Join with brothers and sisters across our district for worship, fellowship and ice cream on Sundays, August 22 (Briery Branch), September 12 (Waynesboro) and 19 (Round Hill)! Pick the location and date that suits your schedule best. These regional worship events are sponsored by area churches and the District Conference Program & Arrangements Committee and will include local choirs and music groups, sharing from churches through displays and during worship and a message from Moderator Bernie Fuska.  

The Annual Conference suggested study of the controversial issue of homosexuality can provide opportunities for growth in the midst of our tension and differences.  As your Standing Committee representatives, we invite you and your congregation to fully participate in this study and listening process over the next several months.  In an effort to encourage participation in the study, we met with district staff and developed events for training and support and a time line to help you as you plan for your congregation’s involvement in this process.

On Saturday, August 28, a training session was held at the Linville Creek Church with 136 people in attendance.  Glenn Bollinger facilitated a demonstration of Session 1 of the 8 week Bible study with District Board members participating.  Tips for facilitators were given as well as information regarding plans for the upcoming hearings in our district.  Henry Elsea reported that our Standing Committee delegates are planning five hearings in various locations in the district.  Exact dates and locations will be announced later.

The Bible Study and related documents can be found on the Annual Conference website using the following links.

Special Response Resources (8 week Bible study)  http://www.cobannualconference.org/pdfs/special_response_resource.pdf

2009 paper “Structural Framework for Dealing with Strongly Controversial Issues"  http://www.cobannualconference.org/ac_statements/controversial_issues-final.pdf

2009 Statement of Confession and Commitment by Standing Committee  http://www.cobannualconference.org/pittsburgh/A_Statement_of_Confession_and_Commitment.pdf

2009 Query from Northern Indiana on Language of Same Sex Covenants  http://www.cobannualconference.org/pittsburgh/NB_2_Query-Language_on_Same_Sex_Covenental_Relationships.pdf

2008 Resolution Urging Forbearance  http://www.cobannualconference.org/ac_statements/resolution_urging_forbearance.pdf

1983 paper on Human Sexuality  http://www.cobannualconference.org/ac_statements/83HumanSexuality.htm

1979 paper on Biblical Inspiration and Authority http://www.cobannualconference.org/ac_statements/79BiblicalInspiration%26Authority.htm

Please prayerfully consider how to involve as many people as possible in the Bible Study sessions.  Some have expressed concerns about several statements in the commentary on selected scriptures.  Perhaps you can find ways to make these points of conversation instead of points of contention.  These study sessions can foster the sharing of many perspectives and will provide very helpful background information prior to participating in the district hearings.

We hope that you and your church have already begun planning for your participation in this process.  Together, we will study scripture, listen to one another and to the Holy Spirit all the while trusting in God and in one another as we discern a path through our tensions and differences.

Its been almost nine months since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on January 12.  Over the past several months, the Shenandoah District received and disbursed to the Church of the Brethren Emergency Disaster Fund $88,811.50 in offerings from individuals and churches.  Hygiene, school and household kits have been packed, processed and delivered to individuals and families in Haiti.  Dinners, concerts and other fundraisers have been held by churches in our district as they seek to continue providing aid and assistance to folks in Haiti. 

The District Board called Janet Elsea as Volunteer Mission Servant in order to foster better communication and collaboration among churches as they support various mission organizations in Haiti and in other parts of the world. You may follow the work of Janet and the Mission Advisory Team on Facebook (Shenandoah District Missions) and on blogspot.com (click on the image): 

2010 District Calendar