FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Peace, Justice, and Love |
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Howard Thurman was valedictorian at Morehouse, a historically black men’s college, in 1923. While a student he worked as an errand boy in the university president’s office and one day a man waiting to see the president engaged him in conversation. “I am rearing my boys so that they will not hate Negroes. Do not misunderstand me. I do not love them, but I am wise enough to know that if I teach my boys to hate Negroes, they will end up hating white people as well.” Later as a theologian, pastor and civil rights leader, Thurman agreed with this man’s assessment of the power of hatred saying “Hatred cannot be controlled once it is set in motion.” *
I thought of this story in the wake of the verdict out of Minneapolis this week. Tensions were high prior to the announcement and afterwards, some of the comments of joy felt inconsistent with the good news of the Christian message. When one man dies and another goes to prison, how can there be joy for anyone? I wonder how we can reflect the passion of Jesus for peace and justice without sewing seeds of division and hatred?
Over the past year, our church board has been wrestling with this question: “How will Country Club Christian Church become a healing, constructive and transformative voice in the urgent, ongoing conversation about racism in our nation?” As part of our wrestling, last week we had a panel of leading black pastors address our board. It was an honest, challenging, inspiring conversation about how the Christian scriptures and the witness of Jesus summon us to create a world where all people are treated as those made in God’s image and likeness.
First John 4:20 reads “Those who say “ I love God” and hate their brothers and sisters are liars.”
Grace and Peace,
Carla
*Jesus and the Disinherited, 1949
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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NEW SERMON SERIES - THE NEXT 100
April 25 – Part 2, Indescribable Gift. Based on 2 Corinthians 9: 6-15. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
As we celebrate the Centennial of our congregation, we now boldly build the tomorrows for those who will come after us. This series will reflect on the gratitude we share for the indescribable gift of God’s grace and the ways we are called to partner with the holy one for future ministry and service. Read more about The Next 100 campaign below.
Click HERE to worship with us.
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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COMING MAY 16
9:01 ON THE LAWN
Join us for our first in-person service in more than a year! Service will follow safety protocols and will continue throughout the summer. More details coming soon. We can't wait to see you in person!
Indoor services will also be streamed via cccckc.org at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday.
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After more than two years of visioning, listening, dreaming and prayerfully discerning, our congregation is launching a bold vision for the future with The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign.
Watch our campaign VIDEO.
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Celebration Event
Saturday, May 8 • 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Join us to celebrate the success of
The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign
Brief program begins at 3:30 p.m. followed by planting a tree in celebration of The Next 100 Campaign and honoring the children of our congregation.
Enjoy live music, food and beverage, conversation with friends, and Mothers’ Day activities for children and youth.
View renderings and talk to campaign co-chairs about the projects included in The Next 100 campaign.
Bring your Next 100 Campaign Card and Annual Stewardship Campaign Card.
Safety protocols will be observed.
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Monday Night Classes - Saints of Our Time
April 26, and May 3, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom
Led by Dr. Mike Graves
The word “saint” conjures up all sorts of things for us moderns, golden halos painted around ancient heads, people like Saint Augustine, or more recently, Saint Teresa. In these interactive Zoom sessions, we will look at some more modern saints and what they have to teach us ordinary saints in our day: Barbara Brown Taylor and Mary Oliver.
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Uprooting Racism Workshop Watch Party
Tues., Apr. 27, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Backyard tent, BYOBeverage, light snacks provided
Join others from the church community for a backyard watch party of a recent event hosted by American Public Square with guest professor Eddie S. Glaude, Jr. Glaude is a scholar who recently published Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. In this workshop, Glaude offers important lessons about how to honestly confront our history in a way that might transform our future into one that overcomes the racism and injustice of our present. We will also hear more about APS, a non-partisan organization committed to creating space for important conversations, and how our church might connect with APS. RSVP now to Lisa Tang.
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FaithBistro
For women of all ages, meets Thurs., April 29 at 6:30 p.m. under the tent in the backyard
Guest speaker is Joanna Harader, pastor of Peace Mennonite Church in Lawrence, KS. Bring your own drinks and wear a mask.
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Faith and Grief: From Death to New Life
Tues., May 4, Noon
Rev. Melanie Hardison discusses the ways that death leads to new life, not only for the deceased, but for those of us who grieve and remember. Rev. Hardison lost her father to leukemia 15 years ago. She was with her father when he died and will share the spiritual experiences she had during his final hours. Following her reflection, you may share your own experiences, if you are comfortable doing so, in a facilitated small group through our on-line conversation. Everyone is welcome; no charge. Faith and Grief Virtual Support Gatherings are hosted by Kansas City area congregations. Register HERE or HERE. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
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Guest Gathering
Thurs., May 6 – 7:00-8:00, under the tent in the backyard
Coming together as a strong community of faith begins with learning more about one another. At our Spring Guest Gathering, Rev. Carla Aday will address our history as a congregation along with exciting plans for the future beginning with our Centennial Celebration and our upcoming church restoration. We’ll identify pathways to meet others and become engaged in the life of the church through service and study. We look forward to getting to know you and to answering your questions.
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EASTER OFFERING RECIPIENT SUCCESS STORY
Grooming Project Update
This year’s Easter offering focused on three agencies that offer true resurrection for their clients, moving them from support programs into fully independent living and working situations: Amethyst Place, The Grooming Project, and True Light Family Resource Center.
The Grooming Project recently shared some inspiring success stories with us about their work, including this video (right) featuring new residences for their clients, and an article about the success of one of their recent graduates.
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It's not too late to GIVE to the Easter Offering. |
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Grace at Work Partnership Day with reStart
Sat., May 1 • 9:00 a.m. - Noon • reStart
Make plans to come help reStart create a usable outdoor space for their clients. We will be working to prep a small lot for a community garden and butterfly garden. Children 5 and older are welcome to help with their parents. Come for whatever stretch of time you are available. Please RSVP HERE. Confirmation and details will be emailed to registered volunteers a few days before. Our rain date will be on Sunday, May 2.
APRIL COLLECTION CONNECTION
Household Supplies for The Grooming Project
The Metro Mission team invites donations of toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and kitchen size trash bags to support The Grooming Project. Donations may be brought to church between 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to the east entrance, or left in the teal box at the east entrance.
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CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Club Kids for 3rd-5th graders, is an opportunity for fellowship and fun! Community-building games and activities are the focus of these fun gatherings.
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April 25 - 5:00-6:00 p.m. at the church
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May 2 - 5:00-7:00 p.m., meal provided, come dressed to get dirty, we're hosting a color war with the youth group
Children's Virtual Choir - Join us for a special Children’s Virtual Choir video performance! All children are welcome to participate. Practice at home and record your child singing along to the demo video. Videos will be compiled into all children singing “together.” We will share the finished video with all of you as well as use it for special music during our online service broadcast.
Submit videos by Sun., Apr. 25!
April Moms Night Out
Wed., April 28, 7:-00 p.m.
Location: Waldo Greenhouse - Our group will have a private lesson from the owner with all the tips on making your outdoor pots/window boxes/flower beds/etc ready for spring. Or, if growing veggies is more your style, she can give you all the strategies for growing your own food. Even if you don't have a green thumb, it will be a fun night of hanging out with moms. More details to come....
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
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YOUTH
Youth Group
Sun., Apr. 25 Join us for a combined backyard youth group this Sunday night from 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Along with games and other activities, we’ll spend some time in conversation with some church members about their memories with Country Club and what they’re excited about for our centennial.
May Backyard Campout
Youth are invited to a backyard campout at the church on Saturday, May 15th, starting at 6p! We’ll spend the night together for essentially an outdoor lock-in— full of games, snacks, a movie, and more! Youth will be invited to participate in a special moment in our first outdoor summer worship service the following Sunday morning.
Summer Service Learning Trips - We are thrilled to announce our summer service-learning opportunities for 2021! This summer, we will host two service-learning weeks that will allow both middle and high schoolers a chance to serve, learn, and build memories together with local service-learning opportunities and one overnight component. Click HERE for more information.
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