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CCC NewsNotes June 25, 2003 Small Groups: Prophetic Voices; Spiritual Journeys; Spiritual Warriors, Social Witness Happenings, Youth Global Learning Initiative, Memorial Day Weekend at the Retreat House – A Recap, Save These Dates, Annual Pool Party July 13th, Summer Camp: Shaw Community Ministry, Come Get the Scoop on CCC, An Opportunity for an Intensive Human Interaction Workshop, Children's Library News, 2004 Covenant Class Meeting, Discussions with Jim and Lois Todhunter, Notice! Recent Confirmands, Summer Worship Schedule, Napkins Needed…, NewsNotes Deadlines, CCC Staff At the recent "small group organizing day," people indicated their interest in participating in or starting a small group. Several people have designed groups in addition to those on our original list. The descriptions of the groups they’ve designed will appear in News Notes and the bulletin – please contact them if you are interested in joining. The group would decide when, where and how often to meet. Searching for Prophetic Christian Voices for the World Today As someone who came of age politically with the civil rights movement, I feel powerless and abandoned in the changed world of today. At mid-twentieth century, the quest for a just and humane world was an exciting journey. One had only to join. The direction was clear. The task was to stand up and appeal to the best in the American dream. At that time, even music, movies and forms of mass entertainment gave voice to a social conscience. Today a vastly different situation reigns. Mean-spiritedness holds a strong position in the media, and some voices even condemn bipartisanship as a form of weakness. Nihilism has a strong foothold in too many places. Greed, opportunism, and unchecked pursuit of material gain are widely celebrated. In such a world, what does it mean to be a Christian? What was once called mainline Protestantism appears to be only a small voice somewhere on the margins of society, a far distance from the time of such figures as Reinhold Niebuhr. If mainline Protestantism no longer has a place at the table of power, what is its place? Is its voice today that of an outsider, confined largely to the wilderness? Or can it in some way talk about a just and humane society in a manner that resonates with those in power? What is its channel of communication? With the above questions and concerns in mind, I am interested in exploring with others what it means to be a Christian in the world of today. To me, this means searching for contemporary prophetic voices, as we ask ourselves how we, as a Christian community, relate to the society around us. Clarence Stone The Spiritual Journeys group/s are small groups (10-15) people who meet in homes on a monthly basis. Each month a different person could host the event by choosing short readings from the Bible, CS Lewis, Merton, etc. and/or a theme. If there is more than one group, each group may want to determine its own focus and structure (we have guidelines from a publication we can follow that was handed out during the small group sign-ups). This is a group for people who are looking for ways to discover, integrate, and journey together using a spiritual framework. The group my wife and I want to host would be Christ centered with other writers and thinkers compatible with Christ's parables, stories, and teachings. Jay Marciano & Ginny McDonagh "The acquisition of the spirit of ahimsa (non-violence) is a matter of long training in self-denial and appreciation of the hidden forces within ourselves. It changes one’s outlook on life... It is the greatest force because it is the highest expression of the soul." "The sword of the satyagrahi is love, and the unshakable firmness that comes from it." "If one is to combat the fetish of force, it will only be by means totally different from those in vogue among the pure worshippers of brute force." Non-Violence in Peace and War, by Mahatma Gandhi This is a small group for anyone interested in exploring Mahatma Gandhi’s teaching on satyagraha (Truthforce). We will read from selected writings and discuss their practical significance for followers of Jesus. We will examine Gandhi’s ideas on spiritual discipline; also the practice of ahimsa (non-violence) in the realm of geo-politics and everyday life. This class is a practical experiment in the laboratory of the spirit so participants are expected to commit themselves to practice at least one form of spiritual discipline appropriate to a satyagrahi; goggles are optional. Richard Jaeggi Mission Dollars for Domestic Disaster Relief. Funds donated by CCC members to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and through our congregation’s contribution to Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) are being used by the UCC’s National Disaster Ministries to provide help to churches and individuals victimized by recent tornadoes and flooding in the central U.S. The UCC is cooperating with Church World Service and also working through its own regional Conferences in affected areas. Prescription Drug Benefit Legislation. The UCC Justice and Peace Action Network is asking UCC members to contact their representatives in Congress regarding action on Medicare-related prescription drug proposals. They urge support of a Medicare prescription drug benefit that guarantees that all low-income seniors and people with disabilities receive a benefit tailored to their needs, without requiring difficult eligibility procedures. July 11-15, UCC General Synod. In July, the biennial Synod of the UCC will be held in Minneapolis. This year’s theme is “God is Still Speaking.” As stated on the UCC website, "Because every UCC congregation is self-governing, [Synod] resolutions speak ‘to’ but not ‘for’ the local church." The two "Pronouncements" to be considered address sufficient funding of UCC seminaries and a "more just, humane direction for economic globalization." Dr. Edith Rasell, former member of CCC, is a drafter of the second of these pronouncements. The 26 resolutions to be considered address issues ranging from peace on the Korean Peninsula to the Boy Scouts, alternatives to Christian Zionism, American Indian boarding schools, support of Colombian churches and their leaders, American policy in the Middle East and beyond. To read individual pronouncements and resolutions, go to www.ucc.org/resolutions/index. To comment on a resolution, go to www.ucc.org/discus/messages/2568/2594. FCC Ruling on Network Ownership of Local TV Stations. On May 27, 2003, the Communications Commission of the National Council of Churches sent letters to Pres. George W. Bush and the FCC regarding proposals to raise the number of local TV stations that may be owned by networks from 35% to 45% and to otherwise permit increased media consolidation. Signers included the Rev. Robert Chase, who is secretary of the NCC commission and director of the UCC Office of Communications. The letter asserted that "the moral content and quality of network programming has continued to deteriorate," and that increased network ownership prevents local stations from reflecting local standards and from controlling their own local news coverage. Rev. Chase also presented these positions at an FCC hearing on May 27. In early June the FCC voted 3-2 to allow increased consolidation. Under its ruling a single company could own a broadcast network, unlimited cable networks, a dominant newspaper, the dominant cable system, up to 3 local TV stations, and up to 8 local radio stations in each of dozens of local markets. Two bills before Congress seeking to freeze the present ownership cap are the Burr-Dingell bill in the House and the Stevens-Hollings bill in the Senate. A copy of the NCCC letter is on the BSW bulletin board. Youth Global Learning Initiative There is still time to register for the following youth programs: Native American Experience in New Town, North Dakota, July 24—August 2. The cost is $150 and the deadline for registering is June 29. Civil Rights Immersion Experience in Memphis, Tennessee, August 14-21. The cost is approximate $175 and the deadline for registering is July 21. All the information about the Global Learning Initiative and the permission forms were sent out. If you cannot find yours or have any questions, please call Susan Gray at the church, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings at 391-585-8010, or directly at 301-585-4640, extension 225. Memorial Day Weekend at the Retreat House – A Recap While the Washington area was enduring another weekend of rain and gloom, CCC members at the Retreat House in Yellow Spring, WV enjoyed sunny days and a brief passing shower over the Memorial Day weekend. Although water levels were higher than normal in Loman’s Branch, the creek was still passable by car and was the site of children and adults frolicking in the cold water. Fifty people ranging in age from 1 to 70 years old either stayed over a night or two, or visited for a day. We hiked the Retreat House grounds, climbed Fossil Mountain, made crafts, played board games and outdoor games, made S’mores by the campfire, enjoyed community meals together, sat lazily on the front porch and worshipped together in the chapel Sunday morning. One brave CCC member, John Enagonio, even kayaked on the Capon River enjoying the cold water and fast current. Several attendees commented how nice it was to get away from the city, meet and get to know members, and to enjoy the Retreat House with persons of multiple generations. Thanks to the "Retreat House Staff" for a GREAT weekend – Cory Gray, Chris and Jackie Walters, Kathy, Claire and Nora Stedman, and Joanne Dennie. See you next year in the hills of West Virginia! Trish Esposito and John Rogers Sept. 26-28, 2003 - Fall Women’s Retreat at CCC Retreat House near
Yellow Springs, WV Yes, it WILL get hot and then you'll want to come to…the annual CCC pool party (sponsored by the Board for Church Life)! Sunday, July 13th, 2:00 - 5:00 pm (you can stay until pool closing at 8 pm). Stonegate Community Pool, 208 Stonegate Drive, Silver Spring. This event is great for both singles and families. The facility offers a main pool (with one of the few high diving boards in the county!), baby pool, sandy playground, volleyball court and shade trees. Snacks and drinks provided. Please RSVP by July 10th to Sara D. Watson, saradwatson@aol.com or 301-879-7692. In case of inclement weather, call Sara to confirm. Directions: north on Rte. 29, then north on New Hampshire Avenue, then after Randolph Road turn left onto Stonegate Drive. Shaw Community MinistrySummer 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 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. Many thanks in advance for all donations! Anne Weissenborn, Shaw Community Ministry Back by popular demand! The Board of Outreach and Engagement is once again hosting this entertaining and informative community outreach event. Those of you who attended last year know how successful it was in generating interest in CCC. Visitors enjoyed free festivities and witnessed firsthand the vibrant, generous spirit of CCC. Our second "Scoop" is scheduled for Saturday, September 6 from 1 - 4 p.m.. We would like your help in getting the word out among your neighbors and friends. If your community publishes a newsletter that could run a notice, please let us know. Also last year broadcasting e-mails was very effective. If you know of a list-serve or chat-room that could send information about our event, we are collecting those addresses now. Of course, if you would like to jump in and join the fun, please let us know! Nancy Mills 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. Thank you to all the families and children who visited the "Book Nook" rolling library collection this year, held between the Sunday morning services in the Lower Lobby. It was great fun to meet all of you and share wonderful books. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped run it. "Book Nook" follows the Sunday School year and closed for the summer on Sunday, June 15th. It will start up again on Sunday, September 7th when Sunday School resumes. But please don't stop reading! The Children’s Library is located on the first floor in room 107 and is open to visitors on a self-serve basis at all times. Please feel free to return books there and check out new ones over the summer. The checkout tray will be located on the desk. We also welcome book donations in the Donations Box on the desk. I look forward to seeing our great readers in the Fall again. Have a blast reading books this summer! Susan Hill Following the Worship Service on June 29, there will be a meeting of the parents and prospective members of the 2004 Covenant Class in the Conference Room. This meeting will discuss plans for the content and length of next year’s class. It is important that students and parents attend this introductory class. Jim and Lois TodhunterAnother of the small group Spirituality Discussions with Jim and Lois Todhunter will take place on July 2 at 7:30 P.M. at the home of Jim and Jackie Walters, 707 Dartmouth Ave. Please sign up in advance on the CCC bulletin board. A third discussion will be held on July 13 at 7:30 at the home of Sue Dollins, 412 Brewster Ave. Please sign up in advance on the CCC bulletin board. The portraits that Bill Carnahan took of you on Confirmation Sunday are in a small basket, well marked, on the credenza in the office. Your posters are also in the office, standing behind the filing cabinet by the windows. Please drop by soon and pick up these items. Summer Worship Schedule 9:00 - 9:45 Adult Ed in the conference room During the worship service will be Church School for babies,
Toddler/Two’s, 3-5 year olds, and 6-8 year olds.* Note: There are still openings for summer church school teachers during the 10:00 A.M. worship service. If you would like to volunteer to teach for one Sunday during the summer, please call Susan Gray at the church, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday mornings at 391-585-8010, or directly at 301-585-4640, extension 225. Some large white damask napkins (dinner size) are needed for the communion table. If you have any you can donate, please contact Mary Carnahan at 301-572-5392. PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next issue is THURSDAY, July 10 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 |