Communication was very important to Jesus Christ. In the Gospels we see Jesus communicating in a variety of ways. Sometimes Jesus communicated in simple language that even the uneducated and children understood. On other occasions He spoke in a way that the scribes and Pharisees understood. One of His favorite communication tools was the parable, and thankfully, we have many records of His use of the parable as a teaching aid. But Jesus also communicated in other ways. There are those times when only a touch communicated to a needy person His presence, power, and love. For sure, His eyes and demeanor spoke volumes when He came into the lives of families and individuals confused, wounded, and lost. You can't miss what He was getting across to the masses when the little children ran up to Him to sit in His lap and spend precious moments with the Master. There are times that Jesus' tears and inner groanings communicated the very heart of God. Prostrate on a hill overlooking Jerusalem Jesus wept great tears as He considered their condition and hopelessness. I am certain that on other occasions, just Jesus' look convinced many of their sin and selfishness.

We spend great sums of money today to communicate. We hire professional ministers to come into our churches where we expect them to effectively preach and teach. A couple of times a year an evangelist might be invited to share in his particular fashion the message that we consider central to our faith. Some churches spend a fortune on radio and television. They believe it essential to use the airwaves to share their message. In this technological age, billions of dollars have been spent on computer equipment and the Internet to get the word out. And most of us still use old fashioned print media to communicate to hundreds and even thousands of folks within our own sphere of ministry. Our bulletins and newsletters cross the globe as we share the Good News.
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On August 18, 2005, the aforementioned members met with the prospective temporary committee members where details were shared. The Moderator then appointed the recommended Location and Property Committee. These officers and committee members will investigate appraisals, building and land values, and possible options before any recommendations are brought before the body at the 2005 annual meeting.

We will appreciate your prayers for those involved in this study and exploration. Specifically, pray that God might impress upon someone with property not too far from where our current office is to donate a piece of land for a new and adequate building.

If you have questions, contact Joe Flowers, 540-586-2470, or email JBF1701@cable.net.

The following churches have submitted names of representatives to SBA's Executive Board for 2005-2006: Beaverdam, Bedford, Bethlehem, Flint Hill, Hunting Creek, Mentow, Morgans, Mount Zion, North Bedford, Norwood, Palestine, Quaker, Timber Ridge, and Walnut Grove. Churches not listed are encouraged to enlist their two representatives and send the information to the association office by the middle of September. Our goal is to publish committee assignments in the next newsletter.

Messenger cards and name labels were mailed to church clerks the middle of August.

Annual Church Profile info was also mailed to clerks in August and is due back by Thursday, October 6. Please contact the association office with questions or if you need assistance.

CenterFest is just three weeks away, and we still need volunteers to officially sign up to work the booth, baby changing station, and streets. All churches and individuals who will take part in the booth ministries need to call or e-mail Rita Calhoun at 540-297-5271 or acvaowlsnest@aol.com. She can best be reached in the evenings. Rita will fit your team into the Saturday schedule to work an hour or two, depending on the number of overall volunteers. The more volunteers, the lighter the load on everyone! We also need stage ministry teams. These folks will share with puppets, clowning, mime, interpretive movement, balloons, face painting, etc. These, too, will only need to minister for an hour or two. The booth will be set up early on Saturday prior to CenterFest's 10:00 a.m. start. We will pack things up and be gone by 6:00 p.m.

Remember our rally on Thursday, September 8, 7:30 p.m., at Thaxton. We will provide an overview of the schedule, assignments, booth how-to's, street visitation, and prayer walking. By the time we leave the rally we'll have an understanding of how to make our CenterFest experience a good one.

Brethren, unless we minister to the lost and needy before our eyes, this county will continue to stumble in darkness. Let's not miss a perfect and divine opportunity to meet our neighbors and share something of the love of Christ with them.

Women on Mission: Bedford will lead devotionals at Oakwood Manor for September; Beaverdam/Diamond Hill will lead them in October, November, and December. Thaxton will host the September birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Timber Ridge will host it in October. The Sedalia Stars accomplished the following in June, July, and August:

• $150 donated to Many Blessings Farm
  
• Provided $15 gift certificates to 14 public school teachers and one bus driver who attend Sedalia
  
• $50 donated to Cyrstal DeLong for her ministry in Turkey
  
• $200 donated toward youth mission trip to the Bronx, New York
  
• Purchased supplies and made witnessing bracelets for the youth mission trip

On Sunday, September 25, at 3 p.m., Bedford will gather with the First Baptist Church of Goode to share in the dedication of First Baptist's renovations. Bedford helped with the renovations which were completed the end of April.

Big Island was featured on the Mission Moments page of the July 28 Religious Herald, with information about and pictures of their mission trip to Cleveland, Tennessee.

On September 16, Hunting Creek will be hosting a Coffeehouse, featuring Jay Coleman.

Mount Zion had 112 enrolled in Vacation Bible with many decisions for salvation, rededication, and interest in being a missionary. The church collected $117 to purchase backpacks for Romanian children as well as $94.00 for the Bedford Pregnancy Center.
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Our total enrollment was 40, which was appropriate since we talked a lot about Noah (in fact it was all about Noah) and the 40 days and 40 nights of rain. With over 60 folks helping, we managed to put together an ark, brought in the flood, and made a rainbow come out (for a few seconds before it started popping!). There were puppets that performed a skit and two songs—all about Noah. The handbells told the story of Noah, and a song about a rainbow was sung in sign language. Then the Rhythm Band, Orff instruments, tone chimes, and a small combo (piano, flute & string bass) accompanied the choristers as they sang "100% Chance of Rain," a jazz cantata for young voices. It was a week of hard work on everyone's part. Thanks to all who made it happen!

Special thanks to Susan Batten-Bell for the above article and for her tireless energy and enthusiasm as Camp Director. Thanks also to Susan Hunter, Sandra Locy, Wade Locy, David Thomas, Jeanne Willis, Sheri Worsham, and Maxine McCraw who rounded out the staff.

September 21 Mark Flores (Mount Hermon)
October 11 Rick Dellinger (Music Evangelist)
October 16 Grover Stevens (Quaker)
October 24 Ken Butterworth (Diamond Hill)
October 25 Chris Smith (Staunton))

October 15 Bruce & Dodie Barrett (Suck Spring)