March 4, 2022
FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Forty Days
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”

Forty days. Jesus, our Lord, spent forty days facing trials and temptations, worries and struggles. In a way, it makes no sense that God in human flesh would also suffer. And yet, Jesus came to be with us, to be one of us, to face the reality of life that God’s own family faces. 

The Christian people mark off 40 days on our calendars for a season called “Lent” which begins on Ash Wednesday and gloriously concludes on Easter Sunday. Remember that 40 is Bible-speak for a long time. Noah was on the boat 40 days and 40 nights, waiting with a bunch of loud and smelly animals to see if the world would end or if a sprig of hope would emerge so that life could begin afresh. The Isrealites wandered around hungry and griping about the living conditions in the barren wilderness for 40 years. They were suspended in a holding place between the old life of slavery in Egypt and the new life of the promised land where milk and honey would flow. Moses hung out with God on Mt. Sinai for 40 days while the 10 commandments were carved in stone. Forty feels like a long time. Too long. 

We have known the uneasiness of 40 days. Waiting for the doctor to call with a diagnosis, waiting for a prodigal child to come home, waiting for the wounds of a divorce to heal. Forty can seem interminably long. It stretches out beyond our storehouse of patience. We wait for a pandemic to end. We wait for civic life to reveal justice. And now we watch with horror the atrocities in Ukraine. We join in solidarity with those who are rising up and with those who are suffering. The wait for peace and freedom seems too long. 

I think Lent is that season that refuses to let us off with easy answers. It invites us to sit with Jesus and all our spiritual ancestors. It invites us to pay attention to the broken places in our lives and around the globe. Where is God? Where are we in our relationship to God? Lent is a long pause. It is not an easy place but it is a place where the Spirit of God dwells. Jesus was there in the wilderness for 40 days. And the Spirit was there too. This prayer from Walter Brueggemann names for me the journey that includes both the pain and the promise of Lent’s 40 days.

“God of transformation, be with us in our loss, our brooding, and our hope. May we linger in faithfulness, not denying our pain nor cutting short our brooding. May we resist facile hopes; may we wait for you. Amen” 

Grace and Peace in your 40 days,

Carla 

To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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.

LENTEN SERMON SERIES: THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS
This year as we journey toward the resurrection at Easter, we'll shine a spotlight one of the age-old themes of Lent: confession and forgiveness. God calls on us to admit we have failed, and God promises as always to forgive us. But there is also the opportunity to consider the ways we sin against each other. Forgiveness is a gift that seems too good to be true, and yet it is at the heart of the gospel. Come and join us on the journey.

Sun., Mar. 6 - The Gift of Forgiveness, Part 1: Which Is Easier? Based on Mark 2:1-12. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.

Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
COVID PROTOCOL UPDATES

At the beginning of the pandemic we adopted three values to guide us as a church:
  • Protect the vulnerable
  • Keep people safe
  • Create community

In keeping with these values we are updating our current protocols.  
  1. Masks will become optional in worship services after the positivity rate in Jackson County drops below 5 percent. This is anticipated to happen in the coming days or weeks as the current rate is 6.7 percent which is still considered high risk by the CDC. An update will be posted in this newsletter after we drop below 5 percent. Those who have not completed full vaccination and boosting are asked to continue masking. 
  2. Small groups, classes and meetings for children, youth and adults will each decide the best protocols for their own group gatherings and may choose to discontinue mask use if all participants are comfortable. 
  3. Staff who are completely vaccinated will no longer test weekly but will rapid test if experiencing any symptoms before coming to church.  
  4. We will continue to mask in the hallways during the week until the mask requirements are modified in the preschool Mar. 21.  
WEEK OF COMPASSION IN UKRAINE

As the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Week of Compassion works with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world. ​Click HERE for more information on Week of Compassion’s current actions.

Disciples have already asked how to help. Contributions can be made online or by check, designated for International Emergency Response where 100 percent of your gift will go to people who are impacted by this crisis.
THE WAR IN UKRAINE: A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE
Mon., Mar. 7, 7:00 p.m., Youth Center or via Zoom

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is on the minds of everyone, or should be. Pundits and ordinary people alike weigh in on a host of assorted topics: Putin’s mindset, EU intervention, Ukrainian resistance, bomb shelters, runs on banks, even the price of gas here at home. The most common Christian response is calls for prayers, which seems too little too late to most folks. What might be a more robust Christian response? In this class, Dr. Vince Clark, a professor of modern European history will provide some historical context and Dr. Mike Graves will articulate a possible Christian response.
EVERYDAY JUSTICE GATHERING FOR LEARNING AND CONNECTING
Sunday, March 6, 4:30 - 6:00 pm, Youth Center
Civil Rights Pilgrimage Presentation 

You are invited to join Hannah Fenley and Mike Matteuzzi as they revisit their March 2021 Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, and Atlanta. Through slides from sites visited and the sharing of things learned and things felt, you will have the opportunity to experience the hope and the horror of the struggle to achieve liberty and justice for all. No boarding pass required!  Appropriate for middle school ages and up. Invite friends to join you for this experience.  Please RSVP to Lisa. 
GUEST GATHERING
Sun., Mar. 13, 10:00 a.m. in the Library

If you are a guest at Country Club Christian Church, we are happy to welcome you! Whether you’re a new visitor, or you’ve been attending for a while, we invite you to join us to learn more about us in a casual setting. A member of our clergy will guide you through our values, traditions, and beliefs and you’ll discover ways to connect with our service opportunities, classes, small groups, and of course, our members. We would love to become your church family. RSVP to Rachel Wymore
REMAKING THE WORLD WITH KRISTA TIPPETT
Wed., Apr. 20, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Krista Tippett, Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, National Humanities Medalist, New York Times bestselling author, founder and CEO of the On Being Project; and host of the On Being podcast will speak at Country Club Christian Church. The title of her presentation is Remaking the World. Watch for opportunities to join a discussion group prior to this event, details coming soon.
CELEBRATION DINNER AND AUCTION
Fri., April 29, 6:30 p.m., 2016 Main Event Space

After two years of waiting and rescheduling, the Celebration Dinner and Auction, originally planned for March 2020, is happening on Fri., Apr. 29. This event will be a time to come together as a church in a casual, fun setting. If you were a benefactor or ticket holder for the 2020 event, watch your mail for ticket and RSVP information. If you're interested in attending, but didn't have tickets in 2020, watch for ticket sales opening later this month.
METRO MISSION
MARCH COLLECTION CONNECTION: TOILET PAPER

Metro Mission is collecting rolls of toilet paper to support our partner agencies. Offering these donations to several of our local organizations help stretch their funding for equally urgent expenses. Please bring donations to the church Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or on Sunday mornings through March.
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP DAY WITH DELLA LAMB COMMUNITY SERVICES

Members and friends of the congregation gathered at Della Lamb for a February Grace at Work day. All gathered at the Woodland Avenue location and were greeted by Cori Wallace, Engagement Director, who shared an overview of the organization and led the volunteers through a learning experience about refugee resettlement. Two work teams stayed at the agency to sort, organize, move items and make spaces more usable for all the work the agency does every day. 
Another team consisting of several families headed to a hotel housing Afghan families evacuated and awaiting housing in the Kansas City metro area. Children of all ages came to do activities with the volunteers. Soccer was a highlight for all. Country Club Christian Church is helping with house-to-home efforts for the Afghan families as Della Lamb helps secure housing and get them settled.  

Della Lamb partners with a local agency for items needed to furnish homes.  Information about donating household items can be found by clicking HERE and choosing Donate at the top right.  
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

CLUB KIDS, 3rd-5th Grade
Join us this Sunday, 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at the Church for Create Night. We will be doing various art activities.
Fifth Graders are welcome to join the Everyday Justice presentation on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage to Birmingham, Selma, Montgomery, and Atlanta.

MOPS Wed., Mar. 9 at 7:00 p.m.
All moms are welcome to join us as Jennifer Austenfeld, church member and clinical psychologist, presents on Parenting with Joy and Wisdom, looking at resources for parents and all who care about and mentor children. If you wish to be added to the MOPS emails and group me, let April know.

If you have a mom friend that you think might enjoy connecting with other moms, please invite her to join us!


SPRING FLING, Sun., Apr. 3, noon
Join us for our annual egg hunt. We will have a snack lunch, craft, games and egg hunting. Interested in hosting a game? Please email April.
YOUTH

SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
We're excited to announce that we’re traveling out of town for our summer service-learning trips to serve with local nonprofits, learn about the related issues and how our faith fits in, and to grow together as a youth group.

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.

More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
BIBLE AND ART TOUR OF ITALY
May 30-June 9, 2022

A few spaces remain on this tour which was originally scheduled pre-pandemic. This unforgettable tour of world-class museums, cathedrals, Renaissance architecture, and the Tuscan countryside is led by Donna Houtteman, a docent at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, Rev. Carla Aday and Dr. Mike Graves. In addition to guided tours, there will be free days for leisure and day trips. For more information contact Dr. Mike Graves, mikeg@cccckc.org.
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CAMP, July 23-30, 2022

Only a few rooms remain open for this year's Christian Community Camp at the YMCA of the Rockies near Estes Park, CO. If you've been considering going, now is the time to sign up! Questions about camp? Here's what you need to know:

Q: Does this camp involve tents?
A: No! The folks who go to Community Camp stay in a modern lodge with lovely mountain views and enjoy home cooked meals provided by volunteer chefs from our church.

Q: I don't know anyone else who is going to Community Camp. Will I feel out of place?
A: No! Each year first-time Community Campers are enthusiastically welcomed and many establish lifelong friendships from the experience.

Q: I'm not an experienced hiker. Is there anything else to do there?
A: Activities abound, from horseback riding, fishing and crafting, to shopping, antiquing or mini golf in Estes Park, to simply relaxing on the deck of the lodge with a good book. And yes, hiking too, with many options for hikers of all levels of experience.

Christian Community Camp is truly a magical experience for all ages. Click HERE for more information. Please let April know if you are interested in attending.

Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning. 
www.cccckc.org