REFLECTIONS: Since elections are more about the struggle for power than the struggle to serve, why do we think the Kingdom of God will rise or fall based upon their results? It’s because we really believe that power is the way to bring about God’s intentions. We think that the right system, the right organization, the right party will somehow bring in the will of God. If that were true, then Jesus blew it when Satan offered him all the kingdoms, armies and places of government in the world. When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness if he would only bow down and worship Satan, he could have said yes and changed the world for the good. But Jesus knew that God’s Kingdom doesn’t come from without…but from within. It has to begin inside of each of us in our relationship to God and our relationship to each other. Remember this if you become fearful, despondent, or depressed this election season. Authentic change that matters comes through the power of God…not the power of men.

The Dove Central Church of the Brethren

June 2016 Ed Woodard, Pastor

www.centralbrethren.org

CONNECT – YOUNG ADULT ACTIVITIES –APRIL 30-NOVEMBER 11, 2016 Alli and Scott Yingling are the coordinators of Connect for young adults in Virlina District. They have planned the following activities 2016. June 3 – Mini-golf at the Putt-Putt Fun Center on Peters Creek and ice cream at Bruster’s on Williamson Road. July 23-24 – Home in the woods night at Camp Bethel. Aug. 19 – Moonlight Movie Night at Oak Grove COB. If it rains, movie will be inside. Sept. 2 – Art by Night – strolling through Downtown Roanoke’s Art Galleries (for free). 150TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION – JUNE 11, 2016 The Virlina District Historical Committee is sponsoring a “150 Year Anniversary Celebration of District Work in Virginia” at Camp Bethel on June 11, 2016. The 2016 Annual Conference Moderator, Andy Murray, a native of the Cloverdale Church in Botetourt County, Virginia, will be the keynote speaker and the worship service will feature special music. IMMERSE! – JUNE 22-27 2016 Bethany Theological Seminary will hold its Second Bible Immersion program for junior high students this summer. Immerse! will take place June 22-27 at Elizabethtown College in PA. Attendees will take a deeper look at the Bible and its impact on their lives. Immerse! will also give students the chance to explore local Brethren historical landmarks. A generous grant will cover all costs of the week; students will only be responsible for travel costs to Elizabethtown. You can find more information and register for Immerse! by contacting ya@bethanyseminary.edu. 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – JUNE 29-JULY 3 General registration and hotel reservations are now open for the Church of the Brethren 2016 Annual Conference. The conference takes place in Greensboro, NC on June 29- July 3, 2016. General registration is available at

www.brethren.org/ac/2016/registration.html for both delegates and non-delegates. 150TH ANNIVERSARY BANNERS NEEDED! Virlina is turning 150 and we’re gonna celebrate June 11 at Camp Bethel in beautiful Botetourt County, VA! We want EVERY congregation in Virlina to bring a small, 9X12” banner with their congregation’s name on it. It can be cloth, vinyl, strong paper…handmade or purchased at a sign shop. It’s important that we are ALL represented at this great celebration. Have them at Camp Bethel, Deerfield Center by Friday, June 10, at 10:00 am. If you have questions, contact Carol Elmore (540)774-3217 or carol@oakgrovecob.org. WE ARE ABLE WORKCAMP –JULY 10-13, 2016 Registration for 2016 Brethren Workcamps has started and we’d like to highlight the We Are Able Workcamp. This workcamp is for youth and young adults with intellectual disabilities and for young adults who serve as their assistants. Participants will serve at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD where they will package materials for the Material Resources warehouse and SERV. They will also go on fun recreational outings, such as bowling, attending a concert or movie, or visiting a nature center. We hope you will join us for an amazing experience! Register at www.brethren.org/workcamps/ before April 1st (Make sure you register as a WE ARE ABLE ASSISTANT if you are a young adult who wishes to serve as an assistant at this workcamp.) If you have any questions email Amanda McLearn-Montz at AMclearn-Montz@brethren.org or call her at (847)429-4328.

Virlina District News

June Birthdays

5 – Ruth Michael 6 – Jeffrey Saul 11 – Karen Carr 16 – Barbara Berkheimer 23 – Adam Murray 27 – Tom Waering

June Anniversaries 3 – Wayne & Vicky Chapman 20 – Mike & Joy Murray 24 – Fred & Sara Porter 26 – Garland & Betty Bowman

Calendar of Upcoming Events

For Central Church

June 4 80th Birthday Party for Judith

Deos in Fellowship Hall June 5 Graduate Recognition June 9 12:00 Kit Klub, Longhorn

Steakhouse June 11 150 Years Virlina District at

Camp Bethel June 13 6:30 pm Team Meetings 7:30 pm Leadership Team Meeting June 21 FIA at the home of the

Chapmans June 26 2 Cents Meal Offering June 29-July 3 Annual Conference

Greensboro NC July 17 Deacons Meeting July 31 Sunday School All Church

Fellowship

Pastor Ed’s Sermons for June

5 – “The Life Giver” I Kings 17:17-24, Luke 7:11-17 12 – “The Lust For More” I Kings 21:1-21a 19 – “You Are Not Alone” I Kings 19:1-18 26 – “Do Not Look Back” Luke 9:51-62

PRAYER CHAIN MESSAGE If you have a need to put something on the prayer chain, please send Paula Smith an e-mail request at: bwsmith@swva.net. Her phone number is 651-4232.

Birthdays, Anniversaries

PLEASE DONATE TO REPLENISH DEPLETED”CAMPERSHIP” FUND; 2015 requests for camperships exceeded our available funds. Can you help? Please consider donating $300.00, which is the 2016 cost for a child to attend one basic week of resident camp at Camp Bethel. Mail checks with memo “Camperships” or donate on line at www.CampBethelVirginia.org/donate.html. SUMMER KITCHEN STAFF AT CAMP BETHEL See www.CampBethelVirginia.org/summer-staff.html. Camp Bethel is looking for ministry-minded individuals to help prepare and serve meals for over 1200 campers this summer. We prefer staff who are able to serve for all nine weeks of summer camp, June 12-August 13, plus additional training days during the weeks of May 30-June 11. For information e-mail Brigitte Burton at CampBethelArk@gmail.com or call 540-992-2940. MALE COUNSELORS NEEDED FOR SUMMER CAMP See www.CampBethelVirginia.org/summer-staff.html for information about serving as a Senior Counselor, Junior Counselor or Volunteer Counselor/CIT. BEST. SUMMER. EVER. Paid and volunteer positions are filled on a first-hired, first-filled basis. SPIRITUAL RETREAT – OCTOBER 8- SAVE THE DATE The Spiritual Development Retreat Committee is planning a spiritual retreat for Saturday, October 8, in the House of Pillars at Camp Bethel. Details and registration information will be forthcoming. Please mark your calendars and hold October 8 for this special event.

Witness Report Congregational Business Meeting

May 15, 2016

We have scheduled a couple of opportunities for members to invite a friend or neighbor and get together for fun, food and fellowship. The first was well received-The Girls Night Out! Thursday, April 7, 2016, 6:00 PM – Hollywood’s Restaurant and Bakery. Thanks for all who attended. The second is coming later this month and we hope the turnout will be as good-Guys Night Out – Salem Red Sox game- Sunday, May 22 at 4:05 PM. Let Wayne know if you plan to attend. We are scheduling a couple of fellowship opportunities this summer to keep us all connected and opportunities to invite someone to learn a little about us. The first is Wednesday June 15th in the fellowship hall starting at 5:30PM. We will be celebrating the end of school with pizza and ice cream. Come relax and enjoy each other’s company and invite someone. The second will be Wednesday August 10th at 5:30PM and we will be celebrating and welcoming our new pastor and his family. The menu will be shared later. Speaking of our new pastor and family, the Witness Team will be looking into name tags for members to wear as a way to not only identify ourselves to the new pastor and family, but also to visitors to our church. Look for more information after we find out what is available. The Witness Team Wayne, Karen and Jennie

Nurture Report May 15, 2016 The Nurture team has been getting ready for the many upcoming summer activities for our church. The first will be on June 5th when the youth and both adult Sunday school classes combine for the summer. Class will be held in the fellowship hall and there will be two subjects of study : The Fatwa Jesus, which explores basic understanding of Islam and Muslims and Painting the Stars, that looks at the relation between science and religion. We are excited to bring this to you and hope everyone will be able to attend our joint Sunday school. June 5th will also be National Youth Sunday; our youth will lead the worship time. We will also recognise our graduates and rising third graders that same day. We are very fortunate that our Jr and Sr high youth have the opportunity and the willingness to serve at workcamps this summer. We will send 3 Jr highs to Elgin, IL. July 20-24 and 2 Sr highs to Kyle, SD. July 10-16. Joy will be our advisors for both workcamps. Nurture is also planning a few events later in the summer. On July 31st there will be an All-Church Fellowship during the Sunday school hour. And on August 21st, we have our annual church picnic at Camp Bethel. Respectfully, Sara Porter, chair Ginny West , Pam Green , Christie Wray

Stewards Report Central Church of the Brethren

Church Council Meeting August 16, 2015

Since we reported in March, there have been few developments with our finances. Our revenues continue to exceed expenses, largely because our expenses are lower with an interim pastor. We encourage you to continue to support Central with your tithes and offerings. Everett Hurst has been our investment adviser for several years. He left Wells Fargo. Now that he has joined another firm, we have resumed our relationship with him. Based on Everett’s advice regarding anticipated investment returns on the Housing Fund and the growth of that fund during the interim pastorship, we have committed to increase the housing allowance beginning August 1 through the end of 2017 from $600 a month to $800 a month. The increase is intended to allow Kevin and Kellee to obtain suitable housing. An easy way to aid the ministry of Central is to keep Central as the designated charity for your Kroger card. As you know, the system has changed. It is wise to check your account occasionally to ensure that you are still registered properly. The proceeds from this program are added to the Spiritual Development Fund, which benefits the youth and contributes to National Youth Conference expenses, among other uses. If you need assistance registering your account or checking on it, contact one of the Stewards.

Many thanks to Lorrie Hite, who continues to contribute so much to our congregation as Treasurer. Respectfully submitted, Lorrie Hite, Treasurer Alan Malloy Harry Rhodes, Chair

Worship Team Report May 15, 2016

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LINKING YOUR KROGER CARD TO CENTRAL CHURCH 1. Go to Kroger.com 2. Click on the word Community on the right in the top third of the page. In the dropdown box, click on Community Rewards. 3. Sign in if you have an account OR Create an Account if you do not.

If you have forgotten your password, click on that link and you will be sent a link to reset your password.

4. View your rewards details. Central Church of the Brethren should be listed. We are organization number 82468. Check your enrollment date. Please note on your calendar to re-sign up one year later.

Note – if you have to Create an Account, you will need to fill in your email address and

password and select your preferred store. - Then add your Kroger card number or alternate ID (your phone number, perhaps).

- Under Account /summary, scroll to the bottom to Community Rewards.

- Search for Central Church of the Brethren, Organization number 82468.

QUESTIONS? PLEASE SEE JENNIE WAERING, 540-314-1157.