First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Carbondale

09/14/2026

09/13/2026

Dear FCC Jesus followers,

Tomorrow we’ll hear what most biblical scholars would name as the central story of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament; Moses leading his people out of Egypt, away from their enslavement by the pharaoh (Exodus 14:19 - 31). To impress that centrality on us, my Hiram College professor, Dixon Slingerland, told us that the Bible ought to start with this passage. Because on one side of the Red Sea they were an ethnic group, the Hebrews, and on the other side they knew themselves to be God’s people.

While it’s tempting to focus on Moses and these freed people, we can’t take our attention off this god, who intervened to end what was inhuman suffering and evil treatment of one ethnic group by another. The god of the Hebrews took sides, in favor of the vulnerable, leading them through the chaos and danger of the sea. No, I don’t know why God hasn’t and isn’t doing the same thing every time human greed and arrogance enslaves fellow humans, literally or economically or legislatively. I can only be responsible for my actions. From my comfortable spot, am I begging God enough, showing the courage of Moses, shaming those abusing power?

Together following Jesus,

Karen K

PS Here’s a video of some St. Louisans asking the same question, using a 1931 labor song, in 2014 as the city waited for the grand jury to decide whether or not to indict the police officer who killed Mike Brown:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_7ErkQFduQ

09/12/2026

Good morning, Jesus followers! Coming up in a few Sundays — September 27 and October 4 — we will be asking for your support of and advocacy for the Disciples of Christ Reconciliation Ministry Special Offering. This offering supports our mission to build a future where equality, righteousness, and peace flourish and where communities experience new life.

Specifically funds generated are used throughout the year to provide grants to ministries and congregations actively developing and implementing programs that promote our Church’s Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racist identity. With your generosity, leaders, communities, and our congregations are being equipped to witness to God’s love and justice in all times and in every season.

Envelopes will be provided for this special offering. We hope you can help as we work to restore, strengthen, and grow the beloved community for all.

Learn more here: https://reconciliationministry.org

09/08/2026

Sunday School Kick Off is THIS SUNDAY!!! Our K-5th grade and 6th-12th grade groups will begin meeting after church from 11:45-12:30. And to celebrate, we'll have an ice cream party on our church patio in the evening! See you then! Bring a friend!

09/06/2026

Choir! We sure felt the Spirit in your singing…thank you.

09/06/2026

Hi FCC Jesus people,

I couldn’t decide, so we’ll hear from both Jesus and Paul, Romans 13:8 - 14 and Matthew 18:15 - 20. Both are about Jesus’ people loving one another. Even when we hurt one another. Humans haven’t changed much in 20 centuries. In Jesus’ day they found it hard to go directly to the person with whom they had a conflict. And Paul reminds his readers not to waste the day in stupid stuff, gathering more stuff, or hedonistic behavior: because we’d be missing the good stuff. Love. God’s for us, ours for one another, and ourselves.

All this follows so well on the heels of our Congregational Forum last Sunday, when we talked about how the FCC community will care for one another and our neighbors while you search for your next pastor.

Together following Jesus,

Karen K

https://www.youtube.com//streams

09/02/2026

Our Prayground is 1 YEAR OLD!!! It's been one year of growth, fun, patience and flexibility as we've all learned how to worship with each other in new ways. We are so happy to have our children in worship with us! They bring life and energy into the church. Curious about what a prayground is or how it works? Let us know and we'd be happy to share more info!

09/02/2026

Sign change today!

08/30/2026

Hi FCC Jesus followers,

I imagine you too, have learned more about Dolly Parton this week than you knew last week. What an amazing person. And follower of Jesus. Somehow I happened upon her showing Oprah the interior of her tour bus. There was a small altar, or prayer station, I think she called it, in her bedroom. And she added that she has a dedicated place to pray in each of her homes. Prayer was clearly a central part of Dolly’s daily life. After Pentecost I asked if there were any particular topics or scripture passages you wanted to focus on in worship this summer, and prayer was one of the suggestions. Obviously, there is no shortage of scripture references. We’ll listen to Psalm 51 and Jesus’ prayers in Matthew 26 (depicted in our south stained glass window). What an inexhaustible topic and practice we’ve been gifted.

May the peace of Christ be with you this night,

Karen K

PS
I wish I could squeeze through cyberspace what I’m smelling here at church! Please plan to stay for lunch and our Congregational Forum tomorrow. Intern Crystal will lead us in talking about and planning what needs doing and being in our transition time ahead, to continue to be faithful followers of Jesus and carers for one another and our neighbors, until FCC’s next pastor is called.

PPS
One of my favorite prayer practices: Taize chants

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6K9Zzq1zKJg