The Chalice
CONNECTION
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK
Vol. 3 No. 18 May 19, 2011
Come, Re:New
Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
Some years
ago, my Uncle
Doc gave me
a Murphy’s
Law calendar.
On any given
day, I could
read some
pessimistically
humorous adage or epigram. My favorite
was: “Most people deserve each other.”
Well the truth is we all tend at times to see
things rather pessimistically, don’t we? It’s
just natural for us to see what’s wrong,
expect the worst, and complain about it,
including our church life; to see what we are
not doing or the services we aren’t offering,
and grumble.
The FCC History Committee
announces publishing of
The History of First Christian
Church,
The First Decade of the Second
Century, 1999-2009.
Samples are available in the
rotunda, where you may
place your order. The beautifully
rendered edition is only $5, payable
when you order. Sign up for your
copy, now through May 29.
But, there is another way. Regardless of
how real our flaws may be, there is much
that we are doing for God that is making
a profound impact on and in the lives of
others. So, rather than focusing on what
we are not doing, we can choose to think
about that which we are doing well. We
can choose to analyze the best of our life
together and look at how we can have more
of it! This is precisely the design of our
“Come, Re: New” process.
Two weeks ago, Robbi Kinnaird described
this process as “accentuating the positive.”
Last week, Larry Ball described it as
“discerning what we do best and finding
ways to do (it) better.” Years ago, Paul and
Timothy presented it this way: “Whatever
is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
2011 Golf Tournament Results
By Bob Stafford
The 12th Annual First Christian Church
Benefit Golf Tournament was a success and
lots of fun for all of the participants.
The May 13th Tournament was played at
the Kickingbird Golf Course. Forty golfers
teed it up under somewhat cloudy and
windy skies. Everyone enjoyed the day of
good golf, food, and fellowship.
The final numbers are being tabulated,
but we raised approximately $1,500.00. The
funds will be used toward the updating of
the Rotunda. The Tournament Committee
would like to thank all of the contributors,
participants, volunteers and the church staff;
Shelley, Jennifer, Karla, and Jeff.
The winners included the Championship
Flight winners: Jerry Black, Allen Clark,
Johna Dobson, and Bobby Dobson with
a score of 59. The First Flight was won by
Chris Stone, Brian Cain, Audra Stone, and
Jennifer Cain with a score of 64. The putting
contest was won by Bob Stafford who
received a golf lesson from Brian Sorensen,
just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence and if there is anything worthy
of praise, think about these things. Keep on
the doing the things you have learned, seen,
and heard…” (Philippians 4:8, 9a)
While Chris and his family are away for
some much needed rest and renewal, we
too can rest and renew. Join us in the June
table conversations—even if you just sit,
listen, and celebrate the stories of others.
If you are comfortable, share your own
stories, meaningful experiences, profound
discoveries, and grand moments in the
life and ministry of First Christian Church,
Edmond.
“Come, Re: New.” Be a part of this
wonderful opportunity at 9:15 am each
Sunday, June 5, 12, 19, and 26. Be blessed
with us while be a blessing to us.
Kickingbird Golf Course head pro. Johna
Dobson and Chris Stone won the long drive
contests and Bobby Dobson won the closest
to the pin contest.
This tournament would not have been
successful without the donations from our
many sponsors and contributors. Please
be sure to thank them when you have the
opportunity for their valuable support.
Hole Sponsors: Howell Stone Insurance
Merchandise and Services donated by:
Academy Sports, Alvarado’s Mexican
Restaurant, Brian Soerensen (Kickingbird
Golf Course), Flatire Burgers, Kickingbird
Cinema, Simply Falafel, Slim Chickens and
WalMart Supercenter (Danforth & Santa Fe).
The Golf Committee members were Reta
Clopton, Duke Douthitt, Clint Stone, Mickey
Stufflebean, and Bob and Jackie Stafford.
Our thanks to Glo Rehrig, Tana Stufflebean,
and Mark Mades for volunteering their help
on the day of the tournament.
Sabbatical Guide Available
By Loree Rice, Pastoral Relations Committee Chair
Dear Members and Friends,
Following months of anticipation, our season for sabbatical has
arrived! After almost 9 years of service to our congregation, and 22
years in ministry, our senior minister, Chris Shorow, will take his first
sabbatical from May 20 through September 5, 2011.
Pastors serve a variety of roles in their position at the center of
congregational life: preacher, teacher, spiritual guide, pastoral care-
giver, counselor and confidant. The responsibilities are continual,
and the pace and demands of parish life can be relentless, leaving
even the most dedicated pastors recognizing the need to
replenish their own spiritual reservoirs to regain energy and renew
their spirits.
First Christian recognizes that effective ministry requires such
occasional extended periods for study, reflection, rest, and
renewal. We provide our clergy with the opportunity for
sabbatical leave following seven years of service.
A Guide to Rev. Chris Shorow’s Sabbatical
What Are The Components of Chris’s Sabbatical?
Travel, Study, Rest, the Art of Play
Chris’s plans include first traveling to London where the family will
visit Beth’s sister. Then they will travel to Florence, Italy where they
will immerse themselves in the culture, language and Renaissance
art, during a month’s stay. After returning to the States, he will study
the works of Thomas Merton, a contemplative Trappist monk at the
Abbey of Gethsenmani and The Merton Institute Retreat Center
near Louisville, Kentucky. He will conclude with a retreat at the
Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, New Mexico, near Santa Fe.
How Will We Stay In Touch With Chris?
To give us a small glimpse into his sabbatical experiences and
the Shorow family travels, Chris will blog occassionally at
www.fccedmond.org/chriscrossings and post some
photographs from his journey.
This sabbatical is time for Chris to have a complete break
from his ministerial duties. He will not be available to the congrega-
tion, and will not access either email or voicemail until he returns
in September.
Who Will Care for Our Community?
Our clergy, professional staff, elders and leadership are prepared to
deal with all the usual matters of congregational life, including emer-
gencies Rev. Jerry Black and Rev. Greg Bunton will provide primary
pastoral care, including hospital visits, counseling,
memorial services, funerals and weddings. Our elders will assist with
pastoral visits and support the clergy during funerals and worship
services. Additionally, Rev. Coy Parsley and Rev. Les Hastings will
be available should an emergency arise. Our elders will assume
leadership of the weekly prayer breakfast, and will receive names for
prayer joys and concerns from Iris Jordan, Jerry and Greg.
We trust that our own ministry to one another, already strong,
will flourish during this time under the leadership of our associate
ministers, Rev. Jerry Black and Rev. Greg Bunton, who will
partner with our Board leaders and the Renewal Task Force. The
congregation will benefit by Chris’s returning with renewed energy,
ideas, and depth.
A responsibility list for sabbatical plans has been prepared
and reviewed by the Personnel Committee and Chris’s Pastoral
Relations Committee, and the staff. Information from those plans has
been included in a Sabbatical Guide which is now available online
at www. fccedmond.org/sabbatical or in print at our Welcome
Center. Portions of the Sabbatical Guide are printed below.
The Personnel Committee and Chris’s Pastoral Relations
Committee wish Godspeed to the congregation and to Chris and
his family as they embark on this journey.
Who Will Provide Worship Leadership?
The congregational re:NEW experience will be held during the
month of June, with one unified worship service each week at
10:45am. (full details online @ www.fccedmond.org/renew or in
the re:NEW brochures found throughout the church).
Guest and lay speakers will fill the pulpit on the following dates.
July 24 - Dr. Newell Williams, Brite Divinity School
July 31 – Rev. Noel Haley Gray, Refuge Fellowship Church, OKC
August 21 – Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdand, Phillips Theological Seminary
September 4 — Laity Sunday, The Renewal Task Force
Rev. Jerry Black and Rev. Greg Bunton will assume primary
worship leadership through August.
Sabbatical Plan Information Contacts
Loree Rice,
Chris’s Pastoral Relations Committee chair
rice50@sbcglobal.net (405) 341-3710
Frank Gresh,
Moderator-Elect of the Board
frank@frankgresh.com (405) 417-1977
A complete list of contact information and responsibilities can be
found in the full version of the Sabbatical Guide. The office staff
also can help you get in touch with the appropriate leader, please
call 341-3544 to ask for information you need.
 Happy Birthday!
Prayers of the People 5/22 Josh Anthony, Todd Anthony,
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Janet Caldwell, Brad Cummings,
Carol Sterling and Justin Billbey (Kaci Taylor’s brother), Greysen Ernst, David Smith
Deaconess 5/23 Michelle Anderson, Cheryl Gibson,
George Gilbreath, Kylie Hunt,
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Mary Lou Womble, Barbara Hall,
Bert Lindsay (Donna Clark’s dad), Ed Henthorn (Bob Henthorn’s brother), Debbie Gragg, Michael McGrew, Alice Woods
Cathy Justice, Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akin’s sister), Bill Hamilton, Joe Samuels, Eric Koegel, 5/24 Robert Coleman, Madeline
Bart Rodr, Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Sharon Luton (Susan Black’s cousin), Ed Giddens, Armelda Linton, Shannon
Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother) Medley, Kiefer Mullins, Larry Scott
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To the family of Otis Hornish who passed away May 15. A 5/25 Beth Shorow, Cody Spence
memorial service is scheduled in the FCC Chapel on May 27 at 3pm AND to Janna Huff in the 5/26 Suzanne McCall, Tekenari Tienabeso
recent passing of her grandmother, Mattie Mae Huff, on May 11. Services were held May 14 in 5/27 Hattie Baugh, Randy Huston
Tipton, OK. 5/28 Lee Christensen, Larry Hansen,
CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Brogan Klaire Richardson born May 2 to Eric Eric Koegel, Shelly Mabry, Bob
Richardson & Kristen Hammet of Edmond AND Parker Montgomery Johnson born May 12 to Sterling
Perry & Lindsay Johnson of Waco, TX. Grandparents to both are Foster & Charlanne Johnson. 5/29 Bob Archer, Jonna Emmons, Clark
Shorow

ConGRADulations College Graduates!

(still accepting submissions)

Seth Adams Audrey Hendricks

Grandson of Clella Adams Granddaughter of Kay Sullins
BS Athletic Training Pre-Professional BA Psychology
Oklahoma State University University of Central Oklahoma

Kayla Allison Chelsey Suzanne Moffatt Our Sunday Morning Schedule

Daughter of Steve & Charla Allison Daughter of Dyke & Geri Moffatt for June 5, 12, 19 and 26
BS Early Childhood BS Bus. Admin., major in Management
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University 9:15am: “Table Conversations”
Each Sunday morning at 9:15 we will gather
Addison Glenn Ball Megan Leigh O’Neal around round tables in Fellowship Hall to
Son of Larry & Diane Ball Granddaughter of Sid & Thadda Groom share our stories.
Bachelor of Music BA Political Science
University of Oklahoma Washington State University 10:45am: Unified Worship
Ryan Bowers Garrett Thomas Our “Table Conversations” experience
Son of Brad & Julie Bowers Son of Randy & Trish Thomas will be followed by a fellowship gather-
BS Chemical Engineering BS Management ing, hosted by Membership Ministries.
Washington University Oklahoma State University Children in 3rd through 5th grade will
take part in the June 5 and 12 “Table
Mr. and Mrs. Mack Mitchell Conversations.” 6th through 12th grade
request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter will join in all four weeks.
Alee Anne Mitchell www.fccedmond.org/renew
to
Adam Dean Gossen This Sunday
son of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Gossen May 22nd
Saturday, May 28 at 6:30pm, First Christian Church of Edmond
is
*Reception following, by invitation only
Casual Dress
We Have More TLC Cards! Contact Sherry Parks at 471-4354 Sunday!
 Worship
at First Christian
8:15, 9 & 11am

May 22, 2011

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black
Scripture: Philippians 4:8-9
May 29, 2011
Message: Rev. Greg Bunton
Scripture: John 14:25-27
The Chalice CONNECTION
Shelley Regan, Editor
sregan@fccedmond.org
Read News Online
@ fccedmond.org/news
Submit Articles to
news@fccedmond.org
Ready for a Wild
Adventure?
Monday, June 13 - Thursday, June 16
Dinner is from 6:00 to 6:30pm and VBS
lasts until 8:45 PM
Children ages Preschool (must be diaper
independent!) through 5th Grade
Supplies Needed!
If you would like to donate or loan
supplies for VBS, stop by the registration
table in the rotunda and “Pick A Panda”
from our donation board.
If you already have supplies, please bring
those materials to the church by June 3rd.
Experience:
• New friends on your Bamboo Crew
• Amazing crafts • Wild games • God
sightings • Wild Bible adventures
• Incredible music • Fun mission work
though Operation Kid-to-Kid
Registration
is $10 and includes a CD and t-shirt
(while supplies last) at fccedmond.org/
vbs through May 31.
After June 1, the fee increases to $15.
Questions?
Contact Courtney Moeller
asadator@live.com or Shannon Medley
ssill@mindspring.com

Edmond, OK 73083
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