MARCH 2017 NEWSLETTER
SUNDAY WORSHIP TIMES
9:45 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
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Opening Devotions
Sun. School & SML
Worship
Table of Contents
Feb. 28 – PANCAKE SUPPER
Youth Fundraiser
What’s On Wendy’s Mind? (p.1-2)
UCC Office Hours
Welcome Courtney Mena
3/5 Appreciation for Carol
Lent Activities
Worship - March
March Events At A Glance
Christian Women’s Fellowship
CWF News and Circles – March
Bridal Shower-Chris Thompson & Eva
Radford Clothing Bank Schedule
Paper Tower Drive-Our Daily Bread
Undies Sunday
Week of Compassion Offerings
Graduates
Reminder: Blessing Boxes due May
Disciples Women’s Annual Retreat
Spring Clean-Up
Elder’s Shepherding Ministry
03.18 District 2 Reception at UCC
For Rev. Coretha Loughridge
Children Worship & Wonder
Resurrection 2017! (update)
Craig Springs Camp Schedule -2017
Scholarship Information
UCC Board Bites
MISSION FIRST - Outreach News
Food Sunday -Lists Welcome Center
Beans & Rice & Food Pantry Items
Community Table, Kroger
To Our House 2017
Mar. 15 – SAL’S Eat-Out ALL Day
Youth Fundraiser
Stop Hunger Now! (update)
2017 General Assembly – July 8-12
Thank Yous!
Prayer Concerns
Attendance Statistics
March Daily Bible Readings
UCC OFFICE HOURS
Pastor Wendy 9 am-12 N, Mon.-Thurs.
Wednesday 10 a.m-1 p.m. Pastor Wendy
will be in the Bonnie at RU near Starbucks
Office Mgr. - 8 am – 1 pm, Mon.-Fri.
WHAT’S ON WENDY’S MIND?
Over the last several weeks I have emphasized in the sermons how
God is moving Unity Christian Church forward but that in order
for us to do so it is going to take serious prayer, hard work, heart,
passion, and money from all of us. As a transforming 21st century
congregation we are called to look beyond the walls of the church,
think outside of the box, and dare to step out of the boat. At the
Leadership Retreat and A.P.E. event we discussed this in length.
Here is some of the information I shared with those who attended
about what it means to be a transforming congregation based on
William McConnel’s book, Renew Your Congregation: Healing
the Sick, Raising the Dead:
--Vital and Growing Congregations have these characteristics:
Purpose (other-focused)
Willingness to change (to accomplish purpose)
Leadership (Laity and clergy work together to
accomplish purpose)
--The task of church leadership is to get and keep the church healthy
by following God’s instructions. Here is the recipe:
*Prayer—never stop
*Pastor with leadership skills
*Seek and Discover God’s direction for the church
*Stay on track, continue to pray
*Transform the Church’s focus and deepen the church’s
spirituality
*Continue to pray and stay on track
*Choose the church leadership prayerfully and carefully and have
pastor and
Lay Leadership develop into a team
* Stay on track, continue to pray
*Develop a healthy church through small groups
*Then keep on praying, and try your best to stay on track
--Transformation is less about programs and more about who the
church is—church’s personality.
--Keep the church healthy and it will grow.
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MARCH EVENTS
9:45 a.m. – Opening Devotions
10:00 a.m. – Lenten Bible Study
10:00 a.m. – Sun. School/SML
11:00 a.m. – Worship
5-6 p.m. – Spiritual Disciplines Study
Mon.
10:00 a.m. – Cong. Care/Prayer
Wed.
10-1 p.m. – Pastor Wendy will be
in the Bonnie at RU (near Starbucks)
12 Noon - Noonday Retreat
5:30 p.m. – Adult Handbells
6:00 p.m. – Choir Rehearsal
Sat.
4-5 p.m.– Community Table
Some Basics to focus on:
• Develop Spiritual lives (starts with pastor and elders)
• The five purposes—worship, evangelism, service, discipleship,
fellowship
• Reaching out to others—it takes much effort for a church to
stay outward focused
• Developing lay leadership
• Small Groups
• Preaching that helps—preaching is about communicating
God’s good news to the people. Today’s people want sermons
that will help them deal with life’s challenges.
Mar. 20 – NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Thurs., Frid. & Sat – Clothing Bank Days
March 4-17 – TO OUR HOUSE Sched.
Keeping all of this in mind here are some goals for 2017:
Sundays
TUESDAY, FEB. 28 – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
PANCAKE SUPPER-Youth Fundraiser
5:15-7:15 pm– ALL YOUTH
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 1- LENT BEGINS
6:30 pm – Ash Wednesday Service
SUNDAY, Mar. 5 – FOOD SUNDAY
3:30-5:30 p.m.-Youth Prepare food TOH
TUESDAY, Mar. 7
10:30 am -OASIS (meet Church Parlor)
7:00 pm –M&M’s (home of Wendy Wilson)
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 8
7:00 pm – Finance Team
THURSDAY, Mar. 9
1:30 pm – YAH (meet at Macado’s)
SUNDAY, Mar. 12
“Undies Sunday”-CWF collecting New
Underwear for Radford Clothing Bank
12:15 pm – Board Meeting
6-7:30 pm– CYF/JYF Lent Activities
TUESDAY, Mar. 14
6:00 pm – CWF Meeting
7:00 p.m. – Bridal Shower for
Eva Dyer & Chris Thompson
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 15 – Eat at Sal’s
11 am-9 pm - Youth Fundraiser
7:00 p.m. – Elders’ Meeting
FRIDAY, Mar. 17 – Youth Lock-In
SATURDAY, Mar. 18 – Youth Work Day
At the Clothing Bank
SUNDAY, Mar. 19“Undies Sunday”-CWF collecting New
Underwear for Radford Clothing Bank
12:15 pm – Worship Team Meeting
6:30-7:30 pm - CYF/JYF Movie Night
MONDAY, Mar. 20
7:00 pm–NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
WEDNESDAY, Mar. 22
7:00 pm–Children Worship & Wonder
SUNDAY, Mar. 26 6-7:30 pm–CYF/JYF Youth
--Start a Second Service (Progressive/Contemporary/Casual)
--All Church Mission Trip
--Begin a Small Group Ministries
--At least 10 people go to General Assembly
--Increase worship attendance to 200
--Expand our ministry with and to RU
--Expand our social media ministry
--Expand upon Community Table
--Begin making plans for a second full-time pastor/associate (2018)
Please pray daily for the ministry of Unity Christian Church and
for the openness to continue to follow the Holy Spirit’s
transforming power.
Faithfully,
Wendy
Unity welcomes Courtney Mena as our new office administrator.
Courtney has lived in Radford since 2006 with her husband,
Vincent, daughter, Karen, and pets. She enjoys working with
animal rescue and spending time outdoors.
We have certainly appreciated Carol Dubrino and her service
with us the past 3 years. We will show our appreciation to her
on March 5th in worship and will have a reception following
service.
VISION:
To be a spiritually vibrant congregation intentionally committed to the discernment of
God’s will, growth and understanding of what it means to be a disciple, and serving
God by serving others.
OUR MISSION:
To transform lives, our congregation, and community based on God’s unique vision for
us, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and sharing the unconditional love of Jesus
Christ. (Romans 12:2)
TO ACCOMPLISH THIS, WE SHALL:
REACH UP. REACH IN. REACH OUT.
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LENT
WORSHIP
March 01 6:30 p.m. - Ash Wednesday
(Fellowship Hall)
Boot Camp for the
Soul
March 05 – April 9 – Lent: Bootcamp for the
Soul
Lent begins on
Wednesday,
March 1, and ends
on Easter Sunday,
April 16th.
March 05 “The Need for Change”
Psalm 32; Matthew 4:1-11
March 12 “Reset”
Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWING
IN THE FAITH AND REACHING IN
DURING LENT
March 19 “Hydrate”
Exodus 17:1-17; John 4:5-42
March 26 “Redefined”
1 Samuel 16:1-13; John 9:1-41
• March 1 6:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Serv.
• Mar. 5-Apr. 9 10:00-10:45 a.m. –
Lenten Study Sun. In the
Fellowship Hall. Based on
Max Lucado’s book,
“He Chose the Nails.”
Teachers: Denise & Ken Walker
April 02 “Dead End”
Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45
April 09 “Celebrate and Wait”
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Matthew 21:1-11
• Mar. 5-Apr. 9 5-6:00 p.m. – Explore
Spiritual Disciplines
Facilitators: Wendy Wilson/Dennis
Martin
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP
The Christian Women’s Fellowship is open to
ALL women attending UCC. We have THREE Circle
Groups that meet monthly on the first Tuesday, and
then have our collective group meeting of all women on
the SECOND Tuesday of each month. We have TWO
“Day” Circles and ONE “Night” Circle.
• Use the Devotional books provided free for
personal daily study and prayer. (Available
at Welcome Center)
“Fellowship of Prayer”
(By: SharonWatkins & Rick Lowery)
“Lenten Prayers for Hungry People”
(Prepared by: Bread for the World)
C.W.F. NEWS and Circle Meetings:
Tuesday, Mar. 7:
10:30 a.m. – OASIS (Lila Lorton) - (UCC Parlor)
7:00 p.m. – M&M’s (Janet Bratton) (At Wendy’s home)
Thursday, Mar. 9: 1:30 p.m. – YAH (Ruth Hinkley)
(meet at Macado’s)
• Participate in Holy Week opportunities
(More information to come)
Palm Sunday/Passion Sunday
C.W.F. Meeting:
Tuesday, Mar. 14: 7:00 p.m. – (Meet in UCC Parlor)
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again during Worship on February 26th. The total
for the 26th offering will be published in next
month’s newsletter.
BRIDAL SHOWER
The CWF is hosting a bridal shower for
Eva Dyer & Chris Thompson on Tuesday,
March 14th at 7:00 in the parlor. Eva & Chris
are registered at Target & Amazon. Please join
us for this celebration! See Anne Chrisman
with questions!
GRADUATES
If you know of anyone graduating from
high school or college, please give the name or
names to Anne Chrisman or let the office know.
We don’t want anyone to leave anyone out.
Anne Chrisman, CWF President
RADFORD
CLOTHING
BANK - March
(Sign-up Sheet @
Welcome Center)
CWF BLESSING BOXES
“REACH OUT” and Lend a Hand at The Radford
Clothing Bank throughout the month of March.
Please take time to review the dates/times and
prayerfully consider signing up to serve this very
worthy cause. Call Becky Moore at:
C-540.639.1089, EMail @ [email protected].
Every Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-Noon; and from 4-6 p.m.
Every Friday in March 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Every Saturday in March 10:00 a.m. to Noon
Contributions may be put in the Blessing
Boxes located on the second shelf of the
Welcome Center cabinet. You may also place
in offering envelopes and place in the offering
trays or, if you prefer, drop off at the office.
Anne Chrisman
WOMEN’S ANNUAL RETREAT
PAPER TOWEL DRIVE
Thank you to all who so generously
gave to the ministry of Our Daily Bread
during our recent paper towel drive.
This year we collected 142 rolls of
paper towels for Our Daily Bread.
The Virginia Disciples Women Annual
Retreat will be held at Lynchburg College,
Lynchburg, VA from Friday, June 2nd through
Sunday, June 4th, 2017.
SPRING CLEAN-UP
UNDIES SUNDAY
Everyone (young & old) are invited and
encouraged to join the UCC Property Team on
SATURDAY, APRIL 1ST at 10:00 a.m. to
spruce up our Church Property. We need and
want EVERYONE to come and beautify the
inside and outside of our CHURCH. Bring
work gloves and tools to clean-up outside or if
you want to improve something inside bring
necessary items to work with.
If inclement weather the date will be
Saturday- April 8th. The more folks we have
the more fun we have.
The CWF is sponsoring a collection of
NEW UNDERWARE for MEN, WOMEN &
CHILDREN for The Radford Clothing Bank on
Sunday, March 12th and the following Sunday,
March 19th. There is a great need for these items,
so please support this local mission ministry!!
WEEK OF COMPASSION
Our Week of Compassion special offerings
were received in February. Offerings were
received at the C.W.F.-sponsored Week of
Compassion Soup Luncheon after Worship on
February 19th (Donation total: $501); and, (2)
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ELDERS’ SHEPHERDING MINISTRY
New elders will soon be reaching out to their
assigned shepherding groups.
For our regular Elders' meeting we met
together on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
for a Webinar sponsored by Lexington Theological
Seminary. The Webinar was titled:
"How to Survive and Thrive as an Elder."
It was led by Rev. Bill McDonald, a retired pastor
with 50 years' experience. We continue to share,
learn and grow in our faith and service.
During service on Feb. 12th, Bob Foster
and Curtis Lewis received Elder Emeritus
Certificates honoring them for their many years
of service.
Gloria Boyd
The Children Worship and Wonder ministry
continues to grow and move forward. We are
adding stories to our shelves every Sunday and the
children continue to learn and worship through
listening to the stories and reenacting the stories
themselves.
Now that we are past the Christmas season,
and before we begin the busy Easter season, we are
going to reschedule the greeter trainings. We are
going to have a training on March 12 and again on
April 30. These trainings will take place during
Sunday School in the Children Worship and
Wonder room.
As we enter the season of Lent the children
will be learning the stories of Jesus. They will be
working with a Lenten Puzzle for the first Sunday
of Lent. After that they will hear the stories of
Jesus and the Children, Jesus and Bartimaeus, and
Jesus and Zacchaeus. This is all leading us up to
Palm Sunday and Easter.
I continue to urge you to ask the children of
Unity Christian Church about the stories they are
hearing from Sunday to Sunday. They will be very
eager to tell you about them. God bless until next
month,
Lori Phillips
Children Worship & Wonder Ministry Coordinator
Storytellers & Greeters for March 2017
March 5 –
Storyteller:
Greeter:
March 12 –
Storyteller:
Greeter:
March 19 –
Storyteller:
Greeter:
March 26 –
Storyteller:
Greeter:
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“Lenten Puzzle”
Gina Rhea
Janice Cheverton
“Jesus and the Children”
Lori Phillips
Beth Denson
“Jesus and Bartimaeus”
Lori Phillips
Kathy Young
“Jesus and Zacchaeus”
Alyssa Wilson
Sally Davis
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
REsurrection 2017!
Scholarship application packets for 2017-18 are
located at the Welcome Center. The Scholarship
Committee has set May 15th as the deadline for
return of all forms & attachments.
If you wish the document in Word format for
online completion, please email the office and we
will send to you.
Craig Chrisman
UCC’s youth and leaders attended Resurrection
in Pigeon Forge, TN on January 20-22. We took 10
youth from grades 6-12 along with 4 adults on the
adventure. There was lots of laughter, tears, prayers,
praising, and togetherness throughout the trip. We
started off the weekend by renting a 15-passenger van
so that we could all ride together. That was one of the
best decisions we made! The youth were able to get to
know each other better through that experience along
with jamming out and singing together. Our speaker,
Mick Veach, challenged us to be Water Walkers and to
step out of the boat. The band, Rend Collective, led us
with praise songs each session. We had a special “catch
phrase” for the weekend too, so if you hear “Welcome
to Moe’s” by any of our youth, go ahead and say it back
J Our youth (and leaders) came back with many ideas
and a fire that is contagious. Overall, a great time was
had by all and we look forward to going back next year.
Thank you to Unity for the prayers and supporting us to
be able to go to Resurrection 2017.
Our next Board Meeting is on March 12th. The new
2017 Meeting Schedule for the Board follows:
March 12, 2017
May 21, 2017
July 9, 2017
September 10, 2017
November 12, 2017
December 10, 2017
Copies of the minutes and financial reports are
placed in the folder in the hallway near the Fellowship
Hall doors.
Blessings,
Sandy Pascoe, Chairman
2017 SCHEDULE for CRAIG SRINGS
June 2-4:
Spring Work Weekend
June 26-30:
Nature Camp
$335
July 2-July 7:
Special Camp
$335
July 10-15:
AMPDD Camp
$347*
July 16-21:
Triple 1 Camp
$347**
July 23-28:
Triple 2 Camp
$347**
July 30-Aug. 4: New Covenant Camp
$347**
Aug. 4-7:
Family Retreat ($75 per Adult,
$50 for under 18, free for 5 year and under)
Aug. 4-6: Men’s and Women’s Retreat
If you are interested in participating in any
of these camps, you may go to the regional
website (www.craigsprings.com) for more
information or notify Wendy.
OUTREACH NEWS – REACHING OUT
NEIGHBORS IN NEED
Thanks to everyone who gave during
February. This fund is used to help assist
local residents with electric bills, temporary
housing and food with pastor’s discretion. In
the winter months, there is always a great
need.
*Registration is now open. The church pays
half the registration. Scholarships for camp
are also available through District 2 Funds.
Camp packets available at Welcome Center.
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FOOD SUNDAY
We are always collecting donations the
first Sunday of each month for the Radford
Food Pantry and also for the Beans & Rice
program which supplies food and other
necessary items to our school children. We
wish to thank those who give to these two
outreaches. Items may be left anytime
during the month in the black box beside
the coat rack. (LISTS at Welcome Center)
Community Table
During February, we served approx. 300
meals to the men, women and children in our
community. Donations: Jan.-Feb. 2017; Total
to date: $535.30.
Kroger
Questions: CALL Kroger: (800) 409.4439) or
EMAIL Kroger at the following:
[email protected]
Website: www.krogercommunityrewards.com.
Earn more reward money for your organization
by shopping at Kroger!
Please sign up! Thank you.
STOP HUNGER NOW!
TO OUR HOUSE 2017
Winter Overnight Shelter for
Homeless Men in Radford
(March 4-10 - Dinner-Desserts)
(March 6, 8, &10 - Men’s Laundry)
(March 11-17 - Overnight Stay –
[Need two men to stay overnight and prepare
breakfast in the morning.]
Unity’s group:
Peter Romito, Jess Shepherd, Maria Downey,
Charmaine Turner, Barry and Becky Moore. Assisted
120 people package 18,000 food packages in two hours
during “Stop Hunger Now” campaign on Saturday,
January 28th! We had a BLAST!!!!
Sign-Up Sheet for TO OUR HOUSE
SERVICE @ Welcome Center Table
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Dear Friends,
Thank you for your generous gift. Our community is
our biggest partner in providing free services, support
and education to adult and child victims of sexual and
domestic violence. Your participation in our mission
helps us get closer to becoming a community free of
this type of violence. Again, thanks for continuing to
help the people at the WRC!
Pat Brown
Dear CWF and UCC Members,
Thank you for your recent generous donation of 142
rolls of paper towels to Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread.
As you may know, we are constantly in need of these
items to satisfy health department requirements. Up to
100 free meals are served every weekday to our
neighbors in need through our Meals on Wheels and
Dining Room programs. Thank you for supporting us
in this worthwhile and critical service to our
community.
Sincerely,
Donna Fern, Board Chair
To the congregation of Unity Christian Church,
Thank you so much for all the calls, cards,
prayers and love that you have shown us during Gene’s
latest hospitalization. We could feel the love and
support that was sent our way and are forever grateful
for it. We know that prayer works and Gene is living
proof of it. We are truly blessed to be a part of such an
amazing church family.
With God’s Love,
Annie, Lori, David, and grandkids
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MARCH DAILY BIBLE READINGS
Date
PRAYER CONCERNS
Church Members – New Concern: Randy Anderson,
Mary Jane Harmon.
Long-Term: Annie Akers, Gene Akers, Johnny Cole,
Bill Davis, Sonny Dodson, Marie Jackson, Tenny
Jones, Lois Horton, Frances Hunter, Jessica Jonas,
Benny Keister, Elsie Lewis, Michael & Pamela
Runnals, Angela Thompson, Bea Thompson, Danielle
Wall, and Tiffany Wall.
Community Friends: Johnny Batten, Eric Bryant, Linda
Brotherton, Nina Browning, Bernice Burke, Dianne
Burris, Ann Carpenter, Dorothy Buckland Charuhas,
Family of JoAnne Keehne Cook, Mabel Dehart, Sue
Dehart, David Dennis, Ellen Dillon, Jason Earll, Abram
Elswick, Yvonne Endicott, Aria Danielle Gibberson,
Megnan Govin, Family of Jordan Graham, Joan Heath,
Anne Holbrook, Kate Hurd (infant daughter
Caleb/Courtney Hurd), Ed Jarrells, Jack Johnson, Augusta
Foster Kennedy, Family of Mary Layton, Paul Mabe,
Glen Mallery, Tommy Mannon, Wendy Martin, Connie
Mauck, Ellen McGuire, Deanna McRoy, Beth Moore,
David Moore, Clifton Mottesheard, Family of Bruce
Orange, Phillip Mottesheard (Max’s son), Grace Nelson,
Joey Nester, Family of Daris North, Wayland Overstreet,
James Daren Reed, Dreama Rhodes & Daughter Santana,
Halle Ritchie, Avery Shawver, Roy Spark, Dale
Thompson, Doris Torrence, Johnny Van Kemp, Velena,
Laura Wallace, and Family of Melinda Wilson.
UCC ATTENDANCE STATISTICS
Sunday School
Jan. 29
Feb. 5
Feb. 12
Feb. 19
Feb. 26
44
34
30
30
37
Worship
Jan. 29
Feb. 5
Feb. 12
Feb. 19
Feb. 26
95
120
118
142
150
1
2
3
4
5
Morning
Mark
7:14-37
8:1-21
8:22-38
9:1-29
9:30-50
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
10:1-31
10:32-52
11:1-18
11:19-33
12:1-27
12:28-44
13:1-20
13:21-37
14:1-26
14:27-53
14:54-72
15:1-25
15:26-47
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
16
Luke
1:1-20
1:21-38
1:39-56
1:57-80
2:1-24
2:25-52
3
27
28
29
30
31
4:1-30
4:31-44
5:1-16
5:17-39
6:1-26
Evening
Numbers
23, 24, 25
26, 27
28, 29, 30
31, 32, 33
34, 35, 36
Deuteronomy
1, 2
3, 4
5, 6, 7
8, 9, 10
11, 12, 13
14, 15, 16
17, 18, 19
20, 21, 22
23, 24, 25
26, 27
28, 29
30, 31
32, 33, 34
Joshua
1, 2, 3
4, 5, 6
7, 8, 9
10, 11, 12
13, 14, 15
16, 17, 18
19, 20, 21
22, 23, 24
Judges
1, 2, 3
4, 5, 6
7, 8
9, 10
11, 12
“The outrage of hunger amidst plenty
will never be solved by ‘experts’ somewhere.
It will only be solved when people like
you and me decide to act.”

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and
a light unto my path.
(Psalm 119:105)
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