FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER: Unfettered Love |
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Mother’s Day brings a twinge of grief for some and a spark of joy for others. My friend will pass her first Mother’s day this year after losing her mom to covid. For some folks it is a reminder of infertility angst or a fracture in the fabric of relationship with Mom. But for many it will be the first time reuniting with a beloved mom after everyone is vaccinated or a time to sit back and marvel at the miracle of holding a newborn who has rocked one’s world with holy mystery and wonder.
Last weekend while visiting my mom in Texas, I accompanied my mom and sister on a crafting adventure. I usually avoid such activities as I hyperventilate with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy just driving by craft stores. Meanwhile my mom and sister get excited about the creative possibilities. I tried to be a good sport though as we were making bead chains to affix to face masks. They make beautiful gifts for family members and friends. So I went along but by 11:00 p.m., my three chains were only about halfway finished so I went to bed.
Maybe your mom also has a special talent. My husband’s mom made the best pies and took so many photos at family gatherings that we barely have any pictures of her. I once knew a single mom who organized her three sons by color coding all their laundry. The mom of two special needs adult children spends hours on the phone working the system to find mental health services to enable her children to thrive in a society that neglects special needs adults. If you ask a Mom why she does these things, she will usually shrug and say she never thought of doing it another way.
Mothers and Grandmothers and many others who play this role, love so deeply that when they make sacrifices for another, it does not look like martyrdom but like unfettered love. They embody the Creator of us all, who fashioned us out of the dust in order to delight in our mere presence. And who lavished us with love without limits in a flesh and blood person named Jesus.
When I woke up the next morning, my beautiful finished bead projects were wrapped up and ready to go in my suitcase. “Did you sleep last night?” I asked my mom. She smiled.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send a message to Carla, click HERE.
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SERMON SERIES - THE NEXT 100
May 9– Part 4, Unraised Steeples, based on I Corinthians 13:1-13. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.
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!
- Pick up a chair at the front or bring your own. Ushers available to assist.
- When you’re moving around the yard, please wear a mask.
- We invite you to bring your own communion—cookies and milk, bread and juice, crackers and coffee—it’s up to you! Or, individually wrapped communion packages will be available.
- Enjoy specialty coffees and smoothies from the coffee cart the first two weeks, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
- The instrumental trio will play each Sunday. Care givers will be on the playground to supervise young children.
- Weather cancellation decisions will be made by 8:00 a.m. on Sundays and posted to the web site and Facebook.
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.
While we are planning to host this event on the Church lawn, we are unable to safely move indoors in the case of inclement weather. If the weather is not cooperative on Saturday, a cancellation notice will be sent via e-mail and posted on the Church’s social media accounts.
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BEGINNING AGAIN:
ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN
Our annual giving campaign supporting the day to day ministries is underway concurrently with The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign. Each year your generosity allows us to maintain and grow all of the ministries which have been so vital to us all.
Click HERE to learn more about this campaign, and watch the annual campaign video at the right.
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CHURCH BUILDING REOPENING PLANS
As the City of Kansas City, Missouri, has lifted some of its Covid-19 restrictions, the church is beginning to transition back to more regular operations.
Building Usage: Starting May 17 the church buildings will be reopening during weekdays for church-affiliated groups to gather. Groups who wish to hold indoor gatherings should make scheduling requests with Lisa Tang. Based on the City's current order, masks are still required in all indoor spaces where six feet of social distancing cannot be maintained. Exemptions to this include gatherings where the parties have knowledge that all persons present indoors are fully vaccinated. Masks will be required in all public/common spaces including hallways and restrooms.
Worship: As you know, the 9:01 on the Lawn outdoor worship service will begin on May 16. As our most well-attended summer service, and knowing you are eager to return to in-person worship, we have acquired additional speakers so that worshippers may space out across the lawn and still hear. This outdoor service makes it possible for the most folks to experience a rich and meaningful worship experience in the safest manner. The online services will continue at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each Sunday. We expect to move indoors by late summer for all three services. We are in the process of investing in new cameras and technology that will enable us to have folks in the sanctuary worshipping in person while simultaneously streaming. Currently our film configuration only enables us to pre-record and edit.
Church Staff: The church staff will transition to a hybrid in-office/work-from-home schedule. If you need to meet with someone on staff, please call 816+333-4917, or contact the staff person directly.
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CEDAR RAPIDS RELIEF TRIP
June 3-6
The Mission Trips Team at Country Club Christian Church invites you to join us on a relief trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from June 3-6 to work with Habitat for Humanity to do repair and relief work with homes and other buildings affected by last summer’s derecho wind storm. We will leave at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 3, to work Thursday afternoon through Saturday afternoon, and will depart Cedar Rapids Sunday morning, June 6, to return to KC by early-mid afternoon. We will lodge with a local congregation. Participants must be 18 or older; space is limited. Cost will be $175-250. To register, submit a registration form to Lisa Tang and a $50 deposit, which you can submit HERE.
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Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), is responding to the Covid-19 crisis in India Click HERE for more information.
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FaithPub
May 13, 7:00 p.m. under the tent in the backyard
Hosted by Dr. Mike Graves, this popular men’s group meets for conversation on a host of spiritual topics. The guest speaker on May 13 is Dr. Matthew Thompson, Director of Music at Country Club Christian Church. You are invited to bring your own food and beverages.
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Roots May Social – Skincare & Spiritual Practice
Sat. May 15, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the church
Join us for our May Social in the church backyard. Our guest Christi Campbell will lead us in a ninety-minute workshop teaching us some skincare practices (for all genders and skin types!) and spiritual practices (including three different styles of meditation). You’re invited to join us as we learn together new styles of self care. RSVP now.
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FaithBistro
May 20, 6:30 p.m. under the tent in the backyard
For women of all ages, with guest speakers on spirituality and real-life issues. Connect with other women looking for conversations that matter. The speaker on May 20 is Rev. Trista Soendker Nicholson, who is Senior Minister at Red Bridge United Methodist Church. You are invited to bring your own food and beverages.
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May Collection Connection
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations of toilet paper and paper towels for Della Lamb Community Services, one of our partner agencies in the northeast area of KC. Della serves the needs of more than 1,500 low income or vulnerable families through rent and utility assistance, food pantry and other emergency services. Please bring your donations to church Mon. - Fri. between 8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m., or leave in the container at the east entrance. To learn more about Della Lamb click HERE.
Volunteer Opportunities Expanding
In person volunteer opportunities are expanding with our partner agencies and as people feel more comfortable serving in-person your help will be welcomed.
Micah Ministry has volunteer spots available on Monday evenings, explore and sign up HERE.
Cross-Lines of KCK offers a range of services throughout the week in the Argentine area of KCK. Many of these programs are supported by volunteers. Find out what volunteers are needed and how to apply HERE.
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RESCHEDULED - Grace at Work Partnership Day with reStart
Saturday, May 22, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Make plans to come help reStart create a usable outdoor space for their clients. We will be helping landscape an outdoor space. Children 5 and older are welcome to help with their parents. Please RSVP HERE. Confirmation and details will be emailed to registered volunteers a few days before.
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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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May 9 - No Club Kids – Join us on Saturday for our Centennial Celebration on the front lawn
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May16 - 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., we will gather after worship, have a snack and head to the zoo
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May 23 - Save the date 6:00. Youth, Club Kids and their families are all invited to an end of year picnic/grill out
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Service Learning Camp – After receiving feedback and speaking with our partner agencies we will be offering service projects throughout the summer instead of hosting a week long camp.
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TEXTING UPDATES. Stay tuned with all of our Club Kids activities via text reminders! Sign up here.
Backyard Bash is Coming June 9 – Watch for more information about this fun weekly summer event for children and families!
More about Children and Family Ministries HERE.
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YOUTH
May Campfire & Movie Night Social
Instead of an overnight campout on Sat., May 15, we’ll host an evening movie and campfire night at the church from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. We’ll watch a movie together in the Youth Center (masks required) before gathering around a fire pit outside for s’mores. Please eat dinner beforehand, and RSVP now to tylerh@cccckc.org.
Middle School Social - SkyZone
Middle schoolers are invited to a social on Tue., June 8, for a night at SkyZone in Shawnee (6495 Quivira Rd) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Cost is $25 and includes dinner. RSVP to Tyler.
High School Social: Nelson Atkins Art Course Mini-Golf
High schoolers are invited to join us for a social on Thurs., June 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m, as we go to the Nelson-Atkins to do their mini-golf course before sharing dinner together. Cost is $20 and includes dinner; RSVP to Tyler.
Summer Service Learning Trips - Registration is officially open for both the Middle School and High School Summer Service-Learning Weeks. Both weeks will invite youth to local service-learning projects throughout the week along with an overnight excursion. Below is more information for both! Click HERE for more information.
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So Much Fun! Check out this super fun video of Club Kids (grades 3-5) and Youth Group (grades 6-12) celebrating the end of the school year. |
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