Kudos! Bravo! Thank you! And Yum! What a wonderful meal the congregation shared last Sunday hosted by the Fellowship Committee of the Connections Mission. A special thank you to Mack Carpenter, Deborah Carpenter, Donnette Mee, Lloyd Smith, the rest of the Carpenter family, and many other church people who purchased, prepped, and cooked food, steamed table cloths, set tables, cleared tables, washed dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and worked so hard to make sure everyone had a great time together. And did we mention - the food was delicious? Thank you to all members of the Fellowship Committee!

All children are invited to put on your pjs, bring a pillow and blanket and join us for food, games, a Christmas craft and movie as we celebrate this most wonderful time of the year!

FCC has collected many advent candles over the years. There are  containers in the gathering area with candles the church is no longer using. Feel free to take as many as you like!

A major part of the ministry of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region is caring for its congregations. Just as congregations provide care for their participants - nurturing them spiritually, offering pastoral care and support, and connecting them to opportunities for service - so also do Regions invest much time and energy into the well-being of congregations.

Every program that is offered by the Region ( camps, retreats, workshops, etc.) is intended to be an addition to each congregation's own programming. These opportunities are intended to strengthen participants for their roles within their home congregations. In this way, the Region supports congregations. 

Regions support congregations as they have special needs. Congregations that are facing a transition in ministerial leadership rely on the Region to guide them through a process of seeking a new minister. Congregational leaders receive training and guidance from the Region to be better equipped for their roles of service. Congregations in conflict call on the Region for help in mediating and moving past the conflict in healthy ways. 

Regions support congregations on special occasions and remind them of their kinship with other Disciples congregations. 

The Region communicates with congregations through letters, emails, and a web-site to inform them of opportunities for involvement. 

Congregations know they are not alone as they seek to be faithful to God. They call on the Region as a valuable partner with them along the journey. Caring for congregations is a major part of what a Region is called to do.
 
All gifts to the 2019 Christmas Offering are directed to the ministries of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region. Please give generously! 

Gifts to the 2019 Christmas Offering will strengthen the Alabama-Northwest Florida Region for its ministry.  Offering received on December 15 and 22.

Giving is an important part of life and the holiday season. This is a beautiful time of the year to give abundantly. The church staff are unsung heroes at First Christian Church that give of themselves to the church and each of us all year long. The Christmas season embraces remembering the joy of giving and being inspired to make this and every holiday season about others. Lest we forget our friends on the church staff, you do have an opportunity to give a personal gift. In the gathering area, there will be a donation box. Please feel free to add your own donation that will go directly to our staff.

Members and friends who are interested in a beginners' Pickleball class are invited to join us on December 12 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Stan Brown will be training our new pickleball players. This introductory class is open to anyone who would like to try their hand at Pickleball. No equipment needed! If you plan to attend, please contact Fletcher Hamilton (205-616-1565) or Bob Lamb (205-401-2849).

Pickleball is currently being offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-7 pm and Saturdays from 9-11 a.m., unless otherwise noted. No need to bring any equipment, and if you aren't familiar with the game, we will teach you! All members and friends are welcome to join in on the fun or just come by to watch the players in action!