Protest Update: I am really proud of the members of our church who showed up at the event at Kelvington’s on Wednesday afternoon to protest the racial intimidation incident. In all, we had about a dozen people there – many of whom passed out water and an occasional mask to the people who were in attendance. The event lasted about 2 1/2 hours and was peaceful. The scariest moment was when a man on a motorcycle drove through the crowd, but no one was hurt. The police chased him down and apprehended him. I was very appreciative of the Akron police who were able to create a protective bubble around the event and made sure that no one was injured. Their presence was reassuring. (You can find pictures of the event on our Facebook page)
What happens next? Kelvington’s has been boarded up and it is unclear if and when it will be reopened. Charges have been filed against Mr. Kelvington related to firearms.
I would like our church to be a healing presence in our neighborhood, and I think we’ll be offering a spot on our church parking lot from 12-2 on Sunday June 21 after our drive-in service for anyone who wants to come from the neighborhood and pray. We will share more on that next week.
Coming Up this Weekend:
On Sunday June 14 at 9AM on our YouTube Channel we’ll be launching our summer theme connected to Camp Christian: “You may not be able to go to Camp, but Camp can come to you.” This Sunday our text will be Ephesians 2:11-22 and our message will be “The Seven Kingdoms and the Hidden Spring.” Since it is summertime, feel free to dress casually for worship.
Also on June 14, the Friendship Class and the Lord’s Workers Class will meet at 9:30AM in the church parking lot.
That afternoon the Sisters in Christ will meet in the Bane’s backyard, 86 W. Case Dr., Hudson, Ohio 44236. BYOE – Bring your own everything – chair, beverage, food. Time 5-7PM. If you have not done so already, please RSVP to Holly at 330.676.2862. or hharrisbane@gmail.com.
Meetings Next Week:
Our Elders will have a Zoom meeting on Tuesday the 16th at 7.
Bible Study: We have just started a new study of Ephesians and we meet on Wednesday evenings at 7PM. Let Pastor Jim know if you want to be prat of this, and he will send you log-in information.
Sunday June 21 at 10:45AM: Our first in-person worship gathering since March 8. For everyone’s safety we will meet outside in our parking lot. You can either stay in your car and listen to the sound on your AM radio or set up your own chair in the lot. Please practice social distancing. Mask wearing is highly recommended. We will have individual communion packets for people, but you are encouraged to bring your own. We will also have some activities for children. Since it is Fathers Day we will be lifting up Dads as well as Grads – those who have graduated in recent weeks. It will be a continuation of our Camp Christian summer theme. Bring a canned or non-perishable item to stock our blessing box and food pantry.
Safety is our #1 goal, and afterwards we will evaluate and make adjustments as needed. A recording of the service will be on our YouTube channel later that day.
A follow up to the Ali’s message on June 7: Ali mentioned resources available on our General church website for anti-racism and pro-reconciliation. Here is a link to some of these resources:
https://disciples.org/congregations/we-need-to-be-the-church-we-say-we-are/
New Horizons Christian Church 