 August 2011 Grace Spoken Here Volume 12, Issue 8 |
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Viewpoints at SSCC |
Rebuilding Homes ... Restoring Hope
In June, Gary and I traveled to Nashville to work with other people from our congregation to rebuild homes that had been damaged by the floods last year. Gary worked on a house where the team installed floor joists and flooring. The team I worked with sanded, mudded, spackled and primed walls in another house. Other teams painted the inside and outside of houses, installed insulation and hung dry wall. Every evening when we worshipped together, we shared stories from our day.
I worked on a home owned by a woman named Susan. Susan's father, John, came to the worksite every day. He told us that Susan's house had been flooded just two weeks after she bought it. As the one year anniversary of the flood was approaching with her house still uninhabitable, she was sinking into depression. She had lost hope. With tears in his eyes he told us that her hope was restored when the volunteers started coming. It touched us so deeply that there were tears in our eyes too.
One of the tips we were given prior to the trip was not to expect a sense of completion. The process of rebuilding a home through volunteers consists of one group building on the work done by the previous group. The members of each group do as much as they can, knowing that other groups will come behind them and continue the work. This can be frustrating, but it is also a beautiful expression of what it means to be a church. As members of SSCC, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are encouraged to bring our gifts and add them to the gifts of others -- those who have come before us and those serving alongside us. Others come behind us and add their gifts to ours. None of us can fully own the final outcome. All we can do is faithfully add our gifts and trust that when our gifts come together, we will come just a bit closer to having God's kingdom here on earth -- in Nashville, in Sandy Springs and around the world.
Elizabeth Peterson
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Changes to Office Hours and Administrative Staff Responsibilities
Carol Armstrong, Chair, Personnel Committee | |
At their July meeting, the Elders decided that the official the church office hours will be:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
and
Friday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 NOON
Although there will be times when the staff is available outside of these hours, the schedule was set to let church members know when they can expect either a staff member or volunteer to be available if they stop by the church. The staff, with the help of Red Desk volunteers, will also answer the phone during established office hours.
One of the reasons that the Elders decided to set Office Hours, is that Sharon Hanna transitioned to a part-time schedule effective July 1, and there was a need to clarify when office coverage was needed. Given the change in Sharon's schedule and an increase in the hours that Vincine Brown works, we have realigned their duties into two categories: The "Ministry" and "Business" aspects of the church. Sharon will work with the ministry side of the office: from ministers' support, to fellowship, to PR and communications, to supporting Nan Woods (who will continue to be responsible for the Chalice Chat and The Wellspring newsletters), and to new members. Vincine will work with the business side of the office: recording member giving and other income, managing building usage and facility management including supervision of Lazo Veselinovic's custodial responsibilities, assisting with computer support and other technology issues, and supporting human resources processes. We believe THESE CHANGES PROVIDE FOR GOOD STEWARDSHIP of the monies allocated to personnel expenses; MAKE IT EASIER for the Leadership Team, Trustees, and congregational leaders to receive the support they need; and PROVIDE SUPPORT for our Attract and Connect initiatives.
Barb Duren will continue to be the contact for all prayer requests and pastoral care concerns. As part of this transition, her financial responsibilities will transition to Vincine and Leslie Wheeler so that she can focus on being a resource for church members who have questions or concerns about the church. This is a critical position, and we thank Barb for her willingness to continue to serve in this capacity as a volunteer.
We also want to thank volunteers John Dalton, Mary Anne Little and Cindy Brown who faithfully serve on the Red Desk. We do have a need for 2 more Red Desk volunteers, so if you would like to help out, please call Sharon.
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Making a Difference: Nashville Mission Trip News | |
"Feeling this much pain and misery never felt so good!" Ray Woods shared this during evening devotions in Nashville. Many SSCC volunteers stretched and strained muscles beyond their general use...especially their hearts...while working on disaster relief with Disciples Volunteers in Nashville.
A total of 26 Sandy Springs CC volunteers, ranging in ages and skills, participated in seven different projects during the week. Ed lost his wife three months before the flood and on her death bed she made him promise he would never sell her car or their home. A year later, the memories were still fresh and painful enough to bring tears to his eyes as he explained that her car washed away in the flood. We were able to help rebuild his home by installing insulation, hanging dry wall and finishing a concrete pad for the air conditioner. Susan bought her house two weeks before the flood but hadn't moved in before it made it uninhabitable. We mudded, sanded and primed the interior of her home. For LoRee, who initially had trouble getting rid of anything, we cleaned, discarded and organized decades of "stuff" and agreed to help pay for a new kitchen floor that was uncovered in the cleaning process. Chris's mother's home sat ten feet above the river but was ruined when the water rose. Shortly after the floods, she lost her battle against a terminal illness and now her elderly mother and son Chris live in the house. Chris worked alongside us as we painted the exterior of that home. At another location, we installed floor joists and subflooring for a new room being built for a displaced flood victim. Some of our youth volunteers enjoyed a day of demolition while another group made great progress painting the interior of another home.
One volunteer declared, "It was the most amazing week! Everybody worked hard and the projects were very meaningful. The opportunity to meet most of the homeowners made a difference because we heard their stories and received their gratitude. One of the best elements was the nightly devotions where people shared where they saw God that day. The entire experience was very powerful." As is often the case, those that went to give ended up receiving more.
Thanks to your generous support, Sandy Springs Christian Church is able to assist in specific Nashville Flood Recovery projects. The money raised at our Poolside Picnic Fundraiser paid the fees for three of our volunteers to participate in the Nashville mission trip; allowed us to contribute $500 towards LoRee's new floor and gutters; $600 for new, concrete footings for Susan's porch; a baseball outing for our volunteers; and a little left over for a treat for Ed. It is especially rewarding to be able to specifically direct your donations to benefit those we got to know while working in Nashville. Thank you for giving us that opportunity to make a difference.
click here to view picture album
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Save the Date for a Special Anniversary | |
September 10 and 11, 2011
Most people can still remember where they were ten years ago on September 11, 2001 when they heard of the first World Trade Center tower falling. To commemorate that tragic day and in an effort to encourage understanding and cooperation, we are developing an interfaith project for the weekend of September 10 and 11. We have confirmed that the Islamic Center of North Fulton will work with us that weekend to rehab a house in Dekalb. The house was donated to Initiative for Affordable Housing and will be rented to a low income family once it has been improved enough to be habitable. Many details are still being worked out, but we expect to begin work at the house on Saturday with the North Fulton group. On Sunday, we hope to have an interfaith service at Sandy Springs Christian Church with members of the Islamic Center and members of Temple Sinai. Then we would travel to the work site for a potluck picnic in the large, shady back yard and continue to work on the house. It is possible that we would return to the site on subsequent weekends but that has not been finalized.
There is definitely a need for people with electrical, plumbing, cleaning, sanding, mudding, painting, cupboard installation, and landscaping skills. In addition, we will be looking for food donations for the potluck meal. Please plan to participate in this opportunity to make new friends and gain an understanding of others while improving a home for someone. If you can help with the planning or the work that weekend, please contact Nancy McDaniel.
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Welcome, Kathy Gregory! | |
Sandy Springs Christian Church is blessed by Kathy  Gregory, our newly hired Day School Director. Kathy is vibrant, entrepreneurial, and comes with a background in psychology, business and teaching.
"Kathy brings a lot to the table," said church elder Bryant McDaniel. "Foremost among them is a love for children. Kathy is very focused on building the rich legacy at the Day School, for ensuring that there is an environment where the kids feel loved and affirmed."
McDaniel said the transition from 34-year Director Linda Bridges, who retired May 31, may be bittersweet but it also will be seamless.
"Kathy had two children who attended The Day School, so she knows the teachers and many of the kids and their parents. This has enabled her to hit the ground running without missing a beat," he said.
A balance between head and heart weighs heavily in Gregory's favor, McDaniel said.
"She has a clear vision for the school, knows how to motivate the teachers and engage the parents, and work with partners in the community to market the school," he said. "Kathy brings an infectious energy and enthusiasm for the school. You pick up on this anytime you are around her. Everyone finds her a joy to work with."
Gregory returned the compliment, saying she and her husband Michael "discovered a preschool with all the right ingredients at the Day School, and I want nothing less for each child who walks through our doors," she said. "The Day School has become my passion. I completely understand why many of our amazing teachers have been members of the Day School family for over two decades."
With hobbies that include cheering for baseball players John - now at Warren T. Jackson Elementary School in Buckhead - and current Day School student Marshall, Gregory said she has sifted her qualifications into an ideal job.
"I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to combine two of my greatest loves - working with children and managing people," she said.
We welcome Kathy and embrace the ministry she offers as she supports our teachers, welcomes our children and continues the legacy of nurture and excellence that the Day School offers our community.
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Dude, VBS Was Totally Gnarly!
Rev. Erin Reed Cooper, Associate Minister |
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Rev. Erin Reed Cooper |
 Sixty-five children ages 3-10 joined in the Beach Fun at Vacation Bible School July 25-29. Additionally, we had teeming teens and many extremely dedicated adults who volunteered their time and shared their amazing gifts with these eager and energetic kids.
The previous week, Dunlap Hall was transformed into a tropical beach get-away. Members and friends loaned us big beach umbrellas and stands. These became our group home-bases where the kids would gather at the beginning and end of the day. After opening assembly, kids would go to various activities.
One activity was right in Dunlap Hall: Big D's Diner, where restaurant owners Ms. Mary McNeal and Mrs. Florene Fowler served up Blue Sky Jello, Beach Pudding, and Oyster Cookies. In the craft room, Mrs. Stephanie Williams, Rev. Susan Spurgeon, Mrs. Cindy Driemeyer, Mrs. Susan Kirkpatrick and Ms. Caroline Dalton instructed kids in making Shrinky Dink Decorated Flip Flops. They used several supplies donated by members and friends, including spaghetti jars, which became a Beach-in-a-Jar, and shoe boxes, used to capture a precious footprint in the sand. In recreation, Mrs. Leslie Wheeler led them in great fun with mini beach balls and a Build-A-Tourist relay race. Children enjoyed gathering around the campfire in the Pit's Sandcastle Stories led by Ms. Barb Duren, and her monkey friend, Coco. Throughout the day, children earned 'sand dollars' that they could use at the Surf Shop (Mrs. Leslie Kahrs, proprietor).
A very special "thank you" goes to our Assistant Director, Stephanie Williams, and our decor coordinators, Becky and Courtney Strickland. These ladies worked countless hours decorating, planning, recruiting and creating a wonderland for our children. Also, the work of our amazing support staff: Lazo Veselinovic, Sharon Hanna and Vincine Brown were a priceless components.
The youth who gave their time this week were amazingly dedicated and so good with the children. They were charged with the task of doing whatever was necessary to ensure that the children knew that they were loved and welcome, the #1 goal of VBS. As we had over 50% of our attendance this year from visitors, this was a very important task. Many teens rounded up their friends and significant others to help out. They were good sports when it came to performing hilarious stunts that had the children roaring with laughter.
Vacation Bible School is a vital ministry of Sandy Springs  Christian Church with wonderful volunteers. We have a reputation in the community for having an excellent VBS program. As one child said to his mother, "Mom, you've sent me to all kinds of camps and VBS-es this year, but this one was really the best!"
Click here to view a slide show of all the VBS action!
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Ministry Musings: "Re-Thinking Evangelism"
Rev. Phil Price, Senior Minister | |
I just read this article on the Belief Blog and I found it very interesting...thought that you might enjoy it .
By Carl Medearis, Special to CNN
Let's do an exercise. I want you to fill in the blank on what you think you know about me based on what I'm about to tell you.
Here goes: Twenty years ago, I became a missionary. My wife and I left our home in Colorado Springs, Colorado to move to Beirut, Lebanon. Our job description was to plant churches and evangelize to Muslims.
Based on what I just said, Carl Medearis is a ______________ .
Depending on your background, the blank may look something like this:
Carl Medearis is a... hero of the Christian faith, a saintly super-man willing to sacrifice the comforts of home in order to share the love of Jesus Christ with those who have never heard the gospel.
Or this:
Carl Medearis is a... right-wing extremist who destroys cultures, tears apart families and paves the way for neo-colonialist crusaders to invade, occupy and plunder the resources of local populations.
Quite a range, isn't it?
Link to article: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/24/my-take-why-evangelicals-should-stop-evangelizing-2/?hpt=hp_c2
Blessings and Love,
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Sandy Springs Legacy Builder Ministry Featured at General Assembly - Linda Whitmire | |
We made a splash...well, maybe not a big one, but what we have begun here has drawn a lot of interest from other congregations. Being a people of stewardship, being a people who want to make a statement of hope, being a people who affirm the forward calling of Christ to our church and its future beyond our own lives... being THOSE kind of people touches the hearts of others who long to be part of a congregation that cares like ours. And that feels good!
I know many of you have thought about whether or not you can be part of the Legacy Builders at SSCC. To include the church in your estate planning is a big decision, a meaningful one and a bit of an anxiety producing one for many folks. Talking about giving away resources and our dying aren't at the top of the list of favorite conversation topics!! But loving our church and choosing to make a statement of trust in its future mission makes for a good conversation you might be having with God about now.
Randy Johnson from the Christian Church Foundation, who is becoming a bit familiar to our community by now, will be with us August 21 and available for those who want to talk privately as to whether or not they can take this step. If you would like to speak with him, you can contact him through Sharon at the church or directly at rjohnson@ccf.disciples.com. Be sure to ask him about Sandy Springs in the spotlight at the Assembly! And be sure to ask him if there is a way you can be a part of this given your situation.
And in the meantime, think about what message you do want to send to those you leave behind in your church family and your personal family. Maybe it includes your love of Christ's church. I am betting so.
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Thank You, Bob Roper! | |
On Sunday, July 24 at the 11 o'clock worship service, Bob Roper was presented with a gift in appreciation of his 41 years as a Sunday School teacher at SSCC. Please be sure to thank Bob for his leadership in our Adult Education ministries.
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| | Rev. Phil Price and Dr. Bob Roper |
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Youth, Young Adults and Families Attend Atlanta Braves Game
Andy Torbert | |
Right after church on July 17th, 26 youth, young adults, and family members headed straight from church to Turner Field to enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and Braves baseball. Even with the temperatures over 90 degrees, we managed to find enough shade and breeze to stay cool enough to cheer the hometown team on to a thrilling walk-off win in the bottom of the 9th inning against the Washington Nationals. 9-8 Braves win! And much fun was had by all.
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| In the Life of SSCC | |
Go to www.SandySpringsCC.org to view our monthly calendar
"Invitable events" are highlighted in red
AUGUST EVENTS & SPECIAL WORSHIP
Aug 7 Focus Groups Sunday School, 10 AM
Aug 7 Youth Group Pool Party, 5-7 pm, Belmont Clubhouse
Aug 12 Back to School Luncheon, Outreach for Lake Forest Elementary School
Aug 14 Sandwich Making Outreach, 12 NOON (Centrum); reception in Dunlap Hall
Aug 14 Craig McDonald Ordination Service, 4 PM - reception in Dunlap Hall immediately
following the service
Aug 14, 21, 28 & Sept 4 Community Sunday School with Dr. Stan Saunders,
10 am, Dunlap Hall
Aug 21 ThirdAgers Chat 'n Chew at Aldo's Italian Restaurant, 1 PM
SAVE THE DATE
Sept 5 SSCC Closed for Labor Day
Sept 10 Great Day of Service Outreach
Sept 11 Great Day of Service Outreach - One Service Only at 10:00 AM
Sept 18 Anniversary Sunday - One Service Only at 10:00 AM
Sept 23-25 Women's Retreat, Norman Park
THE DAY SCHOOL
Sept 1 & 2 Orientation 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Sept 6 School Year Begins, 8:00 am - 3:30 pm (Monday-Friday)
ONGOING GROUPS
1st & 3rd Monday: Learner's Bridge, 12:45 - 4:00 pm (P)
4th Monday: Experienced Bridge, 12:30-4:15 pm (205)
1st Tuesday: Gamma Circle, 11 am (205)
1st Wednesday bi-monthly: Caring Made Visible, 12 noon (CR)
2nd Wednesday: Sigma Delta Circle, 10:30 am (P)
Sigma Delta lunch, 12 pm (CR)
Prayer Group, 12:30 pm (P)
4th Wednesday: Women's Bible Study, 10 am (CR)
1st Saturday: Outreach Ministry staffs CAC, 9:45am - 1:15 pm
4th Sunday: PAC Meeting (3:30-5:30 pm) (120) 1st through 4th grade
Wednesdays: Handbell Choir, 6:15 pm (Room 202)
Sanctuary Choir, 7:30 pm (Room 202)
Fridays: Men's Fellowship, 7 am (CR)
Saturdays: SSCC Garden Group, 8:30-10 am
Sundays: Youth Groups, 5-7 pm (DH) high school and 5th grade/middle school
Early Risers, 8:15 am (Room 202)
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| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are due on Thursday before the last Monday in the month. Contributions for the September 1 Wellspring are due August 25. Thank you for your 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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