By Dr. Mike Graves
In his memoir, The United States of Grace, Lenny Duncan sums up the agony of solitary confinement with this one sentence, “There is a reason the most punitive thing you can do to a human being around the world short of killing them is cutting them off from community.” For more than a year, we were cut off from the community we call Country Club Christian Church. And then we were back! Last Sunday was amazing beyond belief. Not all of you could attend, we realize, but for those who did, it is hard to describe how meaningful it was. Still, let me try, using some theology if you don’t mind.
Two of Christianity’s most prized ideas are summed up in the words, creation and incarnation. The former obviously refers to God making all this stuff we call the world. While a lot could be said about creation, notice this one thing: God made physical stuff, matter. That’s why some theologians are fond of the phrase, “matter matters.” The latter term refers to Jesus coming in the flesh, which is another form of matter.
Taken together, the two ideas remind us that there are a lot of good things in this world: ice cream, bananas and banana bread, strawberries, salmon, green beans (although not nearly as good as the ice cream), and so forth. The list is long, and it also includes human flesh. Hugs are good, as are handshakes (or fist bumps if you prefer), and even sex. We are made to be in contact with other human beings. The English hymn writer, Brian Wren, wrote a piece called “Good Is the Flesh.” The lyrics are available online, and fleshly enough to make some blush, which is yet another bodily function. One line that I find particularly pleasing goes like this, “Good is the body for knowing the world.”
If someone asks me what we missed most during all those online worship services and all those Zoom meetings and classes, it’s no contest. We missed “reality.” Sure, we experienced virtual reality all these many months, but it helps to recall that “virtual” means “not real.” How can you have “not real reality”? We missed presence, real presence. We missed each other. That said, we hope to see you on Sunday, in the flesh, as the saying goes.
To send a message to Mike, click HERE.
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GATHERED TOGETHER SERMON SERIES
May 16– Part 3, A New Gathering. Based on Isaiah 65:17- 25. Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn preaching.
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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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SUMMER WORSHIP
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For the rest of the summer, the 9:01 service will take place rain or shine. If the weather allows, the service will be on the front lawn as planned. However, in case of inclement weather, we will move this service into the Sanctuary.
- Indoors or outdoors, masks will be voluntary. We encourage you to follow the CDC guidelines and wear a mask if you are not vaccinated.
- Congregational singing will be part of the service.
- You may bring your own communion or it will be provided for you.
- No reservations are necessary and there will not be a limit on the number of people allowed.
- Child care will be available. Children over 3 will wear masks if child care is indoors.
- Streaming services via cccckc.org at 9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. each will continue each Sunday.
Moving forward, we plan to follow this model throughout the summer, returning to three in-person worship services on Sun., Aug. 15.
Continuing to offer a quality streaming worship experience for those who are unable to join us in person is important to us, and to do that, we are in the process of reconfiguring our video equipment, as it does not currently allow us to stream a live service as we did pre-pandemic.
We will continue to assess and periodic updates may be provided with more information. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
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BACKYARD BASH STARTS JUNE 9
All are invited to eight fun-filled Wednesday evenings in the backyard of the church with dinner and activities and an adult class offering.
Details for week one, June 9, below.
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Food Truck: Tacos La Mano Cost is $10 per person or $35 for a family to eat. |
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For Children and Families – Backyard games for all ages.
Spiritual Formation for Adults (inside the building in the Youth Center) – Music – Mind, Body, and Spirit. Dr. Matthew Thompson, Director of Music and Media, will discuss some of the recent neuropsychological research that explains how music has a powerful effect on the brain, body and soul. Music can be a catalyst for healing in the body, it can sharpen the mind, and it can bring us closer to one another and to God.
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COMMITMENT CARDS
Have you turned in your commitment cards for The Next 100 Centennial Gifts Campaign and our Beginning Again Annual Campaign? If not, we encourage you do to so today. Your participation is important as we prepare for the future of ministry at 61st and Ward Parkway.
Ways to submit your commitments:
- Click the Online Commitment Form button below to submit your commitments electronically.
- Mail your cards to church 6101 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64113
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Bring your cards to church, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Blank cards are available at the east entrance if you need copies.
- Return your cards during the offering time at the 9:01 on the Lawn service on Sundays.
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Contact Rachel in the finance office at rachelc@cccckc.org or 816-381-9256.
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If we have not heard from you by June 3, a member of our Response Team may contact you to answer questions, encourage your response, and ask how they may pray alongside you as you continue your journey of discernment. |
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CONGREGATIONAL VOTE FOR LAY LEADERSHIP
The church bylaws require that lay leaders chosen to serve on the Congregational Board be recognized and ratified annually by at least 150 members of the congregation before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. Generally this is done in an Annual Meeting of the congregation after each worship service on a Sunday morning, but since we are still not back a full in-person capacity, the Board has approved an alternative method of ratifying the slate of officers and new deacons for the 2021-2022. fiscal year. That vote will take place between June 13-20. View the slate for the vote HERE.
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ROOTS BIBLE & BRUNCH
June 6, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to Roots Bible & Brunch! Meet in the backyard (or on Zoom if the weather necessitates) to spend an hour or so in conversation about wisdom throughout ancient Scripture and how it connects to our day-to-day lives today. Our June focus is Pentecost. RSVP HERE.
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FAITH AND GRIEF
Country Club Christian Church member Sara Christensen will share her experience of shock and sorrow upon the death of her friend and colleague as the featured speaker at the Faith and Grief Virtual Support Group on Tues., June 8 at noon. In January, Assistant Prosecutor JoEllen Engelbart died from complications of COVID-19 at just 32 years old. She left a husband and newborn son. Following Sara’s brief reflection you may share your experiences, if comfortable doing so, in a facilitated on-line small group. Everyone is welcome; no charge. Register at www.faithandgrief.org/gatherings/ or https://conta.cc/3hs0Gxp. For more information Facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC or 816-381-9249.
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SAVE THE DATES - CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL |
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SANCTUARY AND CHAPEL WORSHIP RESUME,
PARTY ON THE LAWN
Aug. 15
Join us for a day of celebration! Worship in the Sanctuary resumes at 9:01 and 11:00 a.m., and in the Chapel at 10:00 a.m., followed by a fun morning of celebrating our Centennial with our neighbors on the church lawn. Food, music and fun activities for all!
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MAX DEWEESE GOLF TOURNAMENT
Fri., Aug. 27 • Noon
St. Andrews Golf Course
Proceeds support Friends in Service of Heroes and
Veterans Community Project. Sign-up individually ($150 per person) or form a team. You can also sponsor a hole for $750. Sign-up and pay online at www.cccckc.org/golf. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dr. Mike Graves at mikeg@cccckc.org. Click HERE to register.
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June Collection Connection or Micah Ministry
The Metro Mission Team is asking for donations of NEW men's and women's underwear to be distributed to clients coming to Micah Ministry on Monday evenings. Sizes small, medium and large are urgently needed. Men's boxer brief style is preferred. Please bring donations to the church Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., or to the 9:01 service on Sunday mornings. Donations can be left in the lidded box at the east entrance at any time.
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Grace at Work Partnership Day at reStart
The rain on Sat., May 22 did not deter the 15 members who served at reStart, preparing raised beds by weeding, tilling and readying them for planting. The team worked hard to remove the weeds from the muddy plots and took away 10 filled lawn bags. Many thanks to those who dodged the rain drops to come serve with this great organization.
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WEEK OF COMPASSION DISASTER RESPONSE
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, as well as other disasters worldwide. Click HERE for more information.
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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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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
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.
Find out more about our events HERE.
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Position Announcement - Executive Director of Operations
Country Club Christian Church is seeking an Executive Director of Operations to support the ministry of the congregation through management of business and financial operations, facilities management, information technology, human resources and other administrative functions. If you or someone you know would be interested in this position, click HERE for more information. |
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2021-2022 Budget
The budget for the 21/22 fiscal year will be posted to the Church Governance page of the website for review one week before the June 8 board meeting. If you have comments or questions please contact a member of the board of finance committee.
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OUR CHURCH FAMILY
IN SYMPATHY
Our prayers are with the family and friends of Gary Ellermeier who died on May 25.
GIFTS IN MEMORY OR HONOR OF LOVED ONES ones are placed into the Church’s Endowment Funds, which are used to support the church now and into the future. Gifts have recently been given in memory of:
Beverly Snyder
By Bette McDaniel
Ann Wooldridge
By James and Ann Hotchkiss
By Howard and Gay Woosley
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