Committee Overview: The Action/Reflection committee seeks to engage the congregation in conversations and reflections that promote spiritual growth and help make connections between faith and life. Some specific areas of focus include peace witness, hospitality, evangelism, and service (both within and beyond the congregation).
2013 Membership: Karl Wilkerson (co-chair), Bridgette Beach (co-chair), Steve Schultz, John Shafer, Missy Burket, Joe Lykins, Cathy Carson, and Kay Lee.
Invitation to Additional Members: The committee welcomes all those with a passion for outreach. If you feel called to serve, talk with any of the committee members about how we can work together.
Highlights in 2013:
- Collaboration with the Fellowship Committee to provide Fair Trade coffee during coffee time.
- Monetary donations from the congregation supported our response to Typhoon Haiyan and the Brethren Nutrition Program. We worked together with the BNP to get a new freezer, a new refrigerator, and remove old broken equipment. Additionally, a work day helped to brighten the atmosphere there.
- Collaborated with the Christian Education Committee to support youth work camp attendance.
- Worked with the board and website developer Janet Wayland to revamp our website and address privacy. Efforts are ongoing to address congregational concerns with privacy.
- Began sending cards to folks we were thinking about at the beginning of Action Reflection Committee meetings.
- Cathy Carson continued her ministry knitting blankets for different groups in need. So far, 115 blankets, 50 scarves, and 195 pairs of shoes have been provided along with “One Minute Bibles”.
- Missy Burket continued her ministry with the CHO by adopting two families for “Christmas”. Although we might refer to the families as “Christmas families”, we actually continue support at different times throughout the year.
- Worked with the Spanglers to host members of the Nigerian Church of the Brethren during their visit.
- Worked with the Community Coalition for Haiti to support an orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti with 21 sheet sets for their beds.
- John Shafer’s ministry to support outreach activities through the Concert Series continued with beautiful music that reached out to our community.
- Provided five additional hearing assistance devices for church guests through the Michael Knicely Memorial Funds.
- Along with the Board, we helped the Pipe Creek Church of the Brethren fund their roof replacement.
- We continued working with the board and Property Committee to make the church more welcoming to visitors through improved signage. The addition of five more interior signs (total of nine interior signs now) helps to direct those unfamiliar with the church layout. An additional exterior sign overlay was also purchased for alternate summer worship hours.
- Continued providing copies of “The Message” version of the bible in the Narthex for anyone to take.
- Continued support of CHO (Clothes, Food, and Furniture Programs; Adopt-A-Family; and Christmas Shop). Bible 101 recently participated in delivering and sorting food and clothing donations at CHO. John Eddy and Ryan Richardson have participated in the furniture program (also known as the Brethren Exercise Program). The Spanglers will be hosting additional exercise sessions at their home prior to their departure for Bridgewater.
- Collaboration with Christian Education Committee to support On Earth Peace as the beneficiary of the Children’s Offering until VBS 2014.
Karl Wilkerson and Bridgette Beach