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Disciples
in Mission
May 2008
Vol 22, Number 5
NOTES FROM THE JOURNEY
When I was at the General Board meeting of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in April, there was a young woman on the board who
had come to be known for the phrase “communication, communication,
communication!” Her point was that no matter what the church was doing,
communication was essential. In fact, the point holds true that to be any kind
of community (family, church, etc.) requires good communication.
Since I began at PCCC last year, I have been emphasizing
communication because I know how important it is in building up the Body of
Christ. If the eye doesn’t know what the foot is doing, there is generally a
problem, and I think Paul would have agreed (1 Corinthians 12). If the
fellowship team doesn’t know what the education team is doing, our ministries
are not working together to be as strong as they can be. It’s part of our
responsibility at PCCC to help each other know what is going on in the church.
There are a number of ways we are doing that at PCCC, and in
the coming months, you will see some changes as we transition in the area of
communication. (If you are reading this newsletter online, you may have already
guessed this.) In reviewing our mailing lists (email and snail-mail) we have
discovered that most of you are already on email and seem to readily use this
form of communication. Yet we know that there are some who prefer traditional
printed newsletters. Over the next several months, “communication,
communication, communication” at PCCC will take shape in the following way:
- Continued weekly email from the pastor, with printed
copies for those who do not have email.
- Monthly newsletter posted on the website, with email
reminder when it goes up. Printed copies will be mailed to those who do not
have email or who request a printed copy.
- A new and improved calendar kept updated and posted on
the website, with printed copies available at the church.
- Weekly announcement insert in bulletin.
Here is what we need from you:
- Send your preferred email to us if you are not currently
receiving information in this way.
- If there is more than one email address that needs to
receive information (for example, husband and wife, or parent and teen, or
work and home, please send each of these.)
- Keep us updated on email changes by sending them to:
admin@peachtreecornerscc.org.
- If you are leading a ministry effort at PCCC, this
newsletter is your opportunity to share your news. We want your news!
However, there is a deadline. Send your completed articles (not just a note
or phone message) by the 3rd Sunday of each month to
admin@peachtreecornerscc.org,
with “newsletter” indicated on the subject line.
- If you can help in any way in producing this newsletter,
we can use your skills!
“Communication, communication, communication.” It’s just
another part of what it takes to be the Body of Christ.
-- Peace ><> Pastor Kathy
WELCOME LOU & BEV MANCUSO
PCCC
welcomes Lou & Bev Mancuso who joined with us on Sunday, April 27. The couple,
who recently moved from the Lilburn area to Norcross, was looking for a
neighborhood church where they could serve. “We’re really excited to be a part
of this church,” Bev said. They are especially interested in mission and serving
programs.
Prior to moving to the area, the couple was active at
Snellville United Methodist Church, where Bev was a Stephens minister and Lou
was involved with a senior ministry called “Forget Me Not.”. Bev is employed at
The Mission Society in Norcross, where she works as an administrative services
coordinator. Lou is an environmental engineer employed by the U.S. government as
a realtor specialist. Together they have three grown children. In their spare
time they love to walk and read, and are in the process of decorating their new
town home.
You can reach the Mancusos at: 6225 Windsor Trace, Norcross, GA 30092, 770
246-4343, landbmancuso@bellsouth.net.
REPORT FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

For More Photos of the Picnic Click
HERE |
What a great time we had at our indoor picnic on Sunday, April
27! While Joe gave thanks for food and much needed rain, we were inside the
sanctuary, warm and dry, enjoying the fellowship of our church family. Once
again, our PCCC chefs outdid themselves with some great covered dishes
(potluck).
Our church is really moving forward in many areas: Newly
recruited teachers met on Saturday (4/27) morning for training and an overview
of curriculum - if you have an interest in teaching a class contact Pastor Kathy
or Bethanne Faulconer, or me - there's always room for more. The Nominating
Committee is looking for a "few good persons" to serve on the Board. They are
all fired up and ready to recruit. (Think about how you can serve at PCCC.) Last
year's VBS in a Box at NCM was such a great hit that we're doing it again this
year with a great new change for those of us who have to work during the day. On
Tuesdays, June 3 and 10, VBS will be from 6 to 8 pm at NCM. Hey...I'm signing up
for crafts! And speaking of NCM, there's an urgent need for food donations
- even more so with so many people out of work. You don't have to wait for a
food drive - bring in a few canned goods every week for our barrel in the
narthex - let's see how fast we can fill it up. And there's a new small group
starting up Sunday, May 4 (6-7:30 pm) for divorced singles. I hope to see you at
the Camp
Christian Workday on Saturday, May 3. It's a regional "event" and you will
get to meet and work with many people from other Disciple churches. My new power
screwdriver is all powered up and ready to go. There's lots more to tell and I'm
excited about all the good things going on at PCCC. -- Cathy Miller, Board
Chair
MAY 3 WORKDAY AT CAMP CHRISTIAN
Don’t forget the
Camp Christian workday on Saturday, May 3! If you would like to help
in a variety of jobs to get camp ready for summer, meet at the church that
morning at 7 a.m. Please contact Will Perdue (770 931-4898) or Joe Austin (770
913-0263) for more information.
NEW SMALL GROUP FORMING MAY 4
If you are single and divorced and would like to gather for
fellowship, study, prayer, and shared concerns, you are invited to join a new
group forming at PCCC, beginning Sunday evening, May 4, from 6-7:30 p.m. The
group will be meeting on the first Sunday of the month and is for men and women.
If you need childcare, please call the office at 770 447-5475.
DISCIPLE BIBLE STUDY RETREAT MAY 9-10
The
34-week Disciple Bible Study that 12 of your PCCC friends have taken is coming
to a close with a retreat we are planning for Friday-Saturday, May 9-10 at
The Lodge at Simpsonwood.
You’ll get a chance to hear from some of the participants in worship on Sunday,
May 11, which also happens to be Pentecost and Mother’s Day. Plans are being
made to offer some type of Disciple Bible study again in the fall. Watch for
more information.
MUSICAL NOTES FOR PCCC KIDS
The PCCC Kids Ensemble will be bringing us the gift of music
in worship on Pentecost/Mother’s Day, May 11. Rehearsal for this event will be
Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. This will be the children’s last
performance for this school year. Rehearsals for the PCCC Kids Ensemble also
will take a break for the summer. Children’s Church for ages 3-K will continue
through the summer during worship immediately following the children’s sermon.
Older children are encouraged to remain in worship.
DISCIPLE MEN MEET
The PCCC Disciple Men will meet on Saturday, May 10 at 8 a.m.
for breakfast at
JR’s Log
House at 6601 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross, with Rod Dahl speaking
on “God Calling.” There have been some changes in the group format, including
the use of a private dining room and hearing a monthly speaker. All are invited!
GRADUATION SUNDAY COMING UP MAY 18
We will be recognizing our graduates on Sunday, May 18, in
worship, followed by a reception. Kelley Roberts is graduating from high school,
and we also have several others we know of who are earning college degrees.
Please let us know if you or an immediate family member is completing a degree
this spring by calling the office at 770 447-5475.
PCCC PRAYER GROUPS
Did you know? There are now two PCCC prayer groups meeting
each week. Take your pick from the Wednesday 6:30 p.m. church that meets at the
church or a new Tuesday 6:30 a.m. group that meets at
Northern Star
Coffee House in Norcross. All are welcome; contact Rod Dahl for more
information.
NEWCOMER GATHERING MAY 18
If you are new to the PCCC community and want to learn more
about who we are as a church and how you might fit in, you are invited to attend
a Newcomers Gathering on Sunday, May 18 at 6 p.m. at the church. We’ll share a
light supper, and then you’ll have a chance to hear the basics about our church
and ask any questions you may have. Childcare will be provided if requested in
advance by calling and leaving a message at 770 447-5475.
VBS-IN-A-BOX AT NCM
We’re getting outside the box with “Vacation Bible
School-in-a-Box” and you’re invited to join us as we do it! Here’s what you need
to know: we are taking Vacation Bible School “on the road” to
Norcross Cooperative
Ministry on June 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11. Program times will be 10 a.m. till
noon on June 2, 4, 9, and 11, and new this year, 6 to 8 p.m. on June 3 and 10.
Because we have expanded our program times and space, our own PCCC children are
invited too! There will be plenty of room and plenty of fun for all as we
explore Bible stories, enjoy fun crafts, eat tasty snacks, play games, and share
God’s love with all the children who are at NCM on these dates. If you are
interested in helping in any way, please sign up at the display in the narthex,
or contact Bethanne Faulconer at
fauljba@bellsouth.net. Also, PCCC children will be invited to sign up soon
in the narthex for any or all of the dates.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PCCC
It’s time once more to celebrate PCCC’s birthday. The date is
June 1, right after worship where we’ll have a chance to visit over cake and
punch. If you’d like to bring a gift to the party, here’s a suggestion: bring
$20 (checks made out to PCCC – for hymnals) designated for a new Chalice hymnal
for the sanctuary, in honor of our 22nd birthday.
CAMPING RETREAT
If
you like the great outdoors, mark your calendars NOW for the first ever PCCC
Camping Adventure. We will camp at
Unicoi State
Park Friday, June 27-Sunday, June 29. There is lots to do, including hiking,
tubing at the nearby river, lounging, eating (possibly at the lodge restaurant),
and worshiping together. If you are not a camper, you may wish to join us in a
cabin which you can rent for the weekend. (Go to
www.gastateparks.org for information
on cabin rentals). Watch for more information to come and a sign up sheet in the
narthex.
SUMMER CAMPS AT PCCC
If you are a parent looking for excellent summer camp
opportunities in the neighborhood, you are encouraged to check out
www.imaginethatfun.com, which offers
science and art enrichment camps for ages 3-14 at various Atlanta locations,
including Peachtree Corners Christian Church. There are many options to choose
from, ranging from “Rocket Ships and Dinosaurs,” “Bees, Trees, and Bugs,”
“Flights of Fancy,” “The Art of Cooking,” and more. PCCC will be hosting these
camps during the following weeks: June 16-20, July 7-11, July 21-25, and July 28
through Aug. 1.
WEEKEND OF COMPASSION
Even
2 weeks after the first ever
Weekend of
Compassion, I'm still reading through all the information that mom and I got
from WOC and all their companion mission programs. Each church at the weekend
had something unique and special to share. I'm still amazed to learn about how
low the overhead costs are for
Week of Compassion,
Church World
Service, IMA World
Health and the other programs. I can't believe that 93% of our money sent to
WOC goes DIRECTLY to those in need. It really made me think about how I
needed to look at WOC and how it really is not just a once a year offering in
February. My mind is running with ideas to help with the needs in Darfur,
Bosnia, Israel, across North America, and South America. I'm working on ideas to
help build upon our already successful Pumpkin Patch and simple ways YOU can
help those across the globe everyday by looking at simple changes in your life.
Throughout the weekend, I was so excited in the small group I
attended to share about our VBS in a Box at
NCM. Several other
churches told stories about VBS in Mexico or in the Southwest, and those same
churches were amazed when I told the story about our VBS just right down the
street in our community. We don't have to go far to help so much. NCM is an
amazing organization that we are blessed to work so closely with. If you have
never spent time there, find some time to volunteer because it is definitely
worth it. I have always known PCCC to be strong in outreach, but I never
realized how much further we can go. Each month now it's my goal to share what
I've learned from WOC and other churches. I would like to implement some of
these simple changes in our church life and really focus on our church’s mission
to help others. I also would like to highlight projects in which we have
participated. If you have ideas or are interested in working in outreach let me
know! –Jenny Miller, Outreach Chair
MISSION TRIP TO INDIA
BREAKING NEWS! Some of you may remember hearing from
Dr. Anil Henry, our Disciples missionary who visited us last September from the
hospital he directs in central India. Rev. Landa Simmons, a member of Sandy
Springs Christian Church, is organizing a mission trip to the hospital in early
January 2009, in which our own Pam Callon is planning to participate. If you are
interested please see Pam.
NCM FOOD DRIVE AT PCCC
It’s our turn to help stock the food shelves at
Norcross Cooperative
Ministry – just in time for the summer months, when children are home for
the summer with no opportunities for school breakfast and lunch. Last year, we
conducted a very successful neighborhood food drive which we will be doing again
this year. Here is the plan and we need your help: 1) On Saturday, May 31, meet
at 12 noon at the PCCC parking lot where we will divide into teams to post
fliers in a nearby neighborhood. 2) The following Saturday, June 7, we will meet
once again at 10 a.m. at the PCCC parking lot before we divide into teams to
pick up food donations. We need as much help as possible from adults, youth, and
children. This is a fun and easy way that our church can make a real difference
for families this summer.
WORSHIP COMING UP IN MAY
The Day of Pentecost is nearly upon us, and this year it falls
on the same day as Mother’s Day (May 11). We will have wonderful worship
together, including music by our children, red carnations for the ladies, and a
remembering of the power and promise each of us is given through the Holy
Spirit. Also this month, as we begin the turn toward summer, we begin a sermon
series “Journey with Jesus.” Children are invited to stay tuned each week in
worship for a special opportunity to “Journey with Jesus.”
May 4 - Acts 1:1-11
Ascension Sunday: “Watching and Waiting”
May 11 - Acts 2:1-21
Pentecost Sunday: “That Saving Spirit”
Mother’s Day, Disciple Bible Study Recognition
May 18 Matthew 28:16-20, Secondary text: Psalm 8
“Go Out and Make Disciples” Graduation Recognition
May 25 – Matthew 6:24-34, Secondary text: Psalm 131
“Do Not Worry”
June 1 – Matthew 7:21-29 Secondary text: Psalm 46
On Solid Ground
DEADLINE FOR NEXT NEWSLETTER IS MAY 18!
Peachtree Corners Christian Church
6060 Spalding Drive
Norcross, GA 30092
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