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CCC NewsNotes February 11, 2002 CCC To Discuss On 2/24 Major Repairs To Organ, Lent's Spiritual Renewal, Remember 3/17 Meeting, Spiritual Journey Class, New Time For Lent Group, March Meeting Scheduled For CCC Musical Plans, Planned Giving Update, April 14 Stewardship Sunday, Just Peace Colombia Trip, CCC Scholarship Open, Day Trip Coming Up, News Notes Deadlines, CCC Staff CCC To Discuss On 2/24 Major Repairs To Organ Last fall, when the electricians removed all wiring in the sanctuary that did not meet requirements of the national electrical code, they inadvertently severed all the electrical wiring from the organ console (where the keyboards are) to the organ pipes. Without this electrical connection between the console and the pipes, the organ will not sound. As a result, we find ourselves at a crossroads regarding this instrument. A congregational meeting has been called by the Executive Council for Sun., Feb. 24 immediately following the worship service to discuss the options open to us. The congregational meeting also will cover other possible enhancements to the sanctuary. Installed in 1978, the Moller organ needs significant maintenance due to age and natural wear and tear. Two years ago, five builder/technician consultants urged us to address mechanical repairs within three to five years if the instrument was not going to be rebuilt soon. Now we have two primary options. First is to rewire the instrument and thereby restore it to its previous state. CCC's organ tuner Ken Myers can do the work for $6,000. Rewiring will not address the national electrical code, it will not improve the instrument in any way, nor will it alleviate the pending mechanical problems resulting from age and wear. In Phase II of the church's Master Plan, this rewiring would be destroyed. The second option is to upgrade the console with state-of-the-art electronic technology. This upgrade meets the requirements of the national electrical code, it significantly improves the longterm dependability and performance of the instrument, and it would go with the instrument when it is rebuilt in Phase II. Michael Hart of DiGennaro-Hart Organ Co. submitted a bid of $74,000 for the project. What does the option to upgrade the organ for $74,000 offer? The most current material and technology available. Replacement of all mechanical parts (leathering, springs, combination action, etc.) with solid-state electronic action. Replacing aging mechanical parts means fewer repairs in the future. Replacement of all cables and key contacts with state-of-the-art electrical wiring. This allows us to move the console in the chancel more easily and contributes to a more versatile worship space. Adding multiple layers of computerized memory, aiding in organ registration and facilitating organists' use of the instrument. Preparing the instrument for future improvements. While there will be slight aural improvements to the organ, the upgrade primarily is a maintenance, performance and reliability issue. Since a complete rebuild of the organ is planned for Phase II, completing the upgrade now is a significant step towards preserving and protecting the instrument's longterm performance capabilities. This option also saves money in the long run since roughly 25 percent of the work towards a rebuild can be accomplished now. The primary focus of the congregational meeting on Feb. 24 will be on the organ as well as possible funding options for this project. The great news is that a leadership gift towards this organ upgrade has already been received in the amount of $15,000. I hope you'll attend the meeting. Sincerely, John Touchton, director of music A while back I saw a video about Lent. It showed a woman who led a very busy and hectic life. As she came into the Lenten season, the church offered a focus on prayer and meditation. I remember clearly the scene. She leaned against a tree, took a deep breath and smiled. It was clear she needed and wanted some time of spiritual renewal and some quiet. Over the years, Lent has been seen as a time of gloom and compulsory self-denial. In recent times, we see it more as a season which invites us into a more reflective mood. Some people are intentional about going on a quiet retreat. Others join a small group for prayer and reflection. Others just set aside some time alone for meditation. Whatever you choose, may your Lenten time renew your spirit. One more note about the season -- for the third year in a row, we are making an Alleluia Banner, burying it and resurrecting it on Easter Sunday. "Alleluias" are traditionally omitted from songs and prayers during Lent in order to heighten the impact of the joyful Alleluias on Easter Day. By going through the activities of making the Alleluia banner, burying it on Ash Wednesday and seeing it appear before their eyes on Easter, young people participate in the Easter story. Even the little ones get the message. Pastor Linda Carder There are two congregational meetings coming up in the next few weeks. In addition to the Feb. 24 meeting to discuss the organ, there also is a March 17 meeting immediately following Sunday services. The March meeting will be an update on the building renovation, Keystones campaign, operating budget and future staffing needs. Please plan to attend. James Walters, church clerk I will be leading a Lenten exploration entitled "Your Spiritual Journey." The group will meet weekly six times, starting Tues., Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. at 9601 Colesville Rd. until the Tuesday after Easter. We will be using the resource, "The Bible and Spiritual Disciplines" (available for a nominal price at the first class). There will be theme for each session. They are: Sabbath Listening, Living a Life of Intercession, Reclaiming the Fast, Borrowing and Returning What is God's, Paying Attention To Your God-Given Purpose, Nurturing Practices That Keep Us Faithful. Each session will include input, interaction and experiencing some of the practices. There will be a sign-up sheet at worship on the CCC bulletin board, or you may leave a message with Ruth Avery indicating your interest. The size of the conference room will limit the number of those participating. Blessings! Rev. Jim Todhunter Please note a change in meeting dates for the Lenten study group, "Facing Change," due to the Feb. 24 congregational meeting. We will meet Sunday evenings immediately following worship for one hour on March 3, 10, 17, 24, and April 7 at Marvin Memorial. Room to be announced. This group, led by Ann Marshall and Stevan Fisher, will explore how Christians can face change in their lives from a faith-based biblical perspective. They will learn how God is present during change and how faith sustains them. Participants will be asked to purchase the book of the same title from the UCC Bible Studies for Growing Faith series at $5.00 each. Contact Ann Marshall at (301) 585-3175 or e-mail at maind@ix.netcom.com by Feb. 17 to register, so that books can be ordered and available by Feb. 24. Thanks! Ann Marshall March Meeting Scheduled For CCC Musical Plans An organizational meeting is scheduled from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sun., March 3 in the Choir Room at Marvin Memorial for all people interested in participating in a full-length staged musical. Performance dates tentatively have been set for Nov. 14, 15, 16 and 17 in the newly refurbished McClelland Social Hall at CCC. While a specific musical has yet to be chosen, I am pleased to announce that I have enlisted the professional help and assistance of Robert McDonald. Robert is a professional singer, actor and stage director who performs regularly at the Kennedy Center. He is a close personal friend of mine and is excited about collaborating with us. This initial meeting is for all actors, singers and dancers, as well as people who can offer help and support for costuming, set-building, publicity, makeup and lighting. If you are interested in supporting this project, but are unavailable to attend this important meeting, please contact me via e-mail (johnrt777@aol.com) or by phone (301) 585-8010, ext. 224. I am extremely excited about this project and look forward to the months ahead! I hope you will consider being a part of this endeavor. John Touchton, director of music CCC's Special Gifts Committee, with representation from the Board of Trustees and the Executive Council, has studied during the past months the kinds of mechanisms we might use to reinvigorate our church's Planned Giving Program. Over the next two months, in coordination with CCC's annual stewardship campaign, we will provide very useful information to all members. For example, we will host two seminars this spring to explain the range of tools available to members to assess their family's financial planning. We also will share detailed information about the Planned Giving Program at CCC and the specific options for making your special gifts to the church. Please be on the lookout for this information, as it will be available soon. In the meantime, to get more information on planned and special gifts to CCC, feel free to telephone Greg Linden at (301) 854-2851. Greg can put you in touch with specialists to help with specific questions. Greg Linden, Special Gifts Committee Your Stewardship Board is planning something new. As we anxiously anticipate the end of our wilderness journey with the consecration of our new building this spring, we are seeing stewardship in a new light, and we're making plans to celebrate. We've chosen a program for 2002 called Consecrating Stewards. It is a proven UCC program used by many other congregations based on the spirituality of giving. You may recognize familiar aspects such as three witnessing stewards, who will share stewardship moments during our worship services. There also will be new elements you'll hear more about in the near future. The program will culminate on April 14, Consecrating Stewards Sunday, which also will be the kick-off event marking our return to our new building. We'll break bread together with a celebratory dinner, followed by a special candlelight worship with elements of the Taize service. Mark your calendars -- this will be a night you won't want to miss. During the next few weeks, we invite you to await the spirit, the excitement, the anticipation we've started to feel toward the coming of spring, the end of our wilderness journey, the consecration of our new building and our giving as an affirmation of a new and more abundant relationship with the world. (More
info:) APRIL 14
- CONSECRATION SUNDAY You
are invited to an exciting stewardship program on April 14. Instead of worshipping at our usual time, you will be our
guest for an early supper at 4:00 P.M., with a special worship service to
follow. During the worship
service, we will consecrate our pledges for the coming year.
We are expecting the evening to end by 6:30 P.M., so please reserve
this time. Remember to RSVP
by signing up at the church or by calling or e-mailing
Ruth Avery. The church
office telephone number is 301-585-8010
- e-mail is:
cccoffice@christ-ucc.org CHILDREN’S PROGRAM Children in 3rd Grade and younger are invited to participate in special activities planned for immediately following the supper through the worship service. Those in 4th Grade and above are invited to join in the worship service. YOUTH ACTIVITIES No youth activities or Youth Ensemble will be held this evening. Young people are encouraged to sign up for and participate in the dinner and worship service.
Bill Prindle for the Board of Stewardship You are invited to become part of an ecumenical delegation to Colombia being coordinated by the UCC, Witness for Peace, Justapaz/Mennonite Church and the Human Rights and Peace Commission of the Colombian Council of Evangelical Churches. The delegation will meet with governmental, religious, peace and human rights leaders in Bogota, then visit one of the regions to see the human face of the ongoing conflict in this strife-weary country. The delegation will also take part in a one-day gathering of Colombian church leaders for worship and exchange of ideas on how the Colombian and American churches can work together to build a just peace. CCC has been visited over the past year by representatives of Justapaz and of the Human Rights and Peace Commission, and has supported Justapaz with mission funds. The trip will be from June 26--June 8. Cost will be $1,450, plus airfare. For an application and more information, contact Barbara Gerlach at (202) 726-4362 or Anne Weissenborn at (301) 681-6042. The application deadline is April 1. Anne Weissenborn, Just Peace Task Force The annual award of the Ruth Richardson Scholarship now is open for applications for the 2002 student scholar. This scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Ruth Richardson, a founding member of CCC and a former teacher. She has maintained a lifelong interest in making higher education available to all students, especially those who wish to pursue their studies in a human service profession. The scholarship will be awarded at the end of the spring semester to an applicant who has completed two years or more of college or university study; is pursuing a career in a human service profession, with priority given to education; is a member or whose parent(s) is a member of CCC. The Ruth Richardson Committee is accepting applications until April 15. Applications are available upon request from the church office. Consideration will be given to sincerity of interest, grade point average, volunteer experiences and in-service training or work-related experiences in the human service field. Questions can addressed to the committee chair, Aldene Ault, by calling at (301) 593-2438. Aldene Ault, Ruth Richardson Committee Thursday, March 14 is the date for the day trip to the National Cryptologic Museum at Fort Meade, MD and lunch afterwards at Club Meade. We will car pool from the Marvin Memorial parking lot at 9:30 a.m. and return by mid-afternoon. The cost for the buffet lunch is $10. Make checks payable to CCC (designate Ft. Meade). RSVP by March 10 on the sign-up sheet on the CCC bulletin board at Marvin Memorial, or by calling Mable Elliott at (301) 622-3174, or Dale Ostrander at CCC. Dale Ostrander, older adults program director PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the FEB. 25 issue will be THURS., FEB. 21 at 5 p.m. News Notes editor -- Susan DeFord (301) 649-3093, or sjdkjk@erols.com 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.
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