Author: arpmagazine

The Darwinian Roots of the Devaluation of Life

Erskine Theological Seminary and The David Livingstone Institute invite you to a special presentation by Dr. John G. West

Dr. John G. West is vice president and senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, where he also serves as associate director of the Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, which he co-founded with philosopher of science Stephen Meyer in 1996. A former associate professor of political science at Seattle Pacific University, he has also taught at California State University, San Bernardino and Azuza Pacific University. Among the dozen books he has written or edited are Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture Have been Dehumanized in the Name of Science and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. He has also directed and written several documentaries, including the award-winning Biology of the Second Reich and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism.

For more information click here.

Bonclarken is in Need of Summer Staffers!

Bonclarken is in need of summer staffers!  If you know a young person that has graduated from high school and is looking for a summer job, please have them contact Mike Dill (mdill@bonclarken.org) about spending the summer at Bonclarken.  All departments still have openings and Bonclarken would love to have your young person join their team for the summer.

 

Synod Updates & Summer Camps

As of today, we have approximately 2/3 of the ruling elders necessary to meet a quorum at the General Synod meeting. Everyone is reminded of their responsibility as delegates to be in attendance at the meeting. Synod is held June 11-13, 2019 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. For everything you need to know, please visit www.arpchurch.org.

Bonclarken Music Conference

July 14-19, 2019. For more information click here.

Come Join Us at Family Bible Conference!

We no longer live in a Christian or even nominally Christian culture. Our culture today – as our young people well know – is deeply suspicious of or even outright hostile to the historic Christian faith. How can we live confidently for Christ in such a context? The 2019 Family Bible Conference will dive into the book of Daniel and other parts of God’s Word as we engage the theme: ‘Living Victoriously in a Hostile World.’  You’ll not want to miss the 2019 Family Bible Conference!

Each day will begin with Bible study on the book of Daniel led by Dr. Iain Duguid. The days will conclude with a worship service, where Rev. Evan English will exhort us from the New Testament to be bold and confident in the Lord in our present context.  In between the morning and evening sessions, you will be able to choose from a variety of seminars by outstanding teachers as well as enjoy fun activities.

As always, we will have programs for children and youth, and childcare for the littlest ones. We are thankful that the Lord has provided Rev. Rhett Carson to teach our high school students and Bobby Duran to teach our middle school students.  Margaret Kiser will be leading the VBS style children’s program. Just remember, children and youth must pre-register by July 1, or earlier if capacity (physical space limitations) is reached, in order to participate in the programs.

Find out more on our website and be sure to register before May 1 to receive $10 off adult weekly registration. We can’t wait to see you at Bonclarken this summer, July 29 – August 1!

Sincerely,
The Family Bible Conference Planning Committee

 

Wives of Pastors, Planters, & Missionaries

What:  A gathering of wives and children who will not be attending Synod in Pennsylvania.

Where: Bonclarken Conference Center

When: June 11-13, 2019

The Women of the ARPWM Board would like to host you for two nights at Bonclarken. We are still working on details, but we would provide at least one meal, and would provide housing for both nights. 

 On Wednesday, we plan to have a program for the children so that the moms could have a morning or afternoon out together.  We have reserved all of the Faith Apartments and are working to secure houses owned by churches. 

Please respond to Elaine DeVusser at devusser5@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending.  We hope that this can be a sweet retreat, and a time of reunion and fellowship for you!

I look forward to hearing from you!

A Note from the Moderator Elect

The Sand Hill AME church at 3030 Whitestocking Road, Burgaw, NC, suffered severe damage, including loss of most of their building and all its contents during the recent heavy storms. A Pittsburgh area ministry called Hosanna Industries has volunteered to help the church get back into operation. It may be that some of our ARP congregations would have some items to spare or that there would be some people who would like to come and help Hosanna Industries as they restore this building and these people for the Lord’s service. The Hosanna Industries Email to me follows my signature.

Leslie Holmes

We are looking for some specific items that will allow them to function again as a church family and it is my hope that you would be able to help in part or full with the following list:

  • 4 communion trays
  • 1000 count plastic communion cups
  • Bread plates
  • 4 offering plates
  • A Lecturn
  • A pulpit
  • 75 Large print NIV bibles(new) or like new and all the same
  • 75 AME hymnals
  • An Electric keyboard
  • A modest drum set
  • 100 metal folding chairs(preferably padded)
  • 12- 8ft folding tables
  • A desk for the pastor
  • A copy/printing machine
  • Kitchen items and utensils
  • Dinnerware for 100

Anyone with questions should contact:

Brian Hetzer
Hosanna Industries
724-612-3831

 

Announcements

World Witness Spring Fellowship Dinners

Lake Wales, FL   Feb 22
Bethesda, MD    March 22
Columbia, SC      April 26

For more information visit worldwitness.org

 

Calling all college students and young adults!

Join Outreach North America for the Dallas Mission Trip, June 29- July 6, 2019! During this week, we will serve at a summer camp for refugee children living in Dallas, Texas through Bible lessons, games, math and reading help, swimming, singing, and more. Our team will form meaningful relationships and will learn about the global refugee crisis and multicultural ministry in a hands-on setting.

Contact Elinor Griffin egriffin@arpsynod.org or visit www.ona-arp.org/dallas for more information.

“The Lord was truly at work during our trip to For the Nations in Dallas. It was amazing to serve alongside a Christian community, sharing God’s love to refugee children with an openness that resonated with them…This experience has once again shown me the joy there is to be found in the globally-focused, diverse family of God.” 

-Daniel Turner, Dallas ’18 attendee

Deadlines and More

Statistical Forms

Remember that your church statistical forms are due by Friday February 1. You can find the forms and other instructions here.

 

January/February ARP Magazine

Here is the latest ARP Magazine issue. Be sure to subscribe www.arpmagazine.org so that you don’t miss an issue.

 

Camp Joy 40 Years!

2019 marks the 40th year of Camp Joy. We are celebrating its anniversary on July 12-14, 2019 at Bonclarken Conference Center. Save the date and remember to come celebrate the past 40 years and join us as we look forward to many more! Find out more information here.

News Bits

Nominations

Synod’s Committee on Nominations meets in less than 1 month.  Click here for a current worksheet showing boards/committees for which we have received no recommendations (in red).   Please prayerfully consider individuals who are qualified for service in these areas.  If you wish to recommend someone, please
1)  contact them regarding their willingness/availability to serve
2) complete and return this recommendation form to (cscott@arpsynod.org) by Friday, Feb 1.
If you have any questions, please let us know.

Bible Songs

Looking for green Bible Songs. If you have any of the green Bible Songs books that are not being used, please consider donating them to the ARP Bookstore. Contact Brent Turner with questions.

 

The newest face in Central Services   

Shay O’Sheal has joined the Central Services/ARP Magazine team as our new Administrative Assistant.

Shay has worked for a number of years in church administration and we are delighted to welcome her to our team. She will be helping us with our database, board/committee meetings and many other administrative projects.

Shay can be reached by calling the ARP Center (864-232-8297 Ext. 227).

Thanks for joining us in welcoming Shay to the team!

Reverend David R. Ellis

April 10, 1934 – January 20, 2019

Rev. David Robbins Ellis, 84, died peacefully Sunday January 20, 2019 in the Springs Nursing Home at Hot Springs, VA.

David was born April 10, 1934 in Rangeley, Maine, the son of Ardine G. and Mattie Robbins Ellis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Judith Spofford Ellis in 1998 and by a sister, Diane Ellis Ward in 2017.

David served in the United States Marine Corps in the 1950s.  He was a graduate of Farmington State College in Farmington, ME. He was a teacher and principal in Maine and Florida until 1977 when he entered Erskine Theological Seminary in South Carolina.  Upon graduation Reverend Ellis pastored Johnson’s Creek ARP Church in Covington, VA, Bethlehem ARP in Due West, SC and retired from Garrison Memorial ARP Church in Bessemer City, NC. He served as the Moderator of the Virginia Presbytery as well as the Chairman of the Virginia Presbytery’s ecclesiastical commission. David was a member of the Lions Club where he was the Lion of the Year in 1998 and 1999, a former chaplain at Alleghany Regional Hospital, and president of the Habitat for Humanity in Bessemer City, NC. In his younger days he was a volunteer firefighter. David enjoyed reading western books and was an avid baseball fan.

Surviving are one Daughter and Son-in-law, Leslie and Wayne Boyd of Holden, ME; two Sons and Daughters-in-law, Tim and Melody Ellis of Burke, VA and Mark and Jennifer Ellis of Covington, VA, six grandchildren; Stephen Boyd, Chad Boyd, Lindsay Boyd Bennett, Patrick Ellis, Wesley Ellis, and Ashley Ellis; several great grandchildren, two Brothers; Larry Ellis of Florida and Timothy Ellis of California, and several nieces and nephews.

In keeping with his wishes, his body has been cremated. His ashes will be buried alongside Judith in Bessemer City, NC in the spring.

The family suggests that donations in his memory be made to the Alzheimer’s Association; P.O.Box 96011; Washington, DC 20090-6011.