2014 | CCC Gainesville | Blog

From the Principal of A. Quinn Jones

By Christopher Hiatt On August 25, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Uncategorized

At the leadership community meeting on Thursday, Paige French gave a presentation on the background and future of our relationship with the A. Quinn Jones Center. She mentioned this letter from the principal:

(To get involved with this exciting ministry, contact Paige French (pbemfrench @ gmail.com).

Dear Christ Community Church,

The value our partnership with your church gives to us is incalculable. You provide support to many classrooms and students with your troop of volunteers, which is a tremendous help to the classroom teachers and the students. Our kids love the extra attention, and someone consistently being there for them, showing them that they care, not matter how they behave. The presence of the volunteers for the teachers is equally impactful, as we can not give as much individual attention to kids as we would like to, but with the volunteers present, that relieves that burden somewhat.

In addition to the volunteers in the classroom supporting the teachers, the teacher appreciation for our staff is awesome. Your folks always think of ways to pamper the staff, and make them feel appreciated. This is more valuable than you can imagine, because we have a population of students who don’t show much gratitude, and neither do their families. The thought and time you all put in to making the teachers feel special is amazing and so obviously full of heart, that we can’t help but walk away feeling special.

Each and every month your church family provides a meal for our SAC meetings. This helps get more families into our building to participate in their child’s education, which is a very difficult feat.

Historically, we have had very low parent turn out for any function at our school. With the support of the church, we have been able to grab a few families off of their couches, and into the school on a more regular basis, and for positive interactions. They always make more food than we could ever eat, with the purposeful intention of sending food home with our families, many of which are impoverished.

Involving the children of your church has been incredible too. They have collected money and items to provide food for our Backpack Program, and school supplies for the kids, who would otherwise not have anything new for the start of the school year. Additionally, the children often write thoughtful notes to both the children and staff, with words of encouragement and gratitude, which warm the heart with their thoughtfulness.

Your church seems to enrich every special function we have at the school, as I sit here and reflect. You participate in, and support us with our Family Days, Holiday Programs, Teacher Appreciation, SAC, classroom volunteering, Backpack Program, Campus Beautification, and I’m sure I am missing something. Your church family has become a huge part of our family, and we truly value and appreciate each and every thing you do for us and our students. We would greatly miss your partnership with our school if you were not present, as we have all come to truly think of you guys as part of the A.Quinn Jones family.

Warmest Regards,

Sue Keller

Principal, A. Quinn Jones Center

An Open Letter to VBS Volunteers

By Children's Ministry On August 24, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Children

I know that VBS was several weeks ago… if you served that week please know that you were appreciated, the amount of time it has taken to post this letter is not a reflection of how grateful we are. That being said we had an awesome VBS in Outer Space and Beyond this year. We had our largest turn out of children, a wonderful group of youth and each adult serving was an integral part of the success of the week. Thank you!

This year we had a few children who needed special attention. It can only be attributed to the working of God that each child was pared up with an adult or youth who knew exactly how to partner with that child for the week. Each and every child felt loved and cared for. God provided the exact volunteer for the exact child. I want to share the following letter with you from a parent who had two children with us this summer.

The boys had a great time at Christ Community Church’s VBS this week. I am impressed by the wonderful directors and volunteers (mostly moms) who gave their time so selflessly to love on children and show them a great time. One volunteer in particular blessed me greatly. She was K’s teacher this week. When I went to pick him up today she told me that she has a daughter like K and that she really enjoyed having him this week. She said that he is really special. I just burst into tears because it was so good to hear encouraging words and for once to not feel judged. I worry about him every time he’s under someone else’s care because all I ever seem to get are negative reports. People just don’t understand him and mistake him for a trouble maker. And often make me feel like I’m doing something wrong or it’s my fault. She had nothing but good things to say about him and understood him well. I thank God that she was his teacher this week. I was even told that usually she is not with that age group. I am so thankful that she was and that she took the time to tell me how wonderful K is. She gave me a big hug. And said he will probably be my hands on child who I am praying for constantly, but that he’s such a blessing too. I can’t tell you how good this was for me. It’s awesome when God uses the church to love on people who are hurting. He knows. So, I just want to say thank you to all the wonderful people at CCC for having my big boys this week. It was very nice to have some one on one time with my youngest. And to know that my bigs were in good hands was a relief.

VBS reaches the hearts of children throughout Alachua county every year. It also blesses parents who have come to trust the teachers, trust the curriculum chosen, feel safe with our check in-check out policies and are encouraged by the spiritual growth and friendship developed throughout the week. Thank you to everyone of you who was a part of VBS this year. It takes so many people to pull it off the ground, we appreciate each of you and know your contribution was vital to this year’s VBS. Thank You!!!

8/17 Congregational Meeting Recap

By Christopher Hiatt On August 19, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Pastoral Search

Sunday, August 17th, a quorum of the congregation’s members voted to release Rob Pendley to his call in Alabama.

At the meeting, the session also distributed a handout detailing the options set before the congregation in seeking a new pastor. That information is provided below. Please feel free to bring any questions or concerns to our attention. You can easily find contact information for our elders and the staff on our website. Our next congregational meeting is this Sunday, August 24th, immediately following the worship service.

THE BOOK OF CHURCH ORDER (BCO) OF THE

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA

20-2. Every church should be under the pastoral oversight of a minister, and when a church has no pastor it should seek to secure one without delay.

A church shall proceed to elect a pastor in the following manner: The Session shall call a congregational meeting to elect a pulpit committee which may be composed of members from the congregation at large or the Session, as designated by the congregation (see BCO 25). The pulpit committee shall, after consultation and deliberation, recommend to the congregation a pastoral candidate who, in its judgment, fulfills the Constitutional requirements of that office (e.g., BCO 8, 13-6 and 21) and is most suited to be profitable to the spiritual interests of the congregation (cf. BCO 20-6).

The Session shall order a congregational meeting to convene at the regular place of worship. Public notice of the time, place, and purpose of this meeting shall be given at least one week prior to the time of the meeting.

In following the BCO, the congregation has two clear options for composition of a pulpit committee:

Members of the Congregation at Large

The Session

We will vote as a congregation on one of the above options next week on 8/24 in a congregational meeting immediately after the worship service.

If the congregation votes for Members of the Congregation at Large to compose the pulpit committee, the session would propose a committee of 7 members that would include 2 elders, 1 deacon and 4 members. This structure would be voted on by the congregation. If the congregation votes for the Session to compose the pulpit committee, the session would seek input from members to ensure a minister is found that is most suited to the spiritual interest of the congregation.

Next Steps

8/24 / Congregational meeting to vote on composition of the pulpit committee.
8/24-9/7 / Nominations for members of the congregation at large (if that option is selected)
9/14 / Election of the pulpit committee (if that option is selected)

The session has been researching and planning for the upcoming pastor search over the past month. Based on the experiences of others who have gone through this, we expect this process to take anywhere from 9-12 months. It could be shorter and could be longer. Our highest goal is to find the man God has planned to lead CCC. We intend to do this in a prayerful and faithful way that depends on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.

We trust that God is going to use this time together as a church family to build our sense of mission and community. We know it is tempting to view this period in the life of our church as a trial but we truly believe God has great things planned for us in the next year in community together.

Please don’t hesitate to talk with Charlie, Larry, Mike or Nate about any questions you have. Contact info available here.

Back to School: Begin and end with prayer

By Children's Ministry On August 18, 2014 · Leave a Comment · In Children

Many of you experienced the return to school today. New teachers, new friends, for some new schools. Its a new school year and things can feel fresh and… well… new! Some children are excited for the start of a school year and some can be worried about various changes or challenges. As parents we want to help our children feel courage so they can face difficult or uncertain moments throughout the day. As Christians we want to help them understand that even when we aren’t with them, God is, and no matter what they are precious to Him.

Our family has come across a few great resources to set a rhythm to our school days. The first few weeks of school we use a liturgy or prayer of sorts that was written for the return to school. At the end of the day we have started doing an Examen for Children.

Photo: First day of (homeschool) Kindergarten!

Begin the Day: A few years ago I came across a beautiful prayer/litany that was originally written for a congregation to recite together. Our teachers recited it with their students the Sunday before school started so some of your children’s might recognize it from last school year. This morning when we said it together, I thought that I wanted to share it with you all so that if you are looking for a way to remind your children that Jesus is always with them, you can also use this together as a family. We personalize it a bit, making it applicable to our day.

God will be with you every day at school. No matter how good or bad things are going, God will be there. You can count on God’s presence.

Leader: When it’s the night before going to school, and I’m picking out my clothes and making sure I have all my school supplies…