Nokesville Church of the Brethren Information

Information

Where we are Located

Nokesville Church of the Brethren

P.O. Box 56

13002 Fitzwater Drive

Nokesville, Virginia 20182

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How to Contact Us

Phone: (703) 594-2685

e-mail: nokesvillecob@nokesvillecob.org

Sunday School and Worship Times:

Sunday School: 10 a.m. Sunday
Worship Service: 11 a.m. Sunday

Our Mission Statement

We will continue the work of Jesus Christ sharing the good News with all people, through faith, love and service as we are spiritually strengthened through the community of faith.

A "Welcome" Message from the
Nokesville Congregation

“Welcome, we’re happy to have you join us!” Yes, we’re happy you’ve visited our web-site and these are the words you’ll hear when you visit our church. We consider guests to be new friends in the making and hope you’ll join us one Sunday or come to one of our fellowship opportunities. Our members are very active in community functions so you’ll see us on Nokesville Day or picking up the trash on Fitzwater Drive or helping out at Serve (the local shelter and food pantry) or playing softball.

You can find out more about us through this web-site. There’s a brief history of our church that tells you how we started with our first service in 1883. If you have never heard of the Church of the Brethren denomination, you can read more about who we are as part of the people of God continuing the work of Jesus, Simply, Peacefully, Together. Or perhaps you’d like to learn more about our Sunday School, Fellowship Groups, Rainbow Pre-School, before and after school care called Kids’ Club, or visit our Youth page. There are plenty of pictures to see also.

The Church of the Brethren began almost 300 years ago so we share a rich history with other Church of the Brethren congregations. Our faith in God is lived out through our service to others in our community, and the world. Contact us or just drop by for a visit, we’ll be “happy to have you join us!”

Brief History of the Nokesville Church of the Brethren

The beginning of the Nokesville Church of the Brethren was in March of 1883 when two Brethren (then German Baptist) families moved from Rockingham County, Virginia to Nokesville. In the next few years many more Brethren families chose to make their homes in Nokesville, thus forming a strong Brethren community. In order to serve the larger Nokesville area, two houses of worship were built - Valley Meeting House (1887) east of town and Nokesville Meeting House (1896) on the west edge of Nokesville. Formal organization of the congregation was in 1895 with 75 members.

By 1909, membership was recorded at 233. It was in 1909 that Hebron Seminary, a secondary school with strong Brethren ties, opened its doors to the community and the area Brethren churches. Hebron became the church home for the Nokesville Brethren and served in that capacity until 1947 when it was demolished and the present brick edifice (1948) was dedicated. Although the school closed its doors in 1924, its positive influence on the local church and the greater community was immeasurable.

With continued growth, it was deemed advisable to form two congregations in 1917, a situation that was reversed in 1958 when the two churches merged as the Nokesville Church.

In the mid thirties, the church moved from the free ministry to the pastoral program, some ten pastors having served as spiritual leaders since that time. As present, the church supports various outreach programs, several on the local level being enhanced by the large structural addition that was completed in1994.

Our Efforts to Continue the Work of Jesus

Though the Brethren as a group have existed for nearly three hundred years, we subscribe to no formal creed. We simply try to do what Jesus did. Jesus brought a message of life, love and hope. But he offered much more than inspiring words: He understood the people’s spiritual needs also include day-to-day human ones - food, health, rest, comfort, friendship, and unconditional acceptance. "I am the way,” he told his followers. He showed them how to trust, how to care, and how to help.

Steadily, lovingly, even radically, Jesus went about saving the world - by serving its people. Because we believe his message, we seek to do the same.

Our Commitment to Peace

Whether the conflict involves warring nations, racial discord, theological dispute, personal disagreement, or mere misunderstanding, Brethren listen conscientiously, seek guidance in the scriptures, and work toward reconciliation. We practice peaceful living.

Our longstanding commitment to peace and justice includes a deep regard for human life and dignity. Brethren reach worldwide to help repair the ravages of poverty, ignorance, exploitation, and catastrophic events. Along with our faith, we bring food, books, classes, tools, and medicine.

Living peacefully, to the brethren, means treating each person with the attentive, compassionate respect that all human beings deserve.

Simple Living

Years ago, all Brethren were immediately recognizable because of their plain dress and reserved ways. Today’s Brethren live very much in the world, work in a broad range of occupations, and make use of the latest technology.

Continually, though, we try to simplify our lives. Practicing a modest nonconformity, we think carefully about our daily choices. The ideal of simplicity guides our decisions: How will we conduct our business, raise our children, spend our leisure time, tend our natural resources? How will we use our money, and why? How can we live comfortably, but without excess or ostentation?

For the Brethren, such considerations are not a requirement, but a privilege. As we seek to live intentionally, responsibly, and simply, we find a deep sense of purpose. And we find joy.

Worshiping, Serving and
Learning Together

Whether worshiping, serving, learning, or celebrating, Brethren act in community. Together, we study the Bible to discern God’s will; we make decisions as a group, and each person’s voice matters.

During our traditional love feast we gather at the table of the Lord, and each summer at Annual Conference we convene as a denominational family. Because Jesus urged unity, Brethren work alongside other denominations, at home and abroad, in worldwide mission and outreach.

Our congregations welcome all who wish to share with us in another way of living: the way of Christian discipleship, life in community, fulfillment in service.

Rainbow Preschool

The program at the Rainbow Preschool focuses on the total development of your child. Socialization, learning and fun are all a part of our program. Each Day we have circle time for sharing, talking about the weather, seasons, the calendar, and appointing helpers for each day. there is also time for free play in centers (blocks, housekeeping, and table toys), stories, music, and outdoor play. Art activities including painting, play dough, cutting, and coloring are a part of our program. Colors, shapes, numbers, and letters are introduced and incorporated into many of our daily activities. We promote the development of skills such as sharing, listening, and following directions which will help prepare your child for kindergarten. Above all, we hope to make your child's first school experience a happy, positive one.

Rainbow Preschool Teachers: Charlotte Bear (co-director), Helen Bear, Suzie Evans (co-director), Kathy Kelley, Beth Harris & Coleen Rother.

Kids Club

Kids Club is a licensed, non-profit, before and after school program that provides a safe, fun and nurturing environment for k-5th grade students attending Nokesville Elementary School. We operate 6:30am-6:30pm, Monday through Friday. Kids Club is open on both full and half-day teacher in-service days. We close for Prince William County's winter break and spring break, national holidays, and the summer. You can find us on the lower level of the Nokesville Church of the Brethren at 13002 Fitzwater Drive in Nokesville, Virginia. A variety of activities are provided for the children including arts and crafts, music, science experiments, and cooperative games. Our facilities include a large fenced playground area, a quiet area for reading, indoor space for large motor activites when the weather keeps us inside, as well as accessability to the community library (across the street) and the Prince William Dance Academy (next door). We serve a snack each day and time is set aside for children to complete their homework if needed. Registration is ongoing. Please contact the director for more information.

Director: Christi Ruhstorfer

Youth Fellowship Groups

We welcome new friends to join us. We attend different schools in different counties and would enjoy having you add to our diversity.

Life as a Christian is often challenging but we have the support of each other and this community. “Together” is an important word for us. Come see for yourself.

Join us for fellowship, fun, class time, and worship.

(Portions of the text above is used with permission from the Church of the Brethren General Board, Another Way of Living Brochure).

Brethren Church Related Agencies

Bethany Theological Seminary

615 National Road West

Richmond, IN 47374-4095

(800) 287-8882

Web pages: http://www.brethren.org/bethany

Brethren Press

1451 Dundee Ave

Elgin, IL 60120

(800) 441-3712