. . . To
continue the work of Jesus
Bridgewater
Church of the Brethren
JANUARY
A 2008
CONSECRATION SERVICES
On Sunday, January 6, in Worship at 11, Church Officers, Board of Administration members, & Commission members for 2008 will be consecrated for their
service in 2008. On Sunday, January
13, in Worship at 11, Board of
Deacons for 2008 will be
consecrated. Members of these
groups are encouraged to be in attendance.
ANOTHER VOICE MOVIE NIGHT
On
Sunday evening, January 13, at 6
p.m., a film sponsored by Another Voice will be shown in the Altruistic
Classroom. There will be refreshments and discussion following the film.
The
title is “Peace Propaganda and the Promised Land.” It explores a vital
issue in our country and in the world today. It shows how the foreign
policy interests of American political elites, working in combination with
Israeli public relations strategies, exercise a powerful influence on news
reporting about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Combining British
and American TV news clips with observations of analysts, journalists, and
political activists, the film provides a striking media comparison/contrast,
and an examination of factors that have distorted U. S. media coverage and, in
turn, American public opinion.
Everyone is invited!
All members are encouraged to
attend our first council meeting of 2008 on Sunday, January 27. The Senior High Youth will serve a
potato bar lunch in the social hall at noon. Proceeds will go toward the NYC Fund. Following lunch, council will convene
in the sanctuary at 1 p.m.
BRETHREN WOODS CELEBRATION
To start off camp’s 50th
anniversary celebration in 2008, five sectional celebrations will be held in
different areas of the district in January, February, and March. These events will include a carry-in
meal (please bring something to share), campfire singing, drama, watching the
new 50th anniversary video, and details about upcoming 2008 camp
events and programs. Everyone is
encouraged to attend one of these events.
Feel free to attend the event closest to you or the one that works best
with your schedule. Dates and
locations are:
In order to more accurately
prepare, anyone planning to attend the January 13 event at Mt. Pleasant CoB is asked to contact the church office by Monday,
January 7. For more information,
contact the camp office at 269-2741 or camp@brethrenwoods.org.
NOTES OF THANKS
Thank you very much for
the gift card to Cracker Barrel.
It was a truly unexpected surprise! I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and getting to know
so many wonderful people. Thanks
again for your thoughtfulness.
Kathleen Arndt,
Bridgewater Child Care
Center Administrator
We are most grateful for
the various gifts and thoughtful greetings by card and verbally which many of
the congregation extended to us before and during Christmas. May the
peace and joy in that season continue to be effective expressions of God's
presence with us all throughout the coming year.
~
Robert & Linda Alley
Thank you for your
donation to On Earth Peace. During
the Christmas season, donations feel particularly relevant, each like a gift of
peace….Your donation continues our peacemaking mission throughout the year, as
we reach out, extending our hands with God’s love and justice. In Peace,
Gimbiya Kettering,
Communications Coordinator
Thanks for Ringing the
Bell!
Thanks to all those who
volunteered to staff the Salvation Army booth at IGA last month. Your time was a gift from you and from
our congregation to those less fortunate.
The participation in this project was excellent and appreciated very
much. Many thanks!
Special thanks to:
COUNCIL REPORTER
Hosts:
1/6 Dan
& Charlotte Myers
Marie
Flory & Miriam Holl
1/13 Marie Flory & Miriam Holl
Allen
& Naoma Clague
1/20 Marion & Joan Mason
Dan
& Charlotte Myers
1/27 Richard & Joyce Miller
Marion
& Joan Mason
Decorators: Lori Lineweaver & Ann Monger
Sound/Light Operator: Ellsworth Neff & Skip Eger
Ushers: John
Hipps, ldr George
Mason Edgar Flora Beth
Miller Seth Flory Rod
Miller Heather Galang Don Remnant Mike Galang Kelly
Remnant Cliff Keplinger Kyle
Remnant Kevin Keplinger Fred Zimmerman
BUTLER CHAPEL AME CHURCH
CELEBRATION
Racial
tension sin 1997 resulted in the Butler Chapel AME Church in Orangeburg, SC,
being destroyed by arson. Hundreds
of Brethren Disaster Response volunteers helped to rebuild it. The church is planning a celebration of
the 10th anniversary of the dedication of the new building on January
18-20, 2008. In appreciation of the work done, the
Brethren who attend will have all fees waived.
If
you would like more information about this event, see Dean Neher, chair of the
Mission & Service Commission.
IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Consolate
Health Care
23352
Courthouse Highway
Windsor,
VA 23487
·
Congratulations to Marla
& Chuck Lively on the birth of a
daughter, Lydia Joyce, on
Wednesday, December 19. Big
brother is Kyle; grandparents are Rufus & Elaine Huffman.
·
Congratulations to
Robbie Miller who was recently called
to serve as co-chair of the On Earth Peace board of directors. On Earth
Peace is an agency of the Church of the Brethren that seeks to renew and live
out the church’s biblical and denominational heritage of peace.
BETHANY COURSE OF INTEREST
Bethany Theological Seminary (BTS) will offer four
offsite classes during the 2007-08 spring semester, focusing on Brethren
heritage, Brethren polity, conflict resolution, and biblical studies.
“Brethren Polity and Practice” will be offered in our church on February 1-2,
15-16, February 29-March 1, & March 28-29. Earle Fike and Fred Swartz will be the instructors.
The course will focus on CoB policy and governance and how it is lived
out at the denominational, district, and local levels.
Those interested in enrolling in the course for
graduate credit who are not currently BTS students must complete the
application process no later than four weeks prior to the start of the
class. Applications can be
completed online at www.bethanyseminary.edu/admissions/apply. For more information call 800-287-8822,
ext. 1832. A limited number of
places may be available for those who wish to take the course for personal
enrichment or non-credit continuing education for a cost of $275. Reservations should be made by
contacting academy@bethanyseminar.edu
or 800-287-8822, ext. 1824.
300th ANNIVERSARY
HISTORICAL TOUR
With the upcoming celebration
of our church’s 300th anniversary next year, our Fellowship & Recreation
Commission would like to sponsor a trip to some of the historical sites
significant to our Brethren heritage.
Such sites may include the
Germantown Church, Ephrata Cloister, the Dunker Church at Antietam Battlefield
and others. As of now we are thinking in terms of a 3 day, 2 night trip on a
weekend in late June. Sunday morning might be used to attend a “plain” Church
of the Brethren near Lancaster. Although this information is sketchy right now,
Fellowship & Recreation Commission would like to begin getting an idea of
how many people would like to attend. Please contact Ryan Kiracofe, Philip
Hutchinson, or Pastor Robert if you think you are interested.
WORSHIP SERVICES IN
DECEMBER
(Every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.)
January 6 – Epiphany
Sunday
Pastor Robert preaching
Pastoral Message:
“Presenting Christ”
Scriptures: Matthew
2:1-12 and 28:16-20
Consecration Service for 2008 Officers, Board, &
Commissions – Worship at 11
January 13 – First
Sunday After Epiphany
Pastor Robert preaching
Pastoral Message: “A
Welcoming Baptism” Scripture:
Acts. 10:30-48
Consecration Service for 2008 Deacons – Worship
at
11
January 20 – Second
Sunday After Epiphany
Pastor Chris preaching
Pastoral Message: “Forest or
Trees?”
Scripture: I Corinthians
1:1-18
January 27 – Third
Sunday After Epiphany
Pastor Robert preaching
2008 DIRECTORY INFORMATION is now being compiled. If you have information pertaining to your address, phone
number, or email address that needs
to be updated in this year’s directory, please submit that information in
writing to the church office immediately – no later than Friday, January
11.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES FOR
SENIOR
HIGH YOUTH
The following regional and
denominational youth events offer exciting and meaningful opportunities for
fellowship, service, and spiritual growth. They also require advance registration and planning. Our congregation provides full
scholarships to cover the cost of registration for these events, and funds are
also available to assist with transportation costs. Please be in touch with Pastor Chris if you have questions or
if you or your child(ren) are planning to participate in any of these
events.
·
National Youth
Christian Citizenship Seminar, March
29-April 3. Travel to New York
City and Washington D.C. to learn about international systems and how they
intersect with our Christian faith.
This year’s focus is on Genocide.
http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/CCS.htm
·
Roundtable Regional
Youth Conference, April 4-6. Join youth from all up and down the
southern east coast for the weekend at Bridgewater College. This year’s theme is PST…Come
Celebrate (Peacefully, Simply, Together)
with leadership by Amy and Brian Messler and music led by the BC Praise band
Outspoken. http://www.bridgewater.edu/orgs/iyc/Roundtable.html
·
2008 Workcamps.
Week-long camps offered all summer at a variety of locations. Check out the website for the schedule
and talk to others about maybe signing up for a week together. http://www.brethren.org/genbd/yya/workcamps/index.html
NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT
CONFERENCE
This summer, Brethren Young
Adults from around the country will be gathering in the Rocky Mountains for
NYAC – National Young Adult Conference. The dates are August 11-15, and the event will take place at
YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. You can check out all the details at www.nyac08.org or through Facebook and My
Space groups (NYAC 2008).
Registration begins January 7 and is open to all young adults ages
18-35(ish). If you plan to
register, or have questions, please be in touch with Pastor Chris this month so
that we can look at possibilities for fundraising, logistics, etc.
APPRECIATION is expressed to the following people for their terms
of service, which were completed in 2007, on Church Board, various commissions,
and committees:
Board of Administration
Allen Clague, Jane Fulk,
Kathy Zimmerman
Fellowship &
Recreation Commission
Mark Griffin, Jeanne Neff
Finance Commission: Dan Myers, Gerri Rigney
Ministerial Services Commission: Hugh Whitten
Mission & Service Commission: Rebekah Houff
Properties & Custodial
Care Commission
Bob Reeves, Peggy Ringgold
Witness & Renewal Commission: Alton McDaniel
Worship & Music
Commission: Paul Foster
Board of Deacons
Jim & Teresa Crawford George
Mason
Ted Flory Dean
Neher
Quintin & Donna Garber LeVerle
Sappington
Leroy & Doris Harsh Dick
Stutzman
Historical Records Committee:
Peggy McIntyre
PLEASE RECYCLE
Connections is published by
Bridgewater Church of the Brethren
Collating/Mailing:
Clayton & Jackie Towers, Glenn
& Ruth Felix, Harold Jennings
Next Newsletter – January B
2008
Information is due by noon on
Tuesday, January 16.
Church
Staff:
Pastor Robert Alley
Associate Pastor for Youth, Younger
Adults & Families Chris Zepp
Seminary Intern Linda Alley
Christian Education Director Jeanie
Eye
Associate Pastor for Visitation
Wendell Eller
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
JANUARY 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 Church Offices & Building Closed
2 Another Voice – 2 p.m.
Food Pantry – 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.
3 Interfaith Association – Noon – Park View
Menn.
Grief Support – 4 p.m. – Community Room,
B.H.
Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.
4 Brethren Student Movement – 6:30 p.m.
6 Sustainable Living – 8:30 a.m.
Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.
7 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.
8 Staff Meeting – 8 a.m.
Altruistic Class Planning Committee – 10 a.m.
Ministerial Services Commission – 4 p.m.
Fellowship & Recreation Commission – 7 p.m.
Finance Commission – 7 p.m.
9 Bridgewater Ministers – 8 a.m. – Maple
Terrace
Another Voice – 2 p.m.
Children’s Choir – 3:30 p.m.
YORFFs – 4 p.m.
Brethren Student Movement – 6:30 p.m. –
Carter Ctr.
Friendship Circle – 7 p.m. – Home of Joyce
Benedict
JOY Circle – 7 p.m.
10 Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.
13 Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.
Deacon Lunch – 12:30 p.m. –
Maple Terrace
Brethren Woods Anniv. Celebration –
5 p.m.
– Mt. Pleasant CoB
Another Voice Movie Night – 6 p.m.
14 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.
Ret. Ministers & Spouses – Noon
– Maple Terrace
Volunteer Visitors – 2 p.m.
Stewardship Commission – 7 p.m.
15 Food Pantry – 7 p.m.
16 Another Voice – 2 p.m.
Children’s Choir – 3:30 p.m.
YORFFs – 4 p.m.
Board of Administration – 7 p.m.
17 Grief Group – 4 p.m. – Community Room,
B.H.
Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.
18 Millennium Circle – 6:15 p.m. – Meet at
church
Brethren Student Movement – 6:30
p.m.
19 Men’s Fellowship – 7:30 a.m.
20 Bell Choir – 9 a.m.
Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.
Blood Pressure Clinic – 9:30 &
10:30 a.m.
21 Spanish Conversations – 9:30 a.m.
22 Women’s Fellowship Cabinet – 7 p.m.
23 Another Voice – 2 p.m.
Children’s Choir – 3:30 p.m.
YORFFs – 4 p.m.
24 Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.
25 B. H. Anniversary Dinner – 6 p.m. – BC
KCC
Cub Scouts – 7 p.m.
27 Bell Choir – 9 a.m.
Fellowship Time – 9:15 a.m.
Fellowship Meal – Noon
Council – 1 p.m.
District Youth Worship – 6 p.m.
– Columbia Furnace CoB
28 Spanish Conversation – 9:30 a.m.
29 Shawl Ministry – 10 a.m.
30 Another Voice – 2 p.m.
Children’s Choir – 3:30 p.m.
YORFFs – 4 p.m.
Book Club – 7 p.m.
31 Sanctus Choir – 7:30 p.m.
VITAL PASTORS PROGRAM
(VIP)
Many of you have asked about
the income item of $17,625.00 in the bulletin on December 31, 2007, for the
Vital Pastors Program. At the July
Council meeting the congregation voted to support Associate Pastor Chris Zepp
through the Sustaining Pastors Excellence Program of the Brethren Academy for
Ministerial Leadership study program. This program is supported by a grant from Bethany
Seminary. The Church Treasurer of
one VIP pastor receives and disburses the grant for the cohort group, which the
Bridgewater Church is doing for Pastor Chris’s group. This grant will be treated as one of our Special Accounts
and will be disbursed according to the guidelines from Bethany Seminary. Quarterly reports will be made to the
Sustaining Pastors Excellence Program as well as being included in our regular
Treasurer’s Reports on a summary basis.
~ Glenna Wampler,
Manager of Finances & Property
____________________________________________
North River Library
14th ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST
Turner Ashby High School
Saturday, January 12,
2008 (snow date Jan. 26)
Serving from 7:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Theme basket silent auction
All proceeds go directly to North River Library
____________________________________________
IN MEMORIAM
We celebrate the lives of:
·
Henry Kiracofe, father of Carson Kiracofe & Phillip Kiracofe, who died on Monday, December 24;
·
Vela Crumpacker, sister of Janet Foster, who died on Monday, December 24;
·
Gladys Zimmerman, mother of Dennis Zimmerman & Wanda Zimmerman, who died on Thursday, December 27.
WALKING THE WALK!
Okay, some of us got new
tennis shoes for Christmas. Some of us oh so boldly made New Year’s resolutions
to live healthier in 2008! So now
where do we go? Use the following guidelines to begin with your walking
workout.