A Publication of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia

Transcription

1 The V C irginia hristian October 2017 Vol. 48, No. 9 A Publication of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia 1290 Enterprise Drive In This Issue Continuing Education at LC Young Adult Planning Session Good News from the Region New Church Ministry Men's & Women's Retreat News from Craig Springs Lynchburg, VA regional minister search & call The Search & Call Team appreciates ALL who completed a regional survey over the past five months. A good many Disciples offered opinions and feedback that will prove valuable in the search for the next Regional Minister. The next step in the search journey will be to analyze the data and share at listening conferences around the region. The team will meet in October to review survey results and determine locations for those conferences. As we continue this holy work, let us all be mindful of the Psalmist words, Many plans are in a person s mind, but the Lord s purpose will succeed (19:21). Thank you for your labors in the Lord and please continue to keep the Region, our Regional Staff, and the search process in your prayers. Kathryn A. Hull, Chair (khull@rmc.edu) saying farewell to donna Regional Assembly June 1-3, 2018 at Lynchburg College In the fall of 2009, Donna Webster was called to serve the Christian Church in Virginia as the Director of Women's Ministries and has done so faithfully for the past 8 years. Earlier this year, Donna decided to resign her position so that she could focus on several other ministry opportunities in her life. Donna is currently seeking her Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary, on track to ordination, and serving as the pastor of First Christian Church, Newport. As Donna closes her time in this formal role with the Region, please join us in celebrating the work she has done and the work she will continue to do. The women's cabinet honoring Donna Webster at the Women's Retreat in June.

2 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 2 coretha's corner Can it really be October already? Where have the past 7 months gone? The time has gone so fast, that I must be having lots of fun or something like that. In fact, it truly has been a whirlwind of activity within the Region: attending various District Assemblies and events, visiting and preaching in congregations across the state, working with quite a few search committees as they begin and continue their processes of searching for new leadership, summer camp season, and working with various committees. The time has truly been rewarding, fun, challenging, and exciting as the Region begins to live into the Design which was passed at the 2016 Regional Assembly. We are all learning how to be flexible, to think and imagine in new ways, and most importantly, to be open to the leading of God s Spirit. I m grateful to each of you for the prayers, the support, and the warm welcome I have received wherever I have gone. You have been understanding and patient as we try to accomplish much with limited staffing, for which I am very grateful. As we begin to move into a very busy season of the year, continue to be supportive of your local congregation and your pastors, our Region, and the General Church. Together, with God s help, we can move mountains! Grace & Peace, Good News! In reviewing the comparative statement of Disciples Mission Fund giving through August, the Region of Virginia s contributions are up 11.9% compared to the same time period in For 2017, our total DMF giving (including Blessing Box) was $215,276, compared to $192,466, a difference of $22,810. Thank you to each one who has generously given to the larger church, in order for us to be stronger together! churches in search and call For more information about these churches and the position they are seeking, please contact Coretha. Antioch Christian, Bowling Green Bedford Christian, Bedford (minister) Boones Mill Christian, Boones Mill (interim) Fairview Christian, Hood (minister) Fayette St Christian, Martinsville (minister) First Christian, Richlands (minister) Memorial Christian, Lynchburg (interim) Louisa Christian, Louisa (minister) Old Well Christian, Spencer (minister) Olive Branch Christian, Williamsburg (associate minister) Petunia Christian, Wytheville (minister) Snow Creek Christian, Martinsville (interim) Tazewell Christian, Tazewell Virginia Beach Christian, Virginia Beach (minster)

3 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 3 continuing education opportunity at lynchburg college Lynchburg College deeply values is covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Part of Sarah and Josephus Hopwood s original vision for the institution was to train church and community leaders. Lynchburg College now offers its Masters in Nonprofit Leadership program in two formats, an executive weekend format OR entirely online. Courses in Leadership, Strategic Communications, Change and Organizing in the Community, Nonprofit Finance and Grant writing are just some of the opportunities for pastors and local church leaders to hone skills for ministry in your own community. The degree can be complete in one year full time or at your own pace. More information can be found at va region young adult planning session Saturday, November 4 from 2pm to 6pm at Timberlake Christian Church Lynchburg Hwy in Lynchburg, VA for ages Want to be involved with planning young adult events for the Disciples of Christ in Virginia? This is the event for you! This is a meeting to see what the Young Adults in Virgnia want from the church on a regional level - programs, events, whatever! Free child care will be provided during the meeting, if needed. For more information, contact Sarah Page Jones at (text message is best). All Clergy Take Note!! The first of several Healthy Boundaries for Clergy workshops will be offered Wednesday, October 11 th, at Bon Air Christian Church, Richmond. The day will begin at 10:00 a.m., and we will conclude by 3:00 p.m. Please note that this is required for all Disciples ministers who wish to maintain their standing in the Region of Virginia. If you can t attend this session, there will be at least two more offered in the near future, one in Lynchburg and one in Martinsville; at least one of those will be on a Saturday. If you need more information, or would like to register for the October event, please contact the Regional Office at (434) In the midst of everything going on, we want to help in whatever way we can, but we also want to make sure that our gifts are being used to do the most good to reach the most people in need as possible. As you consider donating money to help with the relief efforts from the effects of Hurricane Harvey, consider giving to the Week of Compassion, who works tirelessly around the world to help those in need. Currently, Week of Compassion has helped in 58 different disaster and refugee situations in 2017 IN NORTH AMERICA ALONE. To donate to Week of Compassion, please click here. To learn more about Week of Compassion and its responses all over the world, please visit their website.

4 OCTOBER THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN good news from the region Charity Christian Church in Martinsville, Virginia held a Fruit of the Spirit ecumenical fellowship where we brought women together for a fun time of love and fellowship. Each lady and gentleman presented one of the "fruit" to us for the service. Kendala Parkinson fell ill that weekend and was unable to present her fruit of Joy so her husband, Pastor Mark Parkinson, stepped right in for her. It was a wonderful event and wonderful fellowship. In this day of racial issues and what not, The Disciples of Christ have decided love will win everytime! We are so grateful to each person for their participation! Catina Martin Charity Christian Church, Martinsville news from new church ministry New Church Ministry will be sponsoring an informal conference on Saturday, November 11, at the Regional Office in Lynchburg, led by Minister Terrell McTyer, Minister for New Church Strategies for HOPE Partnership. From 10am to 12pm, there will be a presentation and dialogue on starting a new church; from 1pm to 3pm there will be a presentation and dialogue on church transformation. There is no charge and you can attend one session or both. Please bring your lunch or money to order pizza. If you have any questions or would like to register, please Jonathan Webster at jonathanwebsterbcc@gmail.com. Clergy Transitions Fayette Street Christian, Martinsville, has called Rev. Eugene Reynolds to serve as their interim minister, beginning October 1. First Christian, Hampton, has called Rev. Vinson Miller to serve as their senior minister. He will begin his ministry there on November 1. Hilton Christian, Newport News, has called Rev. Phil Jones to serve as their intentional interim minister. Snowville Christian, Hiwassee, has called Rev. Jonathan Webster to serve as their interim minister. Strasburg Christian, Strasburg, has called Rev. Rob Lovett to serve as their minister. Westhampton Christian, Roanoke, extended a call to Rev. Kevin McNeill to serve as their interim minister while their senior minister, Rev. Jim Crockett, is on medical leave.

5 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 5 For questions about this event, please contact Donna Webster.

6 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN Camp Dates craig springs moment Spring Work Weekend - May Nature Camp - June Special Camp - July 1-6 Triple 1 - July 8-13 AMPDD Camp - July Triple 2 - July New Covenant Camp - July 29- August 3 Family Camp - August 3-6 Fall Work Weekend - October 5-7 Craig Springs is one of the most unique camps that I have ever been to. I have been going to Triple camps at Craig Springs since I was a rising fourth grader and once I got into high school I counseled both at Nature and Triple camp. Although I have had a few years that I have been counseling Disciples camps in other states, I have always come back to Craig Springs. Craig Springs is my favorite place in the world and has nurtured my spiritual life from a young age. I truly believe if it wasn t for Craig, I would not be where I am in my life today. My favorite thing about going to Craig Springs is when I head up that mountain I am over whelmed by a sense of peace and a closeness to God that I do not feel as strongly anywhere else. Going to Craig Springs is like going into another world surrounded by history and love. It is a place that you can truly be yourself. I remember after a particularly difficult time during my life, my family and I were surrounded by our Craig Springs family. After that happened a person, who knows about Craig Springs but doesn t go there, came up to me and he was truly moved and impressed how the Craig Springs family cared for us in our time of need and he was right. The love that we received is nothing like I have ever seen before and I can t thank everyone enough. I have gained friendships that will last a lifetime. The camps that are offered at Craig Springs are not like any other Disciples camp. Virginia is the only regional camp I have visited that has Triple camps. A benefit of this type of camp is that campers of all ages can interact with and learn from each other. I know when I was in elementary school as a junior camper, I looked up to the older campers and they inspired me. When I was in high school as CYF camper, being around the younger campers motivated me to be leader and a good example to them. Triples are not the only camp that are unique among the camps that I have experienced. Nature camp is special in the way that high schoolers are the ones who run it and they are paired alongside an underprivileged child. This is one of the most meaningful camps because you bring positive change to a child s life who might not get that experience otherwise. I have also never seen an arts camp at any other Disciples camp. AMPDD (art, music, photography, dance, and drama) is a way for the campers to connect to God through creative expression. Then there is Family camp, where the whole family can experience camp together! It is a great way to introduce a young child to camp and a way for those who are youthful but too old to be a camper at the other camps to continue to be a camper. At New Covenant and Special camp, the director, staff, and counselors who run them, just like all the Craig camps, make it a one of a kind experience that you cannot get anywhere else. I am always going to come back to Craig Springs, even as I travel to different camps around the country. I want to bring what I learn from others back to Craig Springs so I can help grow the experience of the next generation of campers at Craig Springs. I want campers to have an even better experience at Craig Springs than I did growing up. Love at this place is endless and I will always support it no matter where I go in life. In the words of Steven Curtis Chapman, I cherish these times up on the mountain but I can leave this place because I know someday you ll take me home to live forever up on the mountain. Jasmine Heath Bon Air Christian Church, Richmond Member of Outdoor Ministry

7 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 7 family camp for all In the May Virginia Christian, the question was posed When was the last time You were on God s Mountain? You rocked in a rocking chair on Central Porch? You laid on a blanket on the ballfield and counted the stars in the heavens? You sang the Birdy Song first thing in the morning? The question was answered by many August 4th 7th! 50 campers, ages 1-80 gathered together at Craig Springs Family Camp to do all of that and more! Family Camp 2017 enjoyed inspiring worship lessons on how to Branch Out, by Michael Stump from Doe Run Christian and Jim Phifer from Bon Air Christian. We had fun learning new songs like how to Be a Sheep with our song leader Ruth Ann Manning. The kids learned about Warm Fuzzies and Branching Out by spreading love. Ken Burger lead Romans & Christians for the first time at Family Camp, where another first happened the Adult Christians tried to convert the Romans (Craig Springs Staff) when trying to avoid capture so they could make it to the place of worship. Penny Gradwell from Bethany Christian shared her experience on the Woman to Woman trip to Ghana, and our Interim Regional Minister, Coretha Loughridge, had a State of the Church talk with question and answer time. To top the weekend off a young camper was baptized in the pool at camp, with her family & camp friends there to support her in her Christian Faith! We played giant Jenga & Kerplunk games, Soda Bottle Bowling, Dodge Ball, Putt Putt, and Card Games. We hiked and went swimming. Diane Clark taught us how to make Dream Catchers during crafts. We stayed up late having fun, talking and getting to know one another. Family campers Branched Out through worship, fun, and fellowship at camp and our relationship with God became real again on God s Mountain. We left camp Monday morning refreshed and ready to Branch Out and share our faith with others! You can see pictures and learn more about Family Camp on our Facebook page, Craig Springs Camp Family Camp. Don t you want to be a part of the fun at Family Camp? Make plans to join us in 2018 on God s Mountain at Craig Springs! Anne Joyce Heath Bon Air Christian Church, Richmond Family Camp Director Member of Outdoor Ministry

8 OCTOBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 8 a new website is coming! We are excited and working hard to get our new regional website up and running! Unfortunately, during a transition in July, our website went down and could not be recovered. In the end, we decided to start from scratch and build a new website! The hope and plan is to launch the new website on November 1st, so look for announcements on our Facebook page and in the November Virginia Christian. Anything interesting happening at your church or in your district in the next few months? information about the event to Ann at virginiachristian@ccinva.org for publication in The Virginia Christian! Regional Staff Coretha Loughridge, Interim Regional Minister Donna Webster, Director of Women's Ministries Ann Shepherd, Communications Information Dir. Jason Good, Craig Springs Camp Manager Rita Rodenbaugh, Administrative Assistant Susan Gordon, Secretary Melinda Floyd, Financial Secretary Submit articles and photos for the next monthly edition of The Virginia Christian by to virginiachristian@ccinva.org or by mail to Ann Shepherd c/o Regional Office 1290 Enterprise Dr. Lynchburg, VA by September 15, 2017