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Viewpoints at SSCC: Beginnings
Rev. Linda S. Whitmire, Transitional Pastor |
 I like beginnings. I like the freshness of starting out, the anticipation of what lies ahead, the spicy taste of adventure that hope and expectation place on my tongue. I like journeys that stretch out before me, new babies, new life, new calendars waiting for me to fill in my plans. I like beginnings.
I am especially grateful to those ancients before us who positioned the beginning of each year smack dab in the middle of winter! Smack dab in the middle of barren trees and leavened skies and innumerable hues of gray and brown. Smack dab in the midst of deadened landscape. Then, there it is. January! A beginning.
For me, this church has been a place of beginning. I first visited some 35 years ago at the beginning of a marriage, the beginning of parenting with three step-children at home, the beginning of re-claiming a faith that had journeyed through multiple changes, almost died, and sought to find root within me again. I remember confessing to the pastor at that time, the late Al Widener, that I wasn't sure I was a Christian, wasn't even sure exactly what it meant anymore to 'believe'... had many more questions and doubts than answers and faith. He said, "You sound like you are a perfect fit with Sandy Springs!" I joined the next Sunday, beginning in the safe company of other sojourners, my journey to God, a journey that didn't require certainty or understanding, just longing and willingness to live into the mystery and paradox of God.
Some thirteen years later, I came to the church on a late autumn afternoon and went alone into the sanctuary. I knelt at the Table in the dim light, the Table that had become for me the symbol of God's presence with us. In the quietness of that time, I wept for the sadness of a call that came through the anguish of my mother's last five and a half years of life. I wept for the sheer wonder of a God who would choose me in ordained ministry. I wept until I could say aloud those words of acceptance of yet another beginning, trusting that wherever God's call might lead, God would find a place for my family.
Beginnings. I face this glorious New Year with all the excitement of beginning anew. I am ready to be at Sandy Springs, my home church, as my primary place of worship and service. It has been almost nineteen years of other churches and other pulpits and pews. You and I together begin being the church we are called to be as Danny Gulden begins his ministry of leadership and servanthood among us this month. I like the freshness of our starting out, the anticipation of all that lies ahead, the spicy taste of adventure that hope and expectation place on our tongues.
The journey stretches before us: new members who will become family of faith with us, new life as we discover how our God continues to surprise us with joy; new opportunities to love and learn and laugh and serve with one another...even weep when the times call for it.
I like beginnings. I like beginning this year in the company of my church, my beloved Sandy Springs.
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Chili Cook Off and Reception for Danny! January 21
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A Chili Cook Off and a Warm Reception at the same time! Let's welcome Reverend Danny Gulden, our new Senior Minister, and his family in SSCC style--with tradition and food. Get out your best chili recipe for the January 21st Chili Cook Off. If not chili, you can sign up to bring salad, corn bread, brownies or cookies. Hot dogs and beverages also provided. Sign up in the Centrum or email Cindy Brown at cindyfbrown@gmail.com. In between tasting and enjoying the company of your fellow SSCC members, you will have the opportunity to meet Danny and Mary Michael Gulden and their daughters, Isabella and Ava, in a casual, fellowship atmosphere. To learn more about our new Senior Minister, click here.
So, mark your calendar for Saturday, January 21 at 6:00 pm and bring your best chili and warm fellowship to this reception.
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9th Annual Candlelight Cafe: February 4, 2012
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Please make plans to attend our 9th Annual Candlelight Cafe dinner on Saturday, February 4th held in Dunlap Hall. This is our largest youth fundraiser for the Mexico Mission trip to be taken March 31 -April 7, 2012. The youth, sponsors and volunteers transform Dunlap Hall into an elegant fine dining venue. The evening includes a fabulous meal prepared by Jim and Marilyn Torbert, with the youth providing entertainment and service. All donations support our youth's annual Mexico Mission Trip where they spend their spring break to take part in a life-changing experience on both sides of the border. Each year, we work with AMOR Ministries to build a home for a Mexican family who is in desperate need of shelter. We need your continued financial support to ensure that we have the tools, supplies and equipment necessary to make this year's mission trip a success.
Reservations are required and childcare will be provided. This is an invitable event so please bring your family, friends, co-workers, etc. You can even request to reserve a whole table. Sign up sheets will be posted in the Centrum weeks in advance. You can also call the church office to sign up. The reservation deadline is Monday, January 30, 2012. We hope you will join us!
Saturday, February 4
6:00 pm - Social gathering and light appetizers
7:00 pm - Dinner
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You Are Invited to Join a Ministry Team
Cindy Brown, Chair, Ministry Council | |
The New Year means new opportunities to get involved. SSCC is always bustling with events and activities. The Ministry Council makes things happen at SSCC and you can be a part of it. We are always looking for new faces for our ministry teams.
If anything below piques your interest, ask questions and know that we will find a place for you to serve or participate. Some opportunities include:
Ministry Team Team Leader
Women's Ministries Connie Cannon, mccannon708@bellsouth.net and
Barb Duren, barbaragduren@gmail.com
Youth Ministries (6th-12th grade) Leslie Kahrs, lkahrs@bellsouth.net
Children's Ministries (K-5th grade) Karla Worley, kargg212@aol.com
Welcome Desk Nancy Trusty, nancytrusty@gmail.com
Greeting Denny Sanford, denjulsanford@aol.com
Soul Food JimTorbert, jtorbs@bellsouth.net
Outreach Nancy McDaniel, mcdannan@gmail.com
Fellowship (receptions) Mary Anne Posey, map@mindspring.com
Youth Scholarship Becky Strickland, stricklandbecky@yahoo.com
Member Care Barb Duren, barbaragduren@gmail.com
Adult Education Bryant McDaniel, bryantmcdaniel@gmail.com
If you don't know what a committee does and just have general questions, please contact Cindy Brown, cindyfbrown@gmail.com or 770-984-9015.
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Hanging of the Green 2011...but so much more!
Cindy Brown, Ministry Council Chair | |
Hanging of the Green: It sounds like we deck the halls, but it was so much more than that. On December 5th all were able to participate in this SSCC tradition. The outstanding music coordinated by Micki Gonzales had young & old singing and brass & bells playing. The smallest children carried creche figures to the manger while older children and teens placed candles and green to prepare the sanctuary for the season. Our story tellers shared scripture while our youth read of the tradition of the green. New members and existing members helped adorn the tree with new Chrismons and a large representation of adults brought forth poinsettias. The sanctuary was transformed!
Following the service, with joy of the season within us, we shared in great fellowship at a reception prepared by Mary Ann Posey, with help from members of the Women's Ministries, in a Dunlap Hall that that had been transformed into a cozy home nestled in a winter wonderland by Becky Strickland and her elves.
This event, for and of the whole congregation, reminds us that SSCC is an incredible place!
top row: bells & brass ensemble
middle row: choir ensemble & Garrett
bottom row: Kaitlin & Maggie
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Lessons & Carols Children's Play and Choir Performance
Leslie Raymer, Interim Minister of Administration and Children's Programming |
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Leslie Raymer |
The SSCC children performed a wonderful play depicting global Christmas traditions on December 18th and, after performing in both services, helped wrap one hundred plus gifts for underprivileged kids at Lake Forest Elementary School! The Children's Choir and Play performance was absolutely beautiful. Everyone worked really hard over the last six weeks, and brought off a moving and heartfelt performance. Many thanks to Micki, Larri, Ella, Ashley, all the adult volunteers, and the children for all the hard work!!
click here to view additional pictures (with music and beautiful background graphics - take a look!)
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Wrapping Up Christmas for Local Children | |
For many members, it is their favorite outreach project of the year. Hundreds of gifts are brought to SSCC to be wrapped before they are distributed to deserving families at Lake Forest Elementary School. These families would not experience Christmas if others weren't so generous with their time and gifts. Dunlap Hall is transformed into Santa's Workshop as people of all ages and abilities are recruited to wrap. You could feel the excitement and spirit of Christmas as scissors snipped, paper crinkled and everyone worked together. Our PAC kids alone wrapped for more than ten families. They were excited to cut and fold and tape, knowing there is a child close to their age to unwrap the gift later in the week, experiencing the joy of Christmas.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in to wrap more than 400 gifts that had been donated by school children across Atlanta. As some wrapped, others took a break to enjoy a box lunch prepared by The Torberts as a fundraiser for next year's Mexico Mission Trip. Teresa Bensch commented, "Where else can I look across the room to see people of all ages--from 8 months to 8 decades--and know everyone's name, know they all worship the same God, and know they have the same giving spirit? This was great day."
 | | Rani Samuel with son Joshua |
 | | Ashley McAdoo, Children's Ministry Assistant, wrapping gifts with Karen & Yohan |
click here to view more gift wrapping photos (Take a look! You will be glad you did!)
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The Power of the Table
article submitted by Rev. Donna Gunter, Ray of Hope Christian Church | |
I thoroughly enjoyed the Women's Ministries worship service and brunch on December 3. It was an opportunity to worship and fellowship with our sisters from another denomination and culture. It was a very warm and loving environment. I felt well received. The word for the day I felt was right on time. The pun on investments and dividends was very clever and timely in view of the country's economic situation. It gave me pause to think about what am I truly investing in the Kingdom and what am I experiencing/receiving based on my investment. This year has been a very interesting one for me in which I feel that I laid it all on the line, so listening to Rev. Brown-Terrell's words prompted my heart to rejoice in what I have committed unto God.
The Lord's Supper was also very refreshing in how it was introduced and celebrated. I don't get to take Communion by intinction very often. I always find celebrating it in this way very touching and inspirational. Ending in the circle reminded me of an early Ray of Hope tradition that always made me feel like part of a family. I felt this same way joined with all the women in the service.
I fully enjoyed my table mates at the brunch. I learned so much about each of them in the short time that we shared together. I also learned a lot about the work that Sandy Springs Women's Ministries is involved in. The atmosphere was one of inquisitiveness and openness. I was awed by the talent of KnightSong and enjoyed their musical selection. All in all it was a great day. I definitely felt like the Lord was near. I look forward to participating again next year.
top row: Women were served by men of the church; Torbert crew preparing brunch
bottom row: Brunch fellowship and entertainment by KnightSong
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International Dining Group: Open Invitation
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One of the successful small groups at Sandy Springs Christian Church is the International Dining Group - which is not a traditional close knit small group with an exclusive membership. It is open to any (church members or not) who want to explore the many international food options available in metro Atlanta. We meet once each month except in December. Attendance is open to any who are free on that date who would like to join us. Many of our restaurant choices are very close to the church, but some are as much as a half hour drive from SSCC. We even went to Jasper once. In nearly every case - the restaurant we visit has been visited in the past by various participants, or friends, who have given positive feedback.
Each month, an open invitation is issued in the Chalice Chat which identifies the particular restaurant for the month and the time we will be there. Unlike many small groups - International Dining is a drop in/drop out type of group. We have had from two to eighteen attend the various events. New participants are always welcome.
If you would enjoy receiving our monthly e-mail invitations (sent just before the same information appears in Chalice Chat) or if you have any questions - please call Milt Hill at 770/926-0131 or e-mail milthill@comcast.net
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Christmas Card Tree Fundraiser: Thank You! | |
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Christmas Card Tree fundraiser. The following people submitted their cards as of 12/18 and want to send their wishes to the entire Sandy Springs Christian Church family. Please take a moment to stop by the tree in the Centrum to see the greetings from your church family. If you have not submitted your card and wish to, you still can as the tree will be displayed through Sunday, January 8.
Rachel Haney
Bob and Elinor Tollman
Barb Duren
Andy Torbert and Sara Witherington
Eleanor DeLashmutt
Tony, Becky, Ryan, Zach, and Nathan Chimera
Dan, Leslie, Kaitlin, Ryan, and Megan Kahrs
Bryant, Nancy, Molly, and Doug McDaniel
Paul and Pat Kapphahn
Linda and Whit Whitmire
Marilyn and Jim Torbert
Al and Joanne Burgess
Den and Julie Sanford
Charlotte and Floyd Hale
Linda Bridges
Scott, Chris, Stuart, and Caroline Dalton
Eleanor Wood
Gary and Elizabeth Peterson
Richard and Ann Walker and family
Woody and Nan Woods
Again, thanks to all for your support of the Mexico Mission Trip and have a very Merry Christmas!
Love,
Andy Torbert
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ThirdAgers Lunch and Learn Series Begins January 23, 2012
Shelton Blackburn | |
ThirdAgers!!!
Keep your mind sharp! Keep learning! Meet new friends! Have fun!
Who: ThirdAgers (everyone age 50 and up)
What: Lunch 'N Learn
When: Eight Mondays, January 23 - March 12, 2012
Where: Dunwoody United Methodist Church
Times: Various - classes are scheduled between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM
Class Topics: The Fitness Club, The Trail of Tears, Potpourri, Reimagining Broadway, Great Decisions 2012, Divas and Destiny, Ireland and the Irish, The Faith Club (a book review), Shakespeare, Bridge and Mahjongg
Costs and other details: $40 covers one or multiple classes; visit the PALS web site: http://www.palsonline.org or see the bright "hot pink" PALS brochure located in the Centrum on the credenza next to the ThirdAgers sign-up book. Lunch for the eight weeks is optional and costs $56.
Deadline: January 15
SSCC Contact: Shelton Blackburn, shblackb@comcast.net. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it, or call 770-977-2970.
PALS is a nonprofit, interfaith organization for persons 50 and older in Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, Norcross and neighboring areas of Metropolitan Atlanta. PALS is a volunteer organization sponsored by religious and civic groups, and by businesses. Earlier this year, SSCC became one of the 18 PALS Affiliate Congregations.
PALS = Perimeter Adult Learning and Services
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Adult Education Notes
Bryant McDaniel, Chair, Adult Education Ministry | |
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Dr. Stan Saunders. |
Community Sunday School - January 8, 15 and 22
10:00 AM - Dunlap Hall
Continue focus on "Sustainability of the Church"
Led by Dr. Stan Saunders, Assoc. Professor of New Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary
Focus Groups resume January 29 through February 26
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Memorial Gifts | |
20 New Hymnals were given by the Memorial Committee
"In Memory and Honor of Loved Ones"
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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
JANUARY EVENTS & SPECIAL WORSHIP
Jan. 1 - New Year's Day worship service at 10 am only
Jan. 2 - Church office closed for New Year's Holiday
Jan. 16 - Danny's first office day at SSCC
Jan. 22 - Danny's first Sunday in the pulpit
Jan. 23-Mar. 2 - Eight Mondays, ThirdAgers Lunch & Learn with PALS
Jan. 27-28 - Elder Retreat at Simpsonwood
Jan. 29 - Pancake Breakfast, 8:30-11:15 am
SAVE THE DATE
Feb. 2 - SSCC to host ICJS Dinner, 5:30 pm (DH)
Feb. 4 - Candlelight Cafe, social time 6 pm; dinner 7 pm (DH)
Feb. 12 - Annual Congregational Meeting, after 11:15 am service (DH)
Feb. 22 - Lent begins - Lenten dinner 6:15 pm; Ash Wednesday service 7:00 pm; Lenten Classes
7:30 pm (1 of 6 Wednesdays)
July 8-14, 2012 Adult/Family Trip with Disciples Volunteering, Tuscaloosa, AL
Space limited to 25 people
THE DAY SCHOOL
Jan. 4 - Open Enrollment begins; classes begin
Jan. 10 - Tuesday Zumba Class resumes, 9:15-10:30 am (DH)
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 5th 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) Middle School and High School
Early Risers, 8:15 am (Room 202)
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| The Wellspring Contribution Guidelines |
Wellspring contributions are due on the 27th of each month, except February. February articles are due the 25th. 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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