Make plans to attend the all-church Back to School BBQ on Sunday, August 25 beginning at 5:30 in the Parish Hall. Hamburgers and brats will be provided. Please bring a side, salad, or dessert. A sign-up sheet is on the table in the Narthex so we can have a good idea of how many to prepare for. Not only will this be a fun fellowship experience, but it will also be an opportunity to meet the Disciples college students at Eureka College. They will be joining us for dinner. Let’s show them some warm Eureka hospitality as they settle in for the new school year.
Kingdom Rock End of Summer Party
All summer long at Kids Connect, we’ve been having fun with “Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God.” To celebrate the end of the program, we’re going to PARTY! The fun will begin at 3:30 on Sunday, August 25. Games include: “Jump the Castle Moat,” “Catch the Dragon’s Tail,” “Pin the Knight on the Horse,” “Jousting,” “Catch the Golden Egg,” “Run the Gauntlet,” and more! We’ll also have snacks and some great Kingdom Rock singing. We’ll end the party by “slaying” the great Dragon Piñata! Come have fun with your Kids Connect friends. All children ages 3 through fifth grade are invited. Older youth will help with the games. And don’t worry about dinner because the party will end in time for the Back to School BBQ.
Building Security Update by Rev. Jennie Churchman
The dust is flying again around the church. Just when we thought we were done with construction, a few projects are now underway. The new sign out front is coming along nicely. And inside the building, there are a few changes as well. In case you’re wondering, here’s what is going on.
As you may remember, we have been working on plans to secure our building during the school day. Now that the plans are becoming a reality, I thought you might like to know what that means for your day-to-day church use during the week. The Parish Hall doors and new back door will remain unlocked during business hours like normal. That will not change. If you want to come to the church office and those are the doors you normally use, keep on doing what you’ve been doing.
The change comes in with the handicap accessible door between the Education and Parish Hall buildings. That door will be secured during school/business hours. If you need to enter the church building through that door because of accessibility issues, there will be an intercom that will connect you directly to Heidi. Just push the talk button, and she will be able to let you into the building.
Another change is a new interior door that will be installed between the Education and Parish Hall buildings. You may have noticed that the doorway has been widened to accommodate the new door. During the school day, if you are coming from the Education building toward the church office, just push the door open. If, however, you are coming from the office and want to get into the Education Building during the school day, you will need an access key fob to operate the door. Board and staff members will be issued a fob. If you do not have one, Heidi or I will be happy to let you into the Education Building.
You may be wondering why the fuss, why all the changes? The changes will keep the Nursery School portion of our building secure during the school day. It is simply a precaution in this era when parents expect their children to be cared for in controlled-access buildings. Of all the schools, preschools, and day care centers in Eureka, we are the last to install such a system.
Of course there will be wrinkles as we all get used to the new system, but I think the transition will go very smoothly on the whole. If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or come by. One more note: all of the above pertains to school/business hours only. You will not see a change on Sundays because the building will be open as normal. We are aiming to be finished with this work by the time the Nursery School begins for the fall.
Sacrifice, by Rev. Jennie Churchman
When I was in college, I had the honor of visiting Normandy, France where the Allied landing took place on June 6, 1944. I’ve been thinking about that lately, as our own Wendy Rush is traveling there this week. It was one of the most moving experiences of my entire life. First we went to the Visitor’s Center at Arromanches. While the exhibits were helpful and meaningful, what was truly amazing were the remains of the artificial harbor created for the Allied ships still out there in the water. They are ghostly but impressive reminders of the enormous war effort.
After touring the Visitor’s Center, we made our way up the hillside to the bunkers used by the German machine gunners. What you’ve always seen in movies is true. The Germans had all the advantages—except for surprise, of course. The bunkers have a commanding view of the entire beachfront. I ran my hand through the tracks on the floor where the guns could swivel for a near-180º assault. How did anyone survive the landing?
By far, the most sacred part of the day was our visit to the Normandy American Cemetery. This piece of earth overlooking Omaha Beach is officially American soil. The French people gave it to the United States in gratitude for our role in liberating their country from the Nazis. It felt different just walking through the gates. Of course at first we were fixated on the little touches of home—we were twenty-year-old kids, after all. After spending a week in Paris with six more to go in France, this little piece of America was a welcome respite. The American flag was flying, the guides spoke English, the signs were in English, the water fountain worked, and the bathrooms were American-style. (I don’t mean to be shallow here, but oh, the bliss!) I think our teacher was a little disappointed in our attitude at first, but she needn’t have worried. The power of that place soon turned our goofing off into silent reverence.
The cemetery looks much like a smaller version of Arlington National Cemetery. Rows and rows of white crosses, with an occasional Star of David to mark the graves of Jewish servicemen. We just walked and walked down the rows—not talking, just reading the grave markers, one after another after another. I remember thinking, “These men died here. Just below from where we are standing. This cliff may have been the last thing they saw.” The experience took my breath away. I have always found cemeteries to be such peaceful places; the Normandy American Cemetery is no different in that respect. But what makes it stand apart is the blood—blood spilled on that very soil, blood spilled for the deliverance of millions. After awhile, I couldn’t even walk anymore. The power of that place stopped me, stilled me. I just stood there with the sea breezes flowing past me.
I just stood there looking out over the English Channel in humbled awe. The courage. The determination. The sacrifice. May we be worthy.
Youth News May 2013
Congratulations graduates! We will be honoring our High School graduates in the morning worship services on May 5.
Come celebrate with them!
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ― Henry James
Rachel and Zane will only be around one week in May! But to make sure you all know what we are up to here is a blurb from each of us to tell you what we are doing!
Rachel will be spending May and June with her family in Indianapolis. She will also possibly be shadowing people in the Disciples Center in Indianapolis. In July she will fly to England to visit Matt and his family until August before school starts.
Zane will be going home for a few weeks, then leaving for Guatemala in late May. While there, he will be serving as a volunteer with Global Ministries, teaching English and Information Literacy at a small neighborhood seminary. He looks forward to seeing everyone at General Assembly in July!
May 5: End of the year Party!!!
Who: All youth 5-12th grade are invited and friends also!!
What: A party and cook out!
When: 4-6 pm
Where: Eureka Christian Church
Why: It is an end of the year and we will be having a fun time and also honoring the graduating Seniors!!
What to bring: Zane and Rachel will provide hotdogs for everyone and drinks! But we will need chips and desserts to share!
Any questions please call Rachel at 317-332-1563!!!
Regular youth meetings will not resume until August. Be watching this space in The Visitor for special events that we may plan throughout the summer. Rev. Jennie can use your help with Kids Connect again during the Sunday School hour all summer. The theme this year is “Kingdom Rock.” It should be lots of fun!
Adult Elective Class May 2013
Sunday School News:
The 2012-2013 Adult Elective Series concludes this month with an overview of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Eureka Christian Church. Rev. Jennie will lead three sessions on May 5, 12, and 26 covering basic beliefs of the Christian Church and what it means to be a member of Eureka Christian Church. In the May 26 session, special guest and Church Historian Eileen Baker will share a few stories about our church, and we’ll also take a “tour” of our church building to take a closer look at the meaningful symbols and historical treasures all around. This class will be perfect for any visitors and new members to our church family.
Women’s Retreat 2013
The theme of this year’s retreat is “The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons” The dates are January 11-13, and we will be exploring the joys and challenges brought by each season of our spiritual lives. Your registration fee includes lodging, meals, snacks, retreat supplies, and a signed copy of the book The Circle of Life: The Heart’s Journey Through the Seasons by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr. Registration forms are available at the church and on the website. The registration deadline is December 2.
http://eurekachristian.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2013-womens-retreat.pdf
