Return
to CCC Home Page
|
CCC NewsNotes January 8, 2005 From Jim, All Church Visioning Day, February 5th, 2005, Social Witness Happenings, From the Church Administrator, Adult Education Bible Class, Contemporary Theology Class, Maryland Jesus Seminar Study Group, Musical Theater Opportunity for 2nd – 6th Graders, CCC Book Group, Let’s Dance!! February 12, 2005 - 8:00 – 11:00 p.m., Winter Weekend,(January 14-17) Exciting Opportunities for Youth 7th-12th Grades, Parents’ Night Out, Sisters for Sisters, Costumes – Costumes – Costumes, Democratic Club, Upcoming Events, NewsNotes Deadline, CCC Staff The outpouring of love and generosity in support of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia has been deeply moving to all of us. I have been impressed with how effective and immediate the UCC world network has been in responding. Additionally, there have been a number of personal contacts and interactions between CCC folks and friends in that part of the world. Particularly touching have been some communications between Jim Henkelman-Bahn and some friends he and Jackie made on their recent consulting trip to India. Below is a poem sent to him by such a friend in response to Jim’s email of support and solidarity. I pass it along to you. I know you will find it touching and inspiring. The Gift I will not die an unlived life --- D. MARKOVA Blessings, hope, and appreciation. Jim All Church Visioning
Day, February 5th, 2005 "What is God calling us to do?" That’s the question we want to explore on Saturday, February, 5th, 2005, the All Church Visioning Day. Our goal is to find out what is important to CCC members and visitors. What excites us? Which direction should CCC be moving in? Where should we be in 3 years? This is your chance to help determine what kind of church CCC will become. The All Church Visioning Day is being planned by a small committee appointed by the Executive Council. For those of you who are curious about these things, the committee is jointly chaired by Tim White and Ruth Prindle. Other members are John Gipson, Pete Hotchkiss, Mary Stone and Jim Todhunter. The event will be facilitated by Jim Henkelman-Bahn and Jackie Bahn-Henkelmen. All church members, visitors and friends are invited to this event. The day will start with coffee at 9:00. The work of the day will start at 9:30 and end around 2:30. A light lunch will be provided. Child care will be provided for those with children. The event will use the "Open Space" meeting model. The first part of the meeting is devoted to finding out what the participants consider exciting and/or important. Based on this, there will be a series of small group meetings about these subjects. These meetings will be grouped into 3 concurrent sessions, each session accommodating up to 10 small groups, and each sessions lasting about 45 minutes. Hence each person can participate in three small groups. Participants are urged to vote with their feet—if the meeting you are in doesn’t excite, find one that does! The goal of this day is to find out what different groups of people and individuals feel passionate about, and to explore possible directions for the church. This day is not about setting priorities—which will be done at another time—but about exploring possibilities. Come with your ideas, come with your questions, but most of all come with your enthusiasm! Anne Weissenborn, Board for Social Witness UCC and NCCC/Church World Service Involvement in South Asian Disaster Response. The national UCC has announced that it intends to match the "extravagant welcome" message of the new TV ads with "extravagant generosity" toward the disaster victims in Southern Asia. The UCC has pledged $300,000, of which $93,000 has already been sent using One Great Hour of Sharing funds and $207,000 will be raised from church members and friends. By Jan. 3, almost $70,000 had been received through the UCC’s online appeal. The UCC is also working through Church World Service, the humanitarian arm of the National Council of Churches ("NCCC"), and with partner church bodies in Southern Asia, including the Church of South India, the Jaffna Diocese in the Church of South India (Sri Lanka), the Church of Christ in Thailand, and the Church’s Auxiliary for Social Action in India, with which the UCC already had a well-developed system in place for addressing disaster-related needs. In addition, the UCC is a founding member of Action by Churches Together, an international organization that works with dozens of denominations in coordinating disaster responses. Church World Service has already sent $1 million in immediate aid and has set a goal of $5 million to support recovery efforts. (For information on making individual contributions to South Asian relief and recovery, see "South Asian Disaster Assistance" below.) SOUTH ASIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE – GIVING THROUGH THE UCC. The Central Atlantic Conference of the UCC continues to be a good channel for monetary contributions to those in great need in South Asia following the earthquake and tsunami on Christmas weekend. Checks may be made payable to the Central Atlantic Conference with "South Asia" on the memo line, and mailed to the CAC at 916 Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228-5318. If you have already sent in checks to the CAC written differently, do not worry as the staff at the CAC will know how to handle them. Contributions may also be made through the national UCC by writing checks to the Asia Tsunami Relief Fund and sending them to Wider Church Ministries, UCC, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, or online by going to the UCC homepage at www.ucc.org or to www.ucc.org/disaster . By Jackie Walters Web calendar – On CCC’s homepage – www.christ-ucc.org – there is a link to the church calendar. Susan and I put all events in the church on this calendar, including outside groups (in black), so that those planning church events can see what dates, times and rooms are available. If you click on an event, there is an opportunity to get more information. For example, a class entry might mention the book being discussed, give a point of contact for questions, and provide special instructions for students. This link is an excellent way to keep track of what’s going on at CCC. Event coordinators should send notices, changes, and questions to cccoffice@christ-ucc.org, Medical equipment – CCC maintains a supply of donated home health care equipment for members to borrow. Among the items available are walkers, crutches, canes, wheelchairs, and toilet equipment. Contact the church office if you have items to donate or if you wish to borrow equipment. Christmas Ornament Sale -- The 2nd annual sale of porcelain ornaments sent $1,071 to the Building Fund. Thanks to all who purchased ornaments! Printer cartridge recycling – CCC is now collecting empty inkjet cartridges for recycling. We receive up to $3.00 for each cartridge recycled. The collection box is on the window sill to your left just inside the main entrance. Accepted manufacturers are Apple, Canon, Compaq, Dell, HP, Lexmark, Okidata, Sharp, and Xerox. In addition to having a positive impact on the environment (fewer than 5% of cartridges are recycled, and it takes 1,000 years for the plastic to decompose), recycling will earn money for the church since CCC does not pay for the container or for shipping. Bulletin announcements -- for Sunday’s bulletin – including flower dedications – are due in the office by 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. You may email (cccoffice@christ-ucc.org) or call in (301-585-8010) your announcement or leave a hard copy in the church office. Credenza exchange – If you leave items on the office credenza for others, please let them know the item is there. If you want the item returned to you if it is not picked up, put your name on it as well. Anything left for more than a month will be discarded. Lost & Found -- The office maintains a box of lost & found items. We plan to put the box in the lobby once a month. Items not claimed will be donated or discarded. Ceiling fans in the winter? – If the ceiling fans in the Sanctuary are on some Sunday morning, it is because we are circulating the warm air that rises back down. Montgomery County Child Welfare Service has requested that we publish its desire to recruit "stable, loving individuals and couples to care for children who must be temporarily or permanently separated from their own families." Child Welfare is seeking candidates who are willing to foster or adopt children. Call 240-777-1664 for more information or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov. The Adult Education Bible Class will resume on Wednesday evenings starting Jan. 12, 2005, in room 207, 7:30-8:30 PM. There is recognition that our faith, if it is indeed living and active, needs to question, explore, consider and experience the Bible in an active way, one which allows it to speak afresh in new situations. Part of the vision of the curriculum, "Seasons of the Spirit," is to explore meaning and mystery in the Bible. Each class is a complete unit based on the lectionary selections for the following Sunday. Come join us as co-learners, pilgrims exploring together the path of faith, when the class resumes on January 12. The Contemporary Theology Class started reading a new book Sunday Jan. 9, 2005 Open Christianity by Jim Burklo. The class welcomes new members and meets at 8:45 AM in the Meeting Room. The book can be ordered via Amazon for the cost of $13.60. Maryland Jesus Seminar Study Group The Maryland Jesus Seminar Study Group which was formed in 2001 has been meeting in our newly renovated conference room since we moved back into the building. We meet once a month, generally on the third Friday of the month to discuss issues of common interest. We are now discussing a book by Geza Vermes called, The Religion of Jesus the Jew. We get together between 7:00 and 7:30 and then have our discussion from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m. Our next meeting will be on January 14th. Please feel free to join us. I would like to invite anyone who might be interested to join us as we begin the discussion of a new book in March 2005. We will begin discussing The Historical Jesus Goes to Church , a series of essays by fellows of the Jesus Seminar in response to the question, "What difference does scholarship on the historical Jesus make for the way we think about the meaning of Christian faith in the twenty-first Century?" I plan to put in a second order for this book on January 15 so that we will hopefully get them in time to distribute them at our February meeting. When they arrive, I will leave them in the church office of Christ Congregational Church so that you can pick them up before our meeting if you are in the area. Please let me know by Thursday January 13 if you would like to be included in this order if you haven’t already done so. This book lists at $18, but will be about $13.75 with postage. I will let you know when they arrive. If you have any questions about the group or the book, please feel free to phone me at 301-604-1758 or email me at elaine@marlaine.com. Elaine Wunderlich Musical Theater Opportunity for 2nd – 6th Graders: Musical Theater Center is offering three after-school classes at CCC beginning Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 4-6 p.m. The session concludes on May 18. Classes are Musical Theater Prep (an introduction to musical theater through singing and dancing); Movement for Musical Theater (introduction to basic dance steps and combinations used in production numbers – simple tap and jazz); and Beginning Acting (basic elements of acting through theater games and exercises, improvisation, character development and scene work). MTC conducted a successful three-week summer day camp at CCC last summer. For information and registration, visit www.musicaltheatercenter.org or call 301-251-5766. It is not too late to register! The CCC Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, January 23rd, at the home of Mary Stone, to discuss "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini, a novel set in contemporary Afghanistan and California. All are welcome. Call 301/681-6925 for directions. Let’s Dance!! CCC’s own Big Band plays tunes from the 30’s, 40’s, and beyond, February 12, from 8 am – 11 pm in our Social Hall. Help make this an enchanted evening by joining in the fun. January 14-17 at Camp Soles, Rockwood, PA It’s not too early to mark your calendars for the annual ski weekend! As in years past, we are teaming up with the Washington Ethical Society for family, fellowship and good times. Strap on your skis and hit the cross country trails, take in the slopes and tube parks at nearby Hidden Valley or Seven Springs resorts, or lounge at the Camp Soles Lodge sipping hot cocoa in front of the fire. Fri – Sun, 3 nights/8 meals: 7 years to Adult $140;
Children 4 – 6 years $70 Exciting Opportunities for Youth 7th-12th Grades New Windsor Retreat, January 22-23, 2005 Winter Camping Adventure, February 18-21, 2005 Remember to sign up for the Parents’ Night Out Program, which is to meet Friday, Jan. 21st, from 6:30 - 10:00 PM. The sign up sheet is located on the Church Life bulletin board near the kitchenette on the first floor. This is a co-op child care program which meets on the third Friday of every month. Children of all ages come together to play in a family-like atmosphere. If you have questions, contact Glenda Neal (301) 622-3948 or gbneal1958@eartthlink.net.org. Our next gathering will be on January 16th immediately following the second service in the Conference room. Please bring a sandwich – drinks will be provided. (In case of inclement weather, the meeting will be canceled.) Costumes – Costumes – Costumes CCC has a wonderful assortment of costumes – many were used on Christmas Eve during the 5:00 service. There are costumes for children, costumes for adults, angels, animals, shepherds and on and on. Many of these have been around for years, some need mending, some need washing. If you would be interested in working with a small group to inventory what we have and helping to repair and mend those that need extra attention, please call or email Susan Gray at the church office – (301) 585-8010 or cccoffice@christ-ucc.org. Democratic Club Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan will be the featured speaker at a meeting of the Greater Silver Spring Democratic Club. The meeting will occur on Wednesday, January 19 at 7:00 p.m. here at CCC in our Social Hall. This will be a great opportunity to listen to and speak with our County Executive on the eve of the 2005 Legislative Session. Questions? Contact Mark Woodard 301-592-1811. Sponsored by the Board for Church Life February 12th –Annual Valentine’s Dance with the Big Band April 10th – 50 yr. Member Recognition Sunday PLEASE NOTE: Deadline for the next issue is THURSDAY January 20, 5:00 P.M. Please submit articles via: home email - mojobo@comcast.net, phone - 301-236-0025, or work jboyer@apwuhp.com or or paper copy - drop off in the News Notes box in the church office. Please note the e-mail change from mojobo@aol.com to mojobo@comcast.net. Thank you, Joan Boyer, Editor The Rev. Jim Todhunter, Senior Minister; The Rev. Sandra Kay Dodson, Associate Minister; The Rev. Julia Jarvis, Director of Programming for Older Adults; John Touchton, Director of Music; Jackie Walters, Property Administrator |