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CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 5 No. 3 January 24, 2013

The Chalice

A Grand Pilgrimage
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
In the book, From Nomads to Pilgrims, Diana Butler Bass, one of the editors, writes: Being a tourist means experiencing something new; being a pilgrim means becoming someone new. Pilgrimages go somewhere Knowing the people of this congregation, we long to be on the pilgrimage God has for us. So, what does it look like? Thanks to two years of patient discovery and several months of spiritual discernment, we are about to find out; for a future story, based on your input from RE:new 2011 and the prayer triads of 2012, is taking shape. Then, the organizational design and structure necessary for telling that story will begin to emerge. So, it is an exciting time for us. And yet, the unexpected, unwanted, departure of three invaluable partners in ministryGreg and Julie Bunton, and Shelley Reganso overwhelm us that we have difficulty seeing this time as exciting. But the truth is, their departure makes embracing this new storythis new pilgrimageall that much more important. We must remind ourselves that we are Gods people and that just as God has moved in their lives with a divine call, so God moves in ours. While we transition then from who we are today and that which we do well, to someone and something even more grand, we who are staff need your patience. For a significant period of time, probably through the summer, we are going to being very short handed. So, please make every effort to plan and schedule aheadmeetings, gatherings, celebrations, program support,

etc., etc. Use the hub, the new church management software you heard about last Sunday. It is a wonderful tool and will facilitate greatly your requests while reducing staff workload. While Chris and I both have a passion for pastoral care, please know that our time is often going to be very limited. Much of what we like to do, just wont be possible. But thankfully, we have a wonderful core of elders.They too have a call from God and a passion for caring and serving. So they will join with us in this new pilgrimage and in meeting as many of your compassion needs as possible. Thanks to the work of your Personnel Committee, several other arrangements have been made to help sustain our ministries until that future story is told, embraced, and affirmed by you. Then, the strategy that emerges from that story will help determine organizational and staff needs for the next 5-7 years. So, please be patient. Pray. And look forward to a grand, new pilgrimage with our Lord. Amen.

Sharing Compassion - A 40 Day Journey


By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister experience Good Friday and the difficulties we have in our lives. Lent acknowledges those time in our lives. Our Lenten journey is about to begin. This year Easter comes early, on March 31. So the first Sunday of Lent is Feb. 17, which is also the Sunday that Disciples worldwide hold their annual Week of Compassion offering. Week of Compassion is the outreach arm of the Disciples church that responds to disasters, emergencies and provides relief for ravaged areas of our planet. For instance, after Hurricane Sandy devastated the East Coast, your contribution to WOC was already at work. We didnt have to take up a special offering to respond in a timely fashion, it had already been done. This year we are expanding our Week of Compassion into 40 Days of Compassion. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13 (and the start of Lent) we will highlight an outreach ministry of our church each day for the 40 days of Lent. Week of Compassion continued on page two

Lent, as you may recall, is the 40 day period before Easter. In the history of the church it has been a time of reflection, penitence and self-denial. A preparation for the miracle of Easter. To truly celebrate Easter, it is important to

continued from page one

will be a part of our journey, but we will also lift up many other meaningful ministries in which our church is involved. We are developing a calendar highlighting the outreach effort of the day and then providing an opportunity for all in our church to participate in these projects. Projects will include Habitat for Humanity, Breakfast on Boulevard, Whiz

Kids, Refuge Fellowship, Hope Center, Peppers Ranch and volunteering for our Child Care Center and working at Bradford Village. Well also have some educational nights, with movies, books, and a coffee tasting. Well learn to make rain barrels and how we can help develop safe water systems for many who dont have access to safe water. At the end of our journey well have an all-church celebration, lifting up all of these wonderful outreach events. At this celebration we want to raise money for the Week of Compassions Circle of Compassion. This is a program to endow the WOC so that all of their administrative costs are covered by the endowment, allowing 100% of all donations to go directly to helping those in need. What a blessing! Our goal is

to raise $10,000 for this worthy cause. The challenge has gone out to Disciple churches nationwide and WOC needs only 100 churches to participate to raise this goal. Three other Oklahoma churches are raising funds, so we want to be a part of this drive. We will have more details available on the various projects beginning next week. On Sunday, February 3 we will be sign-ups for the 40 Days projects. So be on the lookout for more information and be sure to be here on Sunday, Feb. 17 as Johnny Wray, former director of WOC and currently its development head, comes to speak at all of our services. And be ready to lend a hand during our 40 days!

Making it easier to communicate and connect with one another.


Are you in the hub yet? In an effort to improve church communication, last Sunday First Christian invited all members to join the hub, our new online tool which allows you to securely connect, encourage and communicate. One of the features within the hub is secure access to your giving records, anytime - anywhere. the hub offers controlled access to your personal giving statement, instead of emailed PDFs as attachments. You can access your giving statement by logging in to your profile. Once logged in, follow these steps to view and print your giving statement for 2012: n Click Giving Statement n Choose Last Year from the Quick Date Range pulldown n Select Deductible Only n Click create If you have any questions about your giving statement, please contact Karla Mahan at kmahan@fccedmond.org or 341-3544. If you have not yet signed up to join the hub, you will need to login first in order to have access to view and print your giving statement. If you need to sign up, follow these steps to join: n Click the hub logo from the church website, www.fccedmond.org n At the login screen, click Sign Up n Complete your name and email fields n Click submit You will receive a login activation email with your new username and a link where you can login. If you have any questions about using the hub, please email us at hub@fccedmond.org So, we encourage you to join your FCC friends today - get in the hub!

View and Update Stay Connected

your personal records with others in your groups, see your groups calendar, and more

Send Messages

extend class conversations beyond Sunday! communicate with groups! through email, texts, to other members of the Hub

Sign up and pay Give

for events and classes automate recurring gifts, make one time gifts, and view and download your financial statements

Prayers of the People


OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Gayle Jones (Jennifer Cains mom), Mercy THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Ed Berry, Dale Wehr (Connie LaRues brother), Jean Troutman (Carol Sterlings mom), Justin Bilbrey (Kaci Taylors brother), Dr. Henry Pearce, Loree Rice, Tom Cowling, Samantha Branscum (Michelle Fritzs sister), Joan Grant, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Lori Snider (Loretta Parks daughter), Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Bill & Mary Lou Womble OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO Phyllis Jarrett in the death of her daughter, Carol Jarrett, on January 16. Services were held January 21 in Tulsa AND TO Larry & Loretta Dodd in the death of Larrys mother, Betty Jo Gardiner, on January 15. Service were held January 19 at the First Christian Church in Stinnett, TX AND TO Gladys Dronberger in the death of her uncle, Ray Barrett on January 14. Services were held January 19 in Tulsa AND TO Mack & Sandy Mitchell on the death of Macks dad, Dwight McCree, Jr., on January 19. Services were held on January 22 in Maryland.

Happy Birthday!
1/27 Jon Puryear, Lauren Neundorf, Sid Groom 1/28 Paula Bailey, Charles Stout 1/29 Emily Marsh, Sam Roberts 1/30 Tracy Hastings, Patsy Corrigan 1/31 Kyle Polk, Doyle OHagan, Dian Sill, Carl Hutton 2/1 Jennifer Schmitz, Tom Noles, Channing Crull 2/2 Callie Schmitz, Dylan Cummings 2/3 Luke Wilkinson, Larry Griffin, Hayden Fuller, Lucas Peterson, Avery Hendricks, Kingsley Sutch

Since 2004 our church has participated in a nationwide effort to end hunger in the United States - the SOUPer Bowl of Caring. That first year we collected $156. In 2010, we collected $1,429. Most of this in $1 donations. Our nine year total is $7,260. The best part is 100% of money collected is for our own food ministry, Breakfast on Boulevard. So look for the soup pots on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, and give generously to help tackle hunger!
Hosted by Cornerstone Sunday School Class. Questions? Contact Kelly VanOsdol 341-0922.

Last Weekend to Order Subs for the Super Bowl!

Spring Womens Connections Bible Study


Studying Nehemiah: A Heart That God Can Break by Kelly Minter
Classes offered Monday evenings at 7 pm beginning February 11 and Thursday mornings at 9:30 am beginning February 14. Books are $16 and available in the Pastoral Office or at the introductory classes. For more information, please contact Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 or Tana Stufflebean at 341-4742.

Are you having a Superbowl Party? Just watching the game at home alone? Either way, the youth of FCC can provide a tasty meal to enjoy during the game! From now until February 3, students will be taking orders for 6-inch submarine sandwiches for $6 a piece, available for pick up the morning of the BIG Game. Stop by the rotunda on Sunday morning to place your order and sandwich preference. Choose from ham, turkey, roast beef, cheese and all the fixings! Included with your sub - a bag of chips, a canned soda, and a delicious homemade brownie! Proceeds from the sale will support ongoing youth mission trips and activities. You can also order online at www.fccedmond.org/ subsales or stop by the church during the week day.

Leadership Training School 2013 Set for Feb. 2nd


This annual ministry of your Regional Church will be held at First Christian Church in Oklahoma City on Saturday, February 2nd from 8:30am-12:45 pm. Two 1 hour sessions of classes will be offered on a wide variety of topics. Dr. Richard F. Ward, Fred B. Craddock Associate Professor of Homiletics and Worship at Phillips Theological Seminary will speak during opening worship and teach two classes. For more information and a complete listing of classes and class leaders, visit the Regional Church website, www.okdisciples.org/lts or call 405.528.3577.

Pastoral Relations Committees


What and Who Are They?

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
January 27, 2013

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Luke 4:14-21

For several years now we have had Pastoral Relations Committees (PRCs) functioning for each member of our pastoral staff. The number of committees has grown to four currently supporting our Sr. Minister, Associate Minister, Youth Minister and Director of Childrens Ministry (see below). Each committee provides feedback on such things as the worship experience and communications regarding programs of all our ministries, but the main focus is to meet monthly to provide support for Chris Shorow, Jerry Black, Greg Bunton, and Michelle Fritz as they provide leadership for our church. Each committee meets monthly to share joys, short-term and long-term visions, issues and concerns. Please feel free to visit with any of the members of the committees (listed below) to share any affirmations or concerns related to the ministry of any of these leaders. And we ask for your prayers as these committees continue to provide support to our ministers and their families. Any related questions may be directed to Greg Hall (388-7344) or Robbi Kinnaird (590-8852).

February 3, 2013

Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

The Chalice CONNECTION


Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

Sr. Minister PRC Jenny Wiechmann (Moderator) Greg Hall Kay Sullins Craig Adkins Janet Helms Frank Gresh Associate Minister PRC Marcy Williams (Moderator) Billy Harrison Shirley Brown Don DeSpain Linda Hall Brian Cavanaugh

Youth Minister PRC Jennifer Cain (Moderator) Clint Stone Tim Clark Sue Archer Jack Smith Brenda Wood Childrens Ministry Director PRC Kelly VanOsdol (Moderator) Desi Stout Bill Medley Suzann Allison James Larrison Mady Cummins

(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Years Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

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