CONNECTIONS               

. . . To continue the work of Jesus                                                 

                                                                                                                         Bridgewater Church of the Brethren

APRIL B 2008                                                                   420 College View Drive, P.O. Box 249

                                                                                                                                 Bridgewater, VA  22812-0249

Web Site:  www.bwcob.org                                                                                       (540) 828-3711; 828-2641

 

                         

A SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN BAPTISM is scheduled for Sunday, April 27, during Worship at 11.  Persons interested in baptism should contact Pastors Robert, Chris, or Wendell as soon as possible.

 

 

RECEIVING OF NEW MEMBERS

New Members by transfer of letter and Associate Members will be received during Worship at 11 on Sunday, April 27.  Those persons desiring to transfer letters or to become associate members should be in contact with one of the pastors as soon as possible.

 

 

COUNCIL – April 27

Plan now to attend our regularly scheduled Council meeting on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. in the sanctuary.  A fellowship meal, prepared and served by the Sojourners Class, will precede council at Noon in the social hall.  Menu: Baked Spaghetti (Vegetarian available on request), Tossed Salad with dressings, Applesauce, Bread, Dessert (Sugar Free available), & Drinks.  Free will donations will be accepted.

 

 

ON VACATION

Administrative Secretary Shannon Puffenbarger will be on vacation April 21-25.  All information for the April 27 bulletin needs to be submitted to the church office by Thursday, April 17, at Noon.  Office coverage during the secretary’s absence will be cared for by Glenna Wampler and Jeanie Eye.

 

 

MEN’S FELLOWSHIP will meet on Saturday, April 19, in the church social hall for breakfast at 7:30 a.m.

Steve Watson will be guest speaker.  His topic will be about Issues of Our Day, from a non-political view point.  All men are invited to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GRADUATE CONDUCTING RECITAL

The members of the church are cordially invited to attend Jim Benedict’s graduate conducting recital in partial fulfillment for a Masters in Music from James Madison University. The recital is Saturday, April 19, at 2:30 pm and will be held at our church.  Music conducted will include works by Faure, Brahms, Lauridsen.  The women’s choir will sing a new composition by John Barr entitled Amherst Melodies whose text is based on poems by Emily Dickinson.   John will also be playing the organ to accompany Faure’s Messe Basse.  Also of interest for our church is that Leroy Flaten, who is in the Doctor of Music program at JMU, will solo with the JMU Chorale on a work by Rene Clausen.   A reception will follow.

 

 

 

Women’s Fellowship May Event

May 14, 6:00 pm

Bella Sera

(A Beautiful Italian Evening)

Cost of Meal:   Adults - $9

Ages 4-12 - $4

Ages 3 & under - free

Reservations are required.  Deadline May 4th.

Plan now to attend our annual May Event.  It will be a “bella sera” complete with a strolling musician and other entertainment.  Pick up reservation envelopes in the Greeting Hall.  Menu will consist of Caesar salad, Meat or Spinach lasagna, Squash medley, beverage & dessert.  Pizza will be available for children.

 

NOTE OF THANKS

Many, many thanks for all the many in our family of faith who have expressed their love and support for us with the birth of Tristan.  The countless cards, gifts, meals, and offers of help, great and small, have left us feeling very much loved and very much blessed to be a part of this community.

~ Chris, Amanda, & Shylah Zepp

 

SPECIAL THANKS to

 

 

BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE NEWS

The Bridgewater College Concert Choir, Chorale, and Bell Choir, under the direction of Dr. Jesse Hopkins, will have their final concert of the year on Sunday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Carter Center for Worship & Music.  Mary Beth Flory is staff accompanist.  Concert is free and open to the public.

 

 

MILESTONES IN MINISTRY

Congratulations to the following ministers for their years of ordination in the Church of the Brethren.  They will be recognized at a special dinner as part of District Conference.

 

Harold Bowman (deceased) – 40 years

Sam Flora – 65 years

Harry Gardner – 55 years

David Metzler – 55 years

John Sayre – 55 years

Philip Zinn – 60 years

 

 

 

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT

Thanks to all who have contributed funds for my Eagle Project these past few weeks.  I will be carrying out the actual work May 10th at Brethren Woods.  If you are able to help, please contact Jonathan Nicholas at 828-2741 or by email at svarfvar2000@yahoo.com.  Lunch will be provided.

 

 

 

 

 

PASTOR CHRIS TO TRAVEL TO UK

From April 28-May 8, Pastor Chris will be traveling to the UK with his Vital Pastors Cohort for a continuing education study tour.  Their time will be split between Northern Ireland and London, where they will be exploring several issues first-hand including reconciliation, Celtic spirituality, and emerging worship and theology in a “post-Christian” context.  This trip is being funded by a grant from the Lilly Foundation through the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership. 

 

 

CREATION MUSIC FESTIVAL

Anyone who enjoys camping and music is invited to join the youth and young adults in attending the Creation Music Festival this summer, June 25-28.  Creation is an annual music festival in its 30th year held at the Agape Farm in Mount Union, PA.  It combines four days of camping with dozens of Christian music concerts and speakers.  Detailed information is available by contacting the church office or Pastor Chris.  You can also find plenty of information about the festival on the internet at http://www.creationfest.com/ne/.  Pre-registration and ticket deposit is requested by May 15.

 

 

REACH OUT CALLERS NEEDED

Would you be interested in being a Reach Out Caller for one month?  Call Bob McFadden for more information: 828-3645 or call Shannon Puffenbarger in the church office.

 

 

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

July 12-16, 2008

Richmond, VA

 

Information about this year’s Annual Conference can be found online at www.brethren.org and is available on CD from the church office.

 

 

 

 

HARP EXTRAVAGANZA

Saturday, April 19: Robin Gordon-Cartier, harpist performer & clinician, along with several local musicians will present a benefit solo and ensemble concert at Park View Mennonite Church at 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 20 (3 p.m.) at Park View: Robin Gordon-Cartier will direct approximately 40 harpists from Virginia & West Virginia in a Harp Ensemble concert to benefit the Fuller Center for Housing.  The concerts are free; donations will be accepted.  Ann Daggett, Carol Grove, Shirley Kirkwood, & Jessica Frost will be among the Sunday ensemble performers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

·       Steve Longenecker will give the Commencement address at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., on Saturday, May 3. He also recently had two book reviews published in professional journals. Horse-and-Buggy Mennonites: Hoofbeats of Humility in a Postmodern World by Donald B. Kraybill and James P. Hurd in Pennsylvania History, Winter 2008 issue. And, Jesus is Female: Moravians and the Challenge of Radical Religion in Early America  by Aaron Spencer Fogleman in The Journal of American History, March 2008 issue.

·       Steve Watson had an article, “The Simple Life Redefined,” published in Brethren Life and Thought, Summer Edition, Vol. 52, No. 3, the quarterly journal of the Church of the Brethren.

 

 

SPECIAL INVITATION

You are cordially invited to the

Fifty-ninth Annual Commencement

of Eastern Mennonite Seminary

to be held in Lehman Auditorium on the

Campus of Eastern Mennonite University

April 26, 2008 – 3 p.m.

Linda Alley will receive a Master of Arts in Church Leadership degree, with Spiritual Formation specialty area.

 

INTERNSHIP REPORT by Linda Alley

September 2007-April 2008

 

Logged 350 volunteer hours

44 individual spiritual direction sessions with 23

persons

8 monthly Ministry Feedback Committee meetings

19 weekly meetings with Site Supervisor

4 presentations to church women’s circles

5 Lenten Group teaching sessions

Leadership assistance with four weekend retreats,

including Young Adult-Young Families / Bridgewater Women / District Women / area youth

Led 1 Sunday School class

Assisted with Love Feast, Sunday morning worship,

and other church services

Planned worship and preached for 2 services on

November 11, 2007

Presented mini-sermon at Easter Sunrise Breakfast

Additional planning meetings as well as preparation for

worship and presentations

Personal spiritual growth time: prayer for

congregational families; Bible reading/study;

etc.

 

To be completed after internship period:

 

I am very grateful to Earle Fike, whose supervision helped to make this a valuable learning experience for me, and to Randy Mitchell, Sylvia Bowman, Hugh Whitten, Sharon Kiracofe, & Diane Metzler, my Ministry Feedback Committee.  These persons volunteered many hours and gave encouragement and support.  Thank you for allowing me to work within the congregation in this special way.  It has been a good year.  My call to the ministry of spiritual direction has been refined and strengthened.  I hope to continue on this path as God’s Spirit leads.                 ~ Linda Alley

 

 

 

 

Shenandoah District

Disaster Relief Auction

 

May 16 & 17

Rockingham County Fairgrounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BRETHREN WOODS REGISTRATION

Our church pays the full registration fee for each camper to attend one camp; all registrations must be in to the church office prior to May 1 for the church to pay the full fee.  Registration forms are available at the display in the Greeting Hall.  If you have questions, contact C.E. Director Jeanie Eye or Chuck & Jill Horn (350-2226).

 

 

BRETHREN WOODS NEWS

Plan to head out to camp on Saturday, April 26, from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain or shine).  Events planned: fishing contest (7 a.m.), pancake breakfast (starts at 7:30 a.m.), craft demonstrations, paddle boat rides, hike-a-thon (starts at 8:30 a.m.), children’s games, petting zoo, entertainment, zip line rides, and real live auction.  Fill up on BBQ chicken & pork, ham pot pie, homemade ice cream, cakes, and pies. 

The evening will begin in the Woodland Retreat Center at 6 p.m. with a dinner of mixed green salad, marinated chicken breast, roasted vegetable lasagna, herbed new potatoes, homemade bread, fresh fruit cobbler with ice cream, and various beverages.  Entertainment: “The Classic Hillbilly” Linden Bowman.  Camp staff will give an update on camp’s ministry at this 50-year milestone.  There are only 100 tickets for this $50 per person dinner, so get yours now by contacting the camp office at 269-2741 or camp@brethrenwoods.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CVHfH ANNUAL BANQUET

Buy your tickets now for the Central Valley Habitat for Humanity Annual Banquet on Monday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on Court Square in Harrisonburg. Ken Monger will provide the music and Hank’s Smokehouse will cater a delicious dinner. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased by calling the Habitat office at 828-6288. We hope you will join us on May 5 to hear the latest news of Habitat’s accomplishments and dreams.

 

Central Valley Habitat for Humanity is in its 20th year!  Since 1988, the Bridgewater affiliate has built 42 homes to be sold with no profit and no interest mortgages to families in need of decent, affordable housing.  Habitat’s ministry worldwide has completed over 275,000 houses.  Wow!

 

 

__________________________________

FRIENDS AT PLAY

Eight Hands at Two Pianos

 

Patty Bird, Sharon Bloomquist, Joyce Grove,

Becky Kingsley, Mary Rouse

 

In Concert

Presenting Classical, Sacred, Folk, Patriotic, and Jazz selections

Sunday, May 18, at 3:00 p.m.

Massanutten Presbyterian Church

____________________________________________

 

 

 

SVCS SPRING CONCERT

The Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, under the direction of Curtis Nolley, will present its annual spring concert on Friday, April 18, at 7:30 p.m., in our sanctuary. The concert entitled “Spiritual Songs” will feature Anton Dvorak’s Mass in D accompanied by organist John Barr along with featured soloists Brenda Witmer, Carrie Stevens, Les Helmuth, and Shannon Kiser.  The second half of the concert will feature a variety of traditional and contemporary settings of African-American Spirituals.

Tickets are available from Choral Society members, Family Christian Store, Red Front Supermarket (Harrisonburg), Ruth’s Books (Bridgewater), The Bookstack (Staunton), and at the door. Advance admission is $10 for adults/$9 for seniors and students; $2 more at the door.

 

 

NEW BOOKS IN OUR LIBRARY

 

 

RELAY FOR LIFE

The Agape Sunday School class is sponsoring a team in this year’s Rockingham County Relay for Life event on Friday, May 9, at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.  Relay for Life is an annual event where people come to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

The class fund raising goal is $10,000. If we as a church can raise at least $5,000, our usually casual Pastor Chris has agreed to preach a spring sermon in a tuxedo.  Now that is a sight that many would pay money to see! 

To donate, visit relayforlife.org, search for the Rockingham County event, and then find team Agape Love under the team listings.  You can donate online, or make a check payable to the American Cancer Society and give it to any member of the Agape Sunday School class. 

If you are interested in joining our team and walking with us, please contact Erin Eye or Heather Driver for more information.  All are welcome!

 

 

IN MEMORIAM

We celebrate the life of Rev. Harold Bowman, husband of Kay, father of Devin, and brother of Paul Bowman, who died on Wednesday, April 9.

 

 

VBS 2008 – God’s Big Backyard

Mark your calendar to join us this summer as we enjoy our Vacation Bible School in “God’s Big Backyard,” June 23-26. If you are able to help or if you have questions about VBS, please contact Laura Evick at 828-6921 or by email at levick@hooverpenrod.com.

 

 

UPCOMING SEMINARS AT FLRC

Contact 434-8450 or harvey@flrc.org to register for either seminar.

 

 

NEAR TO THE HEART OF GOD:

A Place of Quiet Rest

Leader:  Tom Bowman                                                 

     Hopewood House, Harrisonburg, VA

Saturday, May 3, 2008 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.      

Cost:    $20 on or before Apr. 19; $30 after Apr. 19

 

Blue Ridge Ministries responds to those who seek simply a time apart in silence.  Hopewood House, a lovely family home available for retreats, offers a peaceful setting (indoor or outdoor) to pray, to journal, to read, to experience the labyrinth – to be in the presence of God.  After crossing the threshold over coffee/tea with other retreat participants and some initial guidance, this quiet time away from routine, and how it is savored, is yours alone.  For those who come to a space in their solitude calling for the support of a soul friend, there will be the option of reserving a brief period of individual grace time with one of two spiritual directors.

 

 

HYGIENE KITS NEEDED

It’s time to again assemble kits for Church World Service emergency needs.  This year we will be concentrating on Hygiene Kits.  You may pick up a sheet of instructions for assembling a kit from the literature rack in the Greeting Hall.  Kits need to be returned to the church by this Sunday, April 20.  

   ~ Mission & Service Commission

 

 

 

 

 

NOAC 2008

National Older Adult Conference

Theme: “Come to the Water”

Dates: September 1-5, 2008

Location: Lake Junaluska (N.C.) Assembly

Conference Highlights: Worship, Daily Bible Study, Social Gatherings, Service Project, Workshops, Handcrafts, Recreation, Entertainment.

 

Registration materials are available from ABC at (800) 323-8039 or register on-line at www.brethren-caregivers.org.  Sponsored by Caring Ministries of the Church of the Brethren.

 

 

 

 

                

 

FIRST ANNUAL VALLEY PLANE PULL

“Pulling Together for the Community Meditation Center”

 

Plane Pull Contest

Seeking teams of 5-10 people who can pull together!  A rope will be attached via a tow bar to a King Air Twin TurboProp, weight 8,000 lbs…Yes! That’s right: four tons!  Each team will compete in 2 consecutive pulls of 150 feet.  Participants may only pull for one team.  Team entry: $500.

Awards

Date: May 10, rain or shine

Time: First Pull at 11 a.m.

More information is posted on the large bulletin board in the Greeting Hall

 

 

 

 

IT’S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Daily decisions, Global impacts

 

David Radcliff from New Community Project will lead these presentations at Montezuma CoB April 19-20.

 

April 19, 1:30-4:30 p.m.

“One Earth, One Chance”

Presentation includes photos of the Amazon and the Arctic, plus discussion and guests from local groups that offer options for sustainable living and food resources.

 

April 20

Morning Worship at 9:30 a.m.

“Back to the Future” – Drawing on the spirit of the early Brethren, what is our calling in our church’s fourth century?

 

Sunday School at 10:45 a.m.

“Gone Fishin’” – Beyond teaching our neighbors to fish, what would it look like for us to stand with them on the riverbank?  Focus: Sudan

 

Carry in Lunch at 11:45 a.m.

 

Next Steps, 1-2:15 p.m.

“The Ordeal of Change” – How do people of faith work to change the direction of a world bent on self-destruction?

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE RECYCLE

                                          

 

Connections is published by Bridgewater Church of the Brethren

Collating/Mailing:

Clayton & Jackie Towers, Glenn & Ruth Felix, Harold Jennings

Next Newsletter – May A 2008

Information is due by noon on Monday, April 28.

Church Staff:               Pastor Robert Alley

Associate Pastor for Youth, Younger Adults & Families Chris Zepp

Associate Pastor for Visitation Wendell Eller

Christian Education Director Jeanie Eye

Administrative Secretary Shannon Puffenbarger

Manager of Finances & Property Glenna Wampler

Custodian Fortunato Correa

Sr. Hi. Youth Mentors Josh & Erin Eye

Jr. Hi. Youth Director Heather Galang

Child Care Center Administrator Kathleen Arndt