Deepening our Open and Affirming commitment is a goal we felt called to during our most recent congregational Sacred Conversation. Providing a safe space for the LGBTQ community has always been a central part of who we are and now we are looking to live this out in new ways. We hope this will mean, among other things, becoming a resource and help to other church communities that want to engage in dialog around this issue. If you’re interested in helping with this effort, please contact Mike Tupper. We also invite you to remain in prayer as we continue to discern other ways in which God is calling us. If you are feeling called to a specific mission, especially around deepening our spirituality or finding ways to let the world know about our wonderful community, please talk with Pastor Ken. Thank you to all of you who support Phoenix Community Church!
Pastor’s Office hours for July are Wednesdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm except July 10, when there will be no hours. If you stop by and the front door to the church is locked please ring the bell. We don’t want to miss your visit but we are unfortunately not able to leave the doors open if no one is upstairs to monitor them (our office is downstairs).
Join us for Spirit Talk, a time of relaxed discussion over the refreshment of your choice. There’s no pressure to join the church or think in a certain way – just an opportunity to talk about what’s on your mind. Bring a question and a friend with you and together we’ll tackle the mysteries of life. We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month. The next gathering is July 1 at 7:00 pm at the Main St. Pub on Westnedge Avenue in Portage.
Book Study will not meet on July 4 or July 11. Weekly meetings will resume on Thursday, July 18, at 3:30 pm in the church office.
The Southwest Association (of which Phoenix Community is a part) will hold a service of ordination for Josh Lee at 3 pm on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at First Congregational Church, 345 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI. A reception will follow the service. All are invited to attend and celebrate Josh’s ordination as a minister in the United Church of Christ.
Movie Night: Our next movie night is Tuesday, July 9, in the church office. The movie will be “The Naked Civil Servant”. We’ll gather at 6:45 pm and the movie will start promptly at 7 pm. A short discussion will follow the movie. Bring a snack to share.
Pastor Ken will be out of the office on an education week from July 8 through July 15. If you need assistance during that time, please leave a message on the church office phone or contact one of our peer ministers.
The Flamings Newsletter will not be published on July 12. A bi-weekly schedule will resume with a new issue on July 19.
The Timid Poet Open Mic: Do you have a poem or song to share? Or just want to listen? We’re sponsoring an open-mic night at the church at 7 pm on Friday, July 19. Doors will open at 6:30 pm and the show will start at 7 pm. Some simple snacks will be provided. For more details visit http://pieceofthepuzzle.net/timidpoet/.
Kayak Trip: Our annual summer kayak trip is scheduled for Saturday, July 20. We’re tentatively planning on meeting in Plainwell at 11 am. Contact the church office with questions.
The Southwest Association has called an Ecclesiastical Council to examine Tere Krueger for ordination on Saturday, August 3, at 1 pm at First Congregational Church in South Haven, MI. Guests are welcome but Phoenix can also send two voting delegates. If you are interested in serving in that capacity, please talk to Pastor Ken or our moderator Angie Willard.
Steering Committee will not meet in July. The next meeting is Friday, August 9, at 7 pm in the church office. Guests are welcome.
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