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GOOD NEWS! Via de Cristo of SE Michigan and NW Ohio

To Get Peace, Give Thanks

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -- Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

 

It seemed appropriate during Lent to take a break from our busy schedules and take time to give thanks to God. With the world still recovering from the greatest global economic downturn in 80 years, with many of us feeling its effects through lost jobs, diminished wages, and general uncertainty. It's been a tough few year for many of us.

 

That's why these verses from Philippians 4 seemed to fit extra well. The Apostle Paul instructs us not to be anxious about anything... Don't you just hate it when somebody tells you not to worry?! It just doesn't seem helpful, unless they can give you some reason not to worry, or some way to overcome the worry. Fortunately, this is exactly what he does for us.

 

He says we should talk to God about what is bothering us, asking Him to help. But he says more... He says that when we talk to God, give Him thanks, too. Acknowledge how He has provided for you in the past, and how He has sustained you up until now. Tell Him how blessed we are to have such a loving, faithful, and trustworthy Father watching over us. The Apostle Paul says that if we do these things, then God's peace will descend upon us, and we will find rest for our hearts and souls.

 

Thank you, Dear Father, for how you have loved me and taken care of me. You are my greatest treasure. O Lord, I give you my needs for a job and income. Please open the right door. And for all those reading this, I pray that the needs that are most on their hearts now, you will meet. I pray that you will carry each person and provide for their daily needs, and that you will bless each one with a greater intimacy with you. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

 

Article from Awesome God Ministries 


As many of you know, one of my goals for this year is to help each Via de Cristo Secretariat and their communities to get back to the fundamentals and essentials we know are good for us. Many of us have strayed away from our core mission of building and strengthening our Fourth Day communities and put too much focus on just hosting weekends.

Therefore, with the help of our Regional Coordinators we have developed a � day workshop titled:
 
 Saturday, March 16th 
10 am - 3:00pm 
Dayton, OH

We will encourage multiple communities within a Region to come together and participate in this workshop sharing ideas from across Secretariats.  We have a talented group of Regional Coordinators that have a vast amount of experience in Via de Cristo. To help cross-pollinate ideas we will most likely have a Regional Coordinator from another Region come facilitate your Regions workshop.

We encourage to get your ENTIRE community together, NOT just your Secretariat leaders. We are hoping to have hundreds of people from across your Region come to the � day workshop to share ideas and Rediscover & Recommit themselves personally to what was shared with each of us on Sunday afternoon of our weekend...The Christ is Counting on YOU...and whom or what are you counting on?

 

God loves you and so do I,

Steve Gielda

VP of Outreach, NLS 


APPLICATION DEADLINES:
(please note: these are FIRM dates)
Men's - April 1, 2013
Women's - April 8, 2013

With spring weekends quickly approaching have you been thinking about who could benefit from attending one of these weekends? Start with prayer and then look around your environment. Who is on your heart? Step out and invite that someone.

There is detailed information about the Via de Cristo weekend on our website: www.gnvdc.org or you can call or email and request a brochure. Our toll free phone number is 888-468-3295 and our email is [email protected]. You can also download these forms below:


How we handle our prayer charts have changed and is easier than before. We are now using www.3dayol.org for our prayer charts. Please follow the links below.

 

 Click here for the MEN's prayer chart - SPRING 2013

Click here for the WOMEN's prayer chart - SPRING 2013

 

 Click here for the MEN's prayer chart - FALL 2013

Click here for the WOMEN's prayer chart - FALL 2013

 

There will be a hardcopy prayer chart sign-up book at Ultreyas and Team Meetings.


GNVDC SECRETARIAT VACANCIES
Nominations are being sought for GN!VdC Secretariat positions coming up this June. If you feel a calling to become more involved in serving the GN!VdC community or have someone in mind that displays a love for the movement and has leadership skills, please contact Terry Grundy at (734) 856-5652 or email [email protected]. She will share the job descriptions of the positions available and answer questions you might have.

Communications Chair
Responsible for website, social media, publicity materials, database management. Coordinates the creation and mailing of newsletters,emails, printed materials such as team manuals, forms, applications, brochures, etc. Communications with the Good News Community, NLS and other movements.

Leaders Chair
Convenes the Leaders Committee, develops and maintains team and leaders training materials, receives and directs availability forms and conducts leaders training workshops. Assists in rector selection, training, support and with team selection as needed.

Palanca Chair
Coordinates and communicates with the NLS and other movements on matters relating to palanca. Receives and distributes palanca gifts and letters on weekends. Organizes a 72 hour prayer banner for use on Good News weekends. Keeps an updated list of banners used on weekends. Coordinates movement's music program.
________________________________

GNVDC IS HOSTING THE
NLS ANNUAL MEETING IN 2016
MANY VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED!!!

GN!VdC Secretariat recently voted to host the National Lutheran Secretariat (NLS) Annual Meeting in July of 2016. So what does this mean? First, this is a great honor to served the larger VDC community. It will take many volunteers to host, offers an opportunity for wonderful fellowship, and a time to learn and share what others are doing.


The purpose of the NLS Annual Meeting is four-fold:
  1. Its a gathering of delegates from all member secretariats to conduct necessary business of the NLS.
  2. It is to learn and share. This may be accomplished through forums, workshops, seminars, small groups and/or guest speakers.
  3. It is to hold true to and teach the basic fundamentals, while visioning for the future as we change and grow, while maintaining continuity.
  4. It assists the hosting secretariat in furthering its own movement and developing its' leadership in a non monetary way.
Here are some of the Hosting Secretariat Responsibilities:
  1. To obtain a contract
  2. To provide housing
  3. Provide meals for all attendees
  4. To provide space for the annual meeting
  5. To host the mid-year NLSEB Meeting
  6. To provide equipment
  7. To handle all funds received
  8. To provide transportation
  9. To provide maps

So you might be asking yourself "how can I help?" There are many jobs that will need filled. Here is the link to the entire guidelines for hosting a NLS Annual meeting, in detail. Here are some highlights of some positions that will need filled. Each chairperson may have several sub-committees.


✝  General Chairperson
✝  Assistant/Co-Chairperson(s)
✝  Spiritual Director(s)
✝  Treasurer
✝  Secretary/Record Keeper
✝  Registration/Housing
✝  Meal Liaison
✝  Facilities/Physical Arrangements
✝  Communications Audio/Visual
✝  Hospitality
✝  Transportation
✝  Music
✝  Palanca
✝  Public Relations/ Fund Raising

    We will need approximately a minimum of 30 people in advance with an additional 30-45 people on site during the weekend. Please pray about whether you are feeling lead to step up and help out. If you are interested contact:

Phil Meuser, Lay Director
(419) 842-0507
or email [email protected]  

TEAM AVAILABILITY SURVEYS

Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey for your team availability for the spring and/or fall. This is used for both YES and NO responses. Team meeting dates will be posted to our website once they are determined.  

 

SPRING 2013

 

 

FALL 2013

 


REUNION GROUP SURVEY

In order to better serve our GNVDC community, we are trying to collect information on existing GNVDC reunion groups. Please take a few minutes and fill out the survey on reunion groups below.

 

 TAKE REUNION GROUP SURVEY  

 

For a current list of reunion groups -  click here  

 

If anyone is having problems locating a reunion group, please call (888) 468-3295 or email [email protected] and we will try to connect you with someone who can assist you in locating a reunion group.

Issue Number
March 2013

We are looking for community to share their experience as a participant or as a team member for our newsletters. In 250-300 words, share your 4th Day with others and how God is working in your life. Please consider sharing your story with others. We would love to hear from you.

Contact Communications Chair
Phone: (888) 468-3295
email: [email protected]
Pray for Weekend #52 Participants
Men Participants
 
Gregory Maxwell
Jeffery Pownell
Mike Yagley

Women Participants
 
Charlotte Barel
Rosilyn Brown
Nancy Collins
Linda Denzer
Amy Flood
Barbara Jetmore
Bonnie Newbill
Beth Pownell
Suzan Sherlock
Beth Sisler
Denise Urrutia

 
Pray for healing for our sick brothers and sisters:

 

Kim Stankevich      

GNVDC Wnd #45 

Kim has been in the hospital for a collapsed lung. She has recently been taken off all sedation and has opened her eyes. Continue praying for her recovery.   

 

Tammy Wojcik  

GNVDC Wnd #44 

 

David Ketepa      

LVCCM#64 

She lost her husband very suddenly about a month ago and the day after the service she fell and broke a couple toes and got a few bruises. In addition to dealing with the grief, she's having trouble getting around.

Michele Wandrei
GNVDC#27

Prayers for Michele Wandrei's family. Her father's brother passed away. Praying for the peace of Our Lord to remain in our hearts during the challenges that creep up prior to each weekend.  

  

Wanda Chapman

GNVDC#41

I am asking for you guys to help me in prayer for William:)    

 

Matt Steffen     

GNVDC Wnd#19 

Heart disease and recent problem breathing. Prayers for his wife, Michelle, and sister, Bonnie Lipka and all the doctors and nurses working with Matt.    

 

Roxanne Katke 

GNVDC #46 

Continued prayers for strength and healing from cancer. Please lift Brian Katke and their family up during this difficult time.    

  

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servant, the help of your power, that his sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.     

___________________________ 

 

Continue to lift in prayer for our rectors Michele Wandrei and PJ Colbeck,
and for the team and participants of spring weekend #52.
 

___________________________    

PRAYER REQUESTS for GNVdC community members can be email to:   


NOTE: If you do not receive a reply within 48 hours, please call (888) 468-3295  

 

These will be included in our monthly emails. Please keep prayer requests for GNVdC community and their immediate family.      

Email Newsletters
The GNVdC Newsletter is posted on our website and ready for downloading. The monthly email newsletters are also posted there.
www.gnvdc.org/community/

or follow this link:
 All past email newsletters
Find us on FacebookFacebook Group
If you haven't joined already, Facebook is a great way to connect and share with friends and family. We've started a new group, and we'd love you to join. (You must ask for permission to join, as only community members and other, pre-screened individuals are allowed.)
 
Find us on Facebook

NOTE: you must have a facebook account and log-in for this link to work.
Contact Us
Website:
Email: [email protected]

Toll Free Phone & Fax:
888-468-3295

Snail Mail: PO Box 549
Sylvania, OH 43560
GNVDC Secretariat
Lay Director - Phil Meuser

[email protected]  

 

Past Lay Director - Jim Nicolai
[email protected]  

 

Spiritual Director - Pr Jim Wenger
[email protected]  

 

Secretary - Tina Gans
[email protected]  

 

Treasurer - Mark Belcik
[email protected]  

 

Communications -
Kevin & Joanne DeHetre
[email protected]  

 

Leaders - Terry Grundy
[email protected]  

 

Palanca - Karen Warsop
[email protected]  

 

Pre-Weekend - Scott & Laura Koenig
[email protected]  

 

Post-Weekend - Victoria Clifton
[email protected]  

 

Kitchen - Alan & Lynn McGowan
[email protected]  

 

Supplies - Gary & Debbie Maxwell
[email protected]  

 

National Lay Delegate -
Cathy Owens & Judi Lado
[email protected] 

 

Other support:

Outreach Coordinators -
PJ & Angie Colbeck
[email protected] 

 

Music Coordinators -
Keith & Jeana Penski
[email protected]  

 

Registrar - Bob & Nancy Rieck
[email protected] 

 

KROGER REWARDS

UPDATE:
At the last ultreya, it was said that Ohio people can not sign-up for Kroger rewards. This is NOT entirely true. Many Ohio Kroger's are now participating in this program. To check if your store participates: click here.

REMINDER:

April is the month to re-enroll in the Kroger Community Rewards Program to continue earning funds for GN!VDC during 2012-2013!

Our id# is 84232 or you can look it up under Good News Via de Cristo to enroll.

It's easy to enroll or re-enroll in Kroger Community Rewards.
Click on the link below:
Kroger Rewards
Select your location,
click on "Enroll" to register
for the first time,
or "Re-enroll" to re-register.
All participants must have a valid online account at Kroger.com and must sign up online to participate.  Organization members can no longer scan their group's
bar code at the registers or service desk.

PLEASE NOTE:
Even if you have recently enrolled in Kroger Community Rewards, you must re-enroll after April 1, 2012
to continue earning rewards during the coming year
(May 2012 - May 2013).

Thank you for participating in the Kroger Community Rewards Program and
earning extra funds for
Good News! VdC!