Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Important Dr. Fergusson and his wife, Margot, will be coming down from
Princeton to visit Richmond and be with us on Sunday, March
Dates 19. Specifically, Dr. Fergusson will be teaching Sunday School
PNO from 9:30-10:30am in the Fellowship Hall; he will focus on the
Reformed tradition today and how it intersects with our social
Registration witness. He will then preach during the service of worship.
(Due March 8) NOTE: All Sunday School classes will meet in the Fellowship
Richmond Hall on this particular Sunday. There will be no Unbinding your
Chorale Society Heart Sunday morning group meetings. If you would like to read
Concert more about Dr. Fergussons background and interests, please
see page 14.
(March 25,
7:00 p.m.) Finally, each Wednesday in Lent after the church supper there will be a special worship service at the back of
the Fellowship Hall. Services will go from 6:45 p.m. to 7:20 p.m. and they offer a reflective, worshipful space
to help center us anew upon God in the middle of the week. Please see page 7 for more details.
For more dates to
remember, see the In Christ,
calendar.
Bobby
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
1
Church News/Announcements
Openers & Closers Fellowship Schedule
March 5: Kent Cardwell March 5: RoseMarie and Walter Bundy
March 12: Brian Baird March 12: Joy and John Nevin
March 19: Pete Sizemore March 19: Mary Gray
March 26: Jake Savage March 26: Janet and Tom Miller and Doris Farquhar
3
Church News
Early Communion Education Family and Friends Fourth
Sunday Ushers and Greeters
This year we are going to be taking our children 6 and under through an educa-
tion program that will help them understand some of the basics of what the sacra- Gather your Family and Friends and sign
ment of communion is all about. To be clear, this isn't a "gate-keeping" class, after up to be Ushers and/or Greeters! We
which children would be "allowed" to take communion. Your child taking com- have designated the fourth Sunday of each
munion with our church family is a family choice taken on prayerfully and with the month just for YOU! Volunteers only
deep understanding of your child that only guardians and parents can pro- need to sign up for one time to help open
vide. Instead, this will be a multi-week education experience built to connect our the doors, pass out bulletins, and take up
children to the sacredness of communion. the offering. This is a great way to get
We will begin on March 19 and will culminate with communion on April 2. your family and friends together for Sun-
This class will take place during the Children's Chapel portion of worship. day morning, and, who knows, maybe you
will all have lunch together after the ser-
vice! Please call or email Mary Gray at
247-4899 or mary.gray@comcast.net.
Parents Night
Out Scheduled
for March 11
Grace Covenant is proud to offer parents a little
R&R with our special Parents Night Out, Saturday,
February 18, from 5:00-8:00 p.m. A charge of $10
per child will help defray the costs of child care.
There is a $15 maximum per family fee. To RSVP,
contact the church office at 359-2463 or by emailing
info@grace-covenant.org. Please include the childs
age by how old they are in months, not years. The
RSVP deadline is Wednesday, March 8, at 3:30 When: April 21-23, 2017 mimg, and Hiking.
p.m. Where: Montreat Conference Cen- Connect your personal journey
ter at 401 Assembly Drive, to that of many others through
Some things to remember: Montreat, NC 28757 stories and activities. There will be
- A lead teacher from CDC will serve as the host time for community and time to
each month Gather around the fire to share life be alone. Be present, learn a new
- Please do not forget to sign your child/children in and laughter together this spring. skill, and reconnect with yourself
and out during PNO. Mantreat at Montreat is a mens this weekend to become a better
- We ask that you please bring a diaper bag with retreat for you. Have a yearning to you.
ample supplies for the evening. hike? Maybe youre looking for a
- Please do not allow your children to bring food moment of reflection? At Man- To register and for more infor-
with them to PNO. This is due to allergies and the treat, you can do these things and mation, visit www.montreat.org/
safety of all children. We will provide a safe and more. Mantreat will offer optional mantreat or talk with Christopher
appropriate snack for them. hands-on activities to learn new Tweel.
skills, including workshops like
Upcoming PNO Dates: Garden Mosaics, Fly Fishing,
- March 11, April 8, May 13 Primitive Tool-Making, Drum-
4
Christian Education
The Benefit of Intergenerational Play
In February we had the opportunity to play together during WNS! True intergenerational play is a way to
get every age together and playing games. The games are geared to be engaging to young children, accessible for
every person and a way of managing activity for those on the farther edge of their years.
I wanted to go through the games we play at our WNS program, as a way to highlight what was going on
behind the scenes. You might be able to use these kinds of games at family get-togethers, picnics, reunions,
or anywhere you have all the generations gathering together!
Balloon Fans
Small sensory tactile movement is harder for some of our older friends. Hanging on to the string with two
fingers while the younger friends find a way to move the balloon with the fan creates a neurological workout,
keeping the nerves in the hand extremities engaged. There is also a problem-solving element to this game which
the older friends have a chance to encourage the younger friends with their expertise. Balloons are always a hit
with children! Also, this is a game that is open to change. This teaches the child and the adult alike that when
life issues a challenge, there might be another way to achieve the goal!
If you would like to read more about this kind of work, I encourage you to contact me so that I can pass
along some resources. Among them, and something that I drew from for our time together was the Tried and
True an 80-page report from Virginia Tech on intergenerational play.
5
Christian Education
Small Groups
Have Begun!
The Unbinding your Heart small
groups have begun! Those who nor-
mally come to Sunday School will be
part of an Unbinding group on Sun-
day morning as the whole congrega-
tion participates in the effort togeth-
er. During these six weeks, Sunday
School will begin at 9:15 a.m. and
finish at 10:30 a.m. There will be
three locations for the Unbinding
groups on Sunday morning.
Group 1: Everett Reveley will lead 1st Meeting Arrive having read the 5th Meeting Arrive having com-
this group on the third floor in room Introduction, Chapter 1, and Prayer pleted Week 4 of the Prayer Journal
303. Journal Section (pp. 115-119) of Un- and read Chapter 5 of Unbinding your
Group 2: Nelson Reveley will lead binding your Heart Heart
this group on the second floor in
room 212. 2nd Meeting Arrive having com- 6th Meeting Arrive having com-
Group 3: Bobby Hulme-Lippert will pleted Week 1 of the Prayer Journal pleted Week 5 of the Prayer Journal
lead this group in the Fellowship and read Chapter 2 of Unbinding your and read Chapter 6 of Unbinding your
Hall. Participants in this group will be Heart Heart.
comprised of folks who are doing an Participants can complete the sixth week
Unbinding your Heart small group dur- 3rd Meeting Arrive having com- of the prayer journal on their own after the
ing the week but still want to have a pleted Week 2 of the Prayer Journal groups final meeting.
Sunday School lesson. This group and read Chapter 3 of Unbinding your
will explore the curriculum in further Heart
detail.
4th Meeting Arrive having com-
And remember, there is homework pleted Week 3 of the Prayer Journal
for each meeting! Here is the home- and read Chapter 4 of Unbinding your
work schedule: Heart
Psalm 33:22
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.
6
Wednesday Night Supper
Save yourself the midweek hassle of cooking dinner and come join us Wednesday nights at 6:00
p.m. for a time of growth in fellowship and faith! Every night we'll have arts and crafts for the
kids, timely announcements, worship preparation cards for the coming Sunday, and either faith-
infused live music, a trivia night, or an excellent speaker! $7 per person, $5 for seniors (over 65),
and $15 max per family. We look forward to seeing you there!
Each week until our Maundy Thursday service we will be meeting in our alternative worship
space at the back of the Fellowship Hall. Each week we will engage in scripture, have guest mu-
sicians, and share in Communion together. Come and have a meal at WNS, then stay for our
special time of worship together in this Holy Season from 6:45-7:20 p.m. Childcare is always
provided, though children and families are encouraged to join us for worship.
After Lent:
4/12/2017 No WNS
Join us on Thursday, April 13, for dinner at 6:00
p.m. followed by a Maundy Thursday Service at
7:00 p.m.
4/19/2017 Bell Choir Concert
4/26/2017 Junior Choir Concert
5/3/2017 TBA
5/10/2017 TBA
5/17/2017 TBA
See below for WNS Schedule 5/24/2017 TBA
3/1/2017 Ash Wednesday Worship, Bobby Hulme-Lippert on Broken Shalom, Music by Janet
Miller
3/8/2017 Worship, Nelson Reveley on 1 John 1:1 Heard, Music by James Atchison
3/22/2017 Worship, Christopher Tweel on 1 John 1:1 Touched, Music by Christine Anderson
3/29/2017 Worship, Martin Pinckney on 1 John 1:1 Declared, Music by Dan and Erin Cook
4/5/2017 Worship, Christopher Tweel on Shalom Is Our Future, Music by Vivien Chen
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety weighs down the human heart, but a good word cheers it up.
7
March 2017 Calendar
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wedn
1 Ash Wednes
4:00 p.m. Care T
6:00 p.m. WNS
7:00 p.m. Chance
r Parents Night 9 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for Life 10 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church 11 5:00-8:00 p.m. PNO
on (by 3:30 p.m.) (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College 6:30 p.m. Bread Breakers at Martha
eam Ministry) Reagans Home
el Choir
re Team 23 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for 24 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church 25 7:00 p.m. Richmond Choral
Choir Life (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College Society (RCS) Concert (Sanctuary)
Choir Ministry)
6:00-10:00 p.m. RCS Dress Rehearsal
el Choir (Sanctuary)
re Team 30 5:30-8:30 p.m. STEP Jobs for 31 4:00-10:00 p.m. Korean Church
Choir Life (Fellowship Hall) in the Fellowship Hall (VCU College
Choir Ministry)
l Choir
Photos from February 2017
On February 11, the PEOPLE Group gathered at Westminster Canterbury for their Valentine-themed meeting.
Proverbs 22:17
The words of the wise: Incline your ear and hear my words, and apply your mind to my teaching.
10
Prior to dinner on February 15, the Carol Choir performed.
Luke 1:46-47
And Mary said, My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior . . .
11
Mission & Justice
Volunteer Opportunities in Outreach Ministry
STEPs Jobs for Life Program Begins Again in March at GCPC
Where: GCPC Fellowship Hall pant is paired with a champion/ Childcare: Well also be providing
When: Thursdays 6:00-8:30 p.m. mentor, who accompanies him/her structured childcare time for partici-
from March through May 2017 on this journey through the program. pants kids while their parents are in
The Missions Committee invites you
This is a wonderful opportunity to class. Time commitment is 6:00-8:30
to join in an upcoming outreach offer a listening ear, encouragement, pm (dinner included), either each
ministry: STEPs Jobs for Life pro-
and ones own experiences. Men- Thursday or as one can schedule to
gram. The Jobs for Life program tors/champions join in the Thursday make it.
uses a biblically based curriculum
evening dinner and classes, 6:00-8:30 Business Relations & Instructors:
paired with a team of mentors, pas-
p.m., and share at least one contact We need members of the business
tors, and business leaders to help
(text, phone, email, meet up, etc.) community who can share about JfL
students discover who they are, what
during the rest of the week. to both invite local business repre-
gifts and interests they possess, and
Dinners: Each class begins with fel- sentatives to visit and participate in
what roadblocks they face in achiev-
lowship around a meal from 6:00- JfL training (i.e. employer
ing their goals. Jobs for Life is a "soft
6:30 p.m. As with our CARITAS roundtables, mock interviews, etc.)
skills" training program helping par-
ministry, were looking for folks to and even help note/network poten-
ticipants to gain, maintain, and thrive
sponsor and prepare meals to share tial job openings as they may arise
in employment. and enjoy with participants, family for JfL graduates. To learn more or
Opportunities to Share Your members, mentors, and teachers in volunteer, please contact Nelson Reveley at
Experience and Gifts! Jobs for Life. Regular number for a reveley@grace-covenant.org or 387-8094.
Mentors/Champions: Each partici- meal is roughly 35.
John 15:11
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
12
Testimony from Alpheaus Zobule
Our friend and missionary, Al- day showed up.I gained boldness as ble members who were part of the
pheaus Zobule, was asked to I continued to speak and I could see House Planning Committee suggest-
speak to the Members of Parlia- that everyone was very attentive to ed to me that they would like to
ment in the Solomon Islands this the message I preached. keep this going during the meeting
past February. He has shared his I stressed two words in my ser- times of the Parliament, perhaps
testimony with the GCPC family: mon Opportunity and doing it once a week, and they asked
Responsibility basing my sermon if I would accept another invitation
Dear Friends, on the story of Esther and Mordecai to come back. I told them that I
who seized the opportunity and act- would but I also said that there were
Thank you for praying for me for ed responsibly to save their nation. others who would also be happy to
the opportunity I had preaching to The theme of the sermon was For come and share Gods word. Many
the Members of Parliament at the a Such a Time as This. I stressed times other Christian groups have
Parliament House in the Solomon that their brief time in the Parlia- tried to organize a religious gather-
Islands. I accepted the invitation by ment is a God-given opportunity ing at the Parliament House but this
the Speaker of the National Parlia- for them to make a difference and to event is a little different in that it
ment with some hesitancy. But I act in a responsible way to save the was requested by the Parliament
praised the Lord that I did go. nation Solomon Islands. During my House itself. Thank you for your
Around noon there were just about preaching I sensed that my message prayers. I think the seed has been
6 of us in the conference room. I connected with them and I could see planted and we continue to pray that
thought that was all the crowd I had heads nodding and I could hear ap- God will speak to our leaders. I
to preach to. As soon as I stood to preciative responses. sense there will be more opportuni-
preach the Members of Parliament I found out just before I started ties like this in the near future.
and the employees of the House speaking that this was the first time
started flowing in until the confer- the National Parliament in the Solo- Blessings to you,
ence room was packed. I think most mon Islands invited a preacher to
of the Members of the Parliament come and preach to the leaders. At Alpheaus Graham Zobule
who were there for the meeting that the end of the session, two Honora-
Psalm 118:15
There are glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: The right hand of the LORD does val-
iantly . . .
13
Worship
Dr. David Fergusson to Preach and Teach on March 19
Biography and publications.
David Fergusson studied philosophy and 2. The doctrines of creation and providence. Ex-
theology in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Ox- plorations in these areas have also includ-
ford. He worked for several years as a ed an interdisciplinary dimension in deal-
parish minister in the Church of Scotland. ing with the natural sciences and psycho-
Having held the Chair of Systematic The- therapy.
ology in the University of Aberdeen, he 3. The relationship of the church to society, partic-
returned to Edinburgh as Professor of ularly with respect to issues generated by political
Divinity in 2000. He was appointed Prin- liberalism. In much of his output in this
cipal of New College (2008) and is a field, he has reflected on the public role of
Chaplain to the Queen in Scotland. From faith in relation to secularism, atheism,
2009-11, he served as a Vice-Principal of and religious pluralism. than a commitment to a set of beliefs that one can
the University of Edinburgh. He has lec- You can link to the following website itemize in propositional form.
tured widely in the USA, Europe, Hong (https://www.gci.org/YI133) to watch,
Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, South Afri- listen, or read an interview that Dr. Fer- We should not be afraid of criticism. We have to
ca, and Australia. He is a Fellow of the gusson gave concerning a book of his respond robustly to some of it. But there are other
Royal Society of Edinburgh (2004) and a entitled Faith and its Critics: A Conversation criticisms of faith that are not altogether invalid,
Fellow of the British Academy (2013). In (2011) wherein he specifically responds and I think we can learn and move on from these.
2014, he was awarded an honorary doc- the new atheist movement spearheaded by So Im interested in promoting a conversation
torate by the University of Aberdeen. those like Richard Dawkins. Below are between people of faith and their critics, rather
During the academic year (2016-17), he four salient excerpts from that interview: than continuing what has, to some extent, been a
will hold a Visiting Fellowship at Prince- shouting match involving people of very different
ton Theological Seminary. My task was initially the more modest one of positions.
showing that Christian faith remains credible and
Research interests an intellectually defensible option within the mod- [Science and religion] occupy different types of
David Fergusson's research interests in- ern world. terrain, and they offer different descriptions, and
clude the following: therefore this isnt a zero-sum game where the
1. Reformed theology from the 16th century until It is always incumbent upon us to make the best more that science explains, the less there is for
the present day, with a stress on its dual identity case possible for the gospel. Were enjoined by the religion to explain.
as Catholic and Reformed. In particular, he New Testament to offer a reasoned defense for the
has developed an expertise on the history hope that is within us Part of my defense of
of theology in Scotland in several courses faith was to point out that faith is much more
1) Approve the minutes for the Session meetings of January 16, 2017 and January 22, 2017.
2) Approve the minutes of the Congregational Meeting of February 12, 2017.
3) Approve the 2016 Church Statistical Report
4) Approve the City Church wedding of July 1, 2017 (Mallory/Rogers)
5) Approve Worship services with Communion for: Wed., March 1, 2017; (Ash Wednesday);
March 8, 15, 22, 20, 29, April 5 (Wednesday evenings during Lent-all to be held in the Fellowship
Hall); and Maundy Thursday April 13 (Sanctuary)
6) Approve extension of Parish Associate Covenant with Nelson Reveley for 2017
7) Approve vacation for Rev. Hulme-Lippert May 22-May 30, 2017.
Approved the Statement of Intent to the Presbytery of the James for 2017 in the amount of $5000.
Approved an update to the Building Use Agreement
Agreed to update the 2nd floor restrooms and staff kitchen area
Authorized the allocation of $10,000 from undesignated bequests for use as Matching Funds for
donations to the Loaves and Fishes Fund for 2017
Reviewed the membership rolls
Heard a report on the Presbytery of the James meeting held February 18, 2017
The Session provides this summary to help ensure that the congregation remains informed of
its decisions and actions. If you have any questions or would like further information, please
contact Dana McKnight (Clerk of Session) or any of your active Ruling Elders.
Zechariah 8:16
These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another, render in your gates judg-
ments that are true and make for peace . . . 15
The Church Administration
Our Elders serve the church as leaders.
The Church Officers Our Deacons lead the church in service. Please feel free to approach them
with any questions or feedback about Grace Covenants ministries.
Clerk of Session: Dana E. McKnight Moderator of the Board of Deacons: Sallie Leys
Elders: Deacons:
Susan Boze (18) - Christian Education (M) Itunu Adekoya (19) - Deacons Fund; Prayer Ministry
Ray Davis (18) - Admin. and Personnel (M) Lisa Cardwell (18) - Meals (M); Transportation
Bill Jacobs (18) - Property (M) Mary Gray (18) - Greeters/Ushers
Dana McKnight (17) - Finance (M); Clerk Ginny Hardman (19) - Deacons Fund; Justice
Susan Pillsbury David (19) - Mission (Co-M) Margaret Harvie (18) - Visitation and Flowers
Everett Reveley (19) - Stewardship (M); Treasurer Cynthia Holmes (17) - Greeters/Ushers
Jessica Reveley (19) - Nominating (M); Steve Kemp (18) - Media and Technology
Mission (Co-M) Dottie-Ray Koch (17) - Fellowship
Lewis Rosebro (17) - Evangelism (M); Property Sallie Leys (17) - Moderator of the Diaconate
Rob Turner (17) - Worship (M) Elizabeth Russell (19) - New Members; Greeters/Ushers
Karl Rubis (19) - Fellowship (M)
Trustees: Caroline Leith (17) Dawson Watkins (17) - Care Team; Deacons Fund (M)
Warren Zirkle (19)
Kent Cardwell (18)
The Staff
Bobby Hulme-Lippert Nelson Reveley
Pastor Parish Associate for Outreach & Adult Discipleship
bobby@grace-covenant.org reveley@grace-covenant.org