Part of what makes summer delicious is reading. Whether it's time on the beach reading while the kids splash and play or resting in solitude on the screened in porch of your back yard with a glass of ice tea, summer offers a little more light and space for pleasure reading. Here are a few of my favorites over the past year. I would love to hear what you’ve been reading so feel free to send me an email highlighting what you have found challenging or inspiring or just plain lovely.

Meditations of the Heart by Howard Thurman

Although published in 1953, these short meditations resound like timeless wisdom. Beautifully crafted and inspiring, each can easily be savored as a daily centering thought. Most of my mornings begin with one of these and even my 25-year- old son found them engaging.

Late Migrations by Margaret Renkl

These can also be read as daily meditations. Though not specifically religious, her short essays reflecting on nature and family expanded my field of vision to see the world from new angles. I read them one at a time, like sipping fine wine.

The Second Mountain by David Brooks

I read this last winter prior to our webinar with Brooks/Volf (still available on YouTube if you missed it). I think it's a great read for anyone reflecting on where he/she wants to intentionally go with crafting a life of meaning.

The Murmur of Bees by Sofia Segovia

This was one of my favorite novels and I mentioned it in several sermons. Set in rural Mexico during the 1918 pandemic it paints a picture of a boy coming of age in a family and offers a mystical look at friendship.

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

A fictional account of Shakespeare’s wife and children, this accessible story drew me in to ponder the life that is behind a genius writer.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Earnest Gaines

This novel by one of my favorite authors begins on the day that slaves were read the emancipation act by their masters in Louisiana. It gives a personal look at the painstaking steps and courageous joy exhibited by those stepping into an unknown and dangerous future with grace beyond measure.

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

My husband and I listened to this on audio and it drew us in both for the vivid and dramatic fiction writing but also the surprising perspective offered on migration from the southern US border.

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Having traveled to India with our church mission group, I had looked down upon the caste system there but this non-fiction book challenged me to see how the same kind of system exists in our own midst. Eye opening and compelling.

Grace and Peace,

Carla

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.

Our current series, “God’s Hope” ponders what the prophets of old might have to say to us in a world slowly emerging from a global pandemic? What might need to change when instead of returning to normal, we move into a new future?

Part 4: Prisoners of Hope, based on Zechariah 9: 9-12. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.

Click HERE to worship online with us.

Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.

Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints.

For the rest of the summer, the 9:01 service will take place rain or shine. If the weather allows, the service will be on the front lawn as planned. However, in case of inclement weather, we will move this service into the Sanctuary.

We are going (mostly) paperless for outdoor worship this summer. Attendance check in and hymn lyrics will be accessible via our web site. There are several ways for you to access the 9:01 on the Lawn page.

5:30-6:30 p.m. - Build Your Own Bowl (rice, pork, chicken and/or veggies with toppings). Cost is $10 per person or $35 for a family to eat.

6:30-7:30 p.m.: For Children and Families – KC Disc Dogs 

Mission Component – The Grooming Project is devoted to helping impoverished families become self-reliant through job training in the high-demand, high-pay trade of pet grooming. The Grooming Project’s education-based approach not only financially empowers single parents in poverty through equipping them with credentials in a competitive market, but it also ensures that they focus on improving their family’s future as a whole through parenting and budgeting classes, mental health support, life skills courses, and other needed medical services coordinated with many local organizations.

Spiritual Formation for Adults – A Spiritual Balm; Healing Polarization

NOTE: Wednesday, June 30 will be our last Backyard Bash of the 2021 summer. We hope you are able to join us!!

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 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 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.

Volunteers are needed to participate in a morning of service at Sheffield Place. We will be helping landscape their new building. Come and serve with other members in support of one of our NE Partners. For more information and to sign up, click HERE.

Harmony Project at Backyard Bash

High school musicians from the Harmony Project's summer chamber group played music at Backyard Bash on Wed, June 23. Hearing live music by these talented strings players was a special treat. The congregation supports the Harmony Project with an annual grant and is exploring new ways to support this musical program which is housed at the Northeast Community Center. To find out more about Harmony Project go to this LINK.  

Have you turned in your commitment cards for The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign and our Beginning Again Annual Campaign? If not, we encourage you do to so today. Your participation is important as we prepare for the future of ministry at 61st and Ward Parkway.

GIFTS IN MEMORY OF LOVED ONES