News & Updates

CDC EASES RESTRICTIONS “All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial. All things are lawful, but not all things build up.” 1Cor 10:23

Joe and I attended a Zoom education from the Annul Conference Moderator Paul Mundey, Mark DeVries and Dr. Kathryn Jacobsen, an epidemiologist on May 16, 2021. The title is “What will be the new normal? Anticipating a Post-Pandemic World”.

This was very timely, with the announcement of the CDC easing restrictions, that we followed to help keep people safe from COVID and from possibly spreading it to others. The easing of restrictions is for vaccinated individuals. Several points were made by the speakers I found helpful.

We need to be aware of our local situations regarding levels of COVID exposure. Dr. Jacobson provided internet site where you are able to see what the levels are for your area. https://covid.cdc.gov/coviddata-tracker/#datatracker-home. You can also do a google search, covid tracking Virginia, and you will find it. There is a color map that represent risk areas. Orange and Red are high risk areas. Blue and Yellow low risk areas.

One of the first questions asked is “Can we sing in Church?” Outside is fine. If the region is orange or red, communal singing is not recommended. Dr. Jacobson advised that erring on the safe of wearing a mask when singing.

The guidelines are more for individuals than groups. Each person needs to make their own decision about wearing a mask or not, when away from home, or in close proximation to non-family members. There is no one right answer.

We also should be aware that even though some people are vaccinated for the COVID virus, doesn’t mean there is no risk. If you are exposed to someone infected, you may not get sick, but you can still be a carrier to someone else.

Deciding to follow eased guidelines or hold off and be cautious, is an individual choice no one else can make for you. We are in this world to serve God, not be judgmental of one another.

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We would like to thank all of you who have been so faithful to continue your support of Williamson Road Church of the Brethren throughout these trying times of COVID-19. Your support is so very important as the expenses of everyday operations and maintenance of the church continue. We appreciate all you do. Please feel free to mail your offering as we are checking the mail during the week.

Williamson Road Church of the Brethren 3110 Pioneer Road, NW Roanoke, VA 24012

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I’M BACK IN THE OFFICE!

Dear WRCOB Family,

I have returned to the church for office hours from 9-5 on Tuesdays through Fridays. I am very grateful for the opportunity to work from home during the beginning of the pandemic, however, I have now returned to church. I am very appreciative with the flexibility of the church leadership to allow me to work from home during some of the worst times of the pandemic. Thank you for all you do for WRCOB!

Pastor Harvey

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GRADUATE SUNDAY We will be observing GRADUATE SUNDAY on June 13, 2021!

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PLEASE NOTE: The next LEADERSHIP TEAM MEETING will be held on June 20th at 5:00 pm and will be offered in-person as well as ZOOM

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CONGREGATIONAL FORUM HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Congregational Forum scheduled June 6th has been rescheduled for June 27th at 1:30 PM at the church. This is due to schedule conflicts and the Holiday.

While “Zoom” will be available on the 27th to those unable to attend I strongly suggest that all able members attend the meeting. In addition to reports being given by the Leadership Team and the Deacon Body a discussion of how our church can move forward post COVID-19. A time for shared discussion is also planned around how we can work together to move our Churches Ministry forward into this new era.

To that end David Shumate, our district Executive, will attend along with a representative from Discipleship and Reconciliation. They will assist in moderating our discussion as we move towards an understanding of our strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities we may be afforded for growth and understanding.

Thank you, Williamson Road CoB

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Williamson Road Church of the Brethren WELCOMES ISAAC BOULDIN Isaac will be serving as our summer accompanist beginning on July 4, 2021! He will serve along with Ruth Ann Hannah! We are grateful for him helping us this summer. WELCOME ISAAC!

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Casa Latina 3110 Pioneer Rd.

NW Roanoke, Virginia 24012

(540) 579-2776 www.casarenacerva.org

May 31, 2021

Dear Leadership Team,

Casa Latina would like to thank you again for the generous sharing of space that you have provided in the last two years. When we first restructured, there was no money incoming, and we so appreciated that generosity. We have now become established to the point that we are receiving small grants, and we would like to share that with you.

First of all, we would like to make a monthly donation of $100.00 to the church. In addition, we would like to donate 10% of any grant funding we receive that is not limited to food and that will fund programs taking place at Williamson Road Church of the Brethren. We had generous donations and grant funding to address the food insecurity in the Spanish-speaking community during the dark days of the pandemic, but that money was earmarked for food, and we weren’t able to use it for any other purposes.

Thanks again for your constant support. We so appreciate having Harvey on the board, and we appreciate the use of space. We would love to have some of you volunteering with us as we expand our programs and offerings. Thanks so much from the Casa Latina board and volunteers.

Sincerely, Dr. Gresilda A. Tilley-Lubbs, President

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Williamson Road of the Church of the Brethren and the Virlina District Board- Commission on Ministry congratulate Terri Welch Luzynski

Licensed to the Gospel Ministry

May 30, 2021

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MESSENGER

It’s that time of year----time to renew your subscription to Messenger. Watch for information on the table by the stairs in the next couple weeks. Subscriptions must be turned in no later than June 15, 2021!

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WORSHIP LEADERS NEEDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! We are in need of Worship Leaders to help lead in our weekly worship services. We would like to have enough to rotate as many Sundays as possible. If you are interested, please let Pastor Harvey know as soon as possible!

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE WORSHIP MEDIA MINISTRY TEAM We are currently live streaming our worship. We need volunteers to help “run the service” behind the scenes. We need three volunteers to run the equipment from the back of the sanctuary each and every week to make live streaming possible. We are also recording the service and tying it to a YouTube account to show on our webpage. This is a learning process for all involved. David Bailey is heading up this new ministry and will help out as much as he can in person. We are in need of a team of volunteers to make this a reality. If YOU are interested in volunteering, please contact Pastor Harvey asap. We appreciate you!

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THE 2021 ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE ENTIRELY ONLINE THE YEAR JUNE 30—JULY 4, 2021

We are throwing open the doors to thousands of Brethren who never before have been able to participate fully in Annual Conference. Imagine an opportunity for many people from each of our congregations to participate in the vital opportunities that will be included in the 2021 Annual Conference, gaining tools and resources for their congregations'’ ministries, benefiting from leadership development, earning continuing education credits, participating in spiritual growth, and networking with other Brethren who share similar ministries and interests.

Registration opened on March 2nd. This year’s non-delegate cost is $99.00.

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THE CHALLENGE OF AN ONLINE ANNUAL CONFERENCE - IDEAS NEEDED! The territory of the Virlina District is inclusive of an area of about 100,000 square miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Ohio River across portions of three states. Having an online Annual Conference is necessary given the restrictions and uncertainties amidst a pandemic. Nevertheless, internet accessibility is limited in many areas of the district. As we ponder how to include the greatest number of our congregations in the Annual Conference it is clear that we need creative approaches. One idea has been to have congregations with strong internet connection and considerable space serve as "cluster points" for delegates. If you have thoughts on this matter, please send your ideas to us at nuchurch@aol.com.