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PRESS RELEASE
Date: July 9, 2011
Subject: Kenya comes to Emporia
Presentation at First Congregational Church
Wednesday, June 20th – 6:30 PM
Contact: Pastor Andrew McHenry
(620)342-6854
A bit of Kenya will be coming to Emporia, on Wednesday July 20th.
A group of 14 Emporia State University students, faculty members, and community members joined together for a trip to Nairobi, Kenya back in late May and early June. The group went to visit and assist in operations at the Happy Life Children's Home – which houses 60 poverty-abandoned babies and small children.
On Wednesday, July 20th members of the group will share about their experience in a discussion at First Congregational Church, located at the corner of 12th & State. The program will begin at 6:30 PM in the Williams Room at the church.
The group will have stories to share, ranging from wildlife encounters to details about their work with the Kenyan children. The group's activities included assisting with a rural group-home in development, the construction of a chicken coop, a safari trip to Masai Mara, experiences in helping the children and staff at the Happy Life Children's Home, and many other explorations around Nairobi.
Information about Happy Life Children's Home can be found at www.happylifechildrenshome.com, For more information about the presentation, visit the church website at www.firstchurchemporia.org or call the church at (620) 342-6854.
First Congregational Church E-pistle - July 7, 2011
In this e-pistle...
1. MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- things to note at First Congregational Church
2. MINISTRY DEVELOPING IN IRELAND
- news of a floating boat church, from the BBC
3. POWER FOR THE HURTING
- Greg Laurie's outreach in New Zealand
4. 13 QUESTIONS LEADERS SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES
- a helpful list from Tom Harper of churchcentral.com
5. TIM PAWLENTY'S PASTOR
- some info on Leith Anderson, a CCCC clergyman
6. RESURRECTION AT A TOPEKA CHURCH
- as reported in the Topeka Capital-Journal
Feel free to forward the e-pistle on to anyone interested!
1. MARK YOUR CALENDAR
- things to note at First Congregational Church
- July 17th – Pastor Andrew on vacation – Rick Carl will be preaching.
- July 20th – Kenya Event: Pastor Andrew, Hillary, and several others will be presenting on the recent trip to Kenya, at 6:30 PM in the Williams Room.
- July 25-28th – Conservative Congregational Christian Conference annual meeting in Cleveland, Ohio
- August 7th – Special Music Homecoming: Suzanne Jackman Eubanks will be singing in both services. Also… Mid-America Congregational Fellowship Pulpit swap à Pastor Matt Stafford of First Congregational Church of Hutchinson will be preaching.
- August 13th – Church Leaders' Retreat: Help us plan ahead for the year 2012, and beyond. The Lord has done good things for us... AND! there are good things yet to come. 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the church. Lunch will be served!
- August 21st – Pastor Andrew on vacation – Christine Chambers will be preaching.
- August 26-27th – Church Rummage Sale
- September 7th – Mid-week Kickoff Event
- September 8th – Potluck and Church Annual Meeting - 6:30 PM in Fellowship Hall
- September 23-24th – Walter Brueggemann (a renowned Old Testament scholar) will be speaking at our sister church, University Congregational Church of Wichita
- September 25th – The Faith of William Allen White: Presentation by Pastor Andrew at the William Allen White state historic site at 2:00 p.m. This will include different quotes from what was shared back in February.
- October (the whole month) – Outlive Your Life: All church book read: studying Max Lucado's Outlive Your Life. More information will follow.
- October 8th – Mid-America Congregational Fellowship Annual Meeting. More information TBA.
2. MINISTRY DEVELOPING IN IRELAND
- news of a floating boat church, from the BBC
A business plan for the £700,000 cross-community venture, entitled The Dock, has been published.
It outlines a three-point plan for a large boat on the River Lagan which would include a chaplaincy centre, a community hub and a cafe.
The venture is being spear-headed by the Reverend Chris Bennett, who was appointed chaplain to the Titanic Quarter in 2009 by the Church of Ireland.
Read about the plans at...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13926107
3. POWER FOR THE HURTING
- Greg Laurie's outreach in New Zealand
The Greg Laurie Auckland Harvest two-night outreach event concluded Sunday evening with evangelist talking to a capacity crowd at Vector Arena about finding hope in the midst of pain and suffering.
The Auckland event is the first of the Harvest outreach's 2011 season, which includes stops in Anaheim, Calif., and Los Angeles. Saturday and Sunday's worship, music and message were broadcast live on the Internet at Harvest.org. Musical performers on both nights were Jeremy Camp, Phil Joel, Parachute Band with Martin Smith, and The Katinas.
Read the Christian Post's full story at...
http://www.christianpost.com/news/greg-laurie-in-auckland-gods-word-has-real-power-for-the-hurting-51585/
4. 13 QUESTIONS LEADERS SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES
- a helpful list from Tom Harper of churchcentral.com
Every leader needs to ask introspective questions. Several of the ones on the checklist below have caused me to reevaluate not just where I am, but who I am. They are in no particular order.
As this year unfolds, now is a great time to recalibrate yourself for the challenges and opportunities sure to come.
Check out the list at...
http://www.buildingchurchleaders.com/articles/2010/13questions.html
5. TIM PAWLENTY'S PASTOR
- some info on Leith Anderson, a CCCC clergyman
Whenever Tim Pawlenty's placebo candidacy is brought up, it seems like his close relationship with pastor Leith Anderson is also discussed - specifically, whether or not the influential Evangelical pastor will undermine his candidacy.
Previously, we've seen good arguments that he'll hurt Pawlenty's bid, that he'll help it and that he'll do neither. Drawing on these arguments, here's a cheat sheet to reasons why Leith Anderson is said to hurt Pawlenty's presidential bid, and why others think the notion is ridiculous:
Read the varying arguments at...
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/politics/2011/06/how-tim-pawlentys-pastor-could-undermine-his-candidacy/39135/
6. RESURRECTION AT TOPEKA CHURCH
- as reported in the Topeka Capital-Journal
Potwin Presbyterian Church Pastor Sue Ann Seel isn't one to seek attention for herself. Hence, her request of a reporter should come as no surprise.
“I don't want this article to be about me,” she said during a recent interview. “I want it to be about the church and what Christ is doing here.”
Seel said she was excited to see what she says is a rebirth at the church. Once on the verge of being shuttered, it is now coming back to life.
Read the full story at...
http://cjonline.com/life/religion/2011-04-01/potwin-church-makes-resurrection