Why are there so many different Christian denominations?

Transcription

1 OUTREACH Seeking and Serving Christ to Make a Difference November, 2017 November Adult Educa on Classes Why are there so many different Christian denominations? For as long as there have been more than one Christian, there have disagreements about theology and practice. As this is the business of the correct understanding of and relationship with God (and, oh yeah, salvation), it is important business. Again and again the truth is revealed and not everyone agrees so either there is a recanting or punishment or breaking away to preserve the sacred revelation. Martin Luther coupled the scripture as authority with empowering individuals to discover for themselves what the scripture was saying and the Christian sweater has been unraveling ever since to be reknit into a multitude of new sweaters, each of which fits ever so much better and each being of course is the true Sweater. Each week the class will try to be a humble and honest examination of how denominations of Protestantism have come to be and what truth they were affirming by not conforming with the existing denominations. Like learning another language, you can learn so much about yourself by seeing how others do it. 11/12 An overview of the ever dividing European Christian church and a brief history of the church in North America from pre-colonial through the three Awakenings 11/19 Anabaptists (Mennonite, Amish, Hutterite) 11/26 Congregationalists and Baptists Church of Christ Adventists 12/3 Methodists Holiness Churches : Pentecostals and Charismatics 12/10 Quakers and other loose ends Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race A Book Study During the month of November, Adult Education will be offering a book study led by Joslyn Shipman as one of its course offerings for the month. The subject of the study will be the non-fiction work, Waking Up White, and Finding Myself in the Story of Race, written by Debbie Irving. Ms. Irving describes her purpose in writing the book as follows: My hope is that by sharing my sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, I offer a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. Joslyn promises us a thought-provoking and engaging series of presentations and discussion on this very timely work. The Waking Up White study will take place at the Sunday School hour on November 12, 19, and 26. A fourth session will be held during the last week of November (11/27 12/1) at a date and time to be determined by the study group. Copies of Waking Up White may be ordered from the following: 1) Amazon ( )--$18.00, new copy or $14. 50, used copy in good condition; 2) Barnes and Noble on-line ( )-- $18.21 new or about $13.00 used; 3) The Thoughtful Christian ( )--$14.99, new. The book may also be purchased from a Barnes & Noble retail store for $19.99.

2 PAGE 2 OUTREACH November, 2017 birthdays/ anniversaries 1 John & Sally Schultz 2 John Schultz 3 Hannah Miller, Preston Smilek 4 Pam Hinterlong 7 Bruce & Louise Ensley 8 Daniel Schultz 11 Robert Brett, III 12 Pat Lindsey 16 Len Jackson, William Perko 17 Katie Copeland 18 Lynn & Barbara Wagner 19 Erick Kasten, Jack Van Vleck, Leslie Pankey 21 Rebecca Comstock 23 Carolyn Carper, Joan Collins, Kyle Stevens, Ryan Stevens 24 Paul Lindsey 27 Lorna Anzelone, Marshall Wright 29 Nicole Gallini, Mitch Pearcy 30 Edie Smith, Claire Boeger Letters... Dear BAPC, So many cards, calls and prayers. The outpouring of warmth was incredible and so appreciated. Thank you for your concern and love, and including us in the BAPC family. Love, Vicki & Ray McAllister Musical Notes Wednesday, November 22, NO Handbell or Choir Rehearsals On Sunday, November 19, at the 11:00 a.m. service the Chancel Choir will sing music written by our long time member Ann Shannon. Ann has written a choral introit, anthem and choral amen which will be sung by the chancel choir. Ann has been a member of the cancel choir for many years. Sponsored by the Worship Division a New Year s Eve Concert, December 31, beginning at 7:00 p.m. with reception following. Prayer Ministry To request prayer support from our church s prayer chain or to join in this ministry, please call Deborah Houghton at (debho@comcast.net) or the church office at (office@bonairpc.org). A free will offering will be received to assist the music program Outreach is published monthly by Bon Air Presbyterian Church, a non-profit organization. Rev. Dr. Janet Winslow, Pastor; Jane Chandler, Editor; Brenda Norton, Assistant Editor. Articles may be submitted to Brenda Norton, office@bonairpc.org by the 15th of the prior month. Bon Air Presbyterian Church 9201 W. Huguenot Rd., N. Chesterfield, VA Telephone: Fax: Internet address: November 5

3 OUTREACH November, 2017 PAGE 3 JOYOUSLY DELICIOUS! We were treated to such a grand celebration at our lunch to kick-off our capital and annual stewardship campaigns! The festive decorations, delicious and abundant food, informative and inspiring speakers provided a gala event. We built sandwiches and concocted beverages. We shared our memories and hopes for our church. We affirmed the foundations that we treasure and we prepared to take faithful action. Rev. Joel Morgan, Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church, told us, Don t do it! Don t hold a capital campaign if we are doing it to fund a project that is simply for our own comfort and convenience. He challenged us to focus on future generations; our grandchildren s grandchildren and the great grandchildren of people we don t even know who will find a welcoming church home and be drawn to Christ by the foundations we establish and build upon today. He inspired us with reports of the redevelopment of Westminster Pres. that has moved from being an older congregation to one that is filled with families. They did this by taking leaps of faith with their eyes fixed on a future beyond themselves. Thank you to Kathy Sestak for her ideas, inspiration, provision, and coordination. Thank you to Cindy Wright for creating the Conversation Cafe sign-up board and compiling the videologue of how past generations have blessed us by taking their own leaps of faith in developing our current facility. Thank you to Steve Dickinson for coordinating the Conversation Cafes. Thank you to the many people who worked so hard to prepare for the lunch and move us to faithful action: Alisha Gallini, Nellie Knight, Erick and Cara Kasten, Linda Huffine, Ted McCormack, Nora Narum, Darin Smouse, members of the Visitation Teams, and our Campaign Leadership Team Co-moderators, Henry Jacocks and Linda Jackson. Now is the time to take faithful action. That all begins by attending a Conversation Cafe gathering. So, please sign-up on the board in the church office foyer. At these meetings, we will review the capital and annual stewardship campaign goals, facility project plans, and answer questions. Campaign brochures and pledge cards will be distributed at the end of the meetings. Please prayerfully consider how you will build on our treasured foundations for future generations by making a three year pledge to our capital campaign. Also, please prayerfully consider your financial support of our annual stewardship campaign. Then, complete and submit your pledge card at your earliest convenience. You may place it the worship offering plate or mail it to the church office. On November 12, we will celebrate Gratitude Sunday during both worship hours. We will joyously thank God for the blessings we have received and the commitments we have made. Your Session has called special meetings following the campaigns. One meeting will develop our annual mission and ministry budget for the coming year. The other meeting will make concrete plans for how we will proceed in refurbishing our facility for future ministries and generations of our church family. We will need to get right to work with our preparatory work in order to begin construction during the summer of Thank you to those who have already made their pledges. As of October 22, $300,280 have been pledged to the capital campaign and $167,436 have been pledged to the annual stewardship campaign. We are off to a great start! Blessings to you all, Pastor Janet

4 PAGE 4 OUTREACH November, 2017 I (Barbara Jacocks) received a phone call this week from one of our Angel Tree caregivers...before I had even received the family assignments from the Prison Fellowship. When I called her back, I learned she still had our contact information from last year. Her family has participated with us for 3 years. Then it hit me. Bon Air Presbyterian Church (BAPC) is actually establishing a relationship, a stewardship of care that provides a vital connection both for us to the community around us, but most importantly, enabling the incarcerated parent to remain in a loving relationship with their child while separated. (Added plus it helps the caregivers too!) Once again, BAPC is adopting 40 children from 21 families in our community. Key dates for you to know to participate: Sunday, November 26 and December 3 - Angel Tree in office foyer with 80 gift tags available for selection Sunday, December 10 - Gift return to the Angel Tree Saturday, December 16-10:00 a.m. - Noon - Angel Tree Gift Delivery* *If you have never participated on a delivery team you are missing an often poignant moment to connect with a family bringing the joy of Christmas into their home. Barbara Jacocks & Mindy Peters, co-chairs Your Pledges Make a Difference With all the energy and excitement surrounding the capital campaign over the past few weeks, it is may be easy to overlook that the Stewardship Ministry Team is also asking you to make your pledge to our church s 2018 operating budget. The operating budget supports the ministries and outreach of your church. Your annual pledge enables BAPC to fund nine benevolence partners in our community. We provide varied programs for our children, youth and adults throughout the year. Also, the budget takes care of the day-to-day activities such as nurturing the staff, maintaining our building so that it can serve the congregation and the community, and just paying the bills. All of this and more depend on your pledges each year. Because BAPC has embarked on a project to renew the building for our future of ministry and mission, the Stewardship Ministry Team understands that pledging to two campaigns will strain family resources. Therefore, we are asking you to prayerfully consider pledging the same amount for 2018 as you did in 2017 plus 4%. The additional 4% is requested for two items. First is an increase in staff benefits required by the Presbyterian Board of Pensions. This is to pay for health insurance and retirement benefits. Second, after much study, the church employed a part-time bookkeeper, who is a CPA, to place our finances on a more professional footing, and many benefits have been realized. That position was funded for part of this year from the operating reserve, but the church hopes that your generosity will allow us to bring the position under the operating budget. In closing, the Stewardship Ministry team hopes that when you receive you pledge card, you will help support the ministries of our faith community.

5 OUTREACH November, 2017 PAGE 5 The BAPC Session Reports At its meeting held on October 8, 2017, the Session: Received Amy Compton into active membership. Approved Transfer of Membership for Liz Sherer to First Presbyterian Church in Burlington, NC. Approved the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (APNC) submitting our Ministry Information Form to the Church Leadership Connection. Our form will be entered in a database. This begins the process of the APNC receiving applications from candidates interested in coming to BAPC. Minister of the Month George Comstock Welcome back, George Comstock! George has returned to BAPC after work assignments took him out of town. It seems that everyone immediately offered him opportunities to participate in the active life of BAPC, and we re glad that he accepted some of the offers from Stewardship. (He s also been spotted cleaning up after Wednesday night dinner.) George graciously agreed to lead the overdue financial reviews for 2015 and Thanks to his work with Joe Turner and Mark Fagerburg, all reviews are now complete. Thank you, George, and again, welcome back! Amy Compton My partner Jenny Wiley and I are delighted to be returning to Richmond after living in NC for the past several years. I have retired from teaching psychology and now enjoy having time to resume some former hobbies and to explore new ones. Although for the next few years we must divide our time between Durham and Richmond, we will be in Richmond on most weekends. I look forward to worshiping and serving at BAPC once again. Multi-generational Christmas Pageant Sunday, December 17-4:00 p.m. Bon Air Presbyterian Church Sanctuary The Christian Education Ministry is trying something a little different this year. Our annual Christmas pageant will be an original musical theatre work entitled The Innkeeper s Children, with a new script written especially for our congregation by Bruce Miller. The music will be selected from traditional hymns and carols. The cast will be multi-generational with actors of all ages from pre-school through grandparents. The pageant will be held this year in the sanctuary on Sunday afternoon, December 17, at 4:00 p.m. If you or members of your family would like to participate in the pageant, please know that you are most welcome. Let Lauren Ramseur (lauren@bonairpc.org) know of your interest, and we will be pleased to include you in the cast.

6 PAGE 6 OUTREACH November, 2017 The Nominating Committee Needs YOU! If you were present in church during August, you probably heard Vicki Callear speak for the Nominating Committee regarding the search for members to serve on the Session. The main thought in Vicki s talk was that everyone is busy. However, if we put God first in our lives, He will help us find the time for His work and still have time for our families and the other things we need to do. The Nominating Committee needs to find seven church members who are willing to be leaders in our church and help to carry out the work needed to be done. Yes, we are all busy people, but are we so busy that we can omit God and church from being first in our lives? Last year the Nominating Committee contacted 46 church members in order to obtain seven members to serve on the Session for the Class of This committee now has the difficult task of finding another seven people to serve for the Class of If you are asked to serve, please give the request prayerful consideration. Talk to people who have served or are presently serving on the Session. If you have questions, talk to the members of the Nominating Committee. Most of the members on the Nominating Committee have served on the Session for one or more terms. It is hoped that you will gain more in your faith journey by being a vital part of Bon Air Presbyterian Church s present and future. The members of the Nominating Committee are: Kaete Unterzuber, Nellie Knight, Ray McAllister, Vicki Callear, Faye Beigbeder, Cathy McCormack, and Charles Blades. Advent Wreath Making Sunday, December 3, at 12:15 p.m. Join us for Advent Wreath Making and a simple soup lunch. We ll supply the materials and an advent calendar. All ages are invited to come and create a way help guide you through the season. Coffee with the Pastor Sunday, November 12, at 9:45 a.m. Join Pastor Janet for a brief meeting and get to know more about our Bon Air Presbyterian Church family. There will be no pressure to join, just some casual discussion about what makes our church a unique witness to Jesus Christ in the Richmond/Chesterfield community. This is a good opportunity to get to know our pastor and the mission of our church. November 11

7 OUTREACH November, 2017 PAGE 7 Calling All Parents of College Kids! Parent Party! - November 18 Care Package Prep II - February 11 College Connection Board -ongoing Care Package Prep is an easy way of keeping our church connected to our college students. Look for an two weeks before each Prep with details. Items from all congregation members are welcome. Parent Party is just what it sounds like! Come commiserate/celebrate this new scary/exciting phase of life with fellow parents! Look for an with details. College Connection - Feel free to put up your own bulletin board entry or contact Alisha Gallini for help. Sunday, November 5 Sunday, November 12 Sunday, November 19 Saturday-Sunday, December 2-3 Sunday, December 10 Sunday, December 17 Sunday, December 24 DECEMBER YOUTH ACTIVITIES 12:00-3:00 p.m. Raking with Love, help rake leaves for elderly congregation members 5:00 p.m. Youth Group at Bon Air 2:00-4:00 p.m. Camp Hanover Youth (Youth meet at 1:00 p.m.) Camp Hanover High School Retreat 5:00 p.m. Youth Christmas Progressive Dinner 4:00 p.m. Christmas Pageant 4:00 p.m. Family Christmas Eve Service Orthodox Christianity in the World and in America Sunday, November 5, at 9:45 a.m. Adult Education On Sunday, November 5, at 9:45 a.m. our Adult Education class will have Dr. Andrew Sharp who will cover the following "Orthodox Christianity in the World and in America". Dr. Sharp will discuss how, when, and why the unity of the ancient Christian Church began to deteriorate. Professor Sharp works in the Chaplaincy Office at the University of Richmond and teaches courses in the religious studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. Acolyte Program Thank you to the acolytes who served in October: Mitch Pearcy (cross-bearer), Jack Pearcy, Sara Hinterlong, Spencer Jackson, Dana Peace, and Evan Smouse. The adult helper was Jennifer Smouse. The acolytes for November will be Jillian Peace (cross-bearer), our new acolyte Rachel Peace, Jack or Mitch Pearcy, Sara Hinterlong, and our other new acolyte Katie Smouse. The adult helper will be Pam Hinterlong. Many thanks to the adults in our congregation who volunteer to be the acolyte helper for a month of the year!

8 PAGE 8 OUTREACH November, 2017 Salvation Army Christmas Stockings Prime Time Circle will meet on Monday, November 6, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 104. We will meet our ministry intern, Heather Brannon. June Pankey and Linda Johnston are hostesses. Second Sunday South of the James Sunday, November 12, at 4:00 p.m. Yin Zheng, concert pianist; and Aleksandr Haskin, flutist. Stockings will be available in the Foyer on Sunday, November 5. Please be sure there is a header in your stocking. Instructions are on the header. Filled stockings must be returned to the church by Sunday, December 3. The Sisters Circle will meet on Tuesday, November 14, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 403. Please read Lesson 3. The Christmas stockings will be at church in time for our meeting on November 14. Please remember to bring your stocking stuffers for ages 3-5. ROMEO s will meet at Joe s Inn on Tuesday, November 14, at Noon. Call Don Thornburg ( ) The Book Group will meet on Tuesday, November 28, at 1:30 p.m. in Room 403. The book is Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly. Gisela Stech is the leader. CROP WALK Our church raised $529 for Church World Service s work in ending hunger around the world and here in Chesterfield. With our neighboring churches we raised over $1400 to alleviate hunger in Chesterfield and around the world. Thank you for your generous hearts!

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11 BAPC - November 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Friendship Café (B) 3 4 Noon Staff Mee ng (L) 6:15 Dinner 6:45 Handbell Ringers (S) 7:00 Conversa on Café (P) 7:30 Chancel Choir (Choir) 6:00 Yoga 7:00 Fellowship (L) 10:30 S.A.G.E.S. (B) 8:00 Cub Scouts (back por co) Scou ng for Food 5 Communion/5 Meal/Coffee Daylight saving me ends 8:30 Worship 9:45 Conversa on Café (P) 11:00 Worship 3:00 Mindfulness Group (P) 6 Friendship Café (B) 9:30 Yoga 6:00 Mentoring Team (P) 6:45 Boy Scouts ( ) 7:00 Prime Time Circle (104) 7 Friendship Café (B) 10:00 Sr. Connec ons (403) 7:00 CE Youth/Children (403) 7:00 CE Adult (L) 8 Noon Staff Mee ng (L) 2:00 Congrega onal Care (L) 6:15 Dinner 6:45 Handbell Ringers (S) 7:00 Church & Society (L) 7:00 Stewardship (B) 7:30 Chancel Choir (Choir) 9 6:00 Yoga Gra tude Sunday 13 Friendship Café (B) 14 Friendship Café (B) Friendship Café (B) :30 Worship 9:45 Coffee with the Pastor (P) 11:00 Worship 4:00 Second Sunday Concert (S) 7:00 Session 9:30 Yoga 6:45 Boy Scouts ( ) 7:00 Cub Scouts (SS Rooms/B) 8:00 Cub Scout Leaders (L) 10:30 Sisters Circle (403) Noon ROMEO s (Joe s Inn) 6:30 Girl Scouts (405/407/409) Noon Staff Mee ng (L) 6:15 Dinner 6:45 Handbell Ringers (S) 7:30 Chancel Choir (Choir) 6:00 Yoga 7:10 Staff Rela ons (B) 5:00 B. Gregory (S) 9:00 Lambda Alpha Chi (SS/L/B) 1:00 B. Gregory (S) M4M Angel Tree Office Closed 24 Office Closed 25 8:30 Worship 11:00 Worship 12:15 Hospitality/Welcoming (L) 9:30 Yoga 6:45 Boy Scouts ( ) 7:00 Cub Scouts (SS Rooms/B) 7:00 BAPP Board (P) 11:30 Memorial Garden Com. (L) 7:00 Communica ons (403) 7:30 Property (L) Noon Staff Mee ng (L) 6:45 Handbell Ringers (S) 7:30 Chancel Choir (Choir) Thanksgiving Day Friendship Café (B) 28 Friendship Café (B) Friendship Café (B) 8:30 Worship 11:00 Worship 9:30 Yoga 6:45 Boy Scouts ( ) 7:00 Called Session (B) 7:00 Cub Scouts (SS/FH) 12:30 GRIVA 12:45 Preschool Staff (L) 1:30 Book Discussion Group (403) 6:30 Girl Scouts (405/407/409) 7:30 Worship (L) Noon Staff Mee ng (L) 6:15 Dinner 6:45 Handbell Ringers (S) 7:30 Chancel Choir (Choir) 6:00 Yoga 7:00 Coordina ng Council (B)

12 Bon Air Presbyterian Church 9201 W. Huguenot Road N. Chesterfield, VA Non-Profit Organization Sunday Morning Ministers Nursery: Ushers: Registrar: Nursery: Ushers: Registrar: Nursery: Ushers: Registrar: Nursery: Ushers: Registrar: Sunday, November 5 9:45 - Jane Nagel Ray & Vicki McAllister and Joe Turner s Team Bill Wilson Sunday, November 12 9:45 - Margy Paz Darleen Cavin, Tom Hephner and Joe Turner s Team Ed Callear Sunday, November 19 8:30 - Greta Reeves; 9:45 - Vicki Callear; 11:00 - Gloria Myers & Kate Hurlbert 8:30 - Perry Jones, Alan Sestak; 11:00 Joe Turner s Team Tom Hephner Sunday, November 26 8:30 - Becky Harvell; 9:45 - Open; 11:00 - Marta Rowe & Abby Rowe 8:30 - Mary Graf, Greta Reeves; 11:00 Joe Turner s Team Ted McCormack