We remember in prayer the people in Turkey and Syria whose lives have been traumatically impacted by recent earthquakes. | |
From the Desk of District Executive Minister
John Jantzi
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As you recall, part of District Conference 2022 worship encouraged congregations to knit shawls to be distributed to congregations for use with members who need prayer. District members took the challenge seriously and the District Office continues to receive many shawls. Stop by the office sometime and see the creativity of the District at work.
We are still working out the manner in which the shawls will be sent to congregations. The method of distribution will be described in a future Shenandoah Update.
In the meantime, the shawls are a tangible reminder of the generosity of spirit of members of the District. We are appreciative and grateful.
God’s best and blessing to all,
John Jantzi
District Executive Minister
Shenandoah District Church of the Brethren
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We rejoice with the following calls to the ministry:
- Lee Reid was licensed on Sunday, January 29, at Arbor Hill.
- Nathan Rittenhouse will be ordained on February 19, at New Hope.
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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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Servant Leadership Class This Saturday
Register by 5 p.m. Tomorrow, February 9
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Can Christians be servants and leaders simultaneously? Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development Team Chair Jane Baker says, “Yes, they can!” The Spiritual Formation and Leadership Team has announced a servant leadership class featuring guest presenter Jay Foreman. The event is scheduled for February 11, from 9 a.m. – noon, at Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren (315 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg) and hopes to provide participants with new insights into servant leader roles. | |
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This class will include Bible-based proven servant leadership methods and tactics, entertaining stories to help put them in perspective, and fun interactive approaches to help solidify these ideas. After experiencing this class, the hope is that everyone will leave feeling closer to God, closer to one another in Christian fellowship and with a more vital calling and confidence to serve others.
.3 CEUs are available if requested before the event.
Registration closes at 5 p.m. tomorrow, February 9. You may register online or by calling 540-234-8555.
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Senior High Youth Retreat February 11 | SNL, Sunday Night Live, a periodic Church of the Brethren youth gathering in the central part of the Shenandoah District, is inviting all District senior high youth to attend an upcoming one-day retreat on February 11 at Mountain View, McGaheysville. | |
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Prayer Shawls Dedicated at Mt. Vernon | |
(Photos courtesy of Mt. Vernon | |
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On January 8, Mt. Vernon Church of the Brethren in Waynesboro held a dedication ceremony led by Nancy Flippo for their prayer shawls. They collected 21 shawls in total.
Because of the many challenges in her life currently, we presented the first shawl to our talented pianist, Martha Gwin. Of course, the shawl was purple, her favorite color. Gerry Bryant took another shawl for her friend, Connie Crawford, whose husband recently passed away. Most of the shawls will be distributed through the District Office as needed. However, the congregation will hold on to a few in case anyone at Mt. Vernon desires one or wants to give one to someone in need.
The church reports, "This project has reminded everyone to pray and give to those in need during difficult times. The shawl outreach project was a wonderful idea." These shawls were created in conjunction with the 2022 District Conference call to exchange skeins of yarn among district congregations and knit or crochet prayer shawls to be distributed throughout the district to those in need.
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The following congregations and organizations have announced activities:
Feb. 11: Servant Leadership class, from 9 a.m.-noon. The guest presenter will be Jay Foreman. The event will be held at the Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethren (315 South Dogwood Drive, Harrisonburg). Free registration is online or by calling 540-234-8555.
Feb. 11: SNL will host a one-day senior youth retreat for ninth through twelfth graders at Mountain View-McGaheysville Church of the Brethren (8601 McGaheysville Road, McGaheysville) from 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The cost is $5, plus a snack to share. This will be a day of fun, games and sessions led by the Interdistrict Youth Cabinet from Bridgewater College. Lunch and supper are included. If you have any questions or reservations, contact Rebecca House at rebecca@pleasantvalleyalive.org.
Feb. 18: The Shenandoah District Pastors for Peace is sponsoring a continuing education event, How Do We Love Our Enemies, led by Dr. Hyung Jin (Pablo) Kim Sun. This event via Zoom will be from 1-4 p.m. (EST). Participants are expected to read Pablo’s book, “Who Are Our Enemies and How Do We Love Them?” before the event (and provide the book themselves). The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership will issue .3 CEUs for full participation. Registration is $10, or $20 for those wishing to receive CEU credit. For more information and online registration, visit the event page here.
Feb. 22: Montezuma (4937 Ottobine Road, Dayton) will hold an Ash Wednesday service, beginning with a simple meal at 5:30 p.m. The service will begin at 6:15 p.m.
March 4: Apologetics Conference with Tim Barnett, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Antioch (23502 Senedo Road, Woodstock). Lunch is on your own. Faith and Reason Apologetics of Shenandoah County is sponsoring this event.
Mar. 23: The Bridgewater College Forum for Brethren Studies will sponsor a Conversation with the Moderator at 3:30 p.m. in the Boitnott Room at Bridgewater College. The Forum has asked Moderator Tim McElwee to offer brief remarks on the state of the denomination before opening the session for questions. The discussion will constitute the bulk of the time together.
May 15: Deadline for District congregations to submit a quilt block for the 2023 Conference quilts. Quilt tops will be assembled before the conference, and no blocks can be accepted at the conference for this year’s quilts. For details and submission guidelines, click here.
July 2-18: Lands of the Bible with Bridgewater College chaplain Dr. 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, you may contact Dr. Miller at rmiller@bridgewater.edu or 540-421-2720.
For a complete listing of details regarding congregational events throughout the Shenandoah District, visit https://shencob.org/events/.
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2023 Disaster Ministry Projects | | |
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Registration for the Big Thank You Dinner will be capped at 100 this year. Register online here or by contacting Brenda Diehl at brendadiehl@shencob.org. Note that the registration link must be revisited for each registered guest. Register one person, close the window, click on the link again, and open a new registration window for the next guest. | |
Last Chance to Order Auction Booklets | |
The printing deadline is looming, and the Disaster Auction Coordinating Committee needs to know the number of booklets each congregation desires to distribute. Please contact Catherine Lantz at catherinetlantz@gmail.com, or call 540-896-7556 to place your order this week. | |
Middle River Church of the Brethren in New Hope is seeking a church secretary for an active church office to work 5-10 hours per week. Days and times are negotiable. Qualifications: pleasant with excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to exercise strict discretion and confidentiality at all times, organized and proficient in filing and computer skills such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Resumes may be mailed to Middle River Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 17, New Hope, Virginia, 24469, or emailed to middlerivercob@gmail.com. The application deadline is February 22. | |
Continuing the Work of Jesus.
Simply. Peacefully. Together.
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Shenandoah District website: www.shencob.org
Questions? Comments?
Contact the Director of Communications
| | Today's feature graphic by B. S. Diehl | |
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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, Office Administrative Assistant, slong@shencob.org
Anita Landes, Office Administrative Assistant, anitalandes@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
Rebecca House, Director of District Conference and Youth Services, rebeccahouse@shencob.org
Disaster Ministries Team, Jerry Ruff, Coordinator; ruffrev2@yahoo.com,
Henry Elsea, elseaclan@yahoo.com; and Galen Halterman, galenhalterman@aol.com
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