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A NOTE FROM TEDDY
Dear Friends,
When Lauren and I began visiting SSCC a few years ago, I never could have dreamed what a perfect blessing God would provide through this blessed community. I have had opportunities to fulfill my call of pastoral care, be a part of worship planning and preaching, and to continue to grow spiritually each week. The blessings will continue to increase as I plan to be ordained in this congregation one Sunday over the summer. I cannot begin to thank you enough for the past few years and I look forward to many more wonderful years together.
With that being said, I wanted to share with you that I will begin a chaplaincy residency on May 31st at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. This residency will last one year and provide me a unique opportunity to continue to grow in my call of pastoral care. Given that this will be a full-time commitment, it is not feasible for me to continue in the congregational care role as it currently stands, nor is it fair to the members of this church for me to do so.
After much discussion with Nathan, Cindy Brown, and several others, the decision has been made to create a Pastoral Care Team that will help to share the opportunities and responsibilities of caring for you all in your times of need.
The committee will be made up of Rev. Angi Brown, Dr. Tim Helton, Rev. Mary Malcom, Nancy Trusty, and Rev. Linda Whitmire, all of whom possess wonderful talents for nurture and care. I will continue to coordinate the team and be involved in other areas of the church as much as possible. This is certainly an exciting new venture for SSCC.
I truly cannot put into words what this community has meant and continues to mean to me. I thank you greatly for the opportunity to further my spiritual growth through this residency and the support this committee will provide to make it possible. I am also excited that throughout the residency, I will be able to remain connected to this community. Thank you all for being such a warm and caring community.
Sincerely,
Teddy Ivey
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A NOTE FROM PASTOR NATHAN AND CINDY BROWN
Dear SSCC,
As you can see above in Teddy’s article, we have a lot to celebrate regarding both his ongoing ministry and the ministry of SSCC! Cindy Brown (Personnel Chair) and I wanted to take a moment to clarify the plans for our congregational care ministry over the next year with hopes of answering any questions you might have.
First, Teddy’s residency is only one year. It will begin June 2022 and end May 2023. This residency will not only help Teddy grow in his ministry, but also give him the credentialing he needs to become a hospital chaplain in the future, should he choose that route.
Nevertheless, upon the completion of his residency, Teddy’s hope and ours, is for Teddy to come back into his role at SSCC in an even greater capacity than he is currently serving. With his ordination and residency behind him, he will be equipped to serve SSCC in some new and exciting ways.
Because a year is not that long of a time frame, we believe the gifts of our members, along with Teddy’s assistance, can hold our pastoral care ministry together. Rather than pursue someone on an interim basis, we believe we have the right people to serve our congregation at this time and offer the wonderful care on which the people of SSCC have come to rely. The Pastoral Care Team Teddy mentions, along with our Elders, are more than equipped to help Teddy and SSCC during this time.
This is certainly a time of transition for us all in so many aspects of our lives. Change is never easy. And yet, we are excited about the possibilities that are emerging, as a result, for the ministry of SSCC. We thank you for your prayers and support as we live into the future to which God is calling us.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown Cindy Brown
Senior Minister Chair of Personnel
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REMINDER - RECEPTION FOR KATIE GIBSON
THIS SUNDAY!
This Sunday, May 15th we will recognize Katie for her ministry at SSCC during worship. Following worship, we will have a reception in the centrum for Katie and her family. J.A.M. will follow for the kids. (If you would like to help and bring items for the reception, CLICK HERE. We appreciate your help.)
We would also like to present a love gift to Katie in gratitude for her service to SSCC. If you’d like to contribute to this gift you may deliver a check to SSCC or make a contribution online BY NO LATER THAN 3:00 PM TODAY. Make sure to notate your gift, “Katie Gibson Love Gift.” We will present this gift to Katie this Sunday.
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NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION DEADLINE
If you have something for publishing in the newsletter next week, please submit it via email to: amy@sandyspringscc.org
by noon on Thursdays.
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In the lectionary readings, during the weeks following Easter, we encounter some extraordinary stories. The resurrected Jesus reveals himself to Thomas and the Disciples. Paul has his "Damascus Road Experience." Peter raises someone from the dead. During the Easter season we encounter several miraculous stories of new life. In the background of these stories, however, there are some seemingly ordinary people who often get overlooked. While we might not always notice them, their roles are essential in making new life possible. For the remainder of this Eastertide, let’s spend some time reflecting on how being ordinary can sometimes make possible the extraordinary.
May 15, 2022
Judas
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
May 22, 2022
Lydia
Acts 16:9-15
Rev. Dr. Nathan C. Brown
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CONGRATS 2022 GRADS!
We celebrated another wonderful year of youth ministry with our Senior Banquet on May 1st! We are so proud of our seniors that attended, William Reese and Zach DeBrock. William will be attending Georgia Tech in the Fall and Zach will be attending the University of North Georgia. Thank you all for your continuing support of youth ministry at SSCC and we look forward to fun summer activities and another great year of youth in the Fall!
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UPCOMING STUDY – A HOUSE UNITED
Soon, we will be studying the book “A House United” by Allen Hilton. In preparation for Allen’s return, we would like to spend time in small groups, in different locations and at different times, reconnecting with one another, while engaging this book.
Books are available at the church for $16.00 each which includes shipping and tax. We are trying to create small groups based on day/time preferences so please click on the link below to select yours.
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FOOD INSECURITY
If you or someone you know in our church community is facing food insecurity because of a decrease or loss in income, please privately contact Kendra Plotkin so that we can provide assistance to keep their pantry full. All information is kept in complete confidence. Please email kendra.plotkin@gmail.com.
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PLEASE VOLUNTEER AT CAC!
Happy May and thank you, again, for your help in serving our neighbors by volunteering at the CAC. Our next date is Saturday, May 21st. CLICK HERE for the link to sign up.
It is very important that if you sign up for a slot and are unable to make it, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let Cindi know as soon as you are able. Your fellow volunteers and the clients are counting on you. Empty volunteer slots mean other folks have to work to fill the gap, stay later and possibly take double time slots. Thank you in advance for being mindful of this need.
Also, if you have not, please consider taking the OUTREACH SURVEY. We need your input. What projects, what agencies, and where do you want Outreach to help? Here's the link for a brief survey: 2022 SSCC Outreach Survey.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. Thank you for your servant hearts.
Blessings,
Cindi McCollough
SSCC Outreach Chair
770-365-0365
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WE NEED YOU!
We are looking for some volunteers to help with AV/Sound during service on Sundays. We would like to be able to rotate more folks in and out. If you can push a button, you are qualified, and we will train you. (In addition, this counts towards HS Volunteer hours). Please reach out to Susan McCluskey, Leslie Lady or Amy Frost if you can help.
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GRIEF SHARE SUPPPORT GROUP
It you are experiencing grief, no matter what the loss that your journey entails, you are invited to participate in a new grief support group. The group will meet in Common Ground at the church, twice monthly, on the first and third Wednesdays, 10:00 -11:30 AM. Rev. Linda Whitmire will facilitate. If you are unable to participate at that time but feel you need grief support, contact Linda or Amy Frost (at the church office).
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FLOWERS IN THE SANCTUARY ON MOTHER'S DAY...
Were in celebration of Frances Grant's 16th birthday AND in memory of Tom and Sara Money's mothers Frances Hubbs Cromartie and Ethel Heft Money.
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A DELAYED "THANK YOU"
Please accept our apologies for the delayed thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who helped make over 300 sandwich lunches on Sunday, March 27th for the Sandwich Project. With so many volunteers we assembled and packed sandwiches and cleaned up in under 30minutes! Great job everyone! We will keep you posted on the next date.
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NEW MEETING TIME
The Friday Morning Men's Group will be changing their meeting start time from 7:00 am to 8:00 am beginning Friday, May 27.
All gentlemen are invited to meet in the conference room for breakfast, fellowship and discussion. Contact Milt Hill if you have any questions.
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MEMORIAL SERVICE
There will be a memorial service held at SSCC this Sunday, May 15 at 4:00 pm for Judi Chimera, Tony Chimera's mom, who passed away April 27. A small reception will follow in the lobby.
Please keep the Chimera family in your prayers.
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL REUNION
We’ve missed you! Please mark your calendars for an Adult Sunday School Reunion to be held Saturday, May 21st at 5 p.m. at the Hill residence. This is open to all adults who are or have been active in an adult Sunday School class in the past few years, particularly pre-Covid! Please RSVP to Janis hill by text or phone: 770-926-0131 and tell her what you will bring. The hosts will provide the meat main dish. Salads, sides, and desserts are needed. Thank you!
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INTERNATIONAL DINING
The date and place for our May International Dining has finally been set. We will be meeting at 7 PM on Thursday, May 26 at Red Curry Thai Restaurant, 4724 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. It has been just over seven years since we last met at Red Curry. Please let Milt Hill know if you plan on joining us so that we can arrange enough seating for our group.
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FLOWERS FOR THE SANCTUARY...
Are you looking for a way to commemorate/celebrate something or someone? Would you like to express your love or gratitude in a special way? AND beautify your church and our livestream at the same time? Well, we have just the thing!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS UPDATES | |
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PLEASE JOIN US!
This Sunday, the Modern Disciples group will resume our "An Introduction to Joy!" video by Rob Bell (and likely finish it). We will also share our own experiences of Joy! in the form of pictures, videos & stories. We will also discuss the upcoming summer schedule for MD.
Whether this is your first time or 100th time joining the MD group... Please join us in the conference room at 9:00-ish to enjoy a Munchkin donut (or 10) and share some quality time together before worship!
All the best, Casey
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CURRENT STUDY
In Pathfinders for the next few weeks we will be studying the book "What Is the Bible?" by Rob Bell. In this book, Bell argues that an ancient library of poems, letters, and stories (i.e., the Bible) can transform the way you think and feel about everything, if only you will learn how to read it.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
Please pray for CJ Kennedy and his parents, Henry and Jessica. CJ is an adorable 11-month old who was diagnosed with liver cancer this week. He is Linda Whitmire's sister's great grandson. All are devastated.
Lynn and Allen McCahren request prayers for Gerald McCahren who is going through a time of medical problems.
Fran Michels requests prayers for her friend Bobbi Danner who is in Northside Hospital.
Linda Whitmire requests prayers for the family of Susan Whitmire Ott. Susan is Linda's oldest stepchild and died this week quietly at home.
Bob Hicks is home after his hip surgery. Please continue to pray for a smooth recovery and full healing.
Pray for Jim Torbert as he continues successful rehab at home. Feel free to send cards to the house with well wishes.
Please continue to pray for Bryant Hodgson as he continues rehab. Prayers for recovery and encouragement for good spirits are needed.
John Dalton sends his best to the entire congregation. He would certainly appreciate cards sent to his home address: 4975 Exodus Ct. Marietta, GA 30062.
CLICK HERE to see the list of our first responders and military members who we continue to pray for.
If you have any prayer requests or joys to share, please contact Teddy Ivey, Director of Congregational Care via email: Teddy@sandyspringscc.org.
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Monica McGahee May 13
Casey Evans May 16
Jim Armstrong May 17
Steve Butz May 17
Anslie Worley May 21
Owen Janeway May 22
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Ruth Michels May 23
Susan McCluskey May 25
Maisie Worley May 26
Michelle Brown Kahn May 30
Josie Worley May 31
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