FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: These Precious Days |
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The travel brakes were slammed on a year ago. My son-in-law flew weekly to Canada for a consulting job but Canada closed the borders. My friend took a corporate promotion to lead a team in Europe but cannot physically relocate due to travel bans. My nephew teaches in Spain but his mother, my sister, cannot visit. My doctor told me she has waited her whole life to be able to travel and now has postponed her trip to Italy three times.
“These Precious Days” is the title of an article by Ann Patchett where she reflected on personal discoveries and friendships that unfolded after the travel ban went into place. (Harper’s Magazine) Ann had to cease her book tour. Ann had recently befriended a new acquaintance who is Tom Hanks’ personal assistant. But by a strange, or perhaps divine, turn of events, Ann and her new acquaintance ended up sharing a home together for the first three months of covid. Not traveling opened their eyes.
Travel expands our horizons and stretches us to see life from someone else's' vantage point. Mark Twain claimed that, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness,” but we’ve been grounded. So has the curtain fallen on discovery?
While stuck at home this past year, I have noticed two things. One, after I spend a few hours with people, I get a high. I feel a burst of energy. I feel hopeful. Alive. Positive. And the second seems like a contradiction but isn’t. I savor a long unhurried evening at home in front of the fireplace. The leisure to not hurry through dinner and chores but to actually just sit and be is a restorative balm to my soul. Perhaps I knew this before covid. Or perhaps I needed to learn it anew. But the last year has given us time to notice life. Augustine, the pioneer of so much Chrisitan thought wrote:
Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.
As we pass the one year mark of covid, what have you noticed about your own life, your own soul. What makes the day precious?
Grace and peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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What makes for a life worth living and how do we glimpse this more clearly as we focus on the journey of Jesus to the cross and empty tomb? Someone has written that the purpose of Lent is to wake us up to our need for Lent. It is a season to pause and reflect on who we are and who God calls us to become. By focusing on the short but powerful life of Jesus, we remember what our own lives are meant to be. Why did he live? Why did he die? Join us on Ash Wednesday, and Sundays during Lent as we journey together toward Easter Sunday.
Click HERE to worship with us. In worship this Sunday: Carla Aday preaching "Life: A Lent Worth Living, Part 5 - When Loss is Gain" based on John 12:20-33.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
Do you ever have trouble accessing our live stream? Click HERE for some helpful hints. |
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LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS UNDERWAY
The nominating process to fill elected positions for the 2021-2022 church year is underway.
Your participation is invaluable in identifying a diverse representation of leaders from our congregation. The Nominating Committee would like to ask you to take a second to think about the people in your church community that you would like working for you. The work of the church is more important than ever in these unusual times, here’s a simple way to be a part of it!
Nominations are being accepted for
- Elders and Deacons
- Personnel Committee Members
- Endowment Fund Trustees
- Congregational Board Members
- Treasurer
You can nominate yourself if you are interested in a specific role! Deadline is March 31, 5:00 p.m.
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MONDAY NIGHT CLASSES - CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL
March 29, April 5, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
March 29 – “The Disciples of Christ in One Sentence” Dr. Newell Williams, Professor of Church History and President of Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University, will present an overview of the historic beginnings and current status of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
April 5 – “Country Club Christian Church in One Century” Dr. Linna Place, a member of Country Club Christian Church and retired Professor of American Social and Cultural History at UMKC, will highlight the first 100 years of our church’s story.
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A LIFE WORTH LIVING COURSE
SPRING SESSION
April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 7:00 p.m.
Register for the spring session of the Life Worth Living Course is now open. Click HERE for more information on the class and to register. |
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FLAG POLE REPAIRED
The church's flagpole was recently repaired; it now sports a new flag which goes all the way to the top without the rope/flag billowing out and getting caught in the tree branches.This was made possible by a generous donation from Bill and Jan Daniels.
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MAX DEWEESE 100TH BIRTHDAY RECEPTION
Fri., Mar. 19, 5:00-7:30 p.m., American Legion Post 370, 7500 W. 75th St., Overland Park, KS
Longtime member Max Deweese will celebrate his 100th birthday with a reception on Fri., Mar. 19. He invites all church members to stop by to help him celebrate this milestone year.
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EASTER OFFERING SPOTLIGHT:
The Grooming Project
This year’s Easter offering focuses on agencies offering true resurrection for their clients, moving them from support programs into fully independent living and working situations.
This week we are spotlighting THE GROOMING PROJECT. This unique organization's story is brought to life in this video.
More information about The Grooming Project and the other Easter Offering agencies HERE. Click HERE to give to the Easter Offering.
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WELCOME TO THE WORLD!
During the last 12 months, many families in our congregation have welcomed new babies. Please join us in congratulating these families, and look for these new faces when we return to in-person services.
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James Carrier, born to parents Benjamin and Katie Carrier |
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Vaughn Emmerson, born to parents Tim and Darci |
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Henry Sicher, born to parents Peter and Kristin Sicher |
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Lily Jensen, born to parents Stewart and Hannah Jensen |
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Lucy Hillis, born to parents Christopher and Kate Hillis |
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Audra Nakada, born to parents Brandon and Kathy Nakada |
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Henry Symmonds, born to parents Shaun and Erin Symmonds. Pictured with sister Amelia |
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Jackson Dunn, born to parents Greg and Christa Dunn |
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Olivia Leonard, born to parents Betsy and Jim Leonard. Pictured with big brother Charles |
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Colin Martucci, born to parents Jimmy and Meagan. Pictured with brother PJ. |
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Charles Penn, born to parents Andrew and Jaclyn Penn. Pictured with sister Maddie and brother Owen. |
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MARCH COLLECTION CONNECTION
In March we are gathering donations of candy to help fill the Easter eggs for the church’s Spring Fling and also to share with our outreach partners serving residential families for their spring activities. You can donate in two ways:
- Individually wrapped candy can be placed in the teal box at east entrance
- Pick-up a bag (or more) of 24 eggs to fill with individually wrapped candy, or stickers and then return when filled to the teal box.
Questions? Contact April.
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GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY: MICAH MINISTRY
Mon., Mar. 29, Noon - 4:00 pm
The Metro Mission team invites all to a service opportunity with one of our NE mission partners, Micah Ministry at Independence Blvd Christian Church, to help in the clothing closets. We will be sorting, organizing and helping process the many donations they have received during the pandemic. Safe practices of social distancing and mask wearing will be practiced. Two shifts of up to 15 people are available. Please sign up HERE.
If you are unable to help on Mar. 29, Micah Ministry utilizes volunteers each Monday. Sign up at HERE.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Spring Fling is Sunday
Sun., Mar. 21, Noon-2:00 p.m.
Children and families are invited to Spring Fling, a modified version of our annual Easter Egg Hunt designed with safe distancing measures in place. Children will enjoy an egg picking garden, crafts, games and more!
Easter Eggs and Volunteers Needed -- Pick up a pack of plastic eggs to fill with individually wrapped treats for the egg picking garden. Eggs available on Sun., Feb 28 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the east entrance. Or donate individually wrapped pieces of candy to fill eggs. Drop off candy or filled eggs at the east entrance at any time. If you'd like to volunteer to help on the day of Spring Fling, contact April.
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YOUTH
No youth group this Sunday night! Join us for youth group next week, March 28.
April Social — Youth are invited to a scavenger hunt social on Sunday, April 11th! Middle Schoolers will meet at the plaza from 2:30-4:00pm for a scavenger hunt, and high schoolers will meet in the Crossroads neighborhood for a scavenger hunt and outdoor dinner from 5:00 to 6:30pm. More details TBA
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NATIVE PLANT SALE
Spring is here and we could all use some outside time so take a look at the native plants available for pre-order! These will arrive in time for spring planting! Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals. And native plants are easier to take care of in your garden.
Pre-orders only, due by April 9.
Click HERE for more information and order form. |
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
GIFTS IN MEMORY OR HONOR OF LOVED ONES ones are placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. Gifts have recently been given in memory of:
In Memory of Edmund Scherer, Endowment Fund
Wayne and Melanie Thompson
Kurt Zschietzschmann
Fritz Zschietzschmann
In Memory of Carol Smith, Sewing Group
Randy and Cindy Irey
Martha Lieser
In Honor of Lesley Holt, Centennial Gifts Campaign
Peter Holt
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