September 24, 2017
" Peace in the Midst of Fear"

EXPLORE MEMBERSHIP DINNER
OCTOBER 1 AT 6:00 PM IN THE SEMINAR ROOM
 
If you or someone you know would like to learn more about membership at VRBC, our Explore Membership Dinner is THE BEST WAY to find out what VRBC is all about! After sharing a good meal and getting to know each other, church leaders will talk about what it means to be a VRBC member. Dinner is free, and childcare is available, if reserved in advance. 

What are some benefits of becoming an official church member?  
 to find out!
 
To RSVP to attend the Explore Membership Dinner or to learn more about becoming a VRBC member, please mark the back of your Connection Card this Sunday during worship, or email John Hewlett at  [email protected] .

INTERESTED IN BEING BAPTIZED?
OCTOBER 1 DURING BOTH WORSHIP SERVICES
 
Has God has been speaking to you about following Jesus in the waters of baptism? If so, we would love to talk to you about joining with other believers being baptized on Sunday, October 1, during the worship services.
 
If you're interested in finding out more about baptism, please mark the back of your Connection Card this Sunday during worship, or contact John Hewlett at  [email protected].

CHURCH LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS
NOMINATIONS DUE OCTOBER 11
 
The Ministry Placement Committee is now accepting nominations for the Church Leadership Candidate Group. This group will be the source of candidates for:
  • Church Council
  • Ministry Placement Committee
  • Finance/Human Resource Committee
  • Deacons
Self-nominations are a vital part of creating our Church Leadership Candidate Group.  If you are interested in serving in some capacity, please review  the
applicable commitment form and qualifications . You may then email Donna Blankenship at  [email protected]  with your self-nomination, along with where you would like to serve (Church Council, Deacon, etc.). Additionally, if you know someone who would make a good candidate for the Church Leadership Candidate Group, please encourage him or her to complete the self-nomination process. Nominations should be submitted by Wednesday, October 11. 

The Ministry Placement Team, in conjunction with the current Deacons and Church Council, will use the self-nominations, along with nominations from Church Council, Deacons, and Grow Group Leaders, and Church Ministerial Staff, to recommend final nominees to Church Council. Church Council will use the nominees to develop a final slate for presentation to church members for final approval and vote on Sunday, December 17. 
 
For a complete description of roles, responsibilities, and qualifications, please refer to the VRBC Bylaws at  vrbc.net/bylaws.
ANNUAL BUDGET VOTE POSTPONED
REVISED PROPOSED BUDGET AVAILABLE THIS FRIDAY

The Church Council, Finance/Human Resource Committee, and Church Staff are continuing to review, refine, and modify the proposed 2017-2018 Annual Budget to align with the mission and strategies of VRBC based on the current contribution projections for the fiscal year-end . 

The final proposed budget will be posted online at   vrbc.net/finance for church member review on Friday, September 22. Once posted, please direct any budget questions to Donna Blankenship, VRBC Business Administrator, at  [email protected] . Vote of the VRBC membership to approve or disapprove the proposed 2017-2018 Annual Budget will be held Sunday,  October 22,  during both worship services.
DROP YOUR PANTS CLOTHING DRIVE RECAP
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
 
Thanks to the amazing generosity of VRBC attenders and many others across the DFW Metroplex, this year's Drop Your Pants Clothing Drive was bigger and better than last year!

With more than 2,800 pairs of jeans/pants, 2,400 shirts, and 300 coats/jackets donated, the Cornerstone Clothes Closet will be able to bless many homeless in our community this fall. In addition, Pastor Chris Simmons reports the Clothes Closet received $1,200 in cash donations. As a double blessing, any donated items that could not be used by Cornerstone were provided to Hurricane Harvey relief.

Our hats (but not our pants:)) are also off to VRBC member Bob  Sturm who started Drop Your Pants using his vocational platform for ministry and mobilizing people to give generously. How could you serve others and God's Kingdom at your workplace?

SERVE OPPORTUNITIES!
Another great way you can serve the homeless is by volunteering at the Cornerstone Clothes Closet (next dates are this Saturday and October 28) or the Cornerstone Kitchen (next dates are October 5 and November 2). Just click the links above to sign up!