Weekly Visitor  Online Edition

R. Scott Pricer, Sr. Minister

As I looked around this huge assembly hall there had to have been at least 10,000 chairs lined up in neat rows. Because the stage was so far away there were six very large overhead screens for the majority of people to watch. As people filed in during each of the sessions I observed that people were looking at the name tags that hung around our necks. There wasn't a lot of difference in the way the two denominations identified their members, but there was some difference. Many people had their eyes glued to the name tags to see if that other person was from their denomination or the other one. People appeared to gravitate together based on denominational affiliation rather than a general collegiality.

In the exhibit hall, which was again very large, were booths from both the UCC and the Disciples. But never the two would meet. The Disciples had one side of the hall while the United Church of Christ had the other.

It was evident from the worship services which appeared to alternate between the Disciples and the UCC that social issues were far more important to the UCC than they are to the Disciples. We Disciples have always lifted up the plight of the poor and downtrodden. But it was evident that we were a far second when compared to the emphasis placed on social concerns by the UCC. I seriously doubt that there will ever be another joint session of the UCC Synod and the Disciples of Christ General Assembly. It was a nice try, but it was also evident that we are far apart in many of our priorities.

Thank you Decatur Trinity Christian Church for sending Karen and myself. We appreciate your willingness to have us involved in the life of the bigger Church. I know that the Rev. Dr. Arnett Winn did his usual outstanding job and I thank him and his lovely wife, Ruth, for filling in while I was at the General Assembly.

Your Pastor

Helen Fly - St. Francis.

Mary Anderson – surgery at Methodist North on Monday6.

Quindel Keith had cataract surgery last week.

Margaret Ward – cataract surgery last week.

Karen Dameron fell and hurt her shoulder.

A. D. Poole was in the hospital recently in Texas.

In memory of Joyce Bozer from Lem and Betty Gorden.

In memory of Roy Moore from Lem and Betty Gorden.

In honor of Gus and Donna Benefield’s 25^th Wedding Anniversary, July 9, from their parents, Doward and Janie Benefield.

We welcomed the following visitors: Carole Jones, Stefanie & Courtney Hooks, Addison Ingram, Dustin Coss, Randy West, Kevin Shipp, Sharron & Gerald Paris, Brittany Smith, Frank & Janie Krause, Lynne Paredes, Phil Yelvington

Church School 138

Worship Service 236

SALT Service 47

Received July 22 $6,189

Rec’d to date in July $32,626

July Budget Needs $42,116

Debt/Touch the Dream $1,088

Total Debt/Touch Rec’d $163,468

Speaker for SALT this week will be Richard Jones.

The Elders will meet Thursday, July 26, at 7 p.m. in the Disciples classroom. All elders are urged to attend!

As we "wrap-up" our summertime activities, we are having a "Swimming-Cook-Out" on Friday, July 27 from 2 – 5 p.m. at Judy Sandlin’s home. It is for school-age children and the cost is $2. Wear your swimsuit and bring a towel! Please RSVP to Judy Sandlin or Trina Luechauer by Wednesday, July 25.