Here is a link to a wonderful article by Nate. Insightful and very moving. It's his first published essay, but trust me, it certainly will not be his last. -- Patrick

From Immerse Journal: Going Deeper with Creating Storytellers by Nate Phillips

The primary purpose of the Immerse Journal is to support adults in student ministry by providing insight into youth culture, fostering in-depth dialogue around important themes, and strengthening the student ministry community.

The online journal article is a "response" to Jason Brian Santos print article titled "Creating Storytellers." Through the article, Nate sifts through Santos' idea by way of his close pastoral relationship with Elizabeth Rada.

Red Clay is a proud supporter of the Food Bank of Delaware.  Want to help out?  Please check the latest issue of PerMission for dates and times for our next volunteer opportunity.  You may contact Max Matteson for more information.

Graphic published in the April 22 issue of the News Journal.

On Sunday, April 29, please stop by Founders Hall and visit the various ministry tables to learn what it means to DO AWESOME THINGS!

On Sunday, May 6 during both worship services, you will have the opportunity to complete a PerMission card. This is a great opportunity to update your contact information with the church and a great way to sign-up to participate in a ministry of your choice.

Click here to print and complete a PerMission Card

Click here for the current PerMission Catalog

For 10 days in late April, we will welcome South Africans, Unathi Mlisa and Elethu Gantsho, back to Red Clay. Another friend, Lisolam Nombewu, will be joining us as well. During this visit, we will offer many opportunities for members and friends to build and renew relationships with them.

The mission of this partnership between RCCPC and our South African counterparts is to help educate orphans on the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

This visit represents an important milestone in accomplishing that mission.

RCCPC Sibanye Core Team members

Eyes starting to itch?

Nose running a little bit?

Notice that you haven’t put on your gloves in
a while?

Spring is here!

If you have been observant this season then you have noticed daffodils sprouting up and blooming. Daffodils are the first flower to bloom in the spring and they symbolize hope, a hope for not only a new and warmer season, but a hope for a world where cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease. Traditionally, in England, the first Sunday in April was “Daffodil Sunday”. People would pick daffodils from their yards and surrounding fields to take to the hospitals in London. Here at Red Clay, we have shared a similar tradition. In years past, members of the congregation were given daffodils at the beginning of the service and were then invited to bring the flower forward and lay it on the altar in memory of, or in honor of, someone who faced or is currently facing cancer. This year, we will still carry on this tradition, but with a slight twist. Starting on April 15 in Founders Hall after both services, we invite everyone to decorate and design a daffodil. We will have pre-cut daffodils available. These daffodils will be blank canvases for you to create your image of hope. Maybe that’s coloring a green stem with a yellow flower, or maybe it’s creating a daffodil that no eye has yet seen. That’s the beauty of hope, it’s a look forward; a vision into something that is currently unseen.

These daffodils will then be passed out on Daffodil Sunday, April 29.

Spring is the sign of new life but new life is only possible when everything is working in relation to the other things around it. Flowers aren’t allowed to bloom without the help from light, from the sun and water, and from the rain. We, too, are only able to live in hope when we share that hope with those around us. Coloring daffodils is sharing in that hope. When you receive a paper daffodil on April 29, it will be one that was made in hope of a world without cancer. So whether you receive a daffodil that was made by a child in the first grade Sunday school class or a member of session, know that they created it in hope. When you bring that daffodil forward and lay it at the altar, you, too, are carrying on the same hope.

Grace and peace,

John

Enjoy these photos from the Palm Sunday service (10:00 AM) and the egg hunt that followed. Photos courtesy of Bob Hanes.

On Thursday we were awakened by fireworks right outside our hotel at 4:50 AM! Apparently this is to announce the start of celebrations leading to Holy Week. A few cups of Costa Rican coffee soon put us in suitable shape to complete our work in Lajas.

Just a bit about Lajas - a few miles south of Canas along the Panamerican International Highway (about the size of McKennan's Church Road), we turn onto a dirt road and travel abit 2 miles to the tiny Lajas community. We pass the small rural school, bear left at the fork and soon reach the church. Along the way we see fields of various crops (sugar cane, pineapples) and ranches. At this time of year, every one who can work (including the pastor) is out harvesting sugar cane. The houses are very simple, there are few amenities, but the people greet us with smiles. This church is supported by the church in Santo Tomas, itself just a few years old and supported by CEDCAS. It is great to see how CEDCAS helps people help people.

So on Thursday we finished applying the second coat of paint to the church, despite a very bright sun. We assembled the last of the 30 desks and sealed the undersides of the new wooden seat and desk panels.

On Friday we completed the last in a series of devotions that Nate had designed for our team. This really added a lot to our experience. We considered the concept of TRUST, by reading and reflecting on various scriptural passages. It was unfortunate that Nate could not be with us, but by relying on each team member's spiritual insights we got a lot out of it. During the weeks before our trip, Nate led us through a few discussions regarding "missional mision trips", along the same lines as his doctoral thesis. The devotions conected well with this, and helped us dig deeper into a couple key ideas - this is part of God's mission, not our own; God's mission is to the whole world, so we are part of it, not just our Costa Rican friends; and although we can do just a little, we can trust that God has a plan and will one day complete his mission.

Regards,
Dave

See all Costa Rica blog posts.

Greetings from Costa Rica!

Today [Wednesday] was our third day with the wonderful people of the church of Lajas which is south of Canas. Your Red Clay Team continued the work previously described, more painting, and we turned out the first finished desk.

This afternoon we were blessed with a reception with cake and coffee and many thanks and blessings for their first North American Team. We also presented to the church on behalf of Red Clay, the school supplies, quilts, and bed sheets, as well as the toys and games for the older children. These gifts will be used by the church for outreach to the entire community. The church has been very open and trusting of us and extremely gracious in making us feel welcome. They shared with us today that they have been praying for this church to be completed for a very long time and we are thankful to have been a small part of that.

Tomorrow we will be applying a second coat of paint to the outside of the church and completing the assembly of the desks.

See all Costa Rica blog posts.

Hola!

Today [Tuesday] we had a chance to play with the local school children! In the morning we continued fixing the desks and painting the walls of the church, but by afternoon we had close to 50 kids playing games and making crafts with us. We began with a game that Nancy thought of involving a parachute and some soccer balls, the kids loved it. Meanwhile, Lillian and Norm took photos of the children for a picture frame craft we are planning on doing tomorrow. Zoe had a great time blowing up balloons for the kids that the McNamaras shaped into swords, dogs, and hearts. The kids were running wild having sword fights, Mrs. Aument even got in on the sword fighting action with one little boy. Then we moved onto paper airplanes which some turned into hats, boats, and "cootie catchers". We finished the day with water col or paints, cards, and decorating foam visors. The kids really seemed to enjoy the afternoon, I know that we all did!

Luke, Norm, Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, and Mr. Aument also finished painting the exterior of the building in the afternoon. Before they finished, our bus driver, Oscar, kindly pointed out any flaws in the paint job of the church. He made sure they were fixed before they ended the days work. After a long days work we were tired, but well nourished from the delicious food that we had gotten. Our options for lunch consisted of gallo pinto (traditional rice and beans) with the choice of a protein- pescado, pollo, or cerdo (fish, chicken, or pork), with the exception of me- sorry, Im a vegetarian! So I had huevos with my gallo pinto, and it was delicious!

We'll keep you updated!

Adios Amigos!

See all Costa Rica blog posts.

Hi!

Today, our first day of work on the church building, was very successful! All the desks have been dissaembled, sanded and are ready to be painted and reassemble with the new parts. Parts of the exterior have been sanded and have a coat of paint on them. Tomorrow we will continue our work on the desks and exterior.

In the afternoon we will be playing games and making crafts with the children. In the area where we are working it is very hot. It is especially sweltering in the sun. I have attached a few photos [below].

See all Costa Rica blog posts.