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If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 4:20-21 NKJV
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District Bible Study Explores “Being the Church” | |
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The District Discipleship Committee is offering the District Bible Study on March 30 at Mt. Pleasant (2788 Taylor Spring Lane, Harrisonburg) from 4-6 p.m. entitled “Being the Church.” The study will be led by Tim Craver, pastor of the Summit congregation.
E.B. Shoemaker, who is fulfilling the unexpired term of Spiritual Formation and Leadership Chair David Chappell, said in a recent release, “We will be looking at what it means to be the church, our call, our position, and our purpose based on I Peter 2:9.”
This event will be the first of three Bible Studies this year. Light refreshments and snacks will be served. To sign up for this event, call the district office at 540-234-8555 or email Anita Landes at districtoffice@shencob.org. Contact E.B. Shoemaker at 540-915-2296 or email at eb_pastor@yahoo.com for more information.
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Rick Looman was ordained at Salem on February 2.
Jack Haddock was commissioned at Trinity on February 9.
Sandy Schwaner will be installed as pastor at Charlottesville on March 2.
Deb Horst will be ordained on March 9 at Wakemans Grove.
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District Youth Roundtable Kicks Off Next Week | |
The District Youth Roundtable will be held on February 28-March 2, at Bridgewater College for youth grades 9-12. The theme is “Growing Our Faith, Blooming Through Christ,” based on Matthew 13:31-32. This year, the Roundtable will be back to normal with sleeping arrangements at Bridgewater College. On Friday night, the Interdistrict Youth Council will host a carnival of activities with games and snacks. Saturday will be filled with worship sessions, workshops, and free time. The guest speaker will be Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary. For more information and to register, visit https://iycroundtable.wixsite.com/iycbc/roundtable. | |
National Junior High Conference | |
The National Junior High Conference is this summer, June 20-22, at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Wouldn't it be awesome to travel together with other youth and advisors from the District? If your church is interested in joining together with others to go on a bus to NJHC, please get in touch with Rebecca House at RebeccaHouse@shencob.org to let her know your church and how many would be going to the conference. | |
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Based on responses, Rebecca House will distribute information about price and availability by next month. | |
Staunton Seeks Input for Pictoral Directory | |
The Staunton Church of the Brethren wants information and suggestions on church pictorial directories. Although the previously used Life Touch organization is no longer in business, the congregation feels the pictorial directory is helpful for new members. Information on "doing your own" would be especially helpful. Send information to nancylbowman@gmail.com. | |
District Conference: Save the Date | |
This year's District Conference will be held on November 7-8. Contact Rebecca House for additional details. More information will be forthcoming. | |
Gladys Remnant assisting with the Children's Tent activities at the auction (Photo by Harold Furr) | |
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Gladys Remnant recently agreed to serve as the Shenandoah District Area Coordinator for Children's Disaster Services, or CDS. This program, an arm of Brethren Disaster Ministries, sends trained volunteer caregivers to provide specialized care for children following natural or human-caused disasters.
Volunteers are trained to provide a calm, safe, and reassuring presence in the midst of the chaos by setting up and operating child-oriented play centers in disaster shelters or assistance centers.
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Volunteers work with a Kit of Comfort (KOC), a large suitcase full of age-appropriate therapeutic play activities and toys that are carefully selected to encourage children to play and begin to work through the stress that they may have experienced. By caring for the children in a secure, designated space, CDS volunteers provide respite for children from the stress of their experience and for parents and guardians, enabling them to turn their attention to the recovery process, according to a recent release shared by Remnant. | |
To learn more about CDS, check out www.brethren.org/cds or contact CDS Area Coordinator Gladys Remnant at gremnant@aol.com. Spring training sessions are now available in Indiana, Kansas, and California, and information is available on the CDS website. | |
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Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center Offers Special Tour in Honor of the Disaster Response Auction | |
The Brethren & Mennonite Heritage Center (1921 Heritage Center Way, Harrisonburg) is hosting a dedicated tour on Friday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon. This event was designed as a prelude to the annual Disaster Auction & Sale, which begins at 1 p.m. at | |
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the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Brethren and Mennonites have a long history of practical service to their neighbors, far and wide, when disaster strikes. This dedicated tour will explore this fact and many other attributes from Brethren and Mennonite history in the Shenandoah Valley. Donations for the tour will be accepted and appreciated.
After the tour, food items will be available for purchase at the auction at 4804 South Valley Pike, Harrisonburg. Follow this link to register for the Auction Tour https://brethrenmennoniteheritage.org/auction-tour.
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Church World Service Announces New Kit Contents | |
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According to a recent email from Deniese Estrada, kit depot coordinator with CWS Global, the required contents for three kits have changed. Kits that have been constructed with 2024 lists will be accepted through June. Beginning July 1, kits must contain the items identified on the new kit lists: Clean-up buckets, hygiene kits and period packs. Learn more about constructing kits at https://cwskits.org/assemble-kits/.
In addition, there is a new kit concept for kids for 2025. This kids kit replaces what was formerly known as the school kit. Download the kid kit list here.
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March 30: District Bible Study at Mt. Pleasant (2788 Taylor Springs Lane, Harrisonburg, 4-6 p.m. Theme: “Being the Church,” with Pastor Tim Craver.
All summer: Brethren Woods hosts dozens of summer camps for children and registration is underway. Visit https://brethrenwoods.org/summercamp/ to choose a great camp experience.
Save the date: District Conference, November 7-8.
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Annual Conference Registration to Begin March 5 | |
The 2025 Annual Conference will be held July 2-6 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Registration will begin in two weeks for both delegates and non-delegates. The theme is “Faith Working Through Love.” Registration will open at noon Central Time on Wednesday, March 5. Click here to visit the Annual Conference webpage. | |
New & Renew Conference May 14-16 in Elgin | |
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The New & Renew Conference for 2025 will be held May 14-16 in Elgin, Illinois. The theme is “God is Doing a New Thing,” from Isaiah 43:19. The event also offers an option for online attendance. Click here to view the release.
Jonathan Brooks, the lead pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church and the chief inspiration officer for Lawndale Christian Ministries, which includes Lawndale Christian Health Center, Lawndale Christian Development Corporation and Lawndale Christian Legal Center, will be the keynote speaker.
According to the release, “New & Renew is a vibrant hybrid gathering focused on church planting and church renewal that is rooted in worship and prayer which equips, nurtures, and stimulates creative, practical ministry.” Early Bird registration is $129 through April 10. After that date, registration will be $179. For more information, contact Randi Rowan at churchplanting@brethren.org.
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The Christian Growth Institute will host the 2025 Spirituality Formation Retreat at Camp Brethren Woods (4896 Armentrout Path, Keezletown) on March 7, beginning at 4 p.m. Retreat leader Connie Burkholder will present “Tending Our Heart’s Desire. Tuition for the retreat is $75, and meals and lodging are included. Spouses of registered students are invited to attend the retreat free of charge.
The following CGI class will be Writing with Instructor Sharon Wood. No textbooks are required, and handouts will be given during class. The dates for this class are March 15 and 28 and April 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stone Church in Buena Vista (2162 Forest Avenue, Buena Vista). Tuition for the class will be $100.00. Please bring a bagged lunch and drinks for the day.
For more information on these two classes or to obtain registration forms, please contact CGI Coordinator Naomi Powers at 540-483-5555 or by email at naomi.powers@gmail.com. Checks payable to Virlina District may be mailed with the registration form(s) by March 1 to Naomi Powers, 1446 Valley Road, Troutville, Virginia 24175.
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Continuing the Work of Jesus.
Simply. Peacefully. Together.
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Shenandoah District Staff Office Hours | |
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District Executive Minister John Jantzi, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday Friday
Director Brethren Woods Linetta Alley, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday - Friday
Director of Communications Brenda Diehl, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Tuesdays; 7:30-11:30 a.m. on each third Wednesday
Financial Secretary/Bookkeeper Cerise Haas, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday
Director of Finances Gary Higgs, 2-5 p.m., Wednesday
Director of District Conference and Youth Services Rebecca House, 1-4 p.m., Wednesday
Office Assistant Anita Landes, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Tuesday
Office Assistant Sarah Long, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday-Thursday
Disaster Ministries: Contact Jerry Ruff or Galen Halterman
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You are welcome to call the office anytime.
Someone will assist you when the responsible staff member is not present.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Email header image by B. S. Diehl
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