News from the Corner -- July 3-16, 2011

Senior Pastor:              Steve Hyde
Associate Pastor:           Bob Turner
Choirmaster/Organist: Young Mi Son
Ministry Assistant:           Gail Fewell
Custodian:                      Janet Davis
Nursery Caregivers:

Yamile Caballero
Virginia Aguilar

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OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Sunday
Sunday School -- 9:30 a.m.
Worship -- 11:00 a.m.

Monday
College/Young Adult Bible study -- 7:00 p.m.

Tuesday
Tuesday Mornings -- 10:00 a.m.
Choir rehearsal -- 7:00 p.m.

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Ravensworth Baptist Church is an inclusive and welcoming Christian community where expressing the love of God to all people is central to our worship, study, and service.

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AFFILIATIONS

Ravensworth Baptist Church is affiliated with the following Baptist groups:

Alliance of Baptists

American Baptist Churches in the USA

District of Columbia Baptist Convention

Baptist General Convention of Virginia

Northstar Church Network

Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists

Sharing Love.

Doing Justice.

Building Community.

REFLECTION

In the middle of last Sunday night's renovation discussion, the third session planned by the Renovation Working Group, I was struck by a moment of clarity. I wouldn't mind if that happened more often.

The new fellowship space, which is the centerpiece of the renovation plan, is not about us!

It will be nice, of course, to have a space dedicated to our gatherings, but if it were only about us, we could keep meeting in the hallways and making do with what we have. We do that without even thinking about it.

This is about those who have not yet walked through our doors. It is about creating a warm, welcoming environment that comes closer to matching the genuine and healing grace, acceptance, and openness which lie deep in the heart of Ravensworth. The renovation will not spark magical growth, but I believe it will expand our opportunities to grow as we deepen and share this loving and powerful community at the heart of our life together.

On another topic, though not as unrelated as it might appear, the Leadership Council at its June meeting made the decision to enter a three-month agreement with an Arabic Baptist congregation. The agreement will include an invitation for the Arabic church (a congregation of 30) to hold its Sunday morning worship service in our Annex building. Their service will be held in the Youth room following our Sunday School hour. The Council will evaluate the arrangement during the three-month period, and will bring a recommendation, if appropriate, to our congregation in a business session. The Arabic congregation has seven children, who will participate in our Sunday School program. On July 10, the entire congregation will join us in our worship service.

The sharing of space with another congregation always presents challenges, and during the three-month introductory period, the arrangement will be carefully monitored. We have made a mutual commitment to speak up about issues as they arise, and to maintain an open dialogue. This will not be an "out of sight, out of mind" arrangement. There will be an opportunity for new friendships and a mutual sharing of hospitality. The church's pastor was a prominent religious leader in Iraq, and most of the members are from Iraq and Lebanon.

The spirit of hospitality and openness to welcoming new friends in our circle of fellowship, which is at the heart of our renovation, was palpable in the Leadership Council meeting. There were responsible questions, yet without hesitation the Council moved to develop an approach that will allow us to offer a place of worship to a sister congregation, while at the same time allowing us to determine whether it is in our mutual best interests to develop a more long-term relationship. You will be hearing more, and I hope you can be present on July 10 to meet our new friends.

I never get tired of quoting the inspired theme of our 50th anniversary committee:

We are so blessed, and we are blessed to be a blessing.

Steve

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Prayer Concerns:

Wanda Dobbins, surgery 7/5
Les Marsh, recovering from back surgery 6/13
Dave Gulledge, Bea Kirby's brother
Karen Binns and family (especially her sons, Mason and Joseph)
Soud Tarazi, G.J. Tarazi's father
Nadine Steward
Ercell Binns
Jeanne Meyers
Glenn Wallace, Jim Wallace's brother
David Rosensteel, Lisa Eversburg's brother
Jack Shepherd, Roy Fewell's cousin's husband
Ethel Spillars
Everett Hill, Gail Fewell's friend
Louise Coombes, Mary Ann Ashley's sister
Coleen Conway, Julie (Ashley) Conway's mother-in-law
Jim Weber, Carol Weber's brother
Bob Moss, Gail Fewell's uncle
Randy Blank, Gail Fewell's brother
Bea Fones
Norma Parker
Gail Fewell
Jim Wallace
Mary Nelle Evans
Lisa Eversburg
Dot Runion, Mary Padgett's sister
Diane Hines
Billie Moore, Bea Fones's sister
Deployed:

Ben Spencer, Susan Shaw's nephew
Maj. (Dr.) Tyson Becker, Frank Murphy's doctor
The men and women of the armed forces and their families

Congratulations...

...to Marshall Marks and family on the birth of his grandson, Andrew Edward Marks. Andrew was born June 17, weighed 6 lbs. 10 oz., and was 20" long. His proud parents are Sarah and Dan Marks.

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NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE

Due to Gail Fewell's vacation, there will be no newsletter for July 17-30. The next edition of "News from the Corner," for July 31 - August 13, will be sent via email on Wednesday, July 27, and via US mail Thursday, July 28.

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COMING WEEKS AT A GLANCE

Sunday, July 3 Third Sunday after Pentecost ACCA Food Sunday 9:00 Prayer Group 9:30 Sunday School 11:00 Worship	Sunday, July 10 Fourth Sunday after Pentecost 9:00 Prayer Group 9:30 Sunday School 11:00 Worship 1:30 Leewood Healthcare Center
Monday, July 4 Independence Day Church Office Closed No College/Young Adult Bible Study	Monday, July 11 10:00 Library Committee 7:00 College/Young Adult Bible Study
Tuesday, July 5 No Tuesday Mornings until September 11:30 Staff Meeting 7:00 Adult Choir 7:30 Al-Anon 8:30 AA	Tuesday, July 12 No Tuesday Mornings until September 11:30 Staff Meeting 7:00 Adult Choir 7:30 Al-Anon 8:30 AA
Sunday-Friday, July 3-8 Youth Passport Trip, Wingate, NC	Wednesday, July 13 2:00 Education Commission
Monday-Saturday, July 4-9 Peace Camp, Harrisonburg, VA
Click here for the July calendar	See more coming events

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SUNDAY WORSHIP

Sunday, July 3	Sunday, July 10
Sermon by Steve Hyde:	Sermon by Steve Hyde:
How to Pray	Treasures in Heaven
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67 Psalm 45:10-17 Romans 7:15-25a Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30	Lectionary Readings: Genesis 25:19-34 Psalm 119:105-112 Romans 8:1-11 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Scripture Lessons for Worship: Psalm 5:1-8 Matthew 6:9-15	Scripture Lessons for Worship: Psalm 63:1-8 Matthew 6:19-21, 24-34
Worship Leaders:	Worship Leader:
Amy Carfagno	G.J. Tarazi
Sunday, July 17	Sunday, July 24
Sermon by Steve Hyde:	Sermon by Bob Turner:
What the Eye Sees	TBA
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 28:10-19a Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Romans 8:12-25 Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43	Lectionary Readings: Genesis 29:15-28 Psalm 105:1-11 Romans 8:26-39 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Scripture Lessons for Worship: Isaiah 58:1-9 Matthew 6:22-23, 7:1-5
Worship Leaders:	Worship Leader:
TBA	Nancy Koehler

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SUNDAY MORNING VOLUNTEERS

Sunday, July 3	Sunday, July 10
Preschool:	Preschool:
Geneva Pope	Bob Sampson
Outreach: Host: Clara Mercado Caller: Lucyann Billups Cookies: The Fewell family Committee Rep: Steve Gallo	Outreach: Host: Bob Sampson Caller: John Baskin Cookies: Lucyann Billups Committee Rep: Dave Farmer
Library:	Library:
Bob Samspon	Charlene Christensen
Children's Worship:	Children's Worship:
Sandi Pope	Amy Carfagno
	Leewood:
	Cathy Baskin and College/Young Adults

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YOUTH NEWS

PASSPORTchoices, July 3-8

Please pray for the youth and chaperones attending PASSPORTchoices at Wingate University in Wingate, North Carolina, the week of July 3-8:

Justin Babel
Will Baskin
Brittany Beal
Emily Greer
Ann Hatcher
Jazlyn Hyde
Meaghan Manley
Thomas Manley
Emily Pope
Natalie Turner
Rachel Turner
Bob Turner

The group will leave Ravensworth at 7:30 a.m. Sunday and return in early Friday evening. This trip is always a highlight of the year for our youth--a time for fun, service, worship, learning, and the possibility of life-transforming spiritual experiences.

Parents: Please send or hand-deliver the completed forms for your camper(s) THIS WEEK, so that we will be ready to go and have no delays Sunday morning. Remember to fill out two copies of the medical release form (in black or blue ink) and have them notarized.

As always, you may call or text me (703-200-5866), email me, or write on my Facebook wall if you have any questions.

Have you noticed the Ravensworth sign?

Several members of the Ravensworth youth group offered a much-needed service to the church on Saturday, June 25, by thoroughly cleaning and waxing the church sign on Ravensworth Road. Its proximity to such a heavily-traveled street, as well as its being showered on a regular basis during the summer months by grass, dirt, and debris thrown by lawn mowers, had left the sign looking pretty dingy. Following the recommendations of Stewart Signs, our group washed the whole sign with soapy water and then applied Turtle Wax to the waxable portions, leaving a bright, clean, and shiny sign to help draw visitors to our church.

The work crew was Meaghan Manley, Thomas Manley, Emily Pope, Natalie Turner, Rachel Turner, and Bob Turner. Go admire our sign and then offer them your thanks the next time you see them.

Thanks,

bob

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AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH OUR FRIENDS IN CUBA

The Alliance of Baptists and the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America (BPFNA) have joined together for a project to assist one of the Alliance's international partners, the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba, by providing laptop computers to Cuban theological students. The BPFNA recently issued the following request:

A group of BPFNA and Alliance of Baptist folk [including Ravensworth's own Sylvia Campbell] are working on plans for an endowment to support the theological education needs of the Fraternity of Baptist Churches in Cuba. One way you can help is to bring a donated laptop computer to Peace Camp--a gently used or new one. We'll see to it that they're hand-carried into Cuba by trusted couriers. Let's have a shower-of-hard-drives parade and digital-blessings in Harrisonburg! For more information, contact Ken Sehested or visit the "Laptops for Cuba" page on the BPFNA web site.

At least two families from Ravensworth Baptist Church are attending "Peace Camp," the BPFNA's annual conference, at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, July 4-9. If you would like to donate a laptop that is either new or used but in good shape, please bring it to church on July 3 and give it to Geneva Pope. Contact Geneva if you have any additional questions.

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OFFICE COVERAGE

Volunteers Needed July 11-21

Ravensworth's Ministry Assistant, Gail Fewell, will be on vacation the weeks of July 11 and 18. If you would be willing to help out by answering the phones, sorting and distributing mail, and welcoming visitors while she is away, please call the church office at 703-941-4113 or send an email to Gail. The office is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but we may not need volunteers for the entire day every day.

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QUARTERLY BUSINESS MEETING

The next quarterly business meeting will be held Sunday, July 31, following the morning worship service. Quarterly reports are due to Gail by July 18, so we can make the report packet available to the congregation on Sunday, July 24. Please plan to pick up a copy of the reports on July 24, and familiarize yourself with the information contained in the document. We hope to hold a shorter business meeting, and don't plan to present each report at the meeting. We therefore encourage you to reach out to Commission and Committee chairs to discuss any questions you have in advance of the business meeting. By doing this we can keep the business meeting brief.

Please note: We do not plan to serve lunch before the meeting.

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THE CHURCH DIRECTORY IS HEADING YOUR WAY!

The long await hallelujah

ed church directory is heading your way. It will be available on Sunday, July 31. Please do not take more than two per household from this initial printing.

Thank you,

Gail Fewell

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ACCA NEWS

Two Ways to Direct Food Assistance

You may have noticed the two food baskets in the hall. One of course is the usual one for ACCA. The new basket is for a walk-up food assistance program being provided by Immanuel United Methodist Church on Heritage Drive, St. Barnabas' Episcopal Church on Ravensworth Road, and now ourselves. The food site operates at Immanuel each Thursday night.

canned goods Participation with our two very local sister churches will help us assist some needy folk who are not being served by ACCA. The food going to ACCA will continue to serve persons approved for service by county social services. The site at Immanuel serves those who for one reason or another do not register for county assistance. In a sense, the new basket will supplement the Safeway cards we now provide to those who come by the church asking for help. The type of food and household goods needed for both baskets is the same.

The site at Immanuel has been serving some 60 to 75 families each week. Some further details on how the walk-up site works might be of interest. Each Thursday the site is open from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. There is no referral; customers sign in and receive a random number. The volunteers operating the site call in families by number and tell them how much of each item they may receive that day. Since there is no storage, families who choose to remain can return to the hall and take the remaining food. There is also an opportunity for some of us to volunteer at the site.

Whichever basket you choose, the need is great.

Bob Sampson

ACCA Representative

HOPE CHEST UPDATE

As you know, as part of our Anniversary celebration, we asked for additional Hope Chest pledges, so that the Renovation Working Group (RWG) could have as much information as possible about the anticipated income stream for our renovation project over the next five years. The current total for additional pledges to our Hope Chest fund is $74,650.

You can still make a pledge to the Hope Chest! The RWG hopes that after the recent series of presentations of the renovation plan you share their excitement about the new opportunities for ministry this project will afford. The Hope Chest remains open to receive any additional contributions you may wish to make to help turn these dreams into reality.

In addition, a brief survey about the Hope Chest pledge process is available. If you have not yet completed one of these simple one-page surveys, please download the document (or pick up one in the church office), fill it out, and return it to the church office as soon as possible.

In order to get started on the work on a timely basis, we need to receive your pledge (for one to five years) by Friday, July 15. You may return a completed pledge card to the church office or to the pledge box in the Narthex, or you can email the confidential information to Financial Secretary Gail Fewell. If you write a check for the Hope Chest, make it payable to Ravensworth Baptist Church with "Hope Chest" on the memo line.

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SENIOR ACTIVITIES

To register for anything you see under "SCAS Events" below, or to get additional information, call the Shepherd's Center of Annandale-Springfield (SCAS) office at 703-941-1419 or email them. Send your check to SCAS, 7610 Newcastle Road, Annandale, VA 22003. The office is staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every weekday.

SCAS EVENTS:

Fall Adventures in Learning -- Wednesdays, October 5 to November 16, 9:30 a.m - 1:15 p.m. John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 6531 Columbia Pike, Annandale (map). Registration: Wednesday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. to noon. Cost $45. This payment entitles you to attend any or all of the classes held each Wednesday during the fall term. Stayed tuned for program information.

EVENTS FOR SENIORS AT RAVENSWORTH: