You could hear a whisper. Anywhere in the 17,000 seat theater the actor’s voice was clearly audible. The outdoor amphitheater at Epidaurus was built 400 years before the time of Christ but somehow the ancient audio engineers mastered perfect acoustics so that all could hear every word of the drama unfolding on stage. Dave and I recently returned from Greece, a trip we had planned for 2020 that was postponed many times due to covid. Finally, we went. My mind was repeatedly boggled by the advanced technology, creativity, and philosophy of the ancient Greeks. At this theater, we stood in the very back row and our tour guide stood center stage. Then she whispered and we could both hear every word with perfect clarity. How did they do that!?!
But even more astonishing to me was the purpose of the theater at Epidaurus. When you watch a stage play you laugh and you cry. Your emotions are released. And so this theater was more than entertainment. The purpose of the show was healing, or at least one step in the healing process. After attending the theater, ancient Greeks would journey forward to the other facilities in the healing center: the baths, the music hall, the gymnasium, the temple, the snakes (ick) the surgical rooms (imagine cataract surgery in 400 BC - yikes). Folks would travel here as pilgrims in search of healing and would stay for a length of time where the god of healing and medicine was revered. Obviously, we have advanced tremendously in the healing arts but maybe we still have something to learn from the idea that the mind/body/soul is healed in a holistic way that includes laughing and crying.
Our scriptures confirm this link between laughing/crying and wholeness/spiritual vitality. “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh” (Ecclesiastes 3:4). Jesus, who interspersed preaching with healing, calls those who would follow him to love God and one another with all our strength, mind and soul. For Jesus, faithfulness to God was more than intellectual belief. It was a way of life. Jesus wept. And Jesus told some parables that surely made them laugh. The Psalmist writes “weeping may linger in the night but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
The next time I sit down at a theater, I will remember that the laughter and the tears that are evoked are holy, and part of how we are made new.
With prayers for laughter and tears to flow freely for you all,
Carla
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Keep Scrolling! In Today's Newsletter:
- Adult Enrichment - Everyday Justice: Courageous Discomfort
- Mission & Outreach - Week of Compassion
- Children & Youth - Babies and Breakfast, Club Kids, Youth Activities
- Save these Dates
- Life of the Church
- The Week Ahead - Next Week's Calendar
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WORSHIP WITH US
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. Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
Sermon Series: Turning Points
Part 5 - Family Fractures, based on Ruth: 1:1-19: Families fracture in a variety of ways. Sometimes it is completely out of our control. And other times we have a hand in the distress. Where is God in these moments? This Sunday we will look at the life of one family in the Bible and how pain gave way to new life.
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CENTER FOR FAITH AND CULTURE CLASSES
Bridge Building Toward a Flourishing Life for All: The Quest for Social and Racial Justice
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 7:00 p.m., Youth Center
Led by Rev. Dr. Vernon Howard
Offered In partnership with the William Jewell College Center for Faith and Culture. Click HERE to register for this class and see dates and descriptions of all classes being offered. Classes are free for our church members with the code: CountryClub
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PATHWAYS TO LEARNING
LGBTQ and the B-I-B-L-E
Sunday, Oct. 16 at 10:00 a.m. Social Hall
If you grew up in church, you may recall the children’s ditty “The
B-I-B-L-E, that’s the book for me.” In this session, Dr. Graves will lead an exploration into what the Bible does and doesn’t say about human sexuality and sexual orientation as we seek to welcome all to God’s table and discern what that means for our congregation.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES CONTINUE
Imposing and Impossible Texts
Oct. 17, 24, 31 at 7:00 p.m. Youth Center
Recording Posted each following Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. youtube.com/cccckc (no livestream available)
Led by Rabbi Michael Zedek
The first five books of the Bible (aka, the Torah) are full of wonderful, heartwarming...and troubling stories. In this deep dive with respected scholar Michael Zedek, we’ll explore some of these challenging narratives together.
Click HERE for a list of all the Monday Night Classes coming this fall.
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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!
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE: COURAGEOUS DISCOMFORT - Conversations about Race and Racism
Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Unity Temple on the Plaza
American Public Square in partnership with Rainy Day Books will welcome authors Shanterra McBride and Rosalind Wiseman to discuss their new book Courageous Discomfort: How to Have Important, Brave, Life-changing Conversations about Race And Racism. This conversation will be moderated by APS staff member, Denesha Snell.
This event is $25 and includes 2 tickets and a hardcover copy of the book. Register HERE
Also, please RSVP to Catherine (in addition to registering) to receive your book ahead of the October 27 event. Everyday Justice will have a follow-up discussion on to reflect on the book and the conversation. Hosted by Hannah Fenley at her home near church. Details will be sent to registrants.
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GRIEF DURING THE HOLIDAYS
Tuesday, November 1, 12:00 p.m.
Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road in Prairie Village
Join us for lunch and a special conversation about remembering and grieving our dear ones during the holidays. Rev. Dr. Jared Witt and Rev. Joe Walker will provide an introduction to the discussion. Following their presentation, you may share your experiences, if comfortable doing so, in a facilitated small group. Everyone is welcome. Complimentary box lunch, we appreciate free-will donations. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Our monthly Faith and Grief Lunches are sponsored by Country Club Christian Church and five other Kansas City area congregations. Register at www.faithandgrief.org
For information call 816-381-9249 or visit
Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC
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WEEK OF COMPASSION PROVIDES DISASTER RELIEF
Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee and developmental mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is currently responding to the recent hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Florida/South Carolina and elsewhere, as well as other humanitarian crises across the world. Week of Compassion partners have already deployed volunteers to help with clean up operations and assess the damage. Donate to Week of Compassion HERE
In addition, did you know that your purchases at The Well directly benefit Week of Compassion?
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GRACE@WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY
Sunday, Oct. 16, 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Grace United Community Ministries
801 Benton Blvd, KCMO
Make time to lend a hand as we clean up and prepare the gardens for winter with our NE Partner Grace United. No skill needed, just a willing spirit, water bottle and work gloves!
Click Here to Sign Up
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OCTOBER COLLECTION CONNECTION: PAPER PRODUCTS
Metro Mission is inviting donations of toilet paper and paper towels to be shared with our partner agencies serving families. Paper products cannot be purchased using subsidies yet we all know they are a necessity so for families with financial struggles this is an additional challenge. Bring items to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., or on Sunday mornings.
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DONATE FLOWER VASES IN OCTOBER
Do you have a cabinet or shelf filled with empty vases that never get used? Here is your chance to free up that space and spread some joy and inspire kindness! Our Flower Ministry is partnering with Unexpected Blooms, an area non-profit, to repurpose flowers which would otherwise be tossed. Bring in your unwanted 5” - 7” vases, Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. or Sunday mornings through October.
No vases to donate - you can make a financial gift and learn more HERE
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THIS SATURDAY!
BABIES AND BREAKFAST
Sat., Oct. 8, 9:30 a.m. in the Social Hall
Children 3 and under, bring your family for breakfast! We will be serving pancakes and have toys available. Come meet parents with children of similar age.
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CLUB KIDS (3rd - 5th graders)
October 9, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Meet in the church's backyard for fellowship & fun.
REMINDER! CLUB KIDS TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our activities via text reminders! Sign up HERE.
YOUTH GROUP (Middle & High Schoolers)
Youth Donuts & Discussion, Sundays at 10:00 a.m. in the 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.
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October Youth Small Group Series
NEW! CURIOUS CHARACTERS
October 9, 16, 23, 4:15 - 5:15pm
Middle schoolers meet at church; High Schoolers meet at a member’s home (carpool available).
Three-part small group series for a chance to learn about some of the curious characters in Christian Scripture and how their stories can help us tell sacred stories with our own lives.
More information will be sent out to RSVP'd high schoolers, including details about carpooling options from and to the church each week. Find out more information and RSVP HERE
Consent & Release Form is required for any youth attending youth ministry events.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES - 10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Worship & Wonder: Pre-school - 1st grade
- Footstep in Faith: 2nd - 5th grade
- Donuts & Discussion: 6th - 8th grade
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SAVE THESE DATES
October 30, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. | TRUNK OR TREAT
Now signing up Trunk Hosts! If Halloween is your holiday, here is a chance to show off your decor and creativity and have some fun! RSVP by emailing April!
Also needing donated carnival prizes & Halloween themed snacks (fruit snacks, crackers, pretzels, etc.) for our trunk or treaters! Purchase on your own or or choose from our wish list.
November 20, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | ADVENT IN ADVANCE
December 10, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. | LIVE NATIVITY
Interested in being the Holy Family? Let April know!
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ELDERS and DEACONS
Please mark your calendars with these upcoming events:
Tuesday, Nov 8 - 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon Meeting
Winter Retreat - Saturday morning Date TBD
Tuesday, April 11 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Elder/Deacon Meeting
All meetings will be in the Social Hall with a Zoom option.
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For information on any of these events call 816-333-4917
SUNDAY, October 9
10:00 a.m – Adult Sunday School Classes
10:00 a.m – Sunday School for preschool - 5th graders on 2nd floor
10:00 a.m. – Youth Donuts and Discussion, Youth Center
12:30 p.m. – Roots Brunch, Red Door in Brookside
4:00 p.m. – Club Kids
4:15 p.m. – Youth Group, off-site
MONDAY, October 10
8:30 a.m. – Flower Ministry, Kitchen
9:00 a.m. – Green Team gardening
10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual
5:30 p.m. – Green Team gardening
TUESDAY, October 11
7:00 p.m. – Center for Faith and Culture: Racial Justice, Youth Center
WEDNESDAY, October 12
9:00 a.m. – Faithbook, Youth Center
10:30 a.m. – Wednesday Morning Bible Study, Youth Center or via Zoom
6:00 p.m. – Bell Choir Rehearsal, Room 304
7:00 p.m. – Chancel Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, October 13
9:30 a.m. – Sewing and Knitting Ministry, Sewing Room
FRIDAY, October 14
10:30 a.m. – Yoga, virtual
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Fall Programming Guide
The fall programming and activity guide is packed with opportunities to worship, to learn, and to find fellowship. Print copies are available throughout the church building. View or Download Here
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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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