There is a tremendous difference between the word sympathy and the word empathy. To "walk in another's shoes," or show empathy, is easier said than done.  I always assumed I was exhibiting the qualities of empathy until we stepped foot into Samantha and Jason's home in Rattlesnake Ridge for the first time. I now realize, I still have a lot of learning to do.

Samantha is my age. She is a 26-year-old mother of three with dark brown hair and glasses who immediately took control of the work site, and was not shy about declaring what she believed needed to be completed in her home. Her kind but determined attitude towards restructuring her home reminded me of the strong and beautiful women of our church who know what needs to be done and who welcome new members into their homes and lives daily. Immediately, I realized the similarities between our two worlds. She did not become someone who needed aid, but Samantha became a friend. Once I stopped perceiving the family as a group in need and started looking at them as one of my own, the walls I had unintentionally built up fell down. My first real glimpse at empathy.

Another lesson came from Barb, the woman who helps coordinate the mission trips and Community Center in Rattlesnake Ridge. She has devoted her time and energy not to one week in the Appalachian Mountains, but to a lifetime of service. Barb saw a need, made a plan, and figured the rest out as she went along. Young children have been able to sleep on a mattress and graduate from high school because of her ability to put on construction boots and walk for miles.

  

Two houses - One family

Boy, did we have a good time in VBS this year as we experienced a week of fun, fellowship, and service in God's Backyard Bible Camp.  We had 50 children in attendance who learned each day about serving family, friends, our community, and Jesus.   Our campers were watched over by 9 middle schoolers, 9 upper elementary kids, and 4 senior high schoolers who worked hard all week as counselors and junior counselors. 

We began each day in our tents in Dunlap Hall as Danny led us in prayer.  Then we were off to a day filled with cool crafts with Courtney and Chris, stupendous snacks (prepared by Rani, Florene, and Darby), great stories (told by Sharon, Lynn, Mary Michael, Katie), free play on the playground under the watchful eye of Bryant, games led by Caroline and Chris, service projects (with Barb, Mary Ann, Nancy T, Nancy M, and Bert), and of course, music with Larri!  We ended the week with a VBS water park in the morning and then reconvened in the evening for a church wide movie celebration.  Many thanks to everyone who made this year's VBS a great success!!

Please go to Sky Drive to view all the pictures from VBS!  A week to remember! 

The whole gang!!

Sandy Springs Christian Church 

is pleased to host

$30 if registered before August 15th; $40 after August 15th   

Please mark your calendars for September 13th and 14th because SSCC will be presenting a speaker you will NOT want to miss.  Her name is Nadia Bolz-Weber, founding pastor of House for All Sinners and Saints, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)---a mission church in Denver, CO.  She is considered a leading voice in the emerging church movement.

Ms. Bolz-Weber is the author of Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television, and her new book, Pastrix:  The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint, will be released days before she arrives at SSCC.  She does not look like your typical pastor, but then, her story is also not typical.  Her website states, "Heavily tattooed and no holds barred, Nadia, a former stand-up comic, sure as hell didn't consider herself to be religious leader material - until the day she ended up leading a friend's funeral in a smoky downtown comedy club."  Phylis Tickle, author of "The Great Emergence," says this about her:  "Nadia Bolz-Weber has probably done more than any other pastor in recent times to poke therapeutic fun at the misdemeanors and flaws of overly-churched Christianity and Christians.  The passion behind her words, however, is as deeply pastoral as it is God-drenched and liberating..."

If you would like to experience the magic of Nadia Bolz-Weber, watch her on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM9Y5S3UYi8.  

301 Johnson Ferry RD NW

Sandy Springs, GA  30328

www.SandySpringsChristianChurch.org

404.256.2582

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We have had an abundant crop this summer.  It is a blessing to be able to deliver fresh vegetables for the CAC clients. 

green beans                       tomatoes

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