ICCC HEADLINES
Dr. Linda Abington and the ICCC hosted a discussion of the New York Times bestseller, ‘How To Be An Antiracist’, written by Ibram S. Kendi.   Antiracism, as described by Kendi, is viewed as transformative, encouraging us to look at ourselves and others through different lenses.
 
This book study was one of the suggested action steps formulated by Rev. Phil Tom, Rev. Dr. Rhonda Blevins, Rev. Rock Fremont, and Linda to ensure that the ICCC 2021 revised resolution on racial justice and inequity will be a living document that helps to catalyze our journey toward racial inclusion, equity, and reconciliation.     
 
 
Below are the discussions.
Saturday, April 2
Saturday, April 9
Saturday, April 16
     Recording: video1202652549.mp4
Saturday, April 23
     Recording:  Vimeo
Saturday, April 30
     Recording:  Vimeo

Come SOAR with us!  

In 2022, the R.R.R. (Reimagine, Re-vision, Reframe) team will lead us in a SOAR visioning process; a profoundly positive approach to strategic thinking, planning, and leading. SOAR stands for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results, and is intended to be a positive approach to strategic conversations that allows an organization to construct its future through collaboration, shared understanding, and a commitment to action. The SOAR visioning process focuses on what the system is doing well, what the system wants more of, and how we move forward from positive images to positive action and results. SOAR leverages the Appreciative Inquiry paradigm to shift and amplify the energy and dialogue of stakeholders to strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and results, and this is a fantastic opportunity to learn the process and take it back to your own communities.
 
We’ll begin to SOAR May 2 when the R.R.R. team enters a time of retreat and discernment about the future of the Council and effectively learn the process to lead others. The SOAR conversation will widen at our Annual Conference to include conference participants. R.R.R. members will collaborate to include local churches and communities in the conversation in the months following our annual gathering. Our ecumenical, interfaith, and wider church partners will also have ways they can participate in the SOAR conversations. Come SOAR with us!  

Rev. Rock Fremont
Committee Moderator

Greetings ICCC clergy brothers and sisters!

I hope you are all doing well as you continue to navigate the new normal with your congregations, whether it be through your parish, center, or chaplaincy ministries.  It is an understatement to say that these are challenging times for clergy, congregations and for the Church at large.  Here are three articles that I thought you might find of interest to read.
 

The New Front Door of Church: From web to welcome – https://refreshthechurch.com/the-new-front-door-of-church-from-web-to-welcome/
How to Preach When Your Congregation is Online and In-Person – https://factsandtrends.net/2020/09/02/how-to-preach-to-two-audiences-at-the-same-time/

1 in 5 churches facing permanent closure within 18 months due to COVID-19 shutdowns: Barna pres. – https://www.christianpost.com/news/1-in-5-churches-face-closure-within-18-months-due-to-covid-19-shutdowns-barna-president-238612/?fbclid=IwAR3gfW_-HBQil7FRBynfmLK8A57wUVMWv_uRlLeX0yF8SgFY-3pEbCXtqQs

During this pandemic, clergy and congregational leaders have had to become adaptive, agile, and creative to maintain their worship services and ministries with their congregation members and their communities.  Most congregations, large and small are facing financial challenges.  This time has been especially difficult for smaller membership congregations which for many were already struggling financially pre-Covid!

I welcome your stories about creative solutions and resources that might be of help to our ICCC clergy, congregations, and members.

 
 

Let us continue to keep one another and our congregations in prayers as we all move through this time of great challenge and opportunity.  Take care and have a blessed day.

Peace,

Phil Tom
icccpt@sbcglobal.net

WORSHIP WITH US!!

During these challenging times, many ICCC churches have learned to provide virtual worship, to bring together their congregations.  The following have shared their links with us, in case you would like to join in.
 

Antioch Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntiochChurchKC/  or search in FB Antioch 4805.  For more information on what Antioch Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.acckc.org.

Wilson Memorial Union Church– Sunday Worship can be found on their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmXd-MMkSkEEJVqsN-8Yoeg or on their website https://www.wilsonmemorialchurch.org/videos  They also post their worship links on their *Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mywilsonchurch  For more information on what Wilson Memorial Union Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.wilsonmemorialchurch.org.

Lake Oconee Community Church – https://locc.co/worshiping/services-livestream/  For more information on what Lake Oconee Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website www.locc.co.

New Covenant Community Church – YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQ4tfz6CmH64kug4zjVGmA  For more information on what New Covenant Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website http://www.covenantakron.org/

Greater Faith Community Church – For information on what Greater Faith Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website http://www.greaterfaith.org.

Imagine Church of the Carolinas – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImagineChurchoftheCarolinas/.  For more information on what Imagine Church of the Carolinas has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.imaginechurchnow.org

Chapel By The Sea – YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjSPp9qNZq9DFRfoNcJ83g  For information on what Chapel By The Sea has to offer virtually, visit their website www.imaginechurchnow.org

upRising – a church without walls – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uprisingaustin/   For more information on what upRising has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.uprisingaustin.org

Peace Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peacecommunityftmyers/  For more information on what Peace Community Church offers virtually, visit their website: www.peacecommunitychurch.com

People’s Community Church, Berea, OH – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesCommunityChurchBerea/  For more information on what People’s Community Church may have to offer virtually, visit their website: www.peoplescommunity.org

Christian Catholic Rite of Community Churches – YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHGa_5lyPn0 .  For more information on what CCRCC has to offer virtually, visit their website: http://ccrcc.ca/

 

Historic First Community Church Nashville – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/526657234126797/videos/652357822159867/?vh=e&d=n

Speed Memorial, a Community Church – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/speedmemorial/  For more information on what Speed Memorial has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.speedmemorial.org

Tellico Village Community Church – https://www.tellicochurch.com/watch

Historic People’s Community Church, Detroit – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeoplesCommunityChurchDetroit/ live at 10:30am ET Sundays.  For more information on what People’s Community Church has to offer virtually, visit their website: www.historicpcc.org

ICCC Clergy Rev. Dr. Stephen York is the minister at Elm Street Congregational Church.  Services are livestreamed on Sunday at 10:00am ET: https://elmstcongo.church/live.  Archived services can be found at https://elmstcongo.church/youtube. 
 
Norris Religious Fellowship – YouTube: www.youtube.com/norrisrf.  For more information on what NRF has to offer virtually, visit their website www.norrosfr.org.
 
Arizona National Guard Chaplains – *Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AZNationalGuardChaplains/
 
Greendale People’s Church – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfkBKSC_VJABn03L4P3Syiw.  For more information on what Greendale People’s Church has to offer virtually, visit their website https://www.greendalepeopleschurch.org/
 

*For Facebook links, you may need to first “Like” the church’s page before you can view their postings.

 

Please accept the following prayer from your ICCC leadership!

Almighty merciful and loving God, hear the prayers of your people.
Lord, in the midst of great uncertainty in our communities, our cities, our states, our nation and our world community, give unto us the certainty of your loving presence and hopeful promise of your love for us.
May we be certain of your present healing spirit as we face uncertain of the COVID 19 virus.
Guide us, O God that we would make wise decisions in our day to day life.
Bless our ICCC and all our communities with a calming assurance of your love.
Your are our breath and life.  We praise you.
Harry Foockle, ICCC President
 
The ICCC has a NEW Facebook Group! Click on the Facebook icon to join!                    
 
We also invite you to like and follow the ICCC Page, where up-to-date announcements and info can be found. 
The ICCC has 6 Regions, and each will soon have their own Facebook Group.  Keep up to date with your regions news and activities! 
Eastern Zone, Region A (Regional Trustee Deidre Seidel)
Eastern Zone, Region B (Regional Trustee Myrtis Brame)
Eastern Zone, Region C  (Regional Trustee Bruce Jones)
Central Zone, Region A (Regional Trustee Jean Tillman)
Central Zone, Region B (Regional Trustee Linda Hopkins)
Central Zone, Region C (Regional Trustee Julia Powe)
Western Zone, Region A (Regional Trustee Saundra Nelson)
Western Zone, Region B (Regional Trustee Chaplain Ken Young)
 
Check us out here too! #ICCCNOW             Instagram:  @icccnow                                                    Snapchat: icccnow             Twitter:  @icccnow
 
 
Monday, June 8th, the ICCC held a Call For Prayer, via Zoom.  We had a spirit-filled time prayer time together with members from across the country joining in.  Below are some of the prayers shared (adding as they come in).
 

Read (and sang) by Joe Higgins, Wilson Memorial Union Church:

  • “Breathe on me, Breath of God,
    Fill me with life anew,
    That I may love what Thou dost love,
    And do what Thou wouldst do.
  • Breathe on me, Breath of God,
    Until my heart is pure,
    Until with Thee I will one will,
    To do and to endure.
  • Breathe on me, Breath of God,
    Till I am wholly Thine,
    Until this earthly part of me
    Glows with Thy fire divine.
  • Breathe on me, Breath of God,
    So shall I never die,
    But live with Thee the perfect life
    Of Thine eternity.”
 

Read by ICCC Chaplain Wendy Childress.  Written by her daughter, Ikia Noel, 23 years ago when she was 9 years old:


Why? 

Why is this world so cruel, so cold, so evil?
A world full of crime, drugs, and violence
Violence seems to be the answer to. . .
Every situation
Every question
Every problem
A world where money is idolized
Yet, there are people who live in poverty and despair
A world where people want to see you fail
A world where children are supposed to be the future
Yet, there is no one willing to. . .
Teach them
Love them
Guide them
No one there to help the realize they have the potential to succeed
Why is the world so evil?
Why am I surrounded by a world of hatred?
A world where your race, gender, religion, or nationality
Can determine so many things
Why must I dress or talk a certain way
Or have a certain amount of money to be accepted?
Why?

IMG_3005Give By Text

 
Do you pay for all your “things” online?  Why not make your donations electronically as well?
 
 
We want our members to contribute when and how they want.  The ICCC offers an electronic giving option… Give by Text, as a convenient alternative to checks or cash.
 
 
In less time than it takes to write a check, you can make weekly offerings or respond to special appeals by simply sending a text message from your smartphone.  Sign up today and be liberated from your checkbook!
 
 
Simply send a text to 815-506-9017 with the amount you would like to contribute. Make sure to include the dollar sign before the amount. Example: $25. Within a few minutes, you’ll be sent a text with a link to register. Click on the link and enter your cardholder name and credit or debit card information. Once your registration is complete, you will receive a text verification and a receipt via email.
 
 
 
Thank you for supporting our mission!
 

 

 
      Direct Thrivent Choice Dollars®.

GIVE THANKS.
During this special time of year, we pause to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. Family, friends, faith …

We are pleased to announce that the ICCC has recently been accepted into the Thrivent Choice program. 
One way eligible Thrivent Financial members can show their thanks is by directing Choice Dollars to the ICCC. If you’re a Thrivent member who has designated Choice Dollars

®, please take this opportunity to recommend where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funds by directing them to the ICCC.  Thrivent Choice grant funding will be used for Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, and for our three missions: Agape, Creating Community, and Feeding the Hungry. 

To learn more about Thrivent Choice, visit Thrivent.com/thriventchoice.  Or call Thrivent at 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” when prompted.

Do you shop Amazon.com?
You can now designate the International Council of Community Churches to receive .5% of the purchase price from the AmazonSmile Foundation!
 
Please support the ICCC today and get shopping!  Go to https://smile.amazon.com and select the ICCC as your charitable organization.