Moving Beyond the Answer of Fine |
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By Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn, Minister to Children and Families
Recently, amid an increasing flurry of in-person activity, friends have asked me, “How are you?” To which of course I have replied “Good. Fine. Well...you know.”
After such a long stretch of not seeing people face-to-face, re-entry has found me strangely discomfited even in brief encounters of reconnection. I walk away, something left unshared... that is, until a friend called me on it, probing, “Why don’t you say what you need to say? Be yourself. Most likely if you feel something, others are feeling the same way.”
Doubt ridden, I shook my head. I could not bring myself to say, “There is nothing I lack. I have an income, my health, shelter, and the support of a loving family but something still feels off.” Instead of being buoyed by this time of re-entry, I am distracted, worried, anxious—in search of hand holds that make it possible to move forward.
In the creation story, God calls us to be in relationship with one another. All of us are created and deemed “good,” designed to forge harmony in this world with our love. Day in and day out as we worship, serve, study, and commune as people of faith, we live out that invitation—the relationship with God and with each other. It is in this community that I want to be able to open up about how I am feeling, the ways I feel stuck, and the things over which I truly grieved in the last year.
Can we declare authenticity “good?” As we make space for more sharing and more events, perhaps we can also make space for pauses—time for gentle questions and answers to emerge. This past year is a certain trove of strength, grace offered amid unforeseen complications. May it serve our relationship with God and with each other to expose our vulnerability, and sit together in faith and openness.
To send a message to Catherine, click HERE.
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WORSHIP WITH US
In-person worship at 9:01 a.m. only. Online worship at 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. or on demand any time. All three in-person worship services resume on Aug. 15.
This Sunday: Tyler Heston preaching "Touched Up But Not Transformed" based on Luke 11:24-26.
Click HERE to worship online with us.
Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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MASK UPDATE
In compliance with the Kansas City, Mo., indoor mask mandate, we are asking everyone to wear a mask at all times when inside the church, regardless of vaccination status.
To protect our children who are not old enough to be vaccinated, the North entrance is restricted to families dropping off children for childcare and Sunday School. Portions of the Ground, First, and Second floors are also restricted to children and parents. Masks are mandatory in these areas of the building at all times for everyone over 2 years of age. These guidelines are based on the recommendation of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Please bring a mask with you when you come to worship. We have a limited number of disposable masks available, however supplies of masks are becoming limited once again due to the surge in infection rates.
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PARKING ON WARD PARKWAY ENDS AT 11:00 A.M.
Until we resume three in-person worship services on August 15, our parking staff's hours have changed. For those attending the 9:01 outdoor worship service, please move your vehicles from Ward Parkway by 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to park in the Chapel parking lot.
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SAVE THE DATE - AUGUST 15
IN-PERSON WORSHIP RESUMES & CENTENNIAL BLOCK PARTY
On Sun., Aug. 15, we resume all three in-person worship services, at 9:01 (sanctuary), 10:00 (chapel) and 11:00 a.m. (sanctuary). Sunday School classes will resume for all ages, at 10:00 a.m. each Sunday. Because of the mask mandate referenced above, masks will be required for all who are attending worship indoors.
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CENTENNIAL BLOCK PARTY ON THE LAWN
Join us for a day of fun! On the same day we resume in-person worship at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m., we will begin several months of celebrating our Centennial with a Block Party on the front lawn. Complimentary food, music and fun for all ages! This event is open to the public. Later today you'll receive an email highlighting this event that you can forward. We hope you will use it to invite friends and family to join us for this special day.
- Picnic lunch – hamburgers, hot dogs and sides
- Ice cream truck
- Live music on the front lawn
- Bounce house, balloon animals, yard games
- In-person worship resumes at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m.
Because this event is outdoors, masks are optional, however if you are unvaccinated we encourage you to wear a mask.
OTHER CENTENNIAL EVENTS COMING THIS FALL - SAVE THE DATES
September 12 - Guest Preacher
Dr. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), preaching.
September 19 - Baptisms, Baby Dedications and Books
Historian and church member Dr. Linna Place’s book on the church’s history, and a companion book for children, will be available for purchase, and we will celebrate baptisms and infant dedications in worship.
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REGISTER NOW
MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course
Max turned 100 earlier this year and we are celebrating the church's 100th anniversary, so this event honors both milestones! You don't have to be a pro to enjoy this fun day of golf. Sign up today!
Proceeds support Friends in Service of Heroes and Veterans Community Project. Sign-up individually ($150 per person) or form a team. You can also sponsor a hole for $750. Sign-up and pay online at www.cccckc.org/golf. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves at mikeg@cccckc.org. Click HERE to register.
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STATE OF THE CHURCH
Tues., Sept. 14 • 7:00 p.m.
Rev. Carla Aday will give a vision update and present the 2020-2021 annual report.
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TALL OAKS GALA
Fri., Sept. 17 • 5:00 p.m.
The annual gala supporting Tall Oaks Conference Center is Fri., Sept. 17. For information about event tickets or donating auction items, click HERE.
Tall Oaks is an outreach ministry the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Greater Kansas City region. For over 50 years Tall Oaks has provided camps and served as a conference venue for children, youth and adults in the metropolitan area.
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COLLECTION CONNECTION for August:
School Supplies and School Uniforms
The Metro Mission Team is collecting school supplies for elementary aged children to benefit our partner organizations. Markers, scissors, glue sticks, #2 pencils, spiral notebooks, backpacks, etc. New or gently used school uniforms (dark blue, light blue or white polos, khaki or dark blue bottoms) in children's sizes. School supplies and uniforms can be brought to church Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at the east entrance or dropped off after hours in the collection bin at the east entrance, or on Sunday mornings.
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COOKIES FOR MICAH MINISTRY
Country Club Christian Church provides the food at least once a month for the Monday evening Micah Ministry meals and we are in need of homemade desserts; cookies or brownies. Please package in individual servings (two medium cookies or one large brownie per zip lock) and bring to church weekdays 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.. Email Shelly Trewolla when you deliver as she will plan to use them for the next meal. We accept them all through the month and freeze them until needed.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
CLUB KIDS VISIT THE ZOO!
Sun., Aug. 29, 1:00 p.m.
3rd - 5th graders are invited to meet Catherine and April at the zoo! Bring $18, your walking shoes and a water bottle. RSVP to April.
PARENT PLAYDATE
Sun., Aug. 29, 10:00 a.m.
Drop in the library for a time to connect with other parents with infants and toddlers (24 months and younger.) Come enjoy light refreshments as you get to meet other families. Babies bring your parents to play! Sara and Alex will join us to lead some simple songs for the little ones!
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YOUTH
MIDDLE SCHOOL PIZZA TOUR
Aug. 22, 12:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual Middle School Pizza Tour! We will carpool from the church to three local pizzerias. RSVP to tylerh@cccckc.org; $8/person (scholarships available).
HIGH SCHOOL BBQ TOUR
Aug. 29, 12:15 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Join us for the annual High School BBQ Tour! We will carpool from the church to three3 local BBQ favorites. RSVP to Tyler; $15/person (scholarships available).
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Backyard Bash on Aug. 4 KC Disc Dogs were so much fun at the last Backyard Bash of the season on Aug. 4! Our yard was lined with children – of all ages -- being delighted by the antics and tricks of the dogs. As Rev. Joe Walker put it, the Disc Dogs have their humans trained to play Frisbee with them for hours! |
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with Darrell and Sharon Cantrell and their family on the sudden loss of their grandson, Jonathan, from an undiagnosed genetic disorder on Aug. 2.
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