Is God calling you to a deeper understanding and study of the Bible? Disciple Bible Study is a transforming, small group Bible study experience, great for those who have never read the Bible and for those who have. Pastor Kristin will be teaching Disciple I, which starts in September and ends in May. Over this 34-week study, participants will read about 80% of the Bible, both the Old and New Testament. Be in prayer about whether God might be calling you to participate in this experience! Talk with Pastor Kristin for more information or with any questions.

Friends, we are right in the middle of Ordinary Time. Much like there are seasons of the year (fall, winter, summer, spring) there are seasons in the church (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter). The longest season of the church by far is Ordinary Time, which stretches from the Sunday after the Lord’s Baptism (January 17th this year) to the Sunday before Lent (February 14) and the Sunday after Pentecost (May 30th this year) until the Sunday before Advent (November 21). This is about half of the year!

I love the fact that we call this long season of the church life Ordinary Time because isn’t it the case that we live most of our lives in the ordinary time, which is made extraordinary by the presence and power of God?!?

However, there is another name for this season of the year. One of my friends from seminary likes to argue with me that Kingdomtide is the better name of this long season. The name Kingdomtide reminds us that we are living in God’s kingdom now. We aren’t wasting our time here on earth waiting around for heaven. No! Neither is it the case that the poverty, injustice, and oppression that we see in the world is the final state of things. Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God in his life, death, and resurrection, and he will come again one day to bring this kingdom to completion.

We live in the meantime, in between the already and the not-yet! So, how are we called to live in God’s kingdom? This is what we will be talking about in worship over the next few weeks. To live as God’s kingdom people means that our ordinary, daily lives will take a certain shape. Our lives will be formed around Christian practices or disciplines such as prayer, fasting, scripture study, tithing, worship, and spending time with the poor. Our lives will be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit as we seek God’s will, and as we respond to God’s love, we will learn how to love our neighbors.

What a tremendous blessing it is to live in Kingdomtide!

With joy, Pastor Kristin

We have a part-time Youth Ministry position open.  If you know of anyone interested in this opportunity, please have them contact Greg Stick @ 389-5896.  Or email connect@central-umc.org. Thank you.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.  So shall they put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:24-27)

It is hard to summarize five years of pastoral ministry, except to say thank you, and thanks to God, for the privilege to serve Christ with you during these years.  They went fast, but hold many fond remembrances that I will always cherish…picnics, bible studies, mission trips, confirmation groups…dinner and devotions, prayer times, worship and late night meetings (just a few)…the magical Easter Sunday water fountain and the beauty of Christmas Eve candlelight…children and youth growing up…enough bookshelves for too many books (I did let 1/3 of them go)…nice office, a beautifully maintained church facility, sound leadership…caring people…a great God and a great Lord;  so many blessings.

Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your devoted service to Christ.  As I reminded the Church Council, Paul kept each church in fervent prayer, concluding his letters with a word of grace.  Even though I will not be able to see you for a while, you will always be in my prayers.

Many have asked what will I do in a retired status.  I plan to continue, in a more active way, the ministry of pastoral counseling. I am a part-time associate counselor with the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care.  The Institute offers many counseling services for individuals, couples, family and groups, and has for nearly forty years.  Satellite centers are located within a twenty mile radius of the Richmond area.  These centers are hosted for VIPCare by local church congregations.  I am currently at the St. Matthias Episcopal Church center near Midlothian, Va.  Even though this ministry will take place mostly in the Richmond area, a future role in the Roanoke Valley might be explored.

Finally, may blessings abound as you look to the future.  Your next pastor, Kristin Holbrook, comes to you under the call of the Holy Spirit.  She brings a wide array of special gifts, experiences and abilities (see her welcoming introduction on the next page).  All who have met her, including myself, are excited for you and for her. As you receive Kristin, receive also the gifts of faith, hope and love. Together you will be empowered by them.

From Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, “…may the Lord of peace give you peace at all times in all ways…(and) the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you” (2 Thess. 3:16a, 18).

~ Shalom, Dave

VBS was a great success, with 31 children signed up and an average attendance of 25 per night. Below are some pictures of the fantastic week.

We are in the process of forming an email/phone list to better inform members of events happening at Central or events that are rescheduled/canceled due to weather. If you would like to be added, please call Lora at the church office (389-2933) or email her at office@central-umc.org.