The Olive Branch

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OCTOBER 2018

OLIVE BRANCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ)

Richard D. Cline, minister Web Address: www.ob-cc.org

Susan C. Fournier, secretary Office Email Address: obcc1833@gmail.com 757-566-8077 (Church Office) Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM – 1:30PM

BRINGING OUT OUR BEST

It has often been said that adversity brings out the best in people. When storms threaten and the waters rise, when the power is out and the roads are blocked, strangers and neighbors alike reach out to help those in need. In the weeks and months of recovery time from Hurricane Florence, there will be countless acts of sharing, giving, lifting, and helping impacting the lives of others. We may hear about some of these acts of compassion; the majority will go by unnoticed by others except for the ones helped.

I know we want to help as well. But we can’t all drive trucks, or pilot construction equipment, or carry people to safety, or provide a safe shelter for a family driven from their home. But we can pray for their safety. And we can show them our support, through donations to the Week of Compassion, the relief mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Your donations will join the gifts of other Disciples, and will be used to respond to the unbelievable disaster left in the wake of Hurricane Florence. Remember that we have many Disciples of Christ churches in North Carolina that have been impacted this storm. One of those is Armenia Christian Church in Kinston, NC, a picture of which I have included here:

Just imagine if this was to happen to our church?

If you would like to help, please make your donation to Olive Branch Christian Church, designated for Week of Compassion, Hurricane Florence relief.

Blessings, Pastor Richard

A FRIENDLY REMINDER & NOTICE Just a couple of updates to keep our membership informed on current events. We are still in the process of repairing and updating the corner of the social hall. Hopefully, it will be completed by the time you read this.

The Board and Committee Chairs welcome the sharing of suggestions and concerns from our congregation. But please write them down and put them into the appropriate boxes in the church office. They will get back to you as soon as they can. Board members & Committee Chairs are just like you. They come to church on Sunday to worship, pray, rejoice in the Lord, and enjoy fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Let them enjoy their Sundays. Your help with this will be greatly appreciated.

The following members have stepped up to be nominated to service on the Nominating Committee. These names will be considered for approval by the Board:

Jim Thacker, Chair Ann Bradshaw Patty Barker

Andrew Pfister

The annual meeting will be held November 11 after the 11 AM Sunday service with lunch provided. The board welcomes your attendance. Important business is on the agenda, including elections and budget approval.

Thanks for your help, ~Doug Dill, Board President

CWF NEWS Don’t forget to join us for a great day of community fun on October 6th. Food, games, activities, and raffles await.

God Bless! ~Sheila Yeatts, CWF Director

COMMUNITY FUN DAY—FUN ON OCTOBER 6TH

Quilt and afghan raffles, country store, baked goods, Doug Dill as barbeque chef, Emily Dill Cole slaw, a gospel band, a bounce house, face painting, hay ride, pumpkin decorating, a Steve Garrett-coordinated vintage car show…..what more could you imagine?! Something for everyone in the community!! Join the fun from 10AM-3PM.

McGruff and a team from the Heritage Humane Society will join us. Come to meet some furry cuties! Special Note: A Blessing of the Animals is set for 2 PM.

There are still lots of ways to help! Please let me know if you can volunteer some time or service.

~Marney Brickhouse, Event co-coordinator 757-880-2545 (cell) or 757-229-1423 (home)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE NEXT 2018 CWF FUNDRAISING & OUTREACH EVENT:

Sat., November 17, 8AM-2PM: Christmas Yard Sale

Mark your calendars for a day of fun and fundraising for our CWF projects. Christmas-related and vintage items have been rolling in. We still need baked goods and special Christmas treats. These always sell well.

Set up will be on Friday, November 16 starting at 9:30 AM. If you can help then or on the 17th, please contact Barb Schmidt, Marney Brickhouse, or Sheila Yeatts.

CWF TUESDAY MORNING CIRCLE With the hurricane coming, you faithful ones showed up--all sixteen. It was good to see you.

We had many delicious dishes to taste---so good, not much left. With no events mentioned, you will have to check your bulletin and newsletter for details of upcoming adventures.

Elaine finished the group of study entitled "Jesus Teaching on Love." Verses were read about his love. It has been a good study. She is thinking about doing our next study on Disciples. Whatever it turns out to be, it will be interesting. Come and join us. We have such a good group, with food, study, and wonderful friendship. We meet on the second Tuesday each month at Interlude (5395 Riverview Rd). Our next gathering is on October 9th.

See you there, ~Donna Haulsee

MONDAY CWF WILL MEET

on Monday, October 15th, at its evening time of 7 PM. The group will take a break during November and December. In January, the group will begin a new year of study at its afternoon time (3 PM). Evening meetings will resume in April, 2019. Be sure to join in as we start a new study dealing with fear and moving ahead in our spiritual walk.

~Carole Kerr

YOUTH GROUP

As we approach our October meetings, we’d like to invite some new faces to join us! If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Kelsey Creech to be added to the mailing list, and/or sign up to come volunteer at a Youth Group meeting on Tuesday nights at 5:30 PM! The sign-up sheets can be found in the narthex or on a table in the new fellowship hall.

~Kelsey Creech, Youth Outreach Ministries

AFTERNOON DELIGHT The next meeting will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, October 2nd. Come to enjoy! ~Dick & Betty Barber

BOOK CLUB STARTED IN SEPTEMBER: The Club meets the first Saturday of every month at 10 AM. Our first book will be Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen. Please let Kelsey Creech (creechkelsey@gmail.com) know if you would like to order the book through the church. NOTE: October’s meeting will be on 13th (due to the Community Fun Day on the first Saturday).

SERVING THIS MONTH

Elders

October 07 Fred Rothermel, Joshua Fulgham

October 14 Chuck Walker, Bob Lawrence

October 21 Landa Simmons, Diana Love

October 28 Missy Harbour, Norm Harbour

Deacons

October 07 Jane Hatcher, Lewis Williams Stacey Mullins, Mary Lee Leary

October 14 Will Hatcher, Jane Hatcher Mel Watson, Kaye Watson

October 21 Janet Neal, Janet Dombrowski Phyllis Taylor, Linda Williams

October 28 Val Mson, Sheila Yeatts, Andrew Pfister, Keeta Hodson

Deaconess

Irma Gustafson

Worship and Wonder (Ages 3-8)

October 07 Linda Williams, Carolyn Hunt

October 14 Landa Simmons, Ann Bradshaw

October 21 Missy Harbour, Kim Riffle

October 28 Landa Simmons, Patty Barker

October 07 Karen Marrow

October 14 Marney Brickhouse

October 21 Devon Watson

October 28 OPEN

Church Family: Pat Allred, Michael Ayers, Betty Barber, Judy Biggs, Charles & Betty Boy, Jessica Fulgham, Josh Fulgham, Bob Graver, Nancy Griffith, Lucy Hall, Norm Harbour, Keeta Hodson, Lena Jeffries, Norm Larkin, Bob & Jeanne Lawrence, Mary Lee Leary, Diana & David Love, David Marrow, Ryan Matschke, Dallas Mitchell, Joann Mitchell, Robin Moscati, Charlie Pruitt, Robbie Robertson, Fred Rothermel, Roy & Ellen Sullivan, Richard & Barbara Thiel, Jerry VanCleave, Ted & Vivian VanHolten, Sarah Waid, Betty Weisman, Brenda, Shannon (Starmer), & Sheila White, Dennis Williams, Pam Williams

Family and Friends: Professional and volunteer women and men who protect and defend us, our nation, Betty & Clyde Avery, Susan Bookless (Carole Kerr’s friend), Mae Callahan (Paula Thacker’s Aunt), Adam Griffith (Nancy Griffith’s grandson), Anita Hadad (Harold & Patty Barker’s friend), Col. Delton Hill, USAF (Ret) & Betty Hill (Irma Gustafson’s cousins), David Hunt (Jim Hunt’s brother), Hilary Hunt (Cindy & Robbie Robertson’s daughter), Ann Kendrick James Family (Cheryl Johnson’s niece), Barbara Kendrick (Cheryl Johnson’s sister), Lynn Kerr (Bruce Kerr’s brother), Nancy Kirk Family (relatives of Gene & Cheryl Johnson), Vince Mason (Judy Eley’s brother), Ken McCrickard (Thackers’ friend), Val Muroff (friend/Aunt of Landa & Cris Simmons), Bob Nolan (friend of Carol & David Pitts), Kelly Phillips Family (extended family of Ann & Andy Bradshaw), Marolyn Pierce (Carolyn Hunt’s sister), Paul Pittman (friend of Carol & David Pitts), Sharon Richardson (friend of Carol & David Pitts), Charlotte & Hugh Scanlan, (friends of Karen Barrow), Lilly Stratton (Michelle Wright’s friend’s mother), Pete Thacker (Jim Thacker’s brother), Arnold VanDyke, Harriett Wright (Cleve Wright’s mom), Paulo (Susan Rinehart’s friend)

18 Joyce Allen & Mark Pfister 26 Jeryl & Margie Dieleman

01 Kevin Waid 02 Steve Perger 04 Lauren McWilliams 12 Mike Garrett 13 Susan Campbell Fournier 14 Norman Larkin 15 Nancy Cates 15 Dale Teagle 21 Devon Watson 23 Josephine Gardner 27 Daniel Abid 29 Nancy Griffith 29 Sarah Waid

FOOD SHARING PROGRAM UPDATE

Your weekly food donations result in our neighbors faced

with food insecurity feeling blessed rather than stressed.

Thanks for making a nutritional and spiritual difference in their lives. Grateful for your support!

Thanks, Jane & Will Hatcher

OUR DAY OUT

We decided to rename our program to "The Hurricane Party" due to weather reports. We had a few volunteer cancellations that came in to me via emails, messages, & phone calls on Tuesday afternoon due to storm preparation needs (which, thankfully, did not materialize). We still had 29 in attendance and great fun was had by all. Especially Tyler and Michael!!! (New bestest friends I do believe!!!)

We had another wonderful program with Becky

Watson from Music for Wellness. She came to us from Norfolk (a Zone A area), but was confident on Tuesday that she would be there to share with us. After leaving us with a food plate to go, she drove to Smithfield for an afternoon of sharing there. Before 8 o'clock in the evening, I received a note which read in part, "Thank you for inviting me back to the power of music to build the Kingdom of God together with your wonderful Olive Branch Christian community. I'm grateful and humble to be part of your Our Day Out Program." Attached were detailed session notes of Discover your Rhythm along with the pictures of our group hard at play and Becky with the drums. Amazing!!! What an awesome God we serve.

Blessing us with her presence was the namer of our group, Mary Lee Leary, and her sweet-spirited daughter Ellie. Mary Lee will be moving on September 25 to her new home in Northern Virginia. We were grateful for the opportunity to have her play with us once more and to bid her a happy, new beginnings, as she makes her home closer to her family. She assured us she will have an extra bedroom for guests, and we're all welcome and encouraged to come visit. (Just not all at once, please!)

Next month we will celebrate our 3rd birthday by singing the favorite hymns that had been collected from our original members and put into a little booklet. We have grown so much in these three years, bidding a fond farewell to some and putting out our welcome mat for many others. Our two newest Guests are Dick and Betty Barber. I think Dick videoed the drum playing (all the while playing along, I do believe!) and the smile on Betty's face indicated she was having a blast.

WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS, PLEASE!!! With love in Jesus,

~Louise Smith

COMFORT MINISTRY SUPPORT GROUP Due to the closing of Five Brothers Restaurant, the October breakfast will be held on the SECOND SATURDAY of the month at JIMMY's GRILL in Norge. We will still meet at 10:00 AM. When Five Brothers reopens at its new location sometime within 2 months or so, we will meet at their new location (the old Friendly's Restaurant). If you are on a grief journey, please join us. We have a good meal and laugh a lot. Call Judy Eley at 757-566-0927 if you would like to attend. Remember we meet on the SECOND SATURDAY from now on at JIMMY’S GRILL.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

OBCC TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY: wants volunteers to provide rides to some of our members who are unable to drive themselves to worship services, nearby appointments, and/or Bible Study sessions at church. Many of our members no longer drive and do not have family at hand to help them.

As a volunteer, you may be asked to provide a ride from time to time, if you are available. With a healthy list of volunteers at hand, sharing the opportunity to help each other is possible and volunteer busy schedules won’t prevent a member in need from getting a ride.

Please consider serving as a volunteer driver! Adding your name to the list means that you may be called from time to time…and, if available at that time, you may say yes to providing a ride.

Contact Robbie Robertson at (703) 888-6400 or (757) 707-3944. or by email at rrcrmia@icloud.com. Your helping hands on the wheel will make a HUGE difference!

In His Name & Blessing ~Sheila Yeatts

FAMILY NIGHT IS ON: Join in the fun, fellowship and food during October on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (except Halloween night).

WORLD OUTREACH NEWS: The Shoebox Project is underway. Distribution day was September 16. Due date for all boxes is October 28. Boxes are available along with a sheet of instructions with boy/girl labels attached.

~Sheila Yeatts

OUR CHURCH VAN IS IN USE!! There are still some details to take care of, but very soon it will be hitting the road. We need some volunteers to make that happen. If you are interested in being a part of our van ministry, please let Pastor Richard or the church office know. Ways to be of help: develop ride & driver policies, van maintenance (monitor and execute), coordinate scheduling, driver (clean driver record required).

WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY DEVOTION BOOK World Communion Sunday is set for October 7, 2018. This day is special to Disciples, as we join with our brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world in breaking bread and sharing the cup. As part of our celebration of World Communion Sunday, we will distribute a devotional book that includes your devotional paragraphs, poems, or drawings centered around the statement, “Why the Lord’s Supper is special to me.”

~Pastor Richard & Worship Committee

ELDERS MEETING DATES NOTE Meeting dates are different for Oct-Dec, 2018. The group will meet Oct 15, Nov 12, and Dec 10 at 6:30 PM in the Old Fellowship Hall.

UPCOMING OBCC EVENTS: (Save these dates &

watch for details in newsletters and bulletins)

10/14 & 28 Dominion Village Sundays 10/2,9,16,23,29 5:30 PM Youth Group Meets 10/3,10,17,24 6:30 PM Family Nights 10/02 2:00 PM Small Group Meeting 10/06 10AM-3PM CWF Community Fun Day 10/09 11:45 AM CWF Tue Morning Circle 10/10 10:00 AM-2:00 PM Our Day Out 10/13 10:00 AM Comfort Ministry 10/13 11:00 AM Book Club 10/15 7:00 PM CWF Monday Night Circle 10/15 6:30 PM Elders’ Meeting NOTE DATE CHANGE

10/18 Alzheimer’s Day at Jimmy’s Grill 10/18 5:00 PM Burnt Ordinary 10/21 Alzheimer’s Purple Sunday (wear the color!) 10/25 11:00 AM Naomi’s Lunch Bunch 10/27 8:30 AM Alzheimer’s Walk 10/31 Halloween

WALK WITH OBCC AT A NEW VENUE OBCC’s 2018 Alzheimer’s fundraising goal is $3,000. Please complete a registration form to become a member of the Disciple Walkers Team. The walk is October 27, 2018 at New Town’s Pecan Square Park at 5309 Discovery Park Blvd. Gathering time is 8:30 AM, with ceremony at 9:30 AM & walk at 10 AM. Registration is required prior to walking. A registration form is included in this newsletter. Please submit all forms to the church office by October 23rd. Join in to support this important endeavor!!!

All Saints’ Day---Heads up! This service will be on Sunday, November 4th. On that day, we will remember our loved ones, friends, and church members who have passed away since last year’s service. If you wish to have someone’s name listed, please call or e-mail the church office by the end of Wednesday, October 31st. Please include a full name, month of death, and relationship.

NOTE: Names already on the list are: Michael Christensen, Ruby Garrett Jones, Susan Lynn Pruitt, Caleb Brickhouse , Barbara Johnson, Rosemary Thomasson, Debbie Belcher, Becky Baker, John Hill Gardner, Jr, Kelly Renée Phillips, Herman H Floyd

What is Naomi's Lunch Bunch? What is Backstage Productions? Those of you who were not blessed to know Naomi Marrow, may ask who she was. Naomi was the director of Backstage Productions, a group of young aspiring actors who use our space several times a month. The program is now run by Naomi's two daughters, Colleen Wright and Karen Marrow.

We all grew to love Naomi with her British dialect, her sweet, sweet spirit and lovely singing voice. When Naomi became sick with cancer, many of us visited with her, went out to lunch together, potted herbs & flowers with her, read poetry & scripture with and to her, among many other things. One day I suggested we pick a restaurant & date for lunch that was convenient for all who wanted to join in for lunch together. Jimmy's Oven and Grill is the site for our 4th Thursday gathering each month at 11 o'clock.

Naomi really didn't want to name it after herself, but I told her that she had taught us all to laugh, especially at ourselves sometimes, to love unconditionally, and to remain hopefully & positive when confronted with a grave illness. We loved her so very much and were loved, loved, loved in return.

While Naomi is no longer in our presence, she lives on in spirit each time we gather at Jimmy's to remember her and the fun she brought into our lives. If you want to have some fun & fellowship with fellow church members, please feel free to join us and become a part of Naomi's Lunch Bunch. And now you know....It helps just a little to fill the void of her passing.

Always remembering, ~Louise Smith

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS meets upstairs in the Education building. It began a study of the book of Hebrews on September 23rd. The discussion is lively. Refreshments are served. All are welcome.

STAY TUNED: Handchimes rehearsals will resume in October. Watch for announcements. Contact Irma Gustafson at 757-812-3150 or irmagus35@gmail.com.

A sure friend is known in unsure times – that’s our faith community. As I faced surgery, I may have shown an outward confidence that covered up a fear of the unknown that was in my gut. The overwhelming number of cards and the fervent prayers from my Olive Branch friends were a word from the Lord that all would come out alright. You continue to “raise me up to be more than I could be. It’s like God’s grace, my only response is thank you and I'll pass it on.

HALLOWEEN SYMBOLS WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

We associate Halloween with different symbols such as skulls, witches and bats. What do these symbols mean and why are they so popular during the Halloween season? Read on to find out.

Bat Bats are nocturnal creatures that are typically associated with Halloween. In the movies, we also see some bats transform into vampires. Of course, this doesn’t happen in real life. However, there is a type of bat known as the vampire bat, which is the only mammal known to feed on blood. According to superstitious beliefs, death is on its way when a bat

circles a house 3 times.

Jack-O-Lantern The Jack-O-Lantern is another common symbol we see during Halloween. Pumpkin carving has been a tradition for many years. The vibrant orange symbolizes life and positive change. The Jack-O-Lantern got its name from an Irish legend. A drunk man named Jack always played tricks on everyone. On one instance, he played a trick on the devil and the devil placed a curse on him. When Jack died, he was not allowed to enter heaven because he was a mean person. He wasn’t able to enter hell, too since the devil wouldn’t let him. The devil game him a burning ember, which he then placed inside a hollow turnip. From then on, he was known as Jack-O-Lantern.

Witch From way back, witches have always been known as supernatural beings. This is the perfect symbol for Halloween since unseen energies are said to be the strongest during this season. Witches are also called when there are messages from unseen forces that need to be interpreted.

Skull The skull serves as a reminder that life is not eternal, and after death, we shall all return back to the earth. It also symbolizes death and danger.

Black Cat Most people associate black cats with bad luck. However, in some parts of the world, black cats are considered good luck. The color black also means mystery, and in this case, magic!

Corn Sheaves The significance of corn sheaves and stalks of wheat is pretty straightforward. Halloween comes in the autumn, the traditional festival of Samhain celebrated the end of summer and the end of the harvest, so these images are meant to represent the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. Corn and wheat are symbols of agricultural change, and the change of the seasons.

The Colors The color orange likely represents autumn, when the leaves change from green and orange pumpkins are ripe for the picking. As mentioned earlier, the Celtic festival of Samhain marked the transition between “light” days and “dark” days – so the black likely represents those dark days of winter when there are fewer daylight hours to attend to the fields and crops.

Masks and Costumes Back in Celtic times, celebrators of Samhain would wear costumes in order to treat the roaming spirits of the dead. It was thought that if you could trick the spirit, the spirit would refrain from bothering you about pesky things like tributes and respect. On a night that the veil between the spirit world and the natural world was so thin, it’s best to pretend to be someone else. As far back as the Middle Ages, poor children would go door to door collecting handouts in return for their prayers for the dead. They were called Guisers. In the 1950’s, trick-or treating became all the rage in the United States, but it actually started out in Great Britain & Ireland as something called Souling.

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The Olive Branch © published by

Olive Branch Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

7643 Richmond Road Williamsburg, VA 23188-7024

(757) 566-8077

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