March 6, 2022
“Faith includes noticing the mess. The emptiness and discomfort. And letting it be there until some light returns.” – Anne Lamott
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Welcome to our expansive Lenten journey. I hope you are enjoying the Lenten devotional materials, “Full to the Brim”, provided by our Worship, Artistry, Music spirit team. A big thanks to Connie Dietz, Kara Courtney, and Anne Bowman for gathering this material for us.
Kara’s sermon mentioned several charities and hands-on outreach projects supported by PVCC, such as Camp Sunflower, Kansas Food Bank, Birthday Backpacks, Christmas adopt-a-family, Ronald McDonald House pop tabs, homeless hygiene supplies, kids’ socks/underwear and school supplies, Week of Compassion, Reconciliation offering (the grant that supports the Birthday Backpacks comes from this Disciples’ offering). There are others.
The grand opening of Pine Valley Perk coffeehouse was well attended. Goodies and beverages were enjoyed by all. Ribbon cutting was by Natalie Tos-Brightup (she had the winning name) and Kara Courtney.
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You’re invited to join the 9am Sunday morning adult class.
With 17 attendees, the adult class began sharing the book, “If God Is Love, Don’t Be A Jerk” by John Pavlovitz. David and Sally Hansen are leading the class and using suggested discussion questions at the end of the book. The idea of an expanded sanctuary, not bound by brick and mortar walls, is experienced spiritually and frequently. Transcendence is experienced everywhere. Today’s discussion moved into ideas for hands-on outreach that can include and connect all PVCC members. For next Sunday, you’re encouraged to bring a written inspiration that encourages you in your journey through this life, whether that be a Biblical passage, a poem, a message from a friend, or other.
You are welcome to join the class even if you don’t have a copy of the book.
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IRC volunteer training is March 15.
The Wichita location for the International Rescue Committee is recruiting volunteers to help in various aspects of refugee settlement in our area. Several PVCC members will attend a March 15 training for volunteers. You must sign up online for this training opportunity. For more information, contact Connie Dietz or Sally Hansen.
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New book for young children.
Here’s an opportunity to examine a newly released book for toddlers and younger children, “Wonder Awaits!” by Rev. Caroline Hamilton-Arnold. She is the associate director of Week of Compassion, the disaster-response ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You can preview the entire book by going to ChalicePress.com and watch a video of the book being read by the author.
From the author: Our son was 10 months old when we first went into pandemic lockdown. One of the challenges of the past couple of years was not being able to go out and explore the world with him the way we hoped. Yet, as our world got so much smaller, our son showed us that there was so much to explore even in our own backyard such as watching snails, gazing at the clouds, mixing paint, noticing graffiti and noticing people in the neighborhood. It’s been a reminder to me that wonder can be found everywhere. Everywhere we can find reminders of God’s presence even in the mundane moments and everyday things. When you read “Wonder Awaits!” with your young explorers and seekers, it’s a reminder that God created this world and God is everywhere.
The book has photos portraying children from 2 to 6 years of age representing practices encouraged by the text. The book suggests religious practices and scriptures to enhance their wonder-detection skills. Diversity is a key aspect in the photos, reflecting a variety of races and abilities. Included are pages for families to customize with their own photos and observations of the world’s wonders.
This book is available to purchase for about $17 from various vendors. Rev. Hamilton-Arnold recognizes the interdependence of each of us sharing this world by contributing a portion of the book’s proceeds to Week of Compassion, the relief, refugee, and development fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), especially work that assists and empowers children experiencing poverty, displacement, or disaster. Wonder Awaits! is a gift in multiple directions.
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Communion.
I’m still looking for volunteers to prepare communion for the months of Apr, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. Preparation is easy. Please let me know which month you want to cover.
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From the PVCC newsletter archives, this week in 1970: Reported by Bill Reece from New York City during the Youth International Affairs Seminar: “Last night we took the ferry to Staten Island. The lights of Manhattan were beautiful. The kids had an interesting time talking to drunks and old men who were everywhere. It was exciting to have Nixon and Pompidou here yesterday and to see the demonstrators. Tonight we going to see ‘The Man of LaMancha.’ Two men were shot to death in Times Square Saturday when we arrived. It’s a great place.”
— Melanie Naden, PVCC Moderator