Reaching Heights April 2021
Reaching Heights April 2021
Links to this month’s news:
Please note that HCC office hours are changing beginning week of 4/11
WORSHIP AND STUDY
Worship – Holy Week and Beyond
Adult Studies:
First Hour on Sunday
Mid Week Bible Study
FROM THE STAFF
Along the Path – from Pastor Roger
Kate’s Cogitations
From the Moderator: The Path Forward
OTHER NEWS AND EVENTS
New Visioning Team
Still We Sing – workshops with Amanda Powell
Purple – Film screening and discussion
Tell Me the Truth – Cross-racial conversation **Note: New Date**
Education Ministry Team – Help Needed
Prayer List Requests – Power of Prayer
See the Serving Schedule
April Worship – Holy Week and Beyond
April 1 – Maundy Thursday – 7:30 pm – Again & Again, We Are Held Together – a service of prayer, mediation and communion
April 4 – Easter Sunday – 11:00 am – Again & Again, The Sun Rises – Join us as we proclaim once again, “Hallelujah, He is Risen!” – Mark 16:1-8, Pastor Roger preaching
April 11 – The Emmaus Road – Luke 24:13-35 – Dr. Kate Gillooly preaching
April 18 – Mission to the “Needy” – Acts 6:1-7:2a – Pastor Roger preaching
April 25 – Mission to the “Excluded” – Acts 8:26-39 – Pastor Roger preaching
New Adult Study – “Through the Wilderness”
Meets during First Hour on Sunday mornings 9:30 – 10:30 am – use zoom link for worship
Pastor Roger & Dr. Kate will guide the discussions
7 sessions beginning April 18
“Journeying the Good News Road” is a multi-part Bible Study for “transforming congregations.” It examines scripture and asks what it might teach us as we seek to be faithful to God’s call to us as individuals and as a congregation. Everyone is encouraged to participate, especially all Elders, Trustees, and Visioning Leadership Team members. We will journey together, grounding ourselves in scripture and prayer, sharing our perspectives and insights, and discerning a way forward that is faithful, courageous, and transformational. This is critically important work for us to engage together as we envision our next chapter as a congregation. Please mark your calendars and plan to join the conversation!
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- Transformation Begins + Grows in the Heart (Deut. 6:4-9, Lev. 19:18, Matt. 22:34-46)
- God Speaks and Transformation Happens (Genesis 1)
- Moses- Prepared and Awakening (Exodus 2:1-23)
- Moses – In the Wilderness (Exodus 3:1-17)
- Gift of Manna – Food for the Journey (Exodus 16)
- Good Leaders Don’t Just Happen (Exodus 18)
- At the Edge of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8, Deut. 10:12-22)
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“Words of Hope” Study
Tuesday Afternoons 1:00 – 2:00 pm
April 6 through May 18
led by Kate Gillooly (Zoom link here)
“For there is always light
if only we’re brave enough to see it
if only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~Amanda Gorman
Join us for a rich exploration of scripture passages, poetry, and other writings that point to the hope we always have in God, no matter what. We’ll explore themes of restoration, resurrection and redemption appropriate to the Easter season and discover relevance for our own personal lives, our communities, and the world. No homework necessary, just show up to claim God’s blessings and to learn and grow together.
Along the Path:
There are many stories that we tell and many stories that we hear. Whether these are stories about ourselves, about others, or about the world around us, what stories we decide to pay attention to make a difference in how we see and understand our past, present, and future. Here is one church’s story:
Some time ago Southport Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana accepted a Chin congregation into their building to nest. Over several years the Chin congregation outgrew the space they were using and with Southport declining and getter older they traded spaces. Eventually Southport sold the building to, and then nested with, the Chin congregation. Seeking a new start with a fresh vision, Southport decided to move, renting space in a new office/industrial park in another area. They changed the name of the church to Tapestry, highlighting their progressive spirit, and are now moving forward, a re-invigorated, growing congregation with two worship services and in the fall of 2019 called a new pastor. Look them up at https://www.gototapestry.org.
See you Sunday – Pastor Roger
Kate’s Cogitations
If people can’t see what God is doing,
they stumble all over themselves;
But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18 – The Message)
The above verse from Proverbs is probably best remembered as “without a vision, the people perish.” I like Eugene Peterson’s translation in The Message because he describes both the root of the problem of no vision (we can’t see what God is doing) and names the benefit of paying attention to God (blessing). I think too often we are more concerned with using vision as a map and forget to see it as connection to our Source. As we imagine who HCC will be in our next chapter, it is critically important to stay connected and attentive to God as the Source of all good. As we move into unknown territory, our own wilderness, it is not a map that we need to guide us but a relationship with God. We can practice attending to what God reveals, and we will be most blessed. What are some ways you can stay connected to God and seek revelation?
The Path Forward
Change for me is often times not easy. I am used to my routine and when the norm is changed it tends to throw me off and can cloud my perspective. Change is not bad it just requires some adjustment to how we perceive the change. Once adjusted and settled in to the new experience, it too can soon become the routine and may even bring a new perspective to who we are and what we can do.
We are in the throes of a significant change here at Heights Christian Church. A difficult change but one that has been determined to be the path necessary to best manage our financial and personal resources as we continue to strive to do the work our Lord and Savior would have us do. Committees have done the work to set us on this path and now new committees are helping to prepare what is needed to sell the building and others are preparing for where we will go and still others are preparing for what will move with us and there are others that are discussing how we will move forward in doing the work and activities of this congregation.
There is much work yet to come and more updates on what is needed from our members to help us move forward. For now continue to participate in the activities of the congregation and continue to pray for and support those committees working to make our transition smooth.
Our path taken is not always the direction we thought we would go but when we know our God is guiding us on our way, we know we can proceed with some sense of comfort and confidence that we are moving in a way that will Glorify God.
May God continue to shine his light on the journey of this Congregation of Heights Christian Church.
Scott Phelps, Moderator
Visioning Process and Leadership Team
Look! I’m doing a new thing;
now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert; paths in the wilderness. (Isaiah 43:19)
As we move into our next chapter as a congregation, we are invited to dream about all the possibilities before us. How will we serve our neighbors? Who will be our partners? To help us discern next steps for mission, Dr. Kate has designed a Visioning Process and invited these members to serve on the Visioning Leadership Team:
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- Lynda Ackerman
- Andrena Jones-Sharp
- Brian + Danielle McDonald
- Val McMillan
- Yvonne Smith
- Jane Troha
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Along with Pastor Roger and Dr. Kate, this team will facilitate the process for the entire congregation to dream together, to discern new opportunities, and to plan. Everyone has a voice in this process. After an organizational meeting of the Visioning Leadership Team, we will hold a Dreaming Session for the whole congregation. There will be things to read and ponder before the Dreaming Session, and additional research to do afterwards. Then the Leadership Team will meet to discern themes, concerns, and possibilities. We’ll come back to the congregation with the fruits of this work for feedback and see how the Spirit is moving. May we all open our eyes to see God’s work, and our hearts to the opportunities God offers! If you have questions or suggestions regarding this Visioning Process, please contact Dr. Kate.
Still We Sing
Nationally-renowned song leader Amanda Powell will lead us in a three-part devotional/workshop to sing, connect, and have fun! Dates are Thursdays April 8th, April 22nd, May 6th at 7:00PM. To access the workshop, please register at this Eventbrite link.
Weaving together songs and stories, Amanda Powell invites communities into a time of renewal and open-hearted connection. Amanda utilizes Zoom technology in creative ways to lead participants through unique journeys of singing, reflection, laughter and prayer. Each session is one hour long
April 8th: Finding Peace
In the opening devotional, Amanda leads people on a journey to their individual and collective center. Together participants connect with their breath and learn songs of centering and peace.
April 22nd: Choosing Love
At this challenging time, we must choose love for ourselves and for one another. This devotional introduces songs that are about deep, unconditional love. We open ourselves to the ways we are being called to bring love into the world.
May 6th: Cultivating Joy
Even as we navigate difficult times, we can look for moments of joy! Experience joyful moments in community with exuberant singing and fun! We learn to keep our eyes wide open for glimmers of joy in the midst of challenge.
“In this time of distancing and grief, a sense of community is vital. My life’s work is to help people connect to themselves and one another, and to the deep spirit of Love (God!) in our midst. I look forward to singing and walking with your community to find inspiration and strength at this challenging time.”
-Amanda Powell
Purple Film Screening and Discussion 4/18/21
HCC is excited to host a screening and discussion of a new film on Sunday April 18 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Look for the link on our Zoom page.
PURPLE tells the story of everyday Americans with opposing viewpoints addressing their differences head-on and discovering some of the concerns and humanity that lie behind each other’s positions. Designed to build greater empathy and recognition in the face of deepening U.S. divides, PURPLE models a rare conversation that uplifts and inspires even while going toward the heat of passionate political differences.
By inviting friends, family, neighbors, students, fellow congregants, and colleagues to watch the film together, we can help disarm the destructiveness of our polarized country and heal the pain it has caused so many of us.
*** Note – New Date***
Mark Your Calendars and Plan to Join Us!
Tell Me The Truth: Exploring the Heart of Cross-Racial Conversation
Facilitated by: Shay Stewart-Bouley & Debby Irving
May 4, 7:00-9:00 pm via Zoom
Sign up here: http://bit.ly/ShakerTellMeTheTruth
Learn more about Shay: https://blackgirlinmaine.com/
Learn more about Debby: https://www.debbyirving.com/
HCC is a proud sponsor of this event and other anti-racism work in Shaker.
Intergenerational Moment Volunteers Wanted
The education team is looking for people who are willing to read a picture book during the intergenerational moment. Suggestions for the book are provided, all we ask is a willingness to read on sunday morning and possibly a trip to the library. If you are interested please contact Carolyn Troha, cetroha@gmail.com or Kate at kate@heightscc.org. Thanks in advance!
Prayer List Requests
Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks. (Philippians 4:6)
Even in the ongoing pandemic (maybe especially in these times), individual and corporate prayer continue!
Our Hearts Together in Prayer group meets each Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. to share prayer concerns and updates, and to spend time in prayer together via Zoom. (contact Kate or Val for the link if you’d like to join). We begin and end with a set of prayers that change each month and are read by the facilitator, and the time in the middle offers opportunity for everyone to share their own petitions, intercessions, and thanksgivings. All are welcome and encouraged to join us as you are able; praying together is powerful and lifts the spirits. If you have a prayer request, you can use the online prayer request form (https://www.heightschristianchurch.org/prayer-request/) or send an email to Pastor Roger.
These requests will be lifted up on Wednesday evenings and forwarded on to the Elders, and our Prayer Ministry Team.
New Office Hours
Beginning the week of April 11 the HCC office will now be closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Social Media outreach
HCC is on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and You-Tube! If you see something you like, share it on your page! This will increase our reach and may draw in our next visitor!