BIG CLAIMS, BIGGER PROMISESRob Rhoden is a seasoned Spiritual Shots™ facilitator. Over the years, he’s tackled most topics that Shots addresses, and he specifi-cally picked the April topic: "EXCLUSIVISM: Why Should Any Religion Claim to be the Only Way?"

“Exclusivism is a difficult topic, yet so poignant today. Exclusivism is a pretty brutal word. People tend to think that it’s an arrogant, prideful, and even elitist claim.” But Rob has a fresh take on this issue. He says, “My talk will be centered around the question ‘Why should Christianity not claim to be the only way?’ If Christians believe in a God who makes these big claims, then He has big promises to back them up. God’s story is about His universal love for all of us.”

Over the years, Rob has met people at Shots from various backgrounds looking for space to think about and ask spiritual questions.

“We had a season some years ago where we had 3-4 molecular biology Ph.D. students attending Shots every month. They would drill us with great questions,” he remembers fondly. “They were admitted atheists but were completely engaged in the dialogue and not there to mock. My hope is that we can create a similar space for people who want to have an understanding of who Jesus really is.”

NEEDLE'S EYE

March 2014 | Quarterly Issue

News

Spiritual Shots™ www.spiritualshots.com

Topic: "EXCLUSIVISM: Why Should Any Religion Claim to be the Only Way?" with facilitator Rob Rhoden When: Tuesday, April 1, 6-7:30 PM Where: Bottoms Up Pizza | 1700 Dock Street, Richmond Cost: Free (includes complimentary appetizers)

WHAT'S INSIDE

Big Claims, Bigger Promises

Page 1

A Fond Farewell

Financial FreedomPage 2

Why I Give to Needle's Eye

Reaching our GoalPage 3

Women's "Dinner & A Movie" Night Promises

to Captivate

Is the Alarm Going Off? Wake Up!Page 4

Needle's Eye Ministries, Inc. | 104 Berrington Ct. | Richmond, VA 23221 | 804.358.1283 | www.needleseye.org

A FOND FAREWELLWhen I left my law practice to do women’s ministry at Needle’s Eye 11 ½ years ago, I had no idea I’d be away from law for so long. Over the past nine months, I’ve heard the Lord beginning to whisper to me, “Are you ready to go back into the marketplace? Are you ready to walk the talk of being a marketplace missionary again?” As I prayed over these past several months, my answer has become a resounding, “Yes!”

So it is with great joy and great sadness that my time at Needle’s Eye comes to a close as I return to the practice of law. Women’s ministry will always be a top priority to Needle’s Eye, so Lisa Rattner will be watching over and cheerleading the women until the ministry’s strategic planning process is final sometime in the late spring. I’m excited to see how women’s ministry will take shape in the future! Let’s be praying for the Board and staff as they prepare the ministry for what lies ahead.

And to all of the women (and men) of Needle's Eye, thank you for making this such an amazing and encouraging 11 ½ years! I look forwarding to continuing my relationships with the Needle's Eye family – now as a “civilian.”

Jennifer ParhamDirector of Women’s Ministry

FINANCIAL FREEDOM INCREASE YOUR FINANCIAL CONFIDENCEJosh Karrer is one of Entrust Financial Credit Union's biggest advocates to train and equip people with their finances. "A whole generation is growing up, left to discover healthy personal finance habits on their own, and most of them are doing a poor job at it. Our mission at Entrust is to provide our members with opportunities to improve their finances."

This spring, Entrust Financial Credit Union is hosting a financial series at Needle's Eye designed to tackle several topics that can sometimes make us cringe – credit scores and school loans.

"I’d love to see these courses increase each person’s financial confidence and give them the tools they need to make a change," says Josh. "We've already had two colleges reach out to us this year in an effort to help their students get on the right financial track. Our hope is to do this for those in need of financial help at Needle's Eye as well."

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DID YOU KNOW?

$16,000 is the average credit card debt for people entering the workforce1

69% of parents would rather talk about “The Birds and the Bees” than finances

80% of graduating college seniors have credit card debt before they even get a job Sources: 1 CBS News. (2007). Kids and Money. 2 Statistic Brain. (2012). Credit Card Debt Statistics. 3 Dave Ramsey. (2009). The Truth About Teens and Credit Cards.

What Is God's Financial Dream For you?

HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF YOUR CREDIT SCORE

When: Wednesday, March 26 6:30-7:30 PM Cost: $5

HOW TO BEAT DOWN THE SCHOOL LOAN

When: Wednesday, April 23 6:30-7:30 PM Cost: $5

To register for the Financial Toolbox Series, visit www.needleseye.org.

THANKS TO YOU, WE'VE REACHED 54% OF OUR ANNUAL FUND GOAL!

WHY I GIVE TO NEEDLE'S EYEIn my life up to age 26, I'd never made a conscious decision to tithe or give money away. Money meant the world to me, so the idea of giving was terrifying. I didn't want to let go of the money I held so valuable. It took some time, but I realized what I needed was to see past my fear of giving and be assured God would be there for me. Jesus said, "Don't be anxious about your life. Look at the ravens and how God even takes care of them. Of how much more value are you than birds?" Wow, God values me and takes care of me! I held onto those verses so dearly when I first began tithing. I was scared out of my mind, but I realized it's okay to be scared and still give. I think that's partly why Jesus acknowledged anxiety issues.

God spoke to me through Jesus' prayer for unity in John 17. Needle's Eye brings that vision of unity among the many churches in our area. After my first young professional small group experience eight months ago, I knew I needed to be here. I was invited by a friend and was amazed to find a group of like-minded people from various backgrounds. I could relate to them and they to me, and that meant so much. I've made some of the deepest friendships I've ever had.

My hope in supporting Needle's Eye financially is to see non-believers or people unplugged from church get plugged into our communities and experience authentic friendship, love and growth. We're bringing people into deeper relationship with God, and I would love to see our "family" multiply throughout our city.

With everything Needle's Eye has done for me, it only makes sense for me to provide what I'm able in return. I don't have all the money in the world to give, but I know a little can add up to a lot, and it's better to give a little rather than nothing at all.

Your support makes a difference! Please consider making a life-impacting gift today!

BY THE NUMBERS:Annual Fund gifts as of March 1, 2014 : $320,637Budget for fiscal year ending June 30, 2014: $600,519

ANNUAL FUND 2013-14www.needleseye.org/support-nemMAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY!

Women's Carytown Small Group

Men's Downtown Small Group

Young Professionals Retreat, January 2014

An Evening with Mark Batterson, October 2013

For more information about giving, contact Elizabeth Massie, Director of Annual Giving, at 804.358.1283 or emassie@needleseye.org.

To register for the Financial Toolbox Series, visit www.needleseye.org.

By James Lee

WOMEN'S "DINNER & A MOVIE" NIGHT PROMISES TO CAPTIVATEFeaturing the 2012 Joss Whedon adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing, the Women's Ministry will enjoy a night of comedy, cuisine, and a contemporary spin on Shakespeare's play by the same name. The micro-budget adaptation was filmed at Whedon’s Los Angeles home over the course of 12 days. Modern and witty, Shakespeare newbies and aficionados alike will enjoy this charming tale.

When: Thursday, March 20, 5:30-8:30 PM Where: Needle's Eye Office 104 Berrington Ct., Richmond Cost: $15 (includes dinner & movie snacks) Register: RSVP online at www.needleseye.org

IS THE ALARM GOING OFF? WAKE UP!Do you ever feel like you're going through the motions of faith? Sometimes we do and say the right things, but our hearts are far from God. We lose our sense of holy awe. In Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God, Margaret Feinberg invites you to toss back the covers, climb out of bed, and drink in the fullness of life God intended. In this study, you will learn how to unearth extraordinary moments today:

• Develop a renewed passion for God• Identify what’s holding you back in prayer• Learn to take your friendships to the next level• Discover peace in knowing you’re wildly loved and forgiven• Recognize the presence of God in the midst of your routine

Join the women of Needle's Eye for this 7-session Bible study by Margaret Feinberg filmed in the spectacular Canadian Rockies. It will remind you to awaken to wonder – every day.

"I have a hunch I'm not the only one who misplaced the marvel of a life lived with God. Faith beckons us into an enchanting journey - one marked by mysteries of divine beauty, holy courage, and unend-ing love. But in my life, any sense of the splendor of God had faded. I needed God to awaken me from my sleep. And so I prayed for wonder."

Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck

GET SOCIAL!Join the Women's Facebook page for a 21-Day Wonderstruck Devo-tional! Visit Facebook for details. www.facebook.com/nemwomen

What: Women's Thursday Night Study Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg When: Thursdays, March 27-May 15 skipping Maundy Thursday - April 17 5:45-7:30 PMWhere: Needle's Eye Office 104 Berrington Ct., RichmondCost: $15 Register: Visit www.needleseye.org

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