He sends out His command  to the  earth;
His word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?

January 16, 2020
In Our Prayers
Global Mission and Service is calling for prayer for pastor Lawan Andimi, a district leader in Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) who has been abducted by a faction of Boko Haram. “Please pray for our brother in Nigeria,” said the request. Andimi was abducted from the town of Michika in Adamawa State in northeast Nigeria. A release from Christian Solidarity Worldwide, published by "The Nigerian Voice" reported that Andimi also chairs the Christian Association of Nigeria in Adamawa State, and that he was declared missing following a raid on Michika on Jan. 3. A video of Andimi speaking in English and Hausa has been released by his captors, in which he expresses his faith in God. Find the article here .
(Excerpted from the Church of the Brethren Newsline Special, Jan. 8, 2020).
District News
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events
State and federal offices will be closed on Mon. in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Bridgewater College will be hosting events to mark the occasion on Mon. and Wed. Additional details appear in the Mark Your Calendar section of this newsletter. The schedule appears below:

Monday, January 20, 2020
10:45 a.m. Gather at Oakdale Park ( 134 Mount Crawford Avenue , Bridgewater)

11 a.m. Remarks by town and college representatives; march from Oakdale Park to Bridgewater College at the conclusion of remarks

Noon Reception, Kline Campus Center lobby, Bridgewater College

1-3 p.m. Day of Service projects

7:30 p.m.  Jelani Cobb Endowed Lecture , Cole Hall , Bridgewater College
“The Half-Life of Freedom: Race and Justice in Today’s America”
 
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
6:30 p.m.  Film: It Is Well  (2018), Cole Hall
Discussion with director Bennie R. Mitchell Jr. to follow

Eastern Mennonite University is also planning a slate of events, which may be accessed here.
Contact Information for 2020 Board Chairs
As new board chairs and treasurers begin serving this month, District churches are reminded to send the names of new board chairs and their contact information to Sarah Long at the District Office. Updating information will help to  ensure correspondence to board chairs is properly routed. District staff desires to communicate effectively through email and other means so that important information gets to the right person on the first attempt.

Also, the names and contact information for new Disaster Auction representatives should be sent to Betty Morris at bettymorris0322@aol.com .
In Our Pastoral Family
Interims
-J. D. Glick has been called as half-time interim pastor at Staunton.
-Mike Hostetter is serving interim pastor at Sunrise.
Pastoral Vacancies
Friends Run/Smith Creek - full-time, David Morris, interim pastor, congregational profile available
Garbers - part-time, congregational profile forthcoming
Leake's Chapel - congregational profile forthcoming 
Mill Creek - full-time associate pastor, congregational profile available
Pine Grove - part-time, congregational profile forthcoming

Pleasant Hill - part-time, congregational profile forthcoming
Waynesboro - full-time, Dot Mellott, interim pastor, updated congregational profile available
Big Beautiful World Curriculum Promo available

A promotional kit from Shine featuring the Big, Beautiful World Vacation Bible School curriculum for 2020 is available at the District office. Stop by the District Office and take a look.
Third Thursday Specials
Church Growth
Pastor George Bowers recently reported that Antioch received five new members: Kelly Fuqua, Deborah Tangren, Laura Brown, and Eric Schlich by transfer and reaffirmation, and Morgan Schlich accepted Jesus and was baptized. Britanee Jett and Jeff Jett II accepted Jesus and will be baptized outdoors later.

Calendars
District Events
Meetings at the District Office
Please take note of the following meetings and events scheduled for the District Office: 
-Jan. 16: 11 a.m., District Office staff meeting, phones unanswered
-Jan. 18: 9 a.m.-4 p.m., District Office, lower level, CGI Class-Brethren Beliefs
-Jan. 20: 6:30 p.m., Disaster Auction Golf Committee
-Jan. 22-30: Council of District Executives; John Jantzi out of the office; available by email and cell phone.
-Jan. 30: 11 a.m., District Office staff meeting, phones unanswered
Mark Your Calendar
Jan. 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration : Celebrating the Dream, Continuing the Journey, Oakdale Park, Bridgewater, and on Bridgewater College's campus. A community celebration of the life and legacy of renowned civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event begins at Oakdale Park, where guest speakers will give their remarks and will be followed by a march of event attendees from the park to the College campus. More details of the event will follow. Click here for more information. Click on the following to download: Bulletin Insert , Bulletin/Newsletter text , Press Release, and Poster .

Jan. 22: Paul Mundey will present a seminar, " Reflections of the Moderator ," at Bridgewater College, Bowman 109 ( 402 East College Street, Bridgewater ), 3:30 p.m . The emphasis will be on Q and A. Admission is free; all are invited. The sponsor of the event is the Forum for Brethren Studies. Parking available in the KCC, Carter, and Alumni Hall lots. For additional information, contact Steve Longenecker .

LOOKING AHEAD:

Mar. 6-7, 2020:  Children's Disaster Services Training , Fri. 4:30 p.m. to Sat. 4:30 p.m., Bridgewater Church  ( 420 College View Drive , Bridgewater). Register  online here .  Click here  for a flyer. A bulletin insert may be found here.
District Youth
J an. 25: District Sr. High Winter Retreat will be held at Mill Creek ( 7600 Port Republic Road , Port Republic), 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Interdistrict Youth Cabinet (IYC) will be leading sessions, and youth will have the opportunity to serve the community. It will be a great time to have fun and grow in faith. Times and more information will be forthcoming. Pastors are asked to forward this information to youth leaders. Please contact Rebecca House with questions at 430-2089 | rebecca@pleasantvalleyalive.org  to let her know how many youths are planning to attend.

Feb. 28-Mar. 1: Youth Roundtable at Bridgewater College. The theme will be 2020 Vision. More information will be forthcoming.

Mar. 13-14: District Jr. High Lock-in will be held on at Luray Church . More information will be forthcoming.
Brethren Disaster News
Urgent Request for School Kits
The Disaster Auction Coordinating Committee is asking for bags for Church World Service school kits to meet an urgent need. Volunteers interested in constructing bags may download a pattern with instructions. It takes approximately one half of a yard of fabric to make each bag. Bags may also be purchased at myshopangel.com and donated to CWS. Contact Betty Morris | (434) 985-7571 or Catherine Lantz | 896-7556 with any questions about the project.
F&M Offers Visa Credit Card to Benefit Disaster Ministry in the Shenandoah District
A new Visa card is available through F&M Bank, which supports the Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries. Upon choosing the BDM Visa Classic Card , the bank will return 1% of net spending to the Brethren Disaster Ministries. Click here and scroll down to learn more.
Brethren Woods
Winter Camp 2020 Feb. 7-9
Winter Camp is back and better than ever in 2020. Campers in third through eighth grade are invited to head out to camp for this two-night weekend retreat on Feb. 7-9. Winterized facilities and wood-burning stoves will keep everyone toasty while enjoying the camp's traditional activities such as crafts, singing, nature, Bible study, group games, morning watch, vespers, and delicious family-style meals. There will also be all kinds of extra special winter fun, including a mid-winter celebration (complete with a lost-and-found sock snowball fight!), snow-tubing at a nearby resort, hot chocolate, and a movie night with popcorn and snacks. 

It begins at 6 p.m. on Fri., Feb. 7 and ends at 2 p.m. on Sun., Feb. 9. The registration fee covers lodging, meals and snacks, snow-tubing, a group photo, and an apparel item, staff leadership, and all retreat supplies. It promises to be an amazing weekend of fun, faith, and friends this winter.  Click here  for more information, online registration access, and a paper flyer/printable registration form.

Caving Adventure Day Feb. 15
The first Adventure Day of 2020 will take place on Feb. 15 when intrepid explorers will head underground for this half-day beginner caving adventure with WildGuyde Adventures . Participants will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Bridgewater Church of the Brethren ( 420 College View Drive , Bridgewater) and travel to a cave site nearby. The group is slated to return by 6 p.m. All participants must be age 10 and older. Participants under 15 years old (or in 9th grade) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  
 
The cost is $40 per person and includes leadership, transportation, headlamp, caving helmet, and some additional gear. Participants are asked to bring a secondary light source (small flashlight), water bottle (plastic), and should wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty. Specific details, including a full packing list with instructions and permission slip and waivers will be sent by e-mail after registrations are received. Click to access a flyer .
 
To register by phone or email, contact the camp office at 269-2741 or camp@brethrenwoods.org . Online registration is available at  www.brethrenwoods.org . Registrations are due by Fri, Jan. 31.

Camp Rep Training and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
Camp Reps, Pastors, Volunteers, and Friends are invited to Brethren Woods on  Jan. 25  for the Camp Rep Training and Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. The event will include two sessions, both held at the camp in the Pine Grove facility. A training session for pastors, camp representatives, and others who want to learn more about what's happening at camp and how they can be involved will start at 3:30 p.m.  The discussion will include a look at the role of camp reps, ideas for promoting camp in your church and community, and a preview of 2020 events and activities scheduled at camp.  Appetizers will follow at 5 p.m., and dinner will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The volunteer appreciation dinner is for all who served in 2019 and some who are already on board for 2020. This training is the perfect time to enjoy a delicious dinner, entertainment, and a chance to say thanks to the loyal, committed volunteers! 
 
To assist the camp with planning, RSVP by calling 69-2741, or emailing camp@brethrenwoods.org by Mon., Jan. 20. You may also complete this form online from the camp website at www.brethrenwoods.org/crt! 
Upcoming Classes and CEU Opportunities
The District offers several opportunities for pastors to acquire continuing education units (CEUs). Two classes being offered through the Christian Growth Institute (CGI) this winter each provide 1.6 CEUs. Details below:

Belief and Practices of the Church of the Brethren Jan. 18, Feb. 1 and Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Instructor Jim Miller. By the end of this unit, the student will be able to recount the origin and development of the Brethren from 1708 to the present day, including prominent historical figures. This recounting includes familiarity with the history and activity of the Brethren in his or her particular community or region. The student will also be able to articulate the beliefs, basic values, and special emphases that are characteristic of Brethren faith and life and become familiar with the way these values and beliefs have expressed themselves in organizational and ecumenical expressions. Finally, the student will be able to describe and conduct the various ordinances of the Church of the Brethren.1.6 CEUs. Click here for the syllabus .

Contact Sarah Long for more information about registering for either of these classes at 234-8555.

Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership is hosting several upcoming classes. Click here and scroll down to view future educational offerings. New online courses include Nurturing Vital Spirituality in a Changing World with Instructor Rhonda Pittman-Gingrich, Jan. 22 – Mar. 17, and Spiritual Practices in Ministry with Instructor Reba Herder, Apr. 15 – June 9. Science and Faith with Russell Haitch is another offering that has been added for Apr. 29 - May 3.

Ethics for the Set-Apart Ministry: Basic Course is being offered for newly licensed ministers and others seeking basic clergy ethics training. Janet Ober Lambert will be the instructor. The new date for the course is Feb. 8. Click here for a registration form .
Links to Upcoming Lectionary Readings
Revised Common Lectionary - Year A

Jan. 19 : Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (6); John 1:29-42
Jan. 26 : Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27:1, 4-9 (1); 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; Matthew 4:12-23
Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.
Shenandoah District website:
www.shencob.org
__________________
Questions? Comments?
Contact Brenda Diehl
Director of Communications
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