At National Avenue Christian Church, coming to the table is central to our community. We practice the ways of Jesus through gratitude, generosity, and radical hospitality; the table is truly open for all. We sing old hymns with new lyrics, inclusive of broader understandings of God, of humanity, of genders, of communities. Whether you wear flip-flops and utilize our colored pencils or a suit jacket and call God Heavenly Father, you are welcome in our pews, on our yoga mats, or around our dinner tables. Through our liturgy, music, silence, and prayers, we live in the tension of doing justice, community, and spirituality in a collaborative effort for all voices to be heard.

We are so thrilled to participate in the Greater Ozarks Pridefest this year alongside Brentwood and South Street Christian Churches. Stop by our booth on Saturday the 17th by The Coffee Ethic! Come take a loaf of bread from our table and know you are loved. You are also welcome to join us in the parade; we will meet at 10:15 at the flagpoles by the Municipal building and walk alongside and in support of our LGBTQ+ neighbors to the festival at Park Central Square.

Many thanks to Barb Rogers and Maggie Barbour for their beautiful chalice artwork, and to Megan Wagler for her work on the banner image above!

Beginning this Sunday, June 11th, we will have an evening spiritual formation opportunity to look deeper into the Gospel of Mark. Join us every second and fourth Sunday in the Chapel at 7pm; bring your own beverages and get ready for some great conversation. Contact the church for more info!

We are so excited to be working with Rare Breed again to provide shoes for youth in need in Springfield! If you would like to help, here are several ways you can get involved:

• Donate: $40/pair or a portion of that total
• Bless and wrap the shoes on Pentecost Sunday: June 4th
• Deliver shoes to youth at the Breed on June 5th & 6th

Sign up to help by clicking on this link! If you have trouble with the form or have any questions, contact Tj Thompson or call the church office!

We know many in our area have been affected by flooding. If there are more ways in which we can be church for you if you are experiencing hardships due to this weather, please contact us. Our partners at Week of Compassion have reached out and there are resources available to help with flood relief. Whether you need physical help with clean-up, prayers, or any other type of assistance, please reach out.

If you are interested in volunteering with cleanup efforts or long term solutions, please send your information to the church, as well!

Join us Thursday, June 1st to see the Springfield Cardinals! Our seats are in the “Dugout Deck” which is sponsored by Ashley HomeStore (this means we have comfy seating options!). The game starts at 7:10pm, and it is $1 brat night! The cost is $15/person and includes a Cardinals baseball cap. If you would like to go, please sign up by using the form linked below or call the church office, and pay Lucinda Wadle or the church office by May 14th. Checks can be made out to Springfield Cardinals. If you need financial help with the tickets, please see Jenn or Kevin. We hope you can go! Go Cards!

Click here to access the signup form!

Thank you to all who have come to our first two sessions of “White Privilege: Let’s Talk”. We plan to continue meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month to continue the conversation. Our next session will be this Tuesday, April 25th at 7pm at Pastor Jenn and Brent Simmons’ home.

Please take a look at the curriculum ahead of time if you are able. This month’s material is linked here: April White Privilege Reading and April White Privilege Participant Preparation.
Videos you may be interested in are linked here: Racism is Real and How America’s Public Schools Keep Kids in Poverty.

You can take a look at the rest of the curriculum by visiting http://privilege.uccpages.org. Call the church office for more information.

Dinner Church is this Sunday, April 23rd! Gather with us at 5:30pm for food, fellowship, and worship as we begin to explore our new sermon series, Days of Awe and Wonder.