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June 15, 2017
First Congregational
United Church of Christ
Memphis, TN 38104
901-278-6786
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Bike Camp 2017 has been a fun and busy
place for kids these past
two weeks!
See more cool photos below ...
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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.
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A Note from our Associate Pastor:
Dear First Congo Family and Friends,
Rich visits with family and friends, near and far are wonderful ways to prepare emotionally and spiritually for an unmarked journey. That's what watching Grandson William play baseball in D. C. heat, and attending Granddaughter Kendall's annual dance recital were for me last week, as each displayed new maturity and mastery. There is nothing like seeing a baby boy strut his stuff with determination, one year after birth. That was Lucas Logan each day when I arose with him and his parents. Added to that was a delightful visit with Granddaughter Erin Faith at dinner after the recital, when she asked about many of you. There were lots of laughs, hugs, and recollections shared during the visit with adults who have ties that bind us.
That kind of social and emotional support may account for celebrations we have woven into our lives like bridal and baby showers, promotion and retirement acknowledgements, and bon voyage parties for temporary or lifetime relocations. I am waiting for the chemo treatments to begin on June 26, and radiation to begin June 28. All of that may be adjusted as the medical and radiology oncologists coordinate my treatments. It's a lot like the painless part of waiting to give birth; it's really out of my control.
I'M READY! You have prepared me long before now. Walking with you through your shared challenges has given me all that I need to be courageous, cooperative, fearless, faith-filled, and surrendered. We have encouraged each other through many dangers toils and snares. It's my turn again to be IT.
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An anonymous & generous First Congo member has purchased 30 copies of this sign for 2 reasons: 1) to make them available to those who would like to share these words in their own yard, and 2) donating them as a fundraiser for the church! We'll have the signs available in the sanctuary this Sunday and you're invited to make a donation of your choice to purchase one. If we run out - we'll order more!
Adult Forums
Sund
ays at 9:45 a.m. in Classroom B
Pick up a cup of coffee and join us!
Immigrant Allies Workshop
First Congregational has an active support group for immigrants who may be facing deportation or stresses related to the deportation of others. We're partnering with folks from Binghampton to offer support. Our first training for this work takes place Saturday, June 24th at 10:00 a.m. at Caritas House (corner of Merton and Everett) for a "How to be an Ally" workshop.
CONGREGATIONAL POTLUCK
& QUARTERLY MEETING
After church on Sunday, June 25th, in the Hub
INTERSECTIONS Update
The JULY Intersections program will feature a discussion of the current historical monuments controversy led by Ms. Tami Sawyer. You can learn more about the local group, Memphians for Removal of Confederate Statues, at an open Community Meeting, TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bruce Elementary School, 581 S. Bellevue Blvd. Intersections will NOT meet in June due to the Congregational Meeting.
Summer Trivia Night
Be sure to mark your calendar and plan to attend our next Trivia Night event on Saturday, July 29th. This is a very popular fundraiser and fun evening - hosted by our fantastic Question Master, Sherrie Walker. It's not too early to form your team of six players and register by filling out your yellow sheet or emailing Julia at [email protected]. Tables are assigned in order of your registration - so if you'd like to sit up close, be sure to register early!
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This Week at First Congo:
We greatly enjoyed the warm presence and inspiring words of our long-time friend, Rev. Dr. Cozette Garrett, last Sunday! A former chaplain at Church Health Center and faculty at Memphis Theological Seminary, she currently serves at her home church, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. She's authored a newly published book,
Diamond Discoveries of a Woman Preacher: A word for female clergy and those wanting to understand them, which you can find through her website at
www.cozettegarrett.com!
Rev. Garrett was joined in worship leadership by Rev. Joe Pfeiffer, as Pastors Cheryl and Sonia were out of town. In closing her sermon, "Dominion", she gave us three take-aways: 1) God created everything good - and we have the responsibility to keep it good; 2) YOU were created good - so be good to you; 3) God made us equal - to work together - so we can share our dominion and love equally. We are grateful!
Keith Norman shared with the children a very nifty toy that his father made for him when he was a child - a pretend airplane control panel - to demonstrate how wonderfully creative we can be when we use our God-given imaginations!
(above) Here's a happy photo of our drummer, Chris Burgess, and his wife, Ruthie, and daughter, Nancy.
(above right) Carrie Moore Black served as our
layreader for responsive readings and scripture.
(left) The smiles and hugs of our greeters set the right tone each Sunday morning, like Caroline Rubenstein, who is chair of our Ushers Committee, and Robin Clochard greeting Terry Clark in the breezeway, and you can see Judy Drescher just inside the sanctuary welcoming someone to worship. THANKS to ALL of our users!
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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 Team:
Music Ministry Team:
Chris Burgess
Music Ministry Team:
Lisa Gaddy
Custodian:
Bryant Wilhite
Maintenance:
Mark Allen
Danny Grubbs
Housekeeping:
Amy Shaw
Minister of Child Care:
Kenitra Higgins
Anitra Higgins
Hostel Memphis Staff
901-273-8341
Kim Kamga,
Resident Manager
Hostel Resident Advisors:
Dalton Jones
Ron Marion
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This was a week of 34th Anniversaries!
Above is Cindy Tu
pis (w
ith Arnie Ellison - not her husband, Bill) who brought a feast of goodies for our Sunday morning coffee fellowship to celebrate Cindy & Bill's 34th Anniversary on Sunday, and below is Joel Chapman and Gary Dawson, who also celebrated their 34th this week, expressing "We have so much to be grateful for -including each other!"
 Revolution Bicycle Co-Op Director, Sylvia Crum, reports that the "Wrench & Ride Summer Camps" have been going really well ... they've been playing games, doing lots of riding and working on their bicycles. In the workshop, they've explored the ball bearings systems that allow the pedals, crank arms  and handlebars to move, and looked over each kids' bikes to see if everything is in good working order. They approached street riding like Driver's Ed for Bicycles, talking about intersections, practicing how to make right and left turns, avoiding hazards, and learning what to do when the bike lane ends. They finish up each week with a ride to Overton Park, where they check out all the bike racks, and played some games ... "Toilet Tag" is a favorite! This is an exciting partnership at First Congo and we're grateful to Sylvia, her staff and volunteers for the considerable effort it takes to create a terrific camp experience!
We're delighted to show you this newly renovated space in the church ... can you guess where it is? It's the old powder room area adjacent to the restroom behind the Sanctuary, now transformed into a pretty and very useful space: as an accessible counseling area, as a lounge for special event speakers, as a "groom's room" for weddings, and as a nice entry for those visiting the restroom during sanctuary events. Thanks to Joel Chapman, Michelle Cooper, Danny Grubbs and Rahn Marion for facilitating this improvement!
 And here's some progress photos of the beautiful new ceramic tile floor in The Hub! (above) Stephanie Stowe is still smiling on her 10th day of hard work; (above right) Mark Allen shows Keith Norman how his specially-designed heavy-table-moving-jack works; and (right) Julia Hicks demonstrates how easy it is to move a table with this gizmo ... even with Mark resting on top of it!
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Strength in Numbers - Our Special Gifts During Pentecost
 In our sanctuary is a board with envelopes numbered from 1 to 250. Each of us is invited to think of a number that is special to you: the ages of your grandchildren, a house number for a place you loved; the date of your wedding anniversary or your 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. Make your thought-filled offering this Pentecost and we'll show our "Strength in Numbers"!
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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
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Our Food Justice Ministries for the month of June have been given by Keith Norman, in memory of his father, Paul Norman.
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Also located in The Hub ...
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 ...
*Please NOTE that events in The Hub will be held in the Fellowship Hall until our floor renovation is complete.
Thursday, June 15:
- 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, June 16:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Amelia Lovel's Art Show: 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Caritas Village
- MAGY Meeting: 7:00 - 10:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, June 17:
- 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
- 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 at worship, our leaders will take the children to Classroom D where they will have their own "church" and special activities. Parents may pick up their children here after worship.
- Global Goods Fair Trade Store is OPEN after Church
- Open Shop in Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Food Pantry: 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
Tuesday, June 20:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Tuesday Evening Prayer: 6:00 pm in the Sanctuary
Wednesday, June 21:
- 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, June 22:
- The Hub is OPEN for Cafe Congo and the Clothes Closet: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Mission Development Committee: 5:30 pm in Pastor Cheryl's office
- Revolutions Bicycle Co-Op Open Shop: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
- Open Art Studio: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
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Congregational Potluck & Quarterly Meeting
After church on Sunday, July 25th
Trivia Night!
Saturday, July 29th
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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