The following presentation was given at the 2009 Virginia Annual Conference:

Good afternoon.  I am Denise Bates, and I’m blessed to serve as pastor of Redwood, in the wonderful Danville District—and I am honored to serve as the President of the Board of Directors at Blackstone-your Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center—in the fabulous Farmville District.  My home church is Fairfax, and I have served Accotink, Silverbrook and St. Paul, in the dynamic Alexandria District—and I hear tell that I am moving to the awesome Arlington District!!

Hope you didn’t mind all those shout-outs.  It is my pleasure to share with you this afternoon some of the excitement that is going on at Blackstone.  I direct your attention to our full report, which is found on page 51 of the Book of Reports. 

But, back to the shout-outs—I have been blessed to have a connection of some sort in just about every district in the conference—and I bet, if you thought about it—you do too.  We are a big conference—geographically, demographically, economically and so many other ways as well—and because of that—we have to be intentional in finding times and places to get together—to learn and laugh together—to grow in our discipleship together.

We could have a shout-out contest about special places—but there is one place that for decades has been the special spiritual home-place for the conference—and that is our assembly center in Blackstone.  We, as the Annual Conference, after a time of discernment voted to move forward in renovating, revitalizing and expanding this jewel.

         During the time since last Annual Conference the Board and staff of Blackstone—along with our campaign leadership have been finalizing the design (which you find outlined in the written report) and implementing our Growing Faith Campaign strategy. 

         I would like to thank Bishops Kammerer, Hughes, Eutsler and Chamberlain, and Dr. John Clarke for serving as our Honorary Chairs.  I would also like to introduce to the conference our 2 Co-Chairs, Mr. Jerry Callis and Mr. Ron Hardman.  Both these gentlemen bring leadership, fundraising and executive experience, enthusiasm and a love for Blackstone to our Campaign Cabinet.  Guess that is another shout-out!

         My friends, the momentum is building.  Balancing the dynamics of the current economic situation, with a strong communication and cultivation strategy, we have held a number of events for lead donors, with encouraging success. We look forward to moving through the conference in the coming months—reaching out to you—to give you an opportunity to be a part of this big dream that God has given us for Blackstone.

         The entire project is big—and it will take time and commitment to accomplish it.  Our current projection for phase 1—which includes the renovation and revitalization of the existing building, a new welcome center, and pool is $14.9million.  Phase 1 will enhance our capability—giving us a new HVAC system, kitchen, central utility building, remodeled dining room, classrooms, bedrooms—as well as new public bathrooms, gathering spaces, pool, welcome center and parking.  Phase 2 will be the Great Hall—with a seating capacity of 750 persons, as well as the ability to function as 3 smaller rooms, each with 250 person capacity. The cost for Phase 2 is just over $2.6million.  Phase 3 will be a 4 story residential wing, with new elevator, lounge spaces and bedrooms that will increase our lodging capacity to 750.  The cost of Phase 3 is $6.2million. 

We are well aware that these are big numbers—it is a big vision.  For years, Blackstone has been lovingly band-aided—and, I don’t know about you—but I think the time for band-aids at Blackstone has passed.  Our Conference is big, as I said before—but you know what—God is even bigger! God gives us big dreams—and then God gives us the means to achieve them.  As we welcome 250 new faith communities—we will continue to need a sacred place for those disciples to be nurtured, those leaders to be formed—and those communities to be transformed—as well as continue to do all those same things for our existing faith communities.

It is a big dream—but—if you look in scripture—you will find that God is a God who always challenges the people to do the very things they think are impossible. Tell me—who are some of these people—(shout-outs)--Abraham, Sarah, David, Mary, Peter, Moses.  Each of them, called by God to do what seemed impossible, unlikely—something that required a big dose of faith.  Each time—God promises to be with them. Then, they journeyed on in stages, faithfully, obediently.  And so it will be again—in the Virginia Conference—as we let God use us to build those new faith communities—as we let God use us to Grow in Faith, and renovate and expand Blackstone—as we let God use us to nurture and transform our existing faith communities.

The Growing Faith Campaign has a little something to share with you—a video that will say, so much better than I can—what this God-dream for your assembly center is about. 

*VIDEO shown here (Click here to view that video)

         I’d like to give a shout-out to Reed Dillon of Redwood, Carter Media in Roanoke, Baskervil Architects and Kenbridge Construction Company—for that awesome articulation of our Growing Faith vision.

You see--Blackstone—is a touchstone for transformation:

    A place where hearts are changed

    A place where minds are opened

    A place where doors become gateways to new connections

    A place where “Every Soul IS Jesus’ Guest”

 

You know this is so—because this has been your experience at this sacred spot.

         Your assembly center—which we can officially call Blackstone once again—has a heritage and a future.  Blackstone College for Girls was a place of learning, growth, friendship and laughter.  The Virginia Conference ownership continued this tradition—adding faith, fellowship and transformation—all held in the cup of Christian hospitality.  The world today, and the world tomorrow needs all of the above—Blackstone: The Virginia United Methodist Assembly Center, is a place where all this comes together—and then is carried out into the world—through you.   It is my pleasure and privilege to invite you—to be a part of what God will do—at Blackstone.  Drop by our display—Cammie Armstong, our Executive Director, Virginia Watson, our Campaign Coordinator and members of the board would love to chat with you.  Thank you for your kind attention—and I look forward to what big things God has in store!