This weekend traditionally marks the beginning of summer – a slower pace, more time to relax – or maybe not. The people still need care and shepherding, the organization still needs to function, relationships and programs still need tending.
I remember the summer of 1998. I was the Administrator at a Christian School. The students hurried out the doors to three months of days without homework. The teachers packed away their classrooms and departed for some well-deserved rest without looking back. For the next three months, I worked 60-70 hours a week to cobble together a new computer lab from a confusing variety of donated machines. I wired and cabled and networked a combination of 25 Dell, HP, Packard Bell, and generic machines from the 386 and 486 series (don’t laugh – that was pretty good for a Christian School lab then). Printers had to communicate with PCs which had to be individually loaded with operating systems from floppy disks. Old machines (we’re talking Commodore green screens) had to be properly disposed. With a week to go, I was just finishing loading the final round of software when an electrical storm fried six machines and the server. When the students arrived for the first day of class, the lab was ready (just barely) and I was done (mentally and emotionally).
Fellow shepherds – few people may see or ask about the hours you spend quietly preparing, praying, and planning, but the Cheif Shepherd knows. When Peter professed his love for Jesus, He replied, “Feed my sheep.” Some of you haul the bags of feed; some of you mix the portions, some of you get to serve the meal. As long as you are helping to provide good food for the sheep, you are proving your love for the Shepherd of your soul.
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2010-11 NCO Schedule
Below is a list of scheduled events for 2010-11.
2010
- June 14-19 – BEYOND Middle School Camp @ Pleasant Valley Ranch
- Momentum Conference for Senior High @ Cedarville University
- July 16-20 – Celebrate 2010 @ Crowne Plaza, Cincinnati, OH. For more info visit www.fgbc.org/celebrate
- July 22 – NCO Small Group Leaders meeting @ Grace Church of Powell
- September 15 – NCO Exams @ GBC of Columbus, 9:30-12:00
- September 17 – Annual NCO Family Picnic @ Highbanks Metro Park, 6:00-9:00
- September 22 – NCO Coordinating Team
- October 11-13 – Central Focus Retreat @ Mohican Conference Center
- October 21 – NCO Fall Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
- November 18 – NCO Youth Pastor Gathering
2011
- January 19 – NCO Coordinating Team
- February 4-6 – Kalahari for Middle and High School
- February 17 – NCO Winter Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
- April 6 – NCO Exams
- April 6 – NCO Youth Worship Night
- April 13 – NCO Coordinating Team
- April 14 – Youth Pastor Gathering
- May 12 – NCO Spring Ministerium and District Missions @ TBA
Association of Grace Brethren Ministers Dues
AGBM dues for all licensed and ordained ministers in the FGBC are $100 per year. Checks should be made payable to AGBM and sent to AGBM, PO Box 694, Winona Lake, IN 46590, with the name or names of the ministers clearly indicated on the memo line.
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Praying for you to find adequate rest and much joy this summer,
Todd Scoles
NCO District Coordinator
