CONNECTIONS

. . . To continue the work of Jesus

Bridgewater Church of the Brethren

MAY A 2008 420 College View Drive, P.O. Box 249

Bridgewater, VA 22812-0249

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

SHENANDOAH DISTRICT

DISASTER RELIEF AUCTION

May 16 & 17, 2008

Rockingham County Fairgrounds

Proceeds go to CoB Disaster Ministries

Friday, May 16:

Arts, Crafts, Baked Goods, Plants

Silent Auction – begins at 1 p.m.

Oyster-Country Ham Dinner – 3-7:30 p.m.

Art, Furniture,

Selected Handwork Auction – 6:15 p.m.

Saturday, May 17:

Breakfast – 7-10 a.m.

Sales – 8 a.m. until…

Worship Service – 8:45 a.m.

Main Auction – 9 a.m.

New & Used Items – 10:30 a.m.

Lunch – begins at 11 a.m.

SDDRA Booklets and Brochures

with lots more information are available

from the table in the Greeting Hall.

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.

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.

PASTOR CHRIS TRAVELING IN UK

Through May 8, Pastor Chris will be traveling in 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.

THANK YOU NOTES

Thanks to families of Rev. Harold & Kay Bowman and Sheila Owen (bouquets); Lev Norford (daffodils); Edith Lohman (pussywillows); each who purchased the 126 Easter flowers!!; and Eleanor Bowman & Kathy Simmons who helped arrange the Easter Flowers.        With grateful appreciation, March Decorators

Thanks for the gentle reassurance during Steve’s father’s illness and death. Your hugs, prayers, kind words and acts of support encircled us. Our extended family offers heartfelt appreciation for Robet’s leadership of the memorial service. It was a celebration of life and a comfort in our grief.

~ Steve, Peggy, Callie & Carl McIntyre

Thanks for all your support and encouragement during my recent knee replacement surgery and rehab. I have been blessed by your kindnesses and a quick recovery. Thanks a million, Edgar Flora

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 10^th 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.

SDDRA REQUEST

In previous years many of you have made food donations to the Disaster Relief Auction for the Friday Oyster Supper and Saturday Breakfast Buffett. This year the committee would like monetary donations instead (which will save you the time of making a dish). Your generous donation will go toward the purchase of food and ingredients to prepare the two meals.

Please prayerfully consider the amount you can donate and make your check payable to SDDA. Donations can be given to Teresa Crawford or mailed directly to Ann Knupp at 309 Dry River Road in Bridgewater, VA 22812. Donations must reach Teresa no later than May 9 or mailed to Ann by May 10.

Make plans now participate in this year’s Disaster Relief event: May 16 & 17. You will make a difference! Thank you for supporting the SDDA.

~ Teresa Crawford, Church Liaison
828-2095 or 246-2896

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 30^th 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.

WORSHIP SERVICES IN MAY

Every Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 am

            Child Care provided for both services

May 4 – 7^th Sunday in Easter

Pastor Robert preaching

Pastoral Message:  “Ecstasy & Pain: Whole & Broken”

Scripture Readings: 

Genesis 1:26-31 and II Corinthians 5:16-19

Dedication of Shawls in Worship at 11

May 11 – Pentecost Sunday & Mother’s Day

Pastor Robert preaching

Pastoral Message:  “Spirit-Filled”

Scripture Readings:  Acts 2:1-21 and Galatians 5:22-26

Parent-Child Dedication in Worship at 11

May 18 – First Sunday after Pentecost

Pastor Chris preaching

Pastoral Message: “Being Family”

Scripture Reading: II Corinthians 13:11-13

May 25 – Second Sunday after Pentecost

Pastor Chris preaching

Pastoral Message: “I’m so worried about…”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:24-34

GIVING REPORTS through April 30, 2008, will be available beginning Sunday, May 4.  Please pick up your own and any others that you can deliver.  Those not picked up after two weeks will be mailed.

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.

A.C. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Annual Conference Program & Arrangements and the 300^th Anniversary Committees are well under way in implementing plans for this year’s Annual Conference. Already the registrations are higher than usual and a record number of attendees is expected. This high number of registrations means that all age group activities and areas of service will need additional volunteers. Please consider volunteering in one or more of the areas listed below. Once your name and contact information is received, you will be contacted by the coordinator of that area so specific times for you to volunteer can be scheduled. Please contact Ron & Sharon Reich, AC Site Coordinators, at 540-363-4573 or srreich@rica.net if you can help.

Volunteers needed for:

• Early Childhood (infant-4 years)
• Children (Grades K-2)
• Children (Grades 3-5)
• Junior High
• Senior High
• Young Adults
• Single Adults
• Information Table
• Hospitality
• Registration Table
• Ticket Sales
• First Aid
• Ushering
• Loading, Unloading

SPECIAL THANKS

I want to thank the congregation for the outpouring of appreciation expressed to me over the last weeks since I announced my intention to resign; and for the many expressions as I was greeted at the reception on Sunday, April 13. You have been so kind. I feel your love. I know that I will miss the close connection I have had with many persons in our church family, and with my friends on the staff. Yet we will see each other as we continue to study, worship, and fellowship together. Like you, we will be away some over the busy summer months.

Thnaks again for the most generous check given to me at my recognition. I am aware that this check represents individual gifts from many of you. My grateful thanks to each of you.

I am planning to plant the hibiscus plants outside for the summer, and then permanently if I learn they will winter over in our climate. The blooms are such a beautiful color – apricot, I would say. Thank you.

And I must add my thanks to the church staff for fun times regarding my retirement, and who took Sonya and me out to lunch. Many thanks! That was wonderful.

Finally, I want to thank you for receiving me and allowing me to be a part of your heart and person during these 12-plus wonderful years.

With Love and Blessings for growth and faithfulness to discipleship in Jesus Christ,

Wendell Eller, Associate Pastor for Visitation

IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY

John Barr had two hymn preludes published recently by Wayne Leupold Editions of Colfax, N.C. They are: Meditation on “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” in The Keyboardis’s Year, Vol. 2 No. 4, May 2008; and Meditation on “Let Us Break Bread Together” in The Organist’s Companion Vol. 30 No. 5, July 2008. Barr’s a cappella anthem, “O sacrum convivium” (“O sacred feast”), will be sung for the first time on May 25 (Corpus Christi Sunday) in High Mass at the Church of St. John the Beloved in McLean, Va., by its choir directed by David Lang, director of music and organist.

AN EVENING IN VIENNA

You won’t have to use your passport, but you will be transported at “An Evening in Vienna,” performed by the Masterworks Chorus May 1, 2, & 4. The theme of this concert is classical music created by master composers who lived &/or worked in Vienna during the 18^th & 19^th centuries. Vienna, capital of Austria, was a major hub of musical activity and home of some of the best known classical musicians. Mozart composed operas there. Haydn’s music was played in the candlelit ballroom at Schonbrunn Palace to entertain royalty. The “brooding Brahms” composed intense piano solos while residing in Vienna. Schubert, a native of Vienna, and master of melody, composed symphonies, music for singing societies, masses for churches, and hundreds of songs for his close circle of friends. Soloists will be Soprano Phyllis Wine, Tenor Bryant Thomas, and Bass Drew Colby.

“An Evening in Vienna” will be presented at the Strasburg Christian Church in Strasburg on Thursday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m.; St. Paul’s UCC in Woodstock on Friday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m.; and Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market on Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m. For information and tickets, call 540-459-4279 or visit the chorus website at www.masterworkschorus.com.

VBMHC NEWS

CrossRoads Work Day: Help with spring projects for a couple of hours at Valley Brethren-Mennonite Heritage Center (CrossRoads) on Saturday, May 9, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For more information, call 438-1275.

IN MEMORIAM

We celebrate the lives of

• Ernest McIntyre, father of Steve McIntyre, who died on Wednesday, April 16
• Martin Spangler, husband of Mary Lee and brother of Josephine Wampler, who died on Friday, April 25

BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION REPORTER

• Met on April 16 with 24 persons present
• Received excellent leadership from Joan Daggett, Associate Executive for Shenandoah District
• Focused on two Annual Conference statements from 2007: “Reverse Membership Trend” and “Separate No More” (Multicultural Study Committee Report). These papers are available from the church office for anyone to read and study.
• Gave consideration to ways in which our congregation may be inviting and welcoming to people as well as interacting with persons from various cultural backgrounds.

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).

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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,

& Jazz selections

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

Massanutten Presbyterian Church

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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.

MAY CALENDAR

All events take place at the church unless otherwise noted.

Sundays: Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Worship – 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

1 Interfaith Association – Noon

Grief Group – 4 p.m. – Community Room @ B. Home

Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.

3 Memorial Service for Harold Bowman – 2 p.m.

4 Sustainable Living – 8:30 a.m.

Bell Choir – 9 a.m.

Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.

5 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.

Habitat Banquet – 6:30 p.m. – First Pres., H’burg

6 Executive Committee – 7 p.m.

Food Pantry – 7 p.m.

7 Auxiliary Luncheon – 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Another Voice – 2 p.m.

Children’s Ensemble – 3:30 p.m.

YORFFs – 4 p.m.

Christian Education Commission – 7 p.m.

Mission & Service Commission – 7 p.m.

Properties Commission – 7 p.m.

Witness & Renewal Commission – 7 p.m.

Worship & Music Commission – 7 p.m.

8 Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.

9 Lisa Lough/Mike Bowman Rehearsal – 1:30 p.m.

BRCS Concert – 6:30 p.m.

Relay for Life – Rockingham County Fairgrounds

10 Lough/Bowman Wedding & Reception – 2 p.m.

11 Bell Choir – 9 a.m.

Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.

B.C. Baccalaureate – 10 a.m. – Nininger Hall

B.C. Commencement – 2 p.m. – Campus Mall

12 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.

Volunteer Visitors – 2 p.m.

Ret. Ministers & Spouses – 5 p.m. – Maple Terrace

Stewardship Commission – 7 p.m.

13 Staff Meeting – 9 a.m.

Ministerial Services Commission – 4 p.m.

14 Bridgewater Ministers – 8 a.m. – Maple Terrace

Another Voice – 2 p.m.

Children’s Ensemble – 3:30 p.m.

YORFFs – 4 p.m.

May Women’s Event – 6 p.m.

15 Grief Group – 4 p.m. – Community Room @ B. Home

Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.

16 BRCS Concert – 6:30 p.m.

Millennium Circle – 6:45 p.m.

16 & 17 Shenandoah District Disaster Response

Auction – Rockingham Fairgrounds

18 Bell Choir – 9 a.m.

Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic – 9:30 & 10:30 a.m.

19 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.

20 Food Pantry – 7 p.m.

21 Another Voice – 2 p.m.

Children’s Ensemble – 3:30 p.m.

YORFFs – 4 p.m.

Fellowship Meal – 5-6:30 p.m.

22 Housing Committee – 7:30 p.m.

Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.

23 Harp Recital – 3 p.m.

25 Bell Choir – 9 a.m.

Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.

26 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.

27 Shawl Ministry – 10 a.m.

Child Care Center Board – 7 p.m.

Gifts Discernment Committee – 7 p.m.

28 Another Voice – 2 p.m.

Children’s Ensemble – 3:30 p.m.

YORFFs – 4 p.m.

Board of Administration – 7 p.m.

Book Club – 7 p.m.

29 Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.

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!

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.

2008 STANDING COMMITTEE BALLOT for Annual Conference in Richmond, VA is now available in the church office for anyone interested in reviewing it.

AUXILIARY LUNCHEON

Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Cost: $5.00 (carry-outs available)

Menu: Ham Biscuit, Pimiento Cheese Sandwich, Jello

Salad, Potato Salad, Pickle, Fresh Apple Cake, Iced Tea or Coffee

Prepared & served by Pleasant Valley CoB to benefit the Bridgewater Home Auxiliary Aviary and Pet Programs.

WORSHIP PERSONNEL IN MAY

Hosts:

5/4, 11 Charles & Betty Snyder

Doris Metzler & Clara Metzler

5/18, 25 Marvin & Hazel Garber

Paul & Peggy Graham

Decorators: Mary Ann Angleberger & Deb Mitchell

Sound/Light Operator: Ellsworth Neff

Ushers: John Hipps, ldr Beth Miller

Seth Flory Rod Miller

Mike Galang Don Remnant

Cliff Keplinger Kelly Remnant

Kevin Keplinger Kyle Remnant

George Mason Fred Zimmerman

PLEASE RECYCLE

Connections is published by Bridgewater Church of the Brethren

Collating/Mailing:

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

Next Newsletter – May B 2008

Information is due by noon on Monday, May 12.

Church Staff: Pastor Robert Alley

Associate Pastor for Youth, Younger Adults & Families Chris Zepp

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