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July 2010 Grace Spoken Here Volume 11, Issue 7
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Dear Members and Friends,  | | We've been celebrating our 50th Anniversary and there is lots more to come! Highlighting July is a special guest in the pulpit.
On July 25, Mary K. Widener, wife of the late Rev. Al Widener, will bring one of Al's best sermons to life again. Rev. Al Widener served Sandy Springs Christian Church from 1972 to 1986. During his tenure, he served as Associate Minister, Senior Minister and co-Minister.
 But Mary K. is much more than the wife of the late Albert J. Widener. She is a very accom-plished individual who blesses all she meets. Don't miss this opportunity to welcome another Widener to our pulpit.
Read more about Al and Mary K. in this issue of The Wellspring.
A reception will follow both services. |
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| June Stay-Cation Surpassed Expectations | |
Based on the surveys and participation, one would say Stay-Cation surpassed expectations. For three evenings, participants gathered for outreach, nourishment, fellowship and education. Each evening started as people chose to participate in yoga or one of the outreach projects (a quilt for our Haitian patient or woodworking projects for Initiative for Affordable Housing). The Gregory Family spearheaded the enormous job of feeding an average 95 people each night! A variety of Indian food and "kid friendly" foods were offered. Many people enjoyed sampling food that expanded their culinary horizons.
 After singing family-camp style songs, participants were dismissed to a variety of classes. Our children "boarded a plane" for India with a real Delta flight attendant who introduced them to the famous sights and traditions of India while complimentary in-flight snacks were served. After deplaning, they participated in games and crafts centered on Indian culture. The second night, the children encountered Dr. Anil Henry on their flight. He shared about his life and work as a missionary in Mungeli.
Our middle and high schoolers continued their woodworking projects. They completed wooden clothesline poles and birdhouses for houses provided to residents formerly homeless. College kids reconnected after a year away in a class led by the Donnellys. The new young adult group--with members from all over the Atlanta area--found it easier to meet Thursdays and plan to continue to gather monthly. Adults chose between a class led by The Reverend Kathy McDowell on prayer or a two-part series led by The Reverend Dale Andrews on Thursday and New Testament scholar Dr. Stan Saunders on Friday. Saturday, an overflow crowd including viewers from India and pilgrims from all over the U.S. watched the world premier of the documentary "Come and See." It provided a glimpse into the amazing work performed at the Mungeli Christian Hospital and School, one of the missionary projects SSCC supports through Global Missions and by organizing annual pilgrimages. Thanks to all who made the event a success: Barb Duren, The Gregorys, Phyllis and Frank McDonald, Bob Trusty, Jay and Elaine Donnelly, Bryant McDaniel, Sharon Hanna, Woody and Nan Woods, Stephen and Tami Brown, Larri Bass, Sam Veal and crew, the instructors and the visionary Landa Simmons. top |
| Vacation Bible School July 12-16
Rev. Erin Reed Cooper, Associate Minister |
 School" seems like a silly word to use to attract kids in the summer time, doesn't it? What makes us think that any school aged child would have any interest in coming to Vacation Bible SCHOOL? It almost seems like a contradiction in terms!
BUT... when kids come to VBS, suddenly they walk into a fun-filled world where ideas and themes from the bible come to life before their very eyes. They take a visit to an Egyptian Palace, they play Make-A-Mummy, they hear from Joseph in prison, and sing really fun songs about The One True God. It is so much fun, being with their friends and making new ones, getting to know our middle and high school youth who become their best buddies. They go home and can't get those songs out of their heads! They haven't been to school... or have they?
Oops! Just when they thought their brains were on vacation, they were actually learning something. In fact, the more senses that are engaged in learning- touch, smell, taste, hearing, sight-the more a person learns. They retain that information longer, too. So Vacation Bible School is an experience where we can engage all of the children's senses at once. Add to that a sense of fun and being deeply cared about, and you have a recipe for the best kind of learning to take place.
I hope you use this great opportunity to ask your friends, neighbors and grandchildren to come enjoy Vacation Bible School. They will have a great time, and they will learn a LOT, more than we might know!
OR, if a trip to Egypt sounds like fun to you, why don't you come help out? You can register here: www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/SSCC, or stop by my office and fill out a form!
Hope to see you in Egypt!  |
| Ministry Musings: Time Travel
Rev. Phil Price, Senior Minister |  Time travel.
It's one of those enduring themes in Hollywood movies. The Back to the Future franchise, several Star Trek movies and the recent, Time Travel Hot Tub, just to name a few.
It never seems to get old-this idea that we might be able to go back in time and have a do-over. Think of the things that if given the chance, we could go back and fix them before they went so awry... The awkward slip of the tongue that ruined a date... The one drink too many that resulted in an accident... That cute little puppy that seemed like such a good idea at the time.
Think of it. Wars could be avoided, disasters like Katrina averted, bad haircuts... a thing of the past.
On first glance, it would appear to be the ultimate cure of most of our problems.
We are so wise looking in the rear view mirror. Even couch potatoes look like genius coaches after the game is over. Everyone is a brilliant investor after the markets have closed. Just think if we could go back to 9/10, back to the day before the oil rig blew up, back to the day before someone said, "Hey, I've got this great idea, reality TV."
The power over time would be a kind of ultimate power. While some of the movies use the power over time to fix some great evil, others know that they are playing with something that shouldn't be played with.
Power over time is a power beyond even our biggest Gods. Our God didn't get a do-over with Adam and Eve, rather He had to work with the mess and try to make something of it. At one point He apparently had second thoughts about His work on creation but couldn't manage a back in time do-over. He had to move forward in time with that soaking.
Someone much later did find a way to break the effects of time. He told us to forgive. If you think about it, forgiveness is really the only thing that can break the power and momentum of time. It prevents the past from setting the agenda of the future. It offers a break from seemingly intractable rhythms of offense and reprisal.
Forgiveness is power over time, and it is the only time machine we really need.
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| Stewardship Reminder
Rev. Phil Price, Senior Minister | I am continually inspired by the generosity and faithfulness in Stewardship of this congregation. Every time there is a need, whether for our youth going to Mexico, kids going to camp, a natural disaster, or the regular ongoing expenses of AC units, staffing and supplies, you always come through!
Please receive this as a gentle reminder to remember your church during these summer months. With all the travel plans, vacations, visitors and fun, sometimes church giving goes down over the summer. Let's challenge each other to continue to do our best through the summer so that we can go into the fall refreshed, revitalized and in excellent financial shape.
Thank you for your continued faithfulness in Stewardship!
Blessings,
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| Haitian Evacuee Has a Furnished Apartment | Here is a message from our contact at the Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta who helped us set up the apartment for a Haitian patient.
 "Atlanta is one of three cities who received medical evacuees from Haiti after the earthquake. In all 50 patients and 21 caregivers came to our area for medical treatment. Two died as a result of their injuries, but the other 48 are healing and progressing well.
"The Sandy Springs Christian Church apartment benefited two Haitian women who are sisters. One is a 25 year old medical evacuee from the USNS Comfort. Her leg and pelvis were crushed when the building she was in collapsed. After hours of entrapment, she was freed and evacuated to the hospital. From there she was brought to Dobbins AFB and transferred to Athens Regional Medical Center. Each medical evacuee can be accompanied by one person and this patient is escorted by a sister who is 20. When she arrived, the patient was not able to walk but now after surgeries and therapy, she is able to move about with the help of a walker.
"This family will remain in the apartment for up to a year. Since all these patients are medical evacuees and not refugees, all 48 recovering patients and their 21 caregivers will return to Haiti.
"Sandy Springs Christian is one of five area congregations which responded so beautifully by setting up apartments for these families. Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services is extremely grateful for your acts of generosity, hospitality, and heavy lifting!"
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| Sunday School Giving Update: Great News!! | Thanks to your kind generosity, giving in the adult Sunday School classes was up over 100% vs prior year again in the second quarter! Your giving will enable ten deserving and very excited neighborhood kids to attend Camp Balaam this summer. At camp they will build friendships, begin their own faith journeys, and have transformative experiences that will provide many life-long memories.
As a reminder, the focus of our giving in the third quarter - which starts next Sunday, July 4 - is on the Family Village Farm in Vellore, India. This center is part of Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It provides food, clothing, and shelter in a home-like setting for poor or orphaned children. The children live in family groups with a surrogate mother. Our goal is to sponsor at least two children for a full year. This would equate to only $1 per person per week based on our recent attendance. All donations go directly to meet the needs of the children (i.e., there are no administrative costs).
So thanks again for all you are doing in your Sunday School classes to support children "...from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth."
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| 4 Stories High in Concert at SSCC | |
The Gathering
a spiritual experience
Presents
4 Stories High in Concert
Thursday July 29, 7:30-9:00 pm
Performance at Sandy Springs Christian Church
 She was a NY Singer/Songwriter. He was a NY Guitar Player. She hired him to play in her band. And so the story began...
Love Offerings Gratefully Accepted
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| Mary K. Widener in the Pulpit July 25 |
will be such a day in the life of SSCC. Rev. Al Widener served Sandy Springs Christian Church from 1972 to 1986. During his tenure, he served as Associate Minister, Senior Minister and co-Minister. Al was best known for meeting people where they were and giving them hope and love. One of his finest contributions to SSCC members was the introduction and encouragement to attend the Southern Academy - a leadership training experience that taught participants to look at others in an entirely new manner. Al was engaging, funny and compassionate. He crafted thought provoking articles, prayers of confession really, for each newsletter. Most of all, Al was loved. After a battle with kidney cancer, Al was called home in 1998. On July 25th, Sandy Springs Christian Church has the amazing opportunity to welcome another Widener to our pulpit. Mary K. Widener will bring one of Al's best sermons to life again. But Mary K. is much more than the wife of the late Albert J. Widener. She is a very accomplished individual who blesses all she meets. Mary K. spent 33 years in education including 30 years with the Cobb County School District before retiring in June 2007. She was Principal at many schools including East Side for 6 years. During Mary K.'s years at East Side the school was named as a Georgia School of Excellence. She opened Timber Ridge as a new school, which later become a Georgia Pay for Performance school. Mary K. served for 6 years as Principal at Bryant Primary School where she co-developed Cobb's first school within a school. Since retiring, Mary K. has worked with Cobb's Professional Learning division as facilitator for Leadership Academy I, mentor-coaching new Principals, and teaching the 7 Habits staff development class. Mary K. was given the Marietta Kiwanis Club Award for Excellence in Education. In 2005 she was named as a distinguished alumna of her high school. She served as the first woman President of the Rotary Club of East Cobb where she is still an active member. She served on the Cobb County Wellstar Hospice Steering Committee. Mary K. is Past President of the Peachtree Childtown Board of Directors. She is an Elder at Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, and currently serves as Chair of the Board, only the second woman to do so in the 85 year history of the congregation. Mary K. is known for following the motto of Service Above Self and fulfilling her calling as an advocate of children, especially in public education, through her belief in and demonstration of servant leadership. Please make sure you are in church on Sunday, July 25 to welcome an old, new friend to our pulpit and experience the resurrection of thought from one of our best and dearest friends. See you then!! top |
| Continuing Our 50th Anniversary Celebration
with Rev. Herbert Leslie - August 8 | |
On August 8, Rev. Herbert Leslie, first full-time senior minister of SSCC, will bring the message to the congregation. Rev. Leslie served at SSCC from 1964 to 1976, a time when the congregation grew from 150 to 1,000 members. He was instrumental in the construction of the current church campus at 301 Johnson Ferry Road, NW.
In addition, 18 members of the congregation, who have answered the call to ministry, will be recognized during this event. A reception follows both services. top |
| ThirdAgers Event July 14 - Lunch & Theatre in the Square |  ThirdAgers!!! Laughter cures whatever ails ya. Therefore, mark your calendars for our next laugh-filled ThirdAgers activity on July 14.
WHAT: Lunch and Theatre in the Square's production of Greater Tuna.
This is the first in a series of hilarious comedies set in the town of Tuna, Texas.
WHERE: Rocco's Pub, 2477 Roswell Road, Marietta (right rear corner of the
New London Shopping Center between McDonalds and Williamson Brother's BBQ)
WHEN: Wednesday, July 14
Lunch: 12:30 pm at Rocco's Pub
Play: Plan to arrive at the Theatre in the Square around 2:00 pm. The play starts at 2:30 pm
Costs: Lunch - menu prices Play $22 - please see Barb Duren to pay for your ticket(s) Sign up today - The sign up deadline is Tuesday, July 13Sign up in the ThirdAgers activity book in the Centrum or call the church at 404.256.2582. Questions: Shelton Blackburn, 770.977.2970 or shblackb@comcast.net. Note: We have a limited number of theatre tickets, so sign up ASAP. If more sign up than we have tickets, we will attempt to get more tickets. Of course, no tickets are needed for lunch. If you miss out on the theatre tickets, as least plan to meet us for lunch. top |
| Lee Orr Retiring After 18 Years at SSCC |  It's with a wistful sadness with which I write that it is time for me to get out of the harness and retire from church music. It is difficult to believe that it was nearly half a century ago when at the age of sixteen I started playing at a struggling small church in West Palm Beach. I now find myself wanting to free up some time for some other projects such as another book--The Democratization of American Music: Musical Life in the United States,1800-1870--and complete the editing of the organ articles for the forthcoming and important New Grove Dictionary of American Music. I also feel the need to visit Florida more regularly as neither my stepmother nor my aunt are in good health.
I retire with the fondest memories of my nearly eighteen years at Sandy Springs. I began my work with Lynn White and Forrest Guitar. Nearly ten wonderful years followed with Steve and Glen and then later with Doug Job. Now, for nearly three years I have had a splendid time with Phil and Micki. I am thrilled to say that the choir sounds the best it ever has.
My decision to retire has been quite difficult and has taken some months to settle on. Having now finally made the decision, I do it with considerable heaviness.
I will be here through the fiftieth anniversary celebrations in September, which seems a fitting farewell. This way I leave Sandy Springs knowing you are well poised to embark on your second half century.
Know how deeply I appreciate your ceaseless kindness, amiability, and friendship, which I will treasure for many years.
With heavy heart,
Lee
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| Memorial Gifts | |
The Memorials Committee acknowledges with appreciation these gifts for April and May:
In MEMORY OF:
Betty Jean Bentley - Becky Kelly
Elizabeth Loyd - Becky Kelly
IN HONOR OF:
Carol Armstrong - Nancy & Bryant McDaniel
Cynthia & Peter Brown
Bruce & Leslie Lady
Scott & Chris Dalton
Bob & Nancy Trusty top |
| Youth Ministry: Rule of Life
Schnavia Bronson, Student Youth Minister |  In order to grow and mature as a Christian, we need structure and support. Without this structure, our spiritual lives tend to grow in a confused and disorderly way. Structure gives us the freedom to grow as we are meant to. The name for this Christian tradition that provides structure and supports our spiritual growth is called a rule of life. The purpose of a rule of life is to help us grow into holiness. However, this process is one of gradual transformation into the full image and likeness of God. It does not happen automatically or overnight. It requires the dying of oneself and faith in order to allow a deeper mystery of our life in God to be revealed. Martin Luther King Jr. developed a rule of life to guide his nonviolent Civil Rights Movement, which emphasized spiritual principles and inner attitudes through meditation, prayer and service. Every demonstrator had to agree to this rule:
Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus. Remember always that the nonviolent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory. Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love. Pray daily to be used by God in order that all might be free. Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all might be free. Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy. Seek to perform regular service for others and the world. Refrain from violence of fist, tongue, or heart. Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health. Follow the directions of the movement and the captains of a demonstration.
What is your personal rule of life? When trying to choose disciplines for your rule of life, reflect on the following questions: (1) what am I deeply attracted to, and why? (2) where do I feel God is calling me to stretch and grow? and (3) what kind of balance do I need in my life? Once you have decided on a rule of life, write it down and commit to it. Then, choose someone you trust to share your rule of life with. Ask that person to pray for you and to hold you accountable.
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| Update on Mission Trips | Disciples Home Mission, the sponsoring organization for our Gulfport and Nashville mission trips, has been in touch to say the Nashville efforts are in a holding pattern. While they feel capable of immediately preparing a mission station, they are looking for an organization to handle the case management to assess and prioritize needs. One potential partner is estimating it will be another two to three months before they are ready for volunteers.
We will continue to be in touch with them and if we are called to organize a group to effectively help in a timely manner, we will notify you via Chalice Chats, The Wellspring and announcements in church. Please watch for further information!
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| July 31 Family Bingo/Trivia Night | | Come join us for our 2nd Bingo/Trivia night. Fun for all ages!!!! Trivia for adults and children!! Please bring a dessert and a White Elephant prize (something from home in good shape that you don't use anymore). We'll start at 7:00 p.m. and alternate between Bingo and Trivia. Becky and Lynn have been studying up on Trivia "Protocol" so we're ready to roll!!
Watch for more information about this Fantastic Fun Night!!
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| Connect Opportunities | Ongoing
1st & 3rd Monday - Learners Bridge, 12:45-4:00 pm (P)
4th Monday - Experienced Bridge, 12:30-4:15 pm (P)
Fridays - Men's Fellowship, 7 am (CR)
Saturdays - SSCC Garden Group, 8-10 am
Go to the SSCC Calendar of Events webpage for the most current information.
7/2 SSCC Office Closed - Observance of July 4
7/3 VBS workday, 9 am - 4 pm
7/3 Outreach to staff CAC, 9:45 am-1:15 pm
7/4 Men's Chorus Rehearsal, 9:30 am (202)
7/4 Armstrong Covenant Group, 5-7 pm, off campus
7/5 Day School Closed-Independence Day
7/6-9 The Day School Adventure Camp
7/10 VBS Workday, 9am-4 pm
7/11 VBS Prep, 12:30-4:00 pm
7/12-16 VBS Fun! 9:30 am-noon (workers 9am-4 pm)
7/14 ThirdAgers Event (Rocco's Pub 12:30pm & Theatre in the Square 2:00 pm)
7/14 Prayer Group, 12:30 pm (P)
7/15 E. Donnelly Covenant Group, 7-9 pm (P)
7/16-18 Genesis Camp (Kindergarten)
7/18 VBS Celebration Sunday
7/20 B. Trusty Covenant Group, 7 pm (P)
7/18-22 Camp Balaam (qualifying 11th & 12th graders)
7/25 Homecoming Sunday - Mary K. Widener, Reception after both services
7/27 Chrysalis Covenant Group, 6 pm (P)
7/29 4 Stories High in Concert, SSCC, 7:30 pm
7/31 Family Bingo/Trivia Night, 7:00 pm (DH)
Save the Date
8/8 Homecoming Sunday - Rev. Herbert Leslie, Reception after both services
9/12 Next Beginnings Class (10 weeks)
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| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are due on Thursday before the last Monday in the month. Please submit August contributions by July 22. Thank you for timely submissions!
Please limit your article to not more than 350 words. Submit your articles on ministry news and upcoming events; report on past events; send pictures! Keep the congregation and others informed about our busy, vital church.
Email your contributions to Nan Woods: woodynan@bellsouth.net
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