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CCC NewsNews December 17, 2002 Christmas Message from Jim, CCC Christian Education Grade Level Goals, The Jesse Tree, Childcare Survey, Join the Winter Weekend Fun!, Young Adults Breakfast, Ushers are Needed!, From the Board for Church Life, Keystones Capital Campaign Update, The Sunday Morning Adult Class, The Christmas Fund, Christmas Service Schedule, The Bethesda Chamber Singers, Johnnie Watkins , Flower Calendar for 2003, Shaw Community Ministry, News Notes Deadlines, CCC Staff God is the light of the heavens and the
earth. The people who walked in All things came into being through him, and without God is light and God comes into the world as light comes into the darkness – healing, transforming, redeeming, recreating. This is the joyous and blessed message of Christmas. It is the message of the three scriptural passages above. But how amazing it is that the first two originate from traditions different from our Christian one. The first is from the Qur’an and the second is from the Hebrew Bible. It is said that this portion of the sacred book of Islam forms the basis of mysticism in that religion. And Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, believe that God spoke through the prophet Isaiah. It is remarkable to me that during this season the image of the Sacred as light can be found in so many of our world faiths – the enlightenment of the Buddha is celebrated on December 8th; Hannukak, the festival of lights recalls how a lamp filled from a tiny jug of oil burned for eight days; seven candles of differing colors are lighted for the seven days of Kwanzaa marking seven key virtues. For Christians of the north there is the festival of Saint Lucia. It is a season of light and of lights – recalling from earliest times the yearning for light during the darkest time of the year. Today we are seeing both the best and the worst of times so far as religion is concerned. It is a dark time in many ways. Sectarian-inspired terror, arrogance, and exclusivity are pitted against non-violence, compassion, and humility. Few world faiths escape this tension, including sadly our own. Yet the light of this season reminds us that the mystics in each of these traditions can talk to each other with little difficulty. They use and appreciate the language of mystery. For us Christians, the message of this season is simply "O Magnum Mysterium." Ours is the celebration of the tremendous mystery that God came to us, became human, and dwelt among us, yet never ceasing to be God. God came into our darkness and brought light. Let that light empower us to truly be compassionate, just, and tolerant. Have a joyous and blessed Christmas! Blessings and love, JimMerry Christmas
and Happy New Year Jim, Linda, John, Dale, Ruth, Dick, Archie, David and Cory CCC Christian Education Grade Level Goals The Board of Christian Education is pleased to announce the completion of its Christian Education Grade Level Goals for 4 year olds through 8th graders. The release of these Goals, several years in the making, marks a significant event in the further development of our Church School program. The Goals’ key objective is to prepare our children and youth to take full advantage of their 9th grade Covenant Class. They provide 6 focuses for each grade: Mission and stewardship; Bible/theology; Prayer; Worship; Who we are (our identity as a church and a denomination); and Music. In general, the Goals identify for each focus the specific skills and knowledge we hope our children will master at each grade level. They often set forth particular experiences and methods of instruction appropriate for a particular grade. There are 3 intended audiences for these Goals. Teachers will use the Goals to help guide instruction and other Church School activities, making our present curriculum more meaningful. Parents will find the Goals important for providing insight into their children’s experiences in Church School and for helping them to become more involved in their children’s Christian education. Finally, the congregation will learn from the Goals more about the CCC Church School, which is a significant and integral part of this church. The Board of Christian Education is making these Goals widely avail-able. They are now posted on the CCC web site (www.christ-ucc.org). They can be found on the web site under the "New" link or under the "Youth" tab. Copies are also available in the church office. And, if all else fails, contact Jim Stedman (301-589-2250, jbstedman@aol.com) for a copy. Jim Stedman Kristen Brown Chair, Board of Christian Education Rev. Linda Carder Associate Minister In answer to questions about the new blue Advent paraments…The tree of Jesse traces the ancestry of Christ, which is mentioned in both the old and new testaments. Isaiah 11:1: There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. Romans 15:12: and further Isaiah says, "The root of Jesse shall come, he who rises to rule the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles hope." And NO, I did not count the number of generations. Jean Caswell The Executive Council has charged the Childcare Committee with surveying members and perspective members on how the childcare issue impacts their participation in the life of the church. A questionnaire will be mailed out for delivery during the first week of the New Year. Since we have a deadline of February 3rd for presenting the results of the survey and a plan for childcare to the Executive Council, we are asking that those who receive the survey (members and perspective members with children) return it to the box in the Church Office no later than Sunday, January 13, 2003. For the convenience of those who prefer to use an on-line survey which can be sent electronically, we will have a copy of the survey available at the CCC website – www.christ-ucc.org. This should be available by the time you are reading this issue of News Notes. We are dedicated to resolving this issue for the benefit of the whole church family. We hope to hear from all affected families, including families who are considering the childcare issue in their decision to join a church. Your thoughtful responses will be very helpful to our committee. Ann Bullock This annual event will take place this year January 17-20, 2003 (Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend). Lodging again will be at Camp Soles near Somerset, PA. Please see the flyers available in the Entrance Hall for activity, cost and reservation forms. Reservations and payment must be received by Sunday, December 22. Unless other instruction is received, reservations and payment may be placed in or sent to the church office. The Young Adults will meet for breakfast at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, December 28, at the Silver Diner on the Rockville Pike. Can you help either as a regular (one Sunday per month) or substitute usher (as needed)? Please call Peter Boyer (301-589-0544) or Clark Prichard (301-384-7126). 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. Keystones Capital Campaign Update In February 2000, Christ Congregational Church embarked on the historic and ambitious Keystones Capital Campaign. The purpose of the every-member pledge campaign was to help raise funds to support much needed renovations and the expansion of our church facilities. At that time, the two million dollar pledge campaign goal seemed impossible and the three-year pledge duration seemed like an eternity. Now, in December 2002, we are close to surpassing the two million dollar threshold in pledges and other payments, and the closure of the Keystones Capital Campaign in February 2003 is two short months away. WOW! As we quickly approach the end of the Keystones Capital Campaign, here are the most recent facts and figures. As of November 24, 2002: · There are 261 pledges totaling $2,198,894.25, of which $1,911,840.91 of the original commitments have been funded to date; there is $287,053.30 remaining to be funded from 110 pledges. · Of the total pledges, 133 pledge units have fulfilled their commitments; these pledge units over-funded their pledges by $52,087.23 · Approximately 19 units have contributed to the Campaign without making a pledge, for a total of $24,700.82. Therefore, 280 pledge units have given $1,988,628.96 thus far in the Campaign! · In addition, $9,017.10 has been received to date from the CCC Vehicle Donation Program. The completed renovation of our building has brought us a wonderful physical facility in which to worship, build our Christian Fellowship and serve our community. We are truly blessed. On Sunday, March 16th, Christ Congregation Church will celebrate the completion of the Keystones Capital Campaign and our achievements as a faith community over the last three years. The Keystones Capital Campaign Follow-up Committee: The Sunday Morning Adult Class will not meet on December 22nd. The class will begin a new book, A Third Testament, by Malcome Muggeridge on January 5th. In this book Muggeridge explores the spiritual wanderings of Saint Augustine, Blaise Pascal, William Blake, Soren Kierkegaard, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Leo Tolstoy and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The book is based on an acclaimed TV series bringing to life the portraits of seven maverick thinkers in search of God. Call Elaine Wunderlich or Dale Ostrander if you are interested in purchasing a book. ince 1902, the Christmas Fund (formerly Veterans of the Cross) has provided assistance to low-income retired ministers and their widowed spouses. Each Christmas, we have an opportunity to remember those who faithfully served the UCC as well as assist those who are hungry and in need. This year, your gifts to the Christmas Fund offering will go to Veterans of the Cross (50%), the Capital Area Food Bank (25%), and Silver Spring Community Vision (25%). Please remember the Christmas Fund offering on December 15th and 22nd. Offering envelopes will be available in the pews." More Information About the Christmas Fund’s National Mission "From Christ’s fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." —John 1:16 An emergency check to help a clergy family pay mounting medical bills. A grant to assist an annuitant couple meet unexpected increases for nursing home care. Pension and health premium supplementation to low-income retirees. Christmas checks to hundreds of annuitants, as a way of saying "Thank You" for their years of faithful ministry. Your gifts to the Christmas Fund offering are an expression of love and thanks to those who serve the United Church of Christ. This year your gifts are needed more than ever, to enable this ministry of compassion and care to further reach those members of our UCC family who need our support. In 1902, a concerned church member sent then Congregational Church Secretary William A. Rice a special offering, so that retired ministers would be remembered at Christmas. Since then, not a year has gone by without a Christmas Fund (formerly known as the "Veterans of the Cross") offering. Each Christmas, we have an opportunity to remember those who so faithfully have served the United Church of Christ and its predecessor churches. From baptism to Sunday School to Confirmation, from youth group to adulthood, they have shared with us the gifts of faith, wisdom, compassion, humor and love—often in small churches that could not pay adequate salaries or contribute toward pensions. This year’s Christmas Fund offering represents a milestone in this ministry of giving. The need remains as great today as it was a century ago. Your gift will be an ongoing blessing to those who have devoted their lives to the service of Jesus Christ. This information is excerpted from the United Church of Christ website (http://www.ucc.org/steward/christmas/index.html) Sunday,
December 22 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. Identical Services of Worship. Selections from Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi will be sung by the Chancel Choir and accompanied by organ and chamber orchestra. Church school will take place for babies through Kindergartners at both the 9:00 and 11:00 services. Older children will worship with their families. Christmas Eve—Tues. December 24 The Bethesda Chamber Singers are back at CCC and enjoying the new space. We are an 11 member a cappella group that has sung regularly at the church for many years. We will be performing a post-Christmas concert on Sunday, January 19 at 4 p.m. in the sanctuary. We will be singing seasonal religious and secular pieces, including Franco’s Magnificat. We will close with madrigals and other songs anticipating springtime. There will be a free-will offering to benefit the building fund. For more information, please contact Marcy Gustafson at 301-587-5756. Johnnie Watkins has four paintings exhibited currently at the "Young at Heart Artists" Art Show at Brookside Gardens. This exhibit is running through January 3rd. Her paintings are listed under her maiden name of SHANNON. Also, be sure and enjoy her current display in the CCC Exhibition Space. Many of these pictures can also be viewed on this website. 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. Many thanks to everyone from CCC who supported SCM’s Thanksgiving basket project this year. As a result of your generosity, both monetary and in-kind, and that of the members of other Potomac Association congregations, SCM distributed 120 baskets to residents of Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing and the families of participants in SCM’s afterschool and Saturday youth programs. Altogether a huge success! Anne Weissenborn on behalf of the SCM Board of Directors PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next issue is THURSDAY, January 5, 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 |