Dear Church,

I trust you are excited about our vision and focus for fall 2010:  Living in Jesus and Loving in Jesus!

We had a great Vision Day kick off last Sunday and I encourage you to listen to the CD if you were away! We will have extra copies available. It was encouraging to see so many visitors and an almost full house!

Today I have four brief news items as we seek to get organized for a productive season of ministry:

- Outreach news
- First Steps fall study
- Scripture memory
- Youth and Children

Outreach News: We have hired a fantastic outreach director for MCC - Paul Rasmussen - an experienced ministry professional with deep experience in reaching, serving and helping lead communities into vibrant relationship with Jesus. We will introduce him and his family to you on Sunday as he leads us into a wonderful outreach to our Village after service.

We will worship for an hour Sunday morning, then have a pot luck lunch together (bring a side dish and leave it in the kitchen - John Cowell will be cooking up some treats for main course!) After that, we will spread out across Mariemont to offer our friends free ice cream cones at Graeters! We will end up in the Village square where MCC musicians will lead us in celebratory songs. We will be done by 2 PM.

We also will begin to open the Chapel to the community in mid September - every non-holiday weekday from 11-1. A place of peace. A piece of history. Come enjoy the beauty and quiet of this historic community landmark. Bring lunch if you like. Rest. Pray. Reflect. This is your time of sanctuary, your place of peace.

We’re still in need of people interested in hosting chapel visitors for one or two, 2-hour slots per month on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Hosts will be responsible to be present to welcome those who come and answer questions, light and extinguish candles, be available to pray with anyone who asks, and pray over any requests left at the Chapel as you are led. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Susan Carson.

First Steps: This fall, we are going to review and deepen our faith foundations by pairing up with one person of the same sex to study and grow together. This will be a strong and practical supplement to our fall series in Romans! First Steps is an integrated toolkit to help us review the most important things to know how to live for a full life with God. It will also equip us to help others down the road (we will be asked to make a commitment to review these materials with one other person per year for the rest of our lives!).

The First Steps toolkit costs $17, but we have funds available to help those whose budget requires them to pay less. Pray about who to pair up with, and plan to pick up your kits on September 12 or 19. There are 10 chapters and ten meetings to have during the 14 weeks of study in Romans between September 12 and December 12. Each week, Pastor Denis will link the study in Romans to the First Steps journey.

Scripture Memory: One of the great spiritual disciplines that is proven to help us choose wisely in times of challenge and temptation. During the Fall, we will be giving folks interested in reciting Scripture from memory (from Romans or from the First Steps toolkit) a chance to encourage us all on Sunday mornings. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Jason Mackey at - he will lead a brief meeting on this for those interested after service on Sept 12.

Youth and Children: Both these ministry teams are looking for parents to enroll their children and students for the fall season, and then to help us grow this strategic next generation. If you have Children from newborn to grade 6 - please register with the forms available at the children's greeting desk on the Lower Level, or by contacting Marianne Beausejour. We still need volunteers, including teaching aides (once a month), greeters, worship, nursery, snacks, and administration.

The Youth ministry is currently asking parents who could not attend the Back to School Blast to register their students and get involved as "booster" parents. There are many ways to help and love on our youth. Please contact Heather June to get your students connected to a year of adventure.

Be blessed this week as you experience the love of God!

Living in Jesus, Loving in Jesus - Denis