Monthly Recap
(With so much happening at CBC, we find it helpful to "review" God's work. Each month we will provide an update on this page).
February Recap
February 2018 was characterized by extremes—bitter cold at the beginning of the month; moderate temperatures mid-month [73F no less!], even a wintry mix or two. USA Today even reported that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow. Some friends and I took in a local Groundhog Supper during the first week of February. There wasn’t a groundhog in sight, but the pancakes and sausage were delicious! On a more somber note, we are saddened by the events in Parkland, FL., and continue to pray for all of the families affected by this senseless tragedy.
You may have noticed the wall of white crosses outside of our church office during early February. It’s a stark reminder of the cost of addiction, isn’t it? These thirty-five hundred crosses, made by the McShin Foundation, symbolize the lives lost statewide in 2016 to substance abuse disorders. McShin is a nonprofit recovery resource foundation located in Richmond, VA, committed to serving individuals and families in their fight against this scourge. CBC collaborates with them to host a Families Anonymous group here at CBC that meets Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday afternoons at CBC are a time to Restore, Enrich, Affirm, Connect, & Heal. This ministry is going strong on four different fronts:
· GriefShare: 4:30 p.m., Room 103.
· Financial Peace University: 4:30 p.m., Room 317.
· Piedmont Community Band: 6:30 p.m., Worship Center.
· The Marriage Course: 4:30 p.m., Room 207
Additional information about content and scope is available in the church office or on our website.
Thanks to all the volunteers who provided food or served as overnight hosts at the Culpeper Winter Heat Shelter from February 11-18th. Our Maranatha congregation joined us in this ministry, as well. Providing a meal or staying overnight is a great way to be on “short term” mission and reach out to others with Christ’s love.
The Pickleball Team held a clinic February 23rd with Margie Davenport, USAPA Ambassador and Carolyn Law, both national medalists, providing instruction on the basics of pickleball. There were about 30 avid pickleball players and fans on hand. This is a game for all ages, skill levels and physical fitness. Participants ranged in age from around 8 to 70+, and EVERYONE had a great time…the pizza wasn’t bad either, but the cake and cookies were great!
Girls on the Run took off like a rocket on February 21st. This is a ten-week program designed for girls in grades 3 through 5 and encourages positive emotional, social, mental and physical development. Follow their progress on our Facebook page.
There’s a new Bible Study at The Culpeper on Mondays at 1:30 p.m. Pastor’s Hans leads this fascinating study of how God answered the cry of His people during their enslavement in Egypt. The goal is to deepen our own understanding of the many ways God responds to our cries as well as enrich our experience with God.
Family chimes is popping at the seams! Toddlers to seniors and every age in between are flocking to the third floor on Thursday evenings at 5:15 p.m. to try their hand with the chimes gang and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun to boot! Chimes are hand-held musical instruments, similar to hand bells…BUT they’re much easier to play and require no special musical ability. Look for these folks to make an appearance some Sunday morning soon with some very special music.
The Community Bible Experience is back! After a long wait, the new materials have arrived. They have expanded with resources for children; so we now have materials for all ages. It’s not too late for you to join us. Just contact Jeanine or Dan. This promises to be a very special experience with all ages together because we can gain fresh perspectives.
At this writing, the weather is chilly…again, but the Easter flowers and tulips are pushing through their winter mulch, the Robins are back and the Maple tree outside my home office has plump red buds. Spring can’t be far away! Another month has sped by—‘Teach us to number our days our carefully so that we may develop a heart of wisdom…’ Ps. 90:12.
January 2018 Recap
We’ve packed away all of the Christmas decorations for another season; some of our New Year’s resolutions are probably in the dust bin. And…with the recent frigid temperatures, we just want to curl up in a warm home with some comfort food. Are you thinking January is a slow month here at CBC? Think again! Lots of good things are happening. Preparation for the CDC expansion is in full swing. Jeanine Judd is focusing on summer planning in the children’s department; Sara continues to direct our attention to spiritual growth in our church and community; the pastors and music guys are nailing down Easter plans, and Lee Ann and I are doing our thing in the office. Check the website calendar and plug yourself into some of these great opportunities!
Hopeful Imagination - A group of 31 church members and staff from Culpeper Baptist traveled to Wilmington, NC. In preparation for our trip, we all read Hopeful Imagination, a book about the twenty-five year journey of First Baptist Church in Wilmington (FBCW) from a very traditional congregation to a very community-focused congregation. (click here for more info). We met with Mike Queen, the Pastor Emeritus of FBCW and Jayne Davis, the Associate Pastor of Discipleship who authored the book and led the church on their journey. Mike and Jayne as well as other members of the staff and church members were generous with their time and spoke to us openly and often emotionally about what their church has learned and experienced over the last 25 years. The experience encouraged and challenged us as we reflected on “What needs to change in us so we might experience God’s work in Culpeper?” We are excited and hopeful about our future together!
Recovery Field Trip to Richmond – A group of 17 from Culpeper, representing three [3] churches, the Community Services Board and two [2] local organizations went to Richmond in January to visit the McShin Foundation and Northstar Church. McShin runs a day treatment center at Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church and helps provide care and resources for those in recovery. In addition, they have housing for 200 people in recovery around Richmond. John Shinholser, the founder of McShin, shared with us about their work. In the afternoon, we visited Northstar Community, a church in Richmond that focuses on recovery. We met with their pastors Teresa McBean and Scott McBean, and they shared about the support they provide people in recovery. They have a wonderful ministry of support to the families of those in recovery. Since our field trip, we have continued the conversation and have created a group to focus our efforts on recovery in Culpeper. If you would like to join us, contact the church office.
Near the end of the month, we hosted a called business meeting at 9:45 a.m. to consider three issues:
· Installation/housing of a Cell Tower in the church steeple.
· Church partnership with City on a Hill Church
· Child Development Center Expansion
All were approved after general discussion.
Keep your eyes on our web site and printed media because, folks, the calendar is beginning to spin like a top with all of the upcoming activities and opportunities for ministry. February is the big roll out of all the plans we’ve been up to this month! I just know there’s a place for each of you! Start your adventure today!
Fourth Quarter Recap
By the time you read this, the New Year’s parties will all be over and for some, possibly only a hazy memory, except for a few extra pounds. 2017 will be in our rear view mirror, with 2018 stretching out before of us—a blank canvas. As believers, we are fortunate that we can look back over the past weeks and months and see God’s brushstrokes all over our story. And, how great is that! So before we leave 2017 behind entirely, let’s take a quick look back at some highlights.
The pipe organ and carillon restoration concluded, and we celebrated with the Seipp/Sheets Duo Trumpet and Organ Recital at the end of October. WOW. Listen folks, this was a superb concert by two top musicians! If you missed it, Randy and Chuck gave a five-star performance. AND…the entire restoration project was completely funded from the generous gifts of our church family and friends!
Deferred maintenance was another area where we finished the year strong accomplishing $216,110.57 in deferred maintenance projects in 2016-2017. Below is a list of some of the big-ticket items:
· $68,650.00 Schantz Pipe Organ Restoration
· 6,435.50 Carillon Project
· 13,670.00 Roof/Gutter Repair
· 9,325.00 Heat Pump Replacement
· 4,300.00 Parking Lot Crack Repair
· 14,450.00 Seal/Repaint Parking Lot
· 23,189.98 CDC Playground Equipment
The complete list of deferred maintenance projects is found on our website.
We celebrated 30 years of Mission Trips through CBC with Roger T. Clatterbuck at the helm. Here’s a recap of the impact these folks have made:
· Repaired and helped to build 139 homes
· Helped to build/repair 24 churches
· Helped to build/repair 6 other projects
What a record! Thank You for that long-term commitment!
Financial Peace, a class designed by Dave Ramsey to help folks maximize their dollars and take control of their money, has had two successful semesters and a new semester begins in February 2018. Way to Go! Skip and Lou Price lead this informal, fun group. Keep your eye on printed and social media for dates and times for the next class.
Our GriefShare Team has had active groups through the fall and a special seminar for the holidays designed to help individuals who are grieving a loved one’s death to cope with their loss as well as the stress of the holidays and at the same time offer hope for the future. The next group begins in February 2018. Check the website for further details.
‘The Masks We Wear’ art exhibit, on display at CBC November 9-15, moved to the Culpeper Public Library for two weeks at the end of November. This project involved folks of all ages to raise awareness of domestic violence, and promote prevention and early intervention through community education and awareness in partnership with SAFE.
Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Shoe Box Gifts, one of our long-time ministries, was a smashing success netting 110 boxes taken to Open Door Baptist Church, the local drop off center. Children in developing countries are the recipients of these gifts that are tools to open the door for presentation of the Gospel.
Drums Alive, a national program that combines movement with the power of drumming, now offers classes at our campus. This is a whole-body work out and a powerful stress reduction tool to maintain mental balance. Public classes are available Tuesday and Thursday evenings in the 6:15 p.m. time slot.
The Flower Team worked their magic again this year and beautifully transformed the sanctuary in preparation for celebration of Christ’s birth. My, it was beautiful! Check out our facebook page for lots of photos.
And who can forget the many musical programs during the month. Alex Smith and the Spotsylvanians kicked off the season in early December with their Christmas concert; then came the Blue Ridge Chorale celebrating their 50th Anniversary Concert, “Alleluia,” featuring well-loved songs from many of their concerts during the past five decades. Mid-month we celebrated Christmas with all of our musical groups. Of course, the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service was a beautiful celebration encompassing three churches, two languages and six pastors! Over 700 folks filled our sanctuary. As we departed the sanctuary during the brief “snow flurry,” it was delightful to hear the carillon pealing out “Peace on earth, good will toward men…”
Sunday morning, December 10th, we paused during the Sunday School hour to gather in the sanctuary and recall members and friends who live on in our hearts and continue to bless us with fond memories of times gone by. Later in the month the Longest Night of the Year service, designed to temper the struggle with darkness and grief faced by those living with a loss, afforded folks another opportunity to pause and seek comfort in the caring intimacy of our church family.
Another particularly moving event during the month occurred when we hosted the inmates from the Culpeper jail and their families in our Worship Center for some meaningful time together. Country Cooking and Pepper’s catered this extraordinary event. This was one of those rare and beautiful opportunities to come alongside hurting families and be a redemptive as well as a healing presence in their midst.
The actors of The Culpeper treated us to a delightful performance of The True Meaning of Christmas, fresh from the pen of Pastor Hans. The children from CDC Preschool attended this charming little Christmas story and were spellbound the entire time.
The “Class with Clara” captured little imaginations and was hosted by the Charlottesville Ballet for children of the CDC. The children learned introductory ballet steps, experienced the magic of The Nutcracker and even had photo ops with the pros. Nineteen children attended and over fifty family members!
Thus, another year has drawn to a close here with our church family. It’s been a good year with lots of good memories, and our lives have been enriched by God’s abounding love and mercy. Can’t you just see His presence in our stories—and don’t we have an abundance of great stories?! Good things are happening here. I hope you’ll look around and see where you can join Him in His work at CBC and the Culpeper community.
In Memoriam
Earle Mitchell Inez Jenkins Juanita Whitesell