"It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming."

(Photo courtesy of Marty Barlow)
More Resources
Shenandoah District
Daily Connection
March 20, 2020
Resources for Leaders
March 14 Governor Justice’s Guidance on School Closures
Brethren Disaster Ministries Resources for Coronavirus Response
March 17 Governor Northam's Statement Regarding Virginia's Response to COVID-19
March 20 On-Line Giving Platforms:
From Ryan Cooper: www.planningcenter.com/giving/ .
From Daniel House: https://tithe.ly
Services being streamed

These are the congregations who have submitted information thus far. If your congregation wishes to be included, e-mail info to John Jantzi at the District Office: johnjantzi@shencob.org

"You can cancel church services but you cannot cancel being the church."
-Mark Bowyer
Services available through streaming:
 
Beaver Creek Church of the Brethren                  11 a.m. on Sunday

Mt. Zion-Linville Church of the Brethren                9:45 a.m. on Sunday


Mill Creek Church of the Brethren                        10 a.m. on Sunday


Antioch Church of the Brethren                               8:30 a.m. on Sunday


Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren       
           
Wakeman’s Grove Church of the Brethren            11 a.m.
From the Desk of District Executive Minister John Jantzi
Of real concern is the possibility of congregations and individuals becoming isolated by circumstances and mandates. In order to assist with this issue, the following individuals have consented to be part of the District’s “connecting” strategy.

1. Jan Orndorff - Sugar Grove
2. George Bowers - Antioch
3. Nancy Scott - Smith Creek/Friends Run
4. Frank Tusing - Damascus/Crab Run
5. David Miller - Montezuma
6. Jon Prater - Mt. Zion-Linville
7. Bob Johnson - Middle River
8. Johnny Hawkins - Cedar Grove/Ruckersville
9. Duane Painter - Newport

The Connecting group's function is to be eyes and ears for needs and prayer concerns that are present in neighboring congregations and surrounding communities.

Congregational Care Team members will be in contact with these individuals to gather/compile needs and requests and, in turn, work with the District Office to make the needs known. In addition, the Congregational Care Team will stay in touch with individual congregations as needs arise.
CCT MEMBER

Bruce Bowman
Dot Mellott
Tim Craver S
Kathleen Michael
Jonathan Fletcher
Galen Combs
SECTION

Southern Section
Eastern Section
Southern Section
Central Section
Northern Section
Southern Section
Connected

Frank Tusing and Nancy Scott
Johnny Hawkins
Bob Johnson
David Miller and Jon Prater
Jan Orndorff and George Bowers
Duane Painter
Serving Christ Together in Hope and Expectancy,

John Jantzi
Shenandoah District Executive Minister
A Meditation for the Times:
It’s Friday but Sunday’s Coming

It’s Friday But Sunday's Coming was a sermon authored by S.M. Lockridge, nationally renowned Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, San Diego, California from 1953-1993. This sermon has been imitated and used by countless others. The sermon traces the agony and the uncertainty from the cross to the resurrection. From betrayal to hope, from death to life, from despair to joy, from Friday to Sunday.

I am framing that famous sermon title in a bit different manner today.

  • It’s Friday but Sunday does not look like anything I am used to.
  • I already miss the joy of worshipping with many of you. The diversity, creativity and commitment that are present in our congregations.
  • I miss the Golden Chain Sunday School Class at Dayton Church of the Brethren. A class divergent in points of view but bonding together for many years.
  • I miss Pastor Kevin Daggett’s thoughtful and challenging sermons.
  • I miss the easy-going comradery of the relationships.
  • I miss our choral anthems led ably by Blaine Simmers.
  • I miss…...you add to the list.

I have taken worship on Sunday morning for granted. As I face the prospect of not gathering with fellow believers, I am realizing how much of a void that is leaving. It’s Friday but it is unclear what Sunday looks like.

For many of you living on Friday means:
  • Changing the way in which you work or facing cutbacks at your place of work
  • Scrambling for childcare
  • Caring for elderly parents in new ways
  • Facing social isolation
  • Facing the challenge of diminished resources
  • For pastors it has meant scrambling to redefine their role. What does one do when Sunday morning is in a state of flux? This is no easy journey.

Scripture is filled with laments and prayers from people who were crossing the bridge from Friday to Sunday. Laments and cries for assistance fill its pages. The book of Lamentations grieves the loss and destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. “My groans are many and my heart is faint” Lamentations 1:22b, NIV.

God’s people are forever changed when they face this journey with openness of spirit and fierce commitment. We must not be too quick to determine what Sunday will look like. Rather allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives and reshape our thinking amid the very real agony.

What if Sunday sees a deepening of faith commitment to our Lord and each other, the formation of a tender and compassionate spirit, a hunger for gathering and hearing the Word of the Lord, a deepening of desire to be salt and light to our neighbors and neighborhoods and….

Folks, as I listen to the honest wrestling’s of the believers of the Shenandoah District it seems to me that the stirrings of Sunday coming are among us. Let’s continue to love, care and exhort each other as we listen for the shape of Sunday’s to come. Friday is here but Sunday is coming……

Amen
Blessings to all,

District Executive Minister
John Jantzi
IDEAS AND IMAGININGS:

Ways to care for each of our most vulnerable folk
  1. Create a list of folks with limited mobility and access. Make sure these lists contain primary ways of contacting the individuals. 
  2. Create a phone tree and card tree for folks who with limited access.
  3. Check with local government and law enforcement officials regarding neighborhood needs.
  4. Review deacon funds and outreach funds to ensure resources are available to those who may need assistance.
  5. Schedule pastors or deacon time when individuals can talk about specific areas of concern. This via phone or available means of communication.
  6. Activate and utilize prayer chains
  7. Other
Kevin Daggett and John Jantzi

Sabbath rest and self-care 
  1. Tune in to churches who are going on-line with their worship services.
  2. Read one of the gospels in one sitting.
  3. Have an extended time of prayer and praise.
  4. Have a family hymn sing around the piano.
  5. Find a quiet spot in nature and enjoy a time of praise and meditation.
  6. Cultivate spiritual practices that we may have been neglecting.
  7. Spend extra time praying for people to come to know Jesus.
  8. Spend extra time praying about whatever’s on your mind or just praising God.
  9. Spend extra time praying for your church, your family, and your government leaders.
Jan Orndorff and George Bowers

Ideas in Motion

Zoom call with video and audio-only capabilities
Zoom call, which has both video and audio-only capabilities. If you are a pastor and would like to connect with your colleagues in this manner, e-mail or call the District Office.

Live streaming/Facebook/YouTube
We ask congregations/leadership to send in their congregational links to on-line worship services. Please send them to John Jantzi at the District Office.

We will list those links in the following Daily Connections. If you or your congregation wishes to access a COB District worship service, you will have access. 

Online Giving Options
We ask those congregations who have on-line giving options to share that information with the District Office. We will then create a section of options for congregations who may be thinking about going this route.

Office of Ministry
The Office of Ministry is planning to offer a webinar for pastors next week focused on sharing innovative ideas among ourselves for planning for alternative worship services during Holy Week, for example, creative responses for Love Feast planning, etc.  Stay tuned for details.