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September 2009 Grace Spoken Here Volume 10, Issue 23
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Dear Members and Friends, 
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September is a very exciting and special month for Sandy Springs Christian Church.
We are celebrating our 49th Anniversary!
Enjoy worship and fellowship by participating in the events of the entire weekend.
Friday, September 18, 7:30 pm
Tom Key as "Screwtape in Person." He has performed several times at SSCC, and he is great! You don't want to miss the experience. Tickets on sale now.
Saturday, September 19, Service Day
Doughnuts and coffee at 8:00 am will energize you for the day ahead. Participate in the Paint-In for Hospital Art, help residents at Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs with various tasks, or report to the Kitchen for some assigned work.
Sunday, September 20
9:00 am Sunday School for Adults and Children
10:00 am Worship
followed by a brief Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary, then lunch in Dunlap Hall prepared by the Torberts.
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Stewardship is the Ministry Highlight for September. The message in this article will encourage you to think and pray about the Stewardship Campaign beginning October 4.
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| Stewardship Ministry Laura Prescott, Chair, Stewardship Ministry |
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"Cast Your Bread" is our theme for
the stewardship ministry this year. According
to the writer of Ecclesiastes, "Cast your bread onto the waters, and you will
receive it back at another time." As we
cast our "bread," our time, talents and treasures, we do not know how God will
use these gifts. However, we do know
that they came from God, and we are merely stewards of his
gifts. Therefore, we ask you to pray and
study as you consider your pledge for 2010.
It is not just about money, though that is a big part; it is about all
your gifts.
"Casting your bread upon the waters" may
sound crazy, but it is the first step to giving as Jesus called us to give and
to becoming sons and daughters of God instead of this world. Last November, I was laid off from my job. At first, I thought everything would be okay,
and I would find another job quickly. As
time passed, I began to get cabin fever; then Barb asked me to volunteer at the
Red Desk.
She asked me to "cast my bread" without
using those words. Even though I had to
reduce my financial gift, I still was able to give to the church. Since money was tight, God gave me the
opportunity to use different gifts that I had been given. Once I accepted the fact that my job, just
like everything else, is a gift from God and that God will provide, things
began to improve. I began to receive my
"bread" back in other forms, such as increased closeness with other church
members, increased activity in church ministries and yes, even small jobs
providing extra cash.
During this "Cast Your Bread" ministry,
you will be challenged to examine your relationship to money as well as your
other gifts from God and to search for and break down the barriers that keep
you from God's generous nature. You will
be given the opportunity to follow Christ's example by taking God's spirit and
being a good and faithful steward of all God's gifts.
Sunday, October 4 - Stewardship
Emphasis Kickoff
Sunday, October 25 - Stewardship
Emphasis Celebration
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| From the Board Carol Armstrong |
The
Board Is Recommending That We Evaluate A New Governance Structure
At the 2008 Annual
Meeting in November, the congregation voted to begin the transition to a new
governance structure. Under the proposed structure, a new
group called the Board of Trustees manages the business affairs of the church,
and the Elders are responsible for Ministry and Mission.
For the most part, the preparation for the transition has gone
smoothly. The Trustees have been
convened and have been very effective in addressing a number of issues related
to insurance, building use, cell towers, and security. The Elders have become increasingly involved
in guiding our ministry and mission initiatives. During the first half of 2009, the Board of
Directors continued to meet and has been the final authority on all matters
that have traditionally required Board approval.
Based on the progress
that has been made, the Board of Directors is recommending that the
congregation begin a trial and evaluation of the new governance structure in
September for a period of up to 18 months.
Specifically, the Board is recommending that:
● Our current by-laws be suspended for a
period of up to 18 months and be replaced by Interim Guidelines
● The responsibilities and authority of the
Board of Directors be assumed by the Board of Trustees, the Elders, and the
Leadership Team as defined in the Interim Guidelines.
● The Congregation decide whether to adopt the
new structure or return to the historical structure at the end of the trial
period.
The congregation will
be asked to adopt this Board recommendation at a short business meeting that
will be held on September 20. If the recommendation is adopted on September 20, the congregation will
elect Elders, Deacons, the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer of the
congregation, Trustees, and Ministry Council Chair at the annual congregation
meeting in November.
Please contact Carol Armstrong if you have questions or would like
additional information.
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| Ministry Musings Rev. Philip Price, Senior Minister |
I do not enjoy flossing. I stand at the sink. I say to myself, "it won't matter if I skip it this one time." "I'm tired." "I'll do it in the morning." Then I remember my dentist's admonitions, detailed descriptions of what gingivitis can do to my gums. Quoted findings on how a healthy mouth is connected to a healthy heart.
"OK fine, I'll do it."
I don't enjoy it. But I do it. Afterwards I'm pleased with myself.
I do not enjoy crunching on fresh broccoli and raw carrots nearly as much as slowly savoring a luscious piece of Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream-drenched moist dark chocolate cake, letting it melt lazily on my appreciative tongue releasing its manifest glory and passion. But I've been told that vegetables are good for me and chocolate cake and Haagen-Dazs should be enjoyed more sparingly.
Maybe growing up means not having to be
told to floss and to eat your vegetables. Maybe spiritual maturity
is the capacity to do what is right and good for you rather than whatever is
the most fun in the moment.
I believe that church is good for people.
No, it's not as much fun as a rock
concert, not as thrilling as the latest horror flick, or as neat as going to
the mall to hang out with friends. It may not give the rush of being two
under par or being up thirty - love. But it balances, it challenges,
it gives perspective, it helps one to live an examined life.
Our Anniversary Sunday is coming up on September the
20th. For 49 years SSCC has tried to live faithfully into our
call to be a church that is "good for you." It has been a place of hearty
meals of theological education, discussion and discernment. It has been a
place of mission trips, summer camps, VBS and generous service. We have
tried to avoid being a "chocolate cake and ice cream" kind of church--sweet,
fun and affirming--but in the end that does not challenge or bring
transformation to individuals or to society.
I believe our church exists to be a catalyst for both personal and societal
transformation. We are to bring resurrection expectations to dead answers
and tried-and-failed solutions. We are to bring the roar of understanding, the
fire and wind of Pentecost into arenas ruled by confusion and intentional
division.
On Anniversary Sunday, join us as we
celebrate our past and allow your heart to be enlivened as we look into the dream of our future.
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Expanded Horizons Bryant McDaniel
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Expanded Horizons (study and spiritual growth
opportunities beyond our front door)
There are exciting opportunities to hear
nationally renowned religious scholars/speakers (John Dominic Crossan, Paul
Brandeis Raushenbush, and Martin Marty) in Georgia
and Alabama
over the next few months.
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Cherry Log Annual Lecture Series, Cherry Log Christian
Church, GA
Friday, September 11, 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and
Saturday, September 12, 9:00 am to 12:30 pm
Theme: "Paul and the Justice of
Equality: Jesus' Apostles Against Rome's Empire"
Speaker: John
Dominic Crossan, Prof
Emeritus of Religious Studies at DePaul University in Chicago, a co-director of the Jesus Seminar, a leading
biblical scholar, and best selling author.
He
will deliver three lectures and answer questions during the event.
Registration is $35. Go to www.clccdoc.org for more
information and/or to register.
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South Points
Association for Exploring Religion (SPAFER),
Shades Valley Lutheran Church, Birmingham,
AL
Friday, October 23, 7:00 to 9:00 pm - "The Paradoxes of American Religion"
Saturday, October 24,
9:00 am to 12:30 pm - "Wildly Religious & Mildly
Irreligious: the American Scene"
Speaker: Dr.
Martin E. Marty,
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern Christianity in the Divinity
School at the University of Chicago. He has written extensively (over 500 books)
on 19th and 20th century American religion. He currently is a
columnist for The
Christian Century and Context.
Advance registration fees will be $35
for the two days, $15 for Friday only,
and $25 for Saturday only. After
October 19, fees will be $40, $20 and $30,
respectively. Go to www.spafer.org for more information and/or to
register.
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January Adventure In Emerging Christianity, Epworth-by-the-Sea, St. Simons Island, GA
An annual event sponsored by The Cooperative Christian
Fellowship of St. Simons.
Two identical sessions:
Session I:
Friday, Jan. 15, 5:00 pm; ending Sunday, January 17, 11:30 am.
Session II:
Monday, Jan. 18, 5:00 pm; ending Wednesday, January 20, 11:30 am.
Theme: "The
Social Gospel"
Speakers: John
Dominic Crossan and Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush
Currently the University Chaplain at Princeton
and a former associate at Riverside Church in New
York, Paul Raushenbush is the grandson of Louis Brandeis, first Jewish Supreme Court Justice,
and the great-grandson of Walter Rauschenbusch, author of The Social Gospel.
Registration is $109. Go to www.januaryadventure.org for more information and/or to register.
Three couples from Sandy Springs--Frank
and Phyllis McDonald, Charlotte and Floyd Hale, and Travis and Betty
Halford--have attended January Adventure in the past and highly recommend the
event!
We will post this
information in the Centrum with a form where you can indicate your interest in
car-pooling to each of the events.
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Disciples of Christ History, Polity and Ethos Bryant McDaniel
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Christian College of Georgia,
in cooperation with the Regional Commission on Ministry in Georgia, has established the "Institute for
Christian Ministry"
for licensed, lay, and commissioned ministers of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) in Georgia.
In support of this initiative, Sandy Springs Christian Church will host a class
that is being taught this fall called "Disciples of Christ History,
Polity, and Ethos." More details are provided below for your
reference.
Dates: Saturday - September 26, October 10, November
14
Time: 9:30
am - 4:30 pm
Instructor:
Dr. Jerry Gladson
PRE-REGISTER BY
SEPTEMBER 4.
Call Bob Harris for more information and to pre-register
(1-800-235-2496). Leave message if no
answer.
Registration: $100 plus the cost of the textbook -
usually less than $60 to be purchased at the first class session.
INVOICES FOR PAYMENT WILL BE SENT VIA US
MAIL and PAYMENTS can be made by mail or to your instructor at the first
class.
This course
will provide an overview of the history and development of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ). The student will
learn how the denomination is currently structured, and will understand some of
the key factors
and events which have led to the current
structure. Attention will be given to
some of the more important issues of polity and practice within the Disciples
of Christ. The class will explore ways
to live out the ethos of inclusivity, unity and faithfulness to the Scriptures,
and emphasize the centrality of the Table.
Lunch will be ordered for
delivery. The estimated cost is $8-10 per Saturday. Students are
also advised, if they desire, to bring a snack or protein bar according to
their own needs. Coffee and water will be provided.
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To Living the Questions Participants Bryant McDaniel
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Linda Whitmire has graciously agreed to lead us in the second phase of the Living the Questions series on Tuesday nights for five weeks beginning on October 27 and ending November 24. (Just to be clear, this will be new material which builds on the content we covered this summer.) Current plans are to keep the same times that we followed this summer (start with food at 6:15, end class around 8:30).
We'll have a general sign up sheet posted in the Centrum. Dinner sign-ups for each week's class will be posted closer to the actual dates of the classes. Be sure to sign up and mark your calendars now!
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Children's Ministries Rev. Erin Reed Cooper, Associate Minister
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The September 2009 issue of "Sprouts," the Children's Ministries Newsletter, was emailed to the congregation on August 27. It covers the latest exciting adventures and plans for the coming months.
Highlights include: God and Family Awards: Understanding God's Intention for Family, the Paint-in on Sept. 19 for Children's Hospital Art as part of our Anniversary Celebration, Acolyte Training, PAC plans for the remainder of the year, Sunday School News, great pictures in the Sprouts Gallery, and choosing the Best Bible for Your Child.
A BIG THANK YOU goes to Stephanie Williams and her family for their tremendous job heading up VBS this year.
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ThirdAgers Fall Calendar Shelton Blackburn
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Thursday, September 24, 10:15 AM - We are currently
working with the Atlanta Preservation Society to schedule a private tour of The
Fabulous Fox Theatre. After the tour, we
will gather for lunch at Chequer's Seafood Grill.
Sunday, October 11, after the second service - We will
enjoy a Chefs Torbert SSCC Chat 'n Chew which will serve as a fundraiser for
the Mexico Mission Trip.
Thursday, October 29 -
we will head north to Cartersville to tour the highly acclaimed new Tellus Northwest
Georgia Science
Museum. On the way there, we will stop at Red Top
Mountain hopefully to
enjoy some fall color and to have lunch at the Red Top Mountain Restaurant.
Watch the Wellspring,
Chalice Chat, emails, and the ThirdAgers area in the Centrum for additional
information and signup sheets.
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| Scholarship Stipend for Marija Veselinovic Joanne Burgess |
Last November members and friends of SSCC contributed a total of $2,639.26 to a special collection for Marija Veselinovic's college tuition. As you may recall, Marija did not qualify for the SSCC Scholarship Fund because she had not been able to be active in the Youth Ministry activities. Instead, she had been working in the church nursery, with the Coffee House evenings, and a series of other initiatives here at SSCC.
Marija has been accepted at Georgia State University and has already begun her freshman experience. The scholarship stipend has been paid to the University, and Marija and her family would like you to know that they deeply appreciate the financial support and the confidence that SSCC members have in her.
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Ministry and Fellowship Opportunities |
9/7 SSCC Office Closed (Labor Day)
9/12 Youth Rafting Trip
9/16 Dinner and Discussion with Phil
9/18 Tom Key as "Screwtape in Person" - 7:30 pm, reception following
tickets available now
9/19 Anniversary Weekend Service Day, 8:00 am doughnuts and coffee
9/20 49th Anniversary Worship, 10 am
followed by a brief Congregational Meeting in the Sanctuary and Anniversary Lunch in
Dunlap Hall
9/24 ThirdAgers Tour of the Fox Theatre & Lunch at Chequer's
9/27 PAC Meeting, 3:30-5:30 pm, Grades 1-4
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A reminder: Wellspring contributions for October 2009 are due September 25.
Email your contributions to Nan Woods. Call the church office or look in the church directory for the email address. Suggested article length is 350 words. Thank you.
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