Nov. 23, 2009 issue
First female overseer
Lindale Mennonite Church, Linville, Va.
By James O. LehmanDawn Monger, a student at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, began a ministry internship working with worship leading and Sunday school activities.
On Sept. 9, Lindale began a 12-session program of Wednesday activities, meeting every other week with activities for all ages.
Sunday, Sept. 13, was an unusually full day. After more than 400 people attended the worship service we had a potluck lunch for college students. That evening the Northern District meeting of Virginia Mennonite Conference held a potluck and service to honor Samuel Weaver’s retirement as a district overseer. H. Michael Shenk III, pastor at Valley View, and Aldine Musser, co-pastor at Stephens City, were installed as overseers, joining Clyde Kratz in that role. Musser is the first female overseer in the district.
Also on that same day, a dozen men from the Diversion Center and two officials attended the worship service. Mr. Byrd from the center told the congregation how appreciative they were of Lindale’s involvement with that halfway program. The evening prior, two more men had been baptized by Pastor Duane Yoder, something Yoder had done many times before.
Birth: Jordan Faith, Sept. 22, to Jody and Jeremy Byler.
On the Sept. 20 weekend, the MYF and sponsors held their fall retreat at Smith Mountain Lake. The yard sale and auction in late September yielded a good response for Cindy Voth, associate pastor of youth and family life, and her husband, Luke. They hope to adopt a son from Russia.
The Virginia Mennonite Relief Sale on Oct. 2-3 found many from LMC involved at various points. As usual Lindale did all ice cream activity, involving 57 helpers selling 216 gallons of ice cream.
On Oct. 4 the primary Sunday school department kicked off the Operation Christmas Child fund drive through Nov. 22, when they hoped to have 100 gift boxes filled.
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