When I lived in Madrid, one of the biggest problems I had was getting used to the noise that a city of 7 million people makes: traffic noises, sirens, garbage trucks in the middle of the night, and neighbors above, below, and on both sides with loud conversations, or radios or TVs blaring. And it seemed that these noises were always more noticeable when you were trying to get to …

For the past 8 weeks, the Bible study class that meets on Tuesday evenings has been studying the Parables of Jesus. We tried to look at these well-known passages with fresh eyes and not just assume from the outset that we already “know” what Jesus is trying to teach us. …

While I was in Seminary, ABC aired a series on TV called “Lost.” Some of you may have followed it. I didn’t really have a whole lot of time to watch TV in those days, so I missed it. Now that I have a little more free time and Netflix, I decided to watch it from the beginning – all 6 seasons of it! Without going into too much detail, …

Last month, in his article, Donn was lamenting the fact that his eyesight is not as good as it once was. I can certainly relate to that! I can also relate to the observation he made about not being so naïve to believe that things were better in the “olden days.” Although, with yet another birthday just under my belt, I have to say that there really are some things …

Some of you may not be familiar with the details of one of the ministries that the Disciples churches in this area started over 40 years ago at the Christian Manor Apartments (925 Executive Center Drive, WPB). Christian Manor offers those 62 years and older all the amenities and services for a truly carefree lifestyle at an affordable monthly fee. 
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Once again, I am in awe of and grateful for every one of you!
Without your prayers and support, we would not be able to reach out and help as many people as we do through the mission and ministries of FCC. Last month we hosted 3 families (14 people total) in our church as part of the Family Promise Program. You truly are making a difference in the lives …

In the next few weeks, some important decisions will be made in the life of our church. On Dec 20th, we will consecrate the tithe and offering pledges that we will make to God’s church and work in 2010. On Jan 3rd, we will be holding our annual congregational meeting to approve the 2010 Budget. Through information provided each month in the Newsletter and PowerPoint presentation during worship last month, …

I hope you have been reading (and enjoying!) the Partners in Prayer Advent Devotional that we handed out in worship on November 28th. In one of her entries, the author, Bonnie K. Carenen, bases her devotion on Psalm 122:1, which says: “I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the House of the Lord.” She then goes on to ask her readers how they would finish …

And Mary Said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” Luke 1:46-49

One of the problems of having heard the Christmas story so many times is that …

On December 9th, we will begin our week to host the families of Family Promise. For those of you who have not yet taken the opportunity to be involved in this ministry, you are missing an exciting and fulfilling way of serving the Lord. There are so many things you can help with that you are bound to find something that it is within your comfort zone or set of …

I don’t know about you, but I have come into the computer and technology era kicking and screaming. It wasn’t all that long ago that I finally broke down and got a cell phone, and I would say that my computer skills range somewhere in-between those of a computer alien who knows nothing and a computer native who, like the kids nowadays, seem to have been born with a computer …

In its most basic form, the church is a community or body of people united by a common goal. This goal is to worship God, love one another as God loves, and follow the example and teaching of God as revealed in scripture and in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God created human beings in God’s image to have a relationship to them. God also intended for …

In a few days, we will be hosting families for Family Promise for the third time since this ministry began in SE Florida last year. Following, is a letter I recently received from the staff at the Family Promise Day Center that I want to share with you:…

Most of you are familiar with the term “Red Tape.” It generally includes filling out paperwork, obtaining licenses, having multiple people or committees approve a decision and various low-level rules that make conducting one’s affairs slower, more difficult, or both. The term denotes frustration and disappointment because of the burdensome hurdles it erects to accomplishing goals. If you have ever had to deal with it, you know what I mean.…

As Donn mentions in his article this month, many people will make resolutions as they bring in the New Year. If I were to take a poll, I would probably find that the majority of us will make a resolution that will revolve around taking better care of our bodies. We will promise to exercise more and eat better and take off those extra pounds we have been carrying around—some …

With a full (and rested!) heart, I would like to thank you all for giving me time off to visit family and friends in Spain. I had a wonderful time, and I was able to get a lot of good visits in with everyone! Robby and I had a great time catching up! …

Well 2012 is finally over! For some, it has been a wonderful year that brought engagements, marriages, new babies, new jobs, new hobbies, and new loves. We have had to say goodbye to some of our dear loved ones and friends and, although we miss them, we rejoice for them as they continue their joyous eternal life with our Lord!…

Vacation Bible School (VBS) was a roaring success! Our creative and authentic looking decorations took us all to the deserts of Egypt where we dappled in everything from making a sarcophagus to eating bread with “sand” in it. (How did they keep all the sand out of their food anyway?) …

On June 15th, a hearty group of us began an eight-week study on the Book of Revelation. With its complicated, otherworldly, coded language, this is a book that most of us are perhaps familiar with but have never really studied in great detail. Sometimes it is difficult to see the ways in which the message that John is communicating to the 7 churches in Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) could …

Some of you may have noticed a small green certificate that has been hanging in the Fellowship Hall for a few months now. It certifies that FCC is one of the over 25 DOC churches in the US that is an “official” member of The Christian Church (DOC)’s Green Chalice Program.…

I am very excited about the enthusiastic response we got from the Stewardship Brainstorming/Flock Potluck Dinner held on May 2nd. Not only was it well-attended (and the food out of this world), but the ideas and willingness to serve flowed graciously. …

In just a few days, we will begin our 2011 Vacation Bible School (VBS). This year our theme is “Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus is a Kid.” This amazing experience will allow the children and our adult volunteers to explore Jesus’ hometown through the eyes of his mother, Mary (played by our very own Marilyn Ivory!) This VBS immerses the participants in Bible-times culture with stories and activities similar to those …

I don’t even know where to begin to thank all of you for your prayers and gestures of love and support during my recent injury. The words “thank you” somehow do not even begin to express the gratitude I feel for the wonderful family, friends, and church family that God has blessed me with. I feel like the Grinch when his heart grows 3 sizes too big!…

During my very first semester at seminary, I took a course called, “Celtic Spirituality.” I needed an elective and this course was recommended by many of my colleagues. As it turns out, it would be the last time it would be offered because the instructor, Dr. Carmel McEnroy, a nun from Ireland, would be retiring later that year. To my surprise and delight, this class turned out to be one …

The Camp and Conference Center in Silver Springs is gearing up for another exciting summer of Christ centered and Bible focused camps that will take place from June 17 through Aug 3rd. The theme this year is “Faithbook 2012.” To see which camp is most appropriate for the age of your child, there is a list of camps that has been posted in the Fellowship Hall or you can go …

The other day, I decided to take notice of how many times in one day the word “but” is used, and I was surprised to find that it gets used a lot! However (and that’s just a fancy word for but); that one little word can profoundly change the meaning of the point you are trying to make. For example, if you use but in an apology, it really negates …

On Wednesday, May 12th, the 34-week Disciple 1 Bible Study that began on August 19th, 2009, will come to a close. Disciple 1 takes students through the entire Bible; from creation to the New Jerusalem. Throughout this Bible Study, 7 of our members were faithful to this process of “Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study” …

On April 27th, I became the mother of a 30 year old! Even though I have had a few days to get over the shock, as I write this I realize that I still can’t totally believe it. Where have the years gone? How did time go by so quickly? In some ways it feels like yesterday that he was starting to walk, the little chubby hands reaching for me …

Ahoy, all ye who love Christ and his children! Vacation Bible School is just around the corner (June 10-14 – from 6 – 8:30 pm each night) and I want to welcome you to this year’s theme “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A Veggie Tales VBS, where rock-solid Bible learning rides the high seas of adventure through breathtaking Bible stories,…

Motherhood is without a doubt the hardest job I have ever had. In becoming a mother, I began to realize how overwhelming it was to have another person completely depend upon my love and care. I also began to have a greater appreciation for my own mother and the love and care she gave me. And, even though I no longer depend completely upon my mother, she is still very …

The next Southeast Florida Girl’s Chrysalis Flight will be held January 22-24, 2010. I will have the awesome privilege of serving as Spiritual Director for that weekend and am very much looking forward to the spiritual renewal this experience brings to everyone involved (team and candidates alike!). As the uber-organized person that I am, I have already started praying about the talks that I am scheduled to give. One of …

Did you know that First Christian Church is about to embark on a new ministry right here within the walls of the church? Did you know that we are going to be a part of the solution in our community to help local children and their families who are homeless? …

For the past several years, some of the members of FCC have been involved in a recycling project that not only helps keep the planet green by keeping those cartridges and cell phones out of the landfills, but earns money for the church as well! We send used cell phones, toner cartridges, and ink cartridges (the little ones that you use in your desktop printer!) to a company called The …

I love the fall! I am so much happier when the cooler, crisper winds begin to blow. I especially long for this time of year since I have been back in Florida and cool weather is not something we see a lot of. It also seems that the older I get the warmer my body temperature always feels. As one of my friends puts it, “At our age, we just …

As many of you know, my son, Robby, will be arriving from Madrid on September 23rd for a 3-week visit. Since I am writing this article on Sept 16th, I am still anticipating the visit and can think of little else! Since we live so far apart now, we only get to see each other about once a year, so I want to make the most of our time together …

As most of you know, we finally inaugurated our Family Promise (FP) ministry the week of Aug 28-Sept 4 hosting 2 families (8 people total!) We have been praying and planning for this program for just about 3 years and it is finally a reality! FP is a nationwide interfaith community response to homeless families. We are part of this network for North/Central County.…

“I dreamt I went Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked around a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ‘This is the Receiving Station. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received.’ I looked around the area, and it was terribly busy with many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and …

It’s no secret that there is an economic crisis going on. Many people have had to readjust their budgets, tighten their belts, and cut back to make ends meet. In this type of situation, sometimes we have to make a choice between eating or paying the bills this week and giving our weekly tithe to the church. I am sure I don’t need to tell you which choice wins out …

This month, I have given my spot to our Stewardship Chair, Marilyn Ivory, to include her article in this month’s posting. God bless, Cindy

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is the definition of insanity. Financing our church mission(s), i.e. God’s mission through donations and fundraisers, while not insane may not be the best way to accomplish this goal. …