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National Association of Congregational Christian Churches,  P.O. Box 288, Oak Creek, WI  53154
414-764-1620 
Email: naccc@naccc.org   Web Site: http://www.naccc.org

by Claudia Kniefel, NACCC Moderator

Almost 400 years ago a group of people got into 2 small wooden boats and set sail for the unknown on the other side of a really nasty piece of water. One of the boats sprang a leak (or two?) and they both headed back for a safe harbor. Still with that experience fresh in their minds most of the original travelers resumed their journey in the one remaining boat. Having been thus frightened, would you have gotten back on that boat?

September 11^th has shaken all of us in much the same way though in truth we are seldom being called to leave our past behind and head into the complete unknown. Our Speedwells crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pittsburgh. And now many are reluctant go get on board another airplane for fear that the same will happen again.

But we invite you to put your trust, as did the Pilgrims, in a gracious and loving God to lead you this summer to Spokane and the 48^th Annual Meeting of the NACCC. There we hope you will have the opportunity for growth and most especially for fellowship, which is more important than ever. We need to gather to discuss what has happened to us and how we should deal with it. And we need to comfort one another and assure each other that God's love continues to surround us and lead us to reflect that love through lives of service.

And if you just can't face getting on a plane yet, we urge you to look into alternate ways of getting there. Amtrak goes through Spokane _ in fact, it is only a short distance from the station to the hotel, and I understand it is a fantastic trip. Or perhaps this would be a good year for your family to see our great country from the road. However you do it, please come. You and your church will be glad you did.

GREAT IDEAS!
The FCC in Royal Oak has a great way of insuring their Church will be a "Fair Share" congregation. They ask member families of the Church to contribute $10 for every Church member in the family to the Church, and they send it to the NACCC. Thank you Dale Phillips, Chair of the Trustees, and Bill Ahrens and Tom Lootens, of the Church's Congregational Heritage Committee.

The Union Church of LaHarpe delivers meals to new mothers in the community, prepared by volunteers within the Church. What an outreach ministry!

Barkhamstead Center Church's newsletter has a column entitled Grandma's (and Grandpa's) Brag Column. In it the births of grandchildren to Church members are "bragged" about.

The NACCC post office box number has been changed. Please begin using the following new address:

NACCC
PO Box 288
Oak Creek, WI 53154-0288

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