FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Together |
|
The true meaning of love one’s neighbor is not that it is a command from God which we are to fulfill, but that through it and in it we meet God.
-Martin Buber
Back in March of 2020 the shut down arrived with the swiftness of an automatic garage door that was suddenly dropping and sending everyone scrambling. Now we are in the process of re-emerging but it feels more like a slow drip of a faucet. We dance politely around unwritten rules of social etiquette: when to wear a mask, when to gather indoors, when to shake hands or elbow bump. And the rules keep changing from the health experts.
Yesterday a friend said to me, “My granddaughter was born during the pandemic and I haven’t yet met her but I’m so excited to take a trip now and finally hold her in my arms.” And another friend called me saying, “I've been seeing my therapist on zoom and today we met for the first time in his office and when I walked in and saw his face I burst into tears.” And my friends at Scrabble club discussed how we don’t want to lose the solitude and time for contemplation that we discovered over these 15 months as we begin reweaving the social fabric that is so life giving.
The Jewish mystic and 20th century theologian Martin Buber has long been a favorite of mine and recently a friend reminded me of his quote on what happens when human beings gather together.
When two people relate to each other authentically and humanly, God is the electricity that surges between them.
One of the reasons I felt called into ministry is because I love spending time with people. It has been too long since we last gathered together. I can’t wait to see you in person.
As Buber writes “All real living is meeting.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
|
|
GATHERED TOGETHER SERMON SERIES
More than a year of social distancing took its toll
on many of us, but now, with freedom to see
friends and loved ones again, what has changed about the way we gather? In this sermon series, we'll consider why we gather with family, friends, church and society, and what role God’s Spirit plays in uniting us.
May 16– Part 1, Why We Gather, based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
|
|
Click HERE to worship with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints. |
|
9:01 ON THE LAWN BEGINS SUNDAY
Join us for our first in-person service in more than a year!
- Come early the first two weeks to enjoy specialty coffees and smoothies from the coffee cart, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- Pick up a chair at the front or bring your own. Ushers available to assist.
- When you’re moving around the yard, please wear a mask.
- We invite you to bring your own communion—cookies and milk, bread and juice, crackers and coffee—it’s up to you! Or, individually wrapped communion packages will be available.
- The instrumental trio will play each Sunday. Care givers will be on the playground to supervise young children.
- Weather cancellation decisions will be made by 8:00 a.m. on Sundays and posted to the web site and Facebook.
Indoor services will also be streamed via cccckc.org at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.
|
|
|
|
At our Next 100 Centennial Celebration event on Sat., May 8, children planted the first of 100 trees our congregation will plant as part of the outreach component of our centennial celebration. When the ground was first broken for our church on Aug. 1, 1921, Dr. George Hamilton Combs said, “Children, this church is for you. You throw out the first shovelful." This tree is dedicated to our children.
The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign is ongoing. READ MORE about the campaign or watch our campaign VIDEO.
|
|
CAMPAIGN COMMITMENT CARDS
Have you turned in your commitment cards for The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign and our Beginning Again Annual Campaign? If not, we encourage you do to so today. Your participation is important as we prepare for the future of ministry at 61st and Ward Parkway.
You can learn more at The Next 100 Campaign at the link above, or about the Annual Campaign HERE.
The easiest way to submit your commitments to these campaigns is by filling out the secure online commitment form located HERE. Or, you can mail your cards, bring them by the church office between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, or return them during the offering time at the 9:01 on the Lawn service on Sundays. You may also contact Rachel in the finance office at rachelc@cccckc.org or 816-381-9256. If we have not heard from you by June 3, a member of our Response Team may contact you to answer questions, encourage your response, and ask how they may pray alongside you as you continue your journey of discernment.
|
|
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
The church bylaws require that lay leaders chosen to serve on the Congregational Board be recognized and ratified annually by at least 150 members of the congregation before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. Generally this is done in an Annual Meeting of the congregation after each worship service on a Sunday morning, but since we are still not back a full in-person capacity, the Board has approved an alternative method of ratifying the slate of officers and new deacons for the 2021-2022. fiscal year. That vote will take place between June 13-20. The slate and voting form will be available in coming newsletters.
|
|
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - FACILITIES COORDINATOR
The church is looking for a part-time Facilities Coordinator to be responsible for keeping assigned areas of the church and pre-school well-functioning and in a safe condition. The ideal candidate will be dependable, responsible and self-motivated and must have regular, timely attendance including working on Sunday mornings. If you are someone you know would be interested, click HERE for more information and to apply.
|
|
CHURCH BUILDING REOPENING PLANS
As the City of Kansas City, Missouri, has lifted some of its Covid-19 restrictions, the church is beginning to transition back to more regular operations.
Building Usage: Starting May 17 the church buildings will be reopening during weekdays for church-affiliated groups to gather. Groups who wish to hold indoor gatherings should make scheduling requests with Lisa Tang. Based on the City's current order, masks are still required in all indoor spaces where six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. Exemptions to this include gatherings where the parties have knowledge that all persons present indoors are fully vaccinated. Masks will be required in all public/common spaces including hallways and restrooms.
Worship: As you know, the 9:01 on the Lawn outdoor worship service will begin on May 16. As our most well-attended summer service, and knowing you are eager to return to in-person worship, we have acquired additional speakers so that worshippers may space out across the lawn and still hear. This outdoor service makes it possible for the most folks to experience a rich and meaningful worship experience in the safest manner. The online services will continue at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday. We expect to move indoors by late summer for all three services. We are in the process of investing in new cameras and technology that will enable us to have folks in the sanctuary worshipping in person while simultaneously streaming. Currently our film configuration only enables us to pre-record and edit.
Church Staff: The church staff will transition to a hybrid in-office/work-from-home schedule. If you need to meet with someone on staff, please call 816+333-4917, or contact the staff person directly.
|
|
CEDAR RAPIDS RELIEF TRIP
June 3-6
The Mission Trips Team at Country Club Christian Church invites you to join us on a relief trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from June 3-6 to work with Habitat for Humanity to do repair and relief work with homes and other buildings affected by last summer’s derecho wind storm. We will leave at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, to work Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, and will depart Cedar Rapids Sunday morning, June 6, to return to KC by early-mid afternoon. We will lodge with a local congregation. Participants must be 18 or older; space is limited. Cost will be $175-250. To register, submit a registration form to Lisa Tang and a $50 deposit, which you can submit HERE.
As the severity of India’s second wave of COVID-19 worsens, our thoughts and prayers are with the wonderful people we met on our 2016 and 2017 service learning trips to visit hospitals in Mungeli, India. This week our church made an $18,000 donation from our Permanent Missionary Endowment Fund and a $2,000 donation from our special COVID-19 Fund to help support India’s overwhelmed health care system through the purchase of ICU equipment for Christian Medical College, Vellore.
In addition, Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is responding to the Covid-19 crisis in India Click HERE for more information.
|
|
FaithBistro
May 20, 6:30 p.m. under the tent in the backyard
For women of all ages, with guest speakers on spirituality and real-life issues. Connect with other women looking for conversations that matter. The speaker on May 20 is Rev. Trista Soendker Nicholson, who is Senior Minister at Red Bridge United Methodist Church. You are invited to bring your own food and beverages.
|
|
|
|
EASTER OFFERING UPDATE
The Grants and Special Offerings team is grateful for the generous support of the congregation for the 2021 Easter Offering. The team is distributing a total of $30,000 to the three recipients The Grooming Project, Amethyst Place and True Light Resource Center. These local agencies are transforming lives with a range of support and services for their clients which help them move into fully independent living and working situations.
|
|
Amethyst Place Hosts Mother's Day Brunch with Church Support
Several church members volunteered on Sat., May 8 to help the residents at Amethyst Place celebrate Mother's Day with a brunch, activities for the kids, family photos and time to socialize in the courtyard. Our volunteers helped decorate, prepare and serve food, take family photos and connected with residents. It was a special celebration for these mom's doing hard work to become independent with the help of the amazing programs at Amethyst Place. Thanks to the volunteers who helped and to the congregation that supports vital agencies in our community.
|
|
May Collection Connection
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations of toilet paper and paper towels for Della Lamb Community Services, one of our partner agencies in the northeast area of KC. Della serves the needs of more than 1,500 low income or vulnerable families through rent and utility assistance, food pantry and other emergency services. Please bring your donations to church Mon. - Fri. between 8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m., or leave in the container at the east entrance. To learn more about Della Lamb click HERE.
Volunteer Opportunities Expanding
In person volunteer opportunities are expanding with our partner agencies and as people feel more comfortable serving in-person your help will be welcomed.
Micah Ministry has volunteer spots available on Monday evenings, explore and sign up HERE.
Cross-Lines of KCK offers a range of services throughout the week. Many of these programs are supported by volunteers. Find out what volunteers are needed and how to apply HERE.
|
|
RESCHEDULED - Grace at Work Partnership Day with reStart
Saturday, May 22, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Make plans to come help reStart create a usable outdoor space for their clients. We will be helping landscape an outdoor space. Children 5 and older are welcome to help with their parents. Please RSVP HERE. Confirmation and details will be emailed to registered volunteers a few days before.
|
|
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Club Kids for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! Community-building games and activities are the focus of these fun gatherings.
-
May16 - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., we will gather after worship, have a snack and head to the zoo
-
May 23 - Save the date 6:00. Youth, Club Kids and their families are all invited to an end of year picnic/grill out
-
Service Learning Camp – After receiving feedback and speaking with our partner agencies we will be offering service projects throughout the summer instead of hosting a week long camp.
-
TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our Club Kids activities via text reminders! Sign up here.
Backyard Bash is Coming June 9 – Watch for more information about this fun weekly summer event for children and families!
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
|
|
YOUTH
Middle School Social - SkyZone
Middle schoolers are invited to a social on Tue., June 8, for a night at SkyZone in Shawnee (6495 Quivira Rd) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Cost is $25 and includes dinner. RSVP to Tyler.
High School Social: Nelson Atkins Art Course Mini-Golf
High schoolers are invited to join us for a social on Thurs., June 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m, as we go to the Nelson-Atkins to do their mini-golf course before sharing dinner together. Cost is $20 and includes dinner; RSVP to Tyler.
Summer Service Learning Trips - Registration is officially open for both the Middle School and High School Summer Service-Learning Weeks. Both weeks will invite youth to local service-learning projects throughout the week along with an overnight excursion. Below is more information for both! Click HERE for more information.
|
|
OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family and friends of Barbara Hall Marshall who died April 21. A family memorial graveside service was held on Mon., May 10.
GIFTS IN MEMORY OR HONOR OF LOVED ONES ones are placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. Gifts have recently been given in memory of:
Ann Wooldridge
Arthur and Ann Stevens
Paul Niewald
Gregory Teschnerand Debra Niewald
In honor of Philip Lile, for the Next 100 Capital Campaign
Edith Jackson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
