“No one is holy like the Lord,

For there is none besides You,

Nor is there any rock like our God.”

1 Samuel 2:2

The Shenandoah Update

December 21, 2022

We pray the good news about the birth and life of Jesus transforms our world.

Director of Finance Gary Higgs has announced that January 9, 2023, will be the last day to receive funds for the year ending December 31, 2022. All gifts received in the District Office by January 9 will be included in the 2022 revenues. The mailing address is P. O. Box 67, Weyers Cave, Virginia 24486.

The District Office will be closed Friday, December 23 through January 2, for Christmas and New Year's Day. Therefore, the Update will not be issued on Wednesday, December 28, but will resume on January 4.

Shenandoah District Executive Minister John Jantzi will leave on Thursday, January 5, to attend the Council of District Executives meetings in Florida and return on Thursday, January 12. He will be responding to emails and cell phone calls during that time.

We rejoice with those who have responded to the call to ministry:

• Bob Johnson was called as the part-time pastor at Briery Branch on November 11. He will officially begin this role on January 1.
• Bill McHenry was licensed to the ministry on November 11 at Meadow Mills.
• Rob Via was licensed to the ministry on December 11 at Little River.

Damascus-Crab Run (Websites)

Pastoral vacancy

Directions:

Damascus | Crab Run

Emmanuel (Facebook page)

Part-time, Tim Ball, interim pastor, the congregational profile available

Directions

Harrisonburg First (Website)

Full-time, Paul Roth, part-time interim pastor; profile available

Directions

Lebanon (Facebook page)

Full-time; profile available

Directions

Pleasant Valley (Website)

Full-time pastoral vacancy; more information is forthcoming

Directions

Wakeman's Grove (Website)

Full-time, Deb Horst, interim pastor; profile available

Directions

The District has been notified that live nativities will be offered by the following congregations this month:

Dec. 21, 22 and 23: Mill Creek, 7-9 p.m.

The District has been advised about Christmas Eve services at these churches on December 24:

Barren Ridge, 7 p.m.

Blue Ridge Chapel, 6 p.m.

Cedar Run, 7 p.m.

Evergreen, 9 p.m.

Greenmount, 7 p.m.

Luray, 7 p.m.

Montezuma, 8 p.m.

Mt. Vernon, 4 p.m.

Pine Grove, 7 p.m.

Staunton, 7 p.m.

Summit, 7 p.m.

Sunrise, 7 p.m.

The following congregations announced Christmas Day services:

Barren Ridge, 10 a.m.

Blue Ridge Chapel, 10 a.m.

Briery Branch, 10 a.m.

Cedar Run, 10 a.m.

Evergreen, 10:30 a.m.

Luray, 9:30 a.m.

Montezuma, 10 a.m.

Mt. Vernon, 11 a.m.

Pine Grove, 11 a.m.

Summit, 11 a.m.

Sunrise, 10 a.m.

The following congregations and organizations plan other programs:

Dec. 21: Sugar Grove Candlelight service, 6 p.m.

Dec. 23: Briery Branch Candlelighting service, 7 p.m.

Jan. 1: New Year's Day service at Blue Ridge Chapel, 10 a.m.

Jan. 8: Benefit for Blue Ridge Area Food Bank at Staunton, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 9-12: School for Leadership Training at EMU.

For a complete listing of details regarding congregational events throughout the Shenandoah District, visit https://shencob.org/events/.

Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren

Phone: 540-234-8555; Toll-free 888-308-8555; Fax 540-234-8333

Staff:

John Jantzi, District Executive Minister, johnjantzi@shencob.org

Sarah Long, Administrative Assistant, slong@shencob.org

Brenda Sanford Diehl, Director of Communications, brendadiehl@shencob.org

Gary Higgs, Director of Finance, garyhiggs@shencob.org

Larry Holsinger, Financial Sec./Bookkeeper, lawrence.holsinger@gmail.com

Jonathan Prater, Director of Ministry Services, JonPrater@shencob.org

Disaster Ministries Team, Jerry Ruff, Coordinator; ruffrev2@yahoo.com,

Henry Elsea, elseaclan@yahoo.com; and Galen Halterman, galenhalterman@aol.com