In The Spotlight
| Cover Stories: | In The Spotlight: | Features: |
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| A Trip of Purpose | In The Spotlight | |
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VBS: Marketplace 29 A.D. | ||
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Relections on Hurricane Isabel | ||
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Fall Notes |
Willoughby Hills Offers Worship
On Saturday, October 4, Willoughby Hills Friends (Ohio) brought in four clinicians from around the country for a Maranatha!Music workshop entitled "Playing Together as a Worship Band." People from 29 churches - Friends and other denominations - signed up to come as worship leaders, vocalists, instrumentalists, or sound technicians. Some of the topics included, "Laying a Foundation for Worship," "Vocal Technique & Stylizing," "The 100% Rule & Other Tools for the Worship Band" and "How to Run an Effective Rehearsal and Efficient Sound Check." Since Maranatha had come to Willoughby Hills Friends once before, and since this workshop was more than a year in the making, there was much anticipation and enthusiasm! Everyone who came was encouraged and better equipped from the day together.
Submitted by Randy Thornburg, Worship & Music Director
Willoughby Hills Friends Church
6th Annual Raisin Valley Winter Retreat
Raisin Valley Friends & Family Retreat was held February 21-23, 2003, at Somerset Campground in Somerset, Michigan. Special Speaker this year was Youth Pastor Marty Ertel from East Richland Friends (Ohio). Over 40 people enjoyed a weekend of indoor games, outdoor fun (there was lots of fresh snow this year for sledding), relaxation, and inspiration.
"This retreat was begun in 1998 in an effort to build unity within the body at Raisin Valley," explained Retreat Coordinator, Sue Jeffers. "It seemed we were spending less and less time together, partly because we were trying to find time to spend with our individual families in their many activities. We decided to combine the two activities and get together with our families all in one location. We plan and cook our own meals, games, etc. It has come to be a highlight of our year and we encourage other churches to try something similar."
Submitted by Sue Jeffers
Raisin Valley Friends Church, Adrian, Michigan
450 Attend Men's Steak Fry
East Richland Evangelical Friends Church, St. Clairsville, Ohio, hosted their 17th Annual Men's Steak Fry on Thursday evening, September 18th. The menu included a Grade A beef fillet steak cooked to perfection over hot coals, baked potato, salad, rolls, and dessert. Three high school teams attended.
Dan Daubenmier, former coach of the London, OH, football team, kept the 450+ group spellbound as he spoke with enthusiasm about Christ. The altar was lined several deep with youth, men, dads, grandfathers, and children at the close of Dan's message. The event is provided free of charge each September as an outreach ministry to men, boys, and high school football teams in the area. The Steak Fry is the vision of one layman, Kellie Conway, to bring outstanding speakers once a year to reach out to the men and youth of our community. The congregation gets involved with preparation and clean-up.
Submitted by East Richland Friends Church
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Recognition Given for FDS Service
Dean and Freeda Johnson, Friends Disaster Service Coordinators, were honored during services at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, Ohio on Sunday morning, September 28. The Johnson's have headed the Friends Disaster Service since 1974 and have been actively providing relief in the aftermath of disasters, not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. The organization is funded solely by donations and by an annual banquet, with all money received going directly toward relief efforts in disaster stricken areas. The Johnsons have put out an earnest plea for volunteers to continue the vital work of the ministry of FDS.
Having recently suffered a disaster themselves, as summer looding destroyed much of their home and personal property, Trinity Friends quietly took up a collection to come to the aid of the Johnsons. Senior Pastor John Perkins surprised them with $4,055.31.
Submitted by Nancy Brown, Ministry Assistant Trinity
Friends Church, Van Wert, Ohio
Valleyview finds a Voice in Local Paper
A letter to the editor of the local paper in Deleware, Ohio has generated more of a response than Pastor Wallace White could have imagined. The letter was in response to an article in the Religion section of the local paper featuring an alliance of six churches seeking to promote homosexuals in church leadership. Pastor and author, Wallace White expressed his concerns re: homosexuals in church leadership, clearly expressing Valleyview's support of the Old and New Testaments' teaching that the acting out of homosexual desires is sin. Wallace's letter concludes, "To promote those actively involved in open homosexual acts to positions of authority in the church (either lay or clergy) is unconscionable, unholy, and a potentially serious blow to the very foundation of the Christian Church. It is not a movement to celebrate, but one to mourn."
Within two weeks of the publishing of the letter, Valleyview had received ten phone calls, four e-mails, and five letters, all but two of which were supportive of their position. There had also been five letters to the editor in response: two favorable to the Friends Church position, two in opposition, and one on the fence. Anyone interested in a copy of the full text of the letter may e-mail Pastor White at wallaceww@juno.com. (link)
Submitted by Pastor Wallace White
Youth Mid-Winter Retreat A Success
Youth from all over the EFC-ER converged on Trinity Friends in Van Wert, Ohio, last winter to participate in the annual winter youth conference, "Mid-Winter 2003." The featured guest speaker for the weekend was Sean McDowell, nationally know inspirational and motivational speaker. "An Experience for Life" was the theme of this year's special weekend of growth and outreach, ministering to more than two hundred Jr. and Sr. High teens from around the region.
In addition to the motivational messages shared by Sean, teens enjoyed the music and ministry of Christian rock group "Rhythm," who joined the weekend to lead the youth in times of worship and praise. A special feature of the weekend came on Saturday evening as "Rhythm" and "Everyday Sunday" presented a full concert of worship and praise.
Also sharing throughout the weekend were Renee Rodriguez, Lyda Jackson, Joetta Keifer, Peggy Rucker, Sampson Green, and Gary Wright, who spoke to teens about God's call to servanthood. Each of the guest speakers shared from their wealth of knowledge concerning inner city mission work, representing areas of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Nashville, and cities around the world.
On Saturday afternoon, conference attendees volunteered at several outreach organizations in the area in an attempt to live out the message of servanthood being shared during the weekend.
Plans for next year's Mid-Winter Conference are already in progress.
Submitted by Nancy Brown, Ministry Assistant Trinity
Friends Church, Van Wert, Ohio
Submitted by Randy Thornburg, Worship & Music Director
Willoughby Hills Friends Church
6th Annual Raisin Valley Winter Retreat
Raisin Valley Friends & Family Retreat was held February 21-23, 2003, at Somerset Campground in Somerset, Michigan. Special Speaker this year was Youth Pastor Marty Ertel from East Richland Friends (Ohio). Over 40 people enjoyed a weekend of indoor games, outdoor fun (there was lots of fresh snow this year for sledding), relaxation, and inspiration.
"This retreat was begun in 1998 in an effort to build unity within the body at Raisin Valley," explained Retreat Coordinator, Sue Jeffers. "It seemed we were spending less and less time together, partly because we were trying to find time to spend with our individual families in their many activities. We decided to combine the two activities and get together with our families all in one location. We plan and cook our own meals, games, etc. It has come to be a highlight of our year and we encourage other churches to try something similar."
Submitted by Sue Jeffers
Raisin Valley Friends Church, Adrian, Michigan
450 Attend Men's Steak Fry
East Richland Evangelical Friends Church, St. Clairsville, Ohio, hosted their 17th Annual Men's Steak Fry on Thursday evening, September 18th. The menu included a Grade A beef fillet steak cooked to perfection over hot coals, baked potato, salad, rolls, and dessert. Three high school teams attended.
Dan Daubenmier, former coach of the London, OH, football team, kept the 450+ group spellbound as he spoke with enthusiasm about Christ. The altar was lined several deep with youth, men, dads, grandfathers, and children at the close of Dan's message. The event is provided free of charge each September as an outreach ministry to men, boys, and high school football teams in the area. The Steak Fry is the vision of one layman, Kellie Conway, to bring outstanding speakers once a year to reach out to the men and youth of our community. The congregation gets involved with preparation and clean-up.
Submitted by East Richland Friends Church
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Recognition Given for FDS Service
Dean and Freeda Johnson, Friends Disaster Service Coordinators, were honored during services at Trinity Friends Church in Van Wert, Ohio on Sunday morning, September 28. The Johnson's have headed the Friends Disaster Service since 1974 and have been actively providing relief in the aftermath of disasters, not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. The organization is funded solely by donations and by an annual banquet, with all money received going directly toward relief efforts in disaster stricken areas. The Johnsons have put out an earnest plea for volunteers to continue the vital work of the ministry of FDS.
Having recently suffered a disaster themselves, as summer looding destroyed much of their home and personal property, Trinity Friends quietly took up a collection to come to the aid of the Johnsons. Senior Pastor John Perkins surprised them with $4,055.31.
Submitted by Nancy Brown, Ministry Assistant Trinity
Friends Church, Van Wert, Ohio
Valleyview finds a Voice in Local Paper
A letter to the editor of the local paper in Deleware, Ohio has generated more of a response than Pastor Wallace White could have imagined. The letter was in response to an article in the Religion section of the local paper featuring an alliance of six churches seeking to promote homosexuals in church leadership. Pastor and author, Wallace White expressed his concerns re: homosexuals in church leadership, clearly expressing Valleyview's support of the Old and New Testaments' teaching that the acting out of homosexual desires is sin. Wallace's letter concludes, "To promote those actively involved in open homosexual acts to positions of authority in the church (either lay or clergy) is unconscionable, unholy, and a potentially serious blow to the very foundation of the Christian Church. It is not a movement to celebrate, but one to mourn."
Within two weeks of the publishing of the letter, Valleyview had received ten phone calls, four e-mails, and five letters, all but two of which were supportive of their position. There had also been five letters to the editor in response: two favorable to the Friends Church position, two in opposition, and one on the fence. Anyone interested in a copy of the full text of the letter may e-mail Pastor White at wallaceww@juno.com. (link)
Submitted by Pastor Wallace White
Youth Mid-Winter Retreat A Success
Youth from all over the EFC-ER converged on Trinity Friends in Van Wert, Ohio, last winter to participate in the annual winter youth conference, "Mid-Winter 2003." The featured guest speaker for the weekend was Sean McDowell, nationally know inspirational and motivational speaker. "An Experience for Life" was the theme of this year's special weekend of growth and outreach, ministering to more than two hundred Jr. and Sr. High teens from around the region.
In addition to the motivational messages shared by Sean, teens enjoyed the music and ministry of Christian rock group "Rhythm," who joined the weekend to lead the youth in times of worship and praise. A special feature of the weekend came on Saturday evening as "Rhythm" and "Everyday Sunday" presented a full concert of worship and praise.
Also sharing throughout the weekend were Renee Rodriguez, Lyda Jackson, Joetta Keifer, Peggy Rucker, Sampson Green, and Gary Wright, who spoke to teens about God's call to servanthood. Each of the guest speakers shared from their wealth of knowledge concerning inner city mission work, representing areas of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Nashville, and cities around the world.
On Saturday afternoon, conference attendees volunteered at several outreach organizations in the area in an attempt to live out the message of servanthood being shared during the weekend.
Plans for next year's Mid-Winter Conference are already in progress.
Submitted by Nancy Brown, Ministry Assistant Trinity
Friends Church, Van Wert, Ohio
World Outreach Center (EFC-ER Office) | 1-800-334-8863 | 330-493-1660 | Fax: 330-493-0852 | 5350 Broadmoor Cir. NW Canton, OH 44709
