The month of October is traditionally designated as a time to show appreciation for the church’s clergy. To this end we ask that each of us make a concerted effort to thank those who work within our church: Pastors Laureen Roe and George Reese, Beth Bentley and Evan Dean. Send a card of thanksgiving or extend a handshake of thanks throughout this month to show that their care for the church does not go unappreciated.
News and Events
Youth Spirit Encourager 2013-14
October 18, 2013 By
As in past years, we are again asking you to participate in the Youth Spirit Encourager program, which pairs an adult in the church with a youth in the church. As an “encourager,” the adults send notes and letters of encouragement and prays for the youth throughout the year. The identity of the encourager remains a secret from the youth until a breakfast in the spring, at which time the pairings are revealed.
If you would like to be an encourager, please fill out the form in the narthex and return it to Mary Helen Shetter or Beth Bentley. Encouragers will be matched with a youth and given information about that individual.
Please prayerfully consider being a Youth Spirit Encourager. It is a wonderful opportunity to nurture a young person in faith.
Fall Workday (Sep 28)
September 17, 2013 By
Saturday, September 28 is a day of opportunities for all. It is the date the Property Team has set for our “Fall Workday.” We have had many helping hands in and around the building each week but we need your help to accomplish tasks that need to be completed. If you have a chainsaw, gas-powered trimmer, blower, or other outside tools, please bring them and join us. If you can dust, sweep, wash windows or polish furniture, we can use your help. We have a beautiful place of worship and it belongs to ALL of us. Please consider helping the dedicated volunteers who are inviting you to join us at 9:00 am during our semi-annual cleanup day. We usually work until noon or early afternoon and look forward to seeing you! To help in our planning, please let Sharon A. or Karen P. know if we can count on you.
Pumpkin Sale and Cookout on the Lawn (Oct 5)
September 17, 2013 By
During this beautiful time of the year, we are busy making plans for a fun afternoon of activities, including a cookout. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 5th and join us in games for all ages. Euchre included. Plans are in the works for our youth to hold a Pumpkin Sale beginning at 3:00 pm. All other activities are scheduled from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. This is an excellent opportunity to extend an invitation to our friends and neighbors and enjoy some great fellowship!
Connecting with Christian Women’s Fellowship
September 17, 2013 By
CWF’s theme for this year is “Connecting – within our church and in our community.” Our first project will be to invite all the women in our congregation to be a prayer partner to another woman within our congregation. On Sept. 8th and 15th those wishing to participate may fill out a slip of paper with your name and any other information you wish to give – such as e-mail address, phone or mailing address, and on Sept. 22 you will be assigned a prayer partner. If you are unable to be here and wish to have a prayer partner, just call or e-mail the church office. You do not need to purchase or give anything to the other person. We just ask that you communicate with your prayer partner at church, on the phone, by e-mail, or by a card through the mail.
We will be making “Hospitality Totes” for our community project. These totes are to be given to families of hospital patients. These will be assembled on October 13th after the second service. A light lunch will be served and there will be an installation service for our CWF officers, who are as follows:
- President: Marilyn Chamberlain
- First Vice President: Helen Morgan
- Second Vice President: Dorice Perkins
- Secretary: Mary Helen Shetter
- Treasurer: Angie Otis
- Sarah Circle Leaders: Mary Back and Linda Poynter
- Rebekah/Esther Circle Leaders: Betty Stacy & Dorice Perkins
- Hannah Circle: TBA
- Kitchen Chairmen: Linda Poynter and Betty Stacy
- Church Women United Delegates: Helen Dennis & Dorice Perkins
If you are not currently involved in a CWF Circle, please know that an invitation is always open for you to participate!
Discernment Conference (Sep 21 & 22)
September 13, 2013 By
First Christian Church has entered into our Sabbatical period, designed to provide reflection, renewal and rejuvenation for both the pastor and the congregation. These months are designed to seek God’s help discerning where we’ve been, who we are, and where we will go.
To accomplish this on the part of the congregation, we are holding a Discernment Conference on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22. We will meet in groups of no more than 10, and respond to some questions that will help us to discern, along with our pastor, the future direction of our church. Rev. Dr. LaTaunya Bynum, regional pastor of the Christian Church in Ohio, will lead all sessions.
There will be two sessions on Saturday morning, two sessions on Saturday afternoon, and, if needed, two sessions on Sunday afternoon. Each session will be about one to one and one-half hours long. You will need to sign up for a session in advance on the chart in the Narthex. You may also sign up by calling the church office Monday through Friday between 9 am and 1 pm.
To prepare you for the conference, we are listing below the questions in advance. Copies will also be available on the table in the Narthex.
Who Are We?
- What are our core values?
- What are our strengths and what are our limitations?
What Is Our Future?
- What are we building?
- Where have you seen growth (including spiritual growth) over the past seven years?
- What are you looking forward to in the next seven years?
- What might the church do to make you a better disciple?
Structure
- If you could design worship on Sunday morning, what would it look like?
- If our church initiates some small encounter groups for our congregation and friends, what topics/activities would draw you into a group?
Small Group Ministry – Group Encounter
August 21, 2013 By
Group Encounter is a group of individuals who have come together to introduce the church to possible small group activities, as well as to solicit their input on the kinds of groups they would like to participate in. The purpose of a small group is to build deeper relationships in Christian community based on personal interests and gifts.
Over the next nine months we plan on meeting monthly to explore new ideas and to come up with a structure for how a small group ministry might work at FCC. Each month will be something different in the hopes that in the future a small group could form around that idea. Some months will be adults only while others will be family-friendly, or a sitter will be provided. Below is a tentative schedule for the next few months.
- Late August: Service Project – Making school kits (family friendly) – Hosted by Angie O
- September: Meeting at the Martin & Nancy’s home followed by dinner in Over-the-Rhine (adults only). Hosted by Martin and Nancy S
- October: Bible topics and their relevancy to today with potluck dinner at Neil & Tracy’s home (sitting provided, if needed) – Hosted by Neil and Tracy S
- Early November: Campfire. Hosted by Dave and Linda L
If you are interested in any or all of these events, please contact the person hosting the event or any member of the small group ministry team (Martin & Nancy S, Beth B, Dave & Linda L, Paulette M, Angie O, Evan D, Ginger A, Karen P and Neil & Tracy S).
Please watch the website and newsletter for updates to these events and more!
Looking For a Few Good Rockers!
August 21, 2013 By
Would you like to rock some of these cute babies who are at church? You could volunteer one hour a month. Yes, just one hour a month is all we are asking. You can volunteer for either first service or second service. Please consider doing this for the children of our church. If you would like to do this, please let Beth, Mary Helen or Lora know. Thank you.
Choir Resumes (Aug 29)
August 21, 2013 By
If you enjoy singing (or think you just might want to give it a try), come to choir rehearsals at 7:00 pm beginning Thursday, August 29. The Praise Team meets at 8:00 pm. The ability to read music is NOT a prerequisite, and the benefits of serving in this capacity are boundless!
General Assembly 2013 – Becoming a People of Grace and Welcome to All
July 17, 2013 By
The following resolution was approved by the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) meeting in Orlando, FL on Tuesday, July 16, 2013.
GA-1327
(Sense-of-the-Assembly)
BECOMING A PEOPLE OF GRACE AND WELCOME TO ALL
WHEREAS, “We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world,” called to welcome others as we have been welcomed by God[1] and to practice hospitality to one another,[2] as well as to strangers;[3] and
WHEREAS, Scripture affirms that all people are created in the image of God and share with all others in the worth that comes from being unique individuals;[4] and
WHEREAS, Scripture affirms that as Christians we are many members, but are one body in Christ each with different gifts, called by Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves,[5] and called to the ministry of reconciliation and wholeness within the world and within the church; and
WHEREAS, Disciples historically affirm baptism as the primary call to ministry and offer baptism to all who profess their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior; and
WHEREAS, Disciples historically profess that the nature of Christian discipleship is profoundly informed by the Lord’s table, which is central to the act of worship, calling attention to the radical hospitality extended by Jesus, who welcomes all to the table of grace; and
WHEREAS, the Disciples’ movement came to be in reaction to limitations being placed on this welcome, recognizing that excluding anyone from the Lord’s table fragments the body of Christ; and
WHEREAS, the 1997 General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) called for the church to give continuing research and reflection “concerning the participation of gay and lesbian persons in the full life and ministry of the Church”;[6] and
WHEREAS, persons continue to be devalued and discriminated against within society and more sadly, within the church because of their sexual orientation and or gender identity; and
WHEREAS, Disciples find identity at the Lord’s table, sharing as the body of Christ, valuing each other in covenantal relationship even when we disagree; and
WHEREAS, Disciples historically affirm that individuals and congregations hold differing interpretations of scripture, but that all are called to transcend differences and claim one another in Christian unity;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the General Assembly meeting in Orlando, Florida, July 13-17, 2013, calls upon the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) to recognize itself as striving to become a people of grace and welcome to all God’s children though differing in race, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, marital status, physical or mental ability, political stance or theological perspective; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to affirm the faith, baptism and spiritual gifts of all Christians regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and that neither is grounds for exclusion from fellowship or service within the church, but we celebrate that all are part of God’s good creation; and
FINALLY, BE IT RESOLVED that the General Assembly calls upon all expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), as a people of grace and welcome, to acknowledge their support for the welcome of and hospitality to all.
For more information about the General Assembly please visit Disciples.org – General Assembly. For a pdf copy of this resolution please go to General Assembly Resolution GA-1327.
