Issue #22 - February 2008
News from the Regional Office
In the next few months the regional church will be working hard to clarify and claim its mission. Our vision must go beyond the under-girding supporting and expanding. It must be open to the new places God is calling us to be. The needs of the church today are changing and regional leadership will be looking at what can happen to meet those changing needs. What decisions need to be made about more comprehensive staffing? What does the ministry personnel configuration need to be?
Another change will be the implementation of Regional Elders whose role will be to assist the Regional Staff in maintaining strong connections between the region, ministers, and churches. There are a number of details, including some funding concerns that will be resolved shortly.
General expectations of Regional Elders will include:
- Making one significant contact with clergy in assigned areas at least once each quarter.
- Making one significant contact with churches in assigned areas at least once each quarter.
- Keeping up with the health climate of congregations by reading church publications.
- Being alert to special needs of ministers and congregations during times of transition.
- Attending district gatherings and events as often as possible.
We understand that these general expectations will be modified by the unique gifts and styles of the Elders as well as the needs of the churches and ministers in the assigned areas.
- The Rev. Lee Parker, from The Virginia Christian
Get to Know ...
The Hoyts
A few days after Christmas, Lisa and I had the pleasure of eating dinner with the Hoyts. You may recall that they joined Louisa Christian Church in April 2007 after visiting for almost a year. It was a pleasure to eat with Joe, Debra, and Elissa for several reasons. First, Debra is a great cook. She made sticky rice with a coconut sauce, chicken and snow peas, and a spring roll dessert with chocolate sauce. Second, it was a pleasure to visit with the Hoyts because they are good, down-to-earth people. Third, I always enjoy a chance to hang out with my buddy, Elissa. Fourth, Joe does not like leftovers. So, we were given leftovers to take home. That always makes Lisa and I happy.
Elissa, who is now three years old, showed us her sock drawer, her dog (a German Shepherd named Zoee), and her Christmas presents. I had a chance to catch up with Joe and Debra. Joe is busy working at Shaw Fossil Fuels in the Health and Safety Department. Debra works in the lab at the Waste Water Treatment Facility in Charlottesville.
Here are some other facts about the Hoyts:
- Joe was born in Massachusetts. Debra is a Virginian, born in Fairfax County, but mostly raised in Hanover
- Debra and Elissa's favorite place they have visited: the beach. Joe: Disney World
- Favorite food: Joe likes anything that is not a leftover, Debra likes chocolate, and Elissa likes fruit and pears
- Elissa's favorite Christmas gift that she received was a bicycle
- Joe and Debra were married in May 1996
I am always curious about why people decide to come to Louisa Christian Church. Debra said she grew up in a Disciples of Christ church and naturally gravitated to our church because of that. Joe said he really appreciates how so many people at the church treat the kids with respect and show them attention. Elissa likes the church because she gets to sing and say, "Amen."
If you have not had a chance to get the know the Hoyts, this is a good start. However, I hope you will spend some time talking with them. They are wonderful people and a wonderful addition to our church.
- Matthew
VA Regional Assembly Theme Announced
Our theme logo, "Reaching in, reaching out, reaching back, to move forward," is an attempt to capture what it's like to be a Christian and a church - a spiral movement that is directed inward, outward, backward and forward. In a sense it's like a juggling act:
- trying to maintain our inward spiritual lives; while
- reaching out to others in service, in mission, in evangelism; and
- drawing on our heritage as Disciples, remembering who we are, in order to move forward as we are transformed
It appears to be a challenge, this spiraling, juggling act that God has set before us, but we are rewarded with joy, for as we practice it, we find health and transformation.
Our time together in June is intended to be a reminder of this exciting journey we are on.
168th REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Virginia
June 6-8, 2008
Lynchburg College
Featuring:
Kay Northcutt and Bill Lee
Registration information mailed to local churches and at ccinva.org
- The Virginia Christian
Schedules
Acolytes
February: Meagan C. and Ginny B.
March: Andrew P. and Sarah C.
April: Kris D. and Linda D.
May: Abbey S. and Corey S.
June: John P. and Sam P.
July: Katelyn P. and Jack P.
August: Abbey S. and Corey S.
September: Andrew P. and Meagan C.
October: Kris D. and Linda D.
November: Amber W. and Ginny B.
December: Katelyn P. and Jack P.
Nursery
A list has been sent around for nursery volunteers to sign up. Please, consider volunteering with our nursery. Even keeping the nursery one Sunday a year would be helpful. If you have not been through the background check, it is very simple to do and the only personal data needed to perform it is your birthday and name.
Thanks to all of our nursery volunteers! A special thanks is due to Lucie Snider for keeping the nursery through January and having such wonderful activities for the kids.
Comic Relief
The Farmer’s Story
A farmer and his brand new bride were riding home from the chapel in a wagon pulled by a team of horses, when the older horse stumbled. The farmer said, "That's once."
A little further along, the poor old horse stumbled again. The farmer said, "That's twice."
After a little while the poor old horse stumbled again. The farmer didn't say anything, but reached under the seat, pulled out a shotgun and shot the horse.
His brand new bride raised all kinds of heck with him, telling him, "That was an awful thing to do."
The farmer said, "That's once."
- www.comedy-zone.net
"A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Prov. 17:22)
Lectionary
February 2, 2008
The Presentation of the Lord/Candlemas (White)
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24
Hebrews 2:14-18
Luke 2:22-40
February 3, 2008
Last Sunday after Epiphany/Transfiguration Sunday (White)
Exodus 24:12-18
Psalm 99
2 Peter 1:16-21
Matthew 17:1-9
February 6, 2008
Ash Wednesday (Gray)
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Psalm 51:1-17
2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21
February 10, 2008
First Sunday in Lent (Purple)
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
Psalm 32
Romans 5:12-19
Matthew 4:1-11
February 17, 2008
Second Sunday in Lent (Purple)
Genesis 12:1-4a
Psalm 121
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
John 3:1-17
February 24, 2008
Third Sunday in Lent (Purple)
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 95
Romans 5:1-11
John 4:5-42
Take a moment and read these scriptures each week!
Volunteer Opportunities
- Come help with our Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 - 6:15 PM by driving, cooking, or just hanging around.
Upcoming Youth Activities
2/3 ... Boy Scout Sunday 2/24 ... District 10 Snow Tubing Trip. See Matthew for more information. 2/23 ... No activities
3/3 (Monday) ... Dinner at a Richmond restaurant and a Taize Prayer Service at Richmond Hill in Richmond 7:30 PM ... Bring dinner money. Open to everyone. Leave the church at 4:30 PM.
3/9 ... No activities
3/15 ... No activities
3/25 - 3/26 (Tuesday to Wednesday) ... Youth Spiritual Retreat at 5 PM Tuesday until 11 AM Wednesday.
3/30 ... Youth Sunday
Birthdays
Ginny Bowers 3/5
Alice Jane Boyd 3/8
Lois D. Boyd 3/3
Rebecca Cavanaugh 3/17
Dale A. Davenport 3/16
Kris Dishman 3/20
Douglas W. Dodge 3/11
Maureen L. Dodge 3/14
G. B. Duke 3/22
G. B. Duke, Jr. 3/20
James F. Fleshman 3/11
Karol Lynn 3/4
John Maddra 3/14
Deborah S. Martin 3/23
Johnny Massie 3/17
Lisa G. Moubray 3/14
Rebekah Perkins 3/16
Andrew Perkinson 3/16
John Jerl Purcell, IV 3/20
Harold Richardson 3/18
Sarah Shoupe 3/20
Amber M. Swasey 3/24
If we missed a birthday, let us know.
Kid's Page
Worship
Sunday School every Sunday at 10 AM
Worship Service following at 11 AM
Prayer Service each Wednesday at noon
Every Wednesday we offer a Bible Study at 10:30 AM and 6:30 PM
Community Youth Night every Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:15 PM
Louisa Christian Church
P.O. Box 1344
104 Elm Avenue
Louisa, VA 23093
Rev. Burnette: 540-967-4884
Email
Rev. Ricks: 540-748-4188
Email