October 22 – Creating Discipleship Ministries

This year’s kick-off for District Conference included a timely seminar entitled “Jesus’ Blueprint for Disciple-Making” by Nate Polzin. The event took place on Saturday, October 22, at Pleasant Valley Church (91 Valley Church Road, Weyers Cave), from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The cost was $25, and scholarships were available. Lunch was provided. Interested registrants received .6 CEUs for attending. Pastors, deacons, board chairs, Christian educators, and other congregational leaders were encouraged to attend. Download the outline for the presentation here.

October 27 – Visitation in Retirement Communities with Russ Barb

Russ Barb, chaplain at Bridgewater Retirement Community, led a noontime workshop on “Visitation in Retirement Communities” at the retirement community facilities (302 North Second Street, Bridgewater). The topic was presented from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with lunch provided by Bridgewater Retirement Community. The workshop took place in the Alexander Mack Room in Maple Terrace. There was no cost for the event with .1 CEUs were awarded.

Delegate Briefing

The delegate briefing in advance of this year’s District Conference took place on Sunday, October 16, at Sangerville (26 Vance Road, Bridgewater).

Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner – Milestones in Ministry Gets a New Name

The Milestones in Ministry event has been reformatted to become the Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner. It was held on Friday, November 4, 5-6:30 p.m. at Montezuma Church in the fellowship hall (4937 Ottobine Road, Dayton). Pastors (ordained and licensed individuals) were invited to attend. There was a time of recognition for those who have served fifty or more years. Regina Harlow brought special music and Pastor Robert Alley (retired) delivered the message through the use of storytelling techniques.

District Conference Worship

A time of worship took place on Friday evening with David Steele, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, bringing the message. The location was Montezuma Church (4937 Ottobine Road, Dayton), from 7-8 p.m.

District Conference Business Session

This year the conference business session took place on Saturday, November 5, at Mill Creek (7600 Port Republic Road, Port Republic), 8:45 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The theme, Knit Together by Strong Ties of Love, is based on Colossians 2:1-5, from the New Living Translation.

The following is information regarding congregational involvement concerning the District Conference theme “Knit together by Strong Ties of Love.” Participants will work together on a knitting and crocheting project to give substance to this theme. The end goal is to have prayer shawls available at the District Office when there are illness, tragedy or prayer needs among our brothers and sisters. These will be distributed in the name of Shenandoah District congregations. There is a growing sense of excitement in the Program and Arrangements Team about the possibility of this project creating another “thread” of connection among us. To accomplish this, the following is needed:

1. Each congregation was asked to bring four skeins of yarn to District Conference.
2. Each congregation was asked to appoint a “knitting coordinator” that can work with knitters and crocheters in the congregation and with the District Office in accomplishing this ministry. Let the District Office know who such a person might be. Specific information will be emailed to each church or knitting coordinator. Look for continued information in the Shenandoah Update.
3. Skeins of yarn were brought to the District Conference Business session on Saturday, November 5. There was a “receiving” and “sending” of the skeins of yarn as part of the Saturday session.

Each congregation who desires may knit the shawls and return them to the District Office for distribution as needed. Download a flyer about the prayer shawl project for posting here. Click here for a general pattern although any suitable pattern may be used. There are so many beautiful patterns on the internet for both knit and crocheted prayer shawls and for a variety of skill levels.

What happens to the yarn?

Yarn from your congregation will be received and added to a display at the altar.

Did congregations take back the same skeins of yarn they brought when it is distributed at the close of worship?

No. Receiving yarn from another congregation is part of the “knitting together” theme. Each congregation will take blessed skeins that others brought.

Is there a recommended pattern or size to be used for the shawls?

No. The pattern may be chosen by the knitter and may depend on the type and weight of the yarn and the needles used. Click here for a sample pattern.