Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in Virginia
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E-Letter from Lee (1-20-2010) Greetings to you in the name of Christ Jesus, our Savior. We are part of a denomination that is special in a number of ways, but all too often a well kept secret. One of the parts of the denomination that I am especially proud of is Week of Compassion. Just hours after the news of the earthquake on Haiti the first monetary grant from Week of Compassion had been extended. Information sharing and mobilization to be a part of the relief effort began shortly thereafter. Amy Gopp, the Minister for Week of Compassion, has relationships with agencies of other denominations upon which many joint efforts are based. We are a part of a larger church effort that expands our efforts through cooperation. There is a difference between how Week of Compassion operates and what secular aid organizations do. A number of the CEOs of organizations like the American Red Cross receive annual compensations in the neighborhood of $500,000 per year. Amy’s not compensated in any manner that approaches that level. Contributions to Week of Compassion don’t pay Amy’s salary. The reality is that of every contribution received by Week of Compassion for relief goes 100% to direct relief. Nothing comes out for promotion, television ads, overhead, or to pay outrageous compensations. The financial secretary at the regional office is Melinda Floyd. Melinda came into the office Friday with a check for $100 from a friend she had dinner with the night before. The friend was telling her that she was going to make a contribution to the Red Cross for relief work in Haiti. Melinda began telling her about the denomination she worked for and how 100% of Disciples contributions went to direct services. Melinda’s friend asked if she could make a contribution the Haiti relief efforts through Week of Compassion. It really is true that a lot about us that is a well kept secret. E-Letter from Lee December 23, 2009 Greetings to you in the name of Christ Jesus, our Savior. The earliest memory I have of church is Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion at First Christian Church in Washington, NC. I remember Dad wrapping me in a quilt and carrying me to the car and then the brief drive to the church. I would snuggle up to mom during the Christmas Eve worship. I remember the candleight at midnight. Year after year that was my family’s ritual of Christmas Eve. Mom invited friends to come by the house after worship for cookies and Granddaddy’s “special recipe” eggnog. The presents were a part of the morning after but Christmas Eve was a sacred and holy time. Jane and I plan to be in an 11:00 worship tomorrow night, Christmas Eve. I will remember mom and dad even as I celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. I like the following story of Simeon and Anna from second chapter of Luke. It pulls the Christmas story together in a lovely way that I enjoy. 25Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, 29“Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; 30for my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” 33And the child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed 35so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 36There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. 38At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem. 39When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him. That is a wonderful summation of the Christmas story we don’t grasp often enough. Too often the total Christmas story ends when the tree comes down on December 26th. Songs about white Christmases don’t have the right flavor either. I never had a white Christmas during my childhood. Actually I have seen only one white Christmas in my whole life. I have seen a few white Advent Sundays. It looks to me like 2009 is going to be too white for a lot of getting out and around. Many of us have had to cancel services during the time the Christmas Offering would be received. I have to admit some concern about this. Taking that concern into account I will share what Bill Moore at Bedford Christian Church sent out in a congregational email this morning. “Christmas Offering One casualty of the bad weather is our Christmas Offering. This offering goes to support the work and ministry of the Christian Church in Virginia – ministries such as camps and conferences at Craig Springs, helping Virginia churches through the search and call process, the men’s and women’s retreats, etc. This is important work and the Christmas Offering is an important part of money that is needed to support them. Please consider making a contribution to the 2009 Christmas Offering. You may mail your contribution to our church office or bring it with you to church on December 27.”
I would add that Christmastide, the Christmas season extends to Epiphany which is always January 6th. It is appropriate to receive the Christmas Offering until then. As long as it is submitted before January 8th it will be counted in your 2009 giving.
Lee Lee Parker Regional Minister Christian Church in Virginia
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1290 Enterprise Drive, Lynchburg, VA Phone -434-846-3400 Fax-434-528-4919 02/22/2010
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