WWW.VIRLINA.ORG 3402 Plantation Rd., NE Roanoke, VA 24012 Ph 540-362-1816 Fax 540-362-1817 1-800-Virlina (1-800-847-5462) e-mail: virlina@aol.com ARY- MARCH 2016 VIRLINA DISTRICT \ Church Of the Brethren MEMO FOR MINISTERS DISTRICT EXECUTIVE MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 2015 1 Office/Roanoke, Renacer Visioning Meeting 2 Staff Meeting/Office/Teach Bible Study at Roanoke- 3 OFF 4 Office 5 OPEN 6 Worship at Maple Grove/Awakening Service at Roanoke/ 7 Awakening Bible Study at Williamson Road/Office/New Church Development Committee/Good Shepherd Facility Committee 8 Awake. Bible St. at Cloverdale/Office/Awakening Service at Roanoke- 9 Awake. Bible St. at Oak Grove/Office/Awakening Service at Roanoke- 10 OFF/Travel to West Virginia 11 Travel to Elgin, Illinois 12 Review and Evaluation Committee at Elgin, Illinois 13 Worship at Oak Grove (IL/WI)/Review and Evaluation Committee at Elgin, Illinois 14 Review and Evaluation Committee at Elgin, Illinois 15 Travel to Roanoke, Virginia/Mission Resourcing Campaign Committee 16 Staff Meeting/Office/Teach Bible Study at Roanoke- 17 OFF 18 Office/Seminary Intern Teaching Committee 19 Nominating and Personnel Committee/Lead Gift Visitation Training at Eden, NC 20 Christian Church Uniting in Virginia Beach 21 Office/Southern Area Ministers Meeting at New Hope (Program) 22 Office/Floyd, Renacer and Iglesia del Buen Pastor Steering Committee 23 Staff Meeting/Office/Teach Bible Study at Roanoke- 24 OFF 25 GOOD FRIDAY - DISTRICT RESOURCE CENTER CLOSED 26 OPEN 27 Worship at Daleville 28-31 VACATION 8 DISTRICT EXECUTIVE MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR APRIL 2015 1-2 VACATION 3 Preach at Moneta, Lake Side Church/Profile Meeting 4 Northern Area Ministers at Saunders Grove/Office/Pastoral Program Assistance Committee 5 Office/Lead Gift Visitation Training at DRC 6 Staff Meeting/Office/30th Anniversary Bible Study at Hiwassee 7 OFF 8 Office/Commission on Ministry 9 Lead Gift Visitation Training at DRC (2) 10 Worship at Jones Chapel/75th Anniversary Celebration 11 Discipleship and Reconciliation/Office/Moneta, Lake Side Steering Committee 12 Office/Mission Resourcing Committee at Germantown Brick CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP SEMINAR - APRIL 23-28, 2016 Christian Citizenship Seminar is an event for high school students that addresses issues on poverty, racism, and violence. It is held in New York City and Washington, D.C. Space is limited to 100 participants and the cost is $400.00 per participant. More information can be found at <http:// www.brethren.org/yya/ccs/>. YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE - MAY Y 27 7-30, 2016 The Church of the Brethren Young Adult Conference, for those ages 18-35, will be held May 27-30 at Manchester University in Indiana. The theme is based on Colossians 3:12-17, "Creating Harmony" Registration is now open at <www.brethren.org/yac/>. 2016 NEW CHURCH PLANTING CONFERENCE- MAY 19-21,, 2016 Registration is now open for the New Church Planting Conference to be held May 19-21 at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Indiana. The theme is "Hope - Imagination - Mission. Early bird registration, before April 15, is $119. For more information and to register, go to the website <http:// www.brethren.org/ churchplanting/events.html>.
MEMO FOR MINISTERS - Page 2 ASSOCIATE DIST. EXECUTIVE MINISTER SCHEDULE FOR MARCH 1 OFF 2 Staff Meeting/Office 3 Office/Sow the Seed Banquet at Camp Bethel 4 Office 5 OPEN 6 Worship Undetermined/Awakening Service at 7 Awakening Bible Study at Williamson Road/Awakening Service at 8 Awakening Bible Study at Cloverdale/Office/Awakening Service at 9 Awakening Bible Study at Oak Grove/Office/Awakening Service at 10 Office 11 Office 12 Christian Education Event 13 Masons Cove Worship and Board Meeting 14 Northern Area Ministers Meeting at Camp Bethel/Office 15 OFF 16 Staff Meeting/Office 17 Office 18 Office 19 Nominating and Personnel Committee/Program and Arrangements Committee 20 Worship Undetermined 21 Office/Southern Area Ministers Meeting at New Hope 22 OFF 23 Staff Meeting/Office 24 Office 25 GOOD FRIDAY - DISTRICT RESOURCE CENTER CLOSED 26 Outdoor Ministries Committee Meetings at Camp Bethel 27 Worship Undetermined 28 Office 29 OFF 30 Staff Meeting/Office 31 Office ANN 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - JUNE 11, 2016 The Virlina District Historical Committee is sponsoring a "150 Year Anniversary Celebration of District Work in Virginia" at Camp Bethel on June 11, 2016. The 2016 Annual Conference Moderator, Andy Murray, a native of the Cloverdale Church in Botetourt County, Virginia, will be the keynote speaker and the worship service will feature special music. Research is going forward on an updated history of the district over the past fifty to sixty years. Mary Sink Saint-John is serving as the editor of this work. 150TH ANNIVERSARY BANNERS NEEDED! Virlina is turning 150 and we're gonna celebrate...june 11...at Camp Bethel in Beautiful Botetourt County, Virginia! We want EVERY congregation in Virlina to bring a small, 9X12" banner with their congregation's name on it. That's all, just a 9X12" banner, with your congregation's name. It can be cloth, vinyl, strong paper...handmade or purchased at a sign shop. It's important that we are ALL represented at this great celebration. Have them at Camp Bethel, Deerfield Center by Friday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m. If you have questions, contact Carol Elmore at (540) 774-3217 or <carol@oakgrovecob.org>.ual RE- PORT FORMS DISTRICT BOARD MEETING REPORT Y 20, 2016 The Virlina District Board met at the Church of the Brethren in Roanoke, Virginia on February 20, 2016. Horace D. Light, Jr., pastor of the church led the board in devotions. Reports were received from the four commissions and two major committees. In addition, representatives from Bethany Theological Seminary, On Earth Peace and the Mission and Ministry Board, as well as Standing Committee shared. New business included the approval of a fourweek leave for Associate District Execuitve Minister, Emma Jean Woodard, beginning on May 15 and ending on June 15. The board will sponsor an insight session at Annual Conference by Better Marriages. Jack Lowe was approved as Lead Gift Coordinator for Seed, Scattered and Sown. Tara L. Shepherd, a 2015 graduate of Bethany Theological Seminary, was approved for ordination. A transfer from the Vehicle Escrow accounts to the General Reserve Fund was authorized. Reports were received concerning District Conference and activities of the staff. Forty persons were present for the meeting.
MEMO FOR MINISTERS - Page 3 PASTORAL PLACEMENT REPORT ANTIOCH - Full time position, profile meeting on February 28 - Eric Anspaugh has announced his retirement effective April 30, 2016. BASSETT - Full or part time position, profile circulating 2 - Clyde Hylton serving as interim pastor. BETHANY - Part time position, no profile available -Jessica A. Slusher serving as interim pastor. COPPER HILL - Full time position, profile circulating 1 - Maurice E. Wright serving as interim pastor. FERRUM - Part time position, no profile available - Millard Lee Bryant has resigned effective March Church 31, 2016. GREEN HILL - Full or part time position, profile circulating 5. James R. Worline serving as interim Of pastor. the HOPEWELL - Part time position, profile circulating. R. Wayne Pennington serving as interim pastor. JONES CHAPEL - Full or part time position, profile circulating 7 - Harvey S. Leddy serving as interim Brethren pastor. MAPLE GROVE - Part time position, no profile available. Pulpit supply. MONETA-LAKE SIDE - Part time position, profile meeting on April 3. John N. Neff has resigned effective February 21, 2016. ROANOKE, CENTRAL - In negotiation, trial sermon and vote date to be announced. ROANOKE, HOLLINS ROAD - Full time position, profile pending - Horace D. Light, Jr. has announced his retirement effective after March 31, 2016. ROANOKE, WILLIAMSON ROAD - Full time position, profile pending - Leah O. Harness serving as interim pastor. SAINT PAUL - Part time position, no profile available - Pulpit supply with James Jones (non-brethren) covering the first Sunday, Mark Bolt covering the second and third Sundays, and Brian Riccio covering the fourth and fifth Sundays. SMITH CHAPEL - Part time position, no profile available. Pulpit supply (non-brethren). TOPECO - Full time position, profile pending - J. Michael Varner has retired effective January 31, 2016. TRINITY - Part time position, profile circulating - Pulpit supply. SOW THE SEED BANQUET- MARCH 3, 2016 The "Sow the Seed" Scholarship Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. YOU can plant seeds of FAITH in the lives of children, youth and young adults! At $50 per person (larger gifts accepted), all costs and donations from the evening directly fund "camperships" and our summer camp ministries. RSVP by February 24 to <CampBethelOffice@gmail.com> or (540) 992-2940. Payments are accepted in advance or at the table, and your gift is tax-deductible! Our base fee for a week of camp in 2016 is $300. Give the gift of CAMP; it's an experience that can change a life forever. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRAINING DAY - MARCH 12, 2016 The Christian Education Task Team is pleased to sponsor our first training day for congregational leaders and teachers on our theme "Know, Teach, Grow, Live", from Deuteronomy 6:6-9. This informational and inspirational event will feature many voices from around the District and focus on How to Call, How to Equip, and How to Support those in congregational leadership and teaching positions. Insights will be shared by Eric Anspaugh, Gary Basham, Angela Carr, Tabitha Rudy, Barry Lenoir, and others. Sunday school teachers, deacons, age group leaders, Bible study facilitators, board and committee members, and all others interested in congregational leadership are encouraged to attend on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Roanoke- Oak Grove COB from 9am to 2:30 p.m. Lunch from Subway will be provided for a donation. For more information, visit the Virlina District website: <http://virlina.org/news/headliner/49-christian-ed-training-event.html>. Please let us know that you are planning to attend by March 9 via a telephone call to the District Resource Center at (540) 362-1816, or by email to Tara Shepherd at <tara.shepherd@msn.com>, or by submitting your name via the following registration link: <http://goo.gl/forms/k5s0werpqq>. NORTHERN AREA MINISTERS - MARCH 14, 2016 The Northern Area Ministers of the Virlina District will meet on Monday, March 14, 2016 at the Camp Bethel at 8:30 a.m. The meal for this meeting will be $7.00. The program will be presented by Barry S. LeNoir, Camp Bethel Director. Ministers attending will receive.1 CEU. CHRISTIAN GROWTH INSTITUTE WRITING CLASS - BEGINS MARCH 19, 2016 The Christian Growth Institute WRITING CLASS is being offered with class dates and times being: March 19, April 2, April 16, April 30, 2016, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Instructor will be Sharon Wood, English Teacher & Author. Location: Stone Church of the Brethren, 2162 Forest Avenue, Buena Vista, VA 24416, phone: (540) 261-6946. Cost: $75, and required course materials are one 1-1/2-2 inch three ring binder, subject dividers, and writing instrument.
MEMO FOR MINISTERS - Page 4 Church Of the Brethren WRITING CLASS MISSION STATEMENT: The writing course is being added to the CGI curriculum because of the great variety of writings a pastor's work requires. Not only does a pastor prepare sermons, but also creates, at times, prayers, scriptural meditations, reflections based on scriptural exegesis, recommendations and evaluations for people, personal and business letters, and other writings. While enrolled as a CGI student, the student may be called upon to produce researched writings, book reviews, and reflections on assigned readings. As both a student and a pastor, the person should feel comfortably assured that his or her writings are clear and follow the basic standard rules of structure and grammar of the English language. While this course cannot make the student a professional writer who encounters no questions or problems with the language, it is designed to offer basic information from which the student can then grow as a writer. The course is required of CGI students and is also open to licensed ministers/pastors. Registration is limited to the first twenty persons. For more information or to receive a registration form contact Sue Morris, Southern Center Coordinator, P.O. Box 8, Copper Hill, VA 24079. You may reach here by telephone at (540) 651-8331 or by e-mail at <enncomhla@swva.net>. SOUTHERN AREA MINISTERS - MARCH 21, 2016 The Southern Area Ministers of the Virlina District will meet on Monday, March 21, 2016 at the New Hope Church of the Brethren at 6 p.m. The program for the meeting will be presented by David K. Shumate, District Executive Minister. Please notify Rick Randall, pastor of the New Hope Church of your planned attendance by calling him at (276) 629-4862 or by e-mail at <ronerandall@comcast.net>. The church is grateful for a forecast of the approximate attendance. DISTRICT RESOURCE CENTER CLOSED - MARCH 25-27, 2016 In observance of the Easter Holiday, the Virlina District Resource Center will close at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, and re-open at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 28. We will, as always, monitor e-mail at <virlina@aol.com>. If there is an emergency, call Emma Jean Woodard at 540-797-3044. PILGRIMAGE XX - APRIL 1-3, 2016 Pilgrimage XX will be held April 1-3, 2016, at Camp Bethel. Pilgrimage is a spiritual retreat for adults of all ages, and God is working through this ministry in wonderful ways. The structure of the weekend includes talks, small groups, fun times, inspiring worship services, and much more. God knows where we are on our spiritual journey, and He meets us right there. Whether you need peace, or joy, or forgiveness, or encouragement, or hope, or revival, or a little extra time with Him...He gives more than we even desire. It is difficult to put into words how wonderful the weekend is. The only way to truly understand what Pilgrimage has to offer is to experience it! Prayerfully consider if this is your year to attend. If you would like more information, go to <www.experiencepilgrimage.com> or contact Karen Haynes at (336) 765-5263 or <haynesmk1986@yahoo.com>. SPRING VOLUNTEER WORKDAY IS APRIL 2, 2016 Please come and help us on Spring Volunteer Workday! It begins at 7:30a.m. on Saturday, April 2, with a free breakfast and includes a free lunch at 1:00 p.m. Your help is needed to prepare camp for the spring and summer seasons. Workday projects (rain or shine; indoor and outdoor) for all skill levels and all ages. Please RSVP meals by March 27 to (540) 992-2940 or <CampBethelOffice@gmail.com>. ROUNDTABLE - APRIL 8-10, 2016 Roundtable will be held at Bridgewater College on April 8-10. Roundtable is a Regional Youth Conference for Church of the Brethren high school youth, held each spring at Bridgewater College, and is planned by the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet. Tim and Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey of the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren in Maryland will speak on the theme of Carefree in Christ, using Matthew 6:25-34. Walking Roots Band will provide entertainment on Friday night. Make plans to participate in Roundtable to see old friends, make new friends, worship the Lord, and hang out at college. Registration is open online at <iycroundtable.wix.com>. MINISTRY AND MISSION IN VIRLINA - MAY 7, 2016 The annual Ministry and Mission in Virlina event will be held on Saturday, May 7, at the Germantown Brick Church of the Brethren, 2363 Brick Church Rd., Rocky Mount, Virginia. The theme will be "Focus on Jesus" with Matthew 14:22-33 as the scripture text. Our day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. followed by worship at 9:00 a.m.
MEMO FOR MINISTERS - Page 5 Our worship theme will be "Get our of the boat; your journey awaits." Anne Mitchell, pastor of the Lighthouse Church of the Brethren, will be our preacher and members of the Commission on Witness will provide leadership during the worship and throughout the event. Following worship, workshops from the commissions and committees of the District Board will be held throughout the morning. Workshop topics will include behavior management for leaders, conflict transformation, tax information for treasurers, and more. Lunch will be provided by the Germantown congregation and after lunch the Annual Conference Delegate Briefing will take place. The briefing will begin at 1:30 p.m. and conclude by 3:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and plan to participate in all or part of the activities planned for the day. CEU (0.1) credit will be offered for ministers participating in workshops. WE ARE ABLE WORKCAMP - JULY 10-13, 2016 Registration for 2016 Brethren Workcamps has started, and we'd like to highlight the We Are Able Workcamp. This workcamp is for youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities and for young adults who serve as their assistants. Participants will serve at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD where they will package materials for the Material Resources warehouse and SERV. They will also go on fun recreational outings, such as bowling, attending a concert or movie, or visiting a nature center. We hope that you will join us July 10-13 for an amazing experience! Register at http://www.brethren.org/workcamps/ before April 1st (make sure you register as a We Are Able Assistant if you are a young adult who wishes to serve as an assistant at this workcamp). If you have any questions about the We Are Able workcamp or workcamps in general, email Amanda McLearn- Montz at <AMcLearn-Montz@brethren.org> or call her at (847) 429-4328. ANNUAL REPORT FORMS It is important that the listed forms below be completed and returned as they comprise the mailing list for the HEADLINER and for other important information of congregations. If your congregation is listed in the delinquent list, please get the information submitted as soon as possible. REMINDER LIST (as of Feb. 23, 2016) Form B - Mailing Address Information (mailed from General Offices in Elgin and due December 31, 2015) Blacksburg-Iglesia del Buen Pastor Fellowship, Blue Ridge, Boones Mill, Crab Orchard, Danville-Emmanuel, Fairview (Floyd County), Floyd-Iglesia Cristiana Renacer, Good Shepherd (Blacksburg), Henry Fork, Hopewell, Jeters Chapel, Jones Chapel, Lynchburg, New Covenant, New Hope, Peters Creek, Pulaski-First, Red Hill, Saint Paul, Saunders Grove, Schoolfield, Shelton, Smith Mountain Lake, Trinity,Virginia Beach-Christian Church Uniting, Wakefield Chapel, West Richmond Form E - Congregational Outreach Report (mailed from General Offices in Elgin and due December 1, 2015 Bethlehem, Blacksburg-Iglesia del Buen Pastor Fellowship, Cedar Bluff, Crab Orchard, Danville-Emmanuel, Fairview (Floyd County), Ferrum, Floyd-Iglesia Cristiana Renacer Fellowship, Good Shepherd (Blacksburg), Henry Fork, Maple Grove, Oakvale, Olean, Peters Creek, PleasantDale, Pulaski-First, Red Hill, Roanoke-Hollins Road, Saint Paul, Saunders Grove, Schoolfield, Shelton, Spruce Run,Virginia Beach-Christian Church Uniting, Wakefield Chapel Statistical Form (will be mailed from the General Offices in Elgin to all congregations in early January 2016 and will be due by March 15, 2016) Additional Officers Form (emailed from District Resource Center in December/January Memo for Ministers and was due January 15, 2016) Antioch, Beaver Creek, Bethany, Bethel, Bethlehem, Blacksburg-Iglesia del Buen Pastor Fellowship, Blue Ridge, Boones Chapel (Snow Creek), Boones Mill, Burks Fork, Cedar Bluff, Christiansburg, Coulson, Crab Orchard, Danville-Emmanuel, Duncan Chapel, Durham-Peace Covenant, Fairview (Floyd County), Ferrum, Floyd-Iglesia Cristiana Renacer Fellowship, Fraternity, Germantown Brick, Good Shepherd (Blacksburg), Hiwassee, Hopewell, Jones Chapel, Lynchburg, Maple Grove, Moneta-Lake Side Fellowship, Monte Vista, Mount Hermon, Mount Joy, Mount Union, New Bethel, New Covenant, New Hope, Nineveh, Oak Grove (South), Oakvale, Olean, Parkway, Peters Creek, PleasantDale, Pleasant Valley, Poages Mill, Pulaski-First, Red Hill, Red Oak Grove, Roanoke-Central, Roanoke-, Roanoke-Oak Grove, Roanoke-Iglesia Cristiana Renacer Fellowship, Saint Paul, Saunders Grove, Schoolfield, Selma, Shelton, Smith Chapel, Smith Mountain Lake, Smith River, Spruce Run, Trinity, Vinton, Virginia-Beach-Christian Church Uniting, Wakefield Chapel, West Richmond, White Rock