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July 6, 2017
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
Memphis, TN 38104
901-278-6786
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CONGRATULATIONS & BLESSINGS to
Jamilyn & Angela Cole
Married at First Congo on Saturday, July 1st!
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We worship on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
We Believe
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- That God created the world, and that every single one of us has good work to do in life.
- Our "good work" has to do with living in ways that reflect God's agenda of love, joy, compassion and hope for the world and all its creatures, even in the midst of struggle.
- Jesus showed us how to do this. He had radical trust in the Goodness of God and our ability to share God's agenda of life for the world. We can have this trust and share this agenda too, by following in his way.
- We feel more alive when we're living from our sense of connection - with God, with each other, and with life itself.
Photos above from our National UCC Synod 2017 meeting.
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Notes from our Pastors:
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 I want to share with you that we have a transition coming in our Food Justice ministries! I was sad to receive Mark Ratay's letter of resignation last week. Mark has brought wonderful leadership and energy to our food ministries since he stepped into this position and we are extraordinarily grateful for his service to our congregation and the wider community!
I can't let myself be too disappointed, though, because Mark will be moving into work that he's trained for and is much needed. Mark is an attorney and in response to a great need in our area for more attorneys to help with immigration issues, he will be opening his practice to do just that. It is exciting to think of the new ways he will be serving at a time when there is such need among the immigrant community.
Mark will be with us until July 28th, so we'll have time to say "thanks" and wish him well in his new calling.
 I am happy to report that Steph Rollen will be taking over staff leadership of our Food Justice ministries at that time! We know Steph from her work on so many projects around the church. She is a professional cook and caterer and has been dedicated to the work of our food justice ministries for years now. She and Mark will have time to work together this month to bring about a smooth transition, and I know that her gifts will serve us well. We're keeping them both in our hearts and prayers during this time of transition!
Blessings,
Dear First Congo Family and Friends,
The party's over, it's time to call it a fight!
I got rid of my chemo pump Monday, but Tuesday I had a tongue infection that almost shut me down from talking. Imagine that! Thank God, my medical oncologist responded quickly, sent me flying to the pharmacy Wednesday, and Janet drenched me in all kinds of brews and remedies to strengthen my immune system. It was also the day I was awarded my ONCOLOGY Patient Parking Permit. A handicapped placard won't hack it. THIS is the real deal!
Wednesday also had heartwarming highlights. We reinstituted the Reflection Time before serving lunch in Café Congo, on the day we reopened The Hub with our newly tiled floor. We have five creative, spiritually centered volunteers for each day, and Carrie Moore Black is coordinating that schedule. Guests, volunteers and staff were very receptive. After introducing the change, I dashed to radiation.
The premium moment was visiting with the Confirmation students to explain why I needed to leave early, and participate sporadically. Kara Bartlett-Prescott and Dominic Holmes-Haught were absolutely in tune and on point from my first sentence. I had an opportunity to say I have treasured them personally and their families a long time; witnessing this chapter in their personal relationship with God brings deep joy to me. Thanks for that window, Pastor Cheryl. 
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Adult Forums
Sund
ays at 9:45 a.m. in Classroom B
You're invited each Sunday to pick up a cup of coffee and walk around the corner to join our Adult Forums! If you have young children, our Nursery for babies & toddlers and Sunday School for Elementary ages begins also at 9:45 in the rooms next door!
On Tyranny
Join us for a Book Discussion with Pastor Cheryl
THIS Saturday & Next, July 8 & 15, at 10:30 am
Author, Timothy Snyder is a Holocaust scholar, and he's put his scholarship to work in a very practical way, naming plain and decisive actions that we can take to fight repression and oppression in our civic life. Most of his recommendations speak to a way of living that is conscientious and determined - making eye contact, saying "hello" to strangers, being thoughtful about language . . . As he says, "The minor choices we make are themselves a kind of vote. Our words and gestures, or their absence, count very much." This will be an important discussion during this confusing & difficult time in our history.
Newcomers Gathering
If you're new to First Congo and would like to meet our Pastors and some of our church leaders, and to learn more about this church, please plan to join us for a short meeting right after church on Sunday, July 9th, in Pastor Cheryl's office.
MISSION COUNCIL MEETING
After church NEXT Sunday in Pastor Cheryl's office
Immigration Support Meeting
Our next gathering to discuss ways we can be supportive of the Immigrant community will be on Wednesday, July 12th, at 6:00 pm at Caritas Village, 2322 North Merton.
Summer Trivia Night
We have 5 teams registered so far! Make YOUR reservations for our ever-popular Trivia Night on Saturday, July 29th. Put together your team of six players, or register to be added to growing team by emailing replying to this newsletter or email [email protected]. The cost to play is $20 per person & bring your own snacks & beverages!
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Strength in Numbers!
Have you chosen YOUR NUMBER(s) for your Pentecost Gift this year?
In our sanctuary you'll find the large Strength-in-Numbers board, covered with small envelopes numbering 1 to 250. We're all invited to think of a number that is special to us: maybe the ages of our grandchildren, a house number for a place we loved; the date of a wedding anniversary or our parent's birthday ... and not to worry if someone else took your number - you can take several envelopes that add up to get to your total. Please put your gift of this amount in the envelope(s) and place them in the offering plate at church - or you may mail-in your gift, or even make your donation online at
www.firstcongo.com - just be sure to note "Strength-in-Numbers" so we'll know your intention.
Last year our Strength-in-Numbers added up to more than $11,000! It was such a happy birthday gift that aided our pledged gifts for supporting another year in the busy life and work of First Congo. We'll find out in August what THIS year's Strength-in-Numbers gift will be!
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This Week at First Congo:
Thanks to Lisa Gaddy, who is willing and very able to step into our Music Director spot when Dennis is away! If you'd like to enjoy last week's anthems again, just click here:
(left) How nice to see these folks in church last Sunday ... Nancy Wiers and Laura Harris with their daughter, Ari, and good friend, Steve Garcia!
(right) Another thanks to Arnie Ellison for sharing his artistic skills! He's just brought in the "old coffee table made new" that he painted to add to the new counseling room. The painting on the wall was also painted by Arnie as a memorial gift about 10 years ago.
(below) Speaking of artistic gifts, here's a group of happy art students at last week's Art Party, hosted by DaMarco Randall and our Art & Design Ministries! If you're interested learning some painting skills, watch for announcements about upcoming Art Parties!
Have you seen more and more of these signs around town? That's because we sent 30 of them out into our community through the gift of an anonymous donor, which raised over $500! Here's the one at Keith Norman's house. If you have one of these in your yard - send us a photo!
THANKS to our volunteer photographers & videographers, Mark Ratay & Roger Courts.
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Senior Pastor:
Rev. Cheryl K. Cornish
Associate Pastor:
Rev. Sonia L. Walker
Director of Mission:
Julia
Hicks
Revolutions Bicycle Co-op
Director: Sylvia Crum
Artist Intern:
Ron Marion
Minister of Music:
Dennis W. Darling
Music Ministry:
Tamar Love
Music Ministry:
Chris Burgess
Music Ministry: Lisa Gaddy
Custodian:
Bryant Wilhite
Maintenance:
Mark Allen
Events
Assistant:
Danny Grubbs
Housekeeping:
Amy Shaw
Minister of Child Care:
Kenitra Higgins
Sunday Nursery Care:
Xan Lester
Anitra Higgins
Hostel Memphis Staff
901-273-8341
Kim Kamga,
Resident Manager
Hostel Resident Advisors:
Dalton Jones
Ron Marion
Jamie Jones
Parks Dlugach
Brandon Lever
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Look what's
happening in
Our free Community Lunches are served at
Cafe Congo
on weekdays at 11:00 am till 1:00 pm.
The Food Pantry
is open on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 11am till 1pm.
The Clothes Closet
is open Tuesdays & Thursdays from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm.
If you'd like to help provide groceries - please pick up the following items that are regularly needed for our lunches:
- olive oil
- regular Ranch Salad Dressing
- stick butter
- plastic grocery bags
- milk
- yellow or white onions
- celery
- tomatoes
(right) Just today this new floor was completed in the back hallway entrance to the Hub by our cheerful tiling team - Mark, Benjamin & Tim!
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Our Food Justice Ministries for the month of July
has been gifted by Janet Todd & Fleets Hannah
in gratitude for another birthday!
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Also located in The Hub ...
Check out our
Men's Batik Shirts that are
much-loved by the men of First Congo (and beyond!!). They are all-cotton shirts, dress collar, button front with a front pocket and side slits. We sell them for $36.50 at:
GLOBAL GOODS
Fair Trade Store
OPEN on Saturdays
9am till 3pm
& after church on Sundays.
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Here's What's Coming Up ...
Thursday, July 6:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op Open Shop: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Friday, July 7:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- MAGY Meeting: 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, July 8:
- Global Goods Fair Trade Store is OPEN: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in The Hub
- "No Hungry Seniors" Food Pick-up: 9:00 am at the back entrance of The Hub
- Book Discussion with Pastor Cheryl - On Tyranny: 10:30 am in Classroom B
- Adult Forum: 9:45 in Classroom B
- Children's Sunday School: 9:45 am in Classroom D
- Nursery: Childcare is available for babies & toddlers from 9:45 till noon in Classroom C
- Coffee & Fellowship: 9:45 am till 10:30 am in the Commons
- Worship: 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary
- Children's Church: After the children's sermon, our leaders will escort the children to Classroom D for special activities. Parents may pick up their children here after worship.
- Global Goods Fair Trade Store is OPEN in the Hub after Church
- Newcomers Gathering: After church in Pastor Cheryl's office
- Open Shop in Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00am - 1:00 pm
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op Open Shop: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Tuesday, July 11:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00am - 1:00pm
- Tuesday Evening Prayer: 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, July 12:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Vocal Choir Rehearsal:
7:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Thursday, July 13:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op Open Shop: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
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Saturday, September 16th
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Taste of Cooper Young
Thursday, October 5th
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First Congregational Leadership 2017:
Officers:
    
Moderator, Co-Moderator, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer,
Teddy Crum Kevin Williams Angela Richards Joe Pfeiffer Bill Tupis
Committee Chairs:
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