West Main

West Main has a long and proud history of running a great summer camp. There are stories that could be told for hours about it’s impact. Many of you reading this, first came to know Christ at camp, or rededicated your life there! It is a ministry that holds a special place in all of our hearts.

This year will see a change for the first time in about eleven years. Our beloved location at Box R Ranch shut their doors. As such, we had the difficult task of finding a new camp. This came with many challenges. Finding a place not already booked, or only available to those already booked, was very difficult. Finding a place even COMPARABLE in price was nearly impossible. And keeping the EXACT dates, when seeking availability proved difficult. So we went on a frantic search! Decisions had to be made quick and fast, as open weeks at the several possible locations we looked at were filling up by the day. So, we have a new location and a new week! It will be different. It will be a learning curve. But, it will be blessed, because we give it over to God!

I want you ALL to have this information NOW, so you can plan your family calendar accordingly. It is a week earlier than normal, so we wanted you to be aware. Each year we grow bigger and hope to continue this trend! The new grounds can hold more kids, and we’d love to fill it up as we continue to seek Christ in a beautiful setting each summer! Make your plans now to get your kiddos there! We are excited for the future.

Camp will be at Kellogg Springs Camp near the Roseburg/Winston area. It is beautiful! I strongly recommend that you explore the website at www.kelloggsprings.com. Camp this year will fall on June 29-July 5. Traditionally we are the week RIGHT AFTER the 4^th of July, but this was the only FULL week they had available all summer. It will be awesome! The projected cost for the week is $210.00 per camper. Your kids will LOVE the amenities and activities available! We are already dreaming of the wonderful things we can do.

Please join us now in praying for camp next summer! We look forward to what God has in store!  If you have any questions, please contact Brian Pannell.

BLURRED LINES:

SEXUALITY, MARRIAGE, AND GOD

The approach of the fall season signals once again our tradition of biblical seminars here at West Main. Our theme for this year’s seminars is: Blurred Lines: Sexuality, Marriage, and God. If the old adage, “Sex sells” is true, then we hope the discussion of sexuality will “sell” you on planning to attend!

Each of our seminars this year will focus on several aspects of human sexuality. To say we live in a sexualized society is not merely to state the obvious but the obtuse. From toothpaste to cars to ice cream, and everything in between, human sexuality is used to lure our consumer society in to purchasing various products. Sexuality is commoditized. Where is the voice of the Church of Christ in the midst of these various perversions and humiliations of God’s gift of sexuality?

God “created man is his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen 1:27), thus our genders are expressions of human sexuality and we must not be silent on issues of human sexuality. From the beginning of creation, God commanded us as males and females to “be fruitful and multiply” (Gen 1:28). While sexuality certainly goes beyond procreation, there is no question that procreation within the marriage covenant is of primary importance.

Our intention in each seminar this year is to focus on biblical sexuality and how we can communicate God’s vision of sexuality in the church and society. This primary focus will be on the biblical theology of human sexuality, not the political responses to differing views of sexuality. While the political aspects will not be ignored, they will not be taking up the lion’s share of the discussion.

Our first seminar is tentatively scheduled for October 17, 19, and 20^th. We will focus on how the Scriptures define human sexuality. The discussions will consist primarily of defining sexuality as a core part of our being created in the image of God and how our genders are reflections of what God wants to show of himself through our sexuality. We will then have a seminar in the winter (possible Jan 24-26) on defining marriage. Note, this is not a marriage seminar on how to relate to one another in a marriage, but what is the biblical theology of marriage. Thus the marriage seminar will include issues on singleness, chastity, and societal concerns. Finally, we will have a spring seminar on the issue of pornography and its effect on men and women in the church today.

– Terry

2013 Northwest Schools of Mission  --  Northwest Schools of Mission will be in Southern Oregon September 22-27. We, at West Main, have a special opportunity to listen to these missionaries while they give their presentations in the auditorium on Friday, September 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Their presentation schedule is as follows:

9:00 a.m. - Southern Mexico Mission Presentation; Adrian Sanchez

10:15 a.m. - Manila Bible Seminary Presentation; Dr. Jeannie Hoffman

11:30 a.m. - Asian Children’s Mission Presentation; Joana Jones

12:30 p.m. - Lunch break

2:00 p.m. - Rapha House Presentation; Stephanie Freed (change of speaker)

3:15 p.m. - Kontackt Mission, USA Presentation; Keith Wilkins

The event is open to anyone who would like to observe and we encourage the participation from our congregation. The mission displays will be set up in the courtyard. Adrian will be also speaking to our Ladies Class on Tuesday, September 24 and Stephanie will be speaking to our Youth Group on Sunday evening, September 22.

Calendar of Events

Sept 21: Leadership Retreat; Cantrall-Buckley Park; 11:30 a.m.

Sept 25: Prime Timers Potluck; FSR; 11:30 a.m.

Oct 4-6: Ladies Retreat