As we have communicated over the last few weeks, the season of Advent will represent a shift in our life together as a church family. Our worship gatherings over the last nine months have been a blend of traditional worship elements (singing, prayer, message) and the worshipful commitment to honest, respectful conversation about the path forward for Vineyard Central. During the season of Advent, we will relax back into the season, with our worship gatherings shifting in focus away from our communal discernment and into the themes, scriptures, and songs of Advent. During these weeks, there will be short updates about the Discernment Process, a covenanting ceremony on December 11th, and an election of elders following worship on December 18th; but the main focus will be spending Advent together with one another and with the wider church in the world.

Here’s the layout of the next few weeks for your preparation:

Nov 27th: First Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Last day for membership covenant commitments
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 4th: Second Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Last day for elder nominations
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 11th: Third Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Covenanting ceremony for members during worship gathering
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying:  5 p.m.

Dec 18th: Fourth Sunday of Advent
Worship gathering: 10 am
Elders elected directly following worship gathering
Evening worship gathering for singing and praying: 5 p.m.

Dec 24th: Christmas Eve
Worship gathering: 5 pm

Dec 25th: Christmas Day
Worship gathering: 10 am

Our apologies for the delay, but here are the documents we promised!

Click here for the elder nomination form. Please print out, complete, and bring the form to the Sunday gathering. Click here to review the expectations and responsibilities of elders.  The last date for receiving elder nominations is December 4th.

If you have yet to sign the membership covenant and are desiring to do so, click here to access that document. Please print out, sign, and bring the covenant to the Sunday gathering.  The last date for receiving membership covenants is this Sunday, November 27th.

As with other things in our Discernment Process, if you cannot be present at the worship gathering this upcoming Sunday, please email one of the members of the Discernment Team (Natasha, Nathan, Joshua, Laura, or Tom) with your intention to covenant with VC and sign the covenant as soon as possible. Please submit any questions or problems with the links in the comments section below. Thanks!

For those who have been faithfully tending the children of VC and for those who would like to be a part of doing so, we will be meeting this Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 7pm in the St. E studio to check in and begin discussing long-term plans for shepherding our kids. Hope to see you there!

From Beth Reed:

Unfortunately this year (due to an internal audit & new management) the Norwood YMCA will no longer be offering discounted memberships to Vineyard Central members.  If you are already a member, they will waive the one time $50 activation fee, but we will have to pay regular rates now, like everyone else. They do, however, offer a sliding scale payment if that is helpful.
Here are regular prices:

Membership Type / Monthly Rate

Adult $56
Family/Household $83
Two Adult Household $73
Senior Adult $39
Senior Family $50

Here is their link if you want more information:http://www.cincinnatiymca.org/our-ys/branches/re-lindner

This Sunday we will be making a final decision about whether to have all volunteer elders or to pay one of the elders to serve in a vocational capacity. Both perspectives will be concisely presented prior to taking a vote from those present at the gathering. If you are unable to make it this Sunday, but would still like to vote, please contact Laura, Natasha, Nathan, Tom, or Josh.

We will also have membership proposals available for people to sign and return as pledges of their intent to become covenant members. We are planning on a Dec. 4 consecration service for all those who commit to covenant membership. You can view the membership proposal here.

Covenant members will also be invited to begin nominating people in our church who they feel would be qualified to be elders. We are encouraging members to nominate up to five people, as there will be five positions available. Forms for this purpose will be available on Sunday. A description of elders and their responsibilities will be available this Sunday as well. See you then!