Seventeen years ago, I was a freshman on the very first SSCC Youth Mexico Mission Trip. My experiences on that trip were so life-changing that I sit here after having participated in 11 SSCC Mexico Mission Trips. You might think that after 11 years, one could become numb to the life-changing effects of the trip. However, I still feel as strongly as I did that first year the calling that God places upon us in this trip. It is impossible to go on the Mexico Mission trip and not feel God rearranging your priorities.   We had a very successful 2012 Mexico Mission Trip in which we built a home for the Hernandez Reyes family.   All of our youth had a great time, and we all felt God's Grace alive within us, and amongst us.

Mexico Celebration Sunday was one of the best ever. Our youth and sponsors gave an emotional description of their experiences on the trip, including where each saw God on the trip. As youth sponsor Teresa Bensch explained, you can hear about the trip for years and years, but the experience of being on the trip exceeds what one could have possibly expected. I cannot thank you, the SSCC family, enough for your support of the Mexico Mission Trip. We have truly changed lives on both sides of the border for 17 years because of your support. God calls us to witness, love, and serve, from our doorsteps to the ends of the Earth. The Mexico trip is the personification of that Disciples Affirmation. Thank you again for your support!

God loves you all and so do I,

Andy Torbert 

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Have you been watching the vegetables grow at SSCC in our Grace Garden? Our six garden beds produced a wonderful fall and winter garden harvest - 5 pounds of carrots, 11 pounds of broccoli and 80 pounds of collard greens! All of this produce was delivered to the Community Assistance Center on a weekly basis from November to April. Individual packages were labeled as being from SSCC. The fresh food was much appreciated by the CAC and by the families receiving food.

In order to publicize our Grace Garden Ministry, a sign will be installed next to the gardens to let all visitors, members and parents of The Day School know that we are growing produce for the CAC.

It is now time to prepare and plant our spring and summer gardens. We will be growing tomatoes, carrots, green beans, cucumbers, and other vegetables. The PAC children will be planting one garden and The Day School children will assist in planting another garden.

If you would like to help pick the produce as it ripens, please let me know. Our Grace Garden can always use some extra hands!

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Christopher McDougall wrote a book last year entitled Born to Run. Even if you are not a runner (or you think you are a runner like me), it is well worth the read. He examines a tribe of people living in Mexico who routinely run 50 miles per day barefoot and on some of the most rugged terrain in all of North America. He wonders how it is that they can run this way and this far while most people can barely finish a mile.  He does some research and comes up with a theory. In the ancient days, most people had to do some form of hunting and gathering. If a person was chasing an animal, there was no way that a human could outrun most animals for speed. They would simply run until the animal could no longer run because a human being was built for endurance rather than speed. His conclusion is that everyone is equipped to run a marathon.

Now, I don't want to challenge each of us to run a marathon, but there is an important point here. We are created with the capability to do far more than we ever imagined. Scripture is full of stories about people and communities who said, "We can't do that." God has a bigger vision, and far more trust in their gifts than they do. God has equipped and empowered us in far greater ways than we are willing to admit. Maybe there is some fear around being the person or the church that God has created us to be. God has placed trust in us, in our gifts, to make the world the place that God dreams for it to be. This is good news, news that we should trust and for which we are grateful. Marianne Williamson once wrote, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world."

Grace and peace to you,

Emily Abernathy

We welcome Emily Abernathy to our staff as Young Adult Ministries Intern. Emily will be serving with us beginning May 14 until July 27. Her role will help us to more intentionally develop a culture that is welcoming to those 18-29 years old. Her role lives into our Connections vision, "engaging new generations in the life of the church." 

Emily is a student at Georgia Tech and is heavily involved in campus ministry at Georgia Tech. She grew up at Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, and participated in youth ministry and the Mexico Mission trip at SSCC while in high school. Emily currently serves with SSCC as a youth sponsor. We look forward to Emily's ministry and contributions to SSCC. 
  

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The Memorial Committee acknowledges with appreciation your gift.

IN HONOR OF:

   Sid & Kathy Elliott                       By: John & Patricia Van House      December 2011

IN MEMORY OF:

   Marjorie Buchanan                       By: Nancy & Bryant McDaniel       July 2011

   (addition to previous gifts)

   Lyn Crowe                                   By: Paul & Pat Kapphahn             March 2012

   (additions to previous gifts)                   Denise A. Malayeri 

   Steve Frost                                 By: Chris & Scott Dalton               March 2012

   Jo Henry                                     By: Sid & Kathy Elliott                  March 2012

                                                           Rev. Linda Whitmire                

                                                          Jim & Marilyn Torbert               

   Bob Roper                                  BY: Gifts from Friends                   March 2012

                                                           Dawna Abel

                                                           JoAnn Baright

                                                           Marjorie & Stuart Bolen

                                                           Bud Carter & Kay Copilvitz

                                                           Susan Cunnold

                                                           Chris & Scott Dalton

                                                           Martha & John Dalton

                                                           June Dickerson

                                                           Joseph Drummond

                                                           Barbara Duren

                                                           Judy Edwards

                                                           Kathy & Sid Elliott

                                                           Joe & Betty Fowlkes

                                                           Naomi Harpwe

                                                           Dirk Huttenbach

                                                           Mickey Johnston

                                                           Carl G. Justus

                                                           Paul & Pat Kapphahn

                                                           Nancy & Bryant McDaniel

                                                           Frances McMahon

                                                           Christina Powers

                                                           Marlene Rhine

                                                           Roger & Rose Rupnow

                                                           AliceSaunders   

                                                           Nancy Schrage

                                                           Jim & Marilyn Torbert

                                                           Bob & Nancy Trusty

                                                           J. M. Wampler

                                                           Rev. Linda Whitmire

                                                           Elizabeth Zumwalt

                                                           Ray & Nan Woods                     April 2012

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It is sobering, humbling, to remember that two who chose to include the church in their wills have now left us in death. How do you say good-bye to a Bob Roper or a Connie Cannon? I don't think I shall ever be quite ready to do that! Nor did they want to leave us. Yet the decision they made to be Legacy Builders for Christ at SSCC now becomes a living way they ARE an on-going part of who we are and who we are called to become. In some strange way, that comforts me, encourages me in the decisions I make related to how I give and why I give to my church.

It was Bob who helped me begin to take my stewardship seriously through a devotion he gave at Elders over 30 years ago. He shared that often the struggle to cover all the bills and still write that check to the church was challenging. Often the budget just didn't stretch to cover everything. Then one day, something caught his heart's attention and he realized he and Claire were doing it wrong. The check to the church became the first to be written and somehow, when the commitment to Christ through SSCC took first priority, all else fell in place. His confession, his wisdom, began my growth in how I have come to consider my own giving beyond self.

And Connie, dear Connie... so generous with her time and energy for all things church and more. When I first met with the elders two years ago to ask their consideration of being Legacy Builders in getting this ministry off and running, Connie leaned over and whispered that a tithe of all that remained at her death was already in her will for SSCC. With such simple and total commitment to what she believed, she became that humble witness for that to which we are all called in putting the love of God first in our lives, even the culmination of them.

How do we say good-bye to a Bob Roper or a Connie Cannon? Not easily! Everything within me wants to say, "Not yet, O Lord. Not yet". Yet, death keeps its own schedule and once again a good-bye is required. So, we shall say good-bye to Connie as we were required to say to Bob. Good-bye with gratitude for all of them that lives on in us and in the church we have shared with them. Good-bye with humility that their choices will continue to bless this church and all those who in God's future will be touched by what is done in and through Sandy Springs Christian Church in Christ's name. Thank you, Bob and Connie. Thank you for your love, your lives, your legacy. Thank you for being our friends.

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Five grownups and 11 kids gathered for our April Earth Day PAC (Peaceable Adventurers Club) meeting on April 29.  We worked hard for an hour and a half planting two redbuds on the church grounds, filling one of the church garden beds with beans, okra, and tomatoes, and planting basil seeds in pots to grow at home.  Then we shared sandwiches and drinks on the church grounds.  We had a great time of fellowship, picnicing, and getting dirty for God!!  Thanks to everyone who came and played in the dirt with us.

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A festive celebration was held on Saturday, April 21, hosted by Women's Ministries/Christian Women's Fellowship. A luncheon was held to honor and thank the volunteers of the Corner Shop at Campbell Stone Sandy Springs. The Campbell Stone residents are Ceil Fineman, Cora Shiffer, Dot Green, Dorothy Carter, Edna Nickles, Hope Beasley, Joan Greer, Judi Joly, Louise Markum, Martha Williams, Nancy Wilson, Pat Boyle, Ruth Carte, Sue Leverette and Treva Bridge. Volunteers from SSCC are Alice Villa, Ann Walker, Bert Blackburn, Nancy Trusty, Beth Eggleston, Dawna Abel, Elinor Tollman, Florene Fowler, Martha Dalton, Merilyn Dimmitt and Barb Duren.

Special certificates of appreciation were given to three volunteers with over ten years of service to the Shop:  Dorothy Carter, Ceil Fineman and Cora Shiffer.

The focus of the day was on the Shop and Campbell Stone Sandy Springs. Todd Barcroft, Administrator of Campbell Stone Sandy Springs, was our speaker. His wife, Terry, was a special guest. Todd's talk was informative and interesting. He spoke of the value of the Shop to residents--a place to shop for necessities, greeting cards and gifts without leaving the building (very convenient for those who do not drive). He explained the purpose and guidelines for the Fellowship of John and gave history on Campbell Stone becoming one of the first HUD facilities.

The primary purpose of the Shop is to serve the needs of the residents, although anyone is welcome to shop there and take advantage of the low prices. Women's Ministries/CWF benefits by having the proceeds of the Shop to use for service projects, including Campbell Stone Sandy Springs, the Community Assistance Center, the Youth Mexico Mission Trip, and others.

Following the guest speaker, Becky and Courtney Strickland sang "Shall We Gather at the River" in memory of Connie Cannon, our friend and Co-President of Women's Ministries/Christian Women's Fellowship.  Becky and Courtney then sang show tunes, letting guests test their memories by identifying the shows the songs were from.

Lunch provided by the SSCC women was then enjoyed by all, with lots of fellowship.

Thanks to all who made this a special day!

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