Ves’ Friday Facts February 26, 2010, #440

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

In This Friday Facts:

1. NEDA Constitution and By-Laws

                                2. Haitian Relief Report

3. NEDA Conference

4. NEDA Conference- Sense of Unity

5. Children’s Ministry Summit

6. Skowhegan ME Opportunities

7. Attention Women in Ministry

8. Sanctuary

9. City Without Walls

                                 10. Nancy Guthrie- Holding on to Hope

11.Modules

12. NEDA Website

1. NEDA Constitution and By-Laws

Two years ago in early 2008, the NEDA Board of Directors established a committee to review the NEDA Constitution and By-Laws, and to propose revisions. The committee was chaired by Audie Thompson, and included Ves Sheely, Jay Pickerell, Dave Poscich, and Mark Overmyer. During 2008 the committee worked with the NEDA Constitution. Recommended changes were approved by the Board, and subsequently adopted by NEDA at the 2009 annual conference. During 2009 the committee continued its work by reviewing the NEDA By-Laws. Proposed revisions have been approved by the Board and will be presented for adoption at the next NEDA annual conference on March 19, 2010.

The proposed by-law revisions were sent to all member churches in December 2009. For several weeks now, a link to the revised by-laws including a side-by-side comparison to the current version and brief rationale for each change has been available on the NEDA website homepage Bulletin Board. The linked document provides a summary of all changes. The highlights are as follows:

Clarifies relationships between the Board, District, and mission status churches, now referred to as Evangelical Free Churches In Formation (EFC-IF)

Requires all office nominations including those made from the floor to be vetted by the Nominating Committee

Adds provision to suspend the District Superintendent, other Ministry Staff and Board members for moral, doctrinal or ethical issues.

Provides for the District Superintendent to select all staff positions, with appropriate Board and Conference approvals.

Changes the quorum for business meetings from majority of member churches to at least 25% of member churches.

Allows a person who has served a partial term to be eligible to serve two additional complete terms.

Changes the term of office for the District Superintendent from 3 to 6 years, to take effect when the current term is up.

Changes the fiscal year to June 1 – May 31.

We encourage member churches to review and prayerfully consider these proposed changes. If you have any questions, please address them to Audie Thompson, chairman of the Constitution and By-Laws Revision Committee. Audie can be reached at aethome@comcast.net

2. Rebuilding Haiti – A Kingdom Moment

Is God calling you and your church to be a part?

NEDA is doing what it can to coordinate the efforts of its churches for this historic opportunity. As you know our NEDA family has been directly affected by the tragedy and now the people of Morijah Evangelical Church (Waltham, MA) and Elim Evangelical Church (Fitchburg, MA) want to partner with you this summer in delivering assistance in the name of Jesus.

In talking to those leaders who have been to Haiti since the quake, it is thrilling to hear of “revival” fervor among the people and church of Jesus. Witnesses tell of verbal praise and worship music being heard well into the night and even early in the morning throughout the neighborhoods. People whose world view is already open to spiritual things are receiving the Gospel with power. The Hope-giver is delivering hope to a very needy people. In the midst of rubble, lives are being reborn and a new foundation for future Haiti is being laid. This summer could be a Kingdom moment for you to live out the prayer: Lord, may your Kingdom come and may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

If there’s any chance that you might consider sending a team to Haiti this summer to help out in some way, please read on.

Here are some of the ways that your church can help:

1. Youth and/or children’s ministries – The children are lacking the normal structures of life. In as much as they are the future of Haiti, our investment in them is strategic.

a. English camp

b. Sports camp

c. Music/Arts/Drama camp

d. VBS

e. Crafts

f. Peer to peer

2. Carpentry and Construction Training – Working alongside Haitians we want to not just rebuild church buildings – but enable workers who will be equipped to continue after our teams leave. Replacing uninhabitable church facilities with simple shelters will greatly enhance the ability of a community of believers to deliver ministry to its neighborhood.

3. Medical Aid – if you are able to mobilize medical personnel and/or supplies, these are much needed and useful in many places.

4. Encouragement/Fellowship/Training for those who shepherd the hurting of Haiti. One can only imagine the toll this experience is taking on those who lead their people. Some in your church with gifts of teaching, encouragement, or mercy will find a ministry of presence that will be invaluable in helping choice servants of God to carry on.

Here’s why you should consider a coordinated effort with NEDA partners:

We have experienced translators who can travel with and guide your team.

We have a network of relationships with churches, pastors and people who need your help.

We have a network of relationships with people and relief agencies able to assist your team in Haiti

We have facilities that can house and feed your team while on the ground there.

We can assign to you an experienced coach who will help prepare your team to go

We have a goal to mobilize 3 NEDA teams (or groups of teams) over this summer – each able to provide a week to two weeks of service. If you are interested here’s what you should do:

Pray and ask God if he wants to use you and/or your church this summer.

Contact Mark Overmyer via email at mobiewan@gmail.com and note what you might be able to provide and when.

Attend a Q&A session during lunch at the NEDA conference March 18 or 19. Our Haitian brothers will be on hand to provide insights.

Invite one of the Haitian leaders to your church to present the opportunity and answer questions.

As you pray and consider your potential involvement here are some parameters to keep in mind:

Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by at least one adult

Cost estimate for food, water, electricity, housing and daily transportation is $20/day per team member.

Airfare estimate is $600+ per team member.

Vaccinations and boosters are required as well as malaria medication – see your doctor.

We need firm commitments from your team by May 1.

3. NEDA Conference- REGISTER TODAY!!!

We are very excited about our upcoming 2010 NEDA Conference which will occur at Grace Community Church in Spofford, NH and Camp Spofford, NH. From March 18-19th we will have the privilege of learning from Jim Van Ypren, the founder of Metanoia Ministries and Alvin Sanders, the Executive Director of Reconciliation (EFCA Samaritan Way). Our theme is "Growing Christ-like Communities"- Acts 2:42-47. If you need another copy of the of the brochure feel free to find it at the NEDA website. Online registration is now available at www.efcneda.org! If you have any questions, please call the NEDA Office at 860-674-9541 or email at Laurenrand7@gmail.com.

4. NEDA Conference

Why I think you might consider it a PRIORITY to attend the training day at NEDA conference (Spofford, NH) THURSDAY, MARCH 18!

For 3 years now our NEDA partners and leaders have been narrowing the focus of our ministries. We are resisting the overwhelming smorgasbord of programmatic ideas catalogued at the latest and greatest church growth, church health, or church planting conference, website or summit. By trying to do more of what Jesus did, we are carving through the “good” and discovering what’s “best.” Together we are getting better at: Engaging Culture, Facilitating Community, Mobilizing for Multiplication, and Structuring Congregations. At the NEDA conference 2 years ago, we were challenged and instructed by Dr. D.A. Carson on what it means to be a subculture of people invested for heavenly purposes in this world. Then Pastor Tom Shirk (Boulder, CO) showed us how his church became “externally focused.” Last year we heard how one church (Bob Roberts from Kellor, TX) has taken seriously the call to multiplication for Kingdom Impact. These conference themes have reinforced the centerline that NEDA partners and leaders are appreciating. This year we are focusing on COMMUNITY by asking Jim Van Yperen to teach us from his very unique perspective the difference between community that is TRANSACTIONAL vs. TRANSFORMATIONAL. Isn’t that what we all long for: real life change? I trust that Jim is going to have some insights that are timely for those of us who long to facilitate authentic Christ communities that can become multiplicationally fruitful. Additionally, we are going to hear from Alvin Sanders, EFCA Reconciliation Director. His will be a reinforcement of the engage culture piece of our centerline – as he helps us understand what’s at stake when you engage people who are different that you are. We’ve asked Alvin to teach us how to reach across boundaries – whatever they may be – and build bridges of opportunity and influence among people who are not likely to come to us.

I’d like to urge you to consider coming and bringing members of your team to this training day. It convenes at Grace EFC Spofford, NH at 9am. You can bring as many teammates as you desire on two paid registrations to this training day. Hope to see you there – Mark Overmyer

5. Children's Ministry Summit

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS......Only 8 days left to get registered for the NEDA Children's Ministry Summit. Want to know what the yummy menu looks like for lunch? Garden Salad, Fresh Vegetables, Vinaigrette dressing, Horseradish Cole Slaw, Assorted Sandwiches, Carrot cake, oh my!! Remember, all you have to do is call or email Cindy Nicewonger at Wethersfield EFree Church, (1-860-563-8286 or email child.min@wethefc.com) She will take real good care of you. But here's the good news for those of you still thinking about whether to come or not - walk-ins are welcome. Just come along and we will take care of you. Don't miss out on this one - it will be SUPER!!

6. Skowhegan ME Opportunities

Trinity EFC in Skowhegan, ME is willing to send a team to churches to explain about their shelter. If any would be interested, please contact Pastor Richard Berry at trinity_efree@yahoo.com .

Trinity EFC in Skowhegan, ME is looking for summer work teams made up of teens, adults and skilled workers to help construct the homeless shelter. Skowhegan is truly having “those type of people” living in the church, getting help, and hearing about Jesus. Please take some time to look at the website www.trinityevangelicalfree.com to observe the progress of the building.

7. Attention Women in Ministry

Plan on attending the NEDA conference March 18-19th! On Thursday, March 18th, you are invited to a networking luncheon with NEDA District Mobilizer Regina Robinson. Connect with other women in ministry from the district, encourage one another in respective churches, and hear the vision of reaching and supporting NEDA women in 2010. In an effort to build the women in ministry team for NEDA, the Thursday training session is provided to you free of charge to all interested women! Please contact District Mobilizer, Regina Robinson at robinson.regina@gmail.com to register or for more information prior to March 1^st.

8. Sanctuary

Please take some time to click on the link below and read more about the revival that is going on Maine.

http://www.downeast.com/magazine/2010/february/sanctuary

9. City Without Walls

Alvin Sanders please will be speaking in Boston April 15-17, 2010. The focus of this summit is on intercultural ministry. For more information please go to: http://www.citywithoutwalls.net/

10. Nancy Guthrie- Holding on to Hope

Life is difficult. God is good. Both of these things don’t always seem to be true, especially when we experience great loss. Events in our lives - health issues, broken relationships, the death of a loved

one, financial troubles - force us to ask the difficult questions.

On March 27, Nancy Guthrie, author and international speaker, will be sharing her story during a one-day seminar. Nancy and her husband, David, lost two infant children, Hope and Gabriel, to a genetic

disorder. During this time, Nancy asked God a number of tough questions, and she came to understand that He was working in their situation. As the Lord taught Nancy during this time, she is now reaching out through writing and speaking to teach others how to find hope in the midst of their own personal tragedies.

If you’re in the midst of coping with loss… If you know someone who is…. If you’re asking some tough questions…. If you want to hear a story of redemption…. Join us for a day called “Holding on to Hope”

with speaker Nancy Guthrie, as we walk together through the story of the Biblical character, Job.

This seminar will be held from 8:30am to 3:00pm on Saturday March 27 at Trinity Baptist Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Registration cost (to be paid at the door) is $15, and includes a box lunch. In order to register, please call 203 520-5985 or e-mail GuthrieSeminar@yahoo.com

Among NEDA affiliates co-sponsoring this event are:

Beacon Hill EFC, Monroe CT

Living Hope Church, Shelton CT

Calvary EFC, Trumbull CT

The following link will allow you to download a three-minute video of Nancy promoting the seminar:

 https://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=batch_download&send_id=819639740&email=152d77fd6702c5f237874bfd12458ee6

You can also find out more about Nancy Guthrie and her books at www.nancyguthrie.com

10. Modules

Maine Module- March 10^th 9:30am -12pm at Faith EFC in Waterville, ME.

11. NEDA Website

Please check out our website at www.efcneda.org for the latest information, brochures on upcoming events and even the weekly Friday Facts.  Please feel free to email us with any feedback concerning our website as our desire is to serve you better.

God bless,

Ves