Report from the Re-Opening Task Force
Reopening Task Force Communications
for the week of August 8, 2021
A. The RRCC Reopening Task Force held its 15th meeting August 3, 2021 to discuss current Covid levels and to determine whether the current "Gathering Guidelines" for use of the church facility need to be modified. There was consensus that with Covid cases increasing and Austin-Travis County having moved into "Stage 5" guidelines, we need to conduct weekly communications to stay abreast of current changes and determine whether current practices need to be revised. Memo for the week of 8/8/21:
B. Government data/recommendations:
i. Local data 8/9: The 7 day hospitalization average for Austin-Travis County is 83 and for 8/9 is 74. The 7 day confirmed cases average is 383 and as of 8/9 is 445. The percentage testing positive is 14.5%
ii. CDC data: Masking is encouraged for all activities for both vaccinated and un-vaccinated
iii. RRCC "Gathering Guidelines": The task Force voted to modify current "Gathering Guidelines" to be in sync with changes made last week by the local health authorities. This should be in place as of the August Guiding Board meeting. The Task Force also had consensus to continue to provide "in person" worship, with all wearing masks.
C. The following remains in place until the Task Force and/or Guiding Board announces otherwise:
i. Sunday morning Worship Service (wearing masks)
ii. Use of the building by sister congregations (wearing masks)
iv. Use of the building by groups renting facilities (wearing masks)
D. Initial plans to open the building for Sunday School Classes effective August 22 are being postponed for the time being, as are any small group meetings. Decisions regarding church fellowship lunches and other gatherings in the building will be made on a week-to-week basis and communicated in the weekly church newsletter.
Members of the Task Force/Guiding Board and Ministries Council are encouraged to share suggestions and ideas to assist in improving the combined "zoom" and "in-person" worship experience as well as changes needed to meet the needs of the changing environment. Please communicate your individual ideas to any of these members, to help in providing the best possible worship experience:
Reopening Task Force:
Perry Mouser, Chair
Mildred Adair, Linda Glover, Jennifer Kienzle, Pam Knight, Amy Osteen, Tara Pollock, Randy Preston, Amy Tucker, Gary Tucker, Dan Knight (ex-officio), and Mitch Maxted (ex-officio)
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On this last day of the month I am thinking about what a challenging August 2021 this has been--for our family, for our congregation, for our nation, and for our world.
The Delta variant has taken the pandemic to new levels of transmissibility, with hospitals filling up and daily death rates currently about five times what they were in the early summer. On the first day of August, our family found out that my wife had likely been exposed to COVID-19 at work, and indeed she tested positive shortly thereafter. Thankfully, her case was relatively mild, probably due to the fact that she (and everyone else in our family) had been fully vaccinated. Mana and I tested negative twice. Still, Kumi's symptoms were quite uncomfortable, as was her need to be isolated for 10 days.
The pull-out from Afghanistan has been a very disheartening experience. Having lost thousands of lives and spent a trillion dollars over two decades to try to make Afghanistan safer and more democratic, the ultimate outcome feels like a terrible defeat. And now Hurricane Ida has brought August to a devastating close, leaving Louisiana reeling from flooding and lack of power.
So August has been rough. What will September bring? Only God knows! Though we can be sure there will be some difficulties we didn't see coming, we can also be assured that God will be with us every step of the way.
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth...he who keeps you will not slumber. He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121
Peace in Christ, Pastor Mitch
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Even though we are unable to meet in person,
RRCC has three ways you can still give your tithe:
- Go to the RRCC website rrdisciples.org and click on the "GIVE HERE" button at the top of the main page. Or use the link at the top of each newsletter. It will take you to the same place.
- Use your bank's electronic bill pay feature to have a check mailed directly from your bank to RRCC.
- Mail your check directly to RRCC.
Address your envelope to:
Financial Secretary
Round Rock Christian Church
22 Chalice Way
Round Rock, TX 78665
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Upcoming Events
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11:00 a.m.
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- The Color of Compromise Book Study
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7:00 p.m.
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- Iglesia Adventista Shalom (off site)
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
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9:00 a.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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6:30 p.m.
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- NO Chancel Choir
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Thursday, September 2, 2021
11:00 a.m.
| - The Wired WORD | | 7:00 p.m. | - Praise Band Rehearsal
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Friday, September 3, 2021
| 3:15 p.m. |
- Nominating Committee (zoom)
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4:00 p.m.
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- Moponic Cleaning of RRCC Campus
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Saturday, September 4, 2021
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8:00 a.m.
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- Iglesia Adventista Shalom
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Sunday, September 5, 2021
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9:15 a.m.
| - Open Circle Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE
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9:30 a.m.
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- Explorers Sunday School (via Zoom) Link HERE | |
11:00 a.m.
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12:00 p.m.
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- Lunch Bunch
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3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
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- Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida
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Monday, September 6, 2021
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RRCC Office
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Closed for Labor Day
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Tuesday, September 7, 2021
11:00 a.m.
| - The Color of Compromise Book Study
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7:00 p.m.
| - Iglesia Adventista Shalom (off site) |
ZOOM MEETING LINKS, events and details can be viewed on the RRCC Calendar.
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Everyone is invited to this week's Lunch Bunch gathering at Springhill Cafe after service....whether you're worshiping in person or via zoom, all are invited!
Text or call Tasha York (512-567-8770) for more information.
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DWM will be meeting in September via Zoom
Monday, September 13 at 9:30 a.m.
At this meeting, we also will review recommendations for our 2022 DWM program and budget. Additionally, please consider reaching out to another RRCC woman who doesn't regularly attend our monthly meetings and encourage her to join us this month!
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Edie Heuss has moved to the Texas panhandle town of Canyon. She began coursework in graduate school at West Texas A. & M. this month toward a master's degree in history. Congratulations and Godspeed in this new journey, Edie. Your Round Rock Christian family misses you!
Edie Heuss 2620 11th Avenue Canyon, Texas 79015
Ph (512) 924-4259
Email: 1977EMH@gmail.com
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Welcome to Our New Library
 When meditation and prayer in a quiet space, or to search for a book, for pastoral counseling or a small bridal party to gather, or to attend a small group gathering on our Round Rock Christian campus is needed there is a beautiful, welcoming new space ready. Our new library is an awesome place to accommodate the need.
The dream for this room began to take shape in early 2020, when Pastor Maxted gathered representatives of several ministries and others interested to brainstorm ideas just before COVID-19 set in. In mid-2020, the Guiding Board approved the creation of a task force and appointed Gary Tucker, chair. The worship ministry team and others cleared out cupboards and packed away books to strip the room.
Over the next few months several men of the congregation, led by Perry Mouser, met the challenge to tear out cupboards, appliances and sheetrock before new sheetrock, flooring, and painting was completed. Thank you, Perry Mouser and cohorts. 
 The afternoon book group worked to catalog books. Thank you, ladies. New furnishings and décor include an original Lion and Lamb etching donated by Amy Tucker.
While several people gave of their time, energy and smaller donations, Gary Tucker was the glue that held the project together over the long haul. He painted walls, endured pandemic backorders and damaged bookshelves, hung a mirror and the blinds, and took care of countless other tasks.
Thank you, Gary. Job well-done!
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Notary Services
Notary services are now available at RRCC. Contact Molly at rrcc-office@rrdisciples.org at least 24 hours ahead of time to schedule your appointment to have documents notarized. This service is free of charge.
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DWM Retreat in October - Talk to Susan Kessler for more details.
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RRCC Newsletter Deadlines
Please submit your Tuesday Newsletter articles and pictures before 10:00 a.m. on Mondays,
and your Friday Reminders articles and pictures before 12:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Thank you!
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Did You Miss a Newsletter?
Past newsletters dating back to mid-March 2020 are currently archived under the "ABOUT US" tab on the RRCC Website.
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Upcoming Birthdays
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September 2
| - Jill Toomey
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September 3
| - Dan Knight | |
September 4
| - Emmiline Greene | |
September 4
| - Janette Johnston
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Prayer Needs
LEADERSHIP
1. Our Guiding Board, Ministries Council, Elders, Deacons, Ministries and Teams. Our Elders are discerning how to share "40 Days of Prayer & Faith Sharing" with the whole congregation. The Guiding Board is working with the Re-Opening Task Force to keep people safe during this latest COVID surge.
2. Our staff: Jimmy, Mitch, Katie, Randy, and Molly
3. Our music ministries and their leaders: Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Jimmy Horowitz
4. Our tech team: Gary Collier, Tara Pollock, Katie Maybaum, Randy Preston, Rod Walker, and Dan Knight
5. Our Caring Hearts Prayer Group
6. Our Stephen Ministries (Care Receivers and Caregivers)
7. Our partnership with Iglesia Adventista Shalom & Ministerio Internacional Manantial de Vida congregations (and their pastors Edy Rosa Paez and Maria Rosario)
8. Reverends Andy Mangum (CCSW Regional Minister and President, and Rev. Alfred Walker, the newly called Community Regional Minister (CRM) for Reconciliation and Anti-Racism. We look forward to hosting Rev. Walker and his family in worship on Sunday, September 12th
MEMBERS AND FRIENDS
1. For all who are grieving the loss of a loved one
2. For all who are or have been ill with COVID-19, and their families
3. Acree, Mary -- now living at Franklin Park (assisted living) in Teravista
4. Jackson, Gwen -- fellow Emerald Cottage resident and friend Rick Hackett passed away
5. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma
6. Jocoy, Judy -- will have procedue tomorrow (9/1) to put in 2nd port for chemo treatments
7. Kessler, Jim -- home from the hospital and continuing to recuperate
8. Maybaum, Paul and Liz -- Paul's sister-in-law Nancy in long-term rehab facility
9. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments
10. Osteen, Amy and Steve -- brother-in-law Mike Murphy has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer
11. Pollock, Paula -- recent heart monitoring
12. Tucker, Gary & Amy -- Amy had hip replacement surgery 8/24 and is recovering at home; prayers for pain management and a good rehab routine
13. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week; still hoping to find a kidney donor
14. Family of Garvid Wilson
OTHER
1. All events at Disciple Oaks
2. All who don't know Jesus
3. COVID-19 (continuing efforts to reach "herd immunity" in the U.S. and around the world)
4. Those who have lost jobs during the pandemic; businesses that continue to struggle
5. All people who are persecuted for their faith throughout the world 6. Our military personnel and families 7. Development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible; for Haitians who are suffering from the recent earthquake; for Afghanis seeking safety and stability in the midst of regime change 8. Developing policies and education programs to battle systemic racism in all of its forms 9. For all efforts toward affordable health care for all Americans 10. For all efforts to make voting safe, simple, and easily accessible for all in our country; and to oppose recent voter suppression legislation 11. U.S. lawmakers and community leaders to work together to solve the problem of mass shootings in schools, places of work, etc. 12. All teachers, administrators, students, and parents of our two neighborhood schools: Union Hill Elementary School and Hopewell Middle School
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[There will be no Sunday School classes in the church building for the foreseeable future.
Some classes will be meeting via Zoom
during this time of social distancing.]
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Early Childhood Class (ages 4-7) -Taught by Lisa Walker
Intermediate Class (3rd-5th grade) - Taught by Jennifer Kienzle
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Chi Rho Class - (6th - 8th grade) - (studying the book, "Middle School TalkSheets" for ages 11-14. "These TalkSheets present every aspect of Jesus' life in a way that young teens can connect with as they learn to apply the lessons to their own lives.")
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CYF Class (9th - 12th grade)
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Open Circle (primarily adult women) - 9:15 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, studying The Prodigal God by Rev. Timothy Keller.
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Explorers (mixed adults) - 9:30 a.m. Sunday mornings via ZOOM, facilitator is Mildred Adair; studying Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Link HERE
The Wired WORD (adult men) - 11:00 a.m. Thursday mornings. Led by Rev. Maxted, this class looks at what the scriptures have to say about important current events and issues.
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Follow us on Social Media!
We can be found on:
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Submitting a photo? Awesome!
We love pictures of congregational life!
Please remember to include
identification (who, what, when, where, why)
for each photograph submitted to the office.
Also, please indicate where you would like the photo to be used (RRCC website, social media, weekly newsletter, etc.)
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Mondays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Tuesdays:
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2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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Wednesdays:
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12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Thursdays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Fridays:
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9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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Elder's Prayer Corner/Closing Message
Watching someone you love suffer from a serious or chronic illness hurts. Maybe you're sad, scared, or feel helpless. You can't take away their illness, but you can be there for them, and you can pray.
Jesus' brother James says to pray for people when they are sick. And he says, "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16). That doesn't mean we have to be perfect to pray. God considers us righteous because of our faith in Jesus.
Jesus promises to heal all of us - either in this life or the next. He also promises that we will see His goodness in this life (Psalm 27:13). And He promises to be with us, comfort us, and provide for us. We can overflow with hope when we trust Jesus and put our faith in Him (Romans 15:13).
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