When you start making summer plans for your kids, put reading at the top of your list. Here’s the Blacknall twist: When your kids read with us, they can help other kids enjoy reading too!
All summer long, we see how many books our kids can read. Kids of any age are eligible to read — or be read to! Based on our grand total in August, we'll give books to our Deep Common Journey partner, Families Moving Forward. Last year, we read 337 books and donated 34 books. Let's beat that this summer! And to tie in with kids' Discovery Weeks, when kids read books about missionaries, they get a special sticker with double credit.
Stop by the library to sign up. The first day to record books is June 11. Start browsing the children's books in the library.
Blacknall's New Choir Director
We’re thrilled to announce that our own Nat Stine has accepted the Blacknall Choir Director position! With nearly three decades of work leading church choirs and a Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California, Nat brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position, as well as a wonderful personality and a warm, pastoral heart.
We also offer thanks for the leadership and expertise of Donna Mutter and Susan Mullins who have helped shepherd our choir through the last year of transition.
Update From the PNC (5.24.2023)
Over the past few weeks, the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has been interviewing candidates for our next Senior Pastor. As Don shared in the Sunday morning services on May 7, we have been very encouraged by the conversations we’ve had with candidates.
At this time, we are no longer accepting applications. Please join us in thanking God for the work and witness of each person we have engaged with so far. Please pray for wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit as we enter this next phase of discernment. In the coming months, we will be having more in-depth conversations with a small number of candidates.
Thank you for all your prayers and support for the PNC and the search! Feel free to reach out with thoughts or questions at pnc@blacknall.org.
Sign Up Now for Summer Small Groups
Sign up now for the summer session of small groups! There are several gatherings of 8-12 people where you can form new and deeper friendships, study scripture together, and pray for each other. Please try to register by Sunday, May 28 or as soon as possible. Most small groups kick off in early June.
Latest Award Winners in the Blacknall Library
Looking for your next book to dig into? Christianity Today magazine does some of the work for you with its 2023 book awards. You'll find award-winners (or finalists) and other hot reads in the Blacknall Library. From theology to missions to fiction, we've got you covered. Don't have an account yet? Stop by any Sunday morning between services. We're located at the lower atrium entrance on Perry Street. Or email us at library@blacknall.org.
Update From the PNC (5.07.2023)
Watch the update that Don Hoover, Co-Chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee, provided to the congregation during the May 7th worship service.
New Song from Blacknall Arts
Listen to the newest song from Blacknall Arts—our in-house community of songwriters and musicians at Blacknall. “He Dwells in Light” is a new setting for Psalm 93 and explores the mystery of God’s holiness and might over the world, even over the powers that vie to shape it.
Mission Minutes | Families Moving Forward (4.26.2023)
In this Mission Minutes video Mark Paulson talks about our Deep Common Journey partnership with Families Moving Forward (FMF).
At the moment, one of the few ways we can serve this DCJ partner is to participate in their "Rock the Block” day of service happening next Saturday, May 6. Let's rally to support this important partner! We are looking for at least 10 people to join the Blacknall team of volunteers rolling up their sleeves to work on staining the fence on the FMF property from 9-11:30 a.m.
Update From the PNC (4.26.2023)
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) is transitioning into a new phase of our Senior Pastor search as we begin interviewing candidates, while continuing to receive applications. We have been so encouraged by the conversations we are having with people in the candidate pool.
Please pray for God to provide wisdom and discernment to the PNC and the candidates through these conversations. Feel free to reach out with thoughts or questions at pnc@blacknall.org.
Join the Church Center Directory!
This past Sunday (3/26) we introduced Church Center, a protected platform for members and attenders to connect with one another, sign up for events, discover opportunities to serve, and more! You can view Church Center either on the web or on the mobile app. Church Center is part of a suite of tools within Planning Center Online (PCO), Blacknall's new church management system that has replaced Church Community Builder (CCB).
We would love for everyone to join the online church directory in Church Center. And don't forget to add your picture! If you are a regular member or attender, you should already have permission to view the directory and do not need to register. (Click “Read more” to see instructions on how to access the directory.)
The PNC Would Love One Minute of Your Time
The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) is now receiving applications for the Senior Pastor position and we appreciate how you have already helped to get the word out. As you have prayed and brainstormed about possible candidates, is there anyone that you have contacted? Is there anyone who has popped into your mind as a possible candidate that you haven’t yet contacted? In either case, would you let us know who came to mind? You can use this short form, which will take less than one minute to complete.
Blacknall Job Opening: Director of Youth Ministries
A job announcement and description for the Director of Youth Ministries is now posted on Blacknall’s website. In the process of developing and approving the job description, Session carefully considered the current needs and findings of the Youth Ministries Design Team from fall 2022.
Meet Your New Officers (Class of 2026)
Meet the new Class of 2026 elected to serve as Elders and Deacons. All Deacon candidates were elected: Taylor Brennan, Olivia Fain, Brian Farley, Catherine Honeycutt, Andrew McGannon, Candy Richardson, and Graham Turner. The following Elders were also elected: Mark Atkinson, Pete Gerend, Susan Kinghorn, Kathy Mitchell, and Stephanie Wheatley. (Click “read more” to see all their bios.) Please offer your thanks and gratitude to all the candidates and elected officers.
Mission Minutes | Senior Pastor Search Next Steps
Congregational Meeting to Elect Officers
Blacknall Summer Camps: Register Now!
Registration is now open for all elementary-age children’s summer programming: Art Camp I and II and Boys and Girls Discovery Weeks. All registrations are open to Blacknall students until March 15. After that, any open spots will be available for friends of Blacknall.
Blacknall Men: Opportunities to Serve and Fellowship
Update From the PNC (2.15.2023)
The Pastor Nominating Committee continues to work toward finalizing the Ministry Information Form (MIF) which is a document used to describe to candidates who we are as a church and what we are looking for in a senior pastor. We expect the MIF to be finalized this month and we will be back in touch when it is.
Apply Now To Go to Congo (DRC)
Last call to apply!
One of Blacknall’s Deep Common Journey partners is Congo Initiative, based in Eastern Congo (DRC). It has been several years since we last visited our friends and partners there. This summer, we have an opportunity to return to Beni, DRC and we invite you to apply to join the Blacknall team that is going. The deadline to apply is February 15.