South Summit Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
"Room in the Inn –
Ministries of Compassion and Justice”
We remember that Jesus came into this world in difficult and trying times. Through his whole life, ministry, death, and resurrection, we understand Jesus’ ministry to be one of compassion and justice. He invited all people to consider themselves beloved children of God. The One who came into the world with "no room in the inn," lived a life of making "room in the inn" for others. He preached the Good News that all people have a special place in the heart of God where there is room for everyone. South Summit Christian Church is deeply committed to Jesus’ ministry of “making room” for all who have been alienated, whatever the reason, from God, the church, or human community. Below are some of our current ministries of reaching out and making room for others.
Partnership with Uplift
Uplift is an organization meeting the needs of homeless persons in the KC Metro area. Volunteers travel a minimum of three times weekly to the streets taking hot meals, clothing, and most of all, compassion. Uplift volunteers are non-judgmental. They listen, talk, and sometimes give and receive heartfelt hugs, rare treasures on the street. Members of SSCC currently are providing support by volunteering to cook meals, and to date, have prepared over 1500 meals. Chellie Maxon faithfully organizes this ministry for SSCC.
Belarus Ministry
For 8 years, SSCC has been developing a relationship with an orphanage located in the tiny, former country of the Soviet Union, Belarus. The orphanage is in the town of Mogilyov and it along with the rest of Belarus suffered some of the greatest fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1984. SSCC has collected and sent many packages of supplies (vitamins, shoes, clothes, bibs) to Baby Orphanage #1 in Mogilyov.
Summer, 2008 marked the 7th consecutive summer that we have hosted several Belarussian children ages 9-15 to spend 5 weeks living with member families, receiving medical and dental care, and enjoying clean air, food, and water. Besides developing friendship, these “recuperation” visits, as they are called, strengthen the immune systems of these children whose general health is compromised due to radioactive contaminants in the Belarussian environment. Because of an incident that caused disagreement between the Belarussian and United States governments, we were not able to host children thru South Summit this past summer (2009). Instead, we sent two persons from our congregation to Belarus delivering blankets, visiting children in three locations and spending time at the orphanage.
Mission Costa Rica
The excitement is mounting for our Mission Costa Rica Project. We have set the dates of January 11 – January 18, 2010 for the trip. The tentative plan is to stay in San Jose, where we will work on mission projects as well as worship with those we help on the Sunday before we leave. Disciplines Global Ministries will help coordinate and plan the mission projects we do. Also in our plans is a day of play and tourism to complete our trip.
In an effort to help with some of the costs associated with the trip to Costa Rica, several "Parents Night Out" events will be held at the church from 6:30 to 10:00 pm. The dates are Friday, October 16, Friday, November 20 and Friday, December 18. The cost is $10/child. Take advantage of the evening to have a much needed night out for dinner, shopping or meeting with friends, and drop your child(ren) off for an evening of safe play and fun! Contact Jan Nelson for more information!
"Feeding Friendzy" Food Pantry
The Outreach Ministry Team has established on ongoing food collection program at South Summiy. Any week, we will accept donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries that will be taken to local food pantries such as Lee's Summit Social Services, Hillcrest Transitional Housing or Harvesters for distribution to those in need.
Project Warmth and Hooked on Books
Do you have gently used coats, blankets and children's books that you would like to donate to a good cause? Throughout the month of October, the Outreach Ministry team will be collecting gently used coats and blankets for Project Warmth. We will also be collecting new or gently used children's books for Hooked on Books. Please place your donated items in the tubs just outside the sanctuary doors. Thank you so much for helping SSCC help others.
Red Bag Program
South Summit CC participated in the Red Bag Program this year as their Christmas mission project. The Red Bag Program provides gifts to children in foster care or group homes. Participants were able to provide a gift or two for one of the two children that SSCC sponsored, or were able to sponsor a child and fill a Red Bag on their own! In total, we sponsored 19 children thru this program!
Adopt-A-Street
SSCC adopted a stretch of Ward Road in Lee's Summit and has promised to pick up trash once per quarter to support our environment and community. Cindy Bauml leads the volunteer group who help keep this area clean.
Cancer Support Lay Ministry
"Our Journey of Hope" is a cancer support lay ministry offering spiritual support to cancer patients and their families. Nancy Wilcox and Rita Boswell lead this group of volunteers. If you know of someone who could benefit from this ministry, please contact the church office.
Children’s Mercy Hospital
Books and Blankets are needed supplies at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. South Summit has responded and will continue to do so as needed.
Week of Compassion
The disaster response ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is known as “Week of Compassion.” South Summit regularly contributes to this global ministry and helps with supplies. We’ve also been involved with the “Disciples Relief Effort” on the gulf coast, having one member family taking two trips to help rebuild, and planning to return soon, hopefully with others.
1121 SW Hook Road Lee's Summit, Missouri 64082 (816) 246-4400
Sunday School 9:00 am Worship 10:00 am
Serving Others
...embracing and sharing God's love
