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President's Message Autumn 2014 Inside This Issue President’s Message President’s Message 1 t was just a few months ago in July, in our world need Jim and Cindy Craig 2 2014 that we learned that our love and support in Note from AFCU Treasurer I beloved AFCU Board of Directors’ their new member, Jim Craig, had died of a brief communities. We New AFCU Members but devastating illness. He had been give to provide a Martin and Kate Luther 3 active as a member for many years after place where the Heritage Society 4 his years attending the American Church Word of God can Sister Church Support 5 in Paris. He was a tireless worker in his be proclaimed. We various AFCU roles, including President, give to be able to as he helped study issues, propose policy proclaim the Word of God to those who The Berlin Connection changes, develop vision and mission have never heard or who yearn to hear A Note from Pastor Steve 6 statements, and encourage giving of our the Good News. We give to be and to New Praise Band Leader 7 talents and resources to support our provide a beacon of Light in partner churches. We were additionally communities that need to witness God’s devastated and heartbroken when, only people at work. We give because Jesus The Paris Connection a few days later, his wife Cindy, left us taught us to be good and generous and went to join Jim and embark on stewards of our gifts and resources. We A Note from Pastor Scott 8-9 their new heavenly ventures. Though give because of our love of God and all Madeleine Memories 9 saddened, we also rejoice in the of His creation. beautiful lives they lived, supporting Christ’s church and all His people. Jim and Cindy knew this. We all know The Vienna Connection this. Jim and Cindy lived this as a vision Jesus taught us that we are His hands and mission in their lives. We all are in A Note from Pastor Troy 10 that do His work of bringing God’s the process of living this vision and Music Update 11 message to people at home and around mission in our own lives. May God help the world. We give because people are us in our quest to support the visions hungry. We give because people living and missions of the partners, American The American and Foreign Christian Union (AFCU) is a in poverty need a helping hand. We give and Foreign Christian Union, American US-based 501 (c) (3) organization that supports the because families uprooted and disrupted Church in Paris, American Church in American Church in Paris, the American Church in Berlin and Vienna Berlin, and the Vienna Community Church. Focusing Community Church and to primarily on alumni and friends of these churches, the brighten the beacons of light AFCU manages endowment funds to support these Jesus taught us that we are His hands that churches, stimulates donations to grow these funds, do His work of bringing God’s message to from our people into the and offers consultation and direct support to assist world. people at home and around the world. these churches in their operations. Please visit www.afcubridge.org for more information. Ken Rislov www.afcubridge.org 1 A Tribute to Jim Craig Our Friends, Jim and Cindy Craig By Bob DeLuryea ur long friendship with the Craigs began in the first met Jim Craig at an AFCU meeting in Paris which he 1970s. I met Jim in Milwaukee, WI where both of attended representing the ACP. Although I did not know O us were working for PPG Industries' Coatings Divi- I him, his presence was felt throughout by his demeanor and sion. They had been transferred from California and we had thoughtful comments he made during the meeting. been moved from Atlanta, GA. During the cold Milwaukee winters, we enjoyed dinners together, sharing stories of Upon his return to the U.S. he joined the AFCU in 1998 where he "warmer places" This was the beginning of a life long friend- remained active for the next 16 years. Jim consistently showed ship, intertwined with both our PPG careers and our fami- what Christian commitment means and always set a positive and lies. sensitive tone in all discussions and decisions. He felt that the AFCU should get support from the churches that the AFCU Board Jim Craig was a strong Christian family man, a visionary in members belonged to and consistently encouraged board business and a born leader. During our years at PPG, the members to share the missions and activities of our partner company grew at a record pace and both of us were trans- churches with our home churches. Over time this became a ferred many times. We remained close friends with Jim, major thrust for several members. Cindy and their children. One of the occurrences that I remember was while we were Jim's career was most successful, being appointed President attending a meeting in Berlin. This was during the period of time of PPG, Canada and later, all of Western Europe. In spite of when the Berlin Church (ACB) was trying to decide whether to Jim's success, he never forgot his roots in West Virginia take a big leap and move from small quarters in the southern where he was born, raised and educated at the University of part of Berlin to the large available church facility in central West Virginia. He told many humorous stories about life in Berlin near where the church had been located prior to World the "wild and wooly" country. War II. Several of us from the AFCU and ACB were talking One of my favorite stories was about Jim's visit back to his casually in the balcony of the proposed new church and the homestead in Morgantown. One evening, when he was spirit seemed to tell us to take the leap. Jim’s comments and in his 50's, he decided to have a glass of wine while sitting outlook seemed to frame our discussion and be influential in on his mother's porch. She was a staunch Baptist and chas- leading the decision to move the church. tised him sternly. Jim reminded his mother about the mira- Jim served as President of the AFCU for 3 years from 2003 to cle at the marriage of Canna when Jesus turned water into wine. His mother interrupted him and commented that, 2006. While President he focused the AFCU on thinking about "there were some things Jesus did that she just didn't agree its mission and how it could better help the churches it served in with". Europe. During this time he was instrumental in motivating our new partner, the Vienna Community Church, to employ a Despite Jim's work commitment and world wide travel, he permanent minister to always remained active in charities. He served on numerous position them for boards and held positions at: stability and growth. Pittsburgh Seminary AFCU, {where we served together} Jim’s leadership and Moorings Park Church presence had a President at Pelican Marsh Golf Club positive effect on the Elder & Deacon at Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church activities of the AFCU. Chairman of his Fraternity at WVU He encouraged excellence and Jim was my personal mentor for many years. I've been brought an in-depth blessed to do the same for his son, Brett. Christian viewpoint to all the discussions and We will remember Jim and Cindy as we saw them last decisions. Over time I April; happy, caring and so full of life! We will miss them! became good friends with Jim and enjoyed many conversations With loving memories, with him. He will be Jerry and Rita Krupp missed. www.afcubridge.org 2 A Note from the AFCU Treasurer A number of changes have taken place this past summer for the AFCU Financial organization. I was elected Treasurer at the May Annual Board Meeting and Russ McNaughton was elected Financial Secretary. In addition to the job transitions, we were notified that our version of QuickBooks (our financial record-keeping system) was no longer going to be supported after the end of May. We have moved to a new system called “QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions” which needs to run on a Server instead of a P.C. Getting started was a bit of a challenge, but the system has proved to be far superior to our old system. “Passing the baton” for these jobs entailed a few days of spending time together to make these transitions. Our former Treasurer, Bill Sewell remained in place until August to facilitate our transition. The recognition plague depicted here was presented to him in appreciation for his over five years of service to the AFCU. Our Audit Review for end of the years 2012 and 2013 was completed by James Quist, CPA, with a written report which is available to anyone upon request. Next, our president, Ken Rislov, appointed a Finance Committee consisting of six board members. In addition to the Financial Secretary and the Treasurer, it includes Bob Dunlop, Chairperson, Bob DeLuryea, Nate Groves and Dustin Smith. This committee will continue to study and recommend improvements in the handling of AFCU Finances. Among all these changes, the AFCU has established a new permanent mailing address listed here in The Bridge. This new service has proved to be extremely effective in our receiving mail on a timely basis. We are happy to report that we have made grants to our member churches totaling $615,250.
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