Author: tbc

2014 found the Kitchen Team hard at work in the area of the church it carries in its name.  Amazingly many of the same people on this team find themselves in other areas of the church serving as well!  The Kitchen Team coordinates the Fellowship Meals on Wednesday nights during the program season of the church year—September-May.  The team also helps to coordinate receptions, meals for special events such as business meetings and Fan Feast and the cleaning and care of the kitchen and eating areas of the Fellowship Hall.  The members of this team serve faithfully each week to make sure that meals are served that both taste good and are affordable.  Bonnie Bailey, Priscilla Kinchen, Gerry Spiller, Peggy Strong and Linda and Jack White have served as the mainstays of this committee for several years.  Anita McCarty has served each Wednesday evening as our “cashier.”  This ministry is both budgeted and supported by the payments for meals each Wednesday.  It has been a great help to have the “Square” available each week to help Anita as she takes payments.  We work hard to stay within the budget.

The kitchen is seeing a large increase in use as our International congregations often have meals after their events.  Tabernacle Child Care Center uses it each weekday to prepare the meals for their children and staff.  Groups that stay in the building sometimes prepare their meals in the kitchen.  We are often cooking in shifts, cleaning as we go so that the next group can prepare for their event.  The equipment and space are well used.   We are blessed to have a great kitchen and serving space—you should come volunteer to serve on the kitchen team!  We don’t have a lot of meeting, but are likely to be together cooking and cleaning.

In our recent church Business Meeting, Nelson Melton, Construction & Renovation Committee Chairman, presented an update regarding our God-Sized Vision campaign.  Meeting participants heard about changes planned for the basement/Fellowship Hall area as well as the First Floor/Sunday School Classroom area.  Those present were also given the opportunity to ask questions that they had about this significant project.  Below are a couple of those questions and a summary of the responses provided (questions are paraphrased):

• “I would like to have a more detailed view of the project and the associated time line.  Where and when will that be provided to me and the rest of the congregation?”
  The Construction & Renovation Committee has created a PowerPoint/video presentation that provides an update to be shared with our congregation.  We plan to have it on display in the very near future.  Included in that progress report is an estimated time line.  This information will be updated regularly as we confirm more details regarding each phase of the initiative.  David Wolf and Jay Hartman are working to place a video monitor in the hallway near the Meadow Street entrance.  This monitor will be used for not only updates for our Embracing a God-Sized Vision campaign, but other information of interest to the congregation from time to time.
• “How much money has the campaign raised to date?”
  As of the end December 2014 we have collected $617,051.13 of the approximately $1.4 million dollars committed by our congregation.  We are so very appreciative of everyone’s contributions!

Please check each edition of the TAB for additional information about our construction and renovation efforts.  The TAB is a key method of communication for the committee.  Also look for displays in areas of the church impacted by upcoming renovation activities.

Your input is always welcomed.  Contact Donna Soyars, our Communcations sub-committee chairperson, if you have any additional ideas for how we can get the message out to our congregation about any aspect of Tabernacle’s Embracing a God-Sized Vision.

As we gather, let us wonder. As we wonder, may we worship.

On Wednesday nights, the children of Tabernacle gather together to engage in the Bible through Godly Play. Godly Play is a creative Bible story technique that encourages children (ages Pre-K to 5th) to imagine themselves as part of the story and to wonder freely about the biblical narrative. They are also encouraged to respond to the stories through art and play. The rooms are filled with the children’s artwork – come check it out!

Our curriculum matches up with the narrative lectionary. So, this Fall we engaged the stories of the Old Testament, from Abraham to Esther! As we move into the Spring, Godly Play will spend some time learning Parables from the book of Matthew before engaging Lenten stories.

Our Godly Play team is dedicated to walking alongside the children as we learn together. Christen Schumacher, Anna Tuckwiller, Ryan Corbitt, Kristen Koger, Joe Perdue, and Megan Strollo serve each week with the children.

Visitors are always welcome to join us and experience the wonder and worship that occurs each week in Godly Play!

Megan Strollo, on behalf of the Godly Play Team

Young adults continue to be a vibrant, growing, and vital part of the Tabernacle Baptist Church family.  The Young Adult team exists to encourage young adults to build close relationships with one another and to engage them in the existing ministries and activities of the Church.

The Young Adult Team hosted several fellowship events during 2014.  A large group of us gathered for the Super Bowl last February, where some of watched the game itself and others just to spend quality time with old and new friends, and commercials. Several of us went apple picking again this fall at Carter Mountain Orchard. In September we attended a party at the home of the Schumacher’s, and even that is even more meaningful now that Dan has accepted a call to his first senior pastorate.  A large group of us gathered in December for our annual Christmas party, where there was much laughing and abundance of chili during a boisterous white elephant gift exchange.

While the Young Adult team tries to organize several “official” events during the course of the year, we believe that the best, most meaningful connections happen organically and often spontaneously. In order to help foster these connections, the Young Adult Team maintains a fairly active Facebook page where people can connect with one another, ask questions, and invite people to events they are attending. Fellowship, discipleship, worship, and service opportunities are frequently posted there.

Young adults continue to support children and youth activities.  They also meet regularly for discipleship activities and small groups.  Young adults participate regularly in worship, serve as deacons and committee members, and continue to support the life and mission of the church.  We find that Tabernacle is a place where we feel called to serve, to plunge into the deep waters of faith, to offer our best to God in worship, and to find kindred spirits to share our lives with.

As we look to the future, we are excited about how we see God leading us.  Tabernacle is growing, and new faces continue to show up regularly.  The Young Adult Team hopes to continue supporting the life church by helping people feel connected and welcome.  We hope to do even more in the year to come to promote fellowship, mission, and discipleship opportunities for young adults as we seek to follow Christ in the world.

Joe Perdue and Art Wright

Young Adult Team Leaders

This past year has been a year of tremendous growth and relationship building for our youth! Here are a few of the highlights from the 2014 year.

* We continued with our Wednesday night D Groups as our middle and high school students gather in smaller groups to discuss the upcoming Sunday’s scripture passage with leadership from Mark Snipes and Kate Ayers (middle school) and Emily White and Julie Sisson (high school).

* Sunday School continues to be a time of fellowship, music and discussion led by David Wolf

* The youth gathered together for a Disciple Now weekend in May where they talked about identity and being rooted in Christ. Thank you to the Hoffpauirs and the Hartmans for opening up their homes again for our youth to stay overnight.

* This summer, 3 adults and 11 youth experienced a new camp called UniDiversity where they participated in bible study, seminars, electives, worship, and games. The theme for the week was “Everyone is… Is Everyone…?” Our group got to explore different ways that they are broken, forgiven, invited and powerful and how they can be vulnerable, accepted, welcome, and responsible.

* We also had youth that participated in the VA Baptist All-State Choir and the VA Baptist Music and Worship Arts Camp

* The group has gathered together for fellowship events like a trip to the river, a trip to Turner Smith’s river house and the Welstead’s house, gathering together on Halloween, and cheering each other on in various sports and extra-curricular activities.

* We have also enjoyed having our youth lead on many occasions in worship by reading or singing. We learned a song in the Kachin language and were able to share this in worship!

We look forward to seeing how our youth learn about themselves and grow into the people God formed them to be as we continue to live in a time filled with vibrant and life-giving ministry.

Youth Team: Julie Gaines, Kristen Koger, Sterling Severns, Emily White, David Wolf

This ministry provides food and clothing to needy families in our neighborhood.  The pantry and clothes closet are open every Thursday from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.  Food is distributed and the clothes closet is open for all to shop.  This is also a place where people can come to share their experiences and situations, and sometimes to just fellowship and talk or have prayer.  It is funded by contributions made to the Fellowship Fund and Food Pantry Fund and from time to time grants. Bill Finley was able to secure a $1000 grant from Chevron again this year.

Food pantry and clothes closet are staffed by dedicated volunteers.

In 2014, we distributed 2,503 bags of groceries to 650 families, including 70 homeless persons.  Some came only once and some every month.  On average a family came between 3 and 4 times a year.  There were 261 families who visited the food pantry for the first time in 2014.  We distributed over 50,000 pounds of food (25 tons) this year – an increase of 6% over 2013.  We strive to provide well-packed bags of food each week.

This year about 75% of food we distribute comes from the USDA program.  The Food Bank makes an allotment of food based on number of families served.  USDA food is picked up on the first Wednesday of each month.  One week we picked up almost 4,000 pounds of food.  Dan Schumacher has been a real help in organizing volunteers to pick up food on the first Wednesday of each month.  Many thanks to Dan and his team for taking on this task.  We will miss Dan and his help and welcome Nathan Hatfield who has taken over this task from Dan.

This ministry to the needy could not be accomplished without the help of a lot of volunteers.  In 2013, 19 volunteers gave over 1,900 hours of their time to make this ministry possible.  Many thanks to our regulars who come most every week – Jerry Spiller, Priscilla Kinchen, Jack White, and Bill and Jean Finley – who serve so faithfully.  Hope Nycum joined us this year to help stock the shelves.

Jane Denzler continues to manage the clothes closet, assisted by Linda White, Connie Jones and Brenda Cox.  Each week the volunteers sort donated clothes, shoes, etc., hang clothes in designated areas for women, men and children and assist clients in selecting clothes.  Items chosen are bagged and toiletries given out if available.  An important part of this ministry is to maintain a friendly environment where clients feel welcome and comfortable.  Each week, a steady number of clients visit the clothes closet as the word spreads about this ministry.  Consequently, we always need your clothing and shoes, particularly for men.  Thank you to everyone who donated clothes and toiletries this past year.  With your donations, our clients are able to tell us Tabernacle’s Clothes Closet is the best in the area.

If you visit us on any Thursday, do not be surprised if you hear laughter, for it truly is a fun working environment.  Every week people tell us what a great thing this church is doing and how much they appreciate what we do and the way they are treated.  I think that is what this ministry is about – whether it is getting food, clothing, or just having someone listen.  We want people to feel better after coming here.  I find every year that the people who serve in this ministry do so because they want to help others.  We are still here because there is still a need and because we have people willing to help address the need.

Dick Denzler

Director, Food Pantry/Clothes Closet Ministry

 

 

A little history:

The food pantry started around 1978 by collecting food from the congregation and distributing to people who came to the church.  It was actually stored in a pantry.

In 1998 (first year we started keeping statistics) the food pantry began participating in the USDA program. The first year the monthly average was 19 families and 27 bags of food distributed.  In 2014 monthly average was 185 families and 209 bags.

In the first 5 years we had about 540 families visit the food pantry.  As of December, 2014 that number has grown to 3,682.

The clothes closet began in 1978, and in 1998 it was operating in a 10 ½ by 22 foot room, about 230 square feet.  We have expanded the clothes closet space to almost 1,400 square feet.

This year in music ministry began in a relaxed mood.  Easter was later this year, April 20th, there was time to learn lots of music as well as the music for Holy Week and Easter.  Then it SNOWED every other Wednesday in February!!!  We rose to the occasion and survived in a grand fashion.   Several anthems were taken off the table, literally taken off the table and returned to the file cabinet, but the necessary music was rehearsed and presented in a beautiful manner.  The Sanctuary Choir is amazing.

In January for Epiphany we presented many different settings of “The Cupboard’s Full”  by Tim Coons.  The song was presented by Ron and Terry, the Older Children and Youth Group and by the entire Sanctuary Choir in an arrangement by Ryan Corbitt.  The worship service included communion each Sunday so that each service also included communion songs.  The Karen, Chin, Lisu and Kachin choirs also contributed to the music of worship.

The Sanctuary Choir welcomed several new members during this year.  We were excited to have Paul and Lugene Fernald and Renee Grinnell singing with us in January, Faith John, Charity Roberson and Renee’s brother Graham Grinell joined us later in the year..  They are great additions to our group.  The Sanctuary Choir is almost out of robes, but there is room still for anyone who wants to join us!

The Lenten season was centered on the theme of the cross. The décor included a large cross that was covered with newsprint and two 20 Ft. banners that were covered with pictures of crosses found in unexpected places and backed with newsprint.  Hymns and anthems about the cross of Jesus were sung throughout the season.  The emphasis was on looking for where Jesus could be found in the world as we moved into new places in our lives. Entering Holy Week the Older Children’s Choir, the Youth Choir and the Sanctuary Choir sang the anthem for Palm Sunday and the Younger Children’s Choir also presented two selections.   The Maundy Thursday Service was held in the Sanctuary around tables and included food, questions and foot and hand washing.   Nathan Hatfield, Megan Strollo and Denise Walters sang for the service.  The Good Friday Service consisted of a performance of “Remember Me” by Taylor Davis.  Alan Miller and Ryan Corbitt accompanied the Sanctuary Choir.   Sanctuary Choir and the Ladies of the Choir provided the music for Easter Sunday.  The Easter Service ended with the singing of “Low in the Grave He Lay” by the different communities that worship together here at Tabernacle.

In the month of May the Children’s Choir became a bell choir.  The children’s singing choir became a Bell Choir.  We met though the month of May and shared our music with the congregation on June 1.  The children learned a great deal about bells and playing bells in a short period of time.  Special thanks are due Lugene Fernald, Laura Jones and Laura Severns for their excellent teaching and patience.  Several people continued to ring into the month of June.

The Sanctuary Choir sang though the 8th of June to cover Pentecost Sunday.  This year several of them wanted to continue singing into the summer and formed the “We Sing What We Want” Ensemble!!  They collected several anthems that are favorites of members of the group and rehearsed them and shared these favorites with the congregation.   We had a great time singing and sharing some of the old favorites from the past. .  Sharing the stories of how we came to love the anthems we chose to share allowed the choir members to get to know one another on a deeper level.  Many thanks are due to Ron Simmons and Terry Witt for encouraging this choir—all I had to do was play! It was good fun.  In June we also had a brief sighting of a Hand Bell group, but summer travels soon got in the way.   We did manage to play for church once.

Pentecost was particularly exciting this year as we filled the sanctuary with red, yellow and orange 12” balloons and origami doves.  The children released helium filled balloons into the sanctuary during the processional.  There was a celebration in our wonderful sanctuary.

On June 17th we held the first of what we hope will be many Open Mic Nights in the Tabernacle Fellowship Hall.  About 12 people performed their songs and then the Meadow Street Band closed out the evening.  It was a great time of fellowship and celebration of talents!  The second of these events was on August 18 at 7:00-9:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall.  We shared original songs, magic tricks, stories, poems, piano solos and lots of Broadway songs.  It was great fun to discover people’s talents.  Do you know we have a member who is a dulcimer player?  Ron, Terry and Susan Braden were responsible for these highly successful  “Open Mike” night events.

July 14-18 Kristen Koger and I took Waysnah, Monica, Christina, Ja Sang Mai, Sang Lung, Doi Bu, Way Doh, K’Paw, Kekoa and Kanoa to Music and Worship Arts Camp at Eagle Eryie.  The Virginia Baptist Mission Board sponsors this camp.  Activities at Camp include singing, drama, art, orchestra and a lot of swimming!  We all had a great time and are looking forward to next summer!  Chrstina Sung, Monica Iang, Waysnah Htoo,  Brynne Severns, Dylan, Kaeo, Kanoa and Kekoa Burgess auditioned for Virginia Baptist All-State Choir in September and all of them were accepted into the choir.  We love participating in Virginia Baptist music activities!

September brought Sterling’s return and the return of regular church activities.  Sanctuary Choir got back to their normal schedule and the Wednesday evening children’s activities include choir.  We are busy preparing for the weekly worship services and for Christmas concerts and programs.  The Sanctuary Choir began working on “Gloria” by Antonio Vivaldi and several other anthems that are based on the “Gloria” text.     The children sang several songs based around the Narrative Lectionary passages and then began to work on their Christmas Pageant.  This year Marty Watkin wrote the pageant.

The pageant was presented on December 14th in the 11:00 AM worship service.  The children were responsible for the dramatic portions of the pageant and the youth group provided the music for the program.   The Sanctuary Choir and friends sang at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Va. on Dec. 20.   The program included “Gloria in D” by Antonio Vivaldi and “Gloria” by Craig Courtney.   We were accompanied by a string Quartet.  We then presented several of those pieces during worship on Dec. 21 and at Christmas in the Fan with the Richmond Concert Band on the same day.  The Christmas Eve service was a wonderful mix of solos, duet and ensembles.  Tabernacle is blessed with an amazing amount of musical talent.

We are grateful for the talents and dedication of our music staff, Ryan Corbitt, Ron Simmons and Terry Witt.  Their talent and versatility is amazing.  This Christmas season Ryan Corbitt recorded a solo album of Christmas and Advent pieces, Ron conducted the Vivaldi and Terry sang several of the solos.  The music program would not be the same without them.  Serving in the music ministry at Tabernacle is a wonderful opportunity.

Judy Fiske