Focus � � �����

We are delighted to welcome friends and neighbors who visit to worship God here, including: Khwanza LeBlanc, Lynne Hardin Nazarro, Chris & Lauren Weems, Caitlin Dixon, Larry E. Todd, Jean Morgan, Shawn Stone, Rosa Tinsley, Darice & Ben Rose, Vicki Hawkins, Dante, Doug Schuette, Jaylin, and many more. Hope to see you soon!

Church Board to meet Sunday, Feb. 20, at 12:30p.m.

All Church Board officers, ministry leaders, Elders, Deacons, and the pastoral staff are expected to participate. Church board reports are due 5 days in advance. Lunch will be provided. Thanks!

Generous “thank you” received from Retired Teachers of DeKalb County On January 13th, after the Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert delivered a speech to the Retired Teachers Association of

DeKalb County, they presented him with a $50 donation to First Christian Church of Decatur in honor of our Pastor,

Church Administrator and Facilities Manager, with gratitude for the help they give the Retired Teachers.

Caregiver ministry opportunities

In our congregation’s vision statement for the new church year, composed after a lot of prayer and discernment by our Pastor James Brewer-Calvert, he states that the season of Epiphany is a “season of recognition. People recognized that Jesus was the Messiah at his baptism, at a wedding in Cana, and in his preaching, teaching, and healing works. The church is instructed to pause and recognize the holy in our midst.” As the director of our congregation’s caregiver spiritual support ministry, I would also like to

suggest that the season of Epiphany can be a time in which, as we rest, renew, and recover, we recognize within ourselves our call to serve. We have been asked if there were folks among our congregation who would consider leading a periodic worship service at Northlake Gardens, an assisted living facility in Tucker. Everyone who might like to lead, or assist in leading, a worship service is invited to come see me, or call me, and we can have a conversation. Given our wonderful heritage as Disciples of Christ, any one, ordained or not, is welcomed to this conversation. We would love to have many folks participate in this ministry which would include opportunities to play piano or other instrument to accompany the service, lead singing, read scripture, share a Word, preside at the Table and serve communion.

Another opportunity to participate in the caregiver spiritual support ministry is available as we invite folks to become respite volunteers for caregivers in our congregation. Being a respite volunteer involves participating in a workshop in which we will learn safe techniques for assisting a person in moving from a chair or in a bed as well as a review of basic first aid. If you have a couple of hours during a week or the month, either day or evening, during which you would like to volunteer to spend time with someone so their caregiver could have some time to themselves, consider yourself invited. Call me, send me an email, or come see me. Having a pool of volunteers to work with would ensure that each volunteer would have an opportunity to work with a caregiver yet not be committed too frequently so they lose the experience of the grace involved in such a gift. I look forward to hearing from you! ~ Daphne Reiley (770-366-1206) daphne.reiley@gmail.com

Did you meet and greet…? Recent Visitors

Sunday AM continental breakfast Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy a pleasant treat and refreshment before Christian education and spiritual formation. Breakfast is from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Providers, please bring two 64 oz

containers of orange juice and goodies for 25-30 people. Sunday Hosts: Feb. 6 Barbara Powell Feb. 13 Dottie Laycock Feb. 20 Laura Andrew Feb. 27 Becky Kidd

Watching our figures News and notes for God’s folks

Sunday, January 23, 2011 8:30 a.m. Awakenings Service 8 10:50 a.m. Sanctuary Service 65 Total 73

Offering $3,138.00 Offset Spring Into Spanish 500.00 Offset Patricia Vas Dias 135.00 Offset Ponce de Leon Group 75.00 Total $3,848.00

Sunday, January 30, 2011 8:30 a.m. Awakenings Service 8 10:50 a.m. Sanctuary Service 83 Total 91

Offering $1,793.00 ‘10 Christmas Tree Sales 21,000.00 Perpetual Fund Interest 7, 681.34 Thrasher Tickets reimbursement 40.00 Utility Offset- Atlanta Stereographic 125.00 Total $30,639.34 Final Budget Report for 2010

‘10 YTD Total Income $245,583.43 ‘10 YTD Total Expenses $244,718.00 ‘10 YTD Surplus (Deficit) $865.43

“Signs of Congregational Health “

Jesus said, “You know how to look at the sky and interpret the weather. Do you know how to interpret these present times?” (Luke 12: 56)

A church marquee in Baltimore, almost buried by driven snow, reads: “Whoever is still praying for

snow, please stop!”

We spend a good bit of energy these days looking up, checking on the density of clouds; looking straight ahead at a television screen, checking out upcoming weather reports; looking into our closets, checking out what to wear that might possibly keep us warm and dry. Even as we walk down the streets of our fair city our hearts and thoughts are with our neighbors in the cold in northern climes, as well as with those experiencing severe flooding in the southern hemisphere. Continue to lift up these good people in your prayers. Financial contributions to the Christian Church’s Week of Compassion go to support emergency relief efforts in the USA and abroad.

While we are in the role of interpreter, let’s invest some energy to consider the health of this congregation, gauging our recent past and assessing present times. In case you are wondering, what sparked this column was the final financial report for Faithful Stewardship in 2010. I was so impressed by the figures of how much we raised and invested in Christ’s call to ministry that I began to assess what happened over the course of the year. Here are some brief observations and interpretations. I would love to hear yours as well.

In 2010, we were blessed to participate in the blossoming of seeds that were planted in ‘08 and ’09. The Saturday Spiritual Formation Group with Rev. Adei Grenpastures has grown into a multi-generation Bible study and group support network that is changing lives for the better. Under the prayerful, daily guidance of Daphne Reiley and our Membership Ministry, the Caregivers Spiritual Support Ministry has bloomed from an idea into a community service that is touching the lives of caregivers and their families in the congregation and now across the city. The teenagers and adult advisors in our Christian Youth Fellowship have evolved into a vibrant, energetic ministry, providing the backbone for a dramatic original Christmas Pageant. We sent over a dozen young people to Camp Christian, and commissioned 13 to represent us at the regional youth retreat in early January 2011.

In 2010, we collectively experienced a season of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter like never before. Speaking personally, our worship services changed my life, enabling me to connect with the forgiving grace of God like never before. Thank you, Worship Ministry, Hand Bell Choir and Chancel Choir! Our total membership stands at 171, with 154 active participants. Our average weekly worship attendance in 2010 was 86 people. Considering our losses in 2009, clearly we are both blessed with a solid foundation and mandated by the Gospel to grow. With regard to church growth, we had many, many visitors to come and break the Bread and share the Cup of Life. We baptized 5 souls, received 6 new souls by transfer of membership, and ended the year on a strong note (a

chord!) when we welcomed Dee Cordell, Sarah McClelland, and the Rev. Jessica Torres into the life of the congregation.

During the summer the church granted a Sabbatical for our Senior Pastor, honoring my first 12 years of service here. During the summer we rejoiced in the pastoral presence and preaching of Seminary Intern Anita Renahan-White, in particular, as well as those who also graced the pulpit. This past year we introduced member and seminarian Melvin Bussey, Jr., to church servant leadership and worship here, and in the autumn we called seminarian Sarah McClelland to serve as Director of Christian Education.

Last fall we co-sponsored More Hands for God. We held an amazing Homecoming Sunday in which we listened to the wisdom of our returning “Timothys” – folks from the church who had been ordained here and gone into Christian ministry. A September-October sermon series on

Images of God was well received. We concluded on solid ground, with an upbeat and deeply spiritual Advent. The Chrismon Service, Christmas Cantata and Pageant, and Christmas Eve services were very well attended and gave glory to God. What remains to be said about the Christmas Tree and Wreath Sales of 2010? The numbers tell part of the story of a fantastic community experience: over 500 trees sold; over 300 wreaths made and sold; $21,000 raised for church and community ministries; 111 members and friends participated in the event in bright green t-shirts. Tell your friends about the significant

percentage of customers who returned from previous years and many, many of the folks who use the Church Park who came by to express their gratitude and buy a tree or wreath. Even more so, God’s disciples stayed around a few extra (cold and wet) days to help out our sister church in need, and we did so with a smile and a prayer and a smoky fire.

So, last but not least, we look to the budget, income and expenses in 2010. We anticipated a budget of $264,969. Not including special offerings and designated gifts and income, we raised $245,583.43. Thanks to frugal spending habits, savings of over $7,000 in lower energy usage due to our efforts to go “green”, and delaying until 2011 a portion of our tithe to the Georgia Region, we spent $20,251 less than budgeted, for a total of $244,718.00. That means we ended the fiscal year in the black with $865.43! Thank you, Jesus! Every penny raised and spent was used for reaching out to be and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Moving forward, our faithful, mellow 2011 stewardship campaign netted pledges of $161,000, which is significantly more than we have pledged in a number of years. My friends, these figures speak of a lot of money for ministry and grace, especially for a family-size church serving God from the corner of Ponce de Leon and Nelson Ferry in such a time as this.

As always, First Christian Church of Decatur, I am delighted to be your pastor and fellow interpreter of the times. Shalom, James Brewer-Calvert

“...invest some energy to

consider the health of this congregation, gauging our recent past

and assessing present times.”

Non-Profit Organization

U.S Postage Paid

Permit 137

Decatur, Georgia 30030

First Christian Church

of Decatur (Disciples of Christ)

601 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030 Church Office — 404-378-3621

Fax — 404-378-1875 Email: 1stcc@bellsouth.net

Website: www.decaturdisciples.org

Ministers: All the People

Your Church Staff:

The Rev. Dr. James L. Brewer-Calvert, Senior Pastor

William E. Garner, Director of Music

Sarah McClelland, Director of Christian Education

Kathy Westbrook, Church Organist

Elizabeth Hamm, Bookkeeper

Sherry Davis, Church Administrator

Thomas K. Dawson Jr., Facilities Manager

Azeb Gidey, Custodian

Your Volunteer Ministry Coordinators: Diana Blake, Wedding Coordinator

Melvin Bussey, Jr., Young Adult Ministry Daphne Reiley, Caregiver Spiritual Support

Return Service Requested

Dec

atu

r D

isci

ple

s

Th

e N

ew

slet

ter

of

Fir

st C

hri

stia

n C

hu

rch

of

Dec

atu

r

February 2, 2011

Volume 48, Issue 3

We are Disciples of Christ,

a movement for wholeness

in a fragmented world.

As part of the one body

of Christ, we welcome all

to the Lord's Table

as God has welcomed us.

--Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

Statement of Identity

Y’all Come!

Soup and Salad Luncheon

Sunday, February 13

following the 10:50a.m.

Worship Service The Disciples Women will be

serving a delicious Soup and Salad luncheon. This is a fund raising project for the Disciples

Women. Donations will be accepted at the door! MENU:

Wonderful Soup, Tossed Salad, Crackers, Dessert, Coffee, Tea and Lemonade

Presents Songs & Dances

Sunday, February 20, 3:00p.m.

Here at First Christian Church of Decatur

Under the Direction

of Nationally-Acclaimed

Handbell Composer and Clinician

Kevin McChesney

and Assistant Director, Alice Myers

100 Days of Prayer

Disciples prepare to pray our way through

Lent and Easter as a community of faith

First Christian Church of Decatur will intentionally, faithfully, and collectively practice the spiritual discipline of prayer as a congregation throughout the seasons of Lent and Easter.

Starting on Ash Wednesday, March 9th (the beginning of Lent), and concluding on Pentecost Sunday, June 12, we will share in 100 days of prayer. Everyone who chooses to join in this spiritual practice will be divided into triplets (groups of three); each triplet will be asked to commit to pray together 10 times in 100 days. We seek to discern and discover afresh God’s will for us personally and communally. Look for sign-up sheets and additional information and guidance at the church.

“Tell It!” 2011 General Assembly of

the Christian Church (Disciples of

Christ) set for July 9-13 in Nashville,

Tennessee -- Registration now open Make plans now to attend some or all

of the 2011 General Assembly in what may be Atlanta’s closest assembly ever. The Assembly begins on Saturday, July 9 and runs through Wednesday, July 13. This assembly promises interaction with thousands of Disciples, excellent workshops, dynamic worship services, opportunities for local community service, and profound keynote speakers, including our beloved Dr. Fred Craddock. Early Registration is available until April 1st. Register online at www.disciples.org/ga or call the church office (404-378-3621) for a copy of the registration form. By doing so adults can save $50 and youth can save $20 each.

Elders and Deacons Workshop

March 4 - 5, 2011 Co-sponsored by

Lexington Theological Seminary

and Christmount Christian Assembly

At Christmount in Black Mountain, NC

Keynoter: Dr. Jerry Sumney

The Christmount/Lexington Theological Seminary Elders and Deacons Workshop has been an annual event at Christmount since 1997. The purpose of the event is to offer church leaders intense training in these two vital lay ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Two lectures will be given by Dr. Jerry Sumney (who teaches at Lexington Theological Seminary). Participants also attend two skill shops designed to offer a special area of training or thought specifically for elders or deacons. Elders and Deacons can benefit from this event in many ways: Gain a deeper understanding of the work they do. Learn specific skills, such as how to visit in homes, how to strengthen the ministry of their pastors, how to deepen their personal spiritual lives, and how to talk about faith and the major issues of the modern world. Share concerns with and learn from other Elders and Deacons. Fellowship with other Disciples. Cost: $98 includes room and board and registration fee. Registration forms are available online and at the church office.

Decatur Cooperative Ministry In

Kind Needs for February:

Furniture and Household Goods: Umbrellas & Ponchos, Paper Plates, Plastic Cups, Plastic Silverware, holders/pouches, packets, Napkins, 6 Brooms & 6 Dust pans, 3 Twin Beds with bed frames, Couch (in very good condition), Stackable Washer & Dryer (electric), Interior Plastic Weather Window Covering, Toiletries: Liquid hand soap, Toilet paper, Paper towels, Powder dish detergent Other Supplies: MARTA Card plastic holders, Gas Cards, GED Books, Parenting Skills books, DSM IV-TR (Diagnostic Manual) Non-perishable Food: Instant oatmeal variety, Non-perishable food for food pantry. For more information, please contact Sue E. Holec, Volunteer and Donations Coordinator sue@decaturcooperativeministry.org or 404-377-5365 (option 6)

Church Parking Lot Notice 75% of our Church Parking Lot will be shared with a local film production company on Thursday and Friday, February 10 and 11, and possibly Wednesday, February 9 as well. Please plan in advance to car-pool and expect to park on the street near the church on these days. We are sorry for any inconvenience as we make space for the actors and crew of the film, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” starring Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton.

February 2011

First Christian Church of Decatur

601 West Ponce de Leon Avenue

Decatur, Georgia 30030

44-378-3621 office

404-378-1875 fax 1stcc@bellsouth.net

Sunday Worship Schedule

8:30 a.m. Awakenings Service (chapel)

9:15 a.m. Sharing in Fellowship Hall

9:30 a.m. Sunday school for all ages

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 3-5 p.m. SIS 4 p.m. Music Teacher 8 p.m. AA/ALANON

2 9:30-10:30 a.m. SIS 3-5 p.m. SIS 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

3 10:30-11:30 a.m. SIS 3:30 p.m. Music Teacher 7 p.m. Emory Chase

4 5 1-2 p.m. Spiritual Growth with Rev. Grenpastures

6 12:15 p.m. Disciples Women Exec. Board Meeting 8 p.m. NA

7 10 a.m. Staff Meeting 11 a.m. Prayer Group 7:30 p.m. Stewardship Meeting

8 1:30 p.m. Ruth Circle (at the church)

3-5 p.m. SIS 3:30 -6:30 p.m. Music Theory Group 4 p.m. Music Teacher 8 p.m. AA/ALANON

9 9:30-10:30 a.m. SIS 3-5 p.m. SIS 3:30 -6:30 p.m. Music Theory Group 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir

Rehearsal Disney might use parking lot

10 10:30-11:30 a.m. SIS 3:30 p.m. Music Teacher 6:30-8:30 p.m. Suzuki Violin in Sanctuary 7:30 p.m. Lydia Circle (at the church) 6 a.m. Disney uses parking lot

11 7:30-9:30 a.m. Atlanta Stereographic Association 1 a.m. Disney uses parking lot

12 1-2 p.m. Spiritual Growth with Rev. Grenpastures

13 12 noon Disciples Women Soup & Salad Luncheon (all church) 8 p.m. NA

14 10 a.m. Staff Meeting 11 a.m. Prayer Group

15 4 p.m. Music Teacher 8 p.m. AA/ALANON

16 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

17 2 p.m. Retired Teachers 3:30 p.m. Music Teacher

18 19 1-2 p.m. Spiritual Growth with Rev. Grenpastures

20 12:30 p.m. Board Meeting 3p.m. Atlanta Concert Ringers 8 p.m. NA

21 10 a.m. Staff Meeting 11 a.m. Prayer Group 7:30 p.m. Mary Magdalene

Circle at Yolanda’s

22 3-5 p.m. SIS 4 p.m. Music Teacher 7 p.m. Emory Chase in Chapel 8 p.m. AA/ALANON

23 9:30-10:30 a.m. SIS 3-5 p.m. SIS 6:30 p.m. Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir

Rehearsal

24 10:30-11:30 a.m. SIS 3:30 p.m. Music Teacher

25 26 1-2 p.m. Spiritual Growth with Rev. Grenpastures

27 12:30 p.m. CYF at Decatur 1st 12:30 p.m. Eldership Lunch & Workshop 8 p.m. NA

28 10 a.m. Staff Meeting 11 a.m. Prayer Group

Rev. Dr. James Brewer-Calvert at Voices Retreat Feb. 4-5

No Spring Into Spanish Feb. 14-18

John Sabine Music Studio Monday, Tuesday, 4-6:30 p.m.

Thursday, 3:30-6 p.m.

Music Together Wednesday 9:15 - 11:15a.m