May and June are filled with activities where families seem to be woven and re-woven together: graduations, weddings, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, end-of-the-year recitals, and in our family we celebrate five birthdays and three wedding anniversaries. But we know that families are also fragile and everything does not always fall into place picture-perfect. And so we pay attention to the joy and the challenge of remaking the world by attending to our own families.
On June 1 my parents will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary. That seems like an eternity to me. And I am incredibly grateful for all that their shared love has taught me about what the best of love looks like. They taught me that you can bicker and fiercely defend your own opinion and then turn right around and go dancing and share hearty laughter and gentle romance. When I was a little girl, my parents always went on dates. Even when money was tight they got babysitters and savored nights out with friends and went on trips without the kids. And I learned that their love was solid and strong and beautiful and I was safe. They worked harder than I thought was humanly possible, both at their jobs and with household chores and as volunteers in the community and they always made time to do things to show love to each other. Dad filled Mom’s car with gas and Mom packed Dad’s lunch for the office. Sacrifice was never as a martyr but always in service of a deep love and affection, a thread in the fabric of vibrant love. They parented as a team and my sister and I had no fleeting doubt that we were loved. And they practiced their faith together, sitting together every Sunday in church. Religion was not something you talked about, but something you lived. And so in honor of my parents' love, I offer this poem from Wendell Berry.
Loving you has taught me the infinite
longing of the self to be given away
and the great difficulty of that entire
giving, for in love to give is to receive
and then there is yet more to give;
and others have been born of our giving
to whom the self, greatened by gifts,
must be given, and by that giving
be increased, until, self-burden,
the self, staggering upward in years,
in fear, hope, love and sorrow,
imagines, rising like a moon,
a pale moon risen in daylight
over the dark woods, the Self,
whose giver we and all others are,
the self that is by definition given.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send Carla an email click HERE.
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Worship with us in person at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream.
Sun., May 15 - Rev. Carla Aday preaching Remaking the World, Part 4: Our Heart, based on Jeremiah 31:31-34
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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ONLINE SECURITY NOTE: Recently we have received several reports of members being contacted through social media sites such as Facebook by fake profiles claiming to be Rev. Carla Aday. Fake 'phishing' emails have also been sent using staff members' email addresses. Some of these messages contain links that, when clicked, can download malware to your computer, and some of them are asking for money or financial information. Please be very careful if you receive messages that sound in any way suspicious. Please only give money through secure, trusted sources, and if you are not sure, contact the church first. |
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REMAKING THE WORLD TOGETHER |
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ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN
Our annual generosity campaign, Remaking the World, continues. Estimate of Giving cards have begun to come in and of those received, nearly 50 percent have increased their planned giving for the coming year. It's not too late for you to share you giving estimate for the 2022-2023 year. You may:
Thank you again for your past support and ongoing faithfulness. We are grateful for you and that you are a part of our church family.
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Watch this brief video that illustrates how the work we do together transforms the world. |
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9:01 ON THE LAWN STARTS MAY 29
Our popular 9:01 service moves to the front lawn starting Sun., May 29. Join us in this beautiful worship space as we welcome guest musicians, share in communion, and hear a message of hope and grace. Come as you are – ride your bike, bring your dog or walk to worship. Sidewalk chalk and bubbles will be out for children to enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to live stream the outdoor service, so if you usually tune in at 9:01 to watch online, you will see a replay of the previous week's 11:00 a.m. service.
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CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
The annual Congregational meeting will called to order at the beginning of each worship service on Sun., June 5 to vote on the leadership slate for the 2022-2023 church year. Ballots will be emailed to all members on June 5 and ballots will be mailed to those without email. All voting must be complete by June 11. Voting will also be available by phone by calling 816-381-9254. View the slate starting May 27.
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FAITH AND GRIEF LUNCH
Sideswiped by Sudden Loss
Tues., June 7, noon, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road
Join us for lunch as guest speaker Steve Moore shares how, as a young teacher, he was forced to confront the grief and heartbreaking loss of a close friend and mentor during a stressful season of life. Following the presentation you may share your experiences in a facilitated small group. Everyone is welcome. Complimentary box lunch, free-will donations appreciated. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Sponsored by six Kansas City area congregations. For information 816-381-9249. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/.
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HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE
Oct. 24-27
This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama will include visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum.
The trip is designed as a partnership between members of Swope Parkway United Christian Church and Country Club Christian Church. All participants will be strongly encouraged to build relationships with members of the partner church by participating in a small group prior to the trip. The trip is led by Rev Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, Retired Chaplain and Disciples of Christ pastor, Connecticut
Cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships are available. Includes hotel; airfare, transportation from Atlanta to Alabama and all sights by motor coach; museum fees, three breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, tips. Does not include: two dinners, two lunches, travel insurance, transport to Kansas City airport. (Without airfare, $875 double; $1225 single.)
An informational meeting will be held via Zoom on June 14 at 6:00 p.m. Questions? Contact Tulley.
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MAY COLLECTION CONNECTION: Paper towels and toilet paper
The Metro Mission Team is collecting paper towels and toilet paper for our partner agencies in the month of May. The cost of everyday items has grown and food/household items continue to stress people monthly budgets. Providing these household essential can help families and individuals focus on putting food on the table. You can drop off toilet paper and paper towels at church Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the east entrance, or bring to church on Sunday mornings.
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CLUB KIDS, for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! We have events AND opportunities to connect (almost) every Sunday nights during the school year.
May 22 - 5:00 Family picnic in the backyard. April and Catherine will provide main dish. Please bring a side or dessert to share! Please RVSP to April by Friday, May 20.
Sign up for Club Kids texts here. Class code @clubkidskc or email April to be added.
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YOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL SCAVENGER HUNT
Youth grades 9-12 are invited to a scavenger hunt social on Sun., Apr. 24, from noon-2:00 p.m. RSVP now to Tyler.
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
Join us to serve, learn and grow together as a youth group. More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 6-8 will travel to St. Louis, Sun. June 26-Wed., June 29.
HIGH SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022.
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IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family of Perry Cockayne, who died on May 13. A memorial service will be held Fri., May 27, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, Visitation at 1:00 p.m. in the Parlor.
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CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP, July 23-30, 2022
Only a few rooms remain open for this year's Christian Community Camp at the YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park, CO. If you've been considering going, now is the time to sign up! Questions about camp? Here's what you need to know:
Q: Does this camp involve tents?
A: No! The folks who go to Community Camp stay in a modern lodge with lovely mountain views and enjoy home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church.
Q: I don't know anyone else who is going to Community Camp. Will I feel out of place?
A: No! Each year first-time Community Campers are enthusiastically welcomed and many establish lifelong friendships from the experience.
Q: I'm not an experienced hiker. Is there anything else to do there?
A: Activities abound, from horseback riding, fishing and crafting, to shopping, antiquing or mini golf in Estes Park, to simply relaxing on the deck of the lodge with a good book. And yes, hiking too, with many options for hikers of all levels of experience.
Christian Community Camp is truly a magical experience for all ages. Click HERE for more information. Please let April know if you are interested in attending. |
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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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