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CCC NewsNotes August 12, 2003 Have You "Recommitted" Lately? Worship Schedule 2003-2004, German Youth to Visit CCC, Revised Constitution and Bylaws, From Felicity Wright, CCC Youth Ministry Topics for This Year, New Adult Ed Book - Put Your Name on the List! Updated Photo Directory of our Congregation, Youth Ministry Schedule for 2003-2004, Come Get the Scoop on CCC, Social Witness Happenings, Open and Affirming, Couples Communication from Lois and Jim, Excerpts from letters received by the Board for Social Witness, Flower Delivery, Greeters It's a fun way to spend a Sunday morning! Thank you from the Deacons, Calling All Gardeners! Appreciation for Dick Meyer, Board for Church Life Upcoming Events, NewsNotes Deadlines, CCC Staff Have You "Recommitted" Lately? The generosity of CCC folk has been demonstrated repeatedly. When faced with the most urgent challenges, we have responded with the most ardent giving. And an amazing thing about God’s grace is that the more repeatedly and generously we give, the easier and more fulfilling such giving becomes. Each gift is a recommitment, not only to a particular need, but a recommitment to a life based on giving – the giving of self for others. This is the basis of the Christian life. If you have not yet done so, please take this opportunity to make your recommitment pledge for our effort to expand our mission, ministry, and program, by reducing our debt. Your giving multiplies the efficacy of our overall ministry by freeing resources for our operating budget while paying off our building loan. You may make your pledge to support our Recommitment Campaign by filling out a CCC Recommitment Campaign Pledge Agreement (found in church office) by being in touch directly with one of our co-chairs: Elaine Wunderlich at 301-604-1758 (elaine@marlaine.com), or David Bobbitt at 301-887-0054 (drbobbitt2000@yahoo.com). If you wish to make to direct gift, you may use a "Gift and Offerings" envelope found in the pew rack, designating your gift as "Recommitment Campaign." We are near the half-way point in reaching our goal of $1.25 million, and more than $100,000 has come in gifts and pledges this summer. Now is the time to put us over the top! I thank God for your love of CCC and all it stands for, and for the generous hearts of this congregation. Love and Blessings, Jim The Board of Deacons is pleased to announce that its choice of Worship Schedule for the forthcoming Church School year has been supported by the Executive Council. The schedule introduces a new Alternative Church School styled School for the Arts that will run alongside the early morning service. The staff is working with the Board of Christian education to form a group, who with help from John Touchton, will lead this new educational opportunity for our children and youth. The timing of the services will be as below: 8:30 – 8:55am Meditation and Communion The new schedule will be effective from September 7th 2003, although it may take a little longer to start the new church school. Child Care will be provided during the first service until the planning is complete. We are excited by the addition of the new option for our children and trust that you will be prepared to explore all the services that are being offered. The Board of Deacons The Rev. Helmut Becker of St. Peter’s Church in Halle, Germany is bringing 22 youth to the United States this fall to visit churches in Baltimore, Lancaster, New York City and Washington, D. C. They will be in Washington, D. C. from October 9-12. (A previous article stated September, which was incorrect!) They would like to stay with us, housing one youth per home. If you would like to host a youth in your home, please contact Linda by email at linda@christ-ucc.org . Host families will be responsible to get them to and from a pick up point (perhaps the church) each morning and evening. All the youth speak some English, and Helmut wants them to practice their English with us. Their plans are as follows: Thursday October 9, they will visit Sojourners, then sing Compline at the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, near the Senate Office Building. Friday they will tour Washington. Saturday, they would like to meet with the youth from all the churches they are visiting in D. C. for songs, prayers and a common meal. On Sunday the will attend and participate in worship at CCC. In the afternoon they will travel to BWI for their flight home. Again, if you would like to be a part of this wonderful experience, please let me know as soon as possible. You do not have to be a parent of a teenager to participate in this. Linda and the Youth Committee Revised Constitution and Bylaws The current CCC Constitution and Bylaws, as revised at the congregational meeting on April 6 and the Executive Council meeting on June 1, are now posted on our CCC website (http://christ-ucc.org). Click on "NEW Postings" and look for a June 2 entry. These documents are a useful read for all CCC members. If you are an officer or chairing a board or a committee, you will definitely want to download and keep them for reference! Toko Ackerman , our seminarian "in care" with the Potomac Association of the UCC successfully passed her ordination interview with the Association Church and Ministry Committee. This took place on July 17th. Her advisor, the Rev. Carolyn Roberts, and I, as her pastor, accompanied her to the meeting. As her note indicates, she is now actively seeking a pastoral call. This is very exciting. Let us keep Felicity in our prayers!Jim Todhunter From Felicity Wright: It’s official: I’m now "ordained pending call." I learned yesterday that I was approved by the Church and Ministry committee and the Board at the Potomac Association! My thanks especially for those of you who have been praying for me over the last couple of weeks as I went before the committee. (You do good work...) Although the meeting and trip were stressful (to put it mildly), it was pleasant to see family and a few friends, as well as my beloved Potomac River. The next, and final, hurdle to ordination is to get a call to a church, and I am working valiantly toward that end. In the meanwhile, I’m still doing some house-and-dog sitting in the Danville area. Just yesterday, I agreed to rent an in-law apartment from friends at the church, beginning mid-August. I’m also going up to Portland for a week of intentional interim training, which will help in the job search and provide some useful skills in ministry generally, even though I’m hoping that my first position is a regularly called position. I’ve had phone interviews and/or sent sermons to numerous churches throughout the country; there are some good prospects, mostly in the mid-west, but it is a time-consuming process, to say the least. I’m hoping that I can pick up some freelance writing/editing/training, preferably with RWD, but I’ll start looking at some temp agencies in the near future. So please continue to keep me in your prayers, but thank you for your well wishes so far. Getting approved for ministry is a major milestone on the Gantt chart, and I’m honored to have gotten to this stage. (My brother noted that it’s the equivalent of passing the bar exam, and it feels very much like that.) I hope that your lives are going well. Love, Felicity CCC Youth Ministry Faith and Life Issues Who am I, what are my gifts. While all the youth are focusing on the same or similar topics, the activities will be designed to be age appropriate for each group. In the beginning of September, the leaders of each group will send out schedules complete with topics and activities for their age group. For now, know that on the dates listed above, there will be youth ministry activities. One Change from last year! We will assign parents a Sunday to serve dinner. If you cannot do it on the date assigned, you may switch with someone by calling our dinner coordinator, Diana Dean at ddean9283@cs.com. If you want to partner with someone, you may do that, as long as you know you will be doing it twice in one year, once for each person’s slot. That is, someone may help you with your week and you may help them with their week. Joanne Dennie, Chairperson, The Sunday morning Adult Education class will not meet in August. We plan to meet on September 7 and then begin discussion on a new book on September 14. Please consider joining us in a lively discussion every Sunday or as you are able. The next book we plan to discuss is: Process Theology: A Basic Introduction by C. Robert Mesle. The author is a professor of Philosophy and Religion at Graceland College in Iowa. The author is non-theist, but presents both a process naturalism and a process theism. He deals with such topics as love, freedom, evil, liberation, women’s experience, religious pluralism, Jesus, prayer, miracles, etc. Process thought is represented in the work of such thinkers as Alfred North Whitehead, John Cobb, Jr., Charles Hartshorne, and Daniel Day Williams (a theology professor of Dale Ostrander’s at Union Theological Seminary.) If you would like to reserve a book (about $12,) please phone the church office (301) 585-8010 ext. 226 and leave a note for Dale. Elaine Wunderlich is coordinating with Olan Mills to produce an updated Photo Directory of our Congregation. They will provide one 8x10 photo and the photo directory free of charge to everyone who participates, and additional photos can be ordered if desired. The photo sittings have been scheduled for October 17th, 18th, 21st, and 22nd. Mark your calendars!In order to make this project work, we need as many individuals and families in the church to participate as possible. Sign-ups will be done in September, starting on Sunday September 7th. We encourage everyone to sign up as early as possible so we can fit everyone in. Also, we really need help to coordinate this project. We need someone interested in suggesting the layout, as well as people who can help call and sign in people for photos on the day of the sittings. Anyone interested should contact Dan Schumacher at dan.schu@verizon.net or (301) 881-7296. Youth Ministry Schedule for 2003-2004 September October November December January February March April May If the dates are not on here, there is no meeting. If nothing is written after the date, there will be activities for all grades, 7 – 12. If you see a star by the date, it means the 5th and 6th grade are meeting then also. Joanne Dennie, Chairperson, Youth and Young Adult Committee If the dates are not on here, there is no meeting. If nothing is written after the date, there will be activities for all grades, 7 – 12. If you see a star by the date, it means the 5th and 6th grade are meeting then also. If a carefree afternoon with friends and neighbors appeals to you, then mark September 6th 1-4 pm, on your calendar. We have something for everyone: professional jazz, sensational singing, huge moonbounce, scrumptious scooped ice cream, fun games, crafts, and more. It’s all happening at CCC, rain or shine. We would love for you to join our party, mingle with the crowd and extend a warm welcome to visitors. If you can’t make it, you can still help spread the word. Fliers are available at CCC to post on local community bulletin boards. Please keep one with you for your next visit to your local grocery store, coffee/bagel shop, etc. Feel free to spread the information on your neighborhood list-serve or chat-room. See you there! Nancy Mills Board of Outreach and Engagement, 301-260-8544 General Synod 24 – Updated Synopsis of Actions. The biennial meeting of the United Church of Christ held in Minneapolis ended on July 15. A Synod Synopsis and a listing of approved, not approved, and referred resolutions are posted on the bulletin board of CCC’s Board for Social Witness. All UCC members were challenged by their General President, the Rev. John H. Thomas, to increase general giving through their local churches from the present $850 million a year to $1 billion by 2007. "We are called to an amazing generosity." Synod delegates gave overwhelming approval to a "Pronouncement," a major policy statement, entitled "Globalization" that calls for a "‘more just, humane direction’ to worldwide economics." Another approved Pronouncement calls for increased support of UCC seminaries and seminarians. Delegates approved a "resolution" affirming a "partnership in mission and ministry" with the Alliance of Baptists, and resolutions affirming special relationships with the Union of Evangelical Churches in Germany and the Church of South India. Other resolutions approved call on the Boys Scouts of America to change their policy rejecting gay youth as members; urge UCC members to become organ donors; support anti-racist activities in the US, including a shift in drug policy from law enforcement to treatment programs; call for support of transgender persons; and address commissioned ministry. Additional approved resolutions seek peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula; urge members’ involvement in Oikokredit USA; address U.S policy in the Middle East; support peace efforts and Christian congregations in Colombia; and call for a global nonviolent peace force. Delegates rejected resolutions brought by the conservative Biblical Witness Fellowship "intended to reverse a perceived liberal bias within the denomination." Full coverage of General Synod 24 will be found in the next issue of United Church News to which everyone can subscribe at $10 a year by writing to United Church News, 700 Prospect Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115, by calling (216) 736-2222, or by subscribing by e-mail via grastyr@ucc.org . All Synod pronouncements and resolutions, including several resolutions not cited above, can be read at www.ucc.org/resolutions/index.html. September 18 – An Evening’s Discussion on Cooperation among Religious Faiths. The Churches’ Center for Theology and Public Policy at American University, the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, The National Council of Churches of Christ’s Interfaith Relations Commission and the Washington Theological Consortium are holding an evening of discussion on "Compelled to Relationship? What do our religious traditions teach that leads us to live and work together as people of many faiths?" The event will be held on Thurs., Sept. 18, starting at 7:00 pm, in the refectory of Wesley Seminary, 4500 Massachusetts Ave., NW. There is no charge, but those attending need to RSVP by calling 202-885-8648 or by sending an e-mail to cctpp@wesleysem.edu. If you would like to attend with a group from CCC, please contact Anne Weissenborn at 301 681-6042 or by e-mail at weissenborn@starpower.net. Board for Social Witness This fall the Open and Affirming Task Force will open a dialogue on the topic of transgender. The intent of this series will be to learn about transgender. Included in our sessions will be a scriptural context, a discussion of language and a time of sharing personal stories with some guest speakers. Those of you who remember our Open and Affirming process will recognize that this is a similar format. Another part of the sessions will be discussion of a proposed amendment to our Open and Affirming statement which will include the word transgender. Our planned dates for this series span the Sundays of September 14 – 28. Proposed Amendment to the CCC Adopted by Christ Congregational Church, May 21,
1995 (underlined language = added language;
strikethrough = deleted language) Christ
Congregational Church is a covenant faith community where all people are
recognized as being made in God's image, reconciled by Christ and empowered by
the Holy Spirit. We believe that
gay, lesbian, We
believe that as members of the community of faith we are called to love one
another and ourselves as whole persons. We
seek to relate to one another with love, trust and in ways that are mutually
accountable and nurturing. Our
covenant commitment challenges us to welcome all people into the life of our
faith community. We
recognize the diversity of families among us and the ways in which God calls us
into relationship. We support
traditional and extended families, single persons and those who are widowed and
divorced. We value all families,
including gay, lesbian, We
believe that God creates and celebrates diversity and declare our openness to
all who seek Christ's love in our midst [Changes
as recommended by the CCC Open and Affirming Task Force, September 14,
2003] Couples Communication We are excited about doing a new Couples Communication group this fall. If you missed the orientation last spring, we are planning to have another on Sunday, September 7. We will gather in the Meeting Room for about an hour after church, and will provide childcare. Attending the orientation session does not imply a commitment to attend the subsequent six sessions. It is intended to offer an opportunity to see the communication model in practice and ask questions. You don’t need to attend an orientation session in order to participate in the six sessions. We plan to hold sessions from 6:30 – 8:00 on Sunday evenings September 14, September 21, September 28, October 5, October 19 and October 26. This time coincides with the youth group activities for many of those dates. While all of these dates will not work for everyone, it is important that a couple have a commitment to attend all or nearly all of them. Please leave a message for Jim at the church jim@christ-ucc.org (call 301-585-4640 ext. 223 or leave a note in his mailbox), or for us at home (301-365-8512) to let us know if you will be participating. You may also call if you want more information or if would like to participate but have scheduling conflicts. Blessings! Lois and Jim Todhunter Excerpts from letters received by the Board for Social Witness: From Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition which received $500 as part of discretionary missions funding: "Please extend our heartfelt thanks to the congregation members at Christ Congregational Church for their generous contribution toward our affordable housing mission. We are so fortunate to have the support of your members and the involvement of Nancy Lohman on our Board of Directors. CCC’s contribution helps us provide a decent home, along with a supportive team of professional and volunteer caregivers, to families struggling to maintain dignity and hope." From Global Ministries which received $500 as part of discretionary missions funding: "This letter comes in thanks for your most recent gift to the work of Global Ministries. As you have requested, this entire amount will be used for HIV/AIDS-related ministries in Africa. Gifts such as yours strengthen the work being done around the world in response to those in need." We need extra hands to deliver Altar flowers to the sick & shut-ins after Sunday worship. Anyone who could help occasionally would be most welcome. Please contact Audrey Platt at 301-879-9772. Greeters The Board for Church Life is looking for volunteers to help with greeting on Sunday mornings. The task is open to your imagination and should not be limited to this basic set of instructions. Arrive approximately 20 minutes before the service begins. Wear your name tag with a "Greeter" tag (found at the end of the name tag file) hanging from it. Stand near the entrance of the church and greet people as they arrive. You may encourage them to wear their name tags. If they don't have a name tag, and want one, have them print their name on the request form on the name tag table. You may encounter people who appear to be new or need information. Help them if you can or just simply ask someone else nearby if they are willing to help. Church School information is on the bulletin board or may be in the Sunday worship bulletin. You may go into worship a few minutes before the service begins if you wish, or stay to greet late-comers. Please sign up on the Board for Church Life bulletin board. Questions? Contact Glenda Neal 301.622-3948 or gbneal@aol.com. — to Cynthia Page, Mary Stone, and Marilyn Meyer for their gifts of linen dinner napkins for use during communion to cover the elements. They are much appreciated.The Board of Deacons We want our grounds to look
their best for “Come Get the Scoop,” hosted by the Board of Outreach and
Engagement on Saturday, September 6, in the church parking lot.
Please join us on Thursday evening, September 4th, at 7:00
P.M. for a general weeding,
trimming and spruce up effect. Please
bring hand tools and a broom, if possible.
Mary
Pence, for the Landscaping Committee On Sunday,
August 31st, the fellowship time will be in honor of Dick Meyer, who is retiring
as our Facilities Administrator. There will be special refreshments and send off
for Dick in appreciation for the extraordinary energy and spirit he has given us
through some challenging times. See you there! Board
for Church Life
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