Greetings Church Family! 

It is a cold, snowy day in January and I hope you are still finding ways to connect with loved ones and enjoy the beauty of the season. The school system had a “cold” day and so many families were home with their kids to enjoy the day. I remember the “snow days” when the kids were younger and Christin (and I) tried to make them fun and special. I wonder what memories/stories you have of “snow days” growing up? I remember Carol Oros (a long-time MCCC member who passed away several years ago) telling me stories of sledding down Derthick’s Hill! She always had a big smile on her face as she detailed the events. Hopefully, you are filled with fond and warm memories of family and friends on days such as these.  

This week I want to take some time to share with you about several things…

Building Improvements and Vision

We have spoken about the building improvements needed several times on Sundays but I want to give you a bit more information. Many of you know that our building was built in 1840 with additions added in the 1950s and 90s. The generations before us worked hard to make sure we were prepared for ministry going forward. They passed on a wonderful legacy! Here we are in 2024 thinking about what ministry for our church’s THIRD century might look like. Our church’s 200th birthday is in January 2027 and we want to have a vision for a faithful building space to do ministry going forward. 

Our MCCC Trustees have been working extremely hard to make improvements to the building and figuring out what bigger improvements are needed for now and into the future. They have been gathering quotes and talking with experts (including local contractors and our DOC General Ministries resources). We have identified several needs based on our assessments and feedback: 

1. Address water and foundation issues

2. Bathroom accessibility from sanctuary space 

3. Improve quality and accessibility of the fellowship hall bathrooms.  

In the coming weeks you will be hearing from our Board and Trustees about these varying issues (and perhaps others) and how we hope to address them. We will very much need and VALUE your participation, feedback, and prayers! Stay tuned!

O&A Process

Some of you may have heard about the Open & Affirming process we are starting as a congregation. Based on feedback from our Re-Centering process, there were folks who wanted to think more deeply together about how we can be a more hospitable and welcoming congregation specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community. A committee has formed, explored our denomination’s recommended resources, and getting ready to include the entire congregation in the process. 

I think most of us already feel like we are a very welcoming and loving congregation (we are!) and so…. how do we make sure those in our community/world truly know and trust that they would be welcome in our church? Many churches say they are “welcoming,” but in truth would not be so welcoming to those with a different sexual orientation, culture, or ability than them. Who are we as MCCC? 

The Open & Affirming process invites congregations to discern what kind of welcoming space we want to create and how we might share that welcome with the community around us. We understand that for some, welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community is a “non-issue” and for others there will be lots of questions, concerns, and perspectives. We want to make space for ALL to participate, learn, explore, and share their point of view. As a congregation we want to grow in knowledge and faith so we can continue to be a welcoming and accepting congregation. We want to really understand it, mean it, and live it when we say “All are Welcome at the Lord’s Table.” 

Please know that I would LOVE to hear from you about this process. We want this to be a genuine process of discernment and exploration and hope all the congregation will participate. Whatever your perspective, I would love to have a conversation with you so that all feel heard and understood. Please reach out to me if you want to learn more and stay tuned for opportunities to be presented by our O&A team.  

Lent almost here

Ash Wednesday is Wednesday, February 14th and we will have a Disciples United joint service here at Mantua Center at 7:00pm. Earlier in the day, Hiram Christian Church will also hold a service of Ashes that all can participate in. For the Lenten season, our theme will be “A Time to Grow: Lessons from the Garden to the Table” and will be based on a book by the same name by Rev. Kara Eidson. Thank you to all who signed up to write our “Time to Grow” devotions. We hope this will be a time to more deeply explore and grow our faith and to walk with Jesus through Holy Week to Easter Sunday. Look out for more info in the coming weeks.  

This was a longer message today…thank you for taking time to read and consider the contents. If you have any questions or want to share your perspective on any of the above, please don’t  hesitate to reach out to me.  

This Sunday we will be exploring Jonah 3-4 and thinking about forgiveness. Looking forward to being with you in worship! 

Peace in Christ,

Chad