Help keep Oakton beautiful! We will need several volunteers ​on July 22nd to work on projects inside and outside around the church property, as well as child care volunteers.​ We’ll plan to begin at 8am, but you are welcome to come earlier to beat the heat. Let us know in advance, and we can give you a project to get started. If you can’t make it that day, but you want to help, call the office for a list of projects that we need help with. ​If you have your own tools, you are welcome to bring them. No experience necessary. Lunch will be provided.

The Church of the Brethren Annual Conference was held June 28 – July 2 in Grand Rapids, MI. This year’s theme was based on Hebrews 10:23 urging us to hold fast to our hope in Jesus Christ. The Annual Conference exists to unite, strengthen and equip the Church of the Brethren to follow Jesus. For over 250 years, Brethren have gathered together regularly to worship together, to discuss questions of faith, and to be reacquainted with believers across the country. The first official meeting of this type was in 1742 when Brethren met to reaffirm their unique identity. Annual Conference is the highest and final legislative authority in the Church of the Brethren, including all matters of procedure, program, polity, and discipline. The authority of Conference has its source in the delegates elected by local congregations and districts, who come together as a deliberative body under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We pray for all those returning home from Annual Conference, that they will carry the warmth of community and the fire of commitment back to their congregations. More information about the results of this year’s Annual Conference business is available through the Church of the Brethren. read more…

Hannah has grown up in our congregation. Her parents, and many members of our church, have helped her come to know the life and teachings of Jesus. As a youth, she has undertaken a more serious study of faith and discipleship. It gives us great joy to celebrate her decision to follow Jesus, to join our church, and to partner with us in ministry. This Sunday, June 11th, Hannah was baptized in Christ. We will honor Hannah, and all who’ve joined the church this year, at a reception later this summer.

Father’s Day is June 18th. Please join us before service at 9:45 am for a Father’s Day breakfast. During service, we would like to show a slide presentation honoring fathers. If you would like to include a few photos (up to 3 per papa) of your father, grandfather, or a man who has played a fatherly role in your life, please email them to the church office as soon as possible. Even if you don’t think you’ll make it to the worship service, we would be happy to honor your father.

If you are unable to send a picture by email, you could ask another member of the congregation to scan the photo and email it, or bring the photos to the church office. Original photos will be returned. We welcome high resolution (full size) images, and invite you to include a dedication line addressed to your father. Although not required, landscape orientation will display best on the slideshow.

Famine has been declared in areas of South Sudan, with Somalia, Nigeria, and Yemen on the brink of famine. More than 20 million people are at risk of starvation in these four countries alone. Globally, millions more suffer from drought and food shortages. The UN is calling this the largest humanitarian crisis since 1945. Yet, the famines are the result of conflict, drought, poverty and global inaction, and in most cases they are preventable. On Sunday, we will join with churches around the world in a prayer to end famine. read more…

All are welcome to join us Thursday, June 1 at 7:00 pm for Bible study in the fellowship hall. We will continue our study on the theme of the Annual Conference “Risk Hope.” If you can’t make it, you can follow along here.

Mothers’ Day is May 14. We would like to create a slideshow to honor mothers to be shown at the May 14th worship service. If you would like to include a photo or two of your mother, or a woman who has been an inspiration to you, please email them to the church office as soon as possible. If you are unable to send them by email, you could ask a member of the congregation to scan the photo and email it, or bring the photos to the church office. Original photos will be returned. We welcome high resolution (large size) images, and invite you to include a dedication line addressed to your mother, such as “Thank you for modeling compassion toward others.”   

Easter Sunday is April 16th! Join us for breakfast at 9:45 am. Come as you are, and enjoy warm fellowship. Last year’s breakfast was festive and fun. We invite you to stay for worship service at 11:00 am as we rejoice in our risen Savior!

Wondering if you can get into the church? We’ll post word here when the parking lot and entryways have been cleared.

Friends, it appears that the storm has passed over! The snow has stopped earlier than we’d expected and dropped less than we’d feared or hoped for, depending on your perspective. We received between three and five inches, but that’s already started to melt. At any rate, the parking lot is plowed and the entryways to our building are open.

But before you head out, please don’t forget to check road conditions. Safety comes first!
Virginia DOT road condition map.
Northern Virginia travel advisories.

Finally, Board and Committee members can expect e-mail and/or phone communication of meeting cancellations. But we’ll also try to update events on the Google Calendar embedded in our site as we get information. We’ll also update information for our partnering congregations’ events as we hear from them.

If you have updates for us, please contact Pastor Ken.

If you are interested in a Lenten devotional during the season of Lent, we will have Lenten devotionals available in the church narthex (regular as well as large print). However, if you would prefer to have this year’s devotional on your mobile devices, it is also available as a digital download from Brethren Press. Digital downloads may be ordered online for $3.00.

This year’s devotional is Medicine of Mercy, by Theresa Eshbach. “Lent is a season of repentance and healing. God anoints us with a medicine of mercy, a healing balm, when we return to God’s ways. We receive this generous mercy and forgiveness and then extend it to a world in need.”

Church of the Brethren 2017 Annual Conference logo

A five week Bible Study group, sponsored by the Action Reflection Committee, continues to discuss the Annual Conference Moderator’s monthly studies on the topic “Risk Hope.”

The moderator, Carol Sheppard, is addressing the uncertainty of these times in the world and in the Church and how we can risk hope in the midst of confusion.

Each study includes related scripture, commentary and discussion questions. Our last meeting will be this Thursday, March 2 in the Fellowship Hall at 7:30 p.m.

This is a series; but participants are welcome to attend any of the sessions they can make.