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).
October Recap
Fall is reeeealllly here, folks! The late afternoons are crisp and cool, and the leaves are beginning to get some color here and there, as well. One crisp late afternoon, I paused on my way to the car and just listened. Do you know what I heard? Laughter—out on the playground, in the parking lot, on the toddler deck, at the side entrance—in and out and all around our campus…the delightful music of children laughing!
Turning around, I noticed four of the smaller children perched like tiny sprites under the big tree at the southeast corner of the playground absorbing the entire wild and lively scene. There were kids shooting baskets, playing tag, walking laps, coming in for orchestra practice, running about the play area, and toddling around on the deck. Such a pleasant, delightful all American scene. We might be tempted to think it was an earlier time when life was simple and families were intact. But, for some of these children, this may be the only time during the day they can let down their guard and just be children…for awhile. Coming to a place where they are loved, enjoyed and encouraged to revel in the innocent joy of childhood play is like a cool oasis in the middle of a dry and dusty desert that makes up their lives. Aren’t you glad that God has thrown open the doors of CBC and brought these little ones into the banquet of His love. Folks, in case you missed it, this is your invitation to join Him!
The eleventh annual Culpeper Cycling Century launched from our courtyard early October 6th. The race boasts great scenic beauty during the colorful fall season, winding through rolling farmland and around scenic back roads. You could be the smile that greets these riders next time…I’m just sayin’...
The First Annual CBC Pickleball Tournament—yes, folks you read it here first—Pickleball Tournament on October 20th aced a respectable attendance of around forty! Big winners received a gallon of dill pickles. Later in the month, senior adults also enjoyed a fall foliage tour and lunch at Mrs. Rowe’s, a favorite haunt for down home cooking, located in Staunton!
While many of us enjoy the stunning beauty of crisp autumn days, others may be experiencing the more somber season of grief and loss. Early in the month, our GriefShare team hosted their annual Surviving the Holidays seminar for folks who have experienced the loss of a loved one. This informative and helpful seminar is on the calendar again at the end of November and early December for those who missed the first showing.
Our Korean brothers and sisters hosted the annual Korean War Veterans Banquet the last Saturday of the month with a wonderful musical program as well as greetings from the Army Chief of Staff for South Korea, expressing their timeless gratitude for America’s assistance during that conflict. The food was delicious and the fellowship heartwarming.
Rounding out the month was the final concert of the 2019 series celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Schantz pipe organ installation. Of course, I’m speaking of the Seipp and Sheets Duo! Another exquisite presentation. Anybody who can coax such beautiful music from a conch shell is GREAT in my book! Not to be outdone, Randy put his acting skills to work and played the ‘straight man’ to Chuck’s comedy routine. And, of course, Randy’s wonderful talent came in to play on Douglas Richard’s beautiful arrangement of Shenandoah as well as Morricone’s lovely composition, Gabriel’s Oboe. Back by popular request was George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue, along with an original creation of Adam Levowitz, composed and arranged just for the Seipp/Sheets Duo, Sandstone and Marble. The weather cooperated this time with a brisk and beautiful fall day, and many folks came out to hear these talented artists perform. Pssssssssst! I hear next year’s concert series promises to be just as spectacular.
These are just a very few of the highlights of God’s activity among us. Do you need to be making some adjustments in your life to meet Him where He’s working? Are you Experiencing God as deeply as you would like? Now might be a good time to join Him.
September Recap
Here comes the rain…again” seemed to be the theme song all month. But, take heart folks, the fall colors are just a few weeks away! In fact, I think the senior adults have scheduled a fall foliage tour around mid-October. Play your cards right, and they may let you tag-a-long with them for a fun-filled afternoon and a great lunch at Mrs. Rowe’s Restaurant at Staunton, VA.
CBC launched our Experiencing God Discipleship study by coming together with six churches for the weekend kickoff September 7-9th. During that time, over 800 folks came together for praise and worship here at CBC. Friday night two food trucks turned our upper parking lot into an al fresco dining area with tables scattered about and groups of folks visiting as they relaxed and enjoyed the local cuisine. The music was well-rounded, with singers and musicians from CBC, COAH and Mountain View sharing their gifts. The sanctuary was filled, and folks were sitting in the balcony. What a blessing! This best-selling discipleship study course, authored by Henry Blackaby and Claude King, has helped millions of people learn to recognize God’s activity around them, adjust their lives, and join Him in His redemptive plan. At the moment, we have four small groups meeting together: Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m., Room 317; a Monday night ladies’ group at 6:30 p.m. in Room 313; Wednesday night(s) at 6:00 p.m. in Room 301 and 7:00 p.m. on Thursday night(s) at Ron and Soodie Musselman’s home. If you don’t see a time that suits your schedule in this list, please contact Dan, and we will try to work with your schedule and get you connected with a group. A N D, because we plan to build on the momentum of churches coming together; we will have regular times of prayer and worship with all the other churches involved in the weeks ahead. Watch social media for times.
The homebound senior adult food delivery, a recent ministry we began late this spring, allows us to partner with another local congregation, the US Department of Agriculture and the Department of Social Services to coordinate a once-a-month Friday food distribution program to qualifying senior adults within the greater Culpeper community. This is an excellent example of a partnership that ‘checks all the boxes.’ The program identifies senior adults who need assistance, provides seniors from The Culpeper and members/friends, of differing ages, from our church/community an opportunity to engage in needed, meaningful ministry, while offering the opportunity for believers to live out in a practical way the oneness of the Spirit that Jesus so passionately desires! Here’s a place God is at work, if you would like to join Him there, folks, just give Hans a call. They can use drivers, carriers, and talkers to help make our community more senior-friendly.
Oh, and speaking of senior adults—they’re just back from a 2-night stay in Lancaster, PA. The trip included taking in the Sight and Sound Theatre’s production of “Jesus” and some shopping at the outlet malls and Amish shops. Pat Ballard, Director of Resident Services, and Pastor Hans coordinated the trip.
Good things are happening in the children’s department this fall too!
A new ministry we are offering this fall is after-school tutoring for all subjects. Currently we offer K-6th grade assistance at two different times on Wednesday evenings: 4:00-5:30 p.m. and 6:00-7:15 p.m. We have more than a half dozen students at the moment, and that number increases each week. While some of our tutors are retired school teachers, that is not a requirement. Talk to Jeanine Judd if this ministry is a good fit for you. Another Wednesday evening favorite is the Children’s Community Choir. There’s lots of laughter, singing and marching! Children’s Sunday school has a new look and time, as well. CBC is partnering with City on a Hill Church for Sunday school beginning at 9:30-10:15 a.m. on the second floor. In fact, all children’s activities are now located on the second floor with parental check in and retrieval in a secure area. Family chimes happens right after children’s Sunday school at 10:15-10:45 a.m. and is another one of the enrichment activities we currently offer. Oh! Did I mention that we provide chapel once a week for the CDC preschool and every 2nd Thursday for the CDC elementary? Here’s a lively place God is at work among us, come join Him there!
Converge is another great story as we partner with other local churches to reach youth in our community. Their attendance is consistently in the thirties. It’s a time for them to enjoy good fellowship and engage in interesting activities in a safe environment. Here are just a couple things people are saying about this ministry: “Wonderful that there is a safe, fun and supervised gathering for teens in this community where mutual respect and acceptance is encouraged.” “This is great! Thank you for making this happen.” God is at work….
In addition to all of our regular activities, Dr. Joby Bell rounded out our month with an engaging and fascinating repertoire of classical music designed to capture the interest of all age groups. Dr. Bell’s performance was the fifth in a line-up of six concerts to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our Schantz Pipe Organ installation.
The last in the concert series is the Seipp/Sheets duo at 4:00 p.m., October 28th. Chuck Seipp is a frequent guest musician here and, of course, Randy is our Music Director/Organist. These guys hit the ball out of the stadium last year, and I can only think they will do it again this year! Here is yet another opportunity to join God at work among us by inviting friends and family to attend with you. Hear great music and get to know us during a Sunday afternoon. How cool is that?!
Those who live on in our Memory:
Mrs. Nancy Hicks
Mrs. Edith Taylor, June 8, 2018
Fourth Quarter, 2017 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