The Virginia Christian A Publication of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia 1290 Enterprise Drive Lynchburg, VA 24502 www.ccinva.org 434.846.3400 In This Issue December 2017 Vol. 48, No. 11 news from regional minister search & call team Regional Executive Commitee Action Healthy Boundaries for Clergy A Memorial Tie Cross Young Adult Fellowship Craig Springs 2018 Christmas Offering Youth Lock In The Search and Call Team would like to thank the many Virginia Disciples who took the time to fill out the regional survey. The Team appreciates all the feedback and will be scheduling listening conferences throughout the region for discussion of the survey results. Those conferences will be scheduled in early spring and we hope many more Disciples will take advantage of the opportunity to meet with Search Team members and engage in valuable dialogue. Thanks for your input! Your priorities and vision for our regional ministry has been received. We anticipate the new year with joy as we consider all the Lord is doing thorough this region! Blessings, Kathryn A. Hull, Chair khull@rmc.edu We can now share some of the results with you. In terms of demographic information, the surveys show that all age groups and districts were represented. When asked about identifying hopes, dreams, and visions for our region, the top five responses were: Increase fellowship and shared ministry among congregations Maintain connections/ relationships between the general, regional, and local church Transform/renew congregations. Increase more hands-on mission opportunities. Increase attendance at camp. When asked about the top two choices needed in this region to address priorities and visions, the majority responded: Flexibility and willingness to build church in new ways. Calling a full-time Regional Minister. The three most important priorities for the Region and next Regional Minister to address were: Building stronger church/ regional relationships. Rebuilding trust and developing stronger connections between individuals, congregations, and groups. Better communication between the regions and congregations. cont., p.2
DECEMBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 2 search & call, continued. The three areas that need the highest priority of attention in the next 5 years were: Relationships. Defined communication plan and structure among all participants of the Regional church. Sharing a unified vision and mission. Among the gifts and experiences needed by the next Regional Minister to be effective, you responded by describing someone who will be: Relational & caring A visionary leader A creative leader Someone with organizational & administrative skills. regional executive council action On November 18 th, at the regular meeting of the Regional Executive Council, the Personnel Ministry presented a motion that the title of the current Interim Regional Minister, Rev. Coretha Loughridge, be changed to Transitional Regional Minister & C.E.O. The motion passed; this decision was made to authorize the Transitional Regional Minister to make decisions on behalf of the Region on an on-going basis. If you have questions, please contact our Moderator, Rev. Richard Cline, Olive Branch Christian Church, Williamsburg. healthy boundaries for clergy training All clergy, ordained and commissioned, are required to take the Healthy Boundaries workshop, now being offered in our Region, in order to maintain standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia. Please review the following dates and places, and select the one that works for you! Times for each session are 10 am-4 pm. Until our new website goes live, you can call the Regional Office to register (434-846-3400). There is a registration fee of $50.00, which covers the training, workbook, and lunch. 1/20/18, Broad Street CC, Martinsville Registration Deadline: 1/11/18 2/17/18, Olive Branch CC, Williamsburg Registration Deadline: 2/08/18 3/24/18, Unity CC, Radford Registration Deadline: 3/15/18 4/28/18, Regional Office, Lynchburg Registration Deadline: 4/19/18 5/31/18, Lynchburg College, Pre-Assembly Workshop
DECEMBER 2017 3 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN a special piece of art A necktie cross was recently dedicated in memory of Dan Young, a charter member of Colonial Christian Church in Colonial Heights, VA, who died in March of 2016. He was a retired Air Force veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, where he received a bronze star. He was active in Colonial Christian Church, where he served as former board chair and held many other offices in church life. He was the husband of Gail Young. The cross was designed and made by two ladies of the church from ties donated by veterans and other members of the church. Marilyn Chambers & Joyce Skeens, designers of the tie cross young adult fellowship in formation!! On a rainy Saturday in early November, a group of young adults who had an interest in forming a Regional Young Adult Fellowship met at Timberlake Christian Church in Lynchburg. There was much excitement and enthusiasm around the idea of Regionally-sponsored events for those in the 18-35-year old age range. Out of this group, officers were elected, and planning has begun for future events/activities. The new officers are: Chair: Kerby Dalton Vice-Chair: Sarah Page Jones Treasurer: Kelly Ragsdale Secretary: Hayden Cran If you have questions, or would like to participate at the ground-level of this new group, contact any of the officers listed above, or the Regional Office. Be sure to spread the word! churches in search and call For more information about these churches and the position they are seeking, please contact Coretha. Louisa Christian, Louisa (minister) Antioch Christian, Bowling Green Oak View Christian, Newport (minister) (minister) Bedford Christian, Bedford (minister) Old Well Christian, Spencer (minister) Belmont Christian, Roanoke (interim) Olive Branch Christian, Williamsburg (associate minister) Boones Mill Christian, Boones Mill (interim) Petunia Christian, Wytheville (minister) Fairview Christian, Hood (minister) Fayette St Christian, Martinsville (minister) Tazewell Christian, Tazewell (minister) Unity Christian, Radford (associate minister) First Christian, Richlands (minister) Virginia Beach Christian, Virginia Beach (senior minister) Memorial Christian, Lynchburg (minister) Westhampton Christian, Roanoke (interim)
DECEMBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 4 2018 Camp Dates Beyond Belief! The Universe of God Plans are already underway for the 2018 camp and conference season at Craig Springs! Listed are the dates for each camp; be sure to get them on your calendar now, because we would love to see you at camp this summer! Spring Work Weekend - May 25-27 Nature Camp - June 25-29 Special Camp - July 1-6 Triple 1 - July 8-13 AMPDD Camp - July 16-21 Triple 2 - July 22-27 New Covenant Camp - July 29- August 3 Family Camp - August 3-6 Fall Work Weekend - October 5-7 Christmas Offering 2017 Did you know that 100% of the Christmas Special Day Offering comes back to the Virginia Region? This is one of the best opportunities congregations have to give to the many ministries of our Region. Listed below are a few of the various ministries of the Region, which you support when you give to the Christmas Offering: + support and education of our commissioned ministers, equipping them to serve in local congregations; + provide training for all summer camp counselors, including Child Abuse Prevention Training; + guiding and supporting congregations and ministers in the Search and Call process; + care and nurture of potential candidates entering the ordination process; + connecting local congregations to the Regional and General Churches; + fostering connection between congregations, Districts, and the Region; + providing Healthy Boundaries for Clergy workshops...and the list goes on! Please consider and prayerfully give to this year s Christmas Offering. Personalized bulletins for the Virginia Region are available on the disciples.org website, which we encourage you to use in promoting to your local congregation. May the peace of the Christ Child be yours this season!
DECEMBER 2017 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 5 pastoral concerns A funeral service was held November 4 th at Broad Street Christian Church, Martinsville, for Rev. Dr. James Dickerson. Please continue to his family in your prayers. Rev. Jim Crockett is continuing his recovery at Friendship Rehab South, on Starkey Road in Roanoke. He welcomes your prayers and visits. Rev. Anita McCauley was in a serious car accident in Richmond last month; she spent a few days in the hospital, and her car was totaled. She continues to recover, and is grateful for prayers and words of support. Rev. Dr. Jack Johnson has been suffering from health concerns and is recovering at Lynchburg Health & Rehabilitation. Rev. Marilyn Taylor had an outpatient procedure recently. It was successful and she is doing well. Clergy Transitions Several ministers were installed at their new congregations in the last two months: Rev. Hollie Woodruff, Seventh Street Christian Church, Richmond Rev. Dan Harrison, Church of the Covenant, Lynchburg Rev. Phil Jones, Hilton Christian Church, Newport News Rev. Vinson Miller, First Christian Church, Hampton Congratulations to these ministers and their congregations, as the begin a new journey of ministry together! Rev. Jim Crockett has submitted his resignation to Westhampton Christian Church, Roanoke. The congregation will begin searching for an interim in the near future. Pastor Jerry Norris has resigned from Oak View Christian Church in Newport; he will be relocating to Florida this month. Rev. Craig Rutherford has resigned from Belmont Christian Church, Roanoke, in order to begin serving First Christian Church, Terrell, Texas. His last Sunday at Belmont will be January 14 th, 2018. Strasburg Christian Church has called Pastor Rob Lovett to serve as their minister; he will be installed January 28 th, 2018. Memorial Christian Church, Lynchburg, has called Rev. s Virgil and Sue Knipp to serve as their interim ministers, beginning at the first of the year. youth winter lock-in planned! Good news for all high-school age youth: a Winter Lock-In is being planned for you January 19 th -20 th at a church to be named in Richmond! Registration forms are being prepared, with additional details, so keep a watch out for further information, and circle the date on your calendar.
DECEMBER 201 THE VIRGINIA CHRISTIAN 6 a little bit of advent & christmas cheer in the regional office Anything interesting happening at your church or in your district in the next few months? Email information about the event to Ann at virginiachristian@ccinva.org for publication in The Virginia Christian! Regional Staff Coretha Loughridge, Interim Regional Minister 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 email to virginiachristian@ccinva.org or by mail to Ann Shepherd c/o Regional Office 1290 Enterprise Dr. Lynchburg, VA 24502 by December 15, 2017