Early Disciples Worship

some notes from James Trader, Curator of Cane Ridge.

The basic order of service can be set forth in 5 categories:
Hymns of praise
Scripture
Prayers, including thanksgiving for each element at the table
Lord’s Supper
Fellowship or contribution

It has been noted that early Disciples congregations would have included the following:
1. Call to worship by the presiding officer
2. Hymn of praise by the congregation
3. Reading from the Gospels by a member designated by the president
4. Prayer, led by a member designated by the president
5. Reading from the Epistles by the president himself
6. Communion hymn
7. Statement by the president that they had met in conformity with practice of “the first disciples…to eat the Lord’s Supper
8. President took a small loaf from a table previously laid, gave thanks for it, “significantly broke it, and handed it to the disciples on each side of him
9. They passed it to others, each partaking in turn.
10. President called upon a brother to pray, “and the brethren all united with them.”
11. “Fellowship” or contribution was received.
12. All were invited to say what they would, “tending to the edification of the body.”
13. Several spiritual songs were sung.
14. President, “on motion of a brother,” pronounced the apostolic benediction.

ChiRho Catechism Updated

Here’s the 2016 edition. chirhocatechism-2016

Pulleyking workshop cancelled

We regret to announce that the October workshop on human suffering has been cancelled due to illness. We hope to reschedule the event. 

Change in Buffalo Seminary Fall Schedule

Please note that the two fall workshops have been reversed on the calendar, due to a health emergency experienced by Dr. Pulleyking. 

Scriptura Divina: The Practice of Writing on Scripture as Meditation and Proclamation  

September 17-18 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany featuring the Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes.

Read the schedule      Register Now!

Inexplicable Suffering and Lively Meaning

October 26-27 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany featuring Rev. Dr. Mickey Pulleyking  

Read the schedule    Register Now!     

See the Full Schedule (to date) of upcoming events.

Summer Clergy Institute – Not just for ministers!

Buffalo Seminary at Bethany College is pleased to announce the opening of registration for our Summer Clergy Institute – August 10-12 – which will find appeal among clergy (ordained and commissioned, and those in formation), as well as lay leaders in the church.  This year’s focus is on the history of the Church, and will be led by the Rev. Dr. William B. Allen, Regional Minister Emeritus, the Rev. James Trader, II, Curator of Cane Ridge Meeting House Shrine, and the Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes, Director of Church Relations at Bethany College and Dean of the Seminary.

Buffalo Seminary is a shared ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in West Virginia and Bethany College.  It is strongly supported by a generous grant from the Oreon E. Scott Foundation.

The cost for the 3 full days is $110 (or $40 per day if full attendance is not possible), including lunch and a continental breakfast. CEUs will be provided to those desiring them, and credits will apply for those needing them for continuation of their standing. It is held at Mountainside Conference Center, which is adjacent to the Gresham Inn where limited housing is available.  Other housing may be available at the Alumni Center.  Contact us if you need information on how to reach them.

A reading assignment is involved, so registration must be completed early!  Read the schedule here.  Visit www.wvdisciples.org/buffalo to register online.

Dramatic Presentation of Mark’s Gospel in Wheeling

What: Dramatization of Mark’s Gospel by The Rev. Angus Stuart

Where: St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Wheeling (free parking on the street and in the 2 lots beside the church)

When: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 2nd

Rev. Stuart, an Anglican priest now in Vancouver, Canada, does a dramatic presentation of Mark’s gospel from memory (with musical interludes). We have just, at the last minute added Wheeling to his tour schedule. His presentation is ca. 2 hours long and is free, though an offering may be received.

Please share the good word!

Buffalo Seminary Schedule Update

The following events are scheduled and will soon be available for registration at http://www.wvdisciples.org/buffalo.  We hope you’ll join us!

• The History and Practice of the Ecumenical Movement.  Christian Unity is still Our Polar Star! Rev. Dr. Robert Welsh & Rev. Dr. Newell Williams – Bethany June 24.
• Soar—General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Education Programs – Columbus 3 CEUs offered by Buffalo Seminary –   July 19-21
• Clergy Institute—Twenty-One Centuries of Discipleship: A Tour Through the History of the Church.  Rev. Dr. William Allen &  Rev. James Trader III  – August 10-12 – Bethany
•  Inexplicable Suffering and Lively Meaning.  Dr. Micki Pulleyking –  September 17-18
•  Scripture Divina Workshop—The Practice of Writing on Scripture as Meditation and Proclamation.  Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes – October 26-27 – Bethany

Buffalo Seminary Upcoming Events Published

Exploring Resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels
March 16-17, 2015 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
March 16:  1:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m.
March 17: 9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Rev. Dr. Bonnie Thurston, noted WV Author, Lecturer and Retreat Leader

See registration link below for detailed schedule.  Prepare now for your Easter celebration.  Registration deadline extended to Mar. 9.
Biblical Knowledge. 1 CEU
REGISTER NOW

Oreon E. Scott Lectures
April 13-14 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
 featuring Rev. Dr. Stephanie Paulsell
Read details of schedule and register at the Bethany Church Relations page

Contemporary Ecumenical Happenings
June 24 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
featuring the Rev. Dr. Robert Welsh, President of the Council on Christian Unity,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
Registration opens in April.  Watch this page.

FUTURE EVENTS – Watch this page for details and registration!

2015 Clergy Institute:  The Church – A Biography
August 10-12 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
  This annual continuing education opportunity for ministers, ministers in formation, and church leaders covers
several vital areas of church life and ministry.  

Theodicy
September 17-18 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
featuring Dr. Mickey Pulleyking

Scriptura Divina
October 27-28 at Mountainside Conference Center, Bethany
featuring the Rev. Dr. Larry Grimes

 

Beef Tortellini Soup…yes, we cover it all here, folks!

The following soup recipe was in high demand by our participants at Tuesday’s seminar at Bethany Memorial Church.  Thank you, Karen McFadden, for sharing it, and to Charlotte Chambers and Rev. Scott Thayer for joining her in sharing in the hospitality!

Here’s the Beef Tortellini Soup recipe.

1 lb. ground beef

7 cups beef broth

2 cans(14 1/2 oz. each) stewed tomatoes

3/4 cup ketchup

3/4 cup thinly sliced carrots

3/4 cup thinly sliced celery

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 Tablespoon dried basil

1 1/2 teaspoons SEASONED salt (such as Lawry’s)

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 bay leaves

1 1/2 cups cheese filled tortellini (I like the frozen instead of the dried), but either will do.

Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

In  a soup kettle, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink: drain.  Add the next 11 ingredients: bring to boil.  Reduce heat: cover and simmer for 30 minutes.  Add tortellini:  cook for 20-30 minutes or until tender.  Remove bay leaves.  Garnish individual servings with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Yield: 10-12 servings (3 & 1/4 quarts)

Note: Instead of canned broth, I use 7 teaspoons beef bouillon in 7 cups of water.

From Financial Ethics and Best Practices

We are grateful to Rev. Dr. Todd Adams for his good work in presenting our seminar (twice) last week, and for sharing his resources here for your use.  Financial Ethics Buffalo Seminary w 10 Responsibilities-2 (pdf file) includes the slide with “10 Responsibilities”, which is not included in the Powerpoint slides: Financial Ethics Buffalo Seminary-2.  Both are offered for your wise use in the local congregation.

We hope to see many of you at Dr. Bonnie Thurston’s presentation on Resurrection in the Synoptic Gospels in March, so reserve now!