CCC Gainesville | Blog
Thank you to the RUF students who joined some of our leaders for a work project at the church Saturday, June 14th, coordinated by Dan Doran. We were able to clean all of the windows in the church (inside and out), in addition to replacing some lights in the sanctuary using a scissor lift.
A special thank you to Comfort Temp for letting us borrow the lift!
A team of deacons and a pastoral intern also made progress on outfitting the building with WiFi. Thank you to everyone for your time and effort!
This summer, we are reading book two of the seven-part series, The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a wonderful read. Come join the discussion June 30th at 9am! If you haven’t started the book, you still have two weeks to join in on the church-wide summer “one read“, and it’s super cheap on Amazon ($0.01 used).
I could list several reasons why you should consider reading this book, and why we should value any book discussion, but I will propose one simple argument: Stories are indispensable to our understanding of creation, and we can grow as readers (and as story tellers) when we work together within a story’s context. So how could this high fantasy work help us grow as adults? Consider Lewis’ preface to Lucy:
I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say, but I shall still be your affectionate Godfather.
Reading literature takes time and a certain amount of attention that’s easily lost in our society’s pace. When we enter into a narrative, we are compelled to value the details – to retain small bits of information that convey larger themes and bear significance when threaded through the greater story. When I read, it’s generally shorter articles or essays based loosely around current events. Taking a step out of what’s current and diving into a timeless classic like this one can renew our ability to think creatively. Whether you read for pleasure, to satisfy a summer reading list, or not at all, take some time in the next two weeks to give The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a chance! There’s no reason to rush to finish before the 30th, but let the upcoming group discussion be a catalyst that pushes you into this story.
The thought of reading fantasy literature together might stretch you. I’ve thought to myself, aren’t these books for children? J.R.R. Tolkien, contemporary of C.S. Lewis and author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, among others, helped frame for me an appreciation of high fantasy in his essay On Fairy Stories:
It is true that in recent times fairy-stories have usually been written or “adapted” for children.
But so may music be, or verse, or novels, or history, or scientific manuals. It is a dangerous
process, even when it is necessary. It is indeed only saved from disaster by the fact that the arts
and sciences are not as a whole relegated to the nursery; the nursery and schoolroom are merely
given such tastes and glimpses of the adult thing as seem fit for them in adult opinion (often
much mistaken). Any one of these things would, if left altogether in the nursery, become gravely
impaired. So would a beautiful table, a good picture, or a useful machine (such as a microscope),
be defaced or broken, if it were left long unregarded in a schoolroom. Fairy-stories banished in
this way, cut off from a full adult art, would in the end be ruined; indeed in so far as they have
been so banished, they have been ruined.The value of fairy-stories is thus not, in my opinion, to be found by considering children in
particular. Collections of fairy-stories are, in fact, by nature attics and lumber-rooms, only by
temporary and local custom play-rooms. Their contents are disordered, and often battered, a
jumble of different dates, purposes, and tastes; but among them may occasionally be found a
thing of permanent virtue: an old work of art, not too much damaged, that only stupidity would
ever have stuffed away.
Shall we read it, then? Starting Sunday, June 16th, we’ve got two weeks to get started. I think you’ll find it a quick and enjoyable read. When we come together on Sunday, June 30th, at 9am (before corporate worship), Todd Best will lead us to explore the text through discussion. The adult education team will also have some news for us about what expect in the fall!
When: Friday, June 21st, 7-9PM and Saturday, June 22nd, 9AM-Noon.
Anyone interested in learning more about Christ Community, it’s ministries and mission is welcome to attend this class. This is a required class for anyone interested in pursuing membership. Please register online by June 10th or by calling the church office. Childcare is available upon request.
Register Online Here!
Update 5/6/2013: All of the officer nominees listed below were elected by a majority vote on Sunday, May 5th! They will installed during special worship services on May 19th.
In 2012, we nominated more men for the offices of elder and deacon than ever before in our church’s history! This Sunday, we have the opportunity to vote on those who have since completed their training and have discerned a call to their respective offices.
Each candidate requires a majority “yes” vote this Sunday in order to serve the church in this role. Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with some of the men our members will find on their ballots this Sunday.
. . .
Nate Henkel, Elder Candidate
Pictured with his wife, Melissa Henkel, and their children Caleb (4) and Jordan (2).
When did you join/start attending CCC?:
Summer of 2006 (The Oak Hall years)
What are you most passionate about?:
Being a great dad and husband. Helping people. Helping kids learn. God’s church.
Vocation:
Teacher
Interests:
Fishing, hunting, camping, music, theology, reading, traveling to new places, and writing.
Involvement at CCC:
“Been a part of 3 community groups, where I have lead the current one for the past 2 years, Worked the resource desk when church building first opened (1year), been to 4 men’s conferences where I have led table discussions for 2 of them (4 years), worked in the nursery with Melissa (4 years), helped out at VBS (5 years), church workdays (2 times), pastor’s reception (2 times), served communion (various times within the past year), participated in the Foundations Class held at our church for 3 months in 2013, elder training (since the fall of 2012).”
. . .
Deacon Candidates:
Britt Daniel
. . .
Dan Doran
. . .
Andres Eran
Pictured with his wife, Monica Eran, and their son Sebastian Fernando (
3 1/2). He is passionate about my family and friends. Andres works as a salesman for Wood You Furniture in Gainesville. He enjoys good stories /books, movies, etc., and his involvement to date at CCC includes: worked for the nursery, taught Sunday school with Larry Eubanks for two semesters, current communion server.
. . .
Tony Freese
. . .
Adam Means
Spouse: Ashley Means
Children: Avery (11), Ally (10), Alan (7), Ace (5).
Began attending CCC in 2003. They moved away for 2 years 2008-2010 and have been back since 2010. The Means are most passionate about raising their family.
Vocation:
Works as a radiologist at Doctors Imaging Group/North Florida
Interests:
All sports, Fishing, Traveling with wife and family.
Involvement at CCC:
“I taught adult Sunday school many years ago. Ashley has been teaching the Pre K Sunday School for 2 years and I am the helper. I serve communion.”
. . .
Stuart Menzies
. . .
Joe Relyea
Pictured with his wife, Lauren, and their children, Collette (5) and Arthur (3).
When did you join/start attending CCC?
Summer 2009
What are you most passionate about?
Learning to be a better leader/servant in my home.
Vocation:
Senior Health Information Advisor, xG Health (Advise self-funded employer groups on how to reduce medical costs and improve clinical outcomes)
Interests:
Coaching T-Ball, playing basketball and soccer, gardening (interest, not ability to actually do so), Hiking/Camping
Involvement in CCC (how/where have you served the church, and for how long?):
Primarily involved in Muffins/Coffee for three years. Participated in church work days and other one off events. My family participates in a community group.
. . .
Justin Richardson
. . .
James Schrader
Pictured with his wife, Rachel. They started attending CCC in summer 2011.
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about my work at a Forest Grove Christian Academy. I feel God has called me to work with kids encouraging them in their studies and their Christian life. I am blessed to love going to work everyday.
Vocation:
Principal at Forest Grove Christian Academy
Interests:
I love walks with my wife, sports, Gator football, and jeeps.
Involvement in CCC (how/where have you served the church, and for how long?):
My wife and myself have taught Middle/High School Sunday School with Drew Donovan since Aug 2012. We have also help welcome and greet since Aug 2011.
. . .
Ken Smoot
. . .
Ronnie Thaler
Pictured with his late wife, Margaret, and their children. Ronnie is a local dentist, practicing for more than 50 years, who is passionate about his continued study of scripture. He is interested in sports and family, and he serves regularly with Gainesville Community Ministries.
On Friday, May 17, we will be hosting Derek Webb’s tour for the 10th anniversary of She Must and Shall Go Free, supported by Kenny Meeks. This ticketed event is open to the public and tickets are on sale now!
Doors: 7PM; Show: 8PM
Snag your tickets before the show and save $3 off the door price! ($12 advance, $15 at the door).
