and our congregational input on the kind of Senior Minister we feel will best lead us into the future. In early January, I came on board as your Interim Senior Minister. On Wednesday, March 8, Dr. Wilson moderated a congregational conversation about How We Got Here, during which the congregation shared regarding what drew them to this church and why EBC is a vital part of our lives. On Sunday, May 7, Dr. Wilson returned to moderate a second congregational conversation about Where We Go from Here, during which the congregation gave input on the future of EBC and the qualities we would hope for in our next Senior Minister. On Sunday, May 28, we elected the Phase 2 Team, whose task it will be to bring a recommended candidate to the congregation for our next Senior Pastor. In the meantime, Emerywood has been moving right along, thanks to our dedicated members, our gifted staff, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Going forward, Emerywood Baptist Church needs the full and spirited support of each of us. Here are some specific ways you can help our church serve God and love our community: Each day, ask God to work through your life and to let his Spirit flow through you to the world around you; Pray for the Senior Minister Search Team and for the person to whom God will lead them, and with your prayerful patience give this Team the spiritual space in which they can best accomplish their holy task; Ask God to grow your generosity, including sacrificial giving through Emerywood for the ministry God is doing through this church; continued >

2 (2) Experience the deep joy of discipleship by committing yourself to make a serious commitment to the ministries in our church to which you feel God is calling you. These could include helping our children or youth grow in their love for Jesus, being a catalyst for your Bible study (Sunday School) class to include new people and to grow together in following Jesus, and serving God through one of the many community ministries he is doing through Emerywood. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly, far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21) Bill Leathers, Interim Senior Minister PHASE II PASTOR SEARCH TEAM The following members were approved at the Phase II Pastor Search Team on Sunday, May 28. Please remember in prayer this team as they go forward with the search process. Kim Bauman, Chair Joe Blosser Kristin Cain Wence Dusek Lucy Foster Carolyn Long Ben Partin Judy Patterson Cathy Purvis

3 Rev. Meg Lacy LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY (3) Come Sabbath with Us! A few months ago, I attended a workshop at a beautiful retreat center north of Greensboro. It was a day of resting and dreaming, sharing and praying. It was a day in which I stopped and, for the first time in awhile, created some space to listen to how God s spirit had been moving in my life, and to reconnect with the longings and hopes of my own soul. I walked away feeling renewed, challenged, connected and inspired physically, emotionally, spiritually. If this sounds like the sort of experience you are craving (or resisting!) in your life and journey with God, I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us for the Day Retreat Emerywood is hosting on August 5th! This retreat, Putting Mindfulness and Prayer at the Center of Health and Healing will be a time to explore practices of prayer that help us connect with God, and enable us to stay grounded and centered in ourselves, even amidst the chaos and curveballs of life. We will consider the longings we have for change in our lives changed habits, changed relationships, changed circumstances and how we can invite God into the process of dreaming and growth. What better way to begin a new school year or to enter the fall, than to renew our sense of groundedness in God? Jacqueline Messico, a Duke-certified Integrative Health Coach, will be the facilitator of the retreat. Jacqueline led the workshop I attended a few months ago, and after our time together wrapped up, I made a b-line to her to invite her to host something similar for our congregation and she kindly agreed! I am excited about this opportunity to have Jacqueline with us, and to offer our congregation such a deep and nurturing spiritual experience. Sign ups will end on July 16th, and spots are limited, so sign up soon! The cost for the Day Retreat is $25, but if you want to attend and cost is an issue for you, let me know. My prayer is that each of you are finding ways to rest and renew during these summer months whether through prayer and mindfulness, walks along the beach, traveling with your family, or just spending some time with your favorite novel. Caring for ourselves by creating space for rest and recreation is vital to our health and wellbeing, and also intimately connected to our life with God! Sabbath, the practice of rest, is not just a suggestion or a good idea, it is a commandment from God. God gives this commandment for the people of Israel so that they wouldn t forget where their worth comes from not from their work, not from what they can produce, but from their identity in God. If it s been awhile since you ve given yourself a break, since you ve let yourself off the hook or done something fun just because, take a moment right now to think about what would make your soul feel alive and refreshed then do it. Today. Summer Blessings!

4 Putting Prayer and Mindfulness at the Center of Health and Healing: A Day Retreat Are you looking to make a shift in your life? Do you want to lose weight? Be a better parent? (4) Exercise more? Reduce stress and anxiety? Pray more? These are only a few of the issues you may face and wish to change. Join us as Jacqueline Messico, a Duke certified Integrative Health coach, leads us in a holistic approach to creating change in our lives, through practices of prayer, meditation, mindfulness, and discovery. This one-day retreat will take place on Saturday, August 5th from 10 am-3 pm. The deadline to sign up is Sunday July 16th. Space is limited. The cost to you is $25/person. Please Meg to sign up. meg.a.lacy@gmail.com GRIEFSHARE PROJECT CONNECT GriefShare is a 13-session event designed to help people work through the grief process, will meet weekly beginning in August. It is open to any person in our church or community. Each 2 hour session will include a video presentation by a professional, a video testimony by individuals who have experienced grief, followed by a time of discussion and sharing in a small group. During the summer sermon series focusing on the Old Testament we have often seen the importance of hospitality. The stranger is welcomed. Invitations to enter and sit are given. Bread is made, the best meat is cooked and a meal is served. The visitor and hospitality is a high priority. Each participant will receive a workbook to guide them during the following week with scripture, exercises, and thinking about his/her grief work. Bear one another s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ Galatians 6:2, NRSV Summer time offers a great opportunity to reach out, to make new friends, to reconnect with old friends. Church community often occurs outside the brick walls of our building. Consider taking advantage of that opportunity. On Sunday morning invite an unfamiliar face to lunch. Cooking on the grill...call someone or family that might be eating alone. Invite someone into your summer tent!

5 A WORD FROM NEVERLAND Rev. Caleb Foust (5) Are you ready for SUMMER!! We will meet as scheduled for Sunday school at 9 am, participate in worship together at 10 am. July and August will be very busy months, with UniDiversity (July 17-22) and C.L.U.E. Camp (August 4-12). DEACON IN SERVICE WOMEN OF THE WOOD Summer Worship 10 am July 02 Kristin Cain 09 Alan Patterson 16 Debbie Gallemore 23 Warren Gallemore 30 John Setchfield August 06 Mallory Griffin 13 Sue Brammer 20 Doug Michaud 27 Ben Partin DEACON MEETING The Deacons will not meet in July.

6 STEPHEN MINISTRY Contact John or Joyce Setchfield if you wish further information: or (6)

7 WORKERS IN THE WOOD (7) JULY (7) 04 Office closed 06 West End Meal, 4:15 pm 06 Red Cross Bloodmobile, 2 pm 13 Phase II Team, 7 pm 16 Care Teams lunch, 11 am Youth UniDiversity HOMEBOUND VISITATION July Louise Stanley Janis Stephenson August Carlton Clinard HOSPITAL VISITATION July 07 & 14 Mary Carroll, Mary Beth Foust 21 & 28 Bill Brookshire REMEMBER IN PRAYER Glad!Lawson!!!!!!!Jack!Almond! Pat!Phelps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Charles!Chavis!! Ann!Brinson!!!!!! Tom!Durham!! Lamarie!Clinard!!!!! Jim!Long!! Lucille!Crawford!!! OUR SYMPATHY The Family and friends Helen Warth on her death. WEST END MINISTRIES MEAL Coordinator Michelle Loyd! July 6 Sanctuary Choir! August 3 Adult III/IV Class ADULT SPECIAL CLASS July 02 Ginger Michaud 09 Phyllis McCoy 16 Billy or Linda Cox 23 Judy Brice 30 Rick Bednarek August 06 Lorraine Griffin 13 Phyllis McCoy 20 Cathy Purvis 27 Judy Brice August 04 & 11 Jim Long 18 & 25 TR Hendrix FACTS & FIGURES MAY Month to date Income $ 46,750 Expenses 50,853 (4,103) Year to date Income $ 231,526 Expenses 289,374 (57,848) Evelyn Perryman on the death of her son-in-law, Dan Sniffen. Kathie & Dennis Bowers and family on the death of their son, Dennis Bowers, Jr. Bloodmobile Thursday, July 6 2 6:30 pm For appointments:

8 HAPPY BIRTHDAY 01 Madeline Picha 02 Jordan Washburn 02 Olivia Martinez 03 Louise Hendrix 03 Lisa Bishop 03 Jim Yates 04 Fran Queen 04 Ashley Williams 05 Dylan Allman 05 Avery Payne 05 Lynn Walser 07 Mary Carroll 08 Dean McBrayer 09 Rachel Young 10 Lorna Benton 13 Lynn Simril 14 David Jollay 14 Ed Lefler 14 George Wallace 16 Lauren Picha 17 Bella Johnson 19 Lora Nugent 19 Ken Smith 20 Bugsy Brown 20 Lizzy Lawrence 20 Ella McMichael 20 Tera Thomas 21 Ed McCoy 23 Misty Lynch 26 Cooper Trammell 27 Linda Welch 30 Keller Morris 30 Brook Patterson 31 Katie Kennedy 31 Eric Webster ANNIVERSARY WISHES 08 Lamar & Corinne King 08 Ed & Phyllis McCoy 09 Jim & Carolyn Long 09 Ron & Rachel Young 12 Curtis & Cara Kiser 22 Brandon & Suzi Blair 27 Bill & Carolyn Brookshire OUR CONGRATULATIONS Ed & Phyllis McCoy on the arrival of grandson, Harrison John McCoy. Parents are Joseph & Lori McCoy of Atlanta, Ga E-GIVING This is a simple, convenient, and secure way to make scheduled or periodic contributions. Contact the church office for info on E-Giving or giving online. My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From every mountainside Let freedom ring! (8) My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our father's God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King. Samuel Francis Smith

9 EMERYWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH 1300 Country Club Drive High Point, NC PERIODICALS PERIODICAL POSTAGE PAID AT HIGH POINT, NC The Ventures (USPS ) Published monthly. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: 1300 Country Club Dr., High Point, NC Sundays Wednesdays 9 am Bible Study 11:15 am Intercessory Prayer 10 am One Worship 3 4:30 pm Food Pantry 6:30 pm Sanctuary Choir