WEST MARVA DISTRICT MEMO AUGUST 2016

Transcription

1 WEST MARVA DISTRICT MEMO AUGUST Dennett Road Oakland, MD Kendal Elmore, Executive Minister J. Rogers Fike, Executive Minister Emeritus Brenda Harvey, Administrative Assistant A MESSAGE FROM OUR DISTRICT CONFERENCE MODERATOR, CARL FIKE On the evening of September 16, 2016 and beginning at about 8:30 Saturday morning the 17 th Brethren from the West Marva District will be gathering for the annual West Marva District Conference at the Moorefield Church of the Brethren. The theme of this year s conference is Stir up the Gift which was inspired by encouraging words that Paul first penned two thousand years ago; For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (2 Timothy 1:6) I encourage both delegates and pastors to prayerfully look forward to this event, and to solicit the prayers of your congregations as well. Traditionally the highlight of conference for me has been the worship service held on Friday evening. This service is intended to be an event when all who worship throughout the West Marva District on Sunday mornings in local congregations can come together and unite in worship, praising God as we sing and pray. The Friday night speaker is Don Fitzkee, Chairman of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board. Don lives in Manheim, Pennsylvania with his wife and children and is a member of the Chiques congregation. I sincerely hope that you will consider coming to Moorefield on Friday evening so that we might worship together. (Additional information regarding our conference is available in this issue of the MEMO) A WORKDAY AT NEW WINDSOR The West Marva District Women s Fellowship Witness Commission is sponsoring a workday for the women (and men) of West Marva District to the New Windsor Brethren Service Center at New Windsor, MD. It will be held on August 22, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. They plan to carpool from local church communities. An accurate number of people planning to attend is imperative. The Brethren Service Center needs to know whether to schedule additional help for the day. Any church that has prepared Gift of the Heart Kits for the Fall Rally may want to take this opportunity to take the kits directly to New Windsor (please make sure you turn this number in at the Fall Rally so that you can be included in our totals. Please contact Mary Berg, Witness Commission Chair at 3469 Jordan Run Road, Maysville, WV or davidrberg@frontier.com no later than August 15, 2016.

2 Kendal s Korner A t our 2015 District Conference, the West Marva District sent two queries (items of new business) to the 2016 Annual Conference which met this summer in Greensboro, NC. New Business Item #1: How shall districts respond when ministers and/ or congregations conduct or participate in same sex weddings? The accompanying information sheet explains the process of that query. New Business Item #2: (Whether) it is the will of Annual Conference for On Earth Peace to remain an agency of the Church of the Brethren with Reportability and accountability to Annual Conference. A similar query was brought from the Southeastern District. The two queries were combined in one response from Standing Committee, and both were referred to the Review and Evaluation Committee. The recommendation was made recognizing that the Review and Evaluation Committee has the responsibility to consider the balance and unity of denominational agencies. What Happened in Greensboro? As a District Executive, I am a member of the Council of District Executives, and can assure you that the processing of this assignment regarding Same Sex Weddings will be dealt with prayerfully, thoughtfully, scripturally, and carefully by persons who are serious and committed to Christ and the Church of the Brethren. All of us, however, need and do, in fact, covet your prayers as we work at this matter. On reflection a month after Annual Conference, I have several thoughts to share: The part of New Business Item #1 dealing with congregations is not in the scope of our work, as Annual Conference adopted a policy in 2004 addressing congregational disagreement with Annual Conference Decisions. We will be discussing, as well, whether or not we should expand the scope of our task to address whether to recognize that there are other areas in which credentialed ministers may deviate from Annual Conference positions on a variety of issues. Should we seek to bring clarity to a broader question: How shall districts respond when credentialed ministers conduct or advocate activities that are contradictory to Annual Conference Polity or Policy? Please share any comments with me, and by all means, please, keep all who are in leadership in your prayers. Blessings,

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5 WEST MARVA DISTRICT CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN MOOREFIELD CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN Proposed Conference Schedule FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 Time Business Item Presenter/Resource Persons 6:00 Fellowship and Refreshments served in Oak Park, COB Fellowship Hall 6:30 Welcome John Moyers, Past Moderator Music Oak Park Church Worship Team 7:00 Congregational Singing Kevin Staggs, Chorister 7:15 Break 7:30 Choir Ezra Yoder, Choir Director Worship Carl Fike, Worship Leader Offering for West Marva District Ministries Guest Speaker Closing Hymn Benediction/Postlude Ushers Don Fitzkee, Chairman of the Church of the Brethren Mission and Ministry Board Carl Fike SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 Time Business Item Action Presenter/Resource Person 8:00 Fellowship and Refreshments served in Marge Roy Fellowship Hall Delegate/Non Delegate Registration Fellowship Hall 8:45 Welcome and Announcements Russell Webster, Moderator elect/pastor of Moorefield COB 9:00 Morning Worship Russell Webster, Moderator elect Congregational singing/choir Kevin Staggs, Chorister/Ezra Yoder, Choir Director Offering for West Marva District Ministries Ushers Moderator s Address Carl Fike, Moderator 9:35 Seating of Delegates and Board; Review of Conference Rules Russell Webster, Moderatorelect Appointment of Tellers Carl Fike, Moderator 9:40 Consecration of Delegates Carl Fike, Moderator Review and Approval of Agenda Approval Review minutes of 2014 Conference Approval 9:50 Comments from our Executive Minister Kendal Elmore 10:00 Good News Report 10:15 Presentation of Ballot and Election Voting Russell Webster, Spiritual Gifts Discernment Team

6 10:25 Break 10:30 Congregational Singing Kevin Staggs, Chorister 10:45 Consideration of New Business Items: #1 Disorganization of Congregation Maple Grove COB Approval Carl Fike, Moderator 10:55 Good News Reports 11:10 New Vision for District Youth Ministry Carl Fike, Moderator 11:25 Introduction of Guests, announcements Carl Fike, Moderator 11:30 West Marva District Financial Reports Business Item #2: Proposed 2017 West Marva District Budget Approval Bev Vetter, Treasurer Carl Fike, Moderator 12:00 Prayer/Lunch (Prepared by the Moorefield Church) (Please allow those with limited mobility to go to lunch first) 1:15 Gathering Music Kevin Staggs, Chorister 1:20 Communicators for Annual Conference Information Kendal Elmore Agencies: Ballot results/credential Report/Evaluation 1:40 Forms/2017 District Nominations Information Carl, Moderator 1:50 Good News Report 2:10 District Board Forum Receive Grover Duling, Board Chair; 2:25 Business Item #3 Resolution of Approval Carl Fike, Moderator Condolence Elmer Cosner Recognition of Ordained Ministers Mark Teets 2:35 Standing Committee Delegate Report Grover Duling/John Moyers 2:50 Action to Receive Reports Receive Carl Fike, Moderator reports Installation of Officers, Consecration of 2017 Carl Fike, Moderator Moderator and Passing the Gavel Closing Remarks and Prayer by 2017 Russell Webster Moderator 3:00 Adjournment NOTE: THE BOARD WITH CONTINUING AND NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS WILL MEET AT A DESIGNATED SPACE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ADJOURNMENT. ORDINATION SERVICE HELD Matt Combs, Associate Pastor of the Romney Church of the Brethren was ordained on July 31, 2016 during the morning worship service. Please keep Matt and his wife Crystal in your prayers as they begin this new phase in their lives.

7 RESERVATIONS FOR DISTRICT CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 16-17, 2016 The lunch served on Saturday will be on a pre-pay basis and you must have a meal ticket in order to receive your lunch the day of conference. It is extremely difficult to prepare a meal when you don't have a number to work with. The menu will consist of: Chicken, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, green beans, corn, coleslaw, rolls, tea, lemonade and coffee and desserts. Meal prepared by the Moorefield Church. Reservations need to be in by September 8, 2016 along with a check made payable to West Marva District, 384 Dennett Road, Oakland, MD Person sending reservations: From congregation: Phone number (if needed for contact) MEAL RESERVATIONS: Number of persons: Saturday noon (cost of meal $10.00) MEAL TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE ON SATURDAY MORNING DISTRICT CONFERENCE MOTEL ACCOMODATIONS: Motel reservations should be made directly, arranging with the following public accommodations: In Moorefield: In Petersburg:(20 to 25 minutes away) South Branch Inn (304) Fort Hill (304) Rt. 220 North Honors AAA & AARP Hermitage Motor Inn (304) If your church has a tax exempt number Virginia Avenue bring a copy of it with you to be tax exempt Evans Motel (304) N. Main St. Homestead Inn, Rt. 55 (304)

8 You re Invited to Our Community Picnic & Awaken Small Town Creekside Park, Westernport, MD August 13, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. Free: BBQ Pit, Pulled Pork, Hot Dogs, Cotton Candy, Sno-Cones, Face Painting, Moon Bounces, Games, Kids Activities, Guest Speakers, Giveaways, and More!!!! Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an evening of Christian Fellowship. More information contact David Ziler at or pastordavid@danvillecob.org

9 Allocation Report January 1, 2016 July 15, 2016 Church Allocation YTD Giving Church Allocation YTD Giving Asher Glade $ 2, $ 3, Pine Grove $ 1, $ 1, Bean Settlement Peasant Hill Bear Creek $ 4, Pleasant Valley Beaver Run $ 2, $1, Red Creek/Bethel $ 1, $ Bethel $ 5, $ 5, Romney $ $ Bethesda $ $ Salem $ 3, $ 1, Bowden $ 1, Shady Grove $ Brake $ 2, $ 5, Shiloh $ 3, $ 2, Brick $ $ South Mill Creek $ 1, $ Brookside $ 3, $ 3, Sugarland Capon Chapel Sunnyside $ 1, $ Cherry Grove $ 2, Tearcoat $ $ Clifton Mills Terra Alta/Whitedale Danville $ 1, $ 1, Valley River Elkins $ $ Walnut Grove Fairview $ 1, Westernport Frostburg White Pine Georges Creek $ Wiley Ford $ 1, $ 1, Glady Gortner Union Totals $75, $ 56, Hanging Rock Harman $ 4, Harmony Harness Run $ Harpers Chapel $ Hazelton $ Jordan Run $ $ Kelley Chapel $ 2, $ 2, Keyser $ 1, $ Knobley Laughlin $ Laurel Glen $ Livingstone Locust Grove $ 2, $ 2, Maple Spring $ 7, $ 5, Moorefield $ 1, $ Morgantown $ Mount Zion $ Mountain Dale $ Oak Dale $ 1, $ 1, Oak Grove, MD $ 3, Oak Park $ 10, $ 5, Old Furnace $ 2, $ 1, Onego $ Petersburg $ 1, $ 1,200.00

10 Centennial to be at OAK DALE Au- BRETHREN BITS from Betty s Desk... gust 28th Oak Dale Church of the Brethren had its beginnings in the Pre-Civil War era in what was known then as the Greenland Congregation. Historians locally have left information that some of the Beaver Run preachers had regular appointments as far west as Greenland and Allegheny Exact dates are vague but Elder John Kline ordained ministers in 1849 at Greenland according to his diaries. Information in Allegheny Passage mentions Jordan Run church was included in the territory of Greenland congregation until July On Sunday, August 28, 2016 Oak Dale is planning a celebration beginning with worship service having invited Bro. Jim Myer as guest speaker, followed by Sunday School. Everyone is welcome and invited to participate in the activities scheduled for the entire day. A covered dish meal dish meal at noon is planned; also a very special afternoon service with members sharing their memories. Emphasis will be on the history of Oak Dale, the activities over the years and fine fellowship. Who knows someone may come up with the idea for an old time Brethren tradition. The men won t be able to enter a door on one side as our Brethren ancestors came to the meeting and the women enter a second front door--but once inside the women may sit on one side while the menfolk find seats across the aisle on the other side. Oak Dale lies within the area of the old Greenland Congregation and possibly, although precise locations remain shrouded in the clouds of the past not so far from the second church used by the Dunkers actually near Scherr. The Civil War times were not easy for Brethren believers. Unity was a problem. Many Brethren remained faithful to the peace position as did the martyr John Kline. Other church families were divided with some youth and men joining forces of the south and some of the north. On page 331 of Allegheny Passage we read The log Greenland meeting house was used until April 23, 1863 when the Yankees fortified it and took refuge in it. A bloody battle ended with the Yankees being defeated and the church was burned to the ground. About preaching services were held in the Paddys Land school which stood across the road from the present day Oak Dale church. This building and the school built in 1890 to replace it were both destroyed by fire. The Oak Dale School was built in 1900 according to a historical sketch used in the 1992 Oak Dale dedication service. The Grant County Board of Education gave the lot to Greenland so they could have a place to worship. Within the community there were complaints about the Dunkards using public school houses for their meeting place. Construction on the Oak Dale church located on land given by the Grant County Board of Education was begun sometimes in the summer or fall of Additional land was purchased from Luther Hott. Tom Ebert likely assisted by his brothers, Wilbur and Jesse did the carpentry work. Jesse s wife, Bessie and daughter Mae (later Mrs. Lester Evans) cooked for the men as they worked on the building. Others known to have assisted with cutting the timber and transporting of the logs were Frank Hipp and his father; Albert and Taylor Johnson, Saul and Clarence Evans. These and other members of this community gave freely of time and labor to build this church. Today, many of the congregation can trace their ancestors to those men who donated logs or helped haul them to the sawmill located on the Albert Johnson farm. Oak Dale s 2001 church directory reveals the total cost of the church was around $ As was the practice in the early days of our district churches on the day of dedication an offering would be taken. Rev. Marshall Wolfe of Bridgewater was guest speaker, assisted by Bro. Obed Hamstead. The offering on the day of dedication raised the $ needed to pay all outstanding debts and actually there was some money left over. During those early years before full time pastorates, Bro. Albert Johnson ( ) resident minister was assisted by Israel Weimer, Obed Hamstead, Raphael Leatherman, Taylor Sines, Ezra Fike, B.W. Smith, and B.B. Ludwick. Bro. Ross Johnson was elected and installed to the free ministry in 1922 at this church; he served here and surrounding areas many years. From Greenland congregation pastors who served at Oak Dale were: Earl Fike, Alva Harsh, Earl Ziegler, Carl Welch, Norman Seese, Calvin Harris, Joseph Whitacre, Philip Norris, B.M. Rollins, Levi Ziegler, Owen Horton, Carl Yoder, Paul Boal, Herman Turner, James Heckman, Ben Hinegardner and Gene Burry. Some of the free ministers were from outside the congregation but it should be noted Lester Evans, son of James G. and Arnia Becker Evans ( ) served locally and in nearby churches beginning in 1924.

11 Oak Dale Congregation Is Established Oak Dale became an independent congregation on September 16, Their long association with Greenland came to an end. Looking back in Minutes kept at the Greenland Congregation of June 1887 a petition from the Brethren of Knobley and vicinity was presented by Bro. William George asking for a division of the Greenland Church Then in September 1887 records show the division line was established between Beaver Run Church and the Greenland Church thence with the top of mountain to Greenland Gap and thence eastern with Moorefield and Allegheny Road Nearly one hundred years later, after the 1988 designation, Oak Dale has served members on the north side of the territory lying from Scherr toward New Creek Valley. The southern part of the Greenland members then decided to call themselves the Brick congregation. With that action the ancient name of Greenland Congregation ceased to exist. Information in Allegheny Passage mentions Jordan Run church was included in the territory of Greenland congregation until July 1950 which should not be overlooked. Pastors of the Oak Dale Congregation In 1988 Harold Garber began his services as part-time pastor of the Oak Dale church Heath Fervida was full time minister. August 2000 Daniel Baker began his full time ministry and served until From pulpit supply speakers were used until the current pastor, Mike Bernard was secured and has continued to serve. Attendance in the early days of the church was fifty to sixty which continues yet today. Many who worship at Oak Dale today are descended from the families who were faithful workers over the years as they assisted and contributed to the growth The Frank Hipp, J.W. Ebert, Rev. Albert Johnson offspring, but also many of the Evans family, as well as the Duling, Getz, Hawk and Kimble clans to mention some who have continued to be active. Over the years Sunday school rooms were added to better serve the needs of the congregation. In 1974 during the pastorate of James Heckman a fellowship hall and educational wing were added at the cost of $16, for the addition and equipment. J. Rogers Fike was guest speaker for that dedication service. Today, the facility with renovated sanctuary and vestibule, has a modern kitchen, library space, comfortable new pews and a large basement area. Oak Dale extends an open invitation to everyone to join in this special occasion. You are welcome to come join in the celebration on Sunday, August 28, 2016 come in the morning for services, at noon for the covered dish meal and stay for the afternoon session of sharing! Morning worship begins at 9:45 and Sunday School at 11 a.m. The above picture was taken during the 80th Anniversary celebration at Oak Dale

12 Church of the Brethren NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION West Marva District Office U. S. POSTAGE 384 Dennett Road PAID Oakland, MD OAKLAND, MD August 2016 Issue PERMIT NO. 68 Address Service Requested IN GOD WE TRUST UPCOMING EVENTS August 13 Community Picnic & Awaken Small Town Tour Creekside Park, Westernport, MD 4:00-8:00 p.m. 22 District Women s Workday at New Windsor 28 Special Centennial Service at Oak Dale September District Conference, Moorefield Church of the Brethren