I want to say "Thank you" to all of those churches and individuals who have ministered in so many ways during the past weeks to those affected and devastated by hurricane Katrina. A number of teams have gone out from churches in our Association, and as you read this, others are making preparations for their mission trips. Much money has been donated, some through Strawberry and more through our state and national conventions as well as through organizations like Samaritan's Purse and the Red Cross. You have dug deep and demonstrated your concern and love for people you've never even met.

We have tried to emphasize the fact that this is a long-term and very fluid effort. The needs will not be over in October, November, or December. This will continue to be a point of ministry well into 2006. Cleanup is hardly getting started in many areas, and during this month you will be hearing more calls for untrained volunteers who can carry their equipment down south to help with tree and debris removal, mudouts, home and roof repairs and much more. It's a transition from urgent life and death needs involving rescue, medical aid, and feeding to those concerned with reparation and restoration. I cannot begin to imagine the horrific holes left in so many lives, but thank God we know the source of hope and healing, so as we go we remember that it is done in the name and Spirit of Jesus Christ.

Please continue to pray for all those involved. Pray for the ones in the process of recovery and for those hands and feet that travel many hours to serve. Don't forget just because the winds and rains of Katrina have gone away and the nightly news has moved to another disaster. We are beginning to see other opportunities to work with sister associations and churches who are rebuilding so they can once again be light in their corner of God's world. Perhaps you will be blessed to partner with one of these to help rebuild. I invite you to keep an eye on our Website "www.sbava.org" to learn of the latest requests and find useful links to help you serve.

Psalm 46 assures us that our God is a refuge, fortress, and present help at all times, and especially in the face of storms, earthquakes, raging waters, and even wars. There is a river that flows from the Lord All-Powerful who does amazing things in all the earth. What a merciful privilege to be part of His family and to understand that just by being quiet and still we can know that He is God. Brethren, let's not lose heart. For times like these our Association is worthy and relevant as we band together to touch, pray, and love people who feel abandoned and alone.

Larry has resigned as full time pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church (effective 10/01/2005), and he and Janet are now available for revival and worship music. You may telephone them at 540-587-8962 or e-mail them at edrynn@juno.com. You're also invited to visit the website at www.larryross.org.

Thankfully, we have recruited enough volunteers for the week of October 2-9 to travel to Louisiana (as of this writing) to serve on one of the Baptist Feeding Units ministering to Hurricane Katrina victims. This team will actually leave on the 1st and get back to Virginia on the 10th. As long as is necessary, there will continue to be training classes offered in various parts of the state so that fresh personnel can replace those having served. Another team is almost full for the week of October 9-16 (to leave on the 8th and return on the 17th).

The Virginia feeding unit in Mississippi closed down on Thursday, September 22, and headed toward Texas to give aid to victims of Hurricane Rita. Trained volunteers are urgently needed! The rotation will be Sunday noon to Sunday noon, but teams need to leave on Friday to arrive in time to start feeding at noon on Sunday. We're suggesting that our folks overnight at Shocco Springs Conference Center in Talladega, Alabama, on Friday. They are allowing disaster relief workers to stay overnight free of charge. Check it out at www.shocco.org.

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

Timber Ridge is generously providing and paying for the evening meal. Out of gratitude and as a matter of courtesy, the clerk (or another individual) from each church should call a meal count in to Timber Ridge at 540-586-9267 no later than Monday, October 17.

Each messenger should get a registration card and name label from their church clerk or pastor and fill in their name before coming to the meeting. This saves time for everyone. Visitors will register on arrival.

Messengers need to prepare in advance to nominate someone to fill a vacancy on the Nominating Committee.

The following will be presented for election for 2005-2006:
Moderator............ Rev. Dennis Moore
Vice-Moderator............ Hoyt Dellis
Clerk............ Lois Stevens
Treasurer............ Esther Woodford
Stewardship Chairman............ Rev. Harry LeLand
Trustee............ Carolyn Sumner

We are expecting a recommendation from the temporary Location and Property Committee to be forthcoming at our annual meeting. Since the committee was appointed in August some preliminary investigations have begun exploring possible options of the sale of our present association building and acquisition of new facilities. We have also had an appraisal done to have an idea of the approximate market value of the condominium. If you have questions or comments, you may contact trustee and chairman of the committee Melvin Templeton at 434-384-3598.

If you remember from the last newsletter, there are some concerns about our current property that could be the source of some serious problems in the future. If indicated, these concerns will be shared in fuller detail at the October meeting. We ask that you help us pray for wisdom and direction. We would also ask that your prayers be focused in such a way that if there is someone God desires to bless through their gift of land that they be convinced of this need. It would be an exciting mission opportunity to see the 31 churches of the Strawberry Association come together in the spirit of a "barn raising" and build our next building.

Women on Mission: Beaverdam will lead devotionals at Oakwood Manor in October. A group of ladies from Sedalia will lead them in November. Timber Ridge will host the October birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Pecks will host it in November.

WMU Dues ($2.00 for each member of Women on Mission and leaders for age-level organizations) are due now for the 2005-2006 year. Checks should be payable to Strawberry WMU and mailed to Mrs. Emily Morris, 2161 Penns Mill Rd., Big Island, VA 24526. Please mail by November 15.

A handout at the Annual Meeting will include the program, reports from the Budget Committee and the Property and Location Committee, Memorial listing, Annual Church Profile Summary, etc. Other reports will be included in the 2005 Annual Report.

The Budget Committee will submit the following budget for 2006 for approval at the Annual Meeting. The proposed budget has an overall increase of 2.8%. The Director of Missions and Administrative Assistant have not had a salary increase since 2003, and the committee recommends a cost of living increase of 3.5% which has been included in the budget.

The summer was busy and went fast. For October we have planned a Girls' Retreat. We want to invite your youth group (girls, that is!) to join us. We would like for each leader to make his or her own overnight plans with their group, and then join us for the formal retreat sessions on Friday, October 14, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 15, from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. Snacks will be provided on Friday and supper on Saturday.

To give you an idea of what to do with your youth, the Mt. Olivet girls are planning a sleep-over and an early morning trip to the mall before returning to the sessions on Saturday. The Jr. High girls are also having a sleep-over with their leader and a trip to Putt-Putt golf and games that morning. They will make it a whole weekend together.

There is no fee for the girls, but if your church would like to make a donation to help cover the cost of the tee-shirt, magazine (She), and book, (Every Young Woman's Battle), each girl will receive, that would help.

If you are interested in taking part in the sessions, we need to know how many are attending by October 1. This way we will know how much material to order. Hope to hear from you! Keep praying for all our Bedford County Youth! For more info, contact our SBA Youth Coordinator, Judy Ward, at 434-525-1207. You may also e-mail her at judytward@lynchburg.net.

VBS
Colonials Hills Baptist, Bedford, PA
Haines Road Baptist, Levittown, PA
New Greater Straightway Baptist, PA

Construction
Ligonier Baptist, Ligonier, PA
Carmichaels, Carmichaels, PA
New Pilgrim Baptist, Camden, NJ
Pine Hill Baptist, Philadelphia, PA

Drama
Thorndale Baptist-October-Coatsville, PA

Sports Camp
First Southern Baptist, Williamsport, PA

Evangelism
Carrone Baptist Church, Pittsburgh
Christ Community Fellowship Ministries, Jefferson Hills, PA

There are many more and especially in the Western part—the Appalachian Region Ministry. For more information contact Rebekah Overstreet at 540-586-2956.

November 1 Mike Grooms (Rainbow Forest)
November 23 Bill Vest (Retired)
November 28 Elmer Sellers (85) (Retired)

November 19 Bill & Marion Vest (Retired)
November 28 Joe & Willodene Prince (Retired)

We wish to thank the Women on Mission of Beaverdam for the $25 donation for our ministry at Bedford CenterFest and Rick Dellinger Music Ministries for the $100 donation for our hurricane relief ministry.