Last Friday, when the Supreme Court officially released its ruling on the reversal of Roe V. Wade, I was grateful that I had already written and released the Friday e-news because it would give me a week to think through my spiritual reflections. Though seven days later, my heart remains heavy and my thoughts somewhat muddled. Over this week I’ve talked with relatives, friends, members and read commentary as you have. I was nine years old when Roe v Wade was decided by the Supreme Court so I have no real memory of life under a different legal framework. But I do worry about the health and safety of vulnerable women and especially for women, children, and families without sufficient economic means.
I realize that good Christians can be found both rejoicing and lamenting over the Court’s decision. We must be careful not to claim that our own personal opinion is God’s will. The brilliant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr wrote “The tendency to claim God as an ally for our partisan values and ends is the source of all religious fanaticism.” Though each of us can be passionate about our own beliefs and advocate for what we hold as truth, it is important to exercise humility and grace and to acknowledge the complexity of issues related to families, science, faith, and public life.
People often say that religion and politics don’t mix well. But surely God calls us to live out our faith in our whole lives, including our political viewpoints and civic engagement. Jesus’ first sermon in Luke ruffled so many feathers in his hometown that they ran him out of town. He challenged them not just on personal spiritual matters but on public responsibility saying that God had sent him to “release the captives and let the oppressed go free.” Luke said the people in the synagogue were filled with rage. Jesus was engaged in the real issues of his time and I think we are called as Christians to examine our faith by reading the scripture, talking with other Christians, reflecting deeply on personal experience, and listening to the rational sciences in order to discern wisely.
Reinhold Neibuhr wrote “Goodness, armed with power, is corrupted; and pure love without power is destroyed.” So we will continue to walk through this life as Christians seeking an integration of power and love that is life giving to all of God’s children.
Grace and Peace,
Carla
To send Carla an email click HERE.
|
|
CELEBRATION OF SERVICE IS JULY 10
Join us on Sun., July 10 as we celebrate all of our members and friends who have served during the 2021-2022 year and install our 2022-2023 elders and deacons. If you’ve participated in Grace at Work, served communion, served at Micah Ministry, taught Sunday School, worked with our partner agencies, or any of the dozens more service opportunities, here at the church or through-out our community, we want to celebrate YOU! Special recognition at all three worship services, Complimentary brunch served after all three worship services by Ruby Jean's Juicery.
|
|
WELCOME SWOPE PARKWAY UNITED CHRISTIAN CHURCH |
|
Help us warmly welcome Swope Parkway United Christian Church. Due to structural problems, they are unable to worship in their sacred space. Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Rodney Williams and his congregation will be worshiping in the George Hamilton Combs Chapel every Sunday at 11:30 a.m. They anticipate sharing our space for six to 11 months while they raise funds to take their next step as a church. We are grateful that we can partner in this way. |
|
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., July 3 - Dr. Mike Graves preaching Part 4: A Faith that Works, based on James 2:14-26.
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.
|
BREAKFAST ON THE LAWN THIS SUMMER
Sundays in June and July, 9:45-11:00 a.m.
Come to worship hungry this Sunday. We'll be having pancakes on the lawn!
July 10 - Ruby Jean's Juicery
Breakfast will be complimentary; free will offering welcomed.
|
|
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY
As the church’s fiscal year ends, please review your financial commitment to the church for the 2021-2022 year and make every effort to ensure your giving is up to date. Also, if have not submitted a commitment card with your estimate of giving for the 2022-2023 year, it is not too late to do so. You may:
Making and fulfilling a financial commitment to the church ensures that our ministries remain robust, and that we can end the year in good standing as we move into budget planning for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Follow up calls will begin next week. Thank you for your generosity to Country Club Christian Church.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.
|
|
GRACE AT WORK PARTNERSHIP DAY WITH SHEFFIELD PLACE
The warm temperatures did not stop the work of weeding, pruning and tidying up the gardens at Sheffield Place. A group gathered on June 25 to tend to the gardens. Sheffield Place, an agency in the northeast area of KC, assists families in making the difficult journey from homelessness to self-sufficiency.Empowering families to heal from the severe, chronic, and continuous trauma they have experienced is the first step in the process of self-sufficiency.
PARTNER AGENCY SPOTLIGHT: SHEFFIELD PLACE
Would you like to learn more about the mission of our partner agency, Sheffield Place? Join us on Tues., July 12, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. or Wed., July 13, 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., as we tour the facility, hear from a client, and learn how to get involved, Meet at Sheffield Place, 6600 East 12th Street, KCMO. Breakfast or lunch provided. For questions or to RSVP, please email David Hanzlick.
|
|
PARTNERSHIP WITH SCRAPS KC
This summer the church is partnering with Scraps KC, serving as its 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.
|
|
JULY COLLECTION CONNECTION
School's out for summer and for some families that means less access to breakfast and lunch, as many free and reduced meal programs do not function in full during the summer months. The Metro Mission team is accepting donations of cereals, macaroni and cheese, and 16 oz jars of peanut butter for our partner agencies. Donations can be brought to church weekdays between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or on Sunday mornings.
|
|
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.
|
|
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
|
|
MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER SERVICE LEARNING TRIP
Our Middle School Youth have returned from St. Louis! They had a wonderful time exploring the city and serving and learning with the Urban Mission Inn at Union Avenue Christian Church. If you see any of the Middle School Service-Learning Trip Team on Sunday, ask them a story— they have plenty!
Over three days, the team served with Memorial Boulevard Christian Church's food pantry, a drive-through distribution with the St. Louis Area Food Bank, and at Union Ave., gardening and beginning the build of a fire pit for future Urban Mission Inn participants. Throughout the trip, youth learned about the history of St. Louis— including the "Delmar Divide" on which Union Ave. sits, a historic economic and racial division in the city that grew out of intentional redlining and other efforts of systemic racism. We considered Kansas City's similar history, and throughout all of our service, learning, and exploration, we talked about how God always invites us to dance with God's creative transformation, bringing justice, hope, and healing across the world.
|
|
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.
|
|
YOUTH
HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SERVICE
LEARNING TRIP
Youth who have completed grades 9-12 will travel to Chicago Sun., July 10-Sat. July 16, 2022. Join us as we serve, learn and grow together. More information and registration packet HERE.
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:
-
Wednesday, July 20, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.: Worlds of Fun! (For youth completed grades 6-12)
-
Wednesday, August 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Chicken and Pickle! (For incoming youth grades 6-12)
|
|
|
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 as we connect and grow together.
ROOTS BOOK CLUB
Wed., July 6, and Tues., Aug. 9, 6:30 p.m. • 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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Meeting you where you are and walking alongside you
on your spiritual journey to a life with greater meaning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
