May 24, 2023

We remember in prayer those whose lives have been or will be impacted by disasters this year and the response Brethren Disaster Ministries may provide.

The 2023 Shenandoah District Disaster Auction was held at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday. Coordinating Committee Chair Catherine Lantz said she was "pleased" with the success of the event and grateful for the support of volunteers to set up and run the event. "I want to thank all the volunteers over many days of working with it and I want to thank the donors and those who stayed through the auction. Without these people, there would be no auction," she noted. An ice cream social for all of the volunteers will be held on Saturday, September 30. More information about the event will be forthcoming.

The morning got underway early on Friday with the golf tournament at Heritage Oaks. Tournament Chair Doug Hughes said over 100 golfers came out for the event. See the article below for tournament results. When asked about the great weather for golfing, Hughes said, "God is good."

Arts and Crafts Chair Sherri Carr said, "The weather was perfect and there was a nice variety of items to sell." Carr commended her volunteers and noted that there were more people helping this year. "We had good teamwork and everything went well this year," she said.

Although one of the major donors to the plant sale suffered a fire earlier this year, compromising three greenhouses and thousands of plants, there appeared to be no shortage of bedding plants, succulents and hanging baskets. Several members of the district stepped forward to foster the salvaged plants until the auction.

Baked Goods Chair Brenda Fawley noted 150 pies, hundreds of rolls, loaves of bread, cookies, cakes, candies, cupcakes and 585 apple dumplings sold this year. Early pleas for apple dumplings inspired seven congregations to contribute this year. In addition to baked goods, Ralph Via from Charlottesville donated 48 quarts of his sought-after honey to sell. Fawley reflected, "This was as close to normal for the auction since the Covid outbreak. We had more donations of items to sell, and many people told us to keep the change."

Silent Auction Chair Judy Kidd also noted a nice assortment of items had been donated this year. She estimated between four and five hundred items were offered on the silent auction tables, which was the largest selection in the history of the silent auction. She explained, "We try to get a really good assortment of smaller items for people to pick up and look at to see the finer details" that might not be visible if the item went across the stage. Kidd said people were eager to bid and there was a good crowd bidding the whole time. There was lots of excitement, especially in the last 15 minutes of the auction period. "It ran the way we wanted it to run," she noted. Items donated to the silent auction ranged from collectibles and antiques to more modern offerings. There were plants and garden statues, as well as two scale-model Hess trucks. She said they tried to feature selections of interest for all ages.

Getting ready for the big sale.

(Photo above by Marty Barlow;

Photo right by Brenda Diehl)

Prior to the auctions on Friday evening, a pork tenderloin dinner was served at beautifully decorated tables to over 400 diners.

With the early morning aroma of fresh donuts emanating from the kettles of oil just outside the door, buyers could not resist and the volunteer donut-makers sold out of their heavenly rings in short order. Saturday's volunteer chefs for the pancake and bacon breakfast fired up the griddles at 7 a.m. and served a steady stream of 300 people over three hours. The plate lunch choice of barbecue chicken or pulled pork sandwiches appealed to 250 hungry auction-goers. Volunteers from several congregations assisted with the meals, the fast food booth, the sale of barbecue chicken halves and drink sales.

This year, the barbecued chicken halves went even faster than the hot cakes, disappointing one older couple who discovered the last one had already been sold. When a previous buyer overheard the couple had missed out on getting chicken halves, she graciously opened her bag and offered them some of hers. One observer of this act of kindness stated, "Now, that is what being Brethren is all about."

Prayer prior to the livestock auction was offered by Free Union Pastor Rick Parkhurst. Along with the livestock, there were lawn and garden supplies and a scale model of a John Deere tractor sold to the highest bidder. Although no poultry could be offered due to avian flu concerns, the crowd embraced the sale of rabbits, with multiple chants of "Sell it again." Lantz said nearly $20,000 was raised with the livestock auction.

Pastor Karl Magenhofer from Timberville spoke before the opening of the main auction on Saturday. There were over 90 donated items featured in advance of the auction on the website, and on the auction's Facebook page, and dozens more were offered at auction. Some items crafted by the late Ray Wakeman from previous auctions reappeared for sale again this year, bringing back fond memories for those familiar with his work. Ned Conklin, who is well respected for his bird carvings, was honored during the auction for his many years of support. He donated a beautiful quail carving for this year's sale.

In its second year, the coin auction flourished. The initial listing of coins for auction spanned six pages. Henry Hawkins, who is well-versed in coin collecting, organized the well-attended sale.

Gladys Remnant and Peggy Lineweaver entertained the children who came with games, activities and creative endeavors. The beautiful weather was a welcome sight and added to the fun.

Tables of creative theme baskets were up for auction on Saturday afternoon. In one instance, a wooden rocking chair filled with a doll and miscellaneous household items was wrapped up in basket-style. A rolling job site chest served as the basket for battery-operated tools and a gift card in memory of Pastor Eric Croft. Another theme basket was a red wagon filled with outdoor play items such as sidewalk chalk, a playground ball and the fixings for s'mores. A foldable beach wagon also contained s'mores kits, along with puzzles, games, a bible and other books. There was an inflatable pool, still in the box, with pool toys, a lemon-themed basket, a basket of angels, an outdoor planter filled with gardening supplies and a Fourth of July basket.

Quilt Committee Chair Helen Shank reported 72 quilts and wallhangings were auctioned this year. She estimated the quilt auction brought in nearly $30,000. However, the final accounting for the auction will not be available until after the books close on August 31.

Overall first place

Overall second place

Second flight first place

Second flight second place

Third flight first place

Third flight second place

Golf Committee Member Larry Simmons presented awards to the winning teams and individuals. The results are listed below:

Overall first place - Justin Harpine, Mikey Moyers, Seth Smallwood and Josh Downey

Overall second place - James Driver, JP Mowery, Luke Mowery and Chris Reedy

Second flight first place - Eldon and Brenda Burkholder, Milton and Yvonne Jarrels

Second flight second place: Larry Simmons, Bryan Quick, Scott Duffey, Ernie Landes

Third flight first place - Jerry Alger, Spencer Morris, Bobby Crawford, Wayne Fadely

Third flight second place - Randy Simmons, John Simmons, Aaron Simmons and Caleb Simmons

Women's longest drive hole #10: Angie Somma (not pictured)

Women's closest to the pin hole #3: Sandy Mechalske

Men's longest drive: Mikey Moyers

Men’s closest to pin hole #6: Scott Parsons (not pictured)

Men's closest to the pin hole #17: Chris Reedy

Sandy Mechalske -Women's closest to the pin hole #3

Mikey Moyers - Men's longest drive

Chris Reedy - Men's closest to the pin hole #17

Note: The June 13 delegate briefing is for Annual Conference, not District Conference as listing in a previous edition.

Click on the image above to download a pdf to post.

Harrisonburg First (Website)

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

Directions

Lebanon (Facebook page)

Full-time; profile available

Directions

Luray (Facebook page)

Part-time, Charlotte Bear, interim pastor; profile available

Directions

Pleasant Valley (Website)

Full-time pastoral vacancy; profile now available

Directions

The following congregations and organizations have announced activities:

June 13: Annual Conference Delegate Briefing at Dayton (202 Main Street, Dayton) at 6:30 p.m. An email to delegates with more information will be sent in the coming weeks.

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. Pastor Glenn Bollinger is on the NOAC planning team and notes that registration is open now at www.brethren.org/NOAC. A paper registration form is available by calling Randi Rowan at 847-429-4303. In-person NOAC registration will be held at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, or Virtual NOAC on your computer screen at home. NOAC has a Facebook page Church of the Brethren NOAC. Find Mid-Atlantic bus information here.

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

Shenandoah District Disaster Ministries Coordinator Jerry Ruff said the Church World Service will be arriving on June 21. Volunteers are welcome to help load between 2-5 p.m. Donations should be brought to the District Office by June 20.

In addition, the District plans to serve in Dawson Springs, Kentucky. The next scheduled trip is July 30-August 5. 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.

Bethel Church of the Brethren – Mayland is seeking a worship arts director who would lead the choirs in rehearsals and performances and select the music (hymns, specials, and opening choruses) for each Sunday’s worship service. They would assist with the overhead slides and any other enhancements needed to make the Sunday worship service meaningful. They would need to be present each Sunday morning by 9 a.m. to assist with the sound system, slides, and other needs prior to the commencement of worship at 9:45 a.m. Proficiency in the keyboard or guitar would be a plus. The position is intended to be a September to May position at a pay rate of $250 per week. If summer employment is possible, Bethel would be flexible in offering that as well. Reply to bethelchurchmayland@gmail.com or mail a resume to Bethel Church of the Brethren, 11374 Phillips Store Road, Broadway, Virginia 22815.

Middle River Church of the Brethren in New Hope, Virginia is seeking a church secretary for an active church office to work 3-10 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 can be mailed to Middle River Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 17, New Hope, Virginia 24469, or emailed to middlerivercob@gmail.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 hours 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 Avenue, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980. 

Contact the Shenandoah District

We are here to help!

Phone: 540-234-8555 | Email: districtoffice@shencob.org

Shenandoah District website: www.shencob.org

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