District of Idaho & Western Montana Church of the Brethren

Transcription

1 District of Idaho & Western Montana Church of the Brethren Volume 4, Issue 4 September 2009 Sue Daniel, Editor District of Idaho & W. Montana Church of the Brethren Camp Stover 2009 Fund District Raiser Conference October 9-10 Nampa Church of the Brethren "Choose to Serve" With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort. (1Co 15:58 MSG) Worship ~ Business ~ Insight Sessions ~ Guest Speakers ~ Fellowship Registration information will be available by September 6 Fees: Adults: $10.00 Children 5.00 Family (includes two adults and children) Youth 15.00, work, play, and worship as a family. (includes registration, meals & youth activity) HOPE HOUSE Meals: Adults Children $5.00 (each meal) 3.00 (each meal) Registration Deadline: September 25 is a home to c A Legacy of Service... David McKellip Retires August 31, 2009 After 40-plus years in ministry with the Church of the Brethren, Mountain View COB Pastor David McKellip is going fishing... and hopes to spend more time with his family. A celebration of his retirement is planned for Sunday, August 30, 2-4 p.m. at the Mt. View Church. David was licensed to the ministry in 1962 and ordained in He served as pastor of Churches of the Brethren in Idaho--Bowmont, 4 years, and Boise Valley, 8 years--followed by 9 years in Salkum, WA and 8 years in Moreno Valley, CA. David and wife Deanna returned to Idaho 1996, where he has served as the Mountain View COB pastor since. Many of his years in ministry were bi-vocational and he also worked in retail sales, selling shoes and clothing. Throughout his years of service, David has been active in youth ministry, having served in youth camping programs at Camp Stover, Camp Koinonia, Camp LaVerne and Camp Peaceful Pines, as well as district youth staff for Pacific Southwest District. The Idaho District values David's contributions to district ministry. He has been active on the District Board and the District Ministry Council. Heartfelt appreciation for your dedication and best wishes for a peaceful, relaxing retirement. May God continue to richly bless you, Deanna and your family!

2 Page 2 Congregational Prayer Partner Connection... The district Prayer Partner program continues with the hope of stimulating renewed connection, awareness and support among the churches (and their members) in the Idaho District. Each congregation is encouraged to be in prayer for another during a threemonth period. Some specifics to consider in your prayer time might include: Congregational health & vitality Personal concerns--health, family, relationship, employment issues, etc. Special events in the life of the church Birthday and anniversary celebrations Opportunities to become better acquainted with others in the district During the months of September, October and November... Boise Valley will be in prayer for Mountain View Bowmont will be in prayer for Boise Valley Fruitland will be in prayer for CommunityTwin Falls Nampa will be in prayer for Bowmont Mountain View will be in prayer for Fruitland Community Twin Falls will be in prayer for Nampa "Thanks!" The Idaho Brethren Disaster Ministries committee wishes to express appreciation to all who contributed to, purchased items and supported the auction held on June 13, They report the auction netted more than $8000. Half of the proceeds were sent to the Brethren Disaster Ministries office to support work at the national level. In a note of appreciation, Jane Yount with the BDM office said, "'The Little District That Could' has done it again! Hip-hip-hooray! Thank you, and God bless!" The remaining funds raised will be used to support Idaho District volunteers who travel to work at disaster projects. Idaho volunteers are scheduled to work in New Orleans January 24-30, Anyone interested in participating in this project should contact Don Morrison at

3 Good News!! ~ from the Idaho congregations... Page 3 Boise Valley: A large number of our congregation was involved in the June Disaster Ministries Auction. Julie Dillehay was our delegate to Annual Conference in San Diego and gave us a great report. In June we celebrated a Kerschensteiner wedding and the arrival of a new baby girl. Camp Stover week was a highlight for many who attended and provided leadership. August included a send-off for Darren & Roxanne Stevens and family who have moved back east and will be greatly missed! The Brown/Sager family reunion brought more than sixty persons to our church on the 16th and provided us with some great music and fellowship. Bowmont: This summer Bowmont has been blessed with some of our Missionaries coming home and letting us know what is happening on the mission fields. What a blessing to be a part of God s work! The Fathers Day Barbeque in June was lots of fun, with great food and fellowship. In July we had a Craft Fair & Yard Sale to help boost our Building Fund which has steadily been growing. Our church is in the process of having a facelift with the addition of new siding. We are looking forward to our Annual Sunday School Kick-off & Potato Bar Potluck on September 6 th. God is Good! Community Twin Falls: Vacation Bible School was held Aug. 5-8th with 10 in attendance and 4 participating youth. The theme was "Breaking Through with Jesus." We made wooden crosses decorated with shells and buttons, decorated cross cookies and painted stained glass pictures. There was lots of singing and learning of Bible verses, which earned rewards. There is still Tuesday night Bible study and dinner and the youth meet on Thursdays. In July, we had a break-in and all the PA system was taken along with computers, keyboard, lamps, and other miscellaneous items. We pray for those who needed the items more than the Church. Upcoming events include a Grandparents Potluck with the Youth being in charge, Church Bazaar/Yard/Bake Sale in October, Thanksgiving Day meal for the community, Love Feast will be prepared by the youth on December 10th and the Live Nativity will be on December 19th. Fruitland: July saw Fruitland and 5 other area churches come together to celebrate our unity in Jesus as together, we worshipped and praised our Savior in the city park. Our Kids for Christ club held their annual summer BBQ and swim party and we celebrated new life to come with a baby shower and pot luck for Suzanne and JJ, 2 of our newest members. August blessed Fruitland with the opportunity to minister to our brothers and sisters at the Well Springs Assisted Living Facility each Sunday afternoon. Our women's fellowship held a free sewing clinic to mend and alter student uniforms for Fruitland school students and gathered at Camp Stover for a time of spiritual retreat. Our children's ministry traveled to the Payette Fair, ended their VBS program with a special presentation and party for parents and had a time of consecration and blessing for all students during our Sunday worship hour. September will see a Fruitland team competing in the Family Fun Days Chili and Pie Cooking Contest, beginning a new members class, celebrating International Day of Prayer and beginning a furniture ministry in co-operation with Love Inc. The Lord continues to bless and guide us, and we are thankful for His abundant mercy and love. Mountain View: August events were a lot of fun and well attended. Vacation Bible School was held August 3-7. Congratulations to Becky Goldstein, and Terri Raynor for a great success. Many enjoyed the annual church picnic, complete with afternoon games and great fellowship. Sam and Kim Robison headed it up the August garage sale. Mt. View uses Gather Round Sunday School materials for the children and a new quarter begins in September. A new sign, compliments of Paul Grosdidier and his brother has arrived for the Leon and Gladys Burt Fellowship Hall. A time of special dedication for the hall and the sign will be held in the future. As the year nears end, a nominating committee is forming to choose leadership for next year Please be in prayer for Mt. View as they seek new leadership for the congregation. Special thanks to Sue Daniel for her help with the Search Committee. Nampa: We had a wonderful turnout for Don Hardenbrook's going-away reception/potluck on August 9 Upcoming events include: Sept. 24 Women's Ministry Potluck (6:30pm); Sept. 26 Deacon Training Workshop; Sept. 16 (7pm) first choir practice after summer break; Sept Women's Retreat at Ashley Inn (Cascade); Oct 31 Women's Ministry Bazaar; Nov 22 Thanksgiving Dinner (after church)... 11am service only / no Sunday School. Oct 8/9 "Handling Conflict" Workshop led by Rick Polhamus with On Earth Peace will take place at Nampa. Oct 9/10 Nampa church looks forward to hosting District Conference

4 Page4 CAMP STOVER NEWS: Senior Youth Workcamp Review The following comments were written by participants of the national senior high workcamp at held at Camp Wilbur Stover June 14-20, 2009: Coming to Idaho, I really had no idea what to expect-- all I really knew about the state was that its potatoes were famous. Looking back on the week, though, I can honestly say that Idaho was all that I had hoped for...and a whole lot more! Our mission trip group of 18 quickly became a tight-knit group of friends as we worked together to accomplish tasks such as mowing (with the field and brush trimmer affectionately known as "the billy goat"), painting several cabins, cleaning brush and debarking beetle-infested trees. Throughout our stay at the camp we enjoyed delicious food prepared by our Idahoan hosts, as well as fellowship and daily devotionals. Other highlights of our work camp experience were an evening swim in the hot springs pool and an adventurous white water rafting excursion. The work camp truly provided an opportunity for the participants to grow closer to each other, and especially God, as we worked and reflected on our faith together. Thank you to the Idaho District for giving us this wonderful opportunity! Elize Daubert, Schuylkill COB, PA Monday, September 21, 2009 Further information available at: Calling All Youth: National Youth Conference July 17-22, 2010 Even from day one we were never strangers because from God's eyes we are all brothers and sisters. By the time we noticed this we were already a family. While distant from society we would work, but we would also work to be closer to the Father and the Holy Spirit. The work we did was hard and long, but because of God and all the people we could make happy, we had no complaints. The only things left on our minds are the wonderful people we met and the laughs and good times we had. Not only did we become a family, but we came closer to our Lord as well. Although we worked until we were sore, and suffered many splinters and falls, we are sure that, if possible, we would return to Idaho. Kristen Frazier & Michelle Heatwole, Dayton COB, VA Registration begins Jan. 5. Early registration cost is $425 after Feb 15 registration is $450 Plan now!!

5 Page5 Discerning the Purpose of District Ministry Responding to common concerns from a number of district executives/ministers regarding the role and function of Districts and the Council of District Executives in the midst of changing denominational structure and a fragmented church, the Executive Committee of the Council of District Executives appointed a team to evaluate and clearly define the role of Districts, District Executives and the Council of District Executives in the life of the Church today. The Purpose Team convened and began its work focusing much of their initial efforts on the purpose of districts. In our work we have identified what we believe are the essential functions of districts common to each district, but more important to our task is to give opportunity for lay leadership and pastors from the districts to help shape our understanding and purpose of District Ministry. The following questions are designed to assist in facilitating that discussion: Guiding Questions From your knowledge and/or understanding Describe the purpose of the District and what is needed to fulfill that purpose. Describe how the wider District and its staff is or could be a part of the ministry and mission of your congregation. Share how your District could better serve your congregation. Describe the ministry of your District staff. Discussion of these questions will begin in the Idaho District at District Conference October 10. Please prayerfully consider them and be prepared to provide input that will assist in defining how the district can be a better resource to you and your congregation. Matthew 18 Training for Trainers Nampa Church of the Brethren Nampa, Idaho Idaho District Shalom Team members and leadership are invited to this special training to equip leaders for Matthew 18 workshops. Matthew 18 Workshops are a practical, faith centered resource for strengthening a congregationʹs ability to deal with differences. Trainer: Rick Polhamus, MoR Trainer, Fletcher, Ohio Schedule: Thursday and Friday, October 8 and 9. Cost: No cost to Shalom Team members For More Information: Contact Julie Dillehay, kdhlpr@yahoo.com Dear Friends of Idaho District, I want to write to thank you all for your love and support in my ministry through the years. It has been this District and Bowmont Congregation who helped confirm our calling. Certainly all your love and support through the years has always given me great encouragement. I first truly heard the call to pastoral ministry as a young man at Camp Stover. Special thanks to Glen and Dorothy Shaw, Dick Keim, and Earl Traughber and so many others. God has richly blessed me through the Church of the Brethren in Idaho. Know the Idaho District will always be my home and it remains in our prayers. David McKellip *Continuing Education Units are available to Church of the

6 District of Idaho & Western Montana Church of the Brethren 2009 Calendar of Events Aug. 30 David McKellip Retirement Mt. View 2-4 p.m. Sept. 1 District Board of Directors Mt. View 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5-7 Camp Stover Work Weekend Sept. 19 Camp Stover Fundraiser Dinner & Mt. View 6:00 p.m. Sept. 26 Deacon Nampa 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 8-9 Ministry of Reconciliation Matthew 18 Nampa Oct District Nampa Oct. 17 District Women's Fall Rally at Boise Valley Nov. 7 Ministerial Ethics Nampa 9a.m.-2p.m. Nov. 3 District Board of Directors Mt. View 6:30 p.m. Nov. 29 Fifth Sunday Twin Falls Jan. 5, 2010 National Youth Conference Registration Begins A Joyful Voice is a quarterly publication. Please submit articles or items of interest from congregations or individuals to: Sue Daniel, Administrative Executive 5801 E Victory Road Nampa, Idaho Phone: IdahoAE@msn.com Ministers Meet: First Friday/month Check out the Idaho District Website at: District of Idaho & Western Montana Church of the Brethren 5801 E Victory Road Nampa, Idaho 83687