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CCC NewsNotes December 3, 2002 Lilly Endowment, Board for Church Life, From the Archives, Advent Worship and Activities, Join the Winter Weekend Fun! The CCC Book Group, Christmas Plant, Youth Participation in the Church, Report from the Special Congregational Meeting, Calling All Strings!! Holiday Volunteer Opportunities, From the Board for Church Life, Flower Calendar for 2003, News Notes Deadlines, CCC Staff By Jackie Walters CCC has received a grant of $30,000 from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to enable Jim to participate in the 2002 National Clergy Renewal Program. CCC is one of 135 congregations in the U.S. that will support its minister through this program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the sake of their ongoing ministries. Now in its third year, the program invites congregations and ministers to plan a period of "intentional reflection and renewal." It provides a time for ministers to take a break from their daily obligations and gain a fresh perspective and renewed energy from a carefully considered "Sabbath time" of travel, study, rest, and prayer. Last spring, CCC submitted its application, which described Jim’s plans for his sabbatical as well as CCC’s own plans for renewal in conjunction with Jim’s plan. The Summary Statement of the application gave this overview of the program rationale and design: "As Christ Congregational Church emerges from a decade of ceaseless ‘doing,’ Senior Minister Jim Todhunter and its members seek to discern a holistic balance between ‘being’ and ‘doing’ that strengthens their mutual ministry. Through his sabbatical, Jim will seek balance in his own life to return better equipped to lead the congregation in ministry that stresses integration of body, mind and spirit through contemplation and action. The renewal program includes three components: spiritual discernment, pilgrimage, and Sabbath. During Jim’s absence, CCC will engage in its own soul-building through small groups, education, and prayer. An enriched mutual ministry will include openness to the Holy Spirit’s call to CCC in a multi-cultural community, clarity about the spiritual foundations of contemplation and action, and improved skills for Jim as spiritual leader to a busy, active congregation." Now that news of the grant has arrived, Jim is able to proceed with confirming his plans, and he plans to share those plans with the congregation before beginning his sabbatical on January 1, 2003. There will be an opportunity after Christmas for the congregation to wish Jim "Godspeed." Under the terms of the Endowment, each congregation may apply for a grant of up to $30,000. Up to $10,000 of that amount can be used by the church to fulfill pastoral duties during the minister’s absence and for expenses related to the congregation’s own plans for renewal. The 135 grants this year total $3.5 million. Congregations from 35 states and representing 15 major Christian denominations and other church traditions were awarded grants. Six Maryland churches, 3 of them in Silver Spring, received Lilly Endowment grants. 12/15 Chrismon Workshop Mark your calendars and watch for details in future Church bulletins. Christmas Caroling: Make plans now to join us for an evening of Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 22. We will depart from the church at 6:30 and will travel by car to various homes of those who are unable to share in our wonderful music during worship. After the caroling, there will be a reception of cider/hot chocolate and cookies. The following is taken from the minutes of the January 10, 1945 annual meeting. "Our church was compared (by The Rev. John McClelland) to a Victory Garden. After it is planted and the early harvests received, it must be cared for in the later months to assure a harvesting (in) the summer and fall. We have made our early harvest, (and) there is no telling what the coming months and years will bring, but to grow they will require that we continue to work." (Membership at that time was 76 with a potential of another 81 that showed interest in church membership). Bill Carnahan Advent is a time of anticipation and waiting for the coming of Christ. There will be Advent candle lighting ceremonies at the beginning of each of the worship services during this season. Sunday, December 8 - Second Sunday in Advent Sunday, December 15 - Third Sunday in Advent Tuesday, December 17 Sunday, December 22 - Fourth Sunday in Advent - Christmas Sunday Fellowship Time will be held between the services. Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Mitten, Hat & Coat Collection Once again, we will collect mittens, gloves, hats and coats for the children of Broad Acres Elementary School in Silver Spring. The items should be new or in very-good-used condition. You may put the mittens directly on the tree; other items can go in the designated boxes in the entryway of the church. The two-week collection will be from December 1 to 15 this year. If you have any questions or need additional information, call Doreen Hinkeldey at 301-260-1660. Chrismon Workshop You can't buy them. You can't buy kits. You can't buy directions from craft stores. Sooo, how can you get them? YOU have to MAKE them! There are copyright restrictions against the sale of Chrismons. The Chrismon Workshop will have supplies and directions for you. You may design one of your very own, or copy one of our many designs. You may chose from the following Chrismons: fish, cross, crown, lamb, eternity symbol, shepherd's staff, and butterfly. Some are simple glue and glitter or simple beading. Others are more complicated, with a weaving design. Join us on Dec. 15, beginning with a lasagna dinner at 5:30 p.m. Please remember to sign up and bring a salad and/or cookies to share. If you have questions, contact Glenda Neal at 301-622-3948 or gbneal@aol.com . Join the Winter Weekend Fun! Looking for the perfect fun winter break? Check out the wonderful Winter Weekend! It’s a 2- or 3-day gathering of friendly folks in a cozy environment. Past attendees rave about this annual tradition, whether or not they are skiers. What a great place to relax and socialize—sing-alongs, board games, ping pong and crafts—sledding and tubing down the big hill outside the main lodge—fun for grown-ups and children alike. For only $85-$95, you can spend two nights in a heated cabin with hot water, and get five to six hearty meals; or for only $125, you can stay three nights (through the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday) and get eight full meals. Children ages 4-6 pay only $40-$60, depending on the number of nights and meals; and children under 4 are free! These modest fees also include a square dance with live band and caller, plus snacks. This memorable getaway will take place at a YMCA camp, T. Frank Soles, overlooking wooded hills on a picturesque lake near Somerset, in south central Pennsylvania. It’s about 3½ hours from the DC area, but only minutes from Seven Springs and Hidden Valley ski resorts, several state parks, and Somerset’s "Fire and Ice Festival." To register, complete the registration form, available in the church entrance hall, and bring it to the church office. If you have any questions, call Glenda Neal at 301-622-3948 or gbneal@aol.com. Feel free to invite your friends, neighbors, or relatives; all are welcome! P.S. – Sign up early to pick your cabin and bunkmates. The CCC Book Group will meet on December 8 at 7 p.m. at the home of Mary Stone to discuss the book Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. New members are welcome. The church will be decorated with poinsettia plants on Christmas Sunday, December 22. If you would like to order a poinsettia as a memorial or in celebration of a person or event, please use the form below. The price will be $10 per plant. Please be sure to include all the information requested so we will know what message to include in the bulletin. After the service, the plants will be taken to a shut-in by the Deacons. Your check may be made payable to Christ Congregational Church and noted as a Christmas plant. Orders will be accepted by mail or may be left in the marked envelope in the church office and must be received by Monday, December 16. Christmas Plant In celebration of:________________________________________ In memory of:_____________________________________________________ Given by: _________________________________________________________ Number of plants:________________ Check for: $______________
Youth Participation in the Church Serving on Boards *Not confirmed Yet Assist with 3 – 5 year old Child Care during the 11 a.m. service and
other as needed: Bulletin Boards – they are willing to come by once a week, mount items, decorate the boards for the season or the board topic at hand and generally make them look really nice: Michael Hanes, Vicky Dean, Chelsea Wilson, Jamie Platky, and we are hoping Elysia Sivak will help too. Planning ahead for our youth.. Camp Dates for Summer 2003: If you would like to be a cook, counselor, or lifeguard for these camps, please contact Linda Carder. Don't forget to check the website for updates on the youth program. Now you will find a new description of our whole Senior High Youth program and opportunities. Report from the Special Congregational Meeting By Jackie Walters At a Special Congregational Meeting on November 24, members voted to proceed with a three-year recommitment capital campaign commencing in January 2003, with a goal of raising $1.25 million. As explained by Recommitment Campaign Study Committee chair, Anne Weissenborn, raising $1.25 million would enable the congregation not only to service interest on the debt but also to reduce principal significantly over a 3-year period. At the culmination of a successful campaign, almost two-thirds of every dollar given would go toward reducing principal. During the presentation of the committee's findings, Anne walked members through charts showing the impact of debt service on the operating budget beginning in July 2003. Debt service (interest payments primarily) would jump from the current $61,000 to over $180,000, an increase that would designate 25% of the operating budget for debt service. A careful discussion ensued. Members questioned "donor exhaustion," and questioned whether, within the 3-year period of a recommitment campaign, would there be hidden surprises that would cause the church to ask members for yet more money. In response to a question about why churches are encouraged to remove debt service from the operating budget, members talked about the challenges facing the congregation to support a growing program and the difficult decisions made at the Annual Meeting to reduce mission giving. Others noted that a budget with such a significant percentage devoted to debt service sends the wrong message to current and prospective members about the importance of mission and program. When the question was put to a voice vote, there were no "nays" or abstentions. The Moderator was authorized to appoint a committee to conduct the campaign. All string players are invited to join the CCC Strings in learning and performing music for the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Eve service. Rehearsals will be held December 8, 15, and 22 at 12:00 noon (following the second service) in the sanctuary. For music or questions, please contact Jane Weber at 301-774-5429. Holiday Volunteer Opportunities The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has compiled a list of ways to help others during the holiday season. There is a red list for the Christmas season available in the church office. Take a look at this list to see if there is a way you can help. Please do not remove the list from the office so everyone will be able to see this reference. Linda Carder will be hosting the Sisters for Sisters Christmas party on Friday, December 13 from 3-5 p.m. at her home. Please call Barbara Whittlesey (301-384-0205) or Linda (301-585-8010) if you have questions or need directions. From the Board for Church Life We are delighted that our Fellowship Hour has become such a warm time of socializing for all of us. We need your help, though, because we just don’t seem to have enough arms and legs to keep up with the demands of serving refreshments. Do you think you could volunteer your time every so often to serve during Fellowship Time? It is a great way to greet old and new friends. Please use the sign-up sheet provided on the table each Sunday. The calendar for giving memorial flowers on Sundays throughout 2003 is now posted on the board near the office. Please sign up to provide flowers for the church on a Sunday of your choice. PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next issue is THURSDAY, December 12, 5:00 P.M. Please submit articles via: email - mojobo@aol.com, phone - 301-236-0025, or paper copy - drop off in the News Notes box in the church office. Thank you, Joan Boyer, Editor The Rev. Jim Todhunter, senior minister; the Rev. Linda Carder, assoc. minister; John Touchton, director of music; the Rev. Dale Ostrander, director of programming for older adults; Richard Meyer, property administrator; Ruth Avery, office administrator; Archie Freedman, Custodian |