|
|
Disaster Reflief
You’re receiving this July edition of Advance Notice early to use the
information and resources with your church family this upcoming Fourth of July Sunday.
Share Jesus’ view and the Virginia Baptist value of religious freedom as expressed
through John Upton’s message, as well as the bulletin insert.
|
|
|
Learn about Jesus' Views
on Church and State
|
|
Happy Birthday, America!
It’s July, the month we Americans celebrate the birthday of our nation. As we celebrate, let us not forget to be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in our country – freedom to worship, freedom to live out our faith, freedom from government-run religion. Listen as John shares how Baptists were instrumental in ensuring the separation of church and state and reminds us to live by the image of God that resides within us.
Did you know that there is a Baptist organization devoted to defending and extending religious liberty for all people? The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC) continues the Baptist tradition of being champions of the principle that religion must be freely exercised, neither advanced nor inhibited by government. For more information about the work of the BJC, check out the BJC website. For additional information about Church-State Separation, read what the BJC has so say in their article, Church-State Separation. |
|
|
This Month's Kingdom Vision with John Upton
What does a story about an elephant sitting on a car have in common with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Listen to John’s first thoughts to find out!
READ FULL ARTICLE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Music camp offers students a chance to attend classes such as African Drumming, Caveman Stomp, Guitar, Puppets, and Interpretive Movement. In addition to all the opportunities to grow musically, students also learn how to be a better Christian while having fun! Register now to get the Early Bird Discount (through June 30).
|
|
|
|
MC2 offers a unique opportunity for families, individuals, and groups to go on mission while enjoying the beauty and fun activities of Eagle Eyrie. The event offers two schedule options for attendees—July 19-24 (Monday-Saturday) and July 21-24 (Wednesday-Saturday). This year, there is also a special MC2 "Families on Mission" track that includes a discounted rate for a family of four who stay in the same room in Cedar Crest Hotel. |
|
|
Come experience the majesty of God’s gift at an affordable cost this summer in the beautiful mountains of Southwest Virginia. Activities include horseback riding, hiking, fishing, canoeing, tubing, swimming, golf, and much more. This year will also feature paintball and a golf tournament. Register today!
|
|
|
|
|
OTHER EVENTS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special Invitation for those attending the
BWA Congress in Hawaii
If you are attending the BWA Congress in Hawaii this month, please email Rita Smith to receive your personal invitation to the Virginia Baptist reception on July 31 from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
Virginia Baptists at the FIFA 2010 World Cup
Three different Virginia Baptist teams have traveled to South Africa to serve during the Soccer World Cup. These teams are taking part in Ignite the Flame 2010, an outreach initiative coordinated by our partners at East Side Community Church in South Africa. Watch the video of Nathan Elmore, VCU Baptist Collegiate Minister, who has just returned (June 23) from the World Cup, as he shares comments on his team’s youth and children’s ministry. To learn more about the mission work of the teams and how you can pray for them, click on Focus Partnership: 2010 World Cup Missions.
|
|
|
Change Matters 2009 Update
In the May issue of Advance Notice, we reported that Virginia Baptist students collected over $7,000 at youth events in 2009 and how the funds were used to dig a freshwater well in South Africa. A team of 13 high school juniors and seniors, along with five chaperones from Bonsack Baptist Church in Roanoke, traveled to South Africa in April this year to assist with the digging. View photos and videos of their experiences at Change Matters 2009.
|
|
|
Haiti Disaster Relief Update
Virginia Baptists continue to seek ways to assist the people in Haiti in meaningful ways with our partners on the ground. Visit the Haiti webpage for the latest updates and to learn how you can get involved.
|
|
|
This year’s focus is “A Story Worth Living” – looking at how we as Virginia Baptists are living out our faith.
How is your church living out its faith? We want to know!
The Program Committee invites you to share your church’s story on a simple, tabletop display that will be exhibited in the ministry fair during the annual meeting. Nothing fancy—a simple poster with pictures will work. Just share how your church is living out its faith story.
Please contact Mila Spaulding at 804.749.8690. We want Virginia Baptists to be inspired to new and imaginative ways of serving and writing new chapters in the story of God loving the world.
|
|
|
Impact Virginia!
July 11-17, Louisa, VA
July 18-24, Saluda, VA
There’s still time for your church to have an Impact! in Virginia this summer. Check out these dates and locations in July, and help your students live their faith and not just talk about it. Contact Jeannette Hildebrand for more details. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It’s only an old piece of rusty iron. It’s the lock and key from Culpeper jail where fully a dozen Virginia Baptist ministers and laymen were imprisoned for conscience’s sake from 1769- 74. George Braxton Taylor, a noted early 20th-century minister and historian, somehow rescued it; and today it might be considered the single most significant relic to interpret the struggle for religious liberty in America. In England, the shrine for religious liberty is in Bedford, where on view is the jail door which imprisoned John Bunyan. The Culpeper lock and key is America’s trophy. And it belongs to Virginia Baptists.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From our very beginnings, Virginia Baptists have valued religious liberty through
the separation of church and state. To ensure that these freedoms stay intact,
Virginia Baptists support organizationslike the Baptist Joint Committee for
Religious Liberty through Cooperative Missions offerings.
As we approach our nation’s celebration of freedom, let us be thankful
for the wisdom of our Virginia Baptist forefathers, grateful for our
present freedoms and dedicated to a future of religious liberty.
See a special message from VBMB/BGAV Executive Director, John Upton, about
Virginia Baptists’ belief about the separation of church and state at www.vbmb.org/Upton. For free downloadable ads for use in your church bulletin,
click here. |
|
|
|
|
|
Other Resources:
Religious Herald is monitoring coverage of the Virginia Baptist response in Haiti. Watch the video of Dean Miller, Virginia Missions Coordinator, discussing how to provide help after the earthquake.
|
|
