COMFORT IN THE MIDST OF GRIEF By Tom Gallagher

On March 16, our family suffered the unimaginable. Our granddaughter, Cameron, died immediately after finishing her first half-marathon. It is a dreadful experience to have this happen to your grand-daughter. It is doubly dreadful to watch your daughter-in-law and son anguish over the loss of their beautiful, bright child. Grace and David were at her side as she collapsed yards past the finish line. And that’s what happened; she just collapsed and died.

Cameron was an athlete. Before she started running, she was one of those hyper-competitive 4 AM get-up-to-swim competitors who worked out most mornings and frequently in the evening after school. She gave the competitive swimming up and began running last fall.

The loss we have suffered is frightful. Adjectives don’t capture the impact. Adverbs don’t either. Nouns and verbs can’t touch the reality of what has happened.

David and I are both members of Needle's Eye small groups. I cannot overstate the importance of my relationships coming from my prayer partners in the private and confidential setting at Needle's Eye. The members of my two small groups have given me the comfort and love to face, not just tomorrow, but today.

Our small groups represent Christianity 101. If we were to go back 21 centuries, we’d find small groups as foundational to practicing our Christian faith today. In the catacombs, our fathers met, prayed, taught, wondered, hid and loved each other. They held each other accountable in the catacombs.

Exploring my reaction to the most painful and traumatic experience in my life, leads me to an even greater appreciation for the work of Needle's Eye and in particular, the ministry of small groups. In this season of my life, I’d be lost without it.

NEEDLE'S EYE

June 2014 | Quarterly Issue

NewsWHAT'S INSIDE

Comfort in the Midst of Grief

Page 1

Women's Thursday Night Summer Study

A Philosopher & A Scientist Walk

Into A Bar...Page 2

Matching Gift Challenge

Hope for the FuturePage 3

Women's Book Group

The Real WinPage 4

Needle's Eye Ministries, Inc. | 104 Berrington Ct. | Richmond, VA 23221 | 804.358.1283 | www.needleseye.org

Tom smiles with Cameron in this undated photo.

Photo: James Lee | 88 Love Stories

WOMEN'S THURSDAY NIGHT SUMMER STUDYNeedle's Eye is excited to announce that Debbie Bannister and Christine Anderson will be teaming together over the summer to host the weekly Women's Thursday Night Study!

You know Ruth’s story. Now meet her in person and prepare to be changed.

Walk with Ruth as she journeys to Bethlehem, certain of her calling, yet uncertain of her future with her mother-in-law. Bringing this rags-to-riches story alive with her novel approach to Bible study, Higgs helps you see how God works to redeem each loss and disappointment in Ruth and Naomi's lives – and yours!

When: Thursdays, June 12-July 31 (skipping July 3), 5:45-7:30 PMWhere: Needle's Eye Office | 104 Berrington Ct., Richmond. 23221Cost: Purchase your own book (The Girl's Still Got It by Liz Curtis Higgs) Register: RSVP online at www.needleseye.org Questions: Contact Lisa Rattner at 804.358.1283 or lrattner@needleseye.org

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SCIENCE:the

Bible & the

SPIRITUAL SHOTS™ www.spiritualshots.com

Facilitators: Bob Hall & Wes Haddaway

When: Tuesday, July 1, 6-7:30 PM

Where: Bottoms Up Pizza 1700 Dock Street, Richmond

Cost: Free (includes free pizza!)

A PHILOSOPHER & A SCIENTIST WALK INTO A BAR...It may sound like the beginning of a witty joke, but that's just what Bob Hall and Wes Haddaway will do on Tuesday, July 1st for the quarterly installment of Spiritual Shots™.

Bob is quick to note that he's really a nuclear engineer who dabbles in science: "I'm like Howard Wolowitz on 'The Big Bang Theory.' Even though Wolowitz is an engineer, the other guys think that he doesn't qualify as an actual scientist." Semantics aside, Bob and Wes will facilitate an evening devoted to one of the hottest topics in culture today – how the Bible intersects with the Big Bang.

"Wes and I have facilitated various discussions with Spiritual Shots™ in the past, but I'm excited to talk about the Big Bang this time. There are more areas of the Bible that talk about the realities of creation than just the first page." Bob notes that Wes will pro-vide historical and philosophical insight, and he will discuss it from a scientific perspective. "Genesis 1, for example, starts off like a lab report: the first sentence is initial conditions, while the second sentence identifies the frame of reference of the observer."

Bob continues, "My mental model for the rest of Genesis 1 is that it’s like a photo album that has snapshots of big events that happened on this journey through time. I don’t usually keep pictures of random or unnecessary things; I keep pictures of the Grand Canyon or major events that are important to me."

If nothing else, Bob ensures that you can score some free pizza and good conversation. "Our hope is to pull down some of the presup-positions people may have about the Bible and science. There are valid ways to interpret the Bible that harmonize scripture and science more than you may think."

HOPE FOR THE FUTUREHank Kuhlman can’t believe it’s been more than a decade since he got in-volved with Needle’s Eye Ministries. It feels like yesterday that Hank was invited to a Speaker Series luncheon by Frank Goare. These have become a monthly date for him and his wife, Laura, to attend together.

Over time, Hank and Laura have gotten involved with Needle’s Eye’s small groups, special events, and have become financial partners with the ministry. "We are so encouraged with the way God is using this ministry to connect with people who wouldn't normally go to church – especially the younger generation.” Hank is hopeful for the future of Needle’s Eye and encourages others to be so as well.

“We know Buddy and the staff work extremely hard on limited resources to provide all that we appreciate. It’s very much like church – if you believe in something that’s being used by the Lord to strengthen and build the body of Christ in our community, then it makes sense to provide financial support.” He continues, “Laura and I are witnesses to many fruits of this ministry over many years. As stewards of the resources the Lord has entrusted to us, we realize that it all belongs to Him, and He cares how we use it for kingdom building!”

You can make an investment in the future of Needle’s Eye today! Give online at www.needleseye.org.

NEEDLE'S EYE MINISTRIES ANNUAL FUND 2013-14 July 1, 2013 – June 30, 2014

BY THE NUMBERS: GOAL: $600,519 RAISED: $419,980* *Amount as of May 23

WAYS TO GIVESEND A CHECK You may use the enclosed envelope for your gifts and/or prayer requests! Please make all checks out to “Needle’s Eye Ministries.”

ONLINE It's easy! Visit www.needleseye.org

PHONE Call 804.358.1283 and we will process your credit card gift over the phone.

CREATIVE GIVINGVisit these websites and designate Needle's Eye as your non-profit of choice! They will donate a percentage of your purchase to us at no cost to you. AMAZONSMILE www.AmazonSmile.com 0.5% on eligible purchases GOOD SHOP www.GoodShop.com Up to 20% on purchases

QUESTIONS?Contact Elizabeth Massie, Director of Annual Giving, at 804.358.1283 or emassie@needleseye.org.

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We are so thankful for a group of generous friends who have established a “Matching Gift” fund of $30,500 to encourage life-impacting, year-end giving to Needle’s Eye.

New gifts and increased level giving (since last fiscal year) that are received between now and June 30th will be doubled! New recurring monthly gifts will be tripled!

Take the challenge today!

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THE REAL WINChip McCraw didn't know the Needle's Eye softball team would be such a hit. All he knew was that he and a fellow Young Professional had an interest in playing some ball, and thought a few others might enjoy playing as well.

After a few conversations and some help from Lisa Rattner, the team came together. "We initially had 20 people sign up, and we've gained a few people along the way," says Chip. "I appreciate how everyone on our team has the same mindset – to have some fun and be a good example on the field."

The mission of the Needle's Eye co-ed softball team is to exhibit God’s love through sportsmanship, teamwork, and commitment on the diamond. "It’s not about wins and losses, but being an example. We try to compete without having a bad attitude or being obnoxious. You can compete without having to take things so seriously!"

Chip admits that he's a work in progress. "This opportunity has reminded me to take a momentary pause and remember why I’m here. I've been more positive with myself and encour-aging to my teammates this season." As a result, the team has become a place to come together and rally around each other.

"When we share God's love and support each other along the way, that's the real win."

RIVER CITY CO-REC LEAGUE

SOFTBALL SCHEDULE Back-to-Back Games

Monday Nights

June 2 8:15 PM & 9 PM

June 9 8:15 PM & 9 PM

June 16 6:30 PM & 7:20 PM

June 23 8:15 PM & 9 PM

June 30 8:15 PM & 9 PM

July 7 8:15 PM & 9 PM

July 14 8:15 PM & 9 PM

Where: 608 Forest Lawn Drive (behind Henderson Middle School & John Marshall High School)

For the final playoff schedule, visit www.needleseye.org

When four-year-old Colton Burpo made it through an emergency appendectomy, his family was overjoyed at his miraculous survival. What they weren’t expecting, though, was the story that emerged in the months that followed – a story as beautiful as it was extraordinary, detailing their little boy’s trip to heaven and back.

Heaven Is for Real will forever change the way you think of eternity, offering the chance to see, and believe, like a child.

When: Wednesday, June 18, 6-8 PM Where: The home of Annhorner Truitt | 8029 Riverside Dr., Richmond, 23225Cost: Purchase your own book (Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo) Register: RSVP online at www.needleseye.org

WOMEN'S BOOK GROUPDo you want a night out to meet some new friends and connect over an engaging book? Then this is the perfect opportunity to grow deeper spiritually and connect relationally! Every month, the Women's Book Group will meet at someone's home for light snacks and discuss the book of the month. All you need to do is purchase and read the book ahead of time. Each discussion will be a separate event, so feel free to sign up for one or all!

We are also in need of event hosts during the summer! If you are interested in hosting, please contact Lisa Rattner at 804.358.1283 or lrattner@needleseye.org.