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Visitors to website since
9/08/2004:
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Our Sunday Schedule . . .
We invite you to join our
congregation in Worship this Sunday!
10:00 A.M. - Worship
11:00 A.M. - Sunday School
(Nursery/toddler care is provided during the
Worship service and Sunday school hour.)
Our History . . .
On February 10, 2002, one hundred
persons gathered in the dining room at Eastern Mennonite High School (EMHS,
Harrisonburg, VA) for our first worship service. A month later, the
Shenandoah District Board approved our request to be recognized as a new church
"project" by the Church of the Brethren. An initial Steering Committee
consisted of Terry Coffman, Bill Crist, Charlotte French, Ron Hedrick, Phil
Stone, Sr. and Cherrill Stone.
On March 10, 2002, we began
holding Sunday School classes following our worship. A choir was also
formed that month.
Having met the requirements, the
Shenandoah District Conference approved our request for "fellowship" status on
November 2, 2002. The following Sunday, November 10, we observed our
"Charter Sunday" which was the first opportunity for persons to officially
become members of the congregation. On that significant day, 107 persons
joined Sunrise Fellowship Church of the Brethren during the morning worship by
transfer of letter and reaffirmation of faith (including two Associate Members).
That afternoon five more were baptized by trine immersion, for a total
membership of 112.
A year later, the Shenandoah
District Conference approved "congregation" status for Sunrise Church on
November 8, 2003. This achievement was celebrated in our morning worship
the following Sunday, November 16, with Joan Daggett, Associate District
Executive, in attendance who led us in a Service of Consecration and officiated
at the installation of J.D. Glick as pastor. Having previously adopted a
new Plan of Organization following the latest denomination recommendations, the
congregation on December 21, 2003, elected a slate of leadership using an "open"
ballot process.
From the beginning, there has been
a dream of having our own building. A Location Committee was appointed as
early as May, 2002, "to be aware of available suitable buildings for rent or
sale." While the Peoples Baptist Church property was considered early, it
was decided to not pursue its purchase at that time. On January 25, 2004,
a new Location Committee was called. After exploring many different
options, including purchasing property in anticipation of building and other
buildings on the market, the congregation on September 26, 2004, voted with 86%
approval the purchase of Peoples Baptist Church for $700,000, contingent upon a
successful Capital Campaign. A Capital Campaign Committee was appointed to
seek financial support for this purchase.
This purchase was closed on
February 4, 2005. The generosity of members and friends, including a grant
from the Shenandoah District. enabled us to make a 50% ($350,000) down payment.
On February 13, 2005, the third anniversary of meeting in our temporary home,
the congregation met for the last time in the dining hall at EMHS.
The following Sunday, February 20, 2005, (the 55th anniversary of the first
worship service in the Peoples Baptist Church building), we first met in our new
church home at 1496 S. Main Street, Harrisonburg. We currently have 131
members.
Our Church Name . . .
The name "Sunrise" was selected by
the congregation to suggest:
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The dawning of a new day with new
opportunities,
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The freshness, energy, new life and
promise of the awakening of God's creation,
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The resurrection of Jesus which is
central to our faith.
Our Mission Statement . . .
The Sunrise Church of the Brethren
acknowledges Christ as our living Lord and affirms the value of all persons as
we worship together and use our various gifts to do God's work in the world.
Our Core Values . . .
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Believes Christ is the Son of
God, our risen Lord, and our example for living.
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Acknowledges the church is the
body of Christ in which the gifts of all are used to do God's work in the
world.
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Affirms the value of all persons
by sharing with them the love of God in word and deed and by committing to
live peacefully together.
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Promotes spiritual growth
through worship, Sunday School, prayer and Bible study.
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Practices responsible
stewardship of all God has entrusted to us.
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Embraces the Brethren heritage and
practices.
Our Denomination . . .
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Began in Schwarzenau, Germany in 1708 in
a effort to put into practice the teachings of the New Testament.
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Found a haven for religious freedom in
America in 1719.
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Is noted as one of the historic peace
churches.
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Headquartered in Elgin, Illinois with
its' seminary in Richmond, Indiana.
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Has historically been engaged in mission
work in India, China, Indonesia, Ecuador and Nigeria.
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Is know for its service programs through
Brethren Volunteer Service, Church World Service/CROP, Heifer Project and the
Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, Maryland.
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Has over 1000 congregations in the United
States, with nearly 143,000 members (of whom approximately one-half live in
Virginia and Pennsylvania).
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Is affiliated with six accredited liberal
arts colleges (including Bridgewater College locally) and one theological
seminary.
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Is affiliated with 27 retirement homes
(including the Bridgewater
Retirement Community locally) and one hospital.
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Participates in a united witness the the
Council of Churches - world, national, state and locally.
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Locally is organized with a
congregational style of government.
Our Denomination's Logo . . .
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The Cross recalls our baptism in
Christ's death and resurrection and testifies to God's plan to bring "all in
heaven and on earth . . . into a unity in Christ."
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The circle represents the world
into which we are sent by Christ.
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The wave connotes new life in
Christ, "born of water and the Spirit."
The Church of the Brethren symbol
upholds images of life in Jesus Christ; images for Brethren to live by.
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