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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Williamson Road Church Leadership Team and Church Family,

July 16th was a very bittersweet day for me. The bitter is that I will be leaving you as your Administrative Assistant and the sweet is I will be getting to really retire! I will be retiring effective July 31, 2021.

Many thoughts have gone into this decision for this change in my life, along with prayer and trust in the Lord for my future. Things have changed with my Mother as she needs more help and Henry is scheduled for prostate cancer surgery this month. They will both be needing more of my time. There is much stress right now and this is not good for my health either.

I want each of you to know that you will always hold a special place in my heart and I will miss being here! You have all been nothing but wonderful and loving to me and my family and friends! THANK YOU! Always feel free to stay in touch! Please keep us in your prayers as we start this new chapter in our lives.

Thank you, Judy Boitnott

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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 and his last Sunday will be August 15th, 2021! He will serve along with Ruth Ann Hannah! We are grateful for him helping us this summer. WELCOME ISAAC!

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NEW----MONTHLY BIBLE STUDY!

The Sisters of Service are hosting a monthly Bible study based on Max Lucado’s book Ten Women of the Bible. This will be a zoom Bible study on the second Tuesday of each month from September 2021 to June 2022. Meeting time will be 7:00 to 8:30 pm. Linda Anderson, Teresa Cooper and Terri Luzynski have agreed to serve as the initial leaders. Others are welcome to lead as the study progresses. All women are invited. Please let Teresa Cooper know if you need a book or if you need assistance with setting up for zoom. We look forward to exploring the rich Biblical heritage of these women!

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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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WORLD HUNGER AUCTION - AUGUST 14, 2021 The World Hunger Auction will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 starting at 9:30 a.m. This is the culmination to our year-long fund-raising activities, The World Hunger Auction, is held each August at Antioch Church of the Brethren, 2996 Callaway Road, near Rocky Mount, VA. The auction includes the sale of crafts, quilts, toys, produce, baked and canned goods, special services and much more. Come early for the best selection. Let the highest bidder win, for doing what we can opens the door for God to do much more.

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GOOD BOOKS FOR SALE We have a surplus of good, new books, formerly bought as textbooks for Christian Growth Institute, at the District Resource Center. Our price is 25% below the list price on Amazon. If you would enjoy perusing the list, please advise us at eheadliner@aol.com and we will send it to you. Many are good books about the Good Book!

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CONTRIBUTE TO THE CHURCH WHEN YOU SHOP AT AMAZON If you or someone you know shops online with Amazon, Amazon will contribute .5% of your purchase to the Church of the Brethren. There is no cost, simply sign up and Amazon does the rest. .5% is not much, but spread across all of the Amazon shoppers in our denomination, it would certainly add up. Click on "Account" then go to "Your Lists" and finally click "AmazonSmile Charity Lists". From there just follow the prompts and select Church of the Brethren, Elgin, IL. The only thing you need to remember is to shop at "smile.amazon.com" in the future instead of just "amazon.com", but all of your information transfers automatically.

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NATIONAL OLDER ADULT CONFERENCE (NOAC) ONLINE

SEPTEMBER 6 - 10, 2021 The 2021 NOAC Planning Team is hard at work making plans for the first online National Older Adult Conference. Although we wish we could be together in person at Lake Junaluska in September, we are grateful for the technology that allows us to gather "virtually." One of the benefits of holding NOAC online is that those who have been unable to travel to Lake Junaluska for NOAC due to finances, health, or schedule conflicts, may be able to participate online this year.

Online registration is now open at www.brethren.org/NOAC. Cost per person is $100 and per couple is $150. Paper registration forms are available upon request by calling: (800) 323-8039 ext. 303. The registration fee will provide access to all sessions, worship services, workshops, and recorded archives. We hope each person/ couple who plans to attend will register and pay the fee so that we can continue to provide a meaningful experience for all.

NOAC 2021 will begin on Monday, September 6 at 7 p.m. with announcements, NOAC News and worship. It will end on Friday, September 10 at 9 a.m. with worship.

The daily schedule Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will include: (all times are eastern)

♦ 8:30-9:30 a.m. Morning Bible Study led by Joel Kline

♦ 9:45- 11:30 a.m. Keynote Speakers will include Karen Gonzalez, Lisa Sharon Harper, and Ted Swartz & Ken Medema

♦ 1:30- 2:45 p.m. Workshops and Virtual Field Trips

♦ 3:15- 4:30 p.m. Workshops and Virtual Field Trips

♦ 7:00 p.m. Announcements, NOAC News

♦ 7:30 p.m. Worship with preachers Christy Dowdy, Paula Bowser, Andrew Wright, Don Fitzkee, and Eric Landram

♦ 8:30 p.m. Virtual Ice Cream socials with Outdoor Ministries Association, Bethany Theological Seminary and our Brethren colleges/universities

We are hoping that districts and congregations will organize viewing parties (keeping in mind COVID safety protocols). Perhaps a Sunday School class or Bible Study group could plan to meet at the church or in someone's home. We are working with our retirement communities to provide opportunities for viewing, especially for those in assisted living and nursing care units.

There are opportunities for giving- we will have a Virtual "Fundraising Walk around the Lake" which will raise funds for the Emergency Disaster Fund and assist congregations which have been impacted by the COVID pandemic. We are also raising funds to provide books for the Lake Junaluska Elementary School. Donations may be made through Brethren Press. Watch for more information about these giving opportunities.

We have a webpage at www.brethren.org/NOAC. We are also on Facebook at "Church of the Brethren NOAC." Both are updated on a regular basis