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NEXT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TEAM MEETING:   The FOURTH Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m.

Spiritual Growth Activities

Mid-Week Bible Study
“Embracing an Adult Faith”
A 5-Session DVD-Based Study With Marcus Borg on What it Means to Be Christian
For five Wednesday nights, beginning January 4, at 7 p.m. Pastor Allen will lead our congregation’s Mid-Week Bible Study.

Using a DVD-based curriculum, participants will hear author and Bible scholar Marcus Borg invite them to join him in revisiting Christianity’s most fundamental questions: Who is God? What does salvation mean? What place does Jesus hold in contemporary Christian faith?

In this five-session, faith-formation study, participants will enjoy the rare privilege of witnessing Marcus in dialogue with a small, diverse group of adults as they honestly — and sometimes painfully — confront the big questions and work together toward authentic answers. Each session includes a 10-minute presentation by Marcus Borg followed by interaction with the group. Resources will be used to help our group “join the dialogue” in your own setting.

The five sessions include:
God (January 4),
Jesus (January 11),
Salvation (January 18),
Community (January 25), and
Practice (February 1).

New participants are always welcome, and no prior Bible Study experience is necessary. You do not have to be present for all the sessions as each one can be experienced independently.


 

Upcoming Dates From The Christian Education Team:

A Reflection:

Planting Purposefully by Janelle Eccleston

I first started attending Franklin Circle Christian Church broken in spirit. I came cracked and broken, bereft and lonely, but with an air of great conviction that with God I could pick up the broken pieces and clear it of the debris which was keeping me from living a more meaningful and beautiful life. Jesus said, " If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" (Matthew 21:22 NIV).

About the same time I started attending FCCC I began plans for a garden behind my house. I have no yard- just the foundation of an old garage, the base still visible, the building gone now cracked and broken. The old foundation of a once strong building, it now lay finally neglected and uncared for, sitting in a heap, ugly to the eye. I started wondering, how can that same wasted space, cracked, ragged and broken become useful again? I stood on the porch and scrutinized a small flower that had managed to push through the asphalt. At that moment the realization came to me - new life can grow even where others thought it could not "Ah Lord God! behold, though hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: (Jeremiah 32:17).

Just as I kept returning to FCCC Sunday after Sunday, cultivating new acquaintances and friendships, I also began the process of cultivating a moderately small garden on the broken foundation in the rear of my house. For starters I had to rid the space of it's clutter. I began to pick up the pieces and clear the space of debris. I would need to replace the rocky soil with perfect dirt.

My new church family and my garden; soon I was learning how closely the two pursuits closely resembled each other. I prayed and asked God to help me to start throwing out all the things in my life that were unproductive. Over the course of my life I have struggled with loss of family support, due much in part by going "outside" my race [to have a relationship] and having biracial children, but also because of poor choices, including 8 years of drug addiction ( now clean 11 years), and ultimately being infected with HIV (17 years). I had conditioned myself to live a life built on guilt and shame. Instead of eliminating the sources of my pain, I allowed emotional thorns to embed themselves in me and fester. Just like the plot of land behind my house, I let the rocks and debris build up over years of neglect until I had settled for a situation which was barren and where I was unable to bloom into the beautiful flower I now know that God had created me.

Each morning as I worked removing the shards of brick and heaps of pulverized stone to clear the way for my new garden, I felt a sense of God's presence, calling me to a new life, a new way of living. Slowly the unpromising and scanty portion of land began to look like a place in which could support as beautiful and bountiful garden as any.

Attending my plot of land and attending Sunday's services became intertwined as a time of growth and renewal, a time of new life, a time of hope. Every morning as I toiled under God's sky, week by week with much care and preparation according to a plan provided to me by a friend on how to build a garden on top of asphalt, I also took time to think about Pastor Allen's previous sermon or literature on Disciples of Christ. One thing that kept standing out for me was God's grace. I heard the Pastor's voice in my head, "God's grace can not be earned, it is just given." For me grace implies unconditional love and acceptance with no condemnation. For years I had tried to earn my father's love; love that required me to be different than I was in order to be accepted. I was ultimately unable to use love I must earn. Ultimately the relationship was hurtful and did not produce growth. How wonderful to find a "new" Father who loves me without conditions; an "unmerited favor " that says I am accepted just like I am as I confess my belief in Jesus Christ and accept Him as my Savior!

Soon I began to see my plot of land have some semblance of a garden and I realized I would now need to make an investment in garden tools. One by one I accumulated a myriad of tools; some new, some borrowed, and some I found deep in the old basement of my house. At the same time I was also in search of new tools to build my new life.

NEW TOOLS; Unlike the new tools I went to Home Depot to purchase, the tools I needed for my new life were given to me free. I learned to re-pot myself, so to speak, fertilizing and feeding my wilted bloom with prayer and scripture reading so that my roots can reach into a greater faith in God. I learned to plant only what I wanted to reap. Just as I kneeled to poke a tiny seed into the ground, I learned to kneel in prayer. I began to sow faith for a healing. I began to create a strong and solid foundation.

BORROWED TOOLS; I have no particularly strong spiritual background, however soon it became evident deep roots are not always necessary. Sometimes developing strong roots can support life as well as those that run deep. Redwood trees have shallow roots, but are noted for their strength and longevity because they share their root with others. As Redwoods grow they borrow whatever is around them and incorporate it into their basic structure. My borrowed tools remind me that to thrive we, too, must share our roots with others. Community and fellowshipping require us to ask for what we need from each other, as well as asking God in prayer for the help we need.

TOOLS FOUND; Sometimes the tools we need for change are right here all along; we just have to dig deep to find them. Brokenness may seem bad, but through my own brokenness I became desperate enough to find the time to seek God. I learned that God was here with me all along, even when I did not know it, "...Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not " ( Genesis 28 :16).

By officially becoming a member of FCCC and being baptized, I am like the delicate seedlings given the best environment possible to foster growth. I may plant the seeds, but God waters them. By anchoring my roots firmly in new circumstances I know there are many blessings to be harvested. My life is like my garden; watching it grow, sometimes in small degrees, sometimes in overnight spurts, I am waiting for the harvest- the fruits of my labor. It is exciting taking a seed and watching it grow into a mature plant. Deciding which new sprouts of green are weeds and which are the plants intended is not always easy. Slowly I try hard to pull the right ones. My tomato plants recently had to be staked to give them strength to carry the heavy plants. I too, now have a community of other believers to help give me strength. God is here to help me with everything in my life that has overgrown or broken down. Just like the new life that grows in my backyard, my life is no longer strewn with jagged obstacles. Instead of settling for a barren patch of earth, or a barren life, I have found ways to bring them both back to life. God helps me to clear the clutter as He clears the way for a better future.
 

Spiritual Growth Resources

Books/Curriculum for spiritual growth:

The Present Word

This is the curriculum used in the Adult Bible Study led by Ralph Eyring each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.  Click on the logo to the left or go to: http://www.pcusa.org/presentword/index.htm to learn more about the curriculum and upcoming themes.

New Revised Standard Version of the Bible

This is the version that Pastor Allen recommends for worship and study.

Click on the picture to the left to go to a searchable version of the Bible at  http://bible.oremus.org/ or click HERE to purchase your own copy of this version at http://www.Cokesbury.com

For more information on how this version was prepared, go to http://www.ncccusa.org/newbtu/aboutnrs.html

Places for spiritual growth:

River's Edge Retreat Center

http://www.riversedgecleveland.com

Overlooking the Rocky River and the Cleveland Metroparks, situated on nearly 40 acres of greenery that is home to our retired Sisters and the natural inhabitants of the land…..graced with pathways that lead to areas that represent spiritual landscape archetypes…..housed in a century old, beautifully maintained building, renovated to include a new worship space, state-of-the-art meeting facilities, overnight accommodations and an indoor pool.….imbued with a peaceful and serene spirit and blessed with a warm and welcoming staff...  River’s Edge is a place that you will want to visit.

River’s Edge is many things for many people, but what holds it together is the core of our mission: realizing the interconnectedness of all life. Whether you come here for a quiet retreat, a conference on a justice or ecological issue, a yoga class, a business meeting, or just time away, you will know that you are part of something much greater.

It isn’t by accident that our Center is named River’s Edge. In the early days, the Rocky River was where our sisters ‘fetched water’ to be nourished and refreshed. Today, standing at that river’s edge is a powerful symbol of the prophetic witness to which we are called. In these times more than ever, we are drawn to follow our own spiritual paths, yet we can’t do that without bumping into each other along the way. Individually and collectively we can make a difference! We can be a quiet influence or a prophetic voice.

I welcome without exception all who share our concerns and values to join us, regardless of religious persuasion or socioeconomic status.

Sr. Rita Petruziello
Executive Director, River’s Edge

Journals/Magazines for spiritual growth:

Alive Now Magazine

Alive Now magazine helps small groups and individuals find Christian meaning in their lives as they face challenges at home, at work, and in the community.

This innovative, devotional magazine explores contemporary issues from a faith perspective, encourages spiritual growth, and revitalizes your faith. Each thematic issue is divided into sections that include inspirational stories, meditations, poems, prayers, quotes, scripture readings, and reflection questions.

Ordering Alive Now for delivery in the U.S.:

Prices for U.S. Subscriptions:
1 year -- (6 issues) US $14.95
2 years -- (12 issues) US $23.95

1. Order by Mail:
Alive Now
P.O. Box 37142
Boone, IA 50037-0142

2. Order by telephone: Call 1-800-925-6847. Mention Order Code: IAG6EL.

3. Order Online using our secure server.  Click HERE for individual subscriptions.

Upper Room Devotional

Available at the church for 85 cents each.  They are located in the basket at the back of the sanctuary. 

For a daily on-line devotional, please go to http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/ 

For information on purchasing your own subscription, click on the logo to the left, or call 1 (800) 972-0433.

Weavings Journal

http://www.upperroom.org/weavings/index.asp

Weavings journal is a bi-monthly publication that seeks to promote informed, committed spiritual growth with attention to the corporate dimension of the spiritual life. Such growth, to which laity and clergy alike are called, embraces all those expressions of discipline and discipleship that mark the Christian's response to God's work of weaving together the torn fabric of life.

Weavings invites participation in the spiritual life, seeking to provide a forum in which our life in the world and the spiritual resources of the Christian heritage can encounter and illuminate one another. The journal strives to create a space in which contributors and readers can converse on important matters of common concern. Organized by themes, each issue presents a broad range of materials.

Websites for spiritual growth:

Day 1

Day1 is the voice of the mainline Protestant church, presenting outstanding preachers from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and other denominations. Our website features an extensive library of lectionary-based sermons in text and audio, and other helpful information for lay persons and pastors.  Click on the logo above or go to http://www.day1.net/

Crosswalk Bible Study Tools

http://bible.crosswalk.com/

A new Bible Study site that I haven't yet explored fully.  Tell me what you think about it.  I like the fact that they have the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, the one that I use, on it.

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Some cool videos sent in by church member:

The Lord's Prayer sung in the original Aramaic, on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAEIrp4MFBE

The 23rd Psalm as read by a child, on GodTube:

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=9e7c4b40cf5a13cea6ca