As we enter the Eastertide season, let us remember in prayer the pastors in our District. Download an Eastertide prayer guide here. | |
From the Desk of District Executive Minister
John Jantzi
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Dear Sisters and Brothers,
We are now in the Eastertide season. The season of celebrating the resurrection but also the period prior to Pentecost, where the disciples wondered “what next.” That season mirrors some of our context and experiences.
We live with twin streams of polarization/denominational schism and the winds of renewal. Both are real, and as followers of Jesus, we are called to embrace all of life.
The winds of renewal do continue to blow. Notice the expanded and renewed vision for Brethren Disaster Ministries. Be in prayer as conversations and opportunities are explored.
Next week begins our interspersing the regular Update with meditations from various District writers. Our moderator, Regina Harlow, begins with some of her reflections.
Blessings to each of you this day,
John Jantzi
District Executive Minister
Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren
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District Disaster Ministry Contemplates New Projects | |
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Shenandoah District Brethren Disaster Ministry Coordinator Jerry Ruff reported yesterday that the Disaster Ministry committee is exploring options for expanding service opportunities locally. Currently, the committee receives requests for assistance to local families from local congregations. The committee has been made aware that people need assistance with home repairs in the surrounding communities within the District. He noted that accepting local projects would not change the District's commitment to the national projects but would be in addition to those service trips.
The idea sprang from a conversation with District Leadership Team Services Team Chair Don Driver, who was approached by leaders from the Central Valley Habitat for Humanity organization about how District congregations and the District's Disaster Ministry could respond and assist qualified applicants with home repairs. Habitat for Humanity is also expanding its vision to work with members of the former Rebuilding Together Harrisonburg-Rockingham County program to serve people who are already in a home but may be disabled and unable to finance or undertake minor repairs that need to be made.
The roles each agency or organization could play are still being worked out. Yet, the District Disaster Ministry committee has agreed in principle to oversee the coordination of the work projects selected by the committee after qualification by Habitat. Before presenting the project to the District, Habitat screens the applications and gauges the scope of work and available funding for materials. Driver likened it to "Learning the song as we sing it . . . as long as we're singing the same song."
Part of singing the same song is harmonizing outcomes to mirror what the District's Disaster Ministry is all about. Driver pointed to the possibility of attracting more volunteers to the Disaster Ministry program. From Ruff's point of view, this idea could involve more volunteers because the project's duration would likely be shorter than a week. Committee member Galen Halterman agreed with doing work projects locally, "So many people can't go away for a week." Short-term projects ". . . could give a lot more people the opportunity to serve," he reasoned. Ruff is excited about the possibilities for gaining new volunteers and the chance to serve people in our congregations' backyards. If the projects work as envisioned, families in need would be helped by their neighbors, creating a more cohesive and resilient community.
A similar plan is under review for Augusta County. Recently, the Staunton congregation has connected with Renewing Homes of Greater Augusta County. They are in the early phases of selecting pilot projects to see if volunteers are interested in helping with repairing local homes.
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Urgent Plea on Behalf of the Disaster Auction | |
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The Driver Brothers Greenhouses and JMD Farm Market and Garden Center suffered a significant fire on March 16. The plant sale at the Disaster Ministries auction receives major donations from these companies. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed many of the wholesale plants, and those that survived may die before the plant sales begin on May 19 without intervention.
Currently, the company has no way of watering except by generator, and they cannot reliably protect plants from frost. As for their donations for our plant sale, they have some flats that survived that could be donated now to individuals who will step forward next week to take them and keep them watered and cared for until the sale. People interested in rescuing these plants for eventual sale at the auction are asked to contact Nancy Bowman to arrange to pick up flats of plants next week.
Disaster Auction Coordinating Committee Chair Catherine Lantz issued a challenge to those with perennials and houseplants to share. She noted that more items will be needed this year to ensure there are enough plants to stock the display, and individuals are encouraged to donate plants from their homes and gardens.
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Auction Plans Are Coming Together | |
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The 2023 Shenandoah District Disaster Auction and Sale will be held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds on May 19-20. The planning for the livestock auction and the main auction, which features quilts, wall hangings, furniture, and art are shaping up, along with the golf tournament and coin auction. Unfortunately, due to an untimely fire, the major supplier for our plant sale will be unable to donate as many flats this year. Please take a look at the article above for how to help.
In happier news, it would only be a Brethren event with delicious food, so the food committee met yesterday to finalize the menus. The meal on Friday evening will feature pork tenderloin with gravy, potatoes, green beans, cole slaw, apple sauce, dinner roll, pie, and a beverage for $15, ages ten and under are $8. Saturday morning breakfast will offer pancakes and gravy for $7. The plate lunch on Saturday will be barbecue chicken, cole slaw, chips, and a beverage for $8. To-go barbecue chicken halves will be sold on Saturday for $5. As mentioned earlier, fast food will be available throughout the event. They will serve Friday from noon until 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Volunteers are welcome to assist with setting up on Tuesday, May 16, at the fairgrounds. Contact Gary Shipe for more information about times and tasks to be completed at 540-984-4874.
Churches who have not picked up the auction booklets may call the District Office at 540-234-8555 to arrange a time to come by and receive them on Monday through Thursday.
Visit the Disaster Auction webpage and find a golf tournament brochure here.
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The Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministries is set for Friday, May 19, beginning at 1 p.m. and Saturday, May 20, starting with breakfast at 7 a.m. The auction proceeds help to fund the Church of the Brethren Disaster Ministry. The teams will be rebuilding in Dawson Springs, Kentucky in 2023.
Disaster Auction Link
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Emmanuel (Facebook page)
Part-time, Tim Ball, interim pastor, the congregational profile available
Directions
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Luray (Facebook page)
Part-time, Charlotte Bear, interim pastor; profile available
Directions
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Sunrise reported recently that Alex Blewett was accepted into membership by baptism and Kaye Estep by transfer of letter on April 2. We praise God for these decisions. | |
Free Pews Offered by Staunton | |
Staunton Church of the Brethren has five 12-foot-long pews available at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. Be prepared to provide the labor required to move them. Contact Stewards Chair David Smith at 540-849-7702, ddsmith@ntelos.net. | |
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The following congregations and organizations have announced activities:
Find a listing of submitted Holy Week services and activities here:
https://shencob.org/holy-week-services/
April 28-30: Tickets are on sale now for the Pleasant Valley Theatre
“The Mad Hatter Tea Party” shows at 5:30 p.m. Purchase tickets for $18 in the church office. Call 540-234-9921 or buy online at pleasantvalleyalive.org. It’s Time! Download a flyer here.
May 4: A National Day of Prayer service involving several Church of the Brethren congregations at 7 p.m. at Sunrise Church (1496 South Main Street, Harrisonburg). Christian churches of various denominations will be holding prayer observances on this day. The service will feature scripture readings and prayers led by various pastors, congregational hymns, and special music by the Sunrise choir.
May 15: Deadline for District congregations to submit a quilt block for the 2023 Conference quilts. For details and submission guidelines, click here.
June 16-18: National Junior High Conference on the campus of Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Click here for more information.
July 2-18: Lands of the Bible with Bridgewater College chaplain Robbie Miller will tour Israel, Palestine and Jordan. The tour, conducted by the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem https://uhl.ac/, will visit sites of biblical and religious importance, including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, Capernaum, Caesarea, Masada, Qumran, Petra and many more. The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership will provide 4.0 CEUs for the study tour. If you want an itinerary and more information, contact Dr. Miller at rmiller@bridgewater.edu or 540-421-2720.
Sept. 4-8: National Older Adult Conference, NOAC, at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. NOAC is a Spirit-filled gathering of adults 50 and older who love learning and discerning together, exploring God’s call for their lives, and living out that call by sharing their energy, insight, and legacy with their families, communities, and the world.
Summer Faith Expeditions with Church of the Brethren FaithX for junior high, high school and adult participants are opportunities for service and learning. They are accepting registrations through May 1. Click here for the schedule and registration information.
For a complete listing of details regarding congregational events throughout the Shenandoah District, visit https://shencob.org/events/.
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The Great Community Give Happens on April 19 | |
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Brethren Woods is participating in this year’s Great Community Give on Wednesday, April 19. This annual fundraising day for nonprofits in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Area is sponsored by The Community Foundation.
This year, the camp is raising $20,000 with a stretch goal of $25,000 to upgrade the Pine Knob outpost area and add a new outdoor woodburning stove for the camp’s main retreat facilities. The stove will provide heat and hot water for the Woodland Retreat Center, Linville Creek Cabin, and Mill Creek Cabin, allowing us to be better stewards of creation and staff time and provide better Christian hospitality for groups. The Pine Knob, old area 6, upgrades will include replacing the picnic shelter and adding hammock circles for sleepouts.
Brethren Woods is hoping for lots of participation – the minimum donation is just $10 – to make the day a success. Online giving is available at https://www.greatcommunitygive.org/organizations/brethren-woods-camp-retreat-center and online giving continues through 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19. Offline gifts in cash or checks avoid credit card fees and can be sent directly to Brethren Woods at 4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown, Virginia 22832, noting “Great Community Give.”
Make your donation count even more by participating in one of these matches or challenges:
- Morning “Match” Match–Online gifts starting at 7 a.m. on April 19 will be matched to “strike” up the day and “ignite” giving until the fund is depleted.
- Church Camp Challenge–This challenge gift will be unlocked if there are donors from at least 25 different churches who give by 8 p.m. on April 19. Be sure to include your congregation name in the notes field so participation can be tracked.
- Camper Power Hour–Donate online during Brethren Woods’ power hour from 1-2 p.m. and help them win the prize for the most individual donors.
- Vespers 65 Challenge–This challenge gift will be unlocked if there are at least 65 new donors, one for each year of the camp’s ministry, who give by 8 p.m. If every donor from last year gives again and invites at least one new donor, they will meet this challenge.
For more information, contact the camp office at 540-269-2741, camp@brethrenwoods.org, or check out Brethren Woods’ online profile at https://www.greatcommunitygive.org/organizations/brethren-woods-camp-retreat-center. Executive Director Linda Alley said, “We can’t wait to see what God is going to do in and through this work!”
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The Spring Festival is Set for April 29 | |
Executive Director Linetta Alley announced yesterday that “Brethren Woods is excited to welcome everyone to camp for Spring Festival on April 29.” The Spring Festival is an annual fun day, open house and fundraiser to support the camp’s summer and year-round ministry. Many of the most popular activities will be back, including the fishing contest, pancake breakfast, yard sale, hike-a-thon, amazing food stands, children’s activities, including inflatables, pedal-boat rides, petting zoo, dunk-the-Dunkard booth, climbing tower and zip line rides, mini-golf, kiss-the-cow contest, auction and a beautiful spring day at camp. Visit https://brethrenwoods.org/springfestival/ to learn more. There is still plenty of time for individuals and churches to get involved in this event and plan to attend. Contact the camp office at 540-269-2741 or camp@brethrenwoods.org to get more information and sign-up to help. | |
Disaster Ministry Project Trip April 16-22 | |
Shenandoah District Disaster Ministries Coordinator Jerry Ruff said the District plans to serve in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, April 16-22. For more information, contact Jerry Ruff at 540-447-0306, email the District Office at districtoffice@shencob.org, or Galen Halterman at 540-256-9356 or galenhalterman@aol.com. | |
Waynesboro Church of the Brethren is seeking a music director who can choose and lead congregational hymns, direct a choir, and create Special Music for Sunday worship services. Also, creating a slide show for announcements, hymns, scripture, etc. would be a plus. Approximately 15 hrs. per week. Salary commensurate with experience and skill level. Send a resume via email to eb_pastor@yahoo.com or by mail to 364 Bridge Ave. Waynesboro, VA 22980. | |
Classes and CEU Opportunities | |
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McPherson College is offering several classes through Ventures in Christian Discipleship. Visit https://www.mcpherson.edu/ventures/ for class descriptions and registration information.
“Deep Compassionate Listening”
Saturday, April 15, noon-3 p.m. CDT
Presenter: Barbara Date, educator, organizational consultant, Intercultural Ministry Advisory Council
“Beyond Burned Out to Boundaries and Balance”
Tuesday, May 9 (Rescheduled from the fall), 6-8 p.m. CDT
Presenter: Jen Jensen, Thriving In Ministry program manager, Church of the Brethren Office of Ministry.
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Continuing the Work of Jesus.
Simply. Peacefully. Together.
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Connect with staff via email by clicking on a name below: | |
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Email header photo by B. S. Diehl
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