I do believe it is possible to create, even without ever writing a word or painting a picture, by simply molding one’s inner life.
-Etty Hillesum, An Interrupted Life
The artist's brush strokes make a difference. The way the light focuses your attention on a particular character in the Biblical scene speaks volumes of theology. When we embarked on the “Bible and Art” tour in Italy I was prepared to have my mind expanded.
And then came a new dimension. We began to learn about the personal narrative of the artist who sculpted or painted. Leonardo DaVinci was an illegitimate son and so he was not allowed to receive the formal education that would have been his right if he was legitimate. This opened the doorway for him to explore creative avenues of science, art, engineering instead of becoming a notary like his father. And in the 15th century he was openly gay and was arrested for behaving in ways that church and society frowned upon. In many ways he was marginalized by society and yet he painted two of the most famous paintings in the world: the Mona Lisa which crowds still clamor to see in Paris and the Last Supper which we replicate in our own church with a life sized wood carving. How did his own personal angst open the doorway for him to reach creative genius status?
Caravaggio murdered a man and was always in trouble or on the run. And he is one of my favorite artists, capturing the depth of human pain and holy light all at once in his dramatic paintings. And a contemporary of his, Artimisia Gentileschi, the first woman artist accepted into the Academy of Art, painted the story of a Jewish woman, Judith, beheading Holofernes in order to save the Jewish people. But she gave Judith her own face and Holofernes the face of the man who had raped her. Her tragic story becomes intertwined with the story of God working through humanity to seek justice.
As I pondered the artist's life shaping his or her creative expressions, my heart began to open up as well. How is it that the joys and trials of our own lives enable us to see something of God in the world? All of us are creative. We may not be artists. But we have the opportunity each day to mold our inner lives, to take the threads of our lives and weave God’s holy presence into the tapestry. Our own stories influence how we receive the Good news of God and how we share it.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send Carla an email click HERE.
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HUMAN RIGHTS PILGRIMAGE
Oct. 24-27
Sign Up Deadline is June 25
This pilgrimage to Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama will include visits to the National Peace and Justice Museum, the Tuskegee Airmen Museum, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Freedom Riders Museum.
The trip is planned in partnership with members of Swope Parkway United Christian Church. Participants will be encouraged to build relationships with members of the partner church by participating in a small group prior to the trip. The trip is led by Rev Carla Aday and Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, Retired Chaplain and Disciples of Christ pastor.
A $100 deposit, due by June 25, reserves your spot. Sign up and pay electronically HERE. Total cost is $1250 per person, double occupancy, or $1,600 single occupancy. Scholarships are available. Includes hotel; airfare, transportation from Atlanta to Alabama and all sights by motor coach; museum fees, three breakfasts, one lunch and two dinners, tips. Does not include: two dinners, two lunches, travel insurance, transport to Kansas City airport. (Without airfare, $875 double; $1225 single.)
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ONLINE SECURITY REMINDER: Recently we have received several reports of members being contacted through email or social media sites such as Facebook by fake profiles claiming to be church staff. Some reminders about online security:
- Be very careful if you receive messages that sound in any way suspicious or arrive at suspicious times, such as during the middle of the night.
- Some of these messages contain links that, when clicked, can download malware to your computer. Don't click on any links received through Facebook Messenger or direct messages from Instagram.
- Rev. Carla Aday and other staff do not use social media direct messaging to ask for assistance or money.
- Only give money through secure, trusted sources, and if you are not sure, contact the church first.
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SPIRITUALITY FOR THE REAL WORLD
Summer Sermon Series
If reading the letters of the apostle Paul feels like ancient history, reading the book of James can feel like he’s reading our mail, watching our news. In this series, we’ll receive practical wisdom for what it means to be Christian in the real world.
Sun., June 19 - Rev. Carla Aday preaching Part 2: Worthless Religion, based on James 1:19-27.
Worship with us in person at 9:01 (front lawn), 10:00 (chapel) or 11:00 (sanctuary) a.m. Click HERE to view our live stream. Miss last Sunday's worship? Watch it HERE.
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BREAKFAST ON THE LAWN THIS SUMMER
Sundays in June and July, 9:45-11:00 a.m.
Come to worship hungry this Sunday and enjoy mini quiche, granola/yogurt parfait, fruit, pastry, coffee by Scrape the Plate catering.
June 26 - Breakfast burritos and breakfast tacos and coffee by Taco Naco
July 3 - Pancakes
July 10 - to be announced
Breakfast will be complimentary; free will offering welcomed.
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ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN
It's not too late for you to share you giving estimate for the 2022-2023 year. You may:
Thank you again for your past support and ongoing faithfulness. We are grateful for you and that you are a part of our church family.
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CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
The leadership slate for the 2022-2023 year has been approved. Click HERE to view the list of leaders. |
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ECUADOR MISSION TRIP
A team will travel to Ecuador from Oct. 29 - Nov. 6, 2022, for a week of service and learning with mission partner FEDICE, a non-profit organization that works to build sustainable livelihoods, encourage self-sufficiency, and significantly enhance quality of life for indigenous and marginalized rural communities in Ecuador. More information HERE. If you’re interested in this trip, contact Tyler Heston.
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ROOTS SUMMER FUN!
Roots provides opportunities for adults in their 20s and 30s to connect as community, to learn and grow spiritually, and to make a change in our city through service-learning projects. Join us for these opportunities to connect and grow together.
Roots Dog Park Meet-up!
Sat., June 25 • 3:30-5:30 p.m. • Shawnee Mission Dog Park
Join us out at Shawnee Mission Park at the off-leash dog park near 87th and Ridgeview for a Roots get-together. Dogs are recommended but not required. RSVP now!
First Friday Meet-up!
Tunes on Troost. Fri., July 1, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Amethyst Place (2732 Troost), one of our congregation’s mission partners, works to support women and families stuck within systemic poverty. Each first Friday this summer, they’re hosting Tunes on Troost with music, food trucks, yard games, and more.
Roots Book Club
Wed., July 6, and Tues., Aug. 9 • Location TBD
Join us for two meetings of potluck dinner and a conversation about Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Even if you haven’t read, you’re welcome to join— the book sparks a lot of conversation, and I’ll structure discussion to be interesting regardless of how much you’ve read. RSVP for location and reading info and more to tylerh@cccckc.org.
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NEW MEMBERS WELCOMED
Denise and Carl Yost were welcomed into church membership at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sun., June 12.
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SUMMER SERVING AT THE HARMONY PROJECT
Thanks to two different groups which helped with a food distribution for our Northeast Partner, The Harmony Project on June 9. A team of adults loaded supplies from HyVee, took them to the Northeast Community Center, and organized items for the packaging group. The next team of families helped package all the donations to be shared with families involved in the music program. The Harmony Project is a year-round orchestral music education through instrument sectionals and ensemble rehearsals for Kindergarten through high school students. Learn more about them HERE.
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PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRAPS KC
This summer the church is partnering with Scraps KC, serving as its summer site for cleaning and repurposing 15,000 pounds of school supplies, and you can help! This is a great activity for a group or as a family and kids as young as 3 can participate with an adult. All repurposed supplies are donated to school teachers. Service opportunities are on Tuesdays and Thursdays in June and a few weeks into July, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and noon - 2:00 p.m. More information and sign up form HERE.
OR stop by the Social Hall to help a bit when you are here for worship on Sun., June 26 from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Perfect for all ages (3 years and up)
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GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY
Sat., June 25 9:00 - 11:30 am
The Metro Mission Team is hosting a work day with one of our northeast partners Sheffield Place. Come volunteer to help in their community garden raised beds, community gardens and flower beds. Bring work gloves, reusable water bottle and small gardening tools (if available). Great project for families! Sign up HERE.
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JUNE COLLECTION CONNECTION
The Metro Mission Team is collecting items during the month of June to support reStart,Inc., which supports people in need of housing. New or gently used twin size sheets, and new or gently used bath and hand towels are needed for their residential program. Please make sure items are clean. Bring donations to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m, or on Sunday mornings.
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AGENCY LEARNING TOUR
River of Refuge, 5155 Raytown Road.
Wed., June 29, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
The Grants AND Special Offerings Team invites anyone interested to join in a tour of one of the Easter offering recipients. We will see the facility, learn about their important program and hear about plans for the future. River of Refuge opened 10 transitional housing units in May 2016 to assist and empower Kansas City-metro families as they move from homelessness to self-sufficiency, and will be opening another 8 units in the coming month. RSVP to Catherine catherines@cccckc.org
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EVERYDAY JUSTICE
FIELD TRIP TO REDLINED EXHIBIT
Sat., July 9, noon
Join this field trip to the “Redlined: Cities, Suburbs, and Segregation,” an exhibit at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center (8788 Metcalf Avenue. The exhibit takes visitors on a deep dive into the history of redlining and how it both shaped and was shaped by Johnson County and the region. Admission is $6 adults and $5 for seniors. We’ll meet at noon for lunch (location TBD) with the museum tour beginning at 1:30 p.m. RSVP now to Lisa. More info HERE
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FAMILY SERVICE NIGHT
Join us on Tues., June 21 between 4:00-7:00 p.m. We will be sorting, cleaning, organizing school supplies with SCRAPS KC in our social hall. Let April know what time you will be there so we know how many people to expect. Those as young as 3 are welcome to come serve!
SUMMER WORSHIP
We invite children who have finished 3rd grade and above to worship with their families during the 9:01, 10:00 or 11:00 services. Childcare will be provided for Preschool -2nd grade in the backyard during 9:01, 10:00 a.m., and on the second floor during 11:00 a.m. Infants and toddler childcare continues to be available on the ground floor during all three services. Sunday School will resume this fall.
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YOUTH
SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS
Join us to serve, learn and grow together as a youth group. More information about both trips and registration packet HERE.
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.
SUMMER FUN!
Along with our summer service-learning trips, youth are invited to a few opportunities to get together for fun and for service here in Kansas City! See below for our special socials, and stay tuned for service opportunities:
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Wednesday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: Worlds of Fun! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
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Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Chicken and Pickle! (For incoming youth grades 6-12)
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TROOP 84 EAGLE SCOUTS
For nearly a century, Country Club Christian Church has partnered with Scouts, and we’re excited to celebrate with Troop 84 as they welcome their newest group of Eagle Scouts. Recently, four Scouts joined the over 500 people awarded the Eagle Scout Rank from Troop 84. We celebrate Louis Curran, Nolan Roeder, Michael Garrett, and John Garrett, in this moment and as they continue on their journey of service and leadership. Louis, Nolan, Michael, and John are all students or graduates of Rockhurst High School, and they were joined by faculty, family, and friends in their ceremony and celebration on Sunday.
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IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the families of Margie Bonner and Mary Swett.
HONOR A LOVED ONE
Looking for a meaningful way to remember or honor a loved one? Consider becoming a Memorial Flower or Broadcast Sponsor.
The flowers in the Chancel each Sunday are an important part of our overall worship experience. Following services, they are arranged into smaller vases by our flower ministry and delivered to our sick and homebound friends as a sign of our care and concern. Our on-line services continue to help us reach those who are unable to join us in-person because of health or geography.
Both are a beautiful way to remember and honor loved ones and support our church.
For more information, please contact Lisa Tang at (816) 333-4917 or via email.
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Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
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