(we are grateful to Joyce Beales who is now in her 8th year of writing ministry recaps! Follow our facebook page to see pictures!)
May
Big news—after more than two years of prayer, planning, and persistence, our Personnel Committee has come through in a huge way! During the past several weeks, THREE incredible new staff members joined our ministry team, and we are REALLY excited about what God is doing in the life of our church and community.
We were thrilled to welcome Mark Dennis, Megan Gray, and Lindsey Aylor Carroll as our new part-time Youth Directors! They officially joined the team at the beginning of this month, and each of them brings a deep passion for students, strong community connections, and a heart for ministry. This is an exciting step forward as we continue investing in the lives of local teens and building a vibrant, impactful youth ministry for the future.
And here’s even more great news! We are also excited to announce that Leah Dickey will be joining our staff as Children’s Director beginning August 1st. Leah is a graduate of Mississippi College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and has been involved in children’s ministry since her teenage years. During college, she helped lead children’s ministry at a church plant.
God is clearly at work, and we truly believe these additions to our ministry team will have a meaningful and lasting impact on children, students, and families throughout our community. Check out our website for their photos and bios. Be praying for Mark, Megan, Lindsey, and Leah as they begin this exciting new chapter!
Near the middle of the month, we took time to celebrate Jeanine Judd’s decade of ministry as our part-time Children’s Director and recognized her dedication and the huge impact she made both within our church family and the surrounding Culpeper Community. We wish her well in her retirement!
The whole month featured incredible musical events! We were thrilled to welcome back The Raleigh Ringers with their incredible bells, rock music and even a FOG machine! The Virginia Statue University Concert Choir joined us the next day with their great benefit concert in support of Carver 4-County Museum. Mid-month Heartland College, from nearby Rapidan, presented their ‘Sing the Story’ concert celebrating our religious Liberty heritage. Oh, and let’s not forget Acoustic Café on Friday night, May 15th, with guitar virtuoso, Eddie Estes, guitarist/singer Mike Milstead and a young singer by the name of Isaac Clark! Well done, guys!
While browsing our Facebook page, I happened upon a snapshot of Winston Bender, Lindsey Aylor Carroll and three of our teens checking out the view from our steeple. Youth is a wonderful thing!
June will bring ChiSpark back for its 6th year with expanded classes to serve even more local families in our community! Thanks to the generous support of the PATH Foundation, the camp is FREE to all participants. In addition, we are grateful to Culpeper Human Services Summer Food Program, because they will provide meals throughout the summer. Each day at ChiSpark will be led by public school teachers who guide academic enrichment activities. Campers will also enjoy guest speakers, STEAM-based learning opportunities and meaningful time with friends. We are thankful for the recent rain and look forward to a busy June. See you next month, stay well!
April
Early April—when creation awakens and the first breath of spring stirs the earth—was rich with sacred moments as we journeyed together through Holy Week at CBC. Pastor Dan’s Highlights of Holy Week covered those activities; so, I will concentrate on other activities.
Activities such as Da Capo. We were delighted to welcome Virginia’s vibrant harmony ensemble, for a captivating midday concert.
Friday night, right in the middle of the month, turned into an unforgettable night out at Acoustic Café! The place was buzzing as the Acoustic Creed String Band Quartet and the No Name Acoustic Band brought the house to life. From toe-tapping country and western to high-energy psychobilly—and even some awesome original tunes!
The John A. Broadus luncheon in Courtyard Commons welcomed a distinguished guest: Dr. Eric C. Smith—senior pastor of Sharon Baptist Church in Savannah, Tennessee, and associate professor of church history at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Dr. Smith captivated attendees with insights from his latest book, Between Worlds, bringing renewed attention to the life and legacy of John A. Broadus—an influential Southern Baptist leader, preacher, scholar, and educator.
Later that evening nearly 300 community members gathered at Culpeper County High School to celebrate America 250, with a focus on the foundational principle of religious liberty.
Dr. Eric Smith opened the evening by highlighting the historic commitment to religious liberty demonstrated by Baptists in Culpeper—an influence that helped shape James Madison’s views and his advocacy for religious freedom in the First Amendment.
Dr. Alan Camp offered the perspective of Latter-day Saints, reflecting on the persecution they have faced in their pursuit of religious liberty. Suhail Khan (who visited with us during our 250th anniversary) shared his experience as an American Muslim, speaking to both the freedoms and challenges he has encountered.
A panel discussion followed, featuring local voices who shared their personal perspectives on religious liberty. The evening concluded with a reception and an opportunity to observe the Muslim call to prayer.
Sunday, April 26th was an unforgettable day in the life of our church! The morning was filled with joy and celebration, highlighted by a beautiful baptismal service right on the front lawn. We were also thrilled to introduce three new part-time youth director candidates—Mark Dennis, Lindsey Carroll, and Megan Gray—along with Leah Dickey, our candidate for full-time Children’s Director—all to be voted on Sunday, May 3.
The excitement didn’t stop there! After the service, everyone gathered for a delicious luncheon catered by Maranatha, followed by a lively Ministry Fair in Courtyard Commons. From Creative Arts and Children & Students to Community, Connection, and Leadership, there was something for everyone to explore and involve themselves.
And of course, what’s a celebration without a little fun? Attendees had the chance to win fantastic prizes like Breakfast at the Farmer’s Market with Dan and Emily, a steeple climb with Winston Bender, and passes to Playdate—just to name a few!
All in all, it was a joyful, connection-filled day that reminded us how vibrant our church family truly is. Another wonderful month has flown by—can’t wait to see what’s next. See you next month!
March
March arrived like a gentle bridge between seasons, carrying us from the quiet stillness of winter into the hopeful renewal of spring. The chill in the air begins to soften, and signs of new life—budding trees, longer days, and the return of birdsong—remind us of God’s promise of restoration and growth. Just as the earth awakens, so too are we invited to renew our hearts, deepen our faith, and step forward with fresh purpose. In this season of transition, we can trust that even after the coldest winters, God is always at work, preparing something beautiful to bloom.
Our Pancakes, Poptarts, and Praise Breakfast was held on Sunday, March 8, in the Fellowship Hall, with around 60 people in attendance. Even after losing an hour of sleep due to the time change, young and old gathered together to enjoy a delicious breakfast and a wonderful time of fellowship, getting to know one another. It was truly a great time for everyone who attended.
A few days later, Dale Durrer led a compelling two-week session, “A Lawyer Examines the Evidence for Jesus,” deepening our understanding of the historical and spiritual foundations of the resurrection. Step by step, he walked us through the powerful and persuasive evidence for who Jesus was—and is—leaving us with a renewed confidence in our faith. Prior to his service as a judge, he served as an Assistant and Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for the Western District of Virginia.
Pickleball Mondays are back! With warmer weather rolling in, it’s time once again for our church family to gather on the courts for laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of fun. Whether you’re a seasoned player with a killer serve or someone who’s just curious to try it out, Pickleball Mondays are the perfect way to connect, stay active, and enjoy the evening together. Grab a paddle, bring a friend—what’s not to love!
Our third Friday Acoustic Café featured ‘a taste of the blues’ with John Grano and Mark Smith from the CBC Praise Team, local singer-songwriter, Tad Loving, along with Jeff Stone and the Virginia Gospel Singers, a premier Bluegrass Gospel group—for another great night of music!
We also enjoyed an unforgettable evening in our Culpeper Live Series with YouTube sensation Paul Fey, who delivered an incredible pipe organ concert. Beyond the music, it was inspiring to see so many young people in attendance—and even more, watching Paul invite them on stage to try the organ themselves. His encouragement sparked curiosity and excitement, opening the door for a new generation to explore the beauty of the pipe organ. Until next month, stay well and enjoy this wonderful Spring weather
February
February may be the shortest month of the year, but it never seems to be short on blessings—or surprises! Phil made his usual weather prediction and Valentine’s Day found the stores with more chocolate than we probably needed (though I’m not complaining), we’re reminded that God’s love doesn’t depend on the season or the weather forecast. Whether we see six more weeks of winter or an early spring, the warmth of Christian fellowship keeps shining bright. So, grab a cozy blanket, maybe a cookie or two, and enjoy this month’s news from your church family—we’re excited to share what’s been happening and what the Lord is doing among us!
On February 3rd, six members from local churches, including Pastor Dan, Susanne Dorsey and Chris Rogers, gathered in Washington, D.C. to attend the Global Faith Forum, joining faith leaders and community advocates from across the country/world. They discussed the need to continue to expand religious liberty and respect among faith groups around the world.
CBC was excited to partner with Brynmor and Playdate to host a free family movie night on February 6, 2026, featuring Disney’s Encanto. This special community event invited families to gather for an evening of fun, connection, and inspired storytelling.
Our senior adults enjoyed a joyful and activity-filled month! Highlights included a beautiful marriage Vow Renewal at The Culpeper, where seven incredible couples—celebrated between 31 and 70 years of married bliss and reaffirmed their love in a touching ceremony surrounded by friends and family. The excitement continued with an ongoing Bible Study at Rappahannock Senior Adult Center, diving deep into the book of Acts, while a brand-new study at The Culpeper explored thought-provoking topics in “Questions People Ask.” It’s been a month full of faith, fellowship, and plenty of reasons to celebrate!
CBC’s teen group, Converge, had a winter adventure as they headed to Bryce Resort on February 21st for an afternoon of snow tubing fun! Students raced down the snowy lanes, shared plenty of laughs, and good old fashioned fun in between runs.
One of our newest groups - Beyond - an adult community for individuals with disabilities, gathered at CBC for a warm and welcoming evening filled with dinner, games, and meaningful time with friends on the last Monday of the month. Smiles, laughter, and shared conversations made the evening especially memorable, reflecting the group’s spirit of friendship, encouragement, and belonging.
We had a powerhouse night of laughter as Andrew Stanley took the stage, bringing his sharp wit, infectious energy, and fearless storytelling to a packed crowd for an unforgettable comedy event hosted by CBC. Setting the tone for the evening, his quick-thinking sidekick, John Thornton, kicked things off with a high-impact opening set designed to ignite the room with big laughs and electric momentum. From the first punchline to the final applause, this dynamic duo delivered a night filled with clever humor, unexpected twists, and nonstop entertainment that had the audience talking long after the curtains closed. I give them a 5 Star rating . . . excellent! Watch for Paul Fey to continue our Culpeper Live Concert Series March 26th, and bring your friends!
Well, folks, that about wraps up February — another month checked off our 2026 calendar...already! Next month, we welcome Spring. I’m sooooo glad!