FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Crawling and Walking
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Square dancing and line dancing; hiking and go-carting; horseback riding and fishing; joking and laughing; golfing and crafting are just a few of the vivid memories my family holds of Christian Community Camp in Colorado. But two memories stand out for me. The first one was when Connor was seven months old and he began to crawl. I will never forget watching him across the room as he pushed up on all fours and started rocking and then took that first reaching movement. The other memory was when Connor was 19 and had just finished his first year at college. We were hiking that famous “across the park” hike from Bear Lake to Grand Lake as a family. Not just our immediate family but about 20 folks from our church family. The wind made the hike extra challenging especially on the several mile section above the tree line. And on the way down, my husband Dave slipped and tore his quadricep. And two members of our church family got on either side of Dave and let him drape his weight upon their shoulders and helped him inch down the last several miles of the mountain. They carried him down the mountain.
These two memories symbolize for me, not only the joy of community camp, but the joy of Christian community. We come together to teach one another how to crawl, how to walk, how to grow as Christian people. We teach one another the words of scripture, the songs of faith, the way to pray, the path of service, the ways of love. But we also catch one another when we fall. We are there to shoulder one another through grief, to lift each other up after failure, to support each other when one’s faith is fractured.
Paul wrote to the church in Rome saying, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God… we who are many, are one body in Christ and individually we are members one of another.” (Romans 12: 1, 5) When we teach each other the ways of faith and when we support one another through life’s challenges we are becoming the body of Christ here on earth. Some days we may feel like we aren’t very good at the Christian walk and the best we can do is crawl. The family of faith cheers us on. Some days we do not have the strength to finish a hike down life’s mountain but the arms of God carry us home.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, 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.
IN WORSHIP THIS WEEK
Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year
Wishing everyone a “Happy New Year” is familiar enough, but what exactly does that look like? In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus offers a vision for what a happy life might look like if we followed his lead, a series of “Blessed are…” statements known as the Beatitudes. As we begin a new year, we do so by considering “Jesus’ Vision for a Happy New Year.”
Sun., Jan 30 - Part 5: Imitation, based on Matthew 4:23-5:7. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
UPDATE: Classes and groups may resume gathering in person at the church if they choose. Please continue to wear a mask in the church at all times and practice social distancing when possible.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES CONTINUE
Beyond Belief: What Christianity Can Be
Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Led by Rev. Tyler Heston
Do you ever stammer if someone asks what you believe? What it means to be Christian is changing in our growing and globalized world, and you may feel there are more questions than answers. Adapted from the Pastors’ Class for youth, we will think about what it means to develop a more robust vocabulary for faith that goes beyond doctrinal points, inviting people of any age or stage of faith to look at what Christianity can be for you. Zoom link HERE. |
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE FIELD TRIP
Sat., Jan. 29, 10:00 a.m.-Noon
Guided Tour of the Black Archives of Mid-America
1722 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108
The Everyday Justice cohort is sponsoring a field trip to explore the Black Archives. We will meet at the archives at 10:00 am (can enjoy conversation and purchase beverages or snacks from the coffee shop) with the tour beginning at 10:30 am. RSVP to Lisa.
Learn more about Everyday Justice HERE. Learn more about the Black Archives of Mid-America HERE.
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FAITH AND GRIEF: My Father’s Presence
Tues., Feb. 1, noon, virtual
Guest speaker Shelley Wyche Clark shares insights from her grief journey. Faith and Grief meets the first Tuesday of the month, sometimes in-person and some months via Zoom. All are welcome and there is no charge. Register on-line to receive a meeting invitation. More information HERE or 816-381-9249. Our monthly Faith and Grief Gatherings are sponsored by six Kansas City area congregations.
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SAVE THE DATE
AN EVENING WITH KRISTA TIPPETT
Wed., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary
Krista Tippett, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, New York Times bestselling author, founder and CEO of the On Being Project; and host of the On Being podcast will speak at Country Club Christian Church. Free event, watch for more information.
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STAFF TRANSITIONS
Anne Haraughty, who has served as the church's Ministries Coordinator for the last seven years, has announced her resignation, effective January 31. Although she loves her work at the church, she feels called to spend additional time caring for her family at this time. Anne is known for her exceptional organizational and event planning skills, but she will most be missed for her kindness, grace and gentle spirit. If you'd like to wish Anne well, please do so this Sunday morning, or drop a note addressed to Anne at the church and we'll be sure she receives it.
Paul Cutelli has transitioned from his full time role as Director of Technology to a part time role on our Sunday tech team. You will still see Paul most Sundays in the balcony running sound and video for our streamed worship but he will not be in the office during the week. Paul successfully led the church through major expansions of our technology by implementing our first live steam and we are grateful for his continued service. Our daily technology needs will now be outsourced through a local company, Cenetric, which provides IT services to several area churches.
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SOUPER BOWL OF CARING
Sun., Feb. 13
The annual Souper Bowl of Caring will benefit the Virginia Reed Food Drive. There are three ways to give:
- Bring jars of peanut butter, jelly or whole grain crackers to the parlor or to our drive through event on Sun., Feb. 13 from noon-1:30 p.m. in the south lot. Please be sure to check expiration dates on any nonperishables you wish to donate.
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Click HERE and choose Food Drive from the drop down menu.
- Leave your gift, marked “food drive” in the offering plate during worship.
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EMAILS AND NOTES OF THANKS FOR GRANTS GIVEN
It is a joy to open an email or a letter from a local agency who is saying thanks for the grant they received from our congregation. Each year local service agencies submit grant requests in early fall and the Grants and Special Offerings team reviews them and discusses how best to distribute the grant funding available for the year. Far more requests come in than we could ever fund so choosing can be hard, but using the mission priorities grants that address: feeding the hungry; children’s education; and helping people move from poverty towards self-sufficiency are prioritized. Last year 30 grant applications were received from local organizations and the following were funded between $5000 - $10,000 each for a total of $96,000:
Amethyst Place; Community LINC; CrossLines Community Services; Grace United Community Ministries; Harvesters; Jackson County CASA; KC Care Clinic; Lazarus Ministries; Micah Ministries; NE Community Center – The Harmony Project; reStart; River of Refuge; Sheffield Place; The Grooming Project
We are excited to help support these amazing organizations. To learn more about the work they are doing click HERE.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Sunday School for all ages will resume this week.
SNACKS IN THE PARK
Mon., Jan. 31, 3:15-4:30 p.m.
Come to Franklin Park on Monday to see April and Catherine. We will be waiting with an after school snack for you!
CLUB KIDS SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING. We are considering two Service Learning weeks this summer: May 3-June 3 and Aug. 1-5. Do you have a child interested in attending one or both of these weeks? Let April know so we can make final plans. We will work with our partner agencies and do other fun activities. Cost will be around $75 if you stay around for lunch and the afternoon activity.
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YOUTH
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
We're excited to announce that we’re traveling out of town for our summer service-learning trips to serve with local nonprofits, learn about the related issues and how our faith fits in, and to grow together as a youth group.
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.
More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
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BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY
May 30-June 9, 2022
A few spaces remain on this tour which was originally scheduled pre-pandemic. This unforgettable tour of world-class museums, cathedrals, Renaissance architecture, and the Tuscan countryside is led by Donna Houtteman, a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Mike Graves. In addition to guided tours, there will be free days for leisure and day trips. For more information contact Dr. Mike Graves, mikeg@cccckc.org.
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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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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
Our prayers are with the families of Peggy Schwader and
Sharon Golly Clark who passed away recently.
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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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