2019 SUMMER issue
Volume 3, Edition 1
2- Black History Program/Moments of History 3- Ash Wednesday Service 4- Youth and Young Adult Paint and Sip 5- Lenten Dinners 6- Music Ministry Conference 7- The Carying Place Feeding 8- Revival 9- Pastoral Anniversary 10- Habitat for Humanity 11- Women's Day 12- G.E.M.S Fellowship Luncheon 13- Birthdays & Anniversaries
Dove Newsletter
A Kickoff to Transformation Ash Wednesday marks the start of the Lenten Season leading up to the time we mark the death and resurrection of Jesus. During the season of lent, we are to show repentance and mourning for our sins. As we have done for the past three years, we joined with Covenant Christian Church and Good Shepherd United Church of Christ to mark the beginning of Lent. The service was full of songs, scriptures, and prayers. It truly was a reflection of the coming kingdom – Black, White, Red, and Yellow, all races of people coming together to worship the true and living God. As we worshipped, we gathered to prepare for spiritual journeys, trials, triumphs, commitments, good-byes, and fresh starts throughout the Lenten season. This fellowship opportunity was intended to be a time to search for transformation of the heart, where we would turn back to God.
Article by Sis. Barbara Engram
Article by Rev. Mycal Brickhouse
Black History Program/Moments of History
Reflecting On Where We've Come . . . . In 2019, we celebrate 400 years since enslaved Africans were forced out of their country to the shores of America in 1619. The 2019 national theme for Black History was BLACK MIGRATIONS. Cary First’s 2019 Theme was: “A BLACK MIGRATION from 1619 to Now: A Story of Survival and Thriving.” During our Black History program, we shared just a portion of our Story of Survival and Thriving as we risked everything to find freedom 400 years ago during forced and deliberate migrations. Dr. REGINALD F. HILDEBRAND, a retired Professor of African American Studies and History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, was our guest speaker. The spotlight was on Black Liberation Theologians during each Sunday service of Black History Month. The Youth shared their research and visuals on the following Black Theologians: James H. Cone, founder of Black Liberation Theology Rev. Dr. Howard Washington Thurman, the first pastor to co-found an intentionally multi-racial and multi-faith church in the United States. Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon, a North Carolina native, who was the pioneer of womanist theology Dr. Cornel Ronald West, one of America’s most outspoken public intellectuals, who paved the way to make the gospel relevant to the life and struggles of African Americans..
Ash Wednesday Service
In February, the Youth and Young Adults of Cary First Christian Church gathered for a “Worshipful Art” workshop. Attendees prayerfully engaged Scripture through Lectio Divina (a traditional monastic practice of Scriptural reading, meditation and prayer) and participated in dialogue about the images of Psalm 23, before painting an interpretation of the text. Mimicking a Paint-and-Sip event, the group enjoyed refreshments while painting along with instructor, Katy Medinas-Lockley. Our time together was filled with laughter, faithful navigation of Scripture, and trying out our painting skills! There will definitely be another session in the near future!
Lenten Dinners
An Old but New Spiritual Practice: Lenten Dinners The season of Lent is a purposed to be a time where we repent of our sins and turn back to God. During this season, as a congregation, we were intentional about turning away from the sin of disconnection. Scripture reminds us, “And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:24-25). This Lenten season, we sought to be intentional about creating a space where we would “provoke one another to love and good deeds” by engaging one another over a meal. Each Tuesday for the month of March, we came together as a community just to fellowship over a meal. The price of admission was to invite a stranger and to be willing to sit at tables with people not of your own choosing. The outcome was three nights full of laughter and love.
Youth & Young Adult Paint and Sip
Article by Sis. Ashley Cross
On Thursday, June 6, 2019, Cary First Christian Church and Good Shepherd provided a meal for The Carying Place clients. We had 33 people including the servers and the staff. We served hot dogs for lunch, accompanied by all the toppings you could think of! We also provided an array of desserts, including cakes, pies, cookies. As always, the leftovers were packed up for the families to take home along with fresh vegetables that was provided by the Carying Place. Our next day of ministry at The Carying Place will take place during the first week in August.
Music Ministry Conference
Article by Bro. Ronald Williams
In April of this year, The Cary First Music Ministry held its Annual Music Ministry Conference. This year, for the first time, we hosted the weekend conference in cooperation with Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church. Returning this year as our guest clinician was long-time friend of Cary First, Dr. Braxton D. Shelley. This year, we culminated our conference with our Music Ministry Conference Concert, which was livestreamed to online viewers in the Cary First online community. During this concert, we performed anthems, contemporary music, and traditional gospel selections, as well as some music written by Dr. Shelley himself. To God be the Glory for the things that he is doing in our Music Ministry!
Article by Sis. Rosetta Lee
The Carying Place Feeding
Strengthening the Family Spring Revival Our Spring Revival featured the Rev. Kathy Dunton, pastor of St. Peter’s UMC in Oxford, NC, and Hargrove Chapel UMC in Townsville, NC; the Rev. Joseph Robins, pastor of Fair Promise AMEZ Church in San ford, NC; and the Rev. Patricio Wilson, pastor of Christ Family Church in Cary, NC. Each night was filled with wonderful worship, spiritual singing, and powerful preaching. Rev. Kathy Dunton preached from Isaiah: 6:1-8 using the topic, “A New View, A New You.” Rev. Joseph Robins preached from Genesis 45:1-8 using the topic of “The Pain of Being the Bigger Person.” Rev. Patricio Wilson preached from Matthew 21:10-17 from the topic, “A Clean Church.” As the spirit would have it, each sermon built upon one another, emphasizing the importance of looking for God in the midst of hardship, remembering that God always has a plan, and declaring that we just stay faithful in our praying and trusting in God.
Spring REVIVAL
Article by Rev. Mycal X. Brickhouse
On Saturday, April 27th, the officers of Cary First Christian Church gathered to hear from Pastor Anthony Bennett from Mt. Aery Baptist Church in Bridgeport, CT. Pastor Bennett believing in the practical power of prayer, lead Mt. Aery to develop the theme, ‘A Praying People, With a Powerful Witness, of the Perfect God.’ As Mount Aery had a historical commitment to extend itself to the Bridgeport community, Pastor Bennett created new ministries that would continue the church’s legacy of outreach and evangelism. These included: the Leadership Institute, a ministry designed to develop the church’s lay leadership; People Learning Under God (P.L.U.G.), a ministry designed for teens to explore both their spiritual and ancestral history; Restoring Everlasting Faith Under God’s Embrace (R.E.F.U.G.E.), a ministry for those recovering from dependencies and co-dependencies. He came to share with the leaders of Cary First how to have a global impact. On Sunday, Pastor Bennett preached the morning worship service. Asked how he was feeling about three years, Pastor Brickhouse responded, "I’m grateful to celebrate three years of ministry at Cary First Christian Church. Cary First Christian Church is a vibrant ministry engaged in the community, empowering people’s lives, and equipping people to continue the mission of Christ. I came to Cary First with an open mind and heart and I have witnessed God fill them both with vision for the future and love from an amazing group of people. I’m grateful to say that I am blessed to pastor a church alive. It is my prayer that we never lose sight of our call to make disciples. We are doing this work. We are committed to this work!" We thank Pastor Anthony L. Bennett for sharing his wisdom and gift with us this weekend. We thank the members of Cary First for all the love and the grace shown. Written By The Pastoral Anniversary Committee
Pastoral Anniversary
It is always a pleasure volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. To me it is a prime example of what Christianity is all about, being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ by serving others. People from all different walks of life, experiences, races, and ages come together with a common goal: building a home for a family. Every building session was full of fellowship, laughter, hard work, and most importantly, the presence and love of God. With each build we learned something new. This time we built wall frames, cut out cardboard baffles, inserted the baffles, and worked on the roof over the deck. Hammering was my least favorite part because it was so tiring, however, it was rewarding to see the walls up and to know I played such an integral role in the house. I didn’t get the chance to meet the family this time, but I hope they know that not only does God love them, but so many people whom they’ve never met also loves them. My prayer is that the home will bring them never-ending security, great memories, tons of happiness, and a space that will always remind them of how loved they are.
Women's Day
Article by Sis. Marilyn Carney
Article by Sis. Nieya Garland
Habitat For Humanity
Women’s Day Weekend Our Women’s Day theme was “Women . . . Blooming Into Our Purpose” (Roman 8:28) We started on Saturday with prayer and breakfast at Pam’s Farmhouse Restaurant in Raleigh. We followed breakfast with a short video about Rahab --- a woman of God who found her purpose. This was followed by discussion of Rahab’s life as it compares to the lives of women today. Our study of Rahab consists of a continuous study in 4 sessions and we completed Session 1. The Women’s Ministry will continue with Session 2 in late July. Women’s Day Sunday was also Mother’s Day. Our color was Shades of Yellow. The service was filled with special moments. Sis Barbara Engram and Sis Brenda Height gave special recognition to our dear Sis Olivia Ann Meadows who recently passed. Sis Pearl Floyd arranged and choreographed a beautiful praise dance with members of Cary First women participating. CFCC members experienced an awesome sermon delivered by Rev Chalice Overy (Associate Pastor Pullen Memorial Baptist Church). Her sermon was entitled “The Courage to Come” from Luke 8:40-50. To God be the Glory!
Article by Sis. Kennie Hinton
The Mission of Cary First's Dove Newsletter is to engage the church community by highlighting events, celebrating historical moments, and detailing the works of our church ministries.
The G.E.M.S. were involved in their 2nd quarter event with 8 G.E.M.S. attending a Luncheon at D&S Cafeteria immediately after church service and then to enjoy the play, Of Good Stock, at the Theater in the Park on Sunday, June 9th. The play centers around three sisters, and the men in their lives, who gather at their family home for a summer weekend. Their reunion ignites passion, humor and unanticipated upheavals. It was an enjoyable and a wonderful day of fellowship. Thanks to Sis. Susan Reaves for transporting us on the church’s bus.
G.E.M.S Fellowship Luncheon
birthdays
our mission
CELEBRATIONS
August 4 - 150th Church Anniversary Celebration September 8 - Cary First G.E.M.S. Ministry Celebration Service October 1 - Fall Revival | 7pm October 8 - Fall Revival | 7pm October 15 - Fall Revival | 7pm October 22 -Fall Revival | 7pm October 31 - Youth Ministry Trunk or Treat
To provide a beautiful communication tool to inform about the news and works of Cary First Christian Church and to facilitate connection between the members of the congregation and the community.
August 2 Rick Ramos 6 Miranda McNear 20 Herbert Bailey 25 Elaine Waller 26 Patricia Fuller 30 Evelyn Chandler September 3 Sallie Jones 12 Kristin Ramos 17 Pastor Mycal Brickhouse 19 Danica Brown 22 John Spivey 27 Eva Jones October 3 Brian Jenkins 7 Arlene Moore 7 Susan Reaves 14 Marilyn Carney 15 Betty Branch 16 Claudia Ramos 19 Gloria Evans 23 Dianne Matthews November 17 Cynthia McCants 20 Nieya Garland 29 Tiffany Chasten 29 Juanita Jones
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