One might claim the Holy Spirit has been calling forth this vision from us for months!

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1 In worship a few weeks ago, Christ Church heard a Vision Statement that's a product of our Fan the Flame renewal. A Vision Panel member, Frank Mormino, shared how the Panel arrived at the statement unexpectedly easily, as though it was the Spirit's simply given gift. I m willing to believe it was such a gift, and not just because, for the Panel, Vision Statement almost seemed to write itself. The core Vision, Loving God, sharing relationships, serving others from the heart of Christ seems to express the DNA of Christ Church. This doesn't surprise me. The statement grew directly from our sharing, study, and discernment in last December s Heritage Event, Lent s Salt & Light Bible study, and spring s Vision Event. One might claim the Holy Spirit has been calling forth this vision from us for months! An essential element of renewal and change in the church is that it be grounded in what cannot change, because if it did the church would no longer be the people God has made it to be. The renewal we seek will surely involve change, but not the sort that will make us less who we are as a church. The Spirit's renewal will make CPC more truly who we are, which is to say people who love God more deeply, share relationships more fully, and serve others more wholeheartedly. Is it accidental that the three Heritage Event values we lifted up as describing what Christ Church is all about meaningful, vital worship, loving relationships, and practical service to others so closely correspond to the core Vision Statement? Hardly, if we trust the Holy Spirit is in this process, grounding us in what can t change for CPC because it's the Christ-following foundation from which renewal will grow. At the start of 2019 we will consider mission strategies that will send us into the community to live our vision out. Surely those strategies will mean change in how we re being the church. But first, as we look this fall at what our neighborhood s strengths and needs are really like, we will be testing whether this vision is really compelling for life as people called by God. That s why after worship on October 28, on the day we dedicate the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall renovations to God s mission, we re holding a "Joining God Event." Over lunch, we ll spend time trying out the Vision for size, asking, "Does 'Loving God, sharing relationships, serving others from the heart of Christ' represents God s dream for CPC? If so, what opportunities and challenges does the Vision hold out to us?" Renewal reinvests in and changes for the sake of God s purpose that doesn't change because it flows from Christ who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. As for me, taking part in a movement that s about loving God, sharing relationships, and serving others from the heart of Christ is something I can imagine always wanting to be part of.

2 Long-Distance Hugs Sharing a hug is one of the most human of gestures, don t you think? That moment of person to person closeness can convey a whole range of emotions from celebration, happiness, thankfulness, and blessing, to comfort, love, caring, and healing. Kids know this instinctively. They love getting hugs, and they love giving them. When you feel those little arms around you, isn t that the best? As you know, our 9:30 a.m. Discovery Time class has been learning about serving others - by doing. Throughout the summer and continuing into the fall, they have been participating in a variety of service projects. I hope that through these projects, they have gained an awareness of others needs and also felt empowered in their own ability to contribute and to make a difference. This brings me to our latest project: the Long-Distance Hugs program, conceived as a way for our kids to reach out when someone in their church family is either in celebration or experiencing a time of need. A couple of weeks ago, the kids began making paper and ribbon hugs using their own handprints and measured to the size of their own arm spans. These hugs will be sent to those on our ongoing prayer list as well as to anyone who we sense might benefit from knowing that others are thinking of them and wish to send them a hug. Each child will be informed where their hugs have been sent and whom they might have touched. If you receive one of these hugs, know that it was prepared and sent in love. Our recently proclaimed Christ Presbyterian Church Vision Statement speaks of sharing relationships openly, authentically, and humbly. We hope that in this small way, both kids and adults will feel that human connection with each other and will experience at those important times, the giving and receiving of love that truly does come from the heart of Christ. God Bless. P.S. Here are a few photos from Sundays in September.

3 I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal is the perfect gift book because it is as much about the giving of the sentiments as it is about the receiving. With a new beginning on the horizon, how wonderful to be wished more hugs than ughs, more will than hill, and more can than knot. But for children, I wonder what would come of asking them to whom they would direct these wishes: Who do you know that needs more umbrella than rain right now? When approached in this way, we can nourish in them the seeds of compassion. Read I Wish You More for its cleverness, its simplicity, and at the same time, its depth. With your child, though, let it be prayer - received for themselves with gratitude, and offered up in love for all of their others. Click here to listen to the lovely song based on this book, I Wish You More, recorded by Sam Hawksley. When disaster strikes, the American Red Cross helps families get shelter, food, and water. Last month Hurricane Florence had damaging winds and torrential rains which caused widespread flooding. The children spearheaded a donation drive and raised over $ They couldn't have done it without everyone's help. Thank you for being so generous!

4 Join as Christ Church continues listening to God s Word for our renewal in God s mission. Behold: There Is a New Creation This 6 week study brings us into the Bible s story of God s dream for creation and how, in the midst of a broken world, God continues to work toward his dream of a flourishing world. Listen for how God calls the church to share his mission to make all things new. Studies have begun. Choose from Sunday, 9:30am, in the CPC Library or an 8pm Thursday evening online group. (Note the cancellation of previously announced Wednesday studies.) Those unable to attend Sunday or Thursday may pick up a guide and participate in the study on their own. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 RENOVATIONS DEDICATION IN WORSHIP & JOINING GOD LUNCHEON In Reformation Sunday worship, we ll dedicate the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall renovations to God s mission and glory. Then we ll share a luncheon and reflection on what it would mean to receive the Vision Statement as a guide for joining God s work in our neighborhood. Sign up at the coffee counter in Fellowship Hall or through an e-newsletter.

5 WELCOME CASE & CSU INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OCT. 13 4:00 5:00 p.m. International students from the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapters led by Bok & Heidi Chew will stop by the CPC pavilion after picking apples at Eddy s Fruit Farm. We need a handful from CPC to give them a welcome and join in eating apple pie. (That s, right you re signing up to eat apple pie!). To help, contact Pastor Matt, or matt@christpcusa.org. RELIEF KIT DONATIONS STILL WELCOME Thanks to everyone who purchased a Hygiene Kit and attended the Kickoff Fall Missions Lunch on Sunday September 9th. It was a wonderful afternoon of tasty food and fantastic fellowship. This year, contributions fell short of the cost of the kits. If you haven't had a chance to give, it's not too late to help CPC extend God's help to people in disaster relief situations. Kits are $16 each; contributions of any amount are welcome!

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