More than 30 years ago our church formed a partnership with a sister African American congregation named Swope Parkway United Christian Church. We enjoyed pulpit and choir exchanges and dinner groups. During that time I made a lifelong friend named Mary Lou Kepler. She had a civic job at the time but in retirement she became a pastor and she has served our denomination in many capacities, currently as the Moderator of the Greater Kansas City Region of Disciples comprising over 80 churches. The partnership faded away but our pastoral team sought ways to reignited it in recent years as we shared pastoral lunches, a panel discussion with our church board, joint book groups, and a dialogue sermon between one of their pastors and me, and this fall we will share a Human Rights Pilgrimage to Alabama with Swope.
Their Senior Pastor, Rodney Williams called me last week. They have experienced structural problems with their sanctuary and are currently unable to worship in their sacred space. So beginning in July they will worship in our chapel every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. They anticipate sharing our space for six to 11 months while they raise funds to take their next step as a church. I am grateful that we can partner in this way. It gives us the opportunity to be neighbors in a meaningful way.
I’ve invited them to join us for our “Breakfast on the Lawn” between 9:45-11:00 a.m., as this would give us a chance to form friendships with our fellow Disciples of Christ members. You may see our guests coming and going from the chapel, and you may even want to visit one of their worship services. Thank you for being the kind of church that is quick to offer hospitality and grace to our neighbors.
With grace and peace,
Carla
To send Carla an email click HERE.
|
|
HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE
Oct. 24-27 • Sign Up Today
This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama will include visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum.
The trip is designed as a partnership between members of Swope Parkway United Christian Church and Country Club Christian Church. All participants will be strongly encouraged to build relationships with members of the partner church by participating in a small group prior to the trip. The trip is led by Rev Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, Retired Chaplain and Disciples of Christ pastor, Connecticut
Cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships are available. Includes hotel; airfare, transportation from Atlanta to Alabama and all sights by motor coach; museum fees, three breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, tips. Does not include: two dinners, two lunches, travel insurance, transport to Kansas City airport. (Without airfare, $875 double; $1225 single.)
An informational meeting will be held via Zoom on June 14 at 6:00 p.m. More details HERE.
|
|
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.
Sun., June 6- Rev. Tyler Heston preaching " " based on Acts 2:1-21.
9:01 ON THE LAWN
Join us in this beautiful worship space as we welcome guest musicians, share in communion, and hear a message of hope and grace. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather, and come as you are – ride your bike, bring your dog or walk to worship. Sidewalk chalk and bubbles will be out for children to enjoy.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to live stream the outdoor service, so if you usually tune in at 9:01 to watch online, you will see a replay of the previous week's 11:00 a.m. service.
|
BREAKFAST ON THE LAWN THIS SUMMER
Sundays in June and July, 9:45-11:00 a.m.
Stay after early worship or come early before the 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship and enjoy a time of connecting with friends old and new as we celebrate the summer.
June 5 - Donuts and coffee
June 12 - Pastry, fruit, coffee
June 19 - Mini quiche, granola/yogurt parfait, fruit, pastry, coffee by Scrape the Plate catering
June 26 - Breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos and coffee by Taco Naco
July 3 - Pancakes
July 10 - to be announced
Breakfast will be complimentary; free will offering welcomed.
|
|
REMAKING THE WORLD TOGETHER |
|
ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN
Our annual generosity campaign, Remaking the World, continues. Estimate of Giving cards have begun to come in and of those received, nearly 50 percent have increased their planned giving for the coming year. It's not too late for you to share you giving estimate for the 2022-2023 year. You may:
Thank you again for your past support and ongoing faithfulness. We are grateful for you and that you are a part of our church family.
|
|
CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
The annual Congregational meeting will called to order at the beginning of each worship service on Sun., June 5 to vote on the leadership slate for the 2022-2023 church year. Ballots will be emailed to all members on June 5 and ballots will be mailed to those without email. All voting must be complete by June 11. Voting will also be available by phone by calling 816-381-9254. View the slate.
|
|
UNDUMPSTER DAY
Sat., June 4 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
South-Broadland Presbyterian Church
Clean out your closets, garage, basement and office and bring your still-good stuff to this one-stop drop for donations. Please note: This event is designed to collect still-good items you would feel proud to give to a friend or family member. If you have broken or otherwise unusable items, please upcycle or recycle them if possible or schedule a bulky item pickup. Charity partners reserve the right to refuse inappropriate donations. For full information including acceptable items HERE.
|
|
ROOTS SUMMER FUN!
Roots provides opportunities for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect as community, to learn and grow spiritually, and to make a change in our city through service-learning projects. Join us for these opportunities to connect and grow together.
Potluck Dinner and Discussion
Tues., June 7 • 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Ben and Whitney Cole's
Join us for a potluck at Ben and Whitney's! We’ll provide hamburgers & hotdogs— bring a side, drink, or dessert. We’ll catch up, eat, and then do an activity to inspire a deeper connection with our faith through summer spiritual practices.
Roots Dog Park Meet-up!
Sat., June 25 • 3:30-5:30 p.m. • Shawnee Mission Dog Park
Join us out at Shawnee Mission Park at the off-leash dog park near 87th and Ridgeview for a Roots get-together. Dogs are recommended but not required. RSVP now!
|
|
FAITH AND GRIEF LUNCH
Sideswiped by Sudden Loss
Tues., June 7, noon, Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road
Join us for lunch as guest speaker Steve Moore shares how, as a young teacher, he was forced to confront the grief and heartbreaking loss of a close friend and mentor during a stressful season of life. Following the presentation you may share your experiences in a facilitated small group. Everyone is welcome. Complimentary box lunch, free-will donations appreciated. Pre-registration is helpful but not required. Sponsored by six Kansas City area congregations. For information 816-381-9249. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/.
|
|
JUNE COLLECTION CONNECTION
The Metro Mission Team is collecting items during the month of June to support reStart,Inc., which supports people in need of housing. New or gently used twin size sheets, and new or gently used bath and hand towels are needed for their residential program. Please make sure items are clean. Bring donations to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, or on Sunday mornings.
|
|
GET TO KNOW OUR PARTNER AGENCIES
The Metro Mission Team invites you to attend information/open houses sponsored by several of the agencies we support with grants and volunteers. These sessions are open to the public, so bring a friend and introduce others to some local agencies doing life transforming work.
Amethyst Place - Tunes on Troost
2732 Troost
First Fridays in the summer (6/3; 7/1 and 8/5) 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Food trucks, music, kids activities, campus tours and more! No RSVP needed.
reStart Campus Tours
918 E. 9th Street
Thursdays 6/9 or 7/14, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join reStart CEO, Stephanie Boyer and tour their facility and learn more about the work they do addressing the many facets of homelessness throughout the metro. RSVP HERE.
Sheffield Place
6600 East 12th Street, KCMO
Tues., July 12, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. or Wed., July 13 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Learn about the mission of Sheffield Place, tour the facility, hear from a client, and learn how you can become involved in making a difference! Breakfast or lunch provided. For questions or to RSVP, please email David Hanzlick.
|
|
CHILDREN'S SERVICE LEARNING WEEK
Over the last week our children have participated in service-learning opportunities here in Kansas City, including a day at ScrapsKC, where they sorted and organized supplies in the morning and created in the afternoon!! |
|
EVERYDAY JUSTICE: GUN VIOLENCE
In response to the tragic shootings in recent weeks some in the congregation have asked for action steps they might take to accompany our prayers. In the days after the shooting, local Kansas City clergy gathered to call for increased gun safety and better mental health as well as a host of other options. For those who wish to encourage elected leaders to do something different in order to heal and bring wholeness to our fragmented world, the Everyday Justice small group of the church provides the following resources. It is up to each of us to advocate for what we see are the next best steps. Click HERE for some tips and resources.
|
|
SUMMER WORSHIP
We invite children who have finished 3rd grade and above to worship with their families during the 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 services. Childcare will be provided for Preschool -2nd grade in the backyard during 9:01, 10:00 a.m., and on the second floor during 11:00 a.m. Infants and toddler childcare continues to be available on the ground floor during all three services. Sunday School will resume this fall.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Food distribution for The Harmony Project
Thurs., June 9
Our Northeast Partner, The Harmony Project, will be hosting a food distribution event for their families and community on Thurs., June 9. Help is needed to bag food and load it into cars. This is a great family activity; children will need to be with an adult for their time slot.
1:45 - 3:45 p.m. Help unload donations, organize and bag the supplies (2-3 families)
3:45 - 5:45 p.m. Load groceries into cars as them come through the pick-up line (2-3 families)
Contact April for more information
|
|
YOUTH
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
Join us to serve, learn and grow together as a youth group. More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
MIDDLE SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 6-8 will travel to St. Louis, Sun. June 26-Wed., June 29.
HIGH SCHOOL - Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022.
SUMMER FUN!
Along with our summer service-learning trips, youth are invited to a few opportunities to get together for fun and for service here in Kansas City! See below for our special socials, and stay tuned for service opportunities:
-
Sunday, June 12, 12:15-2:30 p.m.: Lunch and Scavenger Hunt! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
-
Wednesday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: Worlds of Fun! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
-
Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Chicken and Pickle! (For incoming youth grades 6-12)
|
|
|
Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
