This Week's News - November 18, 2022

November 18, 2022

Last Saturday I went on the coldest train ride of my life. Our grandson Jacob, who has autism and is non-verbal, adores trains. So to celebrate his 8th birthday, his mom and dad organized a train ride. We never imagined that there would be no heat or that it would be 22 degrees. But my lingering memory of that day will not be how we shivered. It will be of Jacob beaming with delight as the locomotive went click-clacking down the tracks with the soothing rhythm that seems to simultaneously comfort and intrigue him. As I stood watching a mesmerized Jacob staring at that train while grasping his Mom and Dad’s hands, I felt gratitude arise for their deep love for him.

Why is it that some experiences evoke spontaneous thanksgiving within us while other gifts land upon us without notice? We all experience moments when we join the Psalmist who exclaims to God “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you (Psalm 5:7). Sometimes thanksgiving arises unbidden and we are moved to express profound gratitude. While other times we remain blind to the bounty of our own lives: family members who generously sacrifice for one another, many kinds of pie on the buffet, living freely in a democracy, and big belly laughs shared with friends. What prompts us to really feel grateful rather than simply, rotely, reciting thanks?

Last Sunday, Rev Rodney Williams, pastor at our sister church Swope Parkway preached at our joint service with Swope at 11:00am. As I settled into the front pew to listen for the word, I began to hear “That’s right” and “mmhuh” coming from the congregation behind me. I could not see but I could feel the energy rising in the sanctuary. Then as his voice crescendoed so did the congregation's unison claps and “Amens”. Something stirred not just within me but between us. And I realized I was weeping tears of joy.

Gratitude comes as a gift. It cannot be forced. We can be taught to say thank you. But true thanksgiving is discovered by some process more mysterious, more miraculous. We sense that we have been given something from God’s divine hand. And with awe and wonder, we say “Thank you.”

Grace and Peace,

Carla

In Today's Newsletter, Keep Scrolling!

Church Happenings: Combined Worship & Brunch with Swope Pkwy United Christian Church; Executive Minister Hired
Adult Enrichment: Rethinking Disability Workshop on Monday; Now registering for Human Rights Pilgrimage and Holy Land Pilgrimage
Mission & Outreach: Della Lamb Operation Holiday; Flower Ministry; Gloves Needed
Young Adults: Roots Dinner and Discussion and Christmas Party
Children & Youth: Bowling, Pizza and Christmas Parties
Save these Dates: Christmas Celebration and Live Nativity
Life of the Church: Open and Affirming Designation Update

WORSHIP WITH US

Worship with us in person at 9:01am (sanctuary), 10am (chapel) or 11am (sanctuary)

Click HERE to view our live stream.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

Sun., Nov. 20 2022

The Gift of Unity, Rev. Carla Aday

Scripture Focus: John 17:20-26

Imagine overhearing the prayer that Jesus speaks to God about us. This Sunday we hear Jesus praying for us to be unified and filled with God’s love. Part of this prayer “that they may all be one” is the central window in our chapel. As we prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, we pause to thank God for the gift of unity in a fragmented world.

CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Sun., Nov. 20, 11am | COMBINED SERVICE AND BRUNCH WITH SWOPE PARKWAY UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH

This Sunday, Rev. Carla Aday will preach at all three services with Rev. Rodney Williams, pastor of Swope Parkway United Christian Church, serving as worship leader. At 11am we will join with members of Swope for a combined worship service featuring both church choirs. In addition, elders and deacons from both congregations will serve together. Plan to stay after the service for a light brunch in the parlor catered by Expressive Catering.

EXECUTIVE MINISTER HIRED

We are excited to announce that Reverend Bryce Bowers will join our staff as the Executive Minister on January 15. Bryce’s roles will include leading the engagement and enrichment ministry of our church. To date, his experience in this area has included creative approaches like leading the church presence at local farmer’s markets and community festivals, reimagining visitor engagement ministry at each church he has served, and creating new opportunities for connection such as hiking groups and family events. In addition, Bryce will be directing the operational life of the church.

In addition to receiving his Master of Divinity from Emory University, he also has a BS in Communication with an emphasis on conflict management from Baker University. He currently serves as the Pastor for Marion Christian Church in Marion, IA but is not a stranger to the Kansas City area. His parents and his wife’s families live in Johnson and Franklin Counties. He and his wife Teresa have a toddler named Jasper.

Church member,

Steve Bough, who was part of the very dedicated search committee for this position shares, “The search committee is thrilled Bryce is joining our ministerial staff. His energy and experience will be important as we journey into our next 100 years”.

Oct. 23-26, 2023 | Human Rights Pilgrimage

Join us on an educational and relational journey to better understand racism in our country and to consider ways to work toward dismantling it. Led by Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh. This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, AL, includes visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum. Estimated cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships available. More information at cccckc.org/human-rights-pilgrimage/. CLICK HERE for more information, brochure and registration.

Sept. 5 - 14, 2023 | Holy Land Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage to the Holy Land has been called “the fifth Gospel,” and for many people, it’s the trip of a lifetime. This trip starts in Galilee, coming down the Jordan valley, and culminates with some of the most cherished sites in and around Jerusalem. This Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is being led by Dr. Mike Graves and Dr. David May. To see a detailed itinerary and more information, click HERE.

The cost is $4,800 per person, double occupancy. It includes round-trip airfare from Kansas City, ground transportation, 4-star hotels, and two meals per day, as well as entrance into all the sites and gratuities. A $300 deposit is due in May of 2023. Space is limited, so signing up ASAP is encouraged. If interested in participating, email Dr. Graves.

ADULT ENRICHMENT

RETHINKING DISABILITY WORKSHOP

Mon., Nov. 21, 7 - 8 pm. If the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear the word “disability” is the name of a condition or a sense of pity or charity, this workshop will invite you to rethink and reimagine disability as a culture that is spiritually formative for both those with and without disabilities. Rev. Dr. Letiah Fraser, is the Pastor of The Open Table; she identifies as a proud African American and becoming Christian woman who lives with a physical disability. Everyone welcome. This is a free event.

MISS A MONDAY NIGHT CLASS? These classes will be recorded and posted the following Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on our YouTube channel. Click HERE to catch the new classes when they are published.

Click the SUBSCRIBE button to be notified when new content is posted!

MISSION AND OUTREACH

DELLA LAMB COMMUNITY SERVICES: OPERATION HOLIDAY

This weekend Della Lamb will be hosting Operation Holidays, an annual outreach event that provides resources for the holidays for over 500 families and individuals in the northeast area of Kansas City. Leading up to this huge event our church offered much support with volunteers and financial resources.

A team of volunteers that have served with Della for years (preparing apartments and homes for refugees coming to KC among other activities) prepped clothing for distribution during several different work sessions. Hundreds of shirts, pants and more were organized by size and style.

Families and individuals served through a Grace@Work Partnership Day when all gathered to help move, sort and organize a range of gift items for Operation Holiday. Organizing the items helped prepare the stations for when the gifts and clothing are gathered for each family or person based on their needs, wants, ages and gender.

Della Lamb's Operation Holidays also receives financial support from our congregation to assist with the food provided. The volunteer time and resources shared with Della Lamb for this annual project is just one example of how we partner with agencies in the metro area who seek to offer transformative support to people. Our longstanding partnership with Della Lamb Community Services is a joy to highlight and celebrate. To learn more about Operation Holidays click here.

CAN YOU HELP DELIVER JOY?

Our flower ministry is looking for volunteers to make 2-3 deliveries at your convenience on Mondays or Tuesdays. Arrangements created from our Sunday memorial flowers are available about 10am on Monday. We always have 2-3 deliveries to our sick or homebound that could be made anytime after that. For information call or email 816-381-9249 or Email Joe

MICAH MINISTRIES WARMTH PACKS

FOR DECEMBER

Each Monday evening volunteers offer hundreds of meals through the Micah Ministries at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. Many of those being served may be without adequate shelter or homes which becomes even more challenging in winter. Metro Missions Team will be collecting items and monetary donations for warmth packs to be shared for Christmas. Donations of water-proof winter gloves in sizes L or XL are needed and can be brought to church M-F 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday mornings. Or make a contribution on-line HERE and choose Micah Ministries or mail a check to the church with Micah Warmth Pack in the Memo.

RECYCLE ALMOST EVERYTHING!

THIS SATURDAY. Nov. 19, 8am - 2pm

Load up your unwanted electronics, beds, furniture, clothes, shoes, pet supplies, building materials, toys and more for reuse or recycling. This event is open to everyone with no residency requirement at 11401 Lamar Ave., Overland Park, KS. Click here for more info.

DID YOU KNOW WE HAVE A COOKIE MINISTRY?

Every Sunday we want to welcome people with freshly baked goodies to be enjoyed between services in the parlor. Alas, the Keebler Elves take the weekend off so we are needing some volunteers who have a cookie calling! Are you able to help provide some of the 12 dozen cookies needed each week? One Sunday a month maybe? If so please contact Barbara at 913.269.3878 or email her HERE to get more details!

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)

BOWLING!

Sun. Nov. 20, 4 - 5:30pm

Meet us at Ward Parkway Lanes for a fun night of bowling. Bring $5 to help cover the costs if you can! Or pay online here. RSVP to April , then I can know if I need to reserve another lane!

REMINDER! CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders!

YOUTH GROUP (Middle & High Schoolers)

YOUTH DONUTS & DISCUSSION, Sundays at 10am,Youth Center.

Youth are invited to a weekly Sunday morning gathering including donuts (or other sweet treats) and good conversation. Youth will split up into middle school and high school groups for activities & discussion.

YOUTH THANKSGIVING DINNER

Sun., Nov. 20, 4 - 5:30pm

One of our favorite traditions as a youth ministry is PIZZA for THANKSGIVING!!?! Join us this year as we continue this epic night! We will be heading to Waldo Pizza to share our blessings together over some hot pizza pies! Middle and high schoolers are invited! Bring $5/youth.

RSVP and more info HERE!

Christmas Parties

Sun., Dec. 18, 12:30pm and 3:30pm

Join us for one of two youth Christmas parties! Includes ice skating at Park Place in Leawood, a meal, and a Christmas gift exchange. Middle school will meet 12:30-2:30 p.m. and high school from 3:30-5:30 p.m. RSVP at bit.ly/ccccyouthxmas22

Consent & Release Form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES - 10 - 10:45am

Worship & Wonder: Pre-school - 1st grade
Footsteps in Faith: 2nd - 5th grade
Donuts & Discussion: 6th - 12th grade

YOUNG ADULTS (Ages 20's to 30's)

ROOTS NOVEMBER DINNER AND DISCUSSION

Tues., Nov. 29 at 6:30pm

Join us for a potluck dinner and advent-themed activity. We'll meet off-site at church member Hannah Fenley's home (just a few blocks away from the church) for dinner and our activity. RSVP at bit.ly/rootsnovdinner and stay tuned for details for the evening!

Roots Christmas Party

Sun., Dec. 18, 6pm

Join us for dinner and a gift card exchange then ice skating at Park Place in Leawood. We will meet for dinner first at a restaurant walkable to the Ice Rink (11565 Ash St.) before skating at 7:00pm. RSVP at bit.ly/rootsxmas2022 to stay tuned with more information!

Stay tuned with each month’s location and more at linktr.ee/cccckcroots or by following us on Instagram at @cccckcroots.

SAVE THESE DATES

THIS SUNDAY! Nov. 20, 11am - 1pm | ADVENT IN ADVANCE

Children and their families are invited to gather in the Social Hall for a make-n-take session that will prepare your family and home for the Advent season. Includes a pizza lunch. $5/Child or $20/Family.

Sat., Dec. 10, 2:30 - 4:30pm | CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION AND LIVE NATIVITY

Join us as we kick off the season with all things Christmas! Family photos by the tree made into an ornament to take home, kids crafts, coffee and hot cocoa bar, live jazz in the sanctuary and more. AND enjoy a living nativity with all the animals

Interested in helping with the festivities? Let April know!

LIFE OF THE CHURCH

OPEN AND AFFIRMING DESIGNATION: A MESSAGE FROM YOUR CONGREGATIONAL BOARD

In the process of developing our Next Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Congregational Board learned from church members that an important priority is to strengthen our identity, both internally and externally, as an inclusive congregation. One aspect of inclusivity is to welcome persons of all gender expressions and sexual orientations to the full life of the church.

To further explore how we may be clearly welcoming, the Congregational Board consulted with The Disciples of Christ LGBTQ+ Alliance Ministry, which assists congregations in working toward the formal designation of Open & Affirming. This designation enables the church to communicate to potential visitors and members that all are welcome at God’s table. The Board has approved the Open and Affirming Welcoming Statement below, which was presented for discussion at the Elder/Deacon and Congregational meeting on September 13, 2022. Dr. Mike Graves discussed the statement in his Pathways class on October 16, 2022 (click here to watch the video).

Country Club Christian Church Open and Affirming Welcoming Statement

Country Club Christian Church is an open and affirming community of faith. As represented by the open communion table at our heart, we receive and are called to share the unconditional love of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. We love, welcome, and affirm all people to worship, serve, and lead in our congregation regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, family configuration, economic circumstances, or theological perspective, as God

has welcomed us.

The feedback the Board has received from the congregation about this welcoming statement has been overwhelmingly positive, and we plan to vote on a resolution to apply for the formal Open and Affirming designation at the January 10, 2023 Board meeting, which is open to the congregation. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please feel free to contact the Congregational Board or Reverend Carla Aday by calling Tulley Beard at 816-381- 9241 or by sending an email here.