Where do you look for God? For my money, one of the best television shows of the last decade was Joan of Arcadia, which tells the story of teenager Joan Girardi. After moving to a small town, God appears in the form of various people such as small children, teenage boys, elderly ladies, transients, passersby, etc. Joan is asked by God to perform tasks that often appear to be trivial or contrary, but always end up positively improving a larger situation. The show is a wonderful reminder that we must develop a vision to see God in all places, in every form and fashion.

If you've graduated from high school and are under 30, then you fall into the

Young Adult group here!

My name is Emily Abernathy and I'm the Young Adult Ministries Intern. I'm here this summer to coordinate activities and get young people more involved in Sandy Springs. We're going to go to dinners out on the town, lunch after church, Braves games, movies, and we're even going to have a retreat! I'm extremely excited to build relationships and community with you this summer. I can't wait to hear what God's been doing in your life and how you've been changing.

If you're slightly older or younger but know people in this age group that will be in the Atlanta area this summer, please let me know their names!  While I'm still garnering support I'm meeting people for lunches and breakfasts all over metro Atlanta. I'd love to meet with you or your 20 something. This is not limited to SSCC members or people who have been here in the past, so send along the names of anyone in that age group that comes to mind! You can email me at Emily@SandySpringsCC.org or add me on Facebook.

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The Memorial Committee acknowledges with appreciation your gifts

IN MEMORY OF:

     Bob Roper                  by:  Mike Crowe

                                              Gordon and Monalea Dalrymple

                                              Jeanne Kostluk

                                              David Murphy

                                              Katherine Pierce

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Over the past twelve months, a dedicated group of volunteers representing Sandy Springs Christian Church and Campbell-Stone Retirement Communities have gathered regularly to plan recognition of Monalea and Gordon.  The efforts of this group have been realized in two very special tributes which honor the Dalrymple's commitment and dedication to the church, Campbell-Stone, and the many other organizations for which they have served.

A Service of Naming and Dedication

The first tribute was the naming of the chapel at Campbell-Stone Sandy Springs as the Monalea and Gordon Dalrymple Chapel.  This private service for the Dalrymple family and a limited number of Campbell-Stone representatives was held on August 6, 2011. The service, one of celebration and gratitude, included the installation of a permanent plaque which will forever commemorate the commitment of faith that Monalea and Gordon have given to the church and especially to Campbell-Stone.

A Time to Reminisce

The second tribute is a "Book of Memories and Stories" documenting the Dalrymple's long and active presence in our lives.  Stories, letters, photos, and other memorabilia shared by friends and family are included that point to the breadth of their activities and contributions over the years. Nan Woods, Ray "Woody" Woods and I presented this book to Monalea and Gordon at their home on May 16.  We had an amazing visit with Gordon and Monalea.  Their son Tim was at the house and was able to join us for the presentation.  Laughter and even a few tears were shared as stories were told and Monalea and Gordon flipped through the pages of the book we presented.  Since the full "Dalrymple Recognition Committee" was unable to be present, I tried to remember a couple of quotes from our "presentation" to the Dalrymples.  While they may not be verbatim, I think I am capturing the essence of some comments shared . . .

-  "The relationships we have developed through our work with the church are incredible.  You don't

   always realize how significant those relationships are while they are being developed.  It is at times

   of celebration or challenges that you truly appreciate them." - Monalea

-  Which was followed immediately by . . . "Yeah, well, I had to convert you from a Methodist first." -

   Gordon

-  Which garnered the immediate response . . . "I was Presbyterian, honey." - Monalea

-  "The committee was quite amazing. A great gathering of some very impressive minds." - Tim

-  "Words cannot express our gratitude for this recognition.  We are overwhelmed." - Monalea

We had books printed for each of the Campbell-Stone libraries and a book for Sandy Springs Christian Church. When you are visiting Campbell-Stone or the church, I encourage you to take a moment to flip through the pages yourself.  It was an honor for me to participate in these tributes to Monalea and Gordon.  I would like to thank the members of the committee who made it all possible: Pat Pepper, our Committee Chair, Linda Whitmire, Barb Duren, Jim Torbert, Jerry Loyd, Shelton Blackburn, Susan Shows, Terry Baker, Tim Dalrymple and Nan Woods.

Monalea & Gordon with Ray Woods, Nan Woods and Cliff Pepper

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Vatsala with Floyd Hale

Sandy Springs Christian Church was honored by a visit from Vatsala Vijayakumar, the principal of the Kings Matriculation School associated with Family Village Farm (FVF) in southern India. She gave two presentations and those attending really enjoyed learning more about the school and FVF.  We learned that the Family Village Farm was started in 1969 by an American missionary doing medical work in the area. Struck by the number of orphans, Dr. Pauline King took several orphans into her own home, which became what is now known as The Family Village Farm. There are currently 173 orphans living there in one room homes housing three generations of women and children. The women are generally homeless women who become housemothers in exchange for a place to live.

Dr. King wanted "her" children educated in English so they would eventually be prepared to take the highly competitive advanced exams for higher education. She started The King's Matriculation School (KMS) which is now two schools, one for lower grades and one for higher secondary studies. An English education is highly desired and now children from 32 neighboring villages pay a nominal fee to attend KMS along with all the children from the Family Village Farm. Currently, 736 students are enrolled with a staff of 26. Most of the students are from illiterate, destitute families that have historically lived off the land and farmed, but the last ten years of failed monsoons has resulted in almost no water in the area.

The question and answer period revealed fascinating but often devastating information about life in the area. Vatsala shared several horrifying stories of orphans found in trash bins and one 6-month-old found abandoned in the middle of the road one night. Suicide, abandonment, and domestic homicides are very common resulting in a growing number of orphans needing the Family Village Farm. She also shared about the high percentage (approximately 98%) of arranged marriages in rural India and talked candidly about the caste system. In two hour-long presentations, Vatsala opened our eyes to life in Kasam, India and revealed a compassionate, successful Christian program of education and love that is transforming lives for many destitute people. The past two years, 100% of the students passed and most with honors! Thanks to all who attended and to Vatsala for her informative and honest presentation.

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Offerings collected in the adult Sunday School classes during one quarter each year are sent to Global Ministries to sponsor two children at the King's Matriculation School associated with the Family Village Farm in Kasam, Vellore, India.

Click here to read the latest letters from Karthikeyan and Tamilarasi.

You are encouraged to write to the children at the following address:

Ms. Vatsala Vijayakumar, Family Village Farm

Kasam - Ktpadi, Vellore 632 007

N.S. Dist. India

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I have a brother-in-law who is very clever and financially savvy, so you can guess to whom we turn for financial advice. He is a big supporter of his college alma mater. Several years ago he moved close to it and now enjoys all the joys of being nearby, especially the athletics. I don't have any idea how much he gives annually to the school, but I do know that he as made sure that it will be remembered generously upon his death. He has made provisions for an institution that gave him memories, a career, and a team to support in good times and bad. He is clever, indeed, because he deferred this gift until his death. Bruce and I have made sure that a gift will be given to an institution that has given us much more than good football: this church. SSCC has given us friends, grace, and faith. We are grateful.

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Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make sandwiches on May 20.  Sandwich Making is a quarterly event at SSCC where 600 sandwiches are made and delivered to MUST Ministries.  It's always a time of fellowship and reaching out.  Special thanks to Nancy McDaniel, Greg Peterson, Nancy & Bob Trusty, and Mary Robeck who buy the sandwich supplies and make arrangements for the delivery of sandwiches.

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Rev. Dr. Glen Miles, senior minister of Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, MO, has been elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors of the Christian Church Foundation. His term will start in 2013.

"Glen is a devoted servant of the church and brings with him a deep and broad understanding of what congregations need to carry out their witness," said Foundation President Gary W. Kidwell. "His expertise and deep personal faith are a tremendous gift to the Foundation and the whole church. I look forward to serving with an outstanding Christian leader."

Before his ministry at Country Club Christian Church, Dr. Miles served congregations in Georgia, California and Tennessee.

The Christian Church Foundation, based in Indianapolis, is a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) devoted to helping Disciples undergird the witness of the church through planned gifts, permanent funds and prudent institutional investing. As the start of 2012, the Foundation was responsible for $434.2 million of the church's money, including more than $117 million in permanent fund and donor-advised accounts.

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