Rec Min February 2024

From our C-Sports Spirit Moments Book:

 

You Guys Are Different!

 

Our C-Sports baseball/softball program was still young when Coach Ashley and Coach Russell approached Dan and asked if they could form a girls “All-Star” team after the season to play in the Alabama Sports Festival. The Festival was to be played in Mobile that year and they thought it would be a great opportunity for the girls who wanted to continue with softball after the season. Dan and I agreed to the suggestion with the provision that our C-Sports “In the world but not of the world” standards be maintained even in the highly competitive atmosphere of the tournament. I had coached teams in previous Sports Festivals and realized that, although the opening ceremonies with the Olympic style introductions and parade are exciting, the worldly nature of “win at all costs” was very evident.

 

Well, our girls enjoyed that wonderful opening ceremony. Parents got great pictures. Then, they went out and played beautifully in the tournament winning a number of games. The exciting part for me happened off the field!

 

After that weekend we received reports from our coaches and parents that other teams, officials, parents, and coaches were asking members of our group questions such as , “Now where are you guys from?” They noticed and commented that our group was “different” in so many ways. They commented about the way our coaches encouraged the players and interacted with them in positive ways rather than shouting at them. They noticed how our girls even encouraged the girls on the other teams after they had been shouted at by their coaches or made an error. Coach Ashley told me afterward, “We were just doing what we thought was normal.”

 

And here, it is normal. Can Christian love and fellowship co-exist with a competitive sports environment? I believe it can…and I know it does. Not only were the players, coaches, and parents blessed by the fun and fellowship they experienced at the event, they were fulfilled by the fact that they served as ambassadors from our program…and for the Kingdom, to the world. When God lives in our hearts, it shows!

 

 Marcia K. Gibney

Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min July 2024

Many times I look back through our Rec Min Volumes, written by Steve Ellisor, former Recreation Minister. Mostly I look back to them due to a conversation of those memories, many times because I need the guidance that comes from Steve’s “From the Rec Min” journaling.  I think we can all benefit from these experiences of the early days of the recreation ministry.  Scripture never changes. Life brings change and scripture always keeps us firm to our faith and that is our foundation of moving forward with the changes.

 April 2008 - I was excited Sunday morning when I saw several people in worship that I had not seen before in a service. From my seat in the choir I get a pretty good view. I knew these people from our sports programs! I am constantly motivated by the movement of the Holy Spirit in the practices, games, activities, and prayers that are the fruits of your efforts. The service you have volunteered is bearing fruit as evidenced by the changed lives of the hundreds of people who are affected by your influence, devotion, and care.

When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman He changed her life. She was so full of the Spirit that she went into town and told many other people. The people became curious and went to Jesus to see for themselves. In John 4:42 we read, “They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

That may be how God is using you! You pass the word on through the weekly devotions and through your personal actions and testimony. Then, the Holy Spirit leads the people further to hear, see, and feel for themselves. Isn’t it great to be God’s servant? Let’s keep doing His will and being the agents of change in this community!

From the archives of the Rec Min Vol. 2
By Steve Ellisor

Blessings,

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min June 2024

When God speaks to us, do we recognize it?

 

Last week, one of our recreation participants came through the door - a dear person to me that I have not seen since before the 2020 Covid days.  We hugged and caught up on the last 4 years. She mentioned that her spouse passed away a year ago and she was looking to fill her time helping others as maybe a sitter or caregiver of some kind. As we continued catching up, we vowed to see each other more regularly, and then we went about our day.  Later in the evening, a friend’s name popped into my head. No rhyme or reason for me to be thinking of this person – it was out of the blue. Another person I had not seen or talked to in many years. So I texted her, asking how she and her husband were doing, how are the kids….and as she responded in several texts, everything went completely silent and I felt numb to every sense I had.  She responded that her husband had early onset Alzheimer's (he’s in his 50’s) and he was no longer driving but really felt a need to be doing something. I believe that silence and numbing feeling was God settling me down to hear His words and that is when I connected my two friends together and the lives of three people instantly changed. I get goose bumps every time I think of it.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”  Colossians 4:2

Each person feels like they hear God differently than others. I believe God speaks in all types of ways and knows what gift you have for listening whether it be language or senses. Recently, I watched a video of someone describing certain numbers as “crunchy” and others as “soft”. In the same way that she “feels” numbers, we “see” numbers.  God presents himself to each of us the same way – some might feel Him, some might see or hear Him.  With me, I never know how He speaks to me, I just know that He does. Sometimes it’s during and sometimes it’s after – kind of like a “DUH” moment. Sometimes, like my experience above, He silences me.

 

Marcia K. Gibney

Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min April 2024

We can always find good words from our past Recreation Minister, Steve Ellisor, and the following passage from the From the Rec Min Volume 4 was done in May 2010. This is as fresh today as it was in the past. Enjoy!

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry


One of the challenges of coaching, or any other position of leadership for that matter, is that you can’t see inside the person you’re working with. You see what they let you see. The important thing for a servant leader, be it a coach, team parent, Prayer Partner, or rec desk volunteer, is to maintain a prayer life that keeps one open to the leading of the Holy Spirit wherever they may be. Sometimes we are put into a position or relationship in which we can’t fix all of the problems for someone, but we can nurture the person as they deal with them. Maya Angelou once said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

One of my favorite Old Testament scriptures comes from 1 Samuel 16:7 where Samuel is looking at Jesse’s big strong sons to determine which of them the Lord had called to become the next king of Israel. God, of course, wanted the young boy, David, who was in the fields attending to the sheep. The scripture says, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Yes, this was the same “little harp playing kid” who would later kill the giant and save his people. God sees what we miss. And yet (or should I say “thus”), He calls us to follow His lead, to hear His voice, and to be His hands, eyes, and ears among His people. To some, that’s not a hard thing to do. Many of you have been coaching with us for years and are so full of the Spirit that you can barely wait for the next season! Others are learning what it is to be a servant leader. Each of our “faith journeys” is different and can be a blessing or teaching moment for others. Share your experiences with loved ones, co-workers, and fellow volunteers. Let the Holy Spirit bless them through you as you are blessed through them.”

Steve Ellisor—May 2010

Rec Min March 2024

Self-Care and That’s Not My Job

 

Have you noticed how more often these days you hear someone say or perhaps by actions alone, “that’s not my job.”?  It this what the new form of “self-care” means? Where do you think this attitude comes from - ill-intent or selfishness?  Or, maybe that person has had enough because they’ve been overworked or been expected to do more than usual for too long? Do you think it could be because people are disengaged from their job or their life?

 

The apostle Paul writes, "Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others." (Philippians 2:4). Paul called the Philippians to turn from lives of self-centeredness to embrace the fullness of joyful life grounded in following Christ. Being able to translate this message into our daily lives is important.

 

We now live in a time where we’ve learned how important self-care is and while we do have to take care of ourselves so that we are able to care for others, the purpose must not be a selfish notion of just not serving at all. So, instead of walking away thinking, “it’s not my job,” we should humble ourselves and ask in what ways can we help.  Maybe that person is overworked or maybe they do feel detached from their life. With your help, the overworked person will have some relief, the disengaged person will feel more connected and have a new sense of belonging.

 

We too are called to serve others and embrace this joy of serving and following they ways of Christ. The offer of help and the partnering to get something done is an unexpected sacrifice that will mean more than you know. The blessing will continue to bless others and this is how we continue to share our far-reaching faith.

 

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

Christ United Church
A Methodist Community

 

2024 C-Sports Flag Football Registration

🏈 🏈 🏈

S E T

Y O U R

R E M I N D E R !!

🏈 🏈 🏈

The 2024 C-Sports summer coed Flag Football season registration opens up on Monday, March 4th! This is our summer sport for kids completing K5-6th grade for this current 2023-2024 school year. Space is limited!

📋Required evaluations are early May

👟Weekday practices start late May

🏈Weekday games start early June

🎉Season ends mid July

For more detailed information, visit our website and download the Parent Information at christunitedcsports.com/flag-football (available on March 4).

As you know, we are volunteer led. We will need volunteer head coaches.

You can complete coaching paperwork online at christunitedcsports.com/csports-coaching-forms AVAILBLE NOW!

One head coach removes 10 players from waiting lists.

Feel free to call or email for more details!

Rec Min January 2023

Relationships are sometimes hard. The holidays can wreak havoc on our emotions and this time of year we are usually already keyed up a few notches when an adverse situation arises. How we choose to answer to the situation is going to be either a reaction or a response. James 1:10 says, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Being slow to anger requires us to trust in God, and His plan for our lives. Reacting doesn’t allow us time to step back and give any value to the situation. Reacting is quick - usually negative. It causes an even more negative reaction and before you know it, the respect and honor are gone and so is the value of that relationship.  Those are hard to recover.  Responding requires us to step back and give not just the situation value, but the entire relationship value. Choose to respond. Allow enough time to pass to allow you to put yourself in their place and understand their position. You may not have taken the same stance as they did but the action of trying to understand is where you both can find the respect and the value in that relationship. If you can’t value & respect yourself, you cannot give to another what you don’t have. Our faith, our love for the Lord, and His example gives us what we need to be able to respond to adverse situations. It gives us peace within ourselves, peace outside of ourselves, and peace to others.

 

Blessings,

Marcia K. Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry

Rec Min December 2023

Christmas Pressures and Christmas Treasures

Christmas. We all know the real reason for the season of Christmas. It is a time to immerse ourselves into the acknowledgment of, the teaching of, and the celebration of the birth of Jesus. There is no greater event in the history of mankind. This is the one true treasure. 

Christmas. We plan months in advance. Most of the planning is what decoration theme to have, what gifts to buy for what person, what dinners to host, when to have the party, what parties to attend, and how you can get from point A to point B without going broke or disappointing someone. We have to have that perfect festive dress or suit for our babies, the matching family outfits and the best photographer with the best backdrop. Finding the perfect gifts that will light up the faces of our children and having enough gifts for our children so they will feel the magic of Christmas. Finding a meaningful gift for our spouse, our parents who have everything, the babysitter, co-workers, and the list goes on. These are the pressures.

In all those pressures you will find treasures. The fellowship we have at parties with family, friends and co-workers give us warmth and togetherness outside of the regular everyday life. The heartfelt feeling of seeing your children’s faces explode with joy when they see their favorite toy. The sight of the beautiful family photo on a Christmas card as you put it in the mail. The love we have for the people we spend our time with and the joy we find in being together in the season of all that is Christmas is irreplaceable. Teaching your children throughout the season the real reason we celebrate this time of year is a great treasure.

Remember, even though we know the real reason for Christmas, we want this to be the foundation of all that we do to celebrate. Make that your purpose for all that you do.  Remember, throughout the pressures, find the treasures because they are there because of Him.

 

Marcia Gibney,
Director of Recreation Ministry