February 2018

From the Moderator

The thing most heartening for me during this interim period is the way people are stepping up to do what needs to be done.  People are taking on duties they haven’t tried before, and they’re showing they know what it takes to do the job.  We don’t exactly have a chair for Fellowship, but Becky Ferrell has volunteered to serve as communications link between me (and the Board) and the women who are our fellowship leaders.  The talent and dependability of these women is renowned.  At this time the duties of the Worship Ministry have been divided up among three women—Joan Mannell, Mary Lee Walden, and Fay Leach.  Joan has accepted the responsibility for scheduling our supply preachers.  She is giving serious thought to how we will manage between now and the time we get an interim minister.  Fay and Mary Lee are making sure our worship services are in good and proper order.Linda McKittrick has taken on the leadership of the deacons, which includes the unenviable task of rounding up enough deacons to cover the bases.  Attrition among our deacons is the problem, not

June 2018

Philippi Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) P.O. Box 555Deltaville, Virginia 23043(804) 776-6230

the loyalty of those who remain.  Gladys Prince, Jimmy Walden, Mary Lee Walden, plus Jean Ward have come forward to help fill the gap.  These leaders and ministries and others I haven’t mentioned are taking care of the church in the present.  We also have what you might call our Ministry of the Future.  The more common name is the “Search Committee.”  And search is really the right word.  They must shine the light of Philippi into the future to see what (or who) is out there that might be useful to us.  The Search Committee is composed of Ahmet Anday, Chair; and Joyce Mills, Secretary; Betsy Hudgins, Betty Prince, Walter Deagle, Dani Shelly, and one more.  Amanda Harris had to drop out for personal reasons.  Becky Harris, Amanda’s mother, whom I know to be thoughtful and devoted, has volunteered to serve in her place.  She is sitting in now, and I will take her name to the Board at its next meeting.  At the first meeting of the Searchers, Ahmet did a good job keeping the meeting on track, and Coretha Loughridge, our Regional Minister, reemphasized the importance of a close relationship between the Searchers and the congregation they represent.  I encourage everyone to speak with individuals on the committee, who can then carry observations and concerns to their next meeting.  Concerning all our duties and responsibilities and all in our church family who are fulfilling them—those both new and experienced—I offer that old British expression—Keep Calm and Carry On.  There will doubtless be some rough waters ahead, but if we have the Spirit we’ll make it through.  

The following ministers have been engaged to lead our services in June:

Sanctuary June 3rd Mark Anderson

Fellowship June 10th Wyatt Portz

Sanctuary June 17th Bill Palmer

Fellowship June 24th Fred Rothermel

STEWARDSHIP REPORT

Stewardship Report April 2018

Date Total Income 04/01/18 $4782.00 Easter 158.0004/08/18 $1512.0004/15/18 $2879.00 Easter 95.00 04/22/18 $1657.00 Easter 75.00 Carl Prince 50.00 04/29/18 $864.25 Easter 75.0004/19/18 Wilson $3666.63 Total $ 15360.88

Income needed each month: $15928.55 (5 Sundays)

Total income (monthly) $15360.88Total expenses $(12753.86)Overage/shortage $2607.02

JuneSummer God, you dance in on golden sunbeams. Like soil that must be plowed or turned over, so I must prepare to receive your warmth and the planting of your message in my heart. Open me to receiving the seed of hope and promise of growth. Plant your Spirit deep within me and make my life fruitful and bountiful. Amen

HOW TO PRAY CREATIVELY

24-7 Prayer Rooms have helped people all over the world learn to pray by finding new ways to connect and speak with God. Talking with Jesus in interactive and creative ways has engaged all generations; particularly young people in filling an hour with prayer. Embrace creativity when designing your prayer space. If this doesn’t come naturally to you then here are some tips to help create an engaging prayer space.

1. Find the artistic and creative people in the community and ask them to help you.

2. Thin k about why you are praying. If there is a vision, call or verse that is at the heart of your 24-7 Prayer Room design your space around it to help people to focus and pray.

3. Keep it simple and bold. Creative doesn’t mean cluttered. If in doubt make the room welcoming, colorful and include prayer guides or stations to interact with people need them.

4. Make room for other people’s creativity. Leave a large space for drawing, writing, painting or sculpting and allow your community to shape the room as they pray.

5. Engage all five senses. How could you use inspiring images and verses to catch the eye, music and sound to inspire or facilitate worship, things to touch or hold to focus the mind or things to taste and smell to help people consider what they are praying.

Next Month “CREATIVE PRAYER STATIONS”.

20182018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

10:00 Every SundayCombined Service

8:30 Food Pantry

3 4 5 6 7 8 9Sanctuary

Youth Group

4:45 LectionaryGroupSting Ray Stitchers6:30Cub Scouts

4:00 Elders

10 11 12 13 14 54 16Fellowship Hall

Youth Group

4:45 LectionaryGroup6:30Cub Scouts

7:00 Board Meeting

17 18 19 20 21 22 23Sanctuary

Youth Group

4:45 LectionaryGroup6:30Cub Scouts

24 25 26 27 28 29 30Fellowship Hall

Youth Group

4:45 LectionaryGroup6:30Cub Scouts

Elders: Lucina Crittenden, Nan Parker, Dani ShelleyDeacons: Craig Dozier, Linda McKittrick, Joyce Saunders, Gladys Prince

June 2018

Prayer Concerns PHILIPPI CHRISTIAN CHURCH

The family of Jill Baldwin

Gene Blanton

Family of Fred Forsberg

Jackie Sandefur-Gosen

Esai Herrera

Nereyda Herrera

The family of B. H. Hubbard

Brittany Hudgins

John Hudgins

The family of Margaret Kendall

Carol Morrell

Kay Norton

Carolyn Palmer

Preston Philyaw

Mary Ann Shifflit

Cindi Simmons

Cap Smith

Arthur Lee Walden

James Allen Whitaker

Family of Joyce Winn

Sung He & Craig Woods

Anniversaries Marsha & Billie Norton (6/11)

Michael & Beth Hurd(6/23

Jack & Mary Williams(6/23

Birthdays

Richard Willis 6/3

Liz Cook (6/5)

Jane Deagle (6/6)

Kristie McKittrick (6/60

Linda McKittrick (6/6)

Jane Ruark (6/6)

Mary Ann Willis (6/6)

Patsy Watson (6/17)

Meghan George (6/18)

Carolyn Palmer (6/20)

Don Leyden (6/26)

Becky Melton (6/27)

Floyd Ward (6/29)

John Hudgins 6/(30)

Taylor Walden (6/30)

Homebound and Nursing Home Residents

Craig Woods

Charlotte Slaughter

Shirley Dunlevy

Helen Haley

Avonne Hudgins

Denise James

Stanley Walden

Sissy Womack

Remember in Prayer:

Volunteer Fire Departments

Volunteer Rescue Squads

Our Military

Teachers

Law Enforcement Personnel

Up Coming Events and Programs

173rd Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Lynchburg College

Lynchburg, VAMay 31 – June 3, 2018

Craig Springs Camp and Retreat CenterBeyond Belief, The Universe of GodJune 25 – 29 Nature CampJuly 1 – 6 Special CampJuly 8 – 13 First TripleJuly 16 – 21 AMPDD CampJuly 22 – 27 Second TripleJuly 29 – August 3 New CovenantAugust 3 – 6 Family Retreat