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A. The names and addresses of the persons who are the EOM directors of the organization are as follows: (Addresses are not posted due to confidentiality but are on the original documents)
(1) Executive Board Members:
Bishop Lawrence C Dunbar, (Founder and Executive Board Member) EOM Presiding Bishop
1st Administrative Assistant: Jr. Bishop Quentin L Smith, (Executive Board Member) Overseeing Maryland Region
2nd Administrative Assistant: Elder William D. Phillips, (Executive Board Member) Overseeing Louisiana region
3rd Administrative Assistant: Elder Greg Cape, (Executive Board Member) Overseeing Colorado Region
4th Administrative Assistant: Elder William E Gipson, (Executive Board Member) Overseeing Florida Region and South America
5th Administrative Assistant: Elder LaChon D Smith, (Executive Board Member) Overseeing EOM Women's Department
EOM First Lady: Sister Debra A Dunbar
(2) Administrative Board Members:
Treasure: Elder William E Gipson (Administrative Board Member)
Secretary: Elder LaChon D Smith, (Administrative Board Member)
Assistant Secretary: Minister Christina Phillips, (Administrative Board Member)
(3) Board Members:
Elder Melissa Cape
Sister Sharon D. Dunbar-Midgett
B. "I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" (Ephesians 3:14,15). We consider family members of a household to be an autonomous social unit. The word "autonomous" simply means "having the right or power of self-government; undertaken or carried on without outside control." This does not mean that a family answers to no one, but that the family unit has the means of its own government, the means of its own support, and the means for perpetual propagation. No one family has the right or responsibility to exercise authority over another family in these fundamental areas. Likewise, God has made provision in the church family or Body of believers in it local expression to be autonomous in the sense that it is self-governing, self-supporting and self-propagating.
God has placed in the New Testament local Church the provision for its own government. We believe that God does have a Biblical pattern for this area of Church family life. In the local Church, God refers to "those that rule" or "he that ruleth", or "them that have the rule" (1 Timothy 5:17; Rom. 12:8; Heb. 13:17,24). The word rule means "to be over, to superintend, to preside over, to car for, and to give attention to." The Bible is clear that to be a "ruler" in the House of the Lord you must meet certain qualifications. (See Article XVII: New Testament Church Offices, Section 1, Sub-section C)
God has given direction in this area of local Church government. He has not left man to do that which is right in his own eyes (Judges 17:6; Proverbs 12:15). Just as God has established the natural order of family leadership, God has also established the principles and direction of government, which He would have in His Church. The family home order of the father and mother role has plurality of leadership vested in the parents of the children. The fact that they are the parents gives them the authority to make decisions that affect all the family members. In the local Church, God's form of government in His House is also plurality. Those who have been appointed the responsibility of rulership and government in the House of the Lord are the elders (1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17, 24). All of the Churches in the New Testament eventually had plurality of eldership (e.g. James 5:14; Acts 21:18; 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Peter 5:1; Philippians 1:1). These are mature persons that God has raised up in local churches who meet Scriptural standards of spiritual, domestic and moral qualifications. These are persons who have demonstrated their spiritual maturity and who qualify to exercise proven leadership in the Office of the Elder for the local Church to which they belong. These are persons who have had time to know the ways of the Lord and are called by God to shepherd and oversee His people. These are persons who are sensitive to the voice of God and have demonstrated Spirit-ruled and Spirit-led lives that the qualifications for this office demand (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9). This is God's form of Biblical government, a Theocracy. God rules the Church because God rules in the lives of His anointed and appointed servants.
Under God's form of government the New Testament local Church can be said to be self-governing. It looks to no outside authority, no special group functioning outside or above the local Church to effect decisions. The EOM International Church is the final court of appeal for disputes between believers (Matthew 18:15-17), for questions of doctrine (Acts 15) and for the discipline of moral conduct (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
The government of this local Church shall be theocratic, recognizing that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Chief Shepherd, Head and Pastor of His Church (1 Peter 5:4; Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22, 23), and that He has vested the authority to direct the affairs of this Church in the person of the Senior Bishop, being assisted by the EOM International Board (Acts 20:17, 28; Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Pet. 5:1-3). The members and all concerned shall recognize the Senior Bishop as the Under-Shepherd of the Church (Eph. 4:8-16). The Senior Bishop shall have final authority over the EOM International Board.
Section 1. EOM International Board (EOM Board Of Directors). In accordance with the will of the Eternal God and Father of us all, by Whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named (Ephesians 3:14, 15) and without pretension or false piety, the EOM International Board acknowledges that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Head of this Church organization (Colossians 1:18), which is but on expression of His Church Body; And we declare that we are wholly dependent upon the gracious and faithful ministry of the Holy Spirit to communicate to our hearts the mind and will of the Godhead (1 Corinthians 2:12, 13; Colossians 2:9, 10).
(a) Powers Of The EOM International General Board. The government of EOM International shall be vested in its EOM International Board Members (EOM International Board of Directors) subject to the final authority of the Senior Bishop. The EOM General Board will consist of the Executive, Administrators, and all other General Board Members. They are responsible for establishing and executing policies for the membership, as well as sustaining and perpetuating spiritual order within the EOM International. Decisions made by the General Board are final unless revoked or modified by the Presiding Bishop or Executive Board. The EOM International Board Members shall have and exercise full control in management over all the spiritual and business affairs of the Corporation subject to the Articles of Incorporation. Bylaws, policies established and defined by the EOM International Board, and subject to the final approval of the Senior Bishop. As such, the EOM International Board shall be the administrative Board of the Corporation and shall have such powers as provided by law. Without prejudice to such general powers, but subject to the same limitations, it is hereby expressly declared that the EOM International Board shall exercise the following powers:
(1) To select and remove all the employees and agents of the Corporation, prescribe such duties for them as may not be inconsistent with law, with the Articles of Incorporation, or with these Bylaws, fix the tenure of their positions and their compensation and in their discretion require from them security for faithful and loyal service.
(2) To make such disbursements from the funds and properties of the Corporation as are required to fulfill the purposes of this Corporation as are more fully set out in Article IV thereof.
(3) To borrow money and incur indebtedness for the purposes of the Corporation and to cause to be executed and delivered therefore, in the corporate name, promissory notes, bonds, debentures, deeds of trust, mortgages, pledges, hypothecations, or other evidences of debt and securities therefore.
(4) To cause the Corporation to be qualified to do business in any other state, territory, dependency, or country and conduct business national and international.
(5) To carry on a business at a profit for the Church and apply any such profit that results from the business activity to any activity in which it may legally engage.
(6) To reserve the right to redirect all contributions and refunds to the area of ministry and or Corporation concerns most needed.
(7) To purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was the Church's Senior Bishop, Directors, Trustee, Officer of key personnel of the Church.
(8) To enjoin all Church employees to sign an "At Will Employment" statement, and also to subscribe to the religious beliefs relative to the EOM International Bylaws. Therefore, all Church employees shall be bound accordingly as an acknowledgement that any violation or transgression of the beliefs of the Bylaws will subject the employee to the Church's disciplinary proceedings, including suspension, termination of employment, and or if warranted removal as a Church member. The religious beliefs of the Bylaws and 'Christian Life And Scriptural Conduct' Article VIII, Section 30, address the Church's firmly established and sincerely held belief that unscriptural conduct is inconsistent with the religious beliefs of the Church; and therefore, scriptural violations cannot be tolerated and will serve as the basis of discipline for the employment and or membership of the Church. The foregoing enumeration of specific powers shall, except as specifically restricted herein, be in nowise limited or restricted by reference to, or inference from the terms of any provision of this or any other Article of these Bylaws.
(b) Number Of EOM International Board of Directors. The EOM International Board shall direct the temporal and spiritual affairs of the Corporation and will consist of not less than five (5) and not more than ten (12) Jr. Bishops/Overseer and Elders who are members of this Church. If future demands warrant, the Senior Bishop may determine to increase the size of the Board to not more than twelve (15 members upon the counsel of the acting EOM International Board.
(c) Appointment And Tenure Of Service
(1) Only Jr. Bishop/Overseers and Elders of EOM International are prospective candidates to serve as Board of Directors by appointment of the Senior Bishop, with the advice and prayer of the EOM International Board; providing, however, that either prevailing conditions of need or church growth warrant such appointments.
(2) Jr. Bishop/Overseers and Elders who have been appointed to the EOM International Board qualify for annual reappointment by the Senior Bishop of consecutive unlimited terms of EOM Board service; excluding the Presiding Bishop (Senior Bishop) who shall serve as Chairman and President of the EOM International Board perpetually.
(d) Place Of Meetings. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these Bylaws, any meeting (whether regular, special or adjourned) of the EOM International Board of the Corporation may be held at any place within United States or International, which has been heretofore designated for that purpose by consent of all the members of the EOM Board and subject to the approval of the Senior Bishop.
(e) Regular Meetings. During the current fiscal year the EOM Board shall meet as often as needed, and shall designate a day and a time for regular meetings which may be altered from time to time by consent of all the members of the EOM Board and subject to approval of the Senior Bishop.
(f) Regular Annual Meetings. Annually, the EOM Board will convene (normally in the organization's anniversary month, June or not later then December) to culminate the current year's business and or to deliberate the new year's concerns. A report of the finances of the Corporation shall be presented at that time as a preliminary review prior to the completed fiscal year end certified public accountant audit.
(g) Notice Of Special Meetings.
(1) Special meetings of the EOM Board for any purpose may be called at any time by order of the Chairman (Presiding Bishop and Senior Bishop) or by order of three or more of the EOM (Board of Directors) subject to the presence at such meeting of the Senior Bishop.
(2) Notice of such special meetings shall be given four days in advance unless waived by all of the Board of EOM so fixed by this Article XII, Section 1, Sub-section J.
(3) Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be given to each EOM Board Member by one of the following methods: (a) by personal delivery or written notice; (b) by telephone, facsimile or similar communication equipment, either directly to the EOM Board Member or to a person at the EOM's office or residence who would reasonably be expected to communicate such notice promptly to the EOM Board members; (c) by first-class mail (postage paid) deposited into a United States mail box at least four days before the time set for the meeting; or (d) by telegram, charges prepaid.
(4) The notice shall state the time for the meeting. However, it need not specify the purpose or place of the meeting, if it is to be held at the principal office of the Corporation.
(h) Quorom. At any meeting of the EOM Board, the presence of a majority of the EOM Board of Directors then in office shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the event that a majority of the EOM Board Members then in office are not present at a meeting of the EOM Board, then a quorum shall consist of at least one-third (1/3) of the maximum number of Trustees so fixed by Article XIII, Section 1, Sub-section B of these Bylaws. The acts of a majority of the EOM Board Members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present when approved by the Senior Bishop will be the acts of the EOM Board, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by applicable state statute or bylaw provision. No meeting of the EOM Board may take place without the Senior Bishop present.
(i) Participation In Meetings By Conference Telephone. The EOM Board may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all members participating in such meeting are able to hear one another, and such participation shall constitute presence in person at the meeting. No telephonic meeting of the EOM Board may take place without the Senior Bishop present.
(j) Waiver Of Notice. Notice of a meeting need not be give to any EOM Board Member who signs a waiver of notice or a written consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof, whether before or after the meeting, or a EOM Board Member's attendance at any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of such meeting. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meetings. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting.
(k) Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board shall individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such consent or consents, after the final approval of the Senior Bishop, shall have the same effect as a unanimous vote of the Board and shall be filed with the minutes or made a part of the minutes of proceedings of the Board.
(l) EOM Board Member Resignation, Removal And Vacancies.
(1) A EOM Board Member of EOM International shall be dismissed during their tenure of service if they voluntarily resign from the Board and or from their Jr Bishopship and Eldership ordination standing; or
(2) If the EOM Board unanimously or the Senior Bishop, individually, determines removal at any special meeting duly called and held for such purpose: (a) that a EOM Board Member does not faithfully and or satisfactorily perform either their Board, Jr Bishopship, or Eldership ministry responsibilities; or (b) that a EOM Board Member is out of harmony with the Church teaching, ministries and or spiritual leadership of the EOM Board; or (c) Scripturally disqualifies themselves. Any such decision that is made by the Senior Past, individually, or the Presbytery Board, unanimously, shall be conclusive and final, and shall not be subject to challenge by the EOM Board Member affected by such a decision.
(3) A vacancy or vacancies in the EOM Board shall be deemed to exist in case of death, resignation, or removal of a EOM Board Member, or if the authorized number of EOM Board Members be increased. The Senior Bishop shall appoint Jr Bishops, Overseers/Elders to fill vacancies on the EOM Board; providing that prevailing conditions of need warrant such appointments as determined by the Senior Bishop exclusively.
(m) Replacement Of The Presiding Bishop (Senior Bishop). The Presiding Bishop shall not be removed as Senior Bishop, as Chairman of the EOM Board or as President of the Corporation, except with respect to either of the following circumstances and shall require a determination of unanimous consent from all the members of the EOM Board then serving:
(1) In the event that the untimely demise of the Presiding Bishop occurs and the successor has not been named as provided for in accordance with Article XII, Section 2 thereof; or
(2) The physical incapacity or mental incompetence to a degree that substantially hinders the performance of the corporate duties of the Senior Bishop, and said incapacity or incompetence having been proven and determined to exit by a court of law.
Section 2. Succession Of The Senior Bishop.
(a) The Senior Bishop (Presiding Bishop) shall have the authority to name his successor. Such designation of a successor shall be made in the minutes of this Corporation and signed by the Senior Bishop so designating his or her successor. Presiding Bishop's successor shall be 1st Administrative Assistant Jr. Bishop Quentin L Smith.
(b) In the event the first adimistrative assistant refuse the Office of Presideing Bishop, the 2nd Administrator Assistant will be designated to the Office of Presiding Bishop. If the Office of the Presiding Bishop becomes vacant, because the successors has refuse the Office of Presiding Bishop, the EOM Board then serving shall, with prayer and fasting, appoint the succeeding Senior Bishop to serve as the Presiding Bishop requiring a three-fourths (3/4) majority approval of the EOM Board.
Section 3. Officers. On behalf of the EOM Board, and subject to the final approval of the Senior Bishop, the business affairs of the Corporation shall be administered by its officers, which shall be the Executive and Administrative Officers, which includes the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom shall be members of the EOM Board. As long as candidates meets the stated criteria in accordance with EOM bylaws, we welcome men and women to serve as EOM Board Members.
(a) President (Presiding Bishop). Presiding Bishop is the highest leadership position and the chief executive and ecumenical officer of EOM International charged with initiating policy, developing strategy and overseeing administration of the entire church. The presiding bishop also serves as a figurehead and speaks on behalf of the entire church. Bishop Lawrence C Dunbar is the Founder and Presiding Bishop of EOM Intl and his term of service will be indefinitely or until he decides to resign from office or the Lord takes him home. Once one of these conditions are met the first administrative will assume the office of presiding bishop. The Presiding Bishop (Senior Bishop) shall be the President of the Corporation, by virtue of his Headship Office, and shall perpetually serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. The Presiding Bishop is recognized as being "set" by Christ in the Body to lead and direct the Church. His responsibilities cover the entire spectrum of the Church function and he will be responsible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to keep said Church functioning according to Biblical principles. He shall act as Chairman of all the business meetings of the EOM Board, have general supervision, direction and control of the activities of the Corporation, and shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation, including the power to appoint committees from time to time as in his discretion he may deem appropriate to assist in the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and shall exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him from the EOM Board or prescribed by the Bylaws. He shall preside at all worship services and meetings of the collective EOM membership, or in his absence, the Administrative Assistant in order leadership assigned as appointed by him shall preside. He shall be an ex-officio member of all ministries and departments. No person shall be invited to speak or minister at this Church without his approval. No meeting of the EOM Board shall become a corporate act without approval of the President. If the President shall take any action which is intended as a corporate act, such action shall be as valid a corporate action as thought it had been authorized at a meeting of the EOM Board.
(b) Vice Presidents (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Administrative Assistants). In the absence or temporary disability of the President, The Vice Presidents shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the order of leadership assigned, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Administrative Assistants. If the 1st Administrative Assistant is absence or temporary disability the 2nd will assume his duties and so forth with the other Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents shall also perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Senior Bishop.
(1) 1st Administrative Assistant is the EOM Intl's Chief of Staff responsible for overseeing and coordinating operations with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Administrative Assistants and Administrators, and General Board Members. Spearhead establishing new organization bylaws along with Executive Board Members having drafts ready for General Board Members to review not later then three months before the annual board meets or any other dates determine by the General Board. He will work closely with the Presiding Bishop and assist him in the organization of EOM Intl and preside in his absents. He will also be prepared to be the Presiding Bishop's successor once he resigns or the Lord takes him home, whichever comes first. He will also serve an indefinite term of service. After his term of service, the General Board Members will have the authority to select their Presiding Bishop and establish his terms of service.
(2) The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Administrative Assistants will assist the 1st Administrative Assistant in performing his duties. They will most work closely with him and help with the functions and operations of this organization. He has the authority to delegate tasks to General Board Members and Organization Members to be performed on behalf of EOM Intl and the Presiding Bishop. Together they will stand strong in the Lord defeating the devil and his tactics so that souls are saved and needs are met.
(3) Administrative Assistants/Excutive Board Members are appointed by the current and every succeding presiding bishops thereafter. However they must be comfirmed by 2/3 votes of the General Broad Member. The Presiding Bishop can appointed up to twelve qualifing Administrative Assistants/Excutive Board Members as needed to operate the orgainization.
(c) Secretary. The General Secretary and assistances shall be responsible to record, or cause to be recorded, and to keep, or cause to be kept, at the principal office or such other place as the Board may direct, a book of the minutes of all the business meetings, called by the Senior Pastor. The Secretary shall also perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Senior Bishop. General Secretary and assistants are accountable to the Executive Board. Specific duties are taking minutes, custodian of records, membership records, bylaws records, communication, meetings, signing officer, and filing of documents.
(1) Minutes, the secretary is responsible for ensuring that accurate minutes of meetings are taken and approved. Requirements of minutes may vary with the jurisdiction but should include at a minimum:
· date, time, location of meeting
· list of those present and absent
· list of items discussed
· list of reports presented
· text of motions presented and description of their disposition
· the Secretary signs a copy of the final, approved minutes and ensures that this copy is maintained in the corporate records
(2) Custodian of records, the secretary ensures that the records of the organization are maintained as required by law and made available when required by authorized persons. These records may include founding documents, (eg. letters patent, articles of incorporation), lists of directors, board and committee meeting minutes, financial reports, and other official records.
(3) Membership Records, the Secretary ensures that official records are maintained of members of the organization and General Board. He/She ensures that these records are available when required for reports, elections, referenda, other votes, etc.
(4) Bylaws, the Secretary ensures that an up-to-date copy of the bylaws is available at all meetings.
(5) Communication, the Secretary ensures that proper notification is given of directors' and members' meetings as specified in the bylaws. The Secretary manages the general correspondence of the General Board members except for such correspondence assigned to others.
(6) Meetings the Secretary participates in Board meetings as a voting member. The Secretary provides items for the agenda as appropriate. In the absence of the Presiding Bishop and Administrative Assistants, the Secretary calls the meeting to order and presides over the meeting. The secretary records meeting organization minutes.
(7) Signing Officer, the Secretary may be designated by the Executive Board and/or bylaws as one of the signing officers for certain documents. In this capacity, the Secretary may be authorized or required to sign or countersign checks, correspondence, applications, reports, contracts or other documents on behalf of organization.
(8) Filing of Documents, the Secretary may be the registered agent with respect to the laws of the jurisdiction.; the person upon whom legal notice to the corporation is served, and responsible for ensuring that documents necessary to maintain the corporation are filed.
(d) Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer). The General Treasurer and assistance shall be responsible for all corporate funds and securities. He/she shall keep, or cause to be kept, a full and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, all monies and other valuable effects in the name of and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Senior Bishop with counsel from the EOM Board. The Treasurer shall have the responsibility to disburse or cause to be disbursed, the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Senior Bishop with counsel from the EOM Board, and the Treasurer shall render an account to the EOM Board of the financial status of the Corporation whenever called upon to do so by the Senior BishopPastor. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Senior Bishop. General Treasure carries out the responsibilities of a member of the General Board:
(1) Assists in the preparation of the budget
(2) Monitors the budget
(3) Ensures the Board's financial policies are being followed
(3) Reports to the General Board and membership on finances
(4) Prepares any required financial reporting forms
(5) Maintains all bank accounts
(6) Oversees all financial transactions
(7) Treasurer's signature should appear on all checks of the organization with the second signature from any of the board's other directors or staff with signing authority
(8) Chairs the finance committee
(9) The Treasure may be a member of anther ministry; however, he/she is first and foremost a member of the General Board. This means that the Treasurer is responsible to the members (as with every board member). The assumption in this job description is that the Treasurer takes a "hands-on" role with respect to the association. A hands-on Treasurer should go through a monthly routine, which would vary depending on the level of involvement. At the very least, a Treasurer should meet
with the staff person on a regular basis to go over invoices and checks, to review the bank statements, and to monitor the preparation of monthly statements for the Board.
(e) Junior Board Member, These are an intern, someone that is learning and being trained to be a future General Board Members. We are preparing them to be our present and future leaders of EOM International. They will be able to attend and participate in our General Board sessions. They will be able to vote, but their vote does not count towards the 2/3 voting rules. They will be assign minor responsibilities assisting in the functions of the General Board. We want them to provide ideals and recommendations along with their written proposals for our children and young people so that they may grow in Gods grace.
Criterion, they must be a least 15 years older acknowledging Jesus as Lord and Savior. Parents must approve their participation along with their pastor. Candidate must be will to attend conference calls and General Board Meetings. They must be willing to represent Jesus Christ and EOM International. Candidate must be willing to work and complete assigned tasks.
(f) Appointment And Tenure Of Service. Officers shall be members of the EOM Board. The Senior Bishop shall annually appoint or reappoint the officers, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Senior Bishop, who also my serve an unlimited number of consecutive terms in office. The Presiding Bishop (Senior Bishop) shall serve as Chairman and President of the EOM Board perpetually.
Section 4. Committees. The President may designate and appoint one or more committees to serve at his pleasure. Any committee, subject to the final approval of the Senior Bishop, shall have all the authority of the EOM Board, except that no committee, regardless of the Board resolution, may:
(a) Take any final action on Corporation matters which would be in violation of religious, educations or charitable purposes, as may qualify it as exempt from Federal Income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).
(b) Take any final action on Corporation matters which also requires the approval of the Senior Bishop.
(c) Fill vacancies on the EOM Board or in any committee.
(d) Amend or repeal Bylaws or adopt new Bylaws.
(e) Amend or repeal any resolution of the EOM Board.
(f) Appoint any other committees of the EOM Board or the members of these committees.
Minutes shall be kept of each meeting of any committee and shall be filed with the Corporate records. The President (Senior Bishop) of the EOM Board may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these Bylaws.
Section 5. Church Discipline. It is necessary in our hardened and apostate age for the Church to be called back to the New Testament doctrine of Church discipline. The contemporary Church seems more willing to ignore sin than to denounce it, and more ready to compromise God's law than to proclaim it.
Today the Church faces a moral crisis to take a strong stand against sin even within her own ranks. The tendency of the Church is to be more concerned about what is expedient than what is right, which has so often robbed the Church of the ability to govern with Biblical integrity and power.
When the Apostle John wrote that we should 'love one another', he also wrote: 'And this is love, that we walk after his commandments' (2 John 5:6). True Christian love dare not ignore the use of the various forms of discipline wherever they are applicable. It is no more love for a Christian to watch a brother in Christ pursue a course of sin unchallenged than it is love for a parent to watch his child walk unhindered into disaster. It is essential that we discipline ourselves according to the commands of God's Word, so that we know how to conduct ourselves in 'the house of God' (1 Timothy 3:15). If we are to practice Christian love and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, 23, 24; 15:10, 14), we must practice Church discipline.
(a) Necessity And Purpose. Just as the Church applies to Biblical principles in admitting persons to membership, so too must the Church apply Biblical principles in the governing of the membership and, if necessary, in removal from membership. Jesus set forth principles to follow which make all Christians to some extent responsible for each other's behavior, and he included disciplinary procedures (Matthew 18:15-17). It is in this context that he gave the Church the responsibility to pronounce his forgiveness and his judgments (Matthew 18:18). The Church is not infallible, however, the Lord Jesus Christ does indeed intend His Church to govern its members even to the extent of disciplinary measures when these become necessary. The necessity and purpose for which Church discipline is exercised are:
(1) To glorify God by obedience to his instructions for the maintenance of proper Church government. God's Word makes it plain that he intends discipline of various types to be a part of Church life. (Mt. 18:15-19; Rom. 16:17; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Thes. 5:14; 2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Tim. 5:20; 6:3; Titus 1:13; 2:15; 3:10; Rev. 2:2,14, 15, 20)
(2) To reclaim offenders. The goal in every type of discipline, whether it be correction, admonition, rebuke, or excommunication, is always the restoration of the offender (Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 5:5; Galations 6:1). However, none of the Biblical instructions in this matter promise that restoration will always be the result.
(3) To maintain the purity and worship of the Church (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), and to avoid profaning the sacrament of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27).
(4) To vindicate the integrity and honor of the Church of Christ by exhibiting fidelity to the commands and principles of the Scriptures (2 Corinthians 2:9, 17).
(5) To prevent giving cause for God to set himself against a local Church (Revelation 2:14-25).
(b) Disciplinary Examples. Some of the following Biblical examples are mandates of Church discipline:
(1) Admonition – either private or public (Romans 15:14; Col. 3:16; 1 Thes. 5:14; 2 Thes. 3:14, 15; Titus 3:10, 11). The Scripture itself is a form of admonition (1 Cor. 10:11). Christians ought to admonish and encourage one another (Heb. 10:24, 25).
(2) Reprove, rebuke, convince, convict (Mt. 18:15; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:2; Titus 1:9,13; 2:15). The Greek word (eloncho) means '…to rebuke another with such effectual wielding of the victorious arms of the truth, as to bring him, if not always to a confession, yet at least to a conviction, of his sin…' (R.C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament). This word rebuke in a Scriptural context is an act of love. Therefore, the guide in such matters is the Word of God which is 'profitable…for reproof' (2 Tim. 3:16).
(3) Excommunication. This final form of discipline is defined by our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostle Paul (Matthew 18:17-19; 1 Corinthians 5:11,13). However, excommunication for the person who repents of his sin, seeks God's cleansing pardon and demonstrates the fruit of repentance can be welcomed back into the fellowship of the church (2 Corinthians 2:6-8). On the other hand, so long as they remain unrepentant and absent of the demonstration of repentance they remain excommunicated.
(c) Disciplinary Grounds. This Church has both the responsibility and the authority to be involved with the doctrine and the conduct of its members (1 Timothy 3:15). Therefore, to be a member in good standing requires adherence to the doctrines and the standards of conduct commanded in the Scriptures. The Scriptures themselves are to be an instrument of discipline (2 Timothy 3:16), and should be taught 'with all authority' (Titus 2:15). All breaches of the Biblical standards of doctrine and behavior require some form of discipline. Thus, every believer needs to be disciplined, and 'whom the Lord loves, he disciplines' (Hebrews 12:6).
Therefore, Church discipline is necessary when:
(1) Christian love is violated by private offenses (Matthew 18:15-18). Though such offenses may originate unexposed, they may ultimately result in public censure if the offender stubbornly refuses to repent and be reconciled, thereby aggravating a continual breach of Christian love.
(2) Christian unity is violated by those who form divisive factions that destroy the peace of a local church. Such persons must be watched, rebuked, and, if necessary, removed. (Rom. 16:17, 18; Titus 3:10)
(3) Christian law is violated by those living scandalous lives (Titus 1:16). Biblical Christianity undeniably teaches a high standard of conduct and morality (e.g. Matthew 15:19,20; Romans 13:8-14; Ephesians 4:25-6:8; Colossians 3:5-4:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 2:1-12; 3:1-11). Those who live in known habitual violation of Biblical morality, refusing to repent when admonished, and rebuked, who do no demonstrate the fruit of repentance, must be removed as a member of the Church (1 Corinthians 5).
(4) Christian truth is violated by those who reject doctrines of the faith (1 Timothy 1:10, 20, 6:3-5; 2 John 7-11). This refers to those who knowingly reject any of those doctrines which the Church considers essential and fundamental. The Elders of the Church are responsible to teach and defend 'all the counsel of God' (Acts 20:27) and maintain all the doctrines of the Scripture. "For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God…holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict" (Titus 1:7, 9).
(5) Christian repentance is violated by the unrepentant. In each case, the cause of further discipline is impenitence. Regardless of what the offender's sin(s) might be, it is ultimately his impenitence that must exclude him from the Church (Romans 2:5). Those who 'bring froth fruit in keeping with repentance' demonstrate a life of faithful Christianity (Matthew 3:8).
(d) Disciplinary Administration. Disciplinary measures to be administered in the Church shall be determined and under the direct or general supervision of the EOM Board, under the guidance and subject to the final approval of the Senior Pastor, in accordance with the doctrines and Bylaws of the Church (Heb. 13:17; Article VIII, Section 19).
(e) Summation. One of the historical church Protestant creeds is the Westminister Confession of Faith completed in 1646. It is sometimes called the mother of all subsequent Reformed Confessions. An excerpt from Chapter Thirty is entitled 'Of Church Censures' and reads as follows:
The Lord Jesus, as King and Head of His church, hath therein appointed a government, in the hand of church officers distinct from the civil magistrate. Church censures are necessary, for the reclaiming and gaining of offending brethren, for deterring of others from the like offences, for purging out of that leaven which might infect the whole lump, for vindicating the honour of Christ, and the holy profession of the gospel, and for preventing the wrath of God, which might justly fall upon the Church if they should suffer His covenant, and the seals thereof, to be profaned by notorious and obstinate offenders.
The history of God's people from Old Testament times up to the present day is a large collection of illustrations of the fact that the pathway to blessing is along the road of following the commands of Biblical truth. Certainly faithful Christians who are members of EOM International desire God's glory, the prosperity of this local Church, and the welfare of every individual in this Church. The Bible recognizes this threefold concern and Biblical church discipline guards all three. Those persons who are sincerely committed to the membership of this local Church desires to be taught of God and to voluntarily submit to Scriptural precepts and Church government. If any are contentious against this Biblical practice we can only say, as Moses did to Israel, "Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord" (Exodus 16:8).


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Wanting too find an easy rhythm to our travel we planned to return to Coastal Croatia and some of the places we found and enjoyed on previous trips. Off the coast of the Croatian Peljasac peninsula, the beautiful Korcula island was our destination. As the ferry docked, near Korcula old town, and all felt very comfortable and familiar we had the desire to improvise a little and so rather than head directly to the small harbour town of Lumbarda we drove instead to the far end of the island and to the Vela Luka.
As usual the guide book had little positive to say about the small town of Vela Luka, not many ancient sites or churches in the 19th century fishing village, it could be just our kind of place. We are not constant seekers of ancient sites but rather search for inspiration and interest in every day life and enjoy the diversity of local cuisine. Vela Luka and its people looked like it had kept a frenetic pace during the hot summer season but now felt relaxed and sleepy as the ebb of tourists slowed.
We wandered the harbour and back streets, bought provisions in a small shop and then, reluctantly, headed to the hills to the only camp site nearby.
Camping Mindel promised to be a tranquil site, hidden amongst olive trees on a crest above several bays.
Within a short wander we found a sheltered bay where waves lapped gently over with rough grey rocks leading down to the clear blue water, a great fishing spot for another day perhaps. We swam in the beautiful crystal waters but were disappointed and concerned to see another bare and almost lifeless sea bed. A great concern and a frustration for Adam who, ever hopeful, had spent several hours sorting and packing his fishing gear this Mediterranean trip.
The evening sea breeze dipped the temperature quickly in the shady cove so we flip flopped home as quickly as we could. We joined a few of our fellow campers on the roof terrace and were treated to a stunning sunset across the Mediterranean to Hvar island accompanied by the rhythmical ticking of Cicadas and the twitter of Housemartins swooping on the breeze that rustled in the olive trees below.
It seemed though that we weren't all in the same groove; some couples came before the evening sky even started its performance, stayed for the first tinges of red and then left (dinner in the oven?), some snook in half way through, chinking plastic glasses of beer as the orange glow began but still left before the finale.
We stayed until the very last ray of light had disappeared and the Cicadas all fell silent.
We were woken early and rudely with a dawn chorus of toddler cries and percussion of spoons on plastic plates, really not our favourite tune so we departed quickly to go explore the other bays on the peninsula.
Rather than walk the conventional footpaths to each of the bays we chose to search for a route from bay to bay along the rocks and there was, along limestone and stark white rock formations separated by flinty, pebble beaches in secluded bays.
It was a peaceful interlude as we picked our way along the coast, the vista out to sea was ever changing as were the colours and textures beneath our feet.
It was difficult to see if many others had come this way or not, we seemed not to leave a trace though some of the smoother tops to the white, chalky rocks could be from the tread of human feet over time rather than the wash of the sea.
We crossed small beaches of limestone screes below tree covered cliffs where our path was marked, at least for a moment, by musical notes as our feet shifted the rock fragments to clink against each other making, almost metallic sounds, like the bars of a broken Xylophone. Though we followed closely in each others foot steps and in the same rhythm the music we each created was completely different. Adam's foot steps created their tune, my melody was a new one played on a slightly different 'keyboard'.
As I clambered I wondered how many different compositions there may have been, each fleeting, never to be captured or recorded only to be enjoyed by those there to listen. We had certainly begun to find our rhythm again here in this peaceful corner of Korcula island.

subset: commoncrawl


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Funding enables third Operation Hope playground
Herald Progress | February 6, 2014
The efforts of one local organization to ensure disabled children have access to local playgrounds will extend to Courthouse Park this spring.
Operation Hope recently received the last bit of funding it needed to complete its vision in Hanover County. Last week David Nigrelli, of the Greater Richmond Civitan Club, presented Operation Hope cofounder Dana Nelson with a $30,000 check.
"This money here will bring us to a total of $350,000 that was raised for these parks," Nelson said.
Operation Hope was established in 2004 by Nelson and Katie Stilwell, a former employee of Nelson's at Commonwealth Wholesale and a student at Christopher Newport University, who was interested in getting involved in a community project.
Nelson recommended she visit the Katie and Friends all-inclusive playground in Chesterfield and Operation Hope grew from there, with Stilwell helping raise the initial funding.
Operation Hope broke ground on its first playground at Pole Green Park in 2007, later adding another at Poor Farm Park. Both all-inclusive sites were in use by 2010.
Originally, Nelson said his group wanted to expand its current playground at Poorfarm Park in Ashland. But in talks with the county's parks and recreation department, Nelson was informed that the funds would be better utilized at Courthouse Park off of Route 301 because the Poor Farm site was being underused.
The Mechanicsville and Hanover Rotary Clubs were heavily involved in construction and fundraising for the first two parks. The Civitans are the latest service group to help with Operation Hope.
"The overwhelming amount of community involvement has been tremendous," Nelson said.
Nigrelli said his club's roots go back to 1923 and is a local chapter of Civitan International, a community service group with an emphasis on helping those with disabilities.
Nigrelli added that the Civitans are a "very hands-on organization" and his club looks forward to breaking ground on the project in early spring.
Funding came through Civitan's Chesapeake District Foundation, which covers clubs throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Nigrelli said that after he learned how close Operation Hope was to its final fundraising goal, he urged his club to "step up to the plate to do something."
"Our club is very small, we do not have much in the bank, but the foundation allows clubs to submit grants for projects that benefit the community, in particular, those with disabilities," he said.
Funding was approved late last year, one of the largest grants awarded by the foundation, Nigrelli said.
For Nelson, the grant brings to a close a 10-year effort to improve the lives of children with disabilities.
"It's taken 10 years and its great to see it come to a close," Nelson said. "It really couldn't have been done if it wasn't for the involvement of so many people."
Rotarians support Operation Hope playgrounds
Herald Progress | April 21, 2010 | By Dan
of the Hanover and Mechanicsville Rotary clubs came
together at Poor Farm Park Sunday afternoon for a brief
ceremony honoring a recent project-the construction
of two all-inclusive Operation Hope playgrounds in Hanover
Two Hanoverians-Dana Nelson and Katie Stilwell-founded
Operation Hope in 2004 with the intent of developing
two playgrounds that could serve children with disabilities.
One would be at Pole Green Park, and the other at Poor
Ground was broken for the Pole Green playground in
November 2007, and since then, the initial phases of
both playgrounds have been completed and are in use
by local children.
The Hanover and Mechanicsville Rotary clubs were major
fund-raisers for the effort. Among their fund-raising
activities were the first two annual joint Mechanicsville
and Hanover Rotary golf tournaments.
At Sunday's event, club members presented Nelson with
a ceremonial check for $150,000, representing the clubs'
contributions to the cause.
The afternoon also featured several speakers, including
Board of Supervisors Chairman Ed Via.
Via thanked the two Rotary clubs "for all the
blood, sweat and tears they put into putting all of
this together for the handicapped children of Hanover
County," he said.
Stan Thorne, assistant director of Hanover Parks &
Recreation, made a few remarks.
"These playgrounds without question are the most
popular amenities within our parks system, and without
everyone's support and all involved, they would not
have happened this soon or this easily," Thorne
"These will be enjoyed by park patrons for many
years to come," he said.
Mechanicsville Rotarian David Fuller, who emceed the
ceremony, provided background information on the project.
"[Nelson and Stilwell's] inspiration was drawn
from the some 2,500 children in our county who have
no access-as did other children-to a regular playground,
or to be able to play with their peers as any other
child," Fuller said.
"Fund-raising began with appeals to individuals,
businesses and civic organizations to raise $300,000.
In 2007, the Rotary clubs of Hanover and Mechanicsville
undertook an extraordinary project to raise $60,000
for Operation Hope, to propel the first phase of the
parks and installation with volunteer labor and to provide
the framework," he continued.
Canova Peterson of the Hanover Rotary Club said that
the latest phase completed was the installation of sidewalks
to make the playgrounds even more accessible.
Peterson pointed out the Rotary emblem engraved in
the sidewalk to the Poor Farm playground. He noted that
the emblem represents neither the Hanover or Mechanicsville
club specifically, but rather Rotary International.
"What we want this symbol to represent is not
just Rotary but the motto of Rotary. Rotary's motto
is a very simple motto: 'Service above self,'"
Peterson said.
"We want to dedicate it to all the people, all
the men, the women, the children who have been raising
funds and working very hard to make this dream real.
So when people come to these playgrounds, we hope that
they will see the stone that we're dedicating today
and see and remember the service above self, remember
those who had worked so hard to bring it to fruition
and hopefully be inspired to do the same."
Mechanicsville Rotarian Harold Padgett presented plaques
that will be installed on benches at the two parks,
which will honor the late Rotarian Billy Dixon, who
passed away in 2004.
"Upon his death, the obituary listed three different
areas where contributions could be made, the first one
being Mechanicsville Rotary Club, and so I'm happy to
say that we had over $2,000 contributed to that memory
in the weeks after that," Padgett said.
"Of course, we had no idea exactly what to do
with the money at the time, but it didn't take very
long because Dana Nelson and Katie Stilwell came before
our club and made a talk of Operation Hope, their dream
of it, in early 2005."
Padgett continued, "Something clicked in my head
at the time. I said, 'That's it. That's going to be
Bill's memorial.' And so the club agreed with that,
and while it's taken a few years to get to this point,
nobody ever strayed from the goal."
Mechanicsville Rotarian Brenda Cowlbeck and Hanover
Rotarian David Ellington presented the honorary check
to Nelson.
"Without the Rotaries, the children wouldn't be
enjoying the playgrounds today," Nelson said.
"This did start in my office, but I was only a
part of it. It started because a very special young
person, a college student- she was looking for something
that would touch the lives of others here in Hanover
County," he said, referring to Stilwell.
"Katie Stilwell was the one who initially reached
out to businesses, individuals to start the things rolling,"
he added. "Of course, it wouldn't be the reality
it is today without so many people, especially the Rotary,
and I am so thankful. ... I've had some very, very special
people communicate to me that it's touching lives, it
really is."
Fuller outlined the next steps of the project. "Within
a few weeks, we will be starting the final phase of
equipment installation at Pole Green Park. We expect
to close that final effort with a dedication ceremony
at the park on an equally beautiful weekend afternoon
in a few months," he said.
Mechanicsville, Virginia. The sun was shining on the Cool Spring Elementary School community on Saturday May 9th at the first annual Dolphin Dash. Stephanie Jones, Race coordinator, and teacher at Cool Springs commented that the success of the run was due to the focus being on promoting health and fitness and family fun for a good cause rather than trying to attract competitive runners. This inaugural event raised over $3,000 for Operation Hope Playgrounds, a community effort to build all inclusive playgrounds in Hanover County. The event attracted 436 participants within school community. Many Cool Spring staff actively participated in the planning and made this event a well run, fun event for all. One parent commented that this run gave her family an incentive to run together in the weeks prior to event. Last year the Cool Spring Elementary School PTA held a successful art auction benefiting Operation Hope Playground. Running events included a 5k family run around the school campus and grade level heats of 1 mile fun run. PE Teacher Renee Culley mapped out the 5k route. Community support also came from wellness sponsors including: Jen Dowda – Play Tennis, Jackie Taylor, Transition Lifestyle coach, Hanover Lacrosse, I9 Sports, and Master Cho's Tae Kwon Do. Scott Dietrich volunteered his talents as race announcer. A bake sale, 50/50 raffle, and clowns who provided face painting and balloon sculpture helped raise the donation total. Dana Nelson, co-founder of Operation Hope Playground was present and announced the start of the race. The community spirit and desire to help get these playgrounds built was evident in all who participated. Operation Hope All Inclusive Playgrounds are located at Pole Green Park in Mechanicsville and Poor Farm Park in Ashland. Monies continue to be raised for completion of phase two of the playgrounds to include another level of ramp access, additional ground level play equipment and additional bay of swings for families to enjoy. The poured rubber surface, adapted swings, and ramp access provide opportunities for children and adults with mobility issues to enjoy the playground with their friends. For more information about how you can get involved with this community, playground effort please contact Dana Nelson at 550-2280.
In January of this year (2008) Dana Nelson received a telephone call from Marshall Hudson, Board Chair of CASE CARES, a vision of CASE Credit Union. Marshall said that they had been following our website for some time and they were very inspired by the involvement and support of so many people, businesses, and civic groups for Operation Hope. He felt that it was a community coming together for this project and they wanted to do very much the same in their metropolitan area – he was calling from Lansing, Michigan. He and Dana exchanged some thoughts and ideas, and he was referred to Dave Fuller who helped with an implementation plan. In the following months they brought together their Board of Directors and advisors/consultants, and now as of June 2008 they are making plans to move ahead with the first of a number of playgrounds of all abilities.
Thanks for giving us the opportunity.
A playground for all children is now open at Pole Green Park, thanks to a community-wide effort begun by Operation Hope.
Dana Nelson and Katie Stilwell founded the nonprofit organization four years ago with the intent of constructing two handicap-accessible playgrounds in Hanover County.
The first one officially opened last weekend following
a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hanover Parks & Recreation
Director Greg Sager was one of several speakers at the
ceremony. He stated, "On behalf of Hanover County
Parks and Recreation, we gratefully accept this incredible
donation to the park."
Sager added, "I guarantee you we will treat it as it as if it was just absolute gold. For us it is."
Art Carroll, director of a Knights of Columbus organization known as KOVAR (Knights of Virginia Assisting the Retarded,) presented Nelson and Stilwell with a plaque.
"To have something like this come to fruition, you have to have a passion, and I have been privileged to do the grant review with Dana and I know Katie from a long time ago. They have the passion. That's why this was successful," Carroll commented.
"God bless people like this who do the work that they do to help God's special people."
Del. Chris Peace of Mechanicsville said during the ceremony, "I think it's more than a playground. It's really a symbol of what we can do when we work together to get out of our comfort zones and serve others. …
"Now all children of all abilities can participate fully in the joy of just being a kid. … Today Hanover County is a brighter place because of Katie and Dana and all of the public and private partners that helped make this playground, this symbol of hope and togetherness a reality."
Nelson was the last to speak. He said, "It is all of you, the people of Hanover County, who have come together to make this a reality. … This is a community project, and it is all of you who make it a reality."
A groundbreaking ceremony for the second all-inclusive playground will be held at Poor Farm Park at 3 p.m., Saturday, April 19.
Five shovels dug into the dirt at Pole
Green Park Saturday afternoon, marking the beginning
of the construction process to build Hanover County's
first handicap-accessible playground.
The playground has been the goal of
Operation Hope since the nonprofit organization's inception
by Dana Nelson and Katie Stilwell in 2004.
Components of the all-inclusive playground include:
a rubberized surface, hard enough for wheelchairs to
travel on but soft enough to protect children who stumble;
swings children can be securely strapped into; ramps
to make slides wheelchair-accessible; and more.
Numerous donors made
the Nov. 10 groundbreaking ceremony possible, including
a mix of private individuals, businesses, and civic
Among those organizations were the Hanover and Mechanicsville
Rotary Clubs, which took part in the ceremony.
Dave Fuller, representing both rotary clubs, served
as master of ceremonies for the event.
"We are here today to realize the dream,"
Fuller told a crowd of dozens. "We are here today
to make a historic presence, for this is the first time
that citizens have poised to assure that all children
have access to childhood, regardless of ability or limitations.
It is a time for children to be children."
Henry District Supervisor Chuck McGhee commented, "I
am just so pleased that we are blessed with citizen
groups, civic associations and people who are willing
to go that extra mile so that collaboration not just
becomes talk, but it turns into a reality."
Greg Sager, director of Hanover County Parks &
Recreation, spoke next.
"As we gather today for this very exciting event,
I am struck by the potential that this playground has
not just for today's youth but for future generations,"
Sager said.
"Certainly everyday across this great nation,
thousands of children are born, and of that number,
there are a very select few special ones that come into
this world, and these children, they're no different
than any other child. They love, they learn, and they
play, and the parents of those children are no different
than any other parent.
"They want their children to enjoy every opportunity
of their childhood, and to see and know the disappointment
that those parents experience when they go to a park,
and they go to a playground, and they see it's only
for certain kids to play on, I think it just reinforces
to them the challenges and the obstacles that they [and]
their kids are going to endure, and with that I am extremely
grateful to the effort of the officers, the volunteers,
the donors and everyone associated with Operation Hope
in removing that obstacle to having kids just be kids.
"I think it is wonderfully appropriate that this
new playground will sit adjacent to the existing equipment
that we already have here at Pole Green so that future
generations of children play together, learn together,
and enjoy the experiences of childhood together."
Stella Harden, a 4th-grade student at Rural Point Elementary
School, addressed the crowd.
In an interview after the ceremony, Nelson credited
Stella with increasing community interest in Operation
Hope's mission. Stella took the initiative to hold a
yard sale to raise funds for the playgrounds, after
having been inspired by a friend with a physical disability.
After the organization's initial support had begun
to fade, Stella's efforts caught the attention of Richmond
International Raceway's president, Doug Fritz, motivating
him to present a $1,000 check to Operation Hope. Numerous
other organizations and individuals also began to contribute.
During the ceremony, Stella told the crowd, "If
everybody just chips in a little money, then we can
raise enough money to build both playgrounds."
Teelo Rutledge, president of the board of directors
for Hanover Arc, said, "This is very important
to us. It's a first step. Virginia's ranked 47th out
of 50 in the United States in spending for mental retardation,
so that is pretty bad, so these little steps that we're
taking are going to make a difference in kid's lives
and make a difference for the mentally handicapped."
The final speaker was Nelson himself. He thanked everyone
who helped make the day possible. In particular, he
singled out Stella, Stilwell, and Jane Warrick, founder
of Chesterfield County's all-inclusive playground known
as Katie & Friends, who "has been an inspiration"
for Operation Hope.
"There's nothing ever in my life that I've been
able to accomplish that wasn't a result of somebody
there helping me, leading me, and that's what you are
here today, to make this a reality. Thank you ever so
much," Nelson said, adding that a ribbon-cutting
ceremony should take place in a few months.
He concluded, "Thanks from the bottom of my heart."
McGhee, Rutledge, Stilwell, Stella, and rotary clubs
representative Warren Rice performed the groundbreaking.
Afterward, Nelson explained that construction of the
Poor Farm Park playground should begin before the completion
of the Pole Green Park playground.
He said, "It will probably be next year this time
before both are absolutely complete, but rather than
doing everything here and leaving Ashland out, we're
going to do a good part here, but then we're going to
go to Ashland ... to be fair."
During the portion of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors
meeting designated as "Citizens' Time," May
23, Dana Nelson approached the podium representing Operation
Hope, an organization committed to building playgrounds
for children with disabilities.
Specifically, Operation Hope intends to construct such
playgrounds at Pole Green Park and Poor Farm Park as
soon as sufficient funding is achieved.
Nelson stated, "I'm hoping perhaps in this coming
year that there would be some help and support from
the county. I do believe this is an important project."
Nelson explained that these playgrounds would benefit
a few hundred children, which might seem to be a small
portion of county's overall youth population. However,
Nelson stressed that this minority is equally deserving
of having access to quality recreational facilities.
"If you look at what we have today-the playgrounds,
the athletic facilities, the recreation facilities-[there
is] so much to the average young person and yet we have
children who are just sitting there watching the others
play," Nelson said.
"This is not a political issue. It's really not
a monetary issue. It's more of an ethical issue,"
he added.
Nelson recounted to the board the story of a gentleman
named William Horner who has two sons with disabilities.
Both sons are in their twenties now, but Horner told
Nelson that they were never able to play on a playground
and participate in such activities with other children.
Horner then made a contribution of $1,000 to Operation
"I don't think the average person realizes how
many people we have within our community with disabilities,"
Nelson stated, who mentioned that many disabled children
are home-schooled while many of the disabled adults
become reclusive.
"So please, as we move forward with this year,
if you find a source of some additional funds, please
consider Operation Hope," Nelson concluded.
So far, according to Nelson, Operation Hope has raised
just over $60,000. Additionally, the Hanover and Mechanicsville
Rotaries have pledged $50,000 over the course of this
year and next. The project also has the support of Cool
Spring Elementary School and the Friends of Hanover.
Nelson reported that parks may cost approximately $150,000
each, which would cover not only the equipment but also
a rubber surface "that is hard enough that the
children can go across with a wheelchair but yet soft
enough that if they fall, they won't get hurt. ... If
we're going to do this, it needs to be done right."
South Anna Supervisor John Gordon stated, "I appreciate
what [Dana Nelson] is doing for Hanover County, not
only with regard to Operation Hope, but in many other
regards, and I agree that this is an important project.
The number may be small relative to the entire county,
but it's still a number of people who don't currently
have access. So I am certainly looking forward to working
with Mr. Nelson in the next budget cycle."
County Administrator Cecil "Rhu" Harris commented,
"There is very substantial support for this project
and we're going to work very hard in the future to try
to get some money in the budget on behalf of Operation
After Chairman Robert Setliff thanked Nelson for his
efforts, Nelson stated that Operation Hope is "very
meaningful to me, and the children are very, very special."
It began on Reily's 8th grade
birthday that the Pearce's asked anyone who wanted
to get her a birthday gift to donate the money to Operation
Hope, a non-profit organization working to build two
handicap accessible playgrounds to Hanover County. This
would fulfill a dream for the Harden's and the
Pearce's. Reily has Rett Syndrome, which has left
her wheelchair bound, and non-verbal, making it impossible
for the two girls to play on a regular playground.
Stella Harden (right) has been best
friends with Reily Pearce since they first met in
of RIR, Doug Fritz, was inspired to make a larger donation
to Operation Hope's handicap accessible playground
after reading Stella and Reily's story. Mr. Fritz
met Stella Harden, Reily Pearce, Dana Nelson and Sharon
Kingsbury with Operation Hope at Pole Green Park, where
he handed the girl's a check of $1,000 for Operation
Hope Playground, the first all-inclusive playground
going in Pole Green Park.
Mr. Fritz, Stella Harden
and Reily Pearce


text:
West Afrika Calendar. click here.
South, Central and North Amerika Calendar. click here.
Theyĺre A3 size (thatĺs 297x420mm, or 11.69x16.54")
RedBubble calendars are printed on a Kodak NEXPRESS. The cover and all pages are printed on 200gsm high quality satin art paper. Your calendars have a hanger and white wire binding.


text:
If you are someone who is going to move out, then you certainly have a lot of things to think about and a lot of things to plan out. One of the things that you have to plan out is how you are going to transport all your items from your old house to your new house. Surely you are not planning to give away all the furniture that you had in your old house right? And surely you want to have all the same furniture in your new house! Thankfully today, you don't have to worry about this problem. Because today, you can now get the services of a moving company. When you get the services of a moving company, you will find that there are a lot of benefits that you can enjoy. You might be wondering what exactly these benefits are. Today, we are going to have a short look at a few of the many benefits that you will surely enjoy if you get the services of a moving company when you are moving out of your old house.
One of the best things that you will enjoy when you get the services of Small Moving Inc is the fact that you will have no trouble whatsoever bringing all your items from your old house to your new one. If you are planning to bring all of these in your vehicle, then you will have a very hard time doing this. With a moving company, you can be sure that everything will be brought with one go.
Another great thing about getting the services of a moving company at smallmovinginc.com/is the fact that you can be sure nothing will be damaged. You might be a little worried moving all your furniture, because it might get damaged on the trip. However, when you get the service of a moving company, you can be sure that nothing will get damaged, because you are leaving your items on the hands of the professionals. And though it is not likely, if ever something gets damaged, you will be insured and you will be compensated for the damage.
There are so many other benefits that you will definitely enjoy when you get the services of a moving company. So when you are moving out to a new home, you should definitely get the services of a moving company!For further details regarding the benefits of moving services, check out http://www.ehow.com/how_5249466_hire-movers-load-unload.html.


text:
Isaiah [ 48 : 6 ]
You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? "From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you
Acts [ 24 : 14 ]
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets
Joshua [ 20 : 4 ]
When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them
Nehemiah [ 13 : 1 ]
On that day the Book of Moses was read aloud in the hearing of the people and there it was found written that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever be admitted into the assembly of God
Job [ 27 : 5 ]
I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity
Job [ 40 : 14 ]
Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you
2 Corinthians [ 11 : 21 ]
To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!Whatever anyone else dares to boast about-I am speaking as a fool-I also dare to boast about
Hebrews [ 11 : 13 ]
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth


text: For this book, I spent a year back at Walter Payton College Prep in Chicago. Eight students there were kind enough to let me follow them around with a notebook. We talked about drama with friends, upcoming friends, and college applications. Their stories made this book. The book is also a journal of the day-to-day life of one American high school, from homecoming to prom.


text:
Bosnia and Herzegovina, sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina, or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southeastern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Sarajevo. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the 20 kilometres (12 miles) of coastline on the Adriatic Sea surrounding the town of Neum. In the central and southern interior of the country the geography is mountainous, in the northwest it is moderately hilly, and the northeast is predominantly flatland. The inland is a geographically larger region and has a moderate continental climate, bookended by hot summers and cold and snowy winters. The southern tip of the country has a Mediterranean climate and plain topography.
List of national parks and national forests in Bosnia and Herzegovina:
1. Sutjeska National Park and national forests
The Sutjeska National Park (pronounced [sûtjɛska]) is a national park located in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Republika Srpska entity. Established in 1962, it is Bosnia and Herzegovina 's oldest national park. It includes the highest peak of Maglić at over 2,386 metres (7,828 ft), on the border with Montenegro. The Montenegrin part of Maglić massif in the park has also formed the Trnovačko Jezero (Trnovačko Lake). The Strict Nature Reserve "Perućica", one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe, is part of the park.[1][2][3][4] The park is also famous as being the location of the Battle of the Sutjeska in 1943 during World War II. It is an affiliated member of EUROPARC Federation.
2. Kozara National Park and national forests
Kozara National Park (Bosnian: Nacionalni park Kozara, Serbian Cyrillic: Национални парк Козара) is a national park in Bosnia and Herzegovina, that was proclaimed a protected national forest in 1967 by Josip Broz Tito. It is situated between the rivers Una, Sava, Sana and Vrbas, in the Republika Srpska entity of BiH. These 33.75 square kilometers of dense forest and hilly meadows have earned the nickname 'Green Beauty of Krajina'.
3. Una National Park and national forests
Una National Park (Bosnian: Nacionalni park Una) was established in 2008 around the Upper Una River and the Unac River. It's a Bosnia and Herzegovina's most recently established National Park, of only three existing in the country so far. The main purpose of the park is to protect unspoiled Una and Unac rivers which runs through it. Una National Park is also noted for its biodiversity, with 30 fish species, 130 bird species, and other animals, including lynx, fox, wolf, bear and chamois.


text:
LGBTQ South Florida
'Queer As Folk' star Robert Gant speaks out about LGBT people and aging
Robert Gant, co-star of Showtime's groundbreaking American TV drama Queer As Folk, was honored with four others Saturday by the ADL Florida for their "tremendous courage, compassion, and determination in confronting hate and intolerance."
"Among these various honorees, they were recognizing my work in the LGBT community in relation to aging," said Gant, 47, originally of Tampa. "Because LGBT elderly didn't for the most part create families, the incidence of being old and alone — there's a much higher likelihood of it."
Also honored:
▪ Jupiter Police Chief Frank Kitzerow, "who worked tirelessly to investigate the murder of Guatemalan teenager Onesimo Lopez-Ramos."
▪ Onesimo Lopez-Ramos, who immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala and at age 18 was targeted by three men because of his nationality and beaten to death.
▪ Angela King, who grew up in South Florida and struggled with her identity. A one-time racist skinhead, she served three years in prison for armed robbery of a Jewish-owned store and turned her life around, getting a master's degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Central Florida. She now is deputy director of Life After Hate — a group for individuals who have left extremist groups.
▪ Steven Stoloff of Miami, a journalist who was kidnapped near near Aleppo, Syria, and publicly executed in August 2013 by ISIS.
Sunday morning, the ADL and Unity Coalition, a South Florida Hispanic LGBT organization, hosted a breakfast with Gant at The Betsy South Beach hotel. Attendees included Chuck Panozzo of Wilton Manors, one of the founding members of 1970s rock band Styx, who in 2001 announced his is gay and living with AIDS.
"Because of the tremendous focus on youth and beauty in our culture, people become invisible all the more quickly as they grow older in this community," Gant told the Miami Herald. "So much of our community does not want to take a look at this issue and help to create a world that we want to age into."
Gant, who from 2001-05 played HIV-positive Professor Ben Bruckner on Queer As Folk, said portions of the LGBT community have become less obsessed with thin bodies and movie-star good looks.
"The bear culture has expanded in a lot of ways. There's a large part of the community that really rejects this pigeonholing," said Gant, who received a law degree from Georgetown University but has concentrated on his acting career.
"The best work I can do for myself — and hope for my fellows — is to awaken, is to evolve my perspective of who I really am beyond this ego-based idea — that limitation that requires me to have to adhere to these ridiculous standards," Gant said. "As the body fades — which it will inevitably do as we stay here on the planet — it really behooves us to wake up to who we really are. You can either go along willingly or be dragged, because it will happen.
"For those of us who are trying to wake up sooner than later, hopefully it will be a less painful transition. And a more graceful transition to getting older. At some point you can't continue that dance. The sooner that one can wake up and realize you don't have to be do that dance, the better."
To view a Facebook photo album of Sunday's Breakfast Arts Salon, click here.


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Russell Foris, 71, of Hot Springs Village, passed away at home April 10, 2013. Born Jan. 30, 1942 in Oak Park, Ill., Russ was the only child of Alex C. and Helen (Imre) Foris. He was raised in Chicago and graduated Austin High School and Northern Illinois University, DeKalb with bachelor's degrees in music, math and philosophy. He also attended both Northeastern University and Chicago Theological Seminary for post-graduate work.
Russ taught elementary school music in Dundee, Ill. and secondary music at Thornridge High School, Dalton, Ill.
He married Nancy (Vollman) Foris in 1970. She and daughter, JoAnna, both of Hot Springs Village, survive. He also leaves sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bill and Mary Vance and niece Heidi Vance of Illinois.
His gift of music will be greatly missed – his barbershop arrangements, his conducting skills with many male and female barbershop choruses, his coaching ability of both male and female barbershop choruses and quartets, his arrangements for Village Strings where he was also conductor and his ability to reach out and help someone improve. Russ worked for the Barbershop Harmony Society of Kenosha, Wis. for 15 years.
Though retired from teaching, tuning pianos, being a recording engineer and selling real estate, Russ worked in the Village as one of Woodlands Auditorium sound techs and at the sound board at Village Bible Church. He also advised sound technics at Christ Lutheran Church where he and his wife were members.
Russ was a tissue and bone donor and will be cremated. There will be no formal memorial service, but a barbershop "After-Glo" will be scheduled later in the year.
Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.


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STARmeterSEE RANK
Up 290,778 this week
Fred Kohlmar (1905–1969)
A former agent, Fred Kohlmar worked as an executive assistant to producer Samuel Goldwyn. He got into the production end of the business in the late 1930s, producing pictures mainly for 20th Century-Fox, Paramount and Columbia. Although he produced everything from dramas (Les Miserables (1952)) to westerns (Gunman's Walk (1958)) to musicals (Bye ... See full bio »
Born:in New York City, New York, USA
Died:(age 64) in Hollywood, California, USA


text:
Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Pipeline company TransCanada said it was reviewing its options for Canadian pipeline infrastructure because of changes made by regulatory authorities.
The company said it was asking the National Energy Board for a 30-day suspension on the applications for its Energy East project.
"The suspension will allow time to conduct a careful review of recent changes announced by the NEB regarding the list of issues and environmental assessment factors of the projects while understanding how these changes impact the projects' costs, schedules and viability," the company said in a statement.
The NEB said in late August it was reviewing the potential for greenhouse gas emissions when determining whether or not the project was in the public interest. A hearing panel added that the public's interest would be better served with a clearer picture of the possible risks from the project, including the potential for an oil spill.
"A broad range of topics will be covered by the NEB's assessment, including Indigenous participation in the projects throughout their lifecycles, landowner and municipal considerations, cumulative environmental effects, as well as socio-economic elements," the regulator said.
TransCanada submitted its application for the project in 2014, proposing the construction of a new 930-mile segment and converting 1,800 miles of gas line for oil service. It's designed to carry 1.1 million barrels of oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to eastern Canadian refineries.
The company said the new direction would make eastern Canadian refineries more competitive because they'd be sourced by domestic crude and bring in more than $7 billion in tax revenues during its first 20 years of operation. The pipeline could offset regional imports of 700,000 barrels of oil per day, though critics countered it would serve primarily as an export project.
Because of the "significant changes" to the regulatory process from the NEB, TransCanada said it halted some of the funding allocations for construction.
"Apart from Energy East, we will continue to advance our $24 billion [$19.8 billion USD] near-term capital program in addition to our longer-term opportunities," said Russ Girling, TransCanada's president and chief executive.
It's the latest setback for the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline through the United States. Malaysia energy company Petronas in July said that, as the head of a partnership, it was no longer pursuing a liquefied natural gas project at Port Edward in British Columbia because of an "extremely challenging environment" brought on by a weak market. TransCanada was a project partner.


text:
Modeling of Microlens Arrays and Diffraction at Apertures
Microlens arrays can be found in different applications, such as imaging, wavefront sensing, and so on.
With the physical-optics simulation technique in VirtualLab, the working principle of the microlens array, e.g. in the case of wavefront sensing, can be clearly demonstrated, and the performance of such systems can be evaluated efficiently. It is also worth mentioning that the diffraction effect from the edge of the individual microlenses can be taken into consideration in the simulation.
(See the full HTML-Newsletter)
Modeling of Microlens Arrays with Different Lens Shapes
The imaging properties of a microlens array with different lens shapes are investigated. Change of the focal spots with respect to aberration of input field is demonstrated.
Learn more
Advanced PSF & MTF Calculation for System with Rectangular Aperture
By placing a rotated rectangular aperture behind input fields with different sizes, the PSF and MTF in the focal plane are investigated.
Learn more
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text:
You will know Christmas is here when you smell the beautiful aromas of this traditional pudding.
Featured in Everyday easy, Christmas pudding recipes
- Melted butter, to grease
- 100g sultanas
- 100g raisins
- 100g dried pitted dates, chopped
- 100g dried whole dessert figs, chopped
- 50g dried apricots, chopped
- 50g glace cherries, chopped
- 50g mixed glace fruits (such as pineapple), chopped
- 125ml (1/2 cup) brandy
- 125g butter, softened
- 155g (3/4 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
- 60ml (1/4 cup) golden syrup
- 2 eggs
- 125g good quality dark cooking chocolate, melted
- 160g (1/2 cup) canned pie apple
- 75g (1/2 cup) plain flour, sifted
- 55g (3/4 cup) fresh breadcrumbs (made from day-old bread)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon allspice
- 2 tablespoons brandy, extra, to serve
Step 1Brush a 1L (4-cup) capacity heatproof, microwave-safe pudding basin with melted butter to lightly grease.
Step 2Combine the sultanas, raisins, dates, figs, apricots, cherries and glace fruit in a glass or ceramic bowl. Place brandy in a heatproof, microwave-safe jug. Cover with plastic wrap and heat on High/800watts/100% for 1-2 minutes or until hot. Pour brandy over fruit mixture and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes to macerate.
Step 3Use an electric beater to beat the butter, sugar and golden syrup in a large bowl until thick and pale. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the melted chocolate and fruit mixture, and stir until well combined. Add the apple, flour, breadcrumbs, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, and stir until well combined.
Step 4Spoon the mixture into the prepared basin. Cover with 2 layers of baking paper. Tie unwaxed white kitchen string under the rim of the basin to secure. Cook on Defrost/350watts/30% for 20-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the pudding comes out clean. Drizzle with extra brandy and set aside for 15 minutes. Turn pudding onto a plate and cut into slices to serve.
2721 kj
Fat Total
Saturated Fat
Carbs (sugar)
Carbs (total)
Allow 30 minutes mascerating time. You can make this pudding up to 1 month ahead. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge. Remove from the fridge 4 hours before serving to bring to room temperature. Reheating guide - For the whole pudding: Line a heatproof, microwave-safe plate with non-stick baking paper. Turn the pudding onto the plate. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and place on a microwave-safe rack or upturned saucer (2cm off the turntable). Reheat on Medium-Low/Defrost/350watts/30% for 15-20 minutes or until the pudding feels warm (it will get hotter on standing). For a single serve: Place on a heatproof, microwave-safe plate and cover with plastic wrap. Place on a microwave-safe rack or upturned saucer (about 2cm off the turntable). Reheat on Medium-Low/Defrost/350watts/30% for 2-3 minutes or until warm. Set aside for 30 seconds to stand. Uncover and serve.