Oh, bless our God, you peoples! And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
Who keeps our soul among the living, And does not allow our feet to be moved.
(Psalm 66:8-9).
Photo courtesy of Marty Barlow
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District Churches Set to Re-open in Places
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Last week, Va. Governor Ralph Northam outlined a phased approach to re-opening sanctuaries in churches and some businesses effective tomorrow, May 15. The new measures will not take effect in Northern Va. until May 29. Read the full
press release here. W. Va. Governor Jim Justice announced similar measures effective May 4. Read
more here about W. Va. and find the state guidance document
here.
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Annual Conference Canceled
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On Apr. 30, the Church of the Brethren Standing Committee acted upon a recommendation from the denomination's Leadership Team to cancel this year's Annual Conference. The Conference was slated to take place July 1-5 in Grand Rapids, Mich.
The Annual Conference theme, program, and featured leadership have been deferred to 2021. The affirming of the Compelling Vision will also take place next year when Annual Conference convenes in Greensboro, N.C., June 30-July 4. Read the
full story here.
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Summer Workcamps Nixed for 2020
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The Workcamp Ministry announced this week that all workcamps this summer are canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there will be weekly times of connection from late June through August. Read the
full story here.
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Updates from Brethren Woods
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Brethren Woods Spring Festival Lives On
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This week, Camp Director Doug Phillips remarked, "
Just when everyone thought that the Spring Festival was canceled, new life happened. Many individuals, pastors, camp reps, campers, and others have, and are still, supporting the Spring Festival. There have been long runs, shorter runs, and walks, and many pastors have taken us up on the bucket challenge." Doug says he is "grateful" and encourages everyone to "keep up the good work!"
In fact, in the coming week, Brethren Woods will begin an online Facebook auction. Doug asks, "What are you going to bid for it? It’s the last one!" He said, "Friends have continued to donate items for this event."
The way the auction works is that Brethren Woods will leave donated auction items up for one week, hopefully, receive generous bids, close that auction, and then be in touch about payment and pickup or delivery. Then, the following week they will post five more items and so on until they run out of donations. Doug says, there is still time to donate "awesome things" by contacting
Brethren Woods
. "Keep watching Facebook, warm up your checkbook and bid," Doug concluded. To participate in the auction, find Brethren Woods Camp and Retreat Center on
Facebook
.
(Photo Courtesy of Pieter Tramper)
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Summer Program Announcement Tomorrow
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Brethren Woods will be making an announcement tomorrow concerning its summer camping program. Visit their
website or follow Brethren Woods on
Facebook,
Instagram, and
Twitter, or call the Camp
at 269-2741.
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Disaster Auction and Golf Tournament
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This would have been the weekend thousands flocked to the Disaster Auction and Sale. It was not meant to be this year as the
May 15-16 Disaster Auction and Sale
scheduled for the Rockingham County Fairgrounds, and the accompanying
Golf Tournament
, were canceled. The decisions were made last month due to the stay at home orders issued by the governors of Va. and West Va.
The Committee plans to meet at some point in the future when these restrictions are lifted to discuss possibilities for future auction activities. At that time, a decision will be made regarding the distribution of the 2020 auction booklets.
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Prayer continues for Pastor Jack Haddock, who is home from the hospital, and for Pastor Charlie Comer, who is recuperating from surgery. Pastor Tim Sites remains in the hospital and is steadily improving.
Accordius Health
in Harrisonburg and
Skyview Rehab and Nursing
in Page County are in our thoughts and prayers as the COVID-19 virus has affected residents at these facilities.
In addition, the Global Mission Prayer Update this week asks for prayer for the following nations:
From a pastor in
Honduras
: We have given food to the families. It has been a great experience. We have seen God accompanying the people. We have cried to see so much pain, but our trust is in God and his overabundant grace in the middle of all the darkness. In Honduras, almost everyone is detained.
Unemployment grows, and in the best of cases, some are working for 50 percent of their original salary. We aren't only working to survive the COVID-19, but also Dengue fever is spreading every day. We have many deaths. It looks like the plagues of Egypt truly! We pray to God that our faith will not fall and for strength to continue maintaining our hearts as a lamp full of oil to be useful and be hope-givers where we are and how we are.
Pray for our partners in developing countries. Many people depend on daily work to eat, and so many are without food at this difficult time. Large families living in close quarters and lack of adequate medical care can also increase the spread of the virus.
Continue to pray for Athanasus Ungang in
South Sudan
. He cannot leave the country at this time to return to the United States to be with his family, and reports feeling destitute but also grateful for the support and care of the Church of the Brethren.
There are new reports of flooding in
Rwanda
. Pray for our brothers and sisters in Rwanda.
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Many Shenandoah District churches are hosting alternative services or streaming services online during this time of quarantine and social distancing. Some churches are posting on their church websites; some are broadcasting through
Facebook,
and others are using meeting software such as
Zoom
.
Be sure to download the application needed to view services in the format the specific church is utilizing before service times, where applicable.
The following congregations have alternative or online access to services:
Community Mission | 10 a.m. Sundays Drive-in Worship Service by PA system.
Evergreen
| 10:30 a.m. Sundays Drive-in Worship Service. Everyone remains in their vehicles. A message will be posted on their Facebook page at 11 a.m. They are also doing Zoom Sunday School services for kids each Sunday at 1 p.m. Message their
Facebook page
for the password.
Free Union | 10:30 Sundays; parking lot service. stay in your cars. If it rains, check their Facebook page for cancellation.
Linville Creek | Links to private YouTube broadcasts provided by email weekly. Contact Pastor
Nathan Hollenberg
to receive links.
Madison |11 a.m. Sundays on Zoom. Contact
Pastor Ed Morris
for the Zoom meeting number to enter the worship service.
Mountain Grove Fulks Run | 11 a.m. Sundays; remain in cars for the service and hear the message via PA system.
Stone
|
10:45 a.m. Sundays
Timberville | 9:30 a.m. Sundays. The church has purchased airtime on the radio for each week until further notice. They will be broadcasting on
1360AM
and
106.9FM
.
Walker’s Chapel
| 11 a.m. Sundays in Meditations and Messages on Facebook; scroll down to find messages from Pastor Cecil L. Haycock.
Waynesboro | Check the
Facebook
page for the YouTube link.
These are the congregations who have submitted information thus far. If your congregation wishes to be included, e-mail your info to John Jantzi at the District Office at
johnjantzi@shencob.org
.
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If you have questions about the Daily Connection, contact:
Director of Communications
Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren
P.O. Box 67
Weyers Cave, Va. 24486
(540) 234-8555
www.shencob.org
Scripture from New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson
Graphics courtesy of pixabay.com, unless otherwise stated
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