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TIDBITS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WSCC ‚ Twice a month, a newsletter (West Side Times) is sent to persons attending WSCC. This newsletter contains congregational information regarding events and meetings, writings from Suz, a monthly calendar, etc. Submissions may be made by persons in the congregation by the Monday prior to mailing twice a month. ‚ We have a Acongregational@ understanding of church. A nominating committee submits names for Elder, Diaconate, Board Officers, etc. From this list, persons are asked to be in leadership. At an end of the year Board meeting, the list is perused and sent forth to the congregation (with changes, if needed). The congregation approves the slate of officers, as well as the next year=s budget at the annual meeting in June. ‚ Women have been leaders in “Disciples” churches for many years, actually since the mid-1800's. However, it was only in the late 1960's and 70's that women were Aallowed@ to be elders, board members, etc. WSCC=s first pastor was a woman - her name was Clara Hazelrigg - and she served from 1914 to 1931. ‚ Our two sacraments are Baptism and the Lord=s Supper. We baptize by immersion, however, we accept all forms of baptism because we have what is known as Aopen membership.@ The Lord=s Supper is the high point of our worship and it occurs in many ways throughout the year. ‚ Sermons are mainly preached from the Lectionary...a 3-year cycle of Scriptures which are used by many denominations. We also use time as a tool to communicate the saving activity of God, the story of Jesus Christ and the Christian mission. Thus, we use a liturgical (worship) calendar: ADVENT (when we anticipate the coming of Christ, both in history and the future), CHRISTMAS (not merely the day, but the season when we celebrate the Word made flesh in Jesus), EPIPHANY (when looking at the life of Jesus, we see the nature and will of God revealed to all people), LENT (when we examine ourselves and seek to change in response to the suffering and death of Jesus), EASTER (not just one, but 50 days when we rejoice in the victory of Christ over the power of sin and death), and PENTECOST (our celebration of the birthday of the church, and the season when we strive to continue the mission of witness and service inaugurated by the Holy Spirit.) ‚ We believe that Achurch@ is not only a building, but a verb. Church is more than just a noun..the church instructs us in the teachings of Christ, leads us in our corporate worship of God and helps us to serve God cooperatively. To know Christ is to want to share the good news with others. It is to become an evangelist (Ato tell@), one who carries the gospel to others.
‚ All one need do to join WSCC is to come forward and answer one very important question: ADo you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, and do you accept him as your Lord and Savior?@ With a sincere Ayes,@ we accept all persons into membership at WSCC. ‚ The Christian Church(Disciples of Christ) has always been a leader in the effort to bring God=s people together in unity. The church’s role in the world is to witness to all people and nations the love of Jesus Christ. We do this through worship (developing bonds of shared religious experience with others), beliefs (identifying common ground between different denominations), and action (witnessing and serving others through interdenominational and united church groups wherever possible.) ‚ The current WSCC church building was built in two units, the first unit in 1959. The last unit (the sanctuary) was completed and dedicated in 1966. Special stained glass windows from the original church building (razed in 1959) are located in the Narthex. ‚ Our church school includes classes for children, youth and adults. Currently, we are enjoying the “learning center” concept for our elementary aged children. Junior and Senior High Youth, in addition to the church school hour, enjoy “youth group” on Sundays after worship. A huge spectrum of adult classes is available for persons interested in studying the Bible and other issues. ‚ West Side is involved in the Topeka community through hands-on work, as well as monetary donations to local community organizations. Please call the church at 234-0469 to find your niche in our work in the world. ‚ Our church staff consists of Suz McIver (Senior Minister), Debbie Prochaska (Youth Director), Dyann Schroeder (Secretary), Randall Bond (Vocal Choir Director), Connie Pigg (Bell Choir Director), Linda Smith (Organist), Jesse Avila (Custodian) and Kristen Dodson-Cope (Child Care). ‚ Suz McIver has been on staff since July 2002. She came to West Side, after serving First Christian Church in Muscatine, Iowa and Central Christian Church in Denver, Colorado. During her seminary years at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, she served Allisonville Christian Church on the north side of the city. She received her M.Div degree from CTS in 1994. ‚ Suz grew up in Buhler, KS (outside Hutchinson) and attended Sterling College and Phillips University. She graduated from Phillips in 1982 with a BS in Religion/Psychology/Sociology. She lives in Topeka with her two cats, Nutmeg and Pepper. |
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