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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A Message from the Pastor
This summer's scheduled General Assembly (Louisville, KY) was canceled long ago due to the pandemic. In an effort to still "gather" this summer as a denomination, a "Virtual Gathering" was organized to bring people together online. It was a one-day event which was held this past Saturday.
Similar to an actual assembly, participants could go to a (virtual) exhibit hall, the convention center lobby, the auditorium, etc. I attended a Bible Study, a workshop, and the evening worship. The highlight for me was the worship experience. To begin worship, the "roll call" from Disciples all over North America was uplifting and joyful, and Rev. Terri Hord Owens' sermon, based on Romans 8, was powerful and energizing!
I felt blessed to have participated in the experience, even though it was virtual and even though it was limited to one day.
Peace in Christ,
Pastor Mitch
No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 (New Living Translation)
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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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Our friend and brother in Christ, Mr. Garvid Wilson, went to be with Jesus late Friday evening, with loving wife Phyllis by his side and a hospice helper there for support and encouragement.
Both the visitation and the funeral will take place at Austin-Peel & Son:
Visitation -- Tuesday, August 17th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Funeral -- Wednesday, August 18th at 10:00 a.m.
Austin-Peel & Son Funeral Home
607 East Anderson Lane
Austin, TX 78752
Phone: 512-419-7224 Email: austinpeel@sbcglobal.net
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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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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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7:00 p.m.
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- Iglesia Adventista Shalom (off site)
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7:00 p.m.
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- Elders Meeting
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Wednesday, August 11, 2021
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- Caring Hearts Prayer Group (via Zoom) Link HERE
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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6:30 p.m.
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- NO Chancel Choir rehearsal - IN PERSON
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Thursday, August 12, 2021
| 1:00 p.m. |
- Book Group
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5:00 p.m.
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- Texas Heat Volleyball
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7:00 p.m.
| - Book Group Link HERE |
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John 7:37-38
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Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
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Saturday, August 14, 2021
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8:00 a.m.
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- Iglesia Adventista Shalom
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8:30 a.m.
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- Disciples Men's Ministry
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9:30 a.m.
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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, August 16, 2021
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
| 9:00 a.m. | - Texas Heat Volleyball | 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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Hopewell School Supplies Delivery
Thank you to everyone who contributed time, supplies and funding for the annual Hopewell Middle School Supply Drive this year!! Supplies were delivered to the campus on Thursday, 8/5/21 and the 6th grade assistant principal (Mrs. Sanchez) and the 8th grade assistant principal (Mrs Jackson) were thrilled to receive them!! Thanks to Tara, and Perry and Tricia for "delivering!" We more than "delivered" on the requested quantities of supplies and the abundance of donations over these past 5 years has been a true blessing to the students. In fact, the school has an "inventory" on hand of many of the supplies we've donated in the past year or two and as you can see in the list of supplies delivered, we were only requested to donate a handful of different items this year.
This year we spent just over $350 on the following supplies:
72 boxes (144 count) Facial Tissues
28 Sets of 8 tab dividers-28 sets
13 Pencil pouches for binders
500 sets of Earbuds
60 packages of 80 count Sanitizing wipes
In particular, the Hopewell Principal, Mrs. Lynda Garinger, made the request this year that we provide "as many earbuds as possible", which were the greatest expense items. We were able to find a wholesale distributor and received a great price of $225 for 500 sets! With the generous additional financial donations of $185 from members for this project, we were able to keep expenses under $200 of the $300 funds from the RRCC 2021 Budget!
The approximate value of the 2021 donations is almost $500!! Bringing the approximate value of donations for these past 5 years to almost $3000.
These donations will truly be a blessing to many students and help them to be successful in this very unusual school year! Our thanks to everyone who joined in this wonderful effort!!
The Outreach Team (Janette Johnston, Susan Kessler and Tricia Mouser)
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Mary Acree has moved. Please note her new address:
Franklin Park Round Rock, Rm. #109
4155 Teravista Club Dr.
Round Rock, TX 78665
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Saturday, August 14, 2021
8:30 a.m.
 Disciples Men's Breakfast
9:30 a.m.
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Book Groups - Thursday, August 12, 2021
 The 1:00 p.m. day time book group will return to meeting on the second Thursday of the month beginning this Thursday, August 12.
Contact Barbara Barnett with questions: bbarnett5@austin.rr.com See you there!
The 7:00 p.m. evening book group will be meeting at the home of Paige Weed.
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Everyone is invited to this week's Lunch Bunch gathering at Red Lobster 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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NO CHANCEL CHOIR THIS WEEK
More info will be available after the NEXT
Re-Opening task force meeting.
Chancel Choir Rehearsals are held in the sanctuary
on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Masks must be worn.
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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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August 10
| - Mary Murray | |
August 12
| - Jackie Culbertson | |
August 14
| - Carolyn Mehlow | |
August 15
| - Garvid Wilson |
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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. Breeding, Diane -- that great-grandson Eli will continue to heal from his recent brain shunt surgery
5. Chester, Fern -- back at the Buckner Villas after rehab following a fall
6. Fennimore, Nancy -- friend's son recently diagnosed with kidney cancer
7. Jackson, Gwen -- brother Patrick Adams upcoming back surgery
8. Jenkins, Bob -- Bob's sister Janet is receiving treatments for melanoma
9. Jocoy, Judy -- has begun immunotherapy treatments
10. Kessler, Jim -- home from the hospital and receiving a new antibiotic treatment
11. Maxted, Kumi -- recovering well from COVID-19
12. Maybaum, Paul and Liz -- Paul's sister-in-law Nancy is now in a long-term rehab facility
13. Miller, Chris -- (son of Jean Bell) experiencing some neuropathy from cancer treatments
14. Mouser, Tricia and Perry -- grandson David Grillos continues to recuperate following brain shunt replacement
15. Murray, Mary -- step-grandson Griffin dealing with intestinal issues
16. Osteen, Amy and Steve -- brother-in-law Mike Murphy has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer
17. Pollock, Paula -- awaiting results of recent heart monitor study
18. Pollock, Tara -- Tara will have a CT scan 8/11; brother-in-law Michael Tucker will have back surgery on August 18
19. Tucker, Gary & Amy -- Amy to have hip replacement surgery 8/24
20. Walker, Lisa -- receiving dialysis treatments 3x per week
21. Family of Garvid Wilson (see funeral arrangements, above)
22. York, Tasha -- Tasha and siblings caring for mother Peggy Massey
OTHER
1. Our summer church camp program 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. Pressing immigration concerns at our border, development of an immigration policy for the U.S. that is fair, just, and responsible; cooperation and communication with Mexico and Central American countries 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. First day of classes for local schools is next Wednesday, August 18th; 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; have recently begun a study of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. Link HERE
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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
by Mary Luti | published on Feb 20, 2016
"Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors." - Matthew 6:12
A man driving drunk ran a red light, killing the driver of another car, a young mother of twin toddlers. At the man's sentencing, the woman's relatives delivered enraged witness impact statements. Faces contorted with grief, they screamed at him in open court. The kindest thing they said was, "Rot in hell! Watching the news, I thought, I don't blame them one bit. How else should they feel about a careless man who caused them this terrible loss? Then it was the husband's turn. He faced the man and said, "I'm a Christian. Jesus commanded us to forgive. So I forgive you." At that, the man let out a wail and slumped over in his seat as if struck by a mighty blow. I felt struck too. How could the husband forgive him? Was he in denial? Didn't he need more time, more therapy, more something, before offering forgiveness? Wasn't the pardon too easy, too cheap? Then I wondered why it felt less alien to me to be enraged and vengeful than it did to say, "I forgive you." Sometimes I'm asked to name Christianity's most distinctive practice. I always say forgiveness. Some people object. Not love? Doesn't Paul say love is the greatest of all? Won't it be the last thing standing when all is ended? Yes, I say, but I am certain that on the day of love's triumph, it will appear in the shape of a bewildered enemy inexplicably absolved. You can pray?" Another has said, "Worry is interest paid today on tomorrow's troubles."
August 10, 2021
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