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DISCIPLESOF CHRISTMar. 29, 2019 Vol. 93 No. 7From the Senior MinisterWhat Is Saving Your Life?WDISCIPLESCOUNTRY CLUB CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTEROF CHRISTSpring Fling is Apr. 7All are invited to join us as we welcome spring with the annual Easter egg hunton Sun., Apr. 7 at noon. Much fun for all: a petting zoo, outdoor activities, andegg hunt. The Easter bunny will be there to welcome all! Lunch will be served.Invite your friends and neighbors and come ready to celebrate spring!hat is saving yourlife rightnow? Years agoBarbara BrownTaylor was invitedto speak at anRev. Carla AdayEpiscopal church.“What should IRev. Carla Adaytalk about?” sheasked the priest. “Just talk aboutwhat is saving your life right now,” thepriest responded.It’s a wonderful question that rollsaround in my brain sometimes. Inmy father in law’s final week of life onthis earth, the pain became difficultto manage. One day the hospicenurse administered some morphineand he grimaced at the terrible tastein his mouth. His daughter leanedin to stroke his arm and tears spilleddown her cheeks. Though his voicewas weak, Dad mouthed to her, “It'sok, sweetie” Through those brutallyheavy days, what saved us was seeinghis gentle kindness. We held on toeach other. Seeing the family reachout with love and compassion, weeping together, that saved us too.Over the past several months, Igot to sit with several church members to dialogue about our 100 yearheritage and ponder our next 100years. One member told me “thechurch completely changed my life.”And another said “the church helpedus become a family.” Every person Italked to acknowledged the shiftingNotes of the Unknown by Tyler Heston . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3continued on page 2No Way! by Lisa McCleish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5Holy WeekPalm Sunday Worship – April 14. Children are invited to join the PalmParade at the 11:00 a.m. service, and we will celebrate the baptisms of ourPastors’ Class participants. Rev. Carla Aday preaching.Maundy Thursday – April 18, 7:00 p.m. In remembrance of Jesus’ last supper, we gather to sing hymns, read scripture and celebrate communion. Rev.Tyler Heston preaching.Good Friday – April 19, 12:15 p.m. (prelude at noon) Experience the darkestday on the Christian calendar. Dr. Mike Graves preaching.Easter Sunday Is April 21Special Service Times – 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Rev. Aday preaching.8:00 a.m. service in the Combs Chapel featuring instrumentalists and soloistAlex Goering. 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services in the Sanctuary featuring theKansas City Brass, Chancel Choir, and soloist Alex Goering. Child care available for all services. Sunday school will not meet.Complimentary Hot Easter Breakfast 8:00-9:15 a.m., Social Hall.IN this issueEaster Offering 2019: Community Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 2
From the Senior Ministercontinued from page 1cultural trends that adversely affectthe church. It is no secret that churchmembership and church participationin the U.S. is on a downward trajectory. But at the same time, the messagesI kept hearing from young and old wasthat the church was pivotal in theirown personal formation, a spiritualanchor. These conversations werelife-saving to me. They reminded methat the church is not just a culturalinstitution, a pretty building, or adinosaur, but rather a group of folkswho seek the life changing love ofGod. It gave me courage and hope tohear that God is still whispering andshouting, still challenging and comforting, inside these old stone wallsand shimmering stained glass.As we journey through Lent, let’skeep asking ourselves, “What is savingmy life right now?” Because the Godwho walked around in the personof Jesus 2000 years ago, still movesand breathes in our world today. Weexperience some terrible days andsome joyful ones. Much of that isbeyond our control. But we can keepasking “What is saving your life rightnow?” Is it a friend, a spouse, a garden, a song, a job, a child, a dream, agoal? Asking the question may helpus experience the Christ who went tothe cross for love and rose again. It ismore than an old story. It is happening to us today.Grace and peace,2 Country Club Christian ChurchEaster Offering 2019: Community SustainabilityThe conversation across our planet in the 21stcentury is what does a sustainable, responsible,and forward-thinking community of the futurelook like? It’s beyond a conversation of socialissues, it’s a moral and religious one as well.This year, our Easter Offering recipients aretwo organizations that are paving the way for asustainable future one community at a time.Bridging the Gap, located here in KansasCity, and AMANECER 2025 (The Alliancefor Sustainable Resource Management) located in Puerto Rico are leading efforts to helptheir communities get ready for the future.Both organizations are bringing togetherenvironment, economy and community toaddress how to be resilient toward natural disasters and leave a positive legacy forgenerations. From projects on recycling, education, solar energy, water conservation, and re-growth of the earth’s vital forest systems, Bringing the Gap andAMANECER are truly leading the world with grassroots efforts.To give to the Easter Offering, visit cccckc.org/give, or leave your check inthe offering plate on Sunday.Pick-Up Choir and Pick-UpOrffestra OpportunitiesShare your musical talents on Sun.,Mar. 31. The Pick-Up Choir will meetat 10:00 a.m. in the choir room to sing“Abide with Me” during the 11:00 a.m.service. This is your opportunity to singwith Dr. Paul Tucker and not have toattend a Wednesday rehearsal to doso. The Pick-Up Orffestra will meet at10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary to rehearseunder the direction of Tepring Crocker.The ensemble will also present a musicaloffering in the 11:00 a.m. service thatday. All interested parties stronglyencouraged!Easter at The WellThe Well has new books and gift itemsfor Easter and spring. They wouldmake perfect Easter gifts for your children or grandchildren!Enhance your Lenten journeywith daily devotions. A wide variety ofdevotional books for Lent are available, by Ann Weems, Richard Rohr,Walter Breuggemann, Pope Francisand others.
reflectionsNotes of the UnknownRev. Tyler Heston, Minister to Youth“I’m the only girl in my P. E. class.”“I didn’t know my friend was adopted.”“I remember being overwhelmed the first day of calculus,when I was the only freshman in an all-junior class.”“I didn’t know that childhood friend was actually a second-cousin.”The high schoolers at last week’s Ecuador teammeeting gave such answers in response to twoquestions. First, when were you in a situationin which you felt that you did not belong? Second, when was a time that youfound out something surprising about someone you knew well? Each answerby itself was just a fleeting reminder of moments that confronted us with theunknown; together, everyone’s stories created a palpable sense of how muchis unknown in the world.These discussion questions were a little icebreaker that kicked off ourmeeting, a way to get to know each other a little bit better and to warm ourminds to the deeper discussion about being in a foreign country. Eighteenof us are traveling to Otavalo, Ecuador, in June — 15 high schoolers, LoriBennett, Nancy Lear, and myself — to spend a week learning about and supporting a nonprofit that works with community development in rural communities across the country. We’re excited to travel together to a new part ofthe globe with two missions in mind: to serve and to learn.We will serve by partnering with people working on a daycare buildingthat offers accessible childcare for working mothers. We will learn a lot. We’lllearn about daycare buildings in Ecuador, and we’ll about day-to-day life inrural Ecuador— a place very different from urban and suburban America.We’re going to learn new foods, meet new people, and new words in a different language. We’re going to learn new ways that people flourish and thrivewith far fewer resources than most of us have. We’re going to learn new waysto think about God from the new people we meet. We will feel like we don’tbelong, and we will be surprised by things we learn. We’re going to see thatthere is indeed much in the world that we didn’t know.The unknown can be scary, especially when you’re confronted by it bytravelling to a new part of the world. Yet, the unknown can also be a sacred, vital balance to the known. God is not just in things that are familiarbut is also in things that are new, different— in things unknown. Authorand speaker Rob Bell talks about how things like knowing and unknowingor faith and doubt “are not opposites; they’re dance partners. It’s possibleto hold your faith with open hands, living with great conviction and yet atthe same time humbly admitting that your knowledge and perspective willalways be limited.”Our week in Ecuador will give us a chance to practice dance as weexplore the harmonies of unknown, and I can’t wait to come home to hearthe harmonies more clearly in our everyday life. I pray when we return, thishearing is contagious, and that we will help show you that everyday is filledwith awesome unknowns that contain the presence of divine mystery.Join us for worship!Sunday Service Times9:01, 10:00 and 11:00 a.mMarch 31Spiritual and ReligiousPart 4: ConnectRev. Carla Aday PreachingApril 7Spiritual and Religious,Part 5: ServeIsaiah 58:6-9, Matthew 12:1-12Rev. Carla Aday PreachingApril 14 – Palm SundaySpiritual and ReligiousPart 6: ChallengeRev. Carla Aday PreachingLeadership NominationsUnderwayThe nominating process to fill electedpositions for the 2019-2020 churchyear is underway. Your participation isinvaluable in identifying a diverse representation of leaders from our congregation. Nomination forms are availablein the parlor on Sundays, or online atwww.cccckc.org/leadership-nominations. Deadline is Mar. 31.Stay up to date at CCCCKC.org 3
Adult Classes and Group Fellowship OpportunitiesPathways to LearningPraying the Lord’s Prayer Again for the First TimeLed by Dr. Mike Graves. Mar. 31, Apr. 7 – For nearly two millennia, Christians have been praying the modelprayer of Jesus, especially in worship each Sunday. Butfamiliarity can breed contempt, or at least complacency. Inthese interactive sessions, we will take a closer look at thisbeloved prayer, which turns out to be full of surprises. [Note:This is a condensed version of a class Dr. Graves taught onMonday nights last fall.]Pathways to Learning is a series of elective offeringsopen to everyone, focusing upon timely topics on the Bible,spirituality, current events, family life and technology.10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. in the Social Hall.FaithpubHosted by Dr. Mike Graves, this popularmen’s group meets for beer and conversation on a variety of spiritual topics, with aguest speaker each session. Gatherings areat Bier Station, 120 E. Gregory Blvd., 7:00-8:00 p.m.Thurs., April 11: Rev. Tyler Heston, Minister to Youth atCountry Club Christian Church.Music SeriesKansas City Guitar Society Casual Concerts – Sundayafternoons, 3:30-4:30 p.m., Combs Chapel. Free and opento the public.April 14, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. – Daniel KriegFaithbistroFor women of all ages, with guest speakers on spiritualityand real-life issues. Connect with other women looking forconversations that matter. Speaker begins at 7:00 p.m., comeearly for dinner. Blue Moose in Prairie Village.Apr. 25 – Rev. Carla Aday, Senior Minister at CountryClub Christian ChurchGreen Team GardeningThe Green Team gather to prepare the church grounds forspring on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m.through October. Both will meet in the Chapel Lot. If youenjoy gardening you’re invited to join this team. For moreinformation contact Mary McClure at marymcclure@me.com.4 Country Club Christian ChurchFaith and Grief Lunch: A Good DeathJoin us Tues., Apr. 2, noon- 1:00 p.m., as Hilary Lohrmanshares her experiences of good deaths and challenging situations and thinking about preparing for our own death. Lohrman is a retired RN and an affiliate of Mount Saint Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. Table conversation will open up togrief of all kinds. Complimentary lunch is provided. Hostedat Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road. Moreinformation at www.facebook.com/FaithandGriefKC.Metro MissionVirginia Reed Food DriveThe focus for March is crackers,cereal and jelly. Bring grocery itemsto church on Sun., Mar. 17, or donateby marking monetary gifts “FoodDrive” and those will be receivedthrough our offering and in the parlor.April Collection ConnectionAre you thinking about spring cleaning? Gently used or new skillets/potsand pans are being requested for our team working to set uphomes and apartments for incoming refugee families throughDella Lamb Community Services. These families arrive withonly the clothes on their backs, and they could really use yourhelp. Please place donations in the basket in the Parlor or inCorey Meyer’s office.Micah MinistryServe dinner at Micah Ministry from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., onMon., April 8. Meet in the chapel lot at 4:30 p.m. to carpoolto Independence Boulevard Christian Church. Return tochurch at 7:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Jackie Cunninghamat 816-246-6202.Memorial Easter Lily SaleHonor a loved one by purchasing a memorial Easter lily tobe displayed in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Deadlinefor orders is Apr. 7. Order forms in the parlor today. Returnthe form with payment of 25 to Carla Rauth. Questions?Contact Carla at 816-381-9241 or carlar@cccckc.org.
a message from staffNo Way!Lisa McCleish, Director of Early Childhood ProgramsThe cold and snowy winter frequentlyprevented the children from playingoutside the past few months. Weare blessed to have large spaces like theSocial Hall and the Pine Room where wecan run around and use up some of thatendless energy that children have, butthe teachers still had to get creative withclassroom activities.Since taking off their shoes and socks is a favorite toddler activity, the teachers in room 17 filled six shallow panswith a variety of wet and dry materials (oatmeal, rice, bubble wrap, shaving cream and warm water) for the childrento walk through.As expected, the children each reacted differently.Some of the children couldn’t wait to step into the pans,and went right back to the beginning when they finished. Afew of the children needed an adult hand to hold, but Charlie and Gigi wanted no part of the activity. Charlie clungto his teacher and wouldn’t let go, while Gigi repeated, “Noway Miss ‘Lizabeth, no way!”After two days of coaxing and encouragement from hermom, Gigi was no closer to participating. On day three,Miss Elizabeth had everyone experiment with the materials using their hands first. Then the whole class, teachersand children, took off their shoes and socks before walkingthrough the tubs. The room was filled with giggles andexcited screams.One of the teachers reminds us at every staff meetingthat we learn something new from the children every dayso the lesson for today, “When you are apprehensive abouttrying something new, start with a finger before you jumpin with both feet.”Our Church FamilyIn SympathyOur prayers and condolences are with the familyand friends of:Roger JamesMemorials and TributesMemorial gifts and gifts honoring loved ones areplaced into the Church’s Endowment Funds, whichare used to support the church now and into thefuture. The Endowment Trustees disperse the fundsaccording to the Declaration of Trust approved bythe official Congregational Board.Dr. Howard R. Woosley, D.D.S.Wanda DoerrTom and Helen GrayLeta Mae HodkinsCindy and Randy IreyPaul and Mary Ella KlingspornStephen and Susan PotterHank and Joan RiffeJudy and Mike SchaeferAnn SmithJohn and Martha Jane StewartMarilyn WallerGay WoosleyAnniversary ClassEsther "Chris" RiceSheldon and Cleone CrossetteDuane and Linda JohnsonRobert and Elizabeth RandallJim and Joan WellsJim LoveJohn and Martha Jane StewartRev. Tom LieuranceBill and Brucie HopkinsRobert LeggJane JacobsRoger JamesJane and John MartyJohn and Martha Jane StewartVernon JohnsonJames and Carolyn SuggsStay up to date at CCCCKC.org 5
Good Friday Service ProjectJoin us for a Good Friday service opportunity for Youth and Club Kids at the Urban Farming Guys from 1:15 to4:00 p.m. on Fri., Apr. 19. The Urban Farming Guys are a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged communitiesrebuild from within by building local economy, capacity, and resiliency. We will support UFG through gardeningand other service projects. Bring a water bottle, work gloves, clothes that can get dirty, and an eager spirit! Wewill meet in the parking lot after the Good Friday worship service at noon and return by 4:00 pm. RSVP to Aprilat aprilb@cccckc.org.Tall Oaks Summer CampsOur denomination is fortunate to have several wonderful summer camp programs for youth and children in theKansas City region. Throughout the summer, children grades K-12 have the chance to gather together with peoplefrom across the Kansas City area for a variety camps, including day, overnight, and equestrian camps. Find moreinformation and register at .Youth MinistriesSunday Evening Youth Group6th - 12th graders5:00 - 5:30 p.m. Youth Choir5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Sunday Supper ( 3 suggested donation)6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Group time (with separate activities formiddle and for high schoolers)Senior Recognition and LunchSun., May 5. Save the date, more details to come.Contact Tyler if you are or have a senior and have notreceived a notification.Summer Mission TripsHigh School: Ecuador - June 6-12 - High schoolerswill partner with FEDICE for service-learning projectsnear Otavalo, Ecuador.Children and FamiliesCollection ConnectionWe need 2,000 filled plastic Easter eggs for the Easteregg hunt on Apr. 7. Pick up eggs in the parlor andreturn them filled with small stickers, toys, coins or nutfree pre-packaged candy.Spring Fling Easter Egg HuntAll are invited to join us as we welcome spring with theannual Easter egg hunt on Sunday, April 7 at noon.Much fun for all – a petting zoo, outdoor activities,and egg hunt. The Easter bunny will be there towelcome all ! Lunch will be served! Invite your friendsand neighbors and come ready to celebrate spring!Parent PlaydateDrop in the library on Sun., May 5 at 10:00 a.m. fora time to connect with other parents with infants andtoddlers (24 months and younger.) Come enjoy lightrefreshments as you get to meet others. Babies bringyour parents to play!Mom's Meet UpJoin other parents of young children for a presentationon mindful parenting, led by Miriam Zavagnin. Fri.,May 10, Room 206. Contact Lindsay Howes, lindsayh@cccckc.org, for childcare.Middle School: Des Moines - June 23-26 - Middleschoolers will travel to Des Moines, Iowa, to partnerwith different nonprofits fighting hunger and povertyfor service-learning projects. For more informationabout either trip or to register, contact Tyler (tylerh@cccckc.org).6 Country Club Christian ChurchClub Kids for 3rd – 5th GradersJoin us Sunday evenings from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. for atime of games, community building, service and spiritual growth. Dinner provided and a 3 donationis suggested.
Children's MusicalOur annual Children's Musical, Big Shot: Facing Down Our Giants, Looking Up To God, was Sun., Mar. 24. Children's Choir,directed by Alex and Sara Goering, spent weeks preparing props and rehearsing for the event.Puerto Rico Mission TripOur team of 12 returned from a week-long mission trip toPuerto Rico on Sun., Mar. 24. We had an impactful week ofworking alongside the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)in Puerto Rico, a group of community churches dedicatedto helping neighbors rebuild after Hurricane Maria. Therecovery of Puerto Rico has and will be a long, slow processfor many. Homes are in desperate need of repair, access toelectricity and water is a great need, and despite everythingthe spirit and hope of the people are alive and well. Look forour blog post and more pictures on the church website.Quarterly Financial ReportStay up to date at CCCCKC.org 7
PAIDKansas City, MOPermit No. 1498Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. PostageSAVE THE DATESReturn Service Requested6101 Ward ParkwayKansas City, MO 64113DISCIPLESOF CHRISTSpring FlingProgram StaffRev. Carla AdayAnne HaraughtyDr. Mike GravesBarbara GeorgeSenior MinisterScholar in ResidenceRev. Tyler HestonMinister to YouthRev. Corey MeyerDirector of Mission PartnershipsRev. Catherine Stark-CornMinister to Children, Youth, andFamiliesRev. Joe WalkerMinister of Congregational CareJason AshleyMinistries CoordinatorDirector of MembershipDevelopmentSara and Alex GoeringAssociate Directors of Musicfor Children and StudentsLindsay HowesDirector of Children’s MinistriesLisa McCleishDirector of Early ChildhoodProgramsDr. Dina Pannabecker EvansDirector of OperationsExecutive Director of Operationsand Co-Director of MusicRachel ClementLara SchoppDirector of FinanceDirector of CommunicationsPaul CutelliDr. Paul TuckerDirector of TechnologySun., Apr. 7, noon- 2:00 p.m. Lunch, Activitiesand Egg Hunt on the LawnPalm Sunday WorshipApril 14, join the Palm Parade at the 11:00 a.m.service, and we will celebrate the baptisms ofour Pastors’ Class participants.Maundy ThursdayApril 18, 7:00 p.m. – In remembrance of Jesus’last supper, we gather to sing hymns, readscripture and celebrate communion. Rev. TylerHeston preaching.Good FridayApril 19, 12:15 p.m. (prelude at noon)EasterSun., Apr. 21, 8:00, 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.Backyard Bash5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.Join us this summer for Backyard Bash, severalWednesday evenings of food, fellowship and fun,starting Wed. June 5.Max Deweese Golf TournamentFri., Sept. 27, at noon.Co-Director of MusicFor the full church calendar, visit our website atThe Country Club Christian: Copy must reach this office by Mondayten days prior to publication. Editor: Lara Schopp, laras@cccckc.org816-333-4917email: office@cccckc.org website: www.cccckc.orgCCCCKC.orgFollow us!
with awesome unknowns that contain the presence of divine mystery. Easter at The Well Leadership Nominations Underway The nominating process to fill elected positions for the 2019-2020 church year is underway. Your participation is invaluable in identifying a diverse rep-resentation of leaders from our congre-gation. Nomination forms are available
