Space does not permit me to name the differences between serving in the seminary and the local church, although as Fred Craddock used to rightly remind folks, the seminary is the education wing of the church. One year ago, I began my time at Country Club Christian as the interim guest preacher. A year later I’m on staff full-time. Many of you have asked how it’s going, do I like it, those sorts of inquiries.
During these 40 days of Lent, many of us look for ways to deepen the spiritual journey. One way is to pray, to have a conversation with the Divine One. But getting started with prayer isn’t always so easy. First you need to get yourself in the right frame of mind. One way that I like to pray is to first open a book
By Elizabeth Pfalzgraf, Assistant Director of Children and Student Ministries Ash Wednesday holds an additional purpose in our Student Ministry; the start of Pastors’ Class for our 6th graders! Through the season of Lent, these students, along with their faith mentors, meet each Wednesday night to gain a deeper understanding of faith Read More...
Life has a way of taking us back to places we thought we once said goodbye to. There is in some way a ritual when leaving a place – we begin to take in the sights, the smells, the tastes, the memories of laughter and crying, the ways we have grown and changed.
I don’t ever remember this happening before. Ash Wednesday will fall on Valentine’s Day. And Easter will fall on April Fool’s Day. Or perhaps I should say the reverse: Valentine’s will fall on Ash Wednesday and April Fool’s will fall on Easter. Surely the observance of the Christian traditions of Ash Wednesday Read More...
By Anne Haraughty, Ministries Coordinator The schools my children attend are promoting a Kindness Challenge this week which prompted me to give acts of kindness some extra thought. It sounds easy to be kind, but, in reality, being kind often takes thought and effort. I often miss opportunities to be kind because Read More...
By Rev. Catherine Stark-Corn, Interim Minister of Children, Youth and Families The sounds of trotting feet and nervous giggles came from behind the curtain as the 1st graders moved into place to perform their song and dance. The music filled the large room and the curtains drew back to reveal 20 decked Read More...
As I write, it is the 25th anniversary of a snow day in Telluride, Colorado, where the temperature hovered around zero, I took that risk we call marriage. The first year was the most difficult.
At Country Club Christian Church we don’t just talk about it, we Celebrate Membership! Last month we held our first Celebration of Membership and welcomed 13 individuals into our faith community. This is a celebration because we know the benefits it brings to each person as well as to our community. Membership is taken seriously here because it really does matter.
When my son was 10 he refused to practice the guitar. I told his teacher he wanted to quit. “Good,” said the teacher, “I want him to quit also.” This was not one of my finer “mother” moments. Should we push harder, I wondered?
It is no coincidence that doves wake me each morning with their soft cooing right outside our bedroom window. They gather to feast on a generous supply of bird seed in the feeder at our house. It is part of the “arrangement” we have had for years. They coo and get fed and Read More...
I am excited about 2018. My baby, God willing, will graduate from college. Our clergy positions at the church will finally be all filled. The church board is moving forward with a solid vision for reaching out to our community. What are you hoping for in 2018?
I am blessed to receive your annual giving pledges but also to see your gifts at work. Each time I write a check to pay a bill I am reminded that your contributions make so many things possible. The generosity of your gifts should be celebrated
Can you imagine having 200 guests in our sanctuary in sub-freezing weather and us not having heat in our building? Can you imagine 200 guests staying for two hours with coats, hats, and gloves on?
Something shifted within me. I saw something beyond what I was seeing. The adorable children were singing on the front steps of the church. There were 13 voices. They captured each note in a way that conveyed the meaning of the lyrics. Their eyes focused Alex as he directed. Their smiles melted me as they finished singing.
