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Greetings Presbytery of Shenandoah,
As I write this my husband and daughter are on their way back to Buffalo
after helping me move in yesterday. So tonight, I sleep alone in a house for
the first time in a very long time! As I unpack trying to create some
semblance of order I am aware of things I left behind and took for granted: a
night light; extension cords; dish soap. True, they are all things I can go and
get - and I will - yet it points me to other “things” I have left as well.
I have left, for the time being, the bear hugs of my 6’5” son, the ability to
have my daughter just pop in after work and the rhythm of life that comes
with 32 years of marriage.
All this is to say that I couldn’t be here without their love and support as
they discerned along with me this call to be your General Presbyter/ Stated
Clerk. We as a family, including the two sons in NYC, are all so excited
about this next part of my journey in ministry with you. And that is my hope,
that we engage in ministry together to the glory of God. So, let us have ears
to hear how God is calling us into the future.
I have more to unpack and a few more things to run out and get to help
make this house a home. I am so very happy to be here, I’m excited about
where God is taking us.
See you around the Presbytery!
Blessings,
Bronwen
Welcome to Bronwen Boswell!
Our New General Presbyter and State Clerk
Reformation 500 Years
Throughout 2017, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and
Reformed churches worldwide have been commemorating the
500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, celebrating
the day in late October 1517 when Martin Luther unknowingly
spurred a radical movement by posting his 95 theses at the
Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany.
PRESBYTERY OF
SHENANDOAH
October 2017 Volume 2, Issue 8
Shenandoah Press
Special points of
interest:
Bronwen Boswell
Ukirk invite
We celebrate Roy
Martin’s service!
New CPT chair
Events and Happenings
around the presbytery
Inside this issue:
New General
Presbyter/Stated
Clerk
1
Farewell to
Roy Martin
2
Seasons... 3
Union
Presbyterian
Church 200 years
4
5
Ethiopia Trip
Advent Resources
6
August Stated
Presbytery
Meeting
7
Committee News 8
9
Invitations
& Events
10
11
Calendar Dates 12
Presbytery Staff is here for you
Bronwen Boswell
General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Email – [email protected]
Nancy Meehan Yao Associate General Presbyter
Email – [email protected]
Kim Stroupe, Admin. Assistant
Email – [email protected]
Heather Carter, Funds Admin.
Email – [email protected]
Donna Lanaghan, Communications
Email – [email protected]
Larry Holsinger, Treasurer Celebrate Reformation
Sunday October 29, 2017
Page 2 Shenandoah Press
Many, many thanks for all of the love and
warm wishes I have received by card, email,
and in person! Thank you, also, to the
Committee on Presbytery Administration and
their helpers for the wonderful farewell
party! As I have said before, I am confident
that Shenandoah Presbytery has a bright future
because so many of you have given and
continue to give time and energy to its
work. I will miss each of you and hold you all
in my prayers.
Roy
The Rev. Dr. Roy A. Martin, Jr.
FORMER Transitional Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Roy Martin: “Thank You”
Shenandoah Presbytery
invites you to a Celebration of
Four Years of Service of our Transitional Presbyter,
the Rev. Dr. Roy Martin
Tuesday, September 26, 2017 1:00 - 3:00 pm
at the Shenandoah Presbytery office
1111 N. Main Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22802
Page 3 Volume 2, Issue 8
“For everything, there is a season…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
Fall is my favorite season. Although this will be my first fall in Shenandoah Valley, I can already see how beautiful
it is here. It is a time of pumpkins, and corn mazes, harvest festivals and sweater weather. It is also, for many of
us, the time of Stewardship Season.
Stewardship is a response of gratitude to the grace we have been given. But what if, instead of limiting
stewardship to just 1 season, we practiced stewardship year round? Deborah Rexrode, in her article in the
Presbyterian Outlook calls us to look at “seasons of stewardship”, instead of just a “stewardship season.” She
lists these seasons:
A Season of Discernment: a time to study and deepen stewardship goals for the church and ourselves.
A Season of Direction: a time to evaluate the ministries we are engaged in, to seek where God is calling us
next, and to make plans for the stewardship emphasis.
A Season of Development: a time for us to focus on the development of new ways to encourage faithful,
regular giving during the summer, and to help children and youth learn what it is to be a good steward
(including talking about and modeling this for and with them).
A Season of Dedication: the time when “we focus on discipleship and commitment to not only pledging our
financial resources to the ministries that God is calling us to do, but also to consider our involvement in
them.” (Deborah Rexrode)
“…we are servants of Christ, and stewards of God’s mysteries…” (1 Corinthians 4:1) We have received grace
upon grace, and are called to be good stewards of all of our lives. May God bless us in this season, and every
season. For resources for stewardship, see below, or contact me at [email protected]
Stewardship Resources:
Stewardshift by Bob Sitze
Stewardship made Whole, by Adam Copeland
Not your Father’s Offering Plate by J. Clif Christopher
PCUSA Presbyterian Foundation: http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/Resources/Ministry-Resources/
Stewardship-Resource-Center.aspx
Blessings-
Nancy
Associate General Presbyter—Nancy Meehan Yao
Page 4 Shenandoah Press
Patricia Lawhorn, Special to The News Leader Published 12:46 p.m. ET Aug. 2, 2017 | Updated 4:07 p.m. ET Aug. 2, 2017
The Union Presbyterian Church, just off Va. 42, north of Churchville is celebrating 200 years.(Photo: Submitted/Patricia Lawhorn)
If walls could talk, the ones at Union Presbyterian Church, north of Churchville, would have 200 years’ worth of memories to tell you about.
They could tell you about the first church service held on the property on a cold winter day on Feb. 15, 1817. With a heavy snow on the
ground, it has been recorded in church records that 38 people, 18 of them from the Hogshead family, gathered on a hillside which would
become the location for Union Presbyterian Church.
The Rev. Conrad Spence, the pastor of Augusta Stone Church, preached a sermon from the top of an old stump with people gathered around
a log fire to keep warm. He then proceeded to help with the organization of the church and the election, ordination and installation of elders.
On April 17, 1817, at the Presbytery meeting held in Lexington, the organization of Union Presbyterian Church was approved with 44 charter
members.
Three acres were donated by James Cochran, who was a prominent landowner in the area. The site was centered between Augusta Stone,
Hebron and Mossy Creek Churches in Augusta County. The name Union was chosen because it would be made up of members from the
three churches Cochran was so determined that it be named Union that he put it as a stipulation in the deed.
The original building was erected in haste. It only took four months from its organizational meeting, which resulted in a poorly constructed
building. Since money was scarce, the building was not complete. The roof was put on without putting a ceiling in. They continued to use the
building in this condition until the winter of 1833-34 when the weight of heavy snows flattened out the rafters, pushing the walls outward
causing the building to collapse. The congregation continued to meet at a different location until Dr. John Hendren, who was the first full-time
pastor at Union, was instrumental in getting the church rebuilt.
Members of the Union Presbyterian Church gather in 1917 for the church's centennial celebration. (Photo: Submitted/Patricia Lawhorn)
A contract for a new church building can be found in the files at Union Presbyterian Seminary’s library in Richmond. It states the building
would be completed on Aug. 1, 1835, placed on the old stone foundation and had to be 45 feet long and 38 feet wide. The walls were to be
made of hard brick, with 18-foot-high walls, which were to be 18 inches thick. The ceiling was to be made of good plank, the walls to be
plastered, the three colonial-style windows on each side were to be equipped with a pulley for raising. The congregation was to pay John
Fauber $2,389, with the final payment due upon completion before the keys would be handed over. The records show that the church was not
used until 1837, suggesting that the congregation had trouble raising the remainder of the money.
If walls could talk, they would tell you that Dr. John Hendren pastored Union Presbyterian Church from 1818 until 1856 when he had to give
up the work he loved due to failing health. His final prayer with the congregation was That God Be Pleased To Preserve A People To Worship
Him In This Place Until The End Of Time.
If walls could talk, they would tell you about the renovations it has gone through over the span of 200 years. For its centennial anniversary, it
got a facelift consisting of refinishing the walls in the sanctuary and a tin ceiling over top of the old wooden one. Other additions included a
new coal and wood furnace and new paint, described in a newspaper clipping from that date as being a biscuit color with bright white trim.
The windows were remodeled from the colonial style with the small panes to larger panes of colored glass, with a rounded top.
For that celebration, the church invited multiple pastors to the daylong event, and they celebrated with a dinner on the grounds.
In 1950, the church built an educational building along with two indoor bathrooms, seven new Sunday school rooms, a basement that had a
fellowship hall and a modern kitchen completely equipped by the women of the church. All of this cost $15,441.41.
The old union session building before it was torn down in 1951. A new bell was added and it is still used today.
The lighting system at Union has been changed multiple times over the past 200 years, going from candles to oil lamps to kerosene chandeliers
to the chandeliers in use since 1949. I have been to this church multiple times over the past 40 years and have always loved the uniqueness of
Union Presbyterian Church celebrates 200 years and a rich history
Aug 2, 2017 Union celebrates eventful 200 years
The first
church
service held
on the
property
was on a
cold winter
day on Feb.
15, 1817.
Page 5 Volume 2, Issue 8
Judy Hensley
Born in Staunton, VA
Works full-time for James
Madison University
Pastor at Union Presbyterian
since March 2007
Judy grew up in and around
the Shenandoah Valley. She
has two brothers and one
sister and was introduced by
her father as his tomboy.
Growing up in Burnsville, VA on her mother’s
Harouff family farm, Judy grew up living the farm girl
life. Judy’s mother saw that each of her children
grew up with a faith in Jesus Christ. Each Sunday the
Knott children walked the mile to Sunday school
together.
Judy is a graduate of James Madison University
where she earned two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts in
Music Education and the second, a Bachelor of
Science in Psychology.
She has been married to her husband, David since
March of 1983, together; they have one daughter,
Jaimie Hensley of Harrisonburg.
Judy is a member of Elkton Presbyterian Church
where she felt her call from the Lord to work in
ministry. Her strong music background and studies
in psychology are strengths she uses in leading the
Union congregation. She has pastored Union
Presbyterian since March 2007.
Union Church’s Pastor,
Judy Hensley, CRE
My thoughts on Union Presbyterian Church covers “50” some years as a member and “baby Christian”. What was behind the
double doors of this big structure as I was about to say “I do” to the “love of my life?”
The welcoming from a church and undoubtedly the friendliest smiling faces making me feel – this is where God wants me – to
grow and learn of His Love!
Out of my 50 some years, here, our marriage took place, our first child was baptized, (along with two more children in tow) I
developed many a friendship with families also having their children baptized and watching them grow in the Lord’s teachings. I
taught a young teens bible class, became an elder, joined the churches “ladies” Friendship Circle and attended bible studies.
Seeing new lives come in to Sundays worship services and sadly watching lives leave this earth. I am continuing to appreciate
those amazing members and friends who for years quietly go about their jobs in keeping Union going and those serving our
awesome God.
I love staying grounded in Gods teachings of His Holy words. No, God is not through with me yet – He said – “Where two
or three are gathered in My name, there I am also, and might I add – making “new memories”. Anonymous
Union Church Member Reminisces
the church and some of the items in it, but I never knew the history behind
them.
Learning about this church’s history gives me an even deeper appreciation
and love for it. Much of the information in this column was taken from a
history written in 1958 by the Rev. Frank LeRoy Goodman, while he was
pastoring at Union. But I was able to corroborate the information through
documentation that I was led to while going over newspaper clippings.
I read through old records for the church, and found old newspaper clippings
describing the sesquicentennial celebration held July 23, 1967, which included
a pageant called The Union Church Story written by Mary Evelyn McChesney
and performed by members of the church. They were attired in period
costumes and arrived via period transportation.
The cemetery is as old as the church. It is home to some beautiful old
tombstones that need to be seen and read to be appreciated. My husband is
the caretaker of the cemetery and helped care for it since he was 15 years
old, alongside his uncle Harry “Boots” Allman, who was the caretaker for
many years before his death.
There were four offshoots of Union Presbyterian Church that Dr. Hendren,
the first pastor, would preach at in addition to Union. One was somewhere
in the Stribling Springs area, one in the Jennings Gap area, one at the old
Branch Meeting House in Churchville, which later became Loch Willow
Presbyterian Church. The fourth one was at Franks Mill.
Today the walls of Union Presbyterian Church, like many other churches,
would tell you they yearn for the days when they had 140 members, and the
sanctuary was full of people singing hymns and praising the Lord. They would
tell you of all the children that have passed through the Sunday schools and
vacation Bible schools that have been held there over the years. They would
tell you of the baptisms, funerals, and weddings, one of which was my own,
that have taken place within its walls. If walls could talk they would tell about
the outdoor pageant written and directed by Miss Lola Mae Shiflet. It was
held every Christmas Eve from 1949-1958 just down the road at the D.E.
Shiflet farm. The pageant depicted the Christmas Story and was the first of
its kind to be given in the Shenandoah Valley. Lola Mae (Shiflet) Kirkland
passed away on June 23 this year, at the age of 90.
If walls could talk, they would tell you of the strong women who have
worked within the church through the years and the ones who continue to
serve the church. Through the years, the women of the church have worked
tirelessly to raise money to improve the building and programs.
(Cont.)
Page 6 Shenandoah Press
Travel to Ethiopia
In late February and early March of 2018, members of Shenandoah Presbytery and several
churches are planning to visit Mettu, Ethiopia. This visit will coincide with the Illubabor
Bethel Synod biannual convention and will include worshiping with the leadership of the
Synod and several of the churches in the Mettu area. In addition, there will be visits to a
rural health clinic, the bible school construction at Algae, the seminary in Mettu, the Gore
Home for Children, various churches, and Synod projects. The trip will take about two
weeks, including travel time and several days in Addis Ababa. Some funds may be available
to off set part of the costs for first time visitors to Mettu. Please prayerfully consider
whether you feel called to worship, and join in fellowship with our partner Christians in
Illubabor. Please contact Bill Burslem, [email protected], or (540) 539-4276 for further
Advent resources
Advent is the time of preparing ourselves for the birth of the
Christ Child. Although it might feel too early, the time for
planning Advent and Christmas has begun! Below are some
resources for Advent, both at church and at home.
Adult Studies
Presbyterians Today Advent Devotional 2017 www.pcusastore.com ($4 per copy)
Magdalena I. García, PC(USA) minister of Word and Sacrament and hospital chaplain for Vitas Healthcare
in Chicago, has put together a collection of challenging daily reflections and prayers based on the Psalms
to help us experience the promise and power of Christ’s coming. Perfect for congregations, families and
individuals each day provides a Psalm excerpt, meditation and prayer to deepen the Advent experience.
Simple Sundays: What is Advent
youth and adult curriculum (download, $ 10.00)
From Advent’s Alleluia to Easter’s Morning Light
by Ann Weems poetry for worship, study and devotion
The Greatest Gift
by Ann Voskamp adult devotions and 25 ornaments
Worship resources
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/worship/christianyear/advent/
Children’s Books
Unwrapping the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp
25 readings for children and family to do together during Advent.
Activities for kids and families:
https://www.growinghandsonkids.com/advent-activities-toddlers-preschoolers.html
Let’s Make a Jesse Tree! by Darcy James contains easy step-by-step instructions for making a Jesse Tree
Advent calendar, plus 25 Bible readings for family use. Children learn the Christmas story from the Bible
as they add each new symbol to their Jesse Tree Advent calendar.
Shared by Nancy Meehan Yao
Board of Pensions
Page 7 Volume 2, Issue 8
Stated Meeting of Shenandoah Presbytery—August 26, 2017
Transitional Presbyter/Stated Clerk, Roy Martin; Kim Stroupe, Administrative Assistant; Kate Lewis Brown, Moderator
GP/SC Search Team: Bill Klein, chair; Karen Thatcher, Wray Sherman, Betsy Hay
Bronwen Boswell, General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Moderator, Kate Lewis Brown commissions Doug Dicks for his return to
Jerusalem as a Mission Co-worker
CMO Chair, Doug Sensabaugh introduces YAVs Rebekah Witt and Dia Griffiths after their year in the program
Fletcher Hutcheson, installed at Seneca Rocks and Circleville
Vanessa Smith, ordained & installed at Hedgesville
Page 8 Shenandoah Press
UKirk Harrisonburg is off to a great start! We're working with a different model this year in
order to create an effective and sustainable campus ministry for students in Shenandoah
Presbytery, especially those in and around Harrisonburg. To remain financially viable, we now
have volunteer leadership: Stephanie Sorge Wing, Pastor at Trinity, and Scott Crannell, Sentara
Hospice Chaplain. We continue to rely on financial and prayerful support from our covenant
congregations, the members of the Central Valley Mission Community. Students especially
appreciate their delicious meals each week. We are grateful to offer space for students to be
fed in body and spirit on a regular basis. We meet each Wednesday night during the school
year for 6-8pm, with dinner from 7-8. On the third Wednesday of each month, we meet at
Trinity to participate in the mission of the free Clothes Closet. Other weeks we meet at the
Haas House, which is home to Canterbury, and right in the heart of JMU.
We welcome college students from any schools to join us! If you have college
students who are studying at JMU, EMU, Bridgewater, or BRCC, please let
them know about this ministry. If you would like to support us in some way,
we are grateful for your prayers, and for more tangible support, feel free to
reach out to Stephanie for ideas. We can always use a few extra cooks in the
area!
In January, we will be taking a group to Montreat for the College Conference.
If you have students within the Presbytery who would like to go, please let me
know: [email protected]
UKirk
Committee on Pastoral Transition (CPT)
Change is hard, even when it is good change. When a pastor leaves the field, the congregation is left with a big
empty space in their life and ministry - a lot of questions, a lot of concerns. For more than six years, Lisa Wilson
Martin has dedicated a significant portion of her time and talents to helping these congregations negotiate the
scary and exciting process of pastoral transition. As she steps down as Chair of the Committee she helped
create, the Presbytery owes Lisa a debt of gratitude for her tireless service. Beginning with the October
meeting, the Rev. Patrick Pettit will serve as Chair of the Committee on Pastoral Transition
(CPT). You can contact him at [email protected], or at (540) 292-0060.
Our 15 members are committed to building communities of Christ for worship, nurture and
mission. We care for every congregation in the transition process; rejoicing as they pass
significant milestones: the completion of the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT); the
approval of the Ministry Information Form (MIF); the organization of a Pastor Nominating
Committee (PNC); a Pastoral Call extended and accepted. In times of grief or setback, we walk
with them, hearing their frustrations, sharing our experience, helping them find their way
through.
We are grateful to volunteers from around the presbytery: they moderate sessions; they serve as liaisons and
CAT consultants; they share the love of God and form the backbone of our connectional church. If you are
interested in this crucial ministry, please contact Patrick Pettit, or Bronwen Boswell.
Please continue to keep us and our congregations in your prayers.
Board of Pensions
Page 9 Volume 2, Issue 8
Committee on New Congregational Development (CNCD)
The Committee on New Congregational Development (CNCD) has had the joy and privilege of talking with
many of you in these last couple months through regional gatherings, at the August Presbytery meeting, and at
the Big Event. What we are hearing from you is that there are Spirit nudges everywhere! God is indeed at
work in our Presbytery planting and growing seeds of ideas and preparing the ground for the new things God
is doing in our midst. We are excited by the tidbits we’ve already heard and want to invite you to share with
us what God is doing in your community, what you are being called to be and do in response, and where that
might connect to the formation of a new worshipping community.
The Policy & Procedures that were approved at our last Presbytery meeting are now available on the
Presbytery’s website. The forms for working with the CNCD through an Intentional Formation Partnership
or as a Covenant New Worshipping Community will also be available shortly. In addition, we have a new
Facebook page where you can connect with us as well!
In addition, we want to encourage congregations and communities of gathered leaders to continue discerning
where God may be leading you to do a new thing. One good resource for that is 1001’s booklet, “Starting
New Worshipping Communities.” Whether or not God leads you to start a new worshipping community,
we are ever and always being reformed.
May God bless you in your work of ministry! We look forward to connecting with you!
Blessings in Christ,
Rachel Crumley, Chair of CNCD
Page 10 Shenandoah Press
Board of Pensions
Page 11 Volume 2, Issue 8
1111 North Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: 540-433-2556 Fax: 540-433-6830
E-mail: [email protected]
SHENANDOAH PRESBYTERY is a covenant body where:
-CONGREGATIONS are empowered to be centers for mission
-PEOPLE OF GOD are equipped to be Disciples of Christ in a challenging world
-CHURCH LEADERS and members are nurtured and strengthened for service
-OPEN COMMUNICATION and information are used constructively
and creatively to keep us connected
PRESBYTERY OF
SHENANDOAH
ShenPres.org
Dates to Remember!
October 2017
2 - CCR 10:00 am
3 - CPT 10:00 am
5 - Strong Ministers Committee 3:00 pm
10 - Staff Meeting 9:30 am
12 - CRM 9:30 am
13 - Moffett Grant Fund apps. due 4:30 pm
16 - CRE Oversight Committee 4:30 pm
17 - CNCD 4:30 pm
18 - CPM 10:00 am
18 - Nominations 2:00 pm
19 - CER 10:00 am
24 - CPC 10:00 am
24 - ShenPress Deadline 12:00 pm
29 - MRMC at Bethesda Church 2:30 pm
29 - Installation of Fletcher Hutcheson 3:00 pm
at Seneca Rocks and Circleville Churches
Future Dates
Nov. 4 - CRE Educational Event
9:30 am—3:30 pm
Nov. 13 - Congregational Assessments
Workshop 10:00 am—3:00 pm
Nov. 22 - 26 Presbytery Office Closed for
Thanksgiving
Nov. 28 - Stated Meeting of Presbytery at
Staunton Third Church 9:30 am
* Unless otherwise noted, all committee meetings
are at the office of Shenandoah Presbytery,
1111 N. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA.
