The Christian Courier - First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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May 2012

PASTOR’S PONDERINGS

This past weekend members of FCC attended the 164th Regional Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina. I know I can get a bit dramatic at times but I have to say it was AMAZING, INCREDIBLE, FANTASTIC, OVER-THE-TOP. The theme of the Assembly was “That All May Be One,” drawing from John 17:20-22. Time and again those gathered heard stories of unity within diversity. We were challenged and inspired through passionate preaching, meaningful mission ministries, friendly fellowship, workshops and worship that wowed us, and brilliant Bible study.

Over 500 Disciples gathered from across the Region – pastors and laity, senior citizens and toddlers, black folk and white folk, Montagnard refugees from Vietnam and Hispanics, Pentecostal holiness Disciples and Progressive left-wingers. Just about any group you can imagine was represented, with all of our different life experiences, worldviews, religious and political perspectives, and ideas about what the church should be and should be doing. And it was glorious. It was glorious because whenever things would get tense, and they did, we could take a moment and breathe deeply. We could say a short prayer and remember why we had gathered. We could recall those words that had led us to Raleigh: That All May Be One.

Being one, being united in Christ, is an interesting thing. Living in unity doesn’t mean we give up our uniqueness. Unity does not mean uniformity. Diversity doesn’t automatically lead to division. Becoming one in Christ means we accept our differences, we celebrate our distinctiveness, we honor our diversity and all of us choose to hold Jesus at our center. We allow his love to define how we will treat one another and live together with all our dissimilarities. It’s going to take me a while to process everything I heard, saw, and experienced at Assembly. Even if you didn’t go I hope you’ll think about it, too. I invite you to take time this week and read John 17:1-26. Allow the words to wash over you, to settle into you, and to speak to you. Pay attention to those things you feel the Spirit nudging you to do and pray about it. You might just be surprised.

Be well,

Johnna

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Welcome our new member Emerald Attaway. She has been attending church for several months and participated in our Maundy Thursday service. Emerald’s children are Claudia and Rowen.

Emerald Attaway

emerald_e3@charter.net

(864) 884-7534

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CONGRADUATIONS

To our May graduates…

Alex Kyle Mason is graduating at 10:00am on May 25^th from the Governor’s School. The ceremony will be held at the Peace Center. Alex has won several completions including second place, Schmidt vocal competition, in Atlanta, Regional Finalist, SCNATS, and
Greenville music club vocal scholarship. Alex will attend Winthrop University majoring in Vocal Performance.

Amanda Mason Ferguson is graduating at 10:00am on May 5^th from Anderson University receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services with a concentration in Behavioral Science. All church members are invited. The ceremony is on the front lawn of Anderson University.

Ashley Nichole Tomlin is graduating at 3:00pm on May 4^th from the University of South Carolina receiving a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Management with a minor in Hotel Management

Thank you

As chair of the building and grounds committee, I would like to express a great appreciation to all the fellows for coming out on Saturday, April 14, and doing all the work around the church. Some of it was painting the ceiling in the pastor’s office, placing a sofa given by David and Luci Vaughn in the pastors office, putting a bulletin board and white board in the Young Adult class, replacing a row of lights in the fellowship hall, wiring and placing lights in the outdoor buildings, cleaning off a large part of the debris behind the sheds, carrying off several old railroad ties and landscape timbers. A great time of fellowship was had dispite the tired bodies and aching muscles.

Great job fellows!

Denny Camp

Lunch and Learn

May 16 is this month’s Lunch and Learn. Amy Rosenberg from Senior Action will speak on two topics: Diabetes and Fall Prevention. We’ll begin with a potluck lunch at noon and hear from Amy at 12:30. Bring an appetite and a friend.

Wednesday Night Live

It’s not too late to join the fun of Wednesday Night Live. Dinner is served at 5:30 (suggested donation of $5 per person) and activities for all ages are 6:15-7:30. Adults can choose between a study on the book of Ephesians or a DVD based discussion group called Living the Questions. Reservations are requested for meal planning but are not required.

Ladies Luncheon Honoring Mother’s Day

The women will hold their annual salad luncheon on Saturday, May 12 at 12:00 noon. Bring a salad dish and a friend and share in the joy of honoring our mother’s.

ELDERS AND DEACONS MEETING

All elders and deacons are invited to a joint meeting at 10am on Saturday, May 19. This meeting is a product of the Deacons Retreat in February. We’ll spend time exploring the ministries of these two group, consider the ways we can support each other, and work to more clearly to define our roles and responsibilities. Please contact Leslie in the church office to RSVP by May 17 for this special meeting.

PENTECOST

Have you ever heard the expression, “There ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost party?” Well, keep that mind as you come to worship on May 27 – Pentecost. Pentecost is the day in the liturgical calendar when we celebrate the birthday of the Church based on Acts 1-21. Expect some surprises that morning and be sure to wear RED!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE!

June 11-15 will be VBS week. We’ll focus on Heifer International, enjoy fun and fellowship, increase our faith, and learn about ways to help people around the world to provide for and sustain themselves. BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR MORE INFORMAITON IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

WEEK OF WONDER

A great mission opportunity has presented itself practically in our own backyard. Christmount is hosting Week of Wonder

May 27-June 1. This week allows adults to prepare Christmount for the summer and participate in the transformation of the grounds for campers. Registration for Week of Wonder is low this year and an accurate list of registrants is needed soon in order to prioritize projects.

Housing for the week is in the Guest House (motel rooms) with 2 queen beds, private bath, air conditioning, cable TV and wireless internet - not exactly roughing it. Registration is $140 per person and covers meals Monday breakfast-Friday breakfast. Housing is free based on 2 persons per room.

Please consider participating in this week. Registration forms are available at the church.

Youth Sunday

If you missed the Youth led worship on April 22^nd then you missed a lot! The joyous singing of the Worship and Wonder Choir lifted our spirits high, the heartfelt communion service grounded us in the grace of Christ, the thoughtful prayers written for the service modeled what it means to be in real conversation with our Creator, and the sermon called us all into the deeper community of Ohana. Thanks to all of your children and youth for sharing your ministry with us. Those participating were: Claudia Attaway, Rowan Attaway, Ethan Camp, Malachi Camp, Noa Camp, Sarah Daniels, Ashleigh Faulkner, Josh Guy, Cowan McCall, Hunter McCall, Perry McCall, Carly Simpson, Sawyer Simpson, Quinten Strunk, Zachary Strunk, Natalie Threatt, Stephanie Threatt, Ada Turner, Quinn Turner, Emma Yates.

HOG Day Returns!

Saturday May 5 is Hands On Greenville Day or HOG Day. Last year a happy group from First Christian Church had a great time helping to build a playground for Northwest Crescent Child Development Center. This year under the leadership of Bryant Camp, an adventurous team plans to take a short trip to Camp Greenville to build some benches and some games for the kids who come to Summer Camp there. Camp Greenville is operated by the YMCA and provides camping opportunities to lower income kids who otherwise would not be able even to consider have a camping experience. Anyone interested in joining Bryant and team contact the Church Office. Greenville HOG Day not only is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference and enjoy fellowship with our church members and friends, but also ends up in a celebration at Greenville Drive’s Fluor Stadium. So don’t miss this outreach opportunity to share in one of Greenville’s major assets, volunteerism that makes a difference in our community.

Growing Guitarists at First Christian Church

Ron Logan has now spent a number of months teaching guitar to a fledgling group of new Prayer and Praise recruits! The hope is over time to broaden the support of Pat Daughtry’s incredible music ministry by adding guitar and similar instrumental offerings now and then at our worship service and other fellowship events. Ethan and Malachi Camp showed off some of their new found talents at the Youth Worship Service this past Sunday. Others who have taken advantage of Ron’s generous offerings have included Robin Stevens, Rev. Dr. George Mullins, Emaline Burnette, and Tom Faulkner. If you have always dreamed of learning how to play a guitar, come join us at 5:30pm every Tuesday at the church. Ron and Tom will be out of the country on May 8 and 15, but classes will start back on Tuesday, May 22. Come join the band!

Trouble the Water

A film by Marcia Jarmel & Ken Schneider

"The day after Katrina makes landfall, 24-year old aspiring rap artists, Kimberly Roberts, turns a Hi-8 video camera on herself, her husband and their neighbors stranded in New Orleans. 'It's going to be a day to remember,' she says as the winds howl. With no means to evacuate, she records their harrowing ordeal when the nearby levee fails and deadly floodwaters engulf their home and community."

Come follow this couple’s harrowing first moments, followed by a two-year journey to get their lives back on a path to normal. Watch as they meet with soldiers, statesmen and a very uncertain future. "Trouble the Water" is a redemptive tale of self-described street hustlers who become heroes - two unforgettable people who survive the disaster and then seize a chance for a new beginning."

Join us for this viewing and a lively discussion afterward. The Challenge Series continues to challenge thought and perception, while engaging our community by talking with one another about important topics.

Join the conversation. Be Challenged.

Details: Showing on May 8th at the

Warehouse Theatre.

37 Augusta St., Greenville, SC 29601

Doors open at 5:30

SHOW STARTS PROMPTLY AT 6:00 (film length is 96 minutes.)

NOTE: VERY STRONG LANGUAGE IS USED. NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

A short discussion will follow the film, with Shannon Robert, native of New Orleans

Admission: Free

A Donation of $5 Will Be Requested

Order tickets at www.challengetrouble.eventbrite.com or email bkoonce@greenvilleforward.com

Space is limited

Ministry Teams

Membership Ministry Team

Our outing to the Greenville Drive game was attended by 22 people. Even though we could not pull the team through with a win, great fun was had by all, including the fireworks after the game. One member of our group, Bryant Camp, was lucky enough to come away with catching a foul ball !

The Giving Tree

May is Hospice House month for the Giving Tree. In March we gathered 51 pairs of gripper socks! This month we’re collecting skeins of yarn that will be used to knit prayer shawls for Hospice patients. Our goal is at least 50 skeins. Bring your donations and place them under the tree in the Gathering Space.

DWM/CWF NEWS

Thursday, May 3 we will be holding a clean-up day for the Nursery and Pre-schoolers rooms. All are welcome to help us clean these rooms.
Saturday, May 12 we will have our annual Ladies Luncheon Honoring Mother’s Day.
The women will host this month’s Ronald McDonald House meal on Tuesday, May 15
Next meeting will be Tuesday, June 5 @ 11:00 am.

Delores Respass, Leah Ehlers,

Pat Daughtry – Co-Presidents

DM/CMF News

The men’s meeting will be held Tuesday,

May 8 at 6:30pm. Please note the date change. We are moving in order not to conflict with Wednesday Nite Live.

Medical Equipment

Not everyone may know that the church has several pieces of medical equipment here on church property available for use as needed. Please contact Leslie at the church office (244-1449) if you need to borrow a piece of equipment. The following is a list of what we have: walkers, crutches, wheelchair, shower chair, toilet chairs, patient chair with wheels and tray, and lift.

Lost & Found

As things are forgotten and left behind, they are collected and placed in a spot in the office. We currently have these unclaimed items: a blue sweatshirt with a picture on the left breast and the word “Highlands”, an umbrella, two pairs of reading glasses, one was left in the fellowship hall on the Jan. 7 planning day. Ask Leslie to help you with your missing items.

May Prayer Focus – Graduates and their Families

The definition of family has evolved over the years – at one time, a family was defined by a common bloodline and was typically composed of parents with children. A definition more reflective of a family today may be described as: “two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place.” Without debating what the definition of family is, let’s think about the journey a family takes during its lifetime . . . as the family develops & matures, it usually experiences developmental stages, growing pains & increased independence among its members. A family is not static . . . it is always changing.

The season of spring, typically involves family members’ “graduations.” They represent “milestones” both in the life of the individual and the family as well. Graduations may involve mixed emotions, such as joy in the achievement and sadness with the change the achievement represents. Our prayer focus this month is for the families & individuals that are experiencing graduations.

Prayer: Loving God, we celebrate the graduates’ achievement and the opportunities that are in front of them. We know that this accomplishment is a result of your support and guidance to the graduate and their family & friends. Thank you for the talents and abilities that you graced them with. We pray that you will keep the graduates safe and grant them wisdom and courage as they go forward in their life’s journey. Amen.

Social Connections

Per the “Mental Health Matters” March newsletter, May is Mental Health month and the focus is on the importance of feeling/being connected. This connectedness goes beyond “facebook” and “twitter” accounts. By nature, we are “social beings” & connecting with others is a basic mental health need which gives our lives purpose. Connections occur in our environment via relationships with family, friends, co-workers as well as within the community we reside/interact.

Our church community/family provides nourishment for our mental and spiritual well-being. It is where you belong and hopefully, “everyone knows your name.” However, church is not excluded from conflict &/or from having church goers not feel connected or that they “matter.” The fact that the church is composed of God’s children makes it fair game for such. Conflict &/or alienation can result in positive outcomes providing people reach out to each other to support discussion/resolution of problems. The impact of connectedness can be healing during difficult times.

So, let’s see how Greenville FCC can enhance its social connectedness during the month of May by reaching out to others both within & out of the church walls . . . my guess, is the results will be amazing!! Happy Mental Health month!

Elders for May

Presiding Elder – May 6 – Tim Taylor, May 13 – Susan Brown, May 20 – Jeri Ross-Hayes, May 27 – Denny Camp

Serving Elder – Delores Respass

Visiting Elder – Heather Yates

Deacons for May

Preparing - Leslie Tomlin

Serving – Nick Buerge, Malachi Camp, Leah Ehlers, Maxine Camp

Lay Readers for May Children’s Moment Linger Longer

May 6 – Tim Taylor May 6 – Pat Hudson-Barrs May 6 – Brittany Tomlin

May 13 – Jeri Ross-Hayes May 13 – Denny Camp May 13 – Men’s group

May 20 – Frances Logan May 20 – Tom Faulkner May 20 - Maxine Camp

May 27 – Bryant Camp May 27 – Leslie Tomlin May 27 – Fellowship Dinner