FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER:
TOGETHER
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I was taught that there were five senses: taste, touch, sight, smell, sound. All ways of knowing the world around us, of taking in the beauty of a hibiscus blossom or the sumptuousness of the first summer tomato. Something resonates in the heart when we hear a loved one’s voice on the other end of the telephone. Our senses do not just make us safe. They seem like a passageway to the soul.
I think there is another sense too. It seems as real as the others to me. It seems just as rooted in human biology. Just as essential to life. I am not sure what to call it. But I know when I have experienced it. It happened Monday morning when 21 folks sat in a circle under an open-sided tent in the back yard of the church, each of us wearing masks and spaced six feet apart. It was more than the talking about what had been happening in our lives. It was actually being together. And it happened again yesterday morning, when eight staff members spread out across the sanctuary, each of us wearing our masks, to put the finishing touches on worship, then took our places at pulpit and table and lectern to share the words of hope we had each written. Afterwards we lingered a long time, we stood talking about this and that. When I left that gathering, something had happened that was more than the sum total of our five senses. Have you ever had one of those moments when you were trying to explain what happened and the person you were telling just didn’t grasp it and so you said, “Well I guess you just had to be there.” What do we call this sense?
Something powerful unfolds when we are together in the flesh. Maybe (I’m still deciding) it even happens sometimes on Zoom. When we experience an us-ness. Even an impromptu conversation on the driveway with neighbors. Or a drive-by birthday party. Or a friend on the back patio sharing a cup of coffee. Martin Buber, a Jewish mystic, called it the “ I and Thou.” Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered, there I am in the midst of them.” Even the most mundane human interaction between two masked individuals can reveal this sense. I pray it will not be too long before we can return to a rhythm of life that allows us to experience this life-giving togetherness.
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SHARE PHOTOS OF YOUR CANDLE.
Each Sunday, we invite you to join us in lighting a worship candle, welcoming the spirit of God into our homes and our lives, and reminding us that we are not alone. As you light your candle, take a photo to share with us. Email it to
communications@cccckc.org
, or share on social media using
#cccckclightacandle
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IN WORSHIP
June Sermon Series:
Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Miss last Sunday's service? You can watch it
HERE.
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REFLECTIONS:
TALES FROM A COTTON PATCH
By Dr. Mike Graves, Scholar in Residence and
Minister of Spiritual Formation
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Clarence Jordan was a farmer. Clarence Jordan was a New Testament Greek scholar. Clarence Jordan was a Southern Baptist minister and social activist. Clearly, he was not your ordinary kind of farmer. Here are a few basics about his life: His last name is pronounced Jurdan, which is important if in a conversation with others you want to demonstrate you know what you’re talking about. He was born in 1912, in a small rural town in Georgia. Even as a kid, racism and poverty got under his skin. He enrolled in the University of Georgia, majoring in agriculture so that he might help sharecroppers who often struggled to make ends meet. While still in college, he began to realize the problems in society were not just economic but spiritual. So, he enrolled in seminary, earning not just the standard ministerial degree (the Master of Divinity) but a PhD in the Greek New Testament. In 1942, he and his wife along with another couple who had been American Baptist missionaries started Koinonia Farm in Americus, Georgia. The farm would be interracial, committed to social justice, especially racism in the deep south. Later in life, along with Millard and Linda Fuller, the Jordans helped to start Habitat for Humanity.
Keep reading.
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BACKYARD BASH
continues next Wednesday with two different opportunities for fellowship and spiritual formation.
- Children and families are invited to Art in the Church Yard, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Spiritual Formation - Rev. Tyler Heston leads a class called Queer Christianity: A Primer on LGBTQ+ Folk in the Church, on what it means to be an inclusive faith community, and the gifts of queer spirituality.
More details about both
H
ERE
.
RESOURCES FOR LISTENING AND LEARNING ABOUT RACE AND RACISM.
We are reaffirming our commitment to work for justice for all of God's children and more specifically to partner with our members and friends in eliminating systemic racial injustice. One of the first steps in responding is committing to ongoing education. Our ministers have curated
a list of titles for all ages
, so that we may all listen and learn.
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READING FOR ANTI-RACISM.
In case you missed Catherine Stark-Corn and Tyler Heston's recent class on
Reading for Anti-Racism, you can watch it
HERE
.
SPIRITUAL FORMATION RESOURCE LIBRARY.
Is your small group or class seeking resources for continued spiritual formation during these uncertain times? Our clergy have complied a list of
resources for reading, discussion and sharing
.
SOCIAL DISTANCING TENT. The High School
Youth Group and the Anniversary Sunday School class have both met under the large tent in the back yard at church. This tent is for small group gatherings with social distancing measures. If your group would like to gather under the tent, email
Jason Ashley
to make a reservation.
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For updates from Children and Families Ministries, including details about Service Learning Summer Camp, a new book group for parents, and more
HERE
.
PARENTING IN TODAY'S WORLD BOOK GROUP
Join this book study of
Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America
by Dr. Jennifer Harvey.
This book
provides the foundation for wrestling with our own bias, prejudice and leads us to examine the racism prevalent in our society along with sharing tools that we can use to support our children as they develop their racial understanding. Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn will facilitate the groups. Sign up
HERE
.
Questions? Contact
Catherine
.
Sundays June 21, 28, July 5, 12 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Tuesdays, June 23, 30, July 7, 14 7:00 - 8:30 pm
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Check out the latest news from Youth Ministries, including info on back yard Youth Group, resources for your family and
more
.
Stay tuned with all of our Youth activities via text reminders! Sign up
HERE
.
SERVICE LEARNING SUMMER CAMPS.
Those who have completed 3rd through 5th grades are welcome to join us for Service Learning Camp, June 22 - 26. We will spend the mornings working with our service partners in the Kansas City Metro area. Children are welcome to join us from 9-12, please bring $5 for lunch, we will be eating lunch in the communities we are working with!
Middle and high school Youth
will have an in-town service-learning week
from July 19 to 24. This week will offer us a chance to serve with our mission partners like Micah Ministry and Cross-Lines and to learn about their work. Stay tuned for more information about the framework, details, and how to register.
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Thank you to all who have mailed or returned your giving estimate. If you have not had a chance to return your giving estimate, you may still do so. Return your card by mail, or skip the stamp and use the links below or calling Rachel Clement, Director of Finance (816-381- 9256).
You are making a difference in the lives of people served through the ministry of our church and your generosity is deeply appreciated.
Follow up calls are underway.
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IN HONOR OF:
Max Deweese
Bill and Nancy Watson,
for Crosslines
MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES
Memorial gifts and gifts honoring loved ones are
placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. The Endowment Trustees disperse the funds according to the Declaration of Trust approved by the official Congregational Board.
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MEMORIALS AND TRIBUTES:
William Beard
Greg and Nancy Lear
Gary Burr
Kevin and Susan Brosh
Gloria Findley-Grogger
Greg and Nancy Lear
Carol Jean Smith
Naomi Hembree,
for Music Ministry
Greg and Nancy Lear
Dr. Howard R. Woosley, D.D.S.
Gregg and Gina Garrison
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We are grateful for your continued financial support, which is allowing the church to continue to serve in ministry with you through these uncertain times. If you would like to share your weekly offering electronically, please do so at
HERE
, or text the word General to 816-484-3399 to give quickly and easily.
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