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CCC NewsNotes June 3, 2003 Introduction to Couples Communication, When Shall We Worship? Social Witness Happenings, Special Offering: "Strengthen the Church," Special Invitation from Our Muslim Neighbors, "PIPPIN": A Fundraiser for Community Ministry of Mont. Co., Summer Worship Schedule, Save These Dates, For Church School Parents, An Opportunity for an Intensive Human Interaction Workshop, Summer Camp Shaw Community Ministry, Nominating Committee in Search of…, Calling All Musicians, Budget Hearing—June 15, The Todhunter’s Program, Financial Secretary Help! 6th Grader’s Project Needs Help! News Notes Deadlines, CCC Staff Introduction
to Couples Communication We would like to invite you to a meeting Sunday, June 15th, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Meeting Room, to learn more about "Couples Communication" at CCC. Together we will be offering a program of six weekly workshops in the coming fall for committed couples interested in deepening their communication skills. There is nothing magic or esoteric about Couples Communication. It is simply a process involving learning a basic set of communication skills, and then applying them in your relationship in a supportive setting. Communication is always a matter of getting back to the basics – listening, honesty, clarity, etc. Couples Communication is not therapy, counseling, encounter group, or support group (though there is often much support). And it is not about problem solving. All these modes of growth have their place, but in Couples Communication the basic assumption is this: the better a couple’s communication skills, the better equipped a couple is to solve problems, deepen the relationship, and meet whatever life brings. Couples Communication is not about saving struggling relationships, but strengthening good ones. The purpose of the meeting on the 15th is for us to introduce you to the skills, demonstrate the model, and have questions and answers. Like most important things in life, acquiring the skills is simple. But putting those skills into practice is the hard part. Support in practicing the skills is what happens in Couples Communication, not advice or problem solving. We have led a number of these introductory classes over the years here and we continue to meet with an ongoing Couples Communication group. Shortly after CCC voted to become "Open and Affirming" we decided that any group we led or were a part of would be open to same gender couples. The only expectation we have is that all participants be in committed relationships. Attending this introductory session in no way commits a couple to participate in Couples Communication. So feel free to just come and check the program out. The timing of the fall class will ultimately depend on what works best for all involved. Several couples from the current Couples Communication Group will be joining us at the meeting. We are happy to arrange childcare in advance if you have a need for it. Hope to see you there on the 15th! Jim and Lois Note: Jim and Lois are in Brazil to attend the graduation of her son, Peter Cailloux, from the American International Church in Rio. He will be returning to the United States with them on June 9th. We need your help to answer this question!!! Yes – YOU! Who? All members and friends and staff of Christ Congregational Church What? - Inclusive, interactive discussion of CCC’s worship schedule, facilitated by Jim-Henkelman-Bahn Where? - CCC Social Hall When? - Monday, June 16 from 7:30 - 9:30 pm Why? - A year ago the Board of Deacons invited the Congregation to explore with us our then current services of worship, and possibilities for growth and change. As a result of that process, we began in September 2002 a Sunday morning schedule that offered two major services of worship at 9:30 and 11:00 am. We expected that such a dramatic change in our Sunday morning schedule would have consequences we could not anticipate ahead of time, and so from the beginning, we committed to an evaluation of that schedule after trying it for one school year. The time is now for that evaluation. As I hope you’ve noticed, we’ve provided surveys to members and friends to solicit your input and we’ve held two forums to discuss the Sunday morning schedule in person. And, because we are a community of people in relationship with each other, we’ve had informal conversations with many of you about your thoughts and suggestions. Based on the comments many of you have provided, we are aware that there are many and varied interests that we try to achieve with all the activities we do together on Sunday mornings. It is not easy to devise a schedule that meets all of our dreams and desires, yet worship is the central tie that makes us a community. We hope you will join with us to try to find our way to a proposed worship schedule that we can begin on September 7, 2003 when we resume the Fall schedule. I hope to see you there! Carolyn Hoskinson June 9-11, Call to Renewal’s Pentecost 2003: Pray and Act to Put America’s Poor on the National Agenda. Call to Renewal, a partner organization of Sojourners, will conduct its annual national mobilization on June 9-11 to address the needs of low-income people in the US. Starting the afternoon of June 9 at National City Christian Church, Thomas Circle, the program will include policy briefings, worship, a processional and prayer vigil across from the White House, and meetings with members of the US Senate. Go to http://www.calltorenewal.com for information about the program and registration, or call (202) 328-8842. Individuals may register for the entire mobilization or for single days. June 12, Interfaith Clean Energy Workshop. On Thurs., June 12, the Maryland Interfaith Climate Alliance and others will hold an evening workshop on clean energy at Columbia United Christian Church, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, Md. Participants will learn about "faith climate" activities and covenants. The workshop is free and will include a catered vegetarian dinner. For information, call (301) 920-1633. See the flyer on the BSW bulletin board for details. Policy Paper entitled A Vision of Peace in a Time of War: The Need for a Peace-Centered Foreign Policy, by the Rev. Dr. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Christ ("NCCC"). In mid-April Dr. Bob Edgar released a policy paper on foreign policy which began: "President Bush has given us his vision. It is a vision of America as the world’s Sheriff. We live in a town of outlaws, with unscrupulous gunslingers on all sides. We must shoot them before they shoot us." Then, putting himself in the shoes of a preacher in a "Global Wild West," Dr. Edgar stated: "I want to move to a serious consideration of how church leaders view our role in the world today. If the church had a foreign policy, what would it look like?" After acknowledging the brutality of the Saddam Hussein regime and positive reaction to this change in Iraq, Dr. Edgar also noted that "there are other scenes from Baghdad that American television news has chosen not to show us. Many....are judged to be too shocking and uncomfortable to show Americans in their homes. They are scenes of the devastation of war...." Under the sub-title "An Alternative Vision: A Foreign Policy of Peacemaking," Dr. Edgar went on to discuss five "fundamental principles" for a peace-centered policy. It would be "Internationally engaged; Rooted in multilateral cooperation; Committed to collective security through arms control, deterrence, disarmament and international cooperation; Dedicated to our best principles; [and] Proactive, not reactive." He concluded by discussing three campaigns to be waged, the third being mobilization of a peace coalition "to build support for a foreign policy of peace, rather than a foreign policy of military preemption." (To read Dr. Edgar’s complete paper, go to http://www.ncccusa.org/news/03news47.html or see the copy on the BSW bulletin board outside the CCC sanctuary.) In keeping with Dr. Edgar’s emphasis on creating a peace coalition, the NCCC convened the April 29-30 National Interfaith Summit in Chicago, discussed in the last issue of News Notes. Its "Urgent Call for Reflection, Hope and Action" was signed, inter alia, by the Rev. John H. Thomas of the UCC, and is also posted on the BSW bulletin board. At the international level, on May 27-28 Dr. Edgar will attend an emergency meeting of the World Conference on Religion and Peace in Amman, Jordan, a meeting expected to support the continuation of religious diversity in Iraq. He will then go on to a meeting of the Middle East Council of Churches to plan an International Interfaith Summit. Special Offering: "Strengthen the Church" On June 22, the relatively new national UCC special offering, "Strengthen the Church: Faithfully Building the Body of Christ," will be collected during the worship service. This offering is in its second year and is a reflection of the UCC’s "commitment to be a multiracial, multicultural church, open and affirming and accessible to all." Gifts will be used to strengthen and renew existing congregations (e.g., provide loans to churches like CCC), fund leadership for new congregations, create new youth and young adult programs, and support leadership development for the entire denomination. Half of the proceeds goes to the UCC’s regional Conferences and Local Church Ministries. "Through this offering, congregations of the [UCC] lend their support where [God’s] spirit is creating here and now, among us." Special Invitation from Our Muslim Neighbors The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community invites CCC and the larger community to a special session at their national convention on Saturday, June 28th at 2:30 PM. After the session, dinner will be served to all the guests. We want to continue the dialogue we’ve entered into with our Islamic neighbors at the Bait-ur-Rahman Mosque at 15000 Good Hope Road in Silver Spring. Let Dale Ostrander or the CCC office know of your plans to attend. "PIPPIN": A Fundraiser for Community Ministry of Mont. Co. On Sunday, June 22, special performances of the Round House Theatre’s production of "Pippin" will benefit families served by the Friends in Action program of Community Ministry of Montgomery County. These performances at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda will include an Ice Cream Social featuring "Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream, Dixieland Jazz, Baked Goodies and more." Friends in Action provides assistance to families through volunteer mentors who help with housing, job-hunting, and the location of medical and other services. Tickets are $75 each ($55 tax deductible); reservations may be made by calling (301) 515-1102. As the school year draws to a close, and many of us leave for summer vacations and time away from home, CCC traditionally moves to a summer worship schedule. Our plan for this summer is to provide our traditional worship service, as well as opportunities for community meditation and communion, and also activities for our children. The summer schedule will begin June 22, and remember that the CCC Annual Meeting is also on June 22 immediately following the worship service. Summer Schedule: June 22 - August 31, 2003 During the worship service will be Church School for babies, Toddler/Two’s, 3-5 year olds, and 6-8 year olds.* Older children and Youth are invited to participate in worship. Fellowship time will follow after the service in the foyer. We also plan to provide opportunities for weekly meditation and communion, but are still working on the details. We will provide an update as soon as we have more information. * Children under 3 years are invited to go directly to their classrooms. Children 3 and up are invited to begin by attending the worship service until Children’s time, and then will progress to Church School. Note: Starting in June there will be a sign-up sheet for parents and anyone else interested to sign up for teaching or providing child care one Sunday a month during the Summer. For those signing up to teach the 3-5 or 6-8 year old church school classes, the Seasons of the Spirit curriculum and resources will be provided. We need everybody taking a turn with childcare or church school to make this summer’s worship schedule successful! September 7 will be the first Sunday of our Fall schedule (TBD). Choir and Church School will also resume September 7. Carolyn Hoskinson Sept. 26-28, 2003 - Fall Women’s Retreat at CCC Retreat House near
Yellow Springs, WV In preparation for Church School Sunday, June 15, during the 9:30 service resident photographer, Carl Brandt, will be taking pictures of church school classes. These photographs will be part of a church school display during fellowship time on June 15. These photos will not be placed on our website. If you have any concerns please talk to Jim Stedman at 301-589-2250 or Kristen Brown at 301-460-1806. An Opportunity for an Intensive Human Interaction Workshop IMPACT Silver Spring and the Servant-Leader Development Center are sponsoring a five day T-group experience which is available at about a third of the usual cost at the Rising Phoenix Retreat Center in Western Maryland during 13-18 July 2003. This opportunity is available to Christ Church members or friends. This basic Human Interaction Workshop is the premier model for experiential learning developed in the United States. It is an opportunity for participants to focus on self-awareness and the effects of their behavior on others in a T (for training) - Group. Working through this model, experiential methods, and theoretical and conceptual frameworks, participants will develop their emotional intelligence, enhance their communication skills and thus, their ability to understand themselves and others. Two experienced trainers will be facilitating this group; one of them is Jackie Bahn-Henkelman. If you are interested in more information and/or want to register for this workshop, contact Jim Henkelman-Bahn at 301-445-1752. Summer
Camp Summer vacation is almost here for the children of the Shaw area in DC, and so is summer camp. Shaw Community Ministry is again asking for donations to help fund "camperships" for the youngsters of Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing at 7th and R Streets, NW. The six-week day camp held at the housing complex each July and August provides the children with a variety of experiences, including arts and crafts, cooking, games, and both on-site and off-site educational activities. The funds raised by SCM each year are used in large part for numerous field trips to museums, zoos, swimming pools and athletic events. The costs of such activities total about $60 per child over the six weeks. If you are interested in providing all or part of a campership, please make your check payable to Shaw Community Ministry, indicate that you want it used for camp expenses, and send it to Anne Weissenborn, 10021 Raynor Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20901. She represents CCC on the SCM board of directors and serves as treasurer. Many thanks in advance for all donations! The children will benefit greatly. Anne Weissenborn, Shaw Community Ministry Nominating Committee in Search of… The Nominating Committee is looking for people interested in serving on all boards. On Sunday, June 15, during Fellowship Time, members of the committee and board representatives will be available to answer questions. If you would like more information before then, please call Rick Brush at 301-565-5929. Julia Jarvis, the new Chaplin at Springvale Terrace, is looking for musicians to donate some time on Sundays from 6:30-7:00 p.m. for the Interfaith Service for Springvale Residents. We had a great service last week but the main complaints were about the music not being very good. Several residents can play the piano but they play by ear. If you are interested in donating 1/2 hour of your time to assist in making a wonderful worshipful experience for Springvale folks, please contact Julia at 301.270.0514 ASAP. Even if you play other instruments and want to be a musical guest we'd love it. The Board of Trustees has called a hearing on the proposed budget for the next fiscal year for Sunday, June 15, at 7:30 P.M. in the Meeting Room (Room 108). Come for information and input on the budget to be proposed at the CCC Annual Meeting on June 22. The Todhunter’s Program "Images and Impressions of India: A Spiritual Pilgrimage" has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 29th, at 5:30 p.m. The evening will include an Indian buffet, slides and a talk about their sabbatical journey together. Volunteers are needed to help one Sunday a month to assist in any of the following areas. Counting money and checks Please consider offering 2-3 hours, one time a month to help out. To volunteer or get more information, please contact Sue Dollins at 301 585-8874 or Suedollins@cs.com. 6th Grader’s Project Needs Help! CCC’s 6th grade church school class is collecting PG and PG-13 VHS video tapes and audio music CDs for the teenagers in the Pediatric Ward at Holy Cross Hospital. Please help by donating your videos and CDs in the box, located near the Name Tag Table as you enter the church. Donation deadline is June 15. News Notes Summer Schedule Please note the following schedule for News Notes publication this summer. Also, when submitting articles, you need to be aware that it may take up to 10 days for mail delivery from the print date. In September, News Notes will resume publishing twice per month.
Thanks and enjoy your summer! Joan Boyer PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next issue is THURSDAY, June 19, 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 |