West-Ark Newsletter, 18 November 2004

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Family Lines Newsletter, November 18, 2004
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Making a message multi-cultural and relevant for successive generations over hundreds of years is extremely difficult. Generations have different priorities and concerns. As time produces changes, it is easy for a current generation to transpose its current concerns on the old message.

That always has been true. The gospels' Judaism and the Judaism at the end of the Old Testament are distinctly different. Approximately 400 years (and a lot of history!) passed between the last writing in the last Old Testament and Jesus' birth. When Jesus' message directed Judaism's leaders to a God-centered understanding, he met resentment and ridicule. Jesus' concerns and first century Judaism's concerns were radically different. God's intent and first century Judaism's concerns frequently were unrelated!

In the first century Roman Empire, the exposure of infants was an accepted practice. In this practice, a newborn infant was abandoned to the elements to die. We call that murder. Though a sanctioned cultural practice, a discussion of this horrible custom is not mentioned in the New Testament.

Slavery is mentioned -- as a fact, a reality. Yet, the slavery then was distinctly different to early American slavery. Their slavery was not a racial matter. Some of their most accomplished people were slaves -- and some of those slaves actually owned slaves! Though the New Testament makes it obvious that slavery did not prevent one from becoming a Christian, it never condemns slavery.

Horrific circumstances produced incredible opportunities. Christian values displayed in daily life successfully opposed exposure of infants. The values demonstrated in daily existence successfully opposed slavery.

If you love people (even if they are enemies!), your daily existence rejects exposure. (See Matthew 5:44, 45 and 1 Corinthians 13:13.) Are you a Christian slave? Use your slavery to glorify God! (See 1 Corinthians 7:21, 22.) Is your faith in Christ causing suffering? Use your suffering to illustrate your hope! (See 1 Peter 3:14, 15.)

The American dream is wonderful! American freedom is a priceless gift! But do not interchange commitment to God and Christ with the American dream. Christian faith is not declared because "everything goes right." Christian faith is declared by our behavior when things are not right. Christian faith is not declared by a pain free life. Christian faith is declared by the way Christians react to suffering.

Worship gives Christians strength to live daily life! Daily life reveals the value of faith in God and His resurrected Son! It is through living daily life that we reveal what it means to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

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Many young children in our community are presently dealing with the death of a sibling or parent. Death of a close loved one is a very traumatic event in a child's life and often leaves children feeling afraid, confused, or angry. Well-meaning adults may add to this confusion in their efforts to comfort their children.

Parents and extended family may not be aware of the ways in which children grieve at different developmental stages. Expectations can be unrealistic and normal grieving misinterpreted as emotional illness. Lack of awareness of the child's grief may prevent parents from seeing a need to comfort and facilitate the process.

Jackie Hamilton and Dr. Bob Spray have developed a Children's Grief Group, "Dealing with Death." This is a six-week class designed to provide children the opportunity to learn about death, discuss and share their feelings, and provide parents with information to help them better understand their child's grieving process. Dr. Spray, a clinical psychologist, is widely recognized for his caring treatment of children.

While this community need has been identified and a solution proposed, problems with funding remain. Insurance will not pay for this class because it is not psychotherapy and the children will not be treated for a mental illness or given a diagnosis.

Parents will be charged a fee for each session. However, additional funding is needed to make this program available to all children, for example, children of families who do not have adequate financial resources.

Would you like to help? All money will go to pay for Dr. Spray's professional fee, course materials, and supplies. (Jackie Hamilton's efforts are volunteered.)

Please make checks out to West-Ark Church of Christ and indicate on the check "children's grief group" and give it to the office or any staff member.

Class topics will include:
* Session I: Parent's orientation: What to expect from their child's participation; questions parents may have about the class; guidelines and parenting skills related to children's grief.
* Session II: Getting acquainted; class rules; learning to share feelings.
* Session III: "Tear Soup" and discussion; information about grief; secular and spiritual.
* Session IV: Questions about death, part 1.
* Session V: Questions about death, part 2; ways to live with the loss.
* Session VI: Deciding what to do, how to be, and how to cope.

Recommendations will be made to parents if there appears to be a need for psychotherapy. The child's parents will be given name(s) of appropriate psychotherapists. Dr. Spray will not be treating any of these children.

**Men's Clothing Needed**
Men's pants, jeans, and warm-ups are needed for our clothing ministry. Call Kathy Rosalez (452-2157) or Jack Lewis (459-0168) if you have items to donate.

**40 Years of Ministry**
A reception is planned for Montie and Bonnie Ray, parents of Karen Carter, at the Dyer Church of Christ on Sunday, November 28th, from 2 until 4 p.m. This reception will honor Monty's 40 years of service as minister for the Dyer congregation.

**Ladies' Retreat**
Kerr Mansion in Poteau
January 28-29, 2005
The cost will be $65 and will include all meals, lodging, and a retreat shirt. A sign-up sheet is posted in the foyer.

**Thanksgiving Dinner**
Thanksgiving Day, November 25
12:00 noon until ??
Please sign the list in the foyer to let us know what you plan to bring. Also, let us know how many of your family will be attending.
~~Sandy Berger

Mr. and Mrs. Billy W. Miller
request the pleasure
of your company at a
30th Wedding Anniversary
drop-in reception on
Sunday, December 5, 2004
from 2 to 4 o'clock
Fort Smith River Park, East Room
121 Clayton Expressway
Fort Smith, Arkansas
No gifts please

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**Remember in Prayer**
* Lloyd Summers had out-patient surgery on his back and shoulder Wednesday.
* Velma Johns (mother of Jeannie Cole) is in Baptist Hospital in Little Rock.
* Please keep John and Melody Priester's family in your prayers: John's mother (Elizabeth Schad) is having heart problems; Melody's father, Bob Donahue, is having additional prostate tests.
* Jaythan Johnson
* Linda Jackson (The Way)

**Bereaved**
Our love and sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Luang Vanh Sanh of the Lao congregation. Funeral services for Bro. Luang are Saturday, 11 a.m. at the West-Ark Church building.

**Continued Prayers**
John Hundley, Jean Dicks, Anita Maxwell, Larry Treat, Don Green, Taylor Anders, Adam Jenkins, Eddie Hamlett, and Beatrice Neighbors.

**Prayers for Military**
Daniel Kweekul, Phillip Lux, Johnny Lindgren, Brandon Daws, Matthew Faries, Aaron Bailey, Michael Gooden, and Shane Newton.

**Prayers for Mission Work**
November 19-29, Jeffery Nolasco (son of Oscar and Alisa) is traveling with a team from Harding University to work with a church in Panama.

**Preschool Help Needed**
We need a teacher and helper for the three-year-old Wednesday night class. If you can help, please call Dena Jenkins at 478-6486 or email at denaj@swbell.net .

**Thanksgiving Eve**
Bible Classes will not meet on Wednesday, November 24th (Thanksgiving Eve). All ages will assemble for a devotional at 7:00 p.m. in the Auditorium.

**Car Clinic**
The next CAR CLINIC (weather permitting) will be Saturday, December 4th at the Annex from 8 to 11 a.m.

**Widows/Widowers**
The vans will leave the Annex, Saturday, December 4 at 11:30 a.m. We will be hosted this month by Paul & Coleen Shirley. If you need transportation to the Annex call Janice (474-8851), Mary (646-6079) or Bobbie (479-674-5814)

**Baby Shower**
A baby shower is planned for Jena Roberts this Sunday, November 21st from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Robin Simpson (7211 Blackjack). Jena is registered at Toys 'R Us and Blessed Baby. It's a girl!

**Wedding Shower**
A shower honoring Vance and Debra Payne is planned for Sunday, December 5th from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the home of Robin Harper. Vance and Debra were married on November 6th. They are registered at Dillards or, if you wish, you may purchase holiday decorations for their home.

**Ladies' Christmas Party and Potluck Supper**
Saturday, December 11, 5:30 p.m. in the FLC
Please bring your covered dish and a homemade or purchased gift $10 or under. This party is for girls, teens, and women of all ages. Come and join in the fun!

**Happy Birthday**

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Sunday, December 19th
Christmas Party for 7th - 12th graders
There will be activities from 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
(Christmas Movie, Chuckee Cheese Pizza, Worship, and Party)
*Families are welcome and encouraged to join us for the day.

**Attendance and Contribution Count**
Sunday AM Worship 637
Bible Classes 471
Sunday Evening 265
Wednesday P.M. 337
Contribution $14,964
Children's Home $200
Hispanic Contribution $154
Laotian Contribution $246
Laotian Count 35
The Way Contribution $26
The Way Count 45

Office Phone (479) 452-1240
Fax (479) 452-5767
office@westarkchurchofchrist.org
www.westark.org
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The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 25 & 26.
We will not publish a newsletter next week due to the holiday. Happy Thanksgiving!
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