Christmas Candlelight Service Reminder

Hey everyone,

Please don't forget the Christmas Candlelight service at Windermere Lodge (4444 Front Nine Dr., Cumming, GA). 

The date and time are Tuesday, December 23 at 6:30 PM.

There will be Christmas hymns, a message by Bill Ford, and communion.

See you there!

Jason

Jan Abernathy Surgery Successful!

Hey everyone,

I found out yesterday (just now getting on today) that Jan came through her knee replacement surgery well yesterday! 

Thank God for answered prayers!

Jason

Betty Earhart

Mike has asked us to be in prayer for his mother. She is at Northside Forsyth hospital in room 5060 with pneumonia. Mike and Trish are in Ohio and Betty's birthday is tomorrow. So if anyone is not sick themselves (as many of us are) and can, a visit would be appreciated.

Please pray for her recovery, safe travels for the Earharts and give her a visit if you can.

Our Church Discussion from 11/30/14

Hello Castle friends,

On Sunday, November 23, Vangie and I announced that we will be leaving Castle to move to the Boise, Idaho area.  As a church, we decided to spend the following week in prayer, and have a brief discussion about possible options for the future of the church.  That discussion was held on November 30, but not everyone was there. Those who were present decided that it would be best to share the bullet-points from that discussion and continue it in some fashion (after prayer this week) next Sunday, December 7.

Basically, the church discussed two options, with alternatives.  The first one I'll list here was not the one which was the most popular, but it is listed first here so that more time can be devoted to the other options.

1. One option discussed was the possibility of disbanding:
1. Strengths
1. This would give the church the opportunity to take what we've learned as a church out into the other churches in our community
2. This could be done in such a way that the church sticks together in some fashion
2. Weaknesses
1. Might be more difficult to "stick together" within another church than it seems
2. Most of us really enjoy the classroom-style church model we are currently using
3. This has been given serious consideration and will probably continue to be given consideration, but was not the most popular option.
2. The more popular option was to continue on as a church.  What form this takes, however, is still in the air.
1. One option is to try searching for another minister--someone part-time who could continue on in the teaching ministry at Castle.
1. The concern shared was that the person hired not be a traditional "preacher" but more of a teaching minister
2. Another option which had some merit, was to rotate members of the church to take turns teaching.
1. There was some concern about people feeling "qualified" to teach
3. Another option was for me (Jason) to continue on in some manner from a distance using technology
1. I, personally, am not highly in favor of this option.  I think it would be a poor substitute for personal teaching and am hesitant to rely on technology for this.  I do not think the church or myself would thrive this way.
4. Another option was for me to continue providing a kind of "outline" for a while which could be shared with the congregation.
1. This could fit really well with a church member teaching rotation.

These are all things which the church has considered.  There also may be other options which present themselves in the next week or so.  The good news is that no decision has to be made immediately.  And no decision which is made must be final.  The church has plenty of time to work through this!

SO...please be in prayer this week and be prepared to come to church this coming Sunday prepared to discuss a little further.  If you were not there this week (the 30th), it would be really great if you could be there on the 7th.  Also, it will be very important for people who WERE at church on the 30th to ALSO be there on the 7th.  These discussions won't be very helpful if there is a different group discussing options from week to week!

Thanks everyone, and please be in prayer!

Jason

Linda Talley

From Cathy Schmidle:

Hello my Castle Friends,
I just got word that my Dear Friend Linda Talley who worshiped with us has gone to be with the Lord. Please pray for her family as they deal with her loss and the loss of her sister a little over a week ago. They mentioned having a small service for the 2 girls at the funeral home possibly next weekend some time. I will keep you updated, when I hear something, but thought it would be nice if some of us could attend.



Please be in prayer for this family.

Heavy Hearted News

Hello Castle folks,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this.  I have thought long and hard about how to tell you.

As much as I’ve enjoyed being the minister at Castle Christian Church, the college work I initially took to supplement my income has necessarily become my primary source of income.  This was, at first, the best of all worlds for me.  I was preaching every Sunday to a church I loved, teaching students about the things I loved, and using some of my managerial skills to help maintain a wonderful adult program.  And I was making a living.

Unfortunately, however, my work experience has been very difficult and stressful.  I have hinted at this in some of my sermons, but have kept the bulk of it to myself.  While there are some folks I work with whom I love and respect deeply, it has simply not been sustainable to continue there full-time.  

Further, necessary changes to the pay structure in my current job have caused our family some very difficult financial problems.  Between the stress of the job, the change in pay, trying to maintain what is, basically, three jobs for almost six years, and the daily stress of just getting to work my health has actually taken a massive toll.  I am very tired.

I tell you all of this because this year a church in Idaho began to pursue Vangie to help them with their children’s ministry.  We approached this very cautiously and have spent many months thinking and praying about it.  At first, we did not take it very seriously.  But, this fall, we both truly began prayerfully considering the option.  Last weekend, she accepted the offer to be the children’s minister at Ten Mile Christian Church in Meridian, Idaho.  This work will begin in early January—in fact, because we are having to break lease, we will need to leave on the first of January.

This opportunity is a good one for Vangie.  In fact, it is very much tailor-made for her.  I do fear, however, that, because it is a large church and we have often been critical of some of the things we’ve seen in the churches in our community, folks at Castle will feel we have belied what we have taught.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  We have spent many hours in conversation with the leadership at this new church and are just convinced that they are a very solid and ministry-minded church.  In fact, despite their size, they have been very modest in their approach to some of the things we have always tried to steer clear of.  I am very impressed with this church, its members, and its leadership.  In fact, many of the conversations I’ve had with folks today reminded me so much of you all.

I am considering a few work options for myself.  The job Vangie has taken should be sufficient to support us until I am able to find stable income.  She is also maintaining her relationship with PURE Ministry, which I will assist her with.  This will also benefit us.  I am hoping to maintain some adjunct work and have a few leads on possible part-time work in the area.  

Mostly, I’m looking forward to getting some rest!

The truth is, as much as I have enjoyed teaching at the college, that is not what will break our hearts.  Our hearts will shatter to leave Castle.  You all have been family to me and have welcomed me, my children, my wife, and my step-son with grace and mercy and so, so much love.  As much as I have heard folks at church say they’ve learned from me, I can truly say I have learned more about being the church from working with you than in all my years of study and all the books I’ve read.  I will forever treasure the time I’ve spent in Georgia with you.  This church has changed me, forever, deep down in my heart.

We truly, truly love all of you.  But we are in a position in which we just cannot stay.  And this opportunity is one which is so good for Vangie and will resolve so many problems for us that we just do not feel we can turn it down.

Therefore, I announced today (11/23/14) that I am tendering my resignation as the preaching minister at Castle.  My last Sunday will necessarily have to be December 28, 2014. 

I believe that you all will obviously need to make some decisions as far as what you would like to do as a church.  I do not know what decisions you will make or how you will come to them.  I do not want to presume to give you advice when I am the one leaving.  However, one of the things we discussed today was that everyone should think and pray this week and come together next week prepared to discuss possible options for Castle in the future.

I hope that God blesses all of you the way he has blessed us through you.

In Christ,

Jason

Don't Forget Agape Sunday

Hello everyone,

Please don't forget that there will be an Agape Sunday meal on Sunday, Nov 16.

This COMING Sunday (Nov. 9) we will be finishing our study of the book of Judges!

Thanks!

Jason