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West Marva District Memo September 2019

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384 Dennett Road Oakland, MD 21550 WEST MARVA DISTRICT 301-334-9270 John Ballinger, Interim Executive Minister MEMO J . Rogers Fike, Executive Minister Emeritus Brenda Harvey, Administrative Assistant SEPTEMBER 2019 www.westmarvachurches.org On the Road with DE John Ballinger: They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32 NLT) “So tell us about the Church of the Brethren,” the couple inquired. It was early March, and we were seated at an indoor track meet where our children were competing members of their college teams. My wife Kathy and I had struck up a conversation with the couple seated next to us, and as we became acquainted, they asked us what we did for a living. “My wife is a dental hygienist,” I said, “and I’m a district minister in the Church of the Brethren.” When they asked about our church, I thought I would try a different answer instead of mentioning Anabaptism and Pietism. Lately I had wondered if restating our Anabaptist/Pietist heritage in modern terms might prove useful in describing our Brethren identity, so I had done some reading. My studies convinced me that while the language of our heritage may no longer be understood by today’s culture, its underlying values are. The word Anabaptism (which means re-baptism, not anti-baptism!) refers to a model of faith commitment and church life that originated in Switzerland in the 1500s. The movement grew in response to the baptism of infants into church and state membership, and it was characterized by obedience to the teaching of Jesus, believer’s baptism (baptizing only those old enough to consent to and understand their commitment), and devotion to the faith community. The term Pietism describes a revival movement that swept over Europe in the 1600s, born in response the cold, formal religious teaching of the time. Its name was derived from the word piety, a Bible word that means godliness, reverence, affection for the family of God, pity, compassion, gentle, harmless and simple. Pietists practiced a vital, life-changing faith in God through Jesus Christ and placed great emphasis on the Bible. These two movements converged in the hearts and minds of eight Christians who were rebaptized in the Eder River in Schwarzenau, Germany, in 1708. Among them was Alexander Mack (whom we call the “founder” of the Church of the Brethren) and his wife, Anna Margaret. The union of these Anabaptist and Pietist values created our Brethren identity. I concluded that while the values of Anabaptism and Pietism are as relevant today as they were in 1708, most people have no clue what we’re talking about if we use those terms to describe our identity. So I considered using other terms such as “believing and belonging,” “spirituality and service,” “faith and faithful living,” “loving God and neighbor,” or “a vital, life-changing faith coupled with a sense of community” as substitutes. But were these terms acceptable? Here was my opportunity to find out! I took a deep breath and replied, “We are a New Testament Church that follows the teaching of Jesus, and we emphasize both believing and belonging, spirituality and service, faith and faithful living.” They were delighted with my answer, and it stimulated a lively conversation about the Christian faith! While not a comprehensive study of our Anabaptist-Pietist heritage (I recommend reading Jeff Bach, Carl Bowman, Dale Brown, Donald Durnbaugh, Denise Kettering-Lane, Harold Martin, and Dale Stoffer for that), I offer these thoughts as “another way of answering” when asked to describe our Brethren identity. No other voice in mainline or evangelical Protestantism offers a vital, life-changing faith coupled with a sense of community in this manner. I found that recalling our Brethren heritage and restating it in modern terms can stimulate lively conversation about our identity, and about the important values we have been given. This is our unique, timely expression of the faith we are commanded by Jesus Christ to share with the world. ATTENTION DISTRICT CONFERENCE DELEGATES: District Conference delegate registration forms were sent to all pastors/contacts in May but there are still a number of churches who have not returned their forms. At this time I have sent out business packets to all of the delegates who have registered. Contact the District Office if you have not received your business packet. CEU’S AVAILABLE FOR ORDAINED MINISTERS WHO AT- TEND DISTRICT CONFERENCE: The West Marva Ministerial Leadership Team is announcing that .5 CEU’s will be available to all ordained ministers who attend District Conference. Ministers must attend both Fri- day night and all day Saturday (in the same year) one time during the five year cycle. One list with Friday night and Saturday to be signed will be made available for all ministers wishing to receive CEU’s. RESERVATIONS FOR DISTRICT CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 20-21, 2019 The lunch served on Saturday will be on a pre-pay basis and you must have a meal ticket in order to receive your lunch the day of conference. It is extremely difficult to prepare a meal when you don't have a number to work with. The menu will consist of: Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, applesauce, coleslaw, rolls, tea, lemonade and coffee and desserts. Meal prepared by the Moorefield Church. Reservations need to be in by September 7, 2019 along with a check made payable to West Marva District, 384 Dennett Road, Oakland, MD 21550. Person sending reservations: ____________________________________________________________________________ From congregation: ____________________________________________________________ Phone number (if needed for contact) _______________________ MEAL RESERVATIONS: Number of persons: _____________ Saturday noon (cost of meal $13.00) MEAL TICKETS MUST BE PICKED UP AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE ON SATURDAY MORNING DISTRICT CONFERENCE MOTEL ACCOMODATIONS: Motel reservations should be made directly, arranging with the following public accommodations: In Moorefield: In Petersburg:(20 to 25 minutes away) South Branch Inn (304)538-2033 Fort Hill (304)257-4717 Rt. 220 North Honors AAA & AARP Hermitage Motor Inn (304)257-1771 If your church has a tax exempt number Virginia Avenue bring a copy of it with you to be tax exempt Evans Motel (304)538-7771 N. Main St. Homestead Inn, Rt. 55 (304)257-1049 Singers needed for District Conference Choir We would like to assemble a choir for the 2019 West Marva District Conference which will be held at the Moorefield Church of the Brethren, September 20-21, 2019 Ezra Yoder will be leading this group as they will be singing two familiar hymns on Friday evening and one hymn during the morning worship on Saturday morning. If you would be interested in singing with this choir (really need tenors) there will be a practice at the Moorefield Church (choir room) at 5:30 p.m. on the 20th. For more information contact Ezra at 301-895-5988. ATTENTION ALL BOOK WORMS!!!! There will be a FREE Book Swap!!! At the West Marva District Conference Friday September 20th & Saturday 21st 2019 Bring a book – Take a book (or 2 or 3 or more!!!) Please bring your gently used books, Bible studies, devotionals, DVDs & CD’s, and VBS materials to share! It would be helpful if you have a collection or a series to band them together. For VBS material please label with church and contact name and phone number. Books may be dropped off at the Moorefield COB prior to the conference. For further information or to make arrangements call Lucy @ 304-703-7572. The Return of an Old Friend! For the last few years, this excellent resource, offering study materials in 13 chapters, has not been available. We learned that Brethren Press was not go- ing to print any more, and our District obtained the necessary permission from Wendy McFadden, Publisher of Brethren Press, to print and distribute a new printing of this item. Copies will be available at District Conference: 1—9 Copies:…………………………………...$2.00 each. 10—99 Copies:…………………………………$1.75 each. 100 or more Copies:………………………...$1.50 each. This pocket sized booklet, states traditional Church of the Breth- ren understandings of New Testament teachings on the following topics of Doctrine (Teachings): 1. Doctrine of God 7. Doctrine of the Church 13. Bible Reading Guidance 2. Doctrine of Christ 8. Christian Baptism 3. Doctrine of the Holy Spirit 9. The Love Feast Additionally, the following other 4. Doctrine of Man 10. Christian Ideals subjects are included: 5. Doctrine of Sin 11. Christian Discipline Bibliography 6. Doctrine of Salvation 12. Lord, Teach Us to Pray The Brethren “Card” This resource is suitable for Sunday School Classes, Membership Classes, Bible Study Sessions, Personal Growth and Development, and other settings. Be Creative! ALLEGHENY PASSAGE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE Allegheny Passage is the definitive history of the West Marva District that was lovingly written by Dr. Emmert F. Bittinger. It is authoritative as history and genealogy. This 2012 (latest) edition has been priced at $79.95. New price is only $40.00. To avoid $5 Shipping and Handling fee, if ordered by mail, purchase at Conference, the District Office, or the Westernport Church of the Brethren. Permanent Price Reduction— Now, ONLY $40.00 Pre-ordered copies will be delivered at District Conference Make check payable to West Marva District. 2019 Women’s Camp Report The West Marva District Women's Camp was held Thursday and Friday August 8th - 9th 2019 at Camp Galilee with the theme of COME To The Table. We had perfect weather both days!! Our evening began with a wonderful dinner, an annual tradition of a game of Bible Jeopardy, a FANTASTIC Bible study led by Debbie DeWitt of the Pine Grove COB, and we wrapped up the evening with a perfect camp fire (Thank you Isaiah Spaid for building it for us!!) with singing and Betty Wolford led us in a closing devotion.
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