FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: The Power of Unity |
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When I was a little girl, my Dad and I would take walks in the park or golf course and pick up pecans from the ground. Then we would come home and sit down together on the floor in front of the fire and crack them open. But I only learned recently that pecan trees do not produce pecans every year. According to Robin Wall Kimmer in her book Braiding Sweetgrass, pecan trees belong to a category of trees called “mast fruit.” That means they save up sugar and then when the right year comes along, they produce pecans. But each tree doesn’t decide this alone. Instead, all the trees in the grove, in the park, on the golf course and across the city produce pecans all at once. Scientists are not quite sure why. But according to Kimmer, the trees show us the “power of unity. What happens to one, happens to all. We can starve together or feast together. All flourishing is mutual.”
When I heard this I immediately thought of the church. We are more than a collection of individual lives. We are the body of Christ. We flourish together and we fall together. For 100 years, folks have gathered in a unity bound by God’s spirit and discovered strength and grace to love and serve at 61st and Ward Parkway. We have weathered wars, social upheaval, and a global pandemic. Some years, we produced much fruit and some years we stored up the sugar.
The metaphor extends outward as well. We thrive as a church as our neighborhood thrives and our neighborhood thrives when we serve the community well as a vibrant hub of life for teens, tots, the elderly, single adults, families.
And now as we watch the surge of the Delta variant in our region and nation, we see again that “what happens to one, happens to all.” The amount of illness in our midst is heartbreaking and frustrating.
Kimmer says of the pecan trees, “there are no soloists.” The apostle Paul says the same thing about humanity when he writes in Ephesians 4, “I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worth of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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WORSHIP WITH US
In-person worship resumes at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. Or, click HERE to worship online with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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NEW SERMON SERIES: CHRISTIANITY 101
Many of us don’t believe we know much about the Bible or theology and the version of Christianity we see in the news doesn’t always ring true to our own core beliefs. In a multi- religious and increasingly secular culture we may feel adrift spiritually. This 4-part series will explore basic themes of our faith and invite us to reclaim the essence of the journey with God as revealed in the living Christ.
This Sunday: Part 1: Love, based on Mark 12: 28-34. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
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MASK UPDATE
In compliance with the Kansas City, Mo., indoor mask mandate, we are asking everyone to wear a mask at all times when inside the church, regardless of vaccination status.
To protect our children who are not old enough to be vaccinated, the North entrance is restricted to families dropping off children for childcare and Sunday School. Portions of the Ground, First, and Second floors are also restricted to children and parents. Masks are mandatory in these areas of the building at all times for everyone over 2 years of age. These guidelines are based on the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Please bring a mask with you when you come to worship. We have a limited number of disposable masks available, however supplies of masks are becoming limited once again due to the surge in infection rates.
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CENTENNIAL BLOCK PARTY ON THE LAWN
Sun., Aug. 15, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of fun at the Centennial with a Block Party on the front lawn! Complimentary food, music and fun for all ages! This event is open to the public. Later today you'll receive an email highlighting this event that you can forward. We hope you will use it to invite friends and family to join us for this special day.
- Picnic lunch – hamburgers, hot dogs and sides
- Ice cream truck
- Live music on the front lawn
- Bounce house, balloon animals, yard games
- In-person worship resumes at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Because this event is outdoors, masks are optional, however if you are unvaccinated we encourage you to wear a mask.
OTHER CENTENNIAL EVENTS COMING THIS FALL - SAVE THE DATES
September 12 - Guest Preacher
Dr. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), preaching.
September 19 - Baptisms, Baby Dedications and Books
Historian and church member Dr. Linna Place’s book on the church’s history, and a companion book for children, will be available for purchase, and we will celebrate baptisms and infant dedications in worship.
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REGISTER NOW
MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course
Max turned 100 earlier this year and we are celebrating the church's 100th anniversary, so this event honors both milestones! You don't have to be a pro to enjoy this fun day of golf. Sign up today!
Proceeds support Friends in Service of Heroes and Veterans Community Project. Sign-up individually ($150 per person) or form a team. You can also sponsor a hole for $750. Sign-up and pay online at www.cccckc.org/golf. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves at mikeg@cccckc.org. Click HERE to register.
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STATE OF THE CHURCH
Tues., Sept. 14 • 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Carla Aday will give a vision update and present the 2020-2021 annual report.
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RACHEL WYMORE WILL SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Rachel Wymore, who has been on the church staff for many years as the Wedding Coordinator, will take on the additional role of Director of Membership Development officially starting in September. She will start her work in this area, however, at this Sunday's Centennial Block Party.
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INTRODUCING EVERYDAY JUSTICE
Sun., Aug. 29, 6:00 – 7:30 p,m,
The last year has fully revealed to us the deep roots of injustice in our community, our country, our world. God calls us to do justice – and we are seeking to answer the call. Doing justice is a daily action, individual and communal. And it takes us supporting one another as we commit to dismantling systems of oppression in our own lives, selves and spheres of influence.
We invite you to be part of the Everyday Justice cohort as we gather monthly for spiritual grounding, continued education and opportunities to make plans for your work in your daily life. At subsequent sessions we will check in with one another about how we lived our commitments, what we might do better/different, how we can support each other. Let us come to ask: What can we Stop? Start? Continue? Consider? and, in the wake of our learning moments, “So what? Now what?"
Join us for the first gathering Sun., Aug. 29, 6:00 – 7:30 p,m, in person in the Social Hall. Sessions convened by Tyler Heston, Catherine Stark-Corn and Hannah Fenley. Come for connect time at 5:45 p.m., program begins at 6:00 p.m.
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COLLECTION CONNECTION for August:
School Supplies and School Uniforms
The Metro Mission Team is collecting school supplies for elementary aged children to benefit our partner organizations. Markers, scissors, glue sticks, #2 pencils, spiral notebooks, backpacks, etc. New or gently used school uniforms (dark blue, light blue or white polos, khaki or dark blue bottoms) in children's sizes. School supplies and uniforms can be brought to church Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the east entrance or dropped off after hours in the collection bin at the east entrance, or on Sunday mornings.
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COOKIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY
Country Club Christian Church provides the food at least once a month for the Monday evening Micah Ministry meals and we are in need of homemade desserts; cookies or brownies. Please package in individual servings (two medium cookies or one large brownie per zip lock) and bring to church weekdays 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.. Email Shelly Trewolla when you deliver as she will plan to use them for the next meal. We accept them all through the month and freeze them until needed.
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SERVE IN THE WELL BOOK STORE
Individuals are needed to help staff The Well gift and book shop on Sunday mornings starting Aug. 22.
There are two shifts each Sunday, 8:30 -10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Training on the iPad based Square point of sale system will be provided; some computer experience helpful. Contact Anne Haraughty for more information.
All proceeds from the Well Book Store benefit Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and developmental mission fund of the Disciples of Christ Church to alleviate suffering throughout the world.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CLUB KIDS VISIT THE ZOO!
Sun., Aug. 29, 1:00 p.m.
3rd - 5th graders are invited to meet Catherine and April at the zoo! Bring $18, your walking shoes and a water bottle. RSVP to April.
PARENT PLAYDATE
Sun., Aug. 29, 10:00 a.m. Back yard
Connect with other parents with infants and toddlers (24 months and younger.) Enjoy light refreshments and meet other families. Babies bring your parents to play! Sara and Alex will join us to lead some simple songs for the little ones!
More Children's Ministry news HERE.
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YOUTH
MIDDLE SCHOOL PIZZA TOUR
Aug. 22, 12:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual Middle School Pizza Tour! We will carpool from the church to three local pizzerias. RSVP to tylerh@cccckc.org; $8/person (scholarships available).
HIGH SCHOOL BBQ TOUR
Aug. 29, 12:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual High School BBQ Tour! We will carpool from the church to three3 local BBQ favorites. RSVP to Tyler; $15/person (scholarships available).
More Youth Ministry news HERE. |
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family and friends of Duane Huitt. A memorial service is set for our Chapel on Saturday, August 14, 2:00 p.m.
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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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