We're rolling into November, which is so hard to believe, but things are picking up here at Shades! We have an important message this Sunday, in addition to the time change, and the deadline for submitting deacon nominations is coming up.
Hello Church Family,
Hard to believe it’s almost November! The weeks are flying by and there are lots of things going on in the life of our church!
This Sunday, November 1st, I will have the privilege of preaching at Hope Community Church. I’m excited to share with them the vision we have for Hope Community and to officially introduce them to their new pastor Jacob Simmons and let them know what a great journey they are about to embark upon.
While I’m there at Hope, Chad Cossiboom will preach here at Shades. Chad will be delivering a challenging message on child protection, specifically on the church’s role in being a safe space for children as well as providing a loving response for victims of abuse. Protecting children has always been a top priority for our church, and in the last couple of years we’ve invested even more in practices and policies to ensure we are doing everything we can to provide an environment where all children at any Shades event can learn about Jesus and an environment where children feel safe and one that parents feel confident in.
A couple of years ago, Shades accepted the “Caring Well Challenge,” a call to action by the Southern Baptist Convention for churches to enhance efforts to prevent abuse and to care for abuse survivors. We established a Child Protection Team, sent staff to a special conference on this issue, and implemented a new, more rigorous protocol for all volunteers who want to work with minors. A critical aspect of the Caring Well Challenge, though, is also to ensure that victims of abuse get the care and support they need for recovery and beyond. The church, Shades—as an organization and individually as its people, should be a source of compassion and hope for victims, providing a loving, Christ-like response.
This is not an easy issue to hear about or talk about, but we have to address all aspects of it straight on. Chad’s message will not be explicit in nature or inappropriate for children to hear, but this is a sensitive topic and we want you all to be aware.
Also this Sunday there will be a meeting for anyone who is interested in learning more about how to be involved with Hope Community Church. We already heard from so many of you who are enthusiastic and ready to jump in! Sunday evening at 6:00 in the Student Building, Tim Wheat and Jacob Simmons will share more information and answer questions about how the people of Shades can be a part of what will be happening at Hope! If you can’t be there this time, there will be another one on the calendar soon.
Let me deposit in your mind two things for next week: First, if you haven’t already voted … vote on Tuesday. Second, make sure you submit deacon nominations by Wednesday.
Daylight Saving Time comes to an end this weekend—lose a little daylight but gain a little time. So move your clocks back an hour before you go to bed Saturday night, enjoy some extra sleep, and we’ll see you Sunday morning…either in person or online.