Chapel Chimes
April 2024
Chapel’s So Bright, Gotta Wear Shades
By Rev. Rhonda BlevinsOn January 20, 2024 over 50 members and friends of the Chapel gathered to celebrate God’s work in the Chapel over these 75 years, and consider who God wants us to be in the years to come. This gathering was the pinnacle of the “For Such a Time As This” grant we received from Columbia Theological Seminary. The leadership team took the insights gleaned from that workshop and developed a “Missional Aspiration” statement along with ten core commitments—values that we hold up—ways that we embody the presence of Christ to the world. On April 7 (the Sunday after Easter), we will begin an in-depth look at these ten commitments each week during worship. We’ll explore the biblical teachings undergirding these values and encourage one another to more fully embody these ways of being a beacon of God’s love to the world around us. Here’s where we’re headed over the next ten weeks—the theme for each week is listed with the core value identified by the “For Such a Time As This” participants below it:
APRIL 7: WE WELCOME
APRIL 14: WE GATHER
We gather weekly for worship and fellowship.
APRIL 21: WE PRAY
We pray for one another and our world.
APRIL 28: WE GIVE
We give generously to church and community.
MAY 5: WE SING (MUSIC SUNDAY!)
We sing joyfully with our hearts, voices, and lives.
MAY 12: WE SERVE
We serve Christ by serving others.
MAY 19: WE FORGIVE
We forgive and reconcile continually.
MAY 26: WE GROW
We grow through Bible study and deep conversations.
JUNE 2: WE RESPECT
We respect the beliefs and experiences of others.
JUNE 9: WE LOVE
We love.
Please make plans now to participate in this ten-week series, and don’t forget your sunglasses, because: “Chapel’s So Bright, Gotta Wear Shades!”
We welcome and include all who come our way.
Love and light,
Bible Study
Chapel Chicks
Bible Study: Every Tuesday & Thursday
Minister of Education, Joe Creegan, offers two ways to study the Bible and explore faith: the hybrid Tuesday Forum eats together at 6:15pm followed by class at 7pm (Zoom Meeting ID 895 0402 7068; Pass code: 417209) AND Thursdays in-person at 11am in Classroom 1. All are welcome to these small group studies!
Chapel Chicks April Luncheon
APRIL 9, 12PM: April’s luncheon will feature a presentation from Pastor Rhonda Blevins titled, “Aging Well.” Indian Rocks Eats will provide a delicious lunch of Blueberry Fresh Salad with chicken, roll, and a yummy dessert. Price is $18 per person. You can sign up in friendship foyer, in the church office, or online at chapelbythesea.net/chapelchicks.
Fermenting the Faith, Second Thursdays
APRIL 11, 7PM: This month at Rapp Brewery! Join us on the second Thursday of each month for some deep conversation around faith and theology. Nate Ryan, facilitator. All are welcome! Rapp Brewery is at 10930 Endeavour Way in Seminole.
Men’s Breakfast, Second Tuesdays
SECOND TUESDAYS @ 9AM. Meet with the Champs to enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Christian discussion. Leave with a full belly and soul. $10 suggested donation. Did you know? You can purchase a Chapel Champs shirt on our website! Visit chapelbythesea.net/chapel-store to order yours today!
Chapel Chicks Book Club
APRIL 23, 10:30AM: The Chapel Chicks Book Club meets every fourth Tuesday at 10:30 in the conference room. Online attendance is available via Zoom using the meeting ID: 836 1011 5212. April’s reading selection is “The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride. For additional information email Allison Kitchens at allisonkitch66@yahoo.com.
Chapel Chicks Nite Out
APRIL 25, 5:30PM: Join the Chicks for some fun on the town at The Honu in Dunedin. Bring a friend! Sign up in Friendship Foyer or online at chapelbythesea.net/events
“For Such A Time As This” Nears Completion
Thanks to the $10,000 grant from Columbia Seminary, Chapel by the Sea embarked on an exploration of language to articulate who we are and what values we share in common.
During six listening sessions in January with consultant, Rev. Dr. David Brown, roughly 50 members of the Chapel spoke about what they most love about the Chapel and what hopes they have for our shared future. Then on January 20, many of the same individuals gathered to hear the results from the listening sessions and share thoughts about how to best articulate who we are and what we stand for. The “For Such a Time As This” Leadership Team (Linda Silrum, chair; Jared Acuff; Adrienne Archer; Gene Beerens; Nate Ryan; Kit Whittington; Bev Mackin & Rhonda Blevins in ex-officio capacity) fine-tuned this work and submitted it to the Church Board for approval. The Church Board approved the following statement at their February meeting.
Missional Aspiration
Chapel by the Sea aspires to be a beacon of God’s love, inviting people into a vibrant life with Christ.
As an inter-denominational Christian faith community, we share common commitments to: •Welcome, include, love, and respect all people •Engage people through thoughtful worship, inspiring music, and honest exploration of Scripture
•Nurture authentic community and deep spirituality, growing in our faith together
•Transform our world through active service and advocacy
Core Commitments
We embody the presence of Christ as we: Welcome. Gather. Pray. Give. Serve. Forgive. Sing. Grow. Respect. Love
We welcome and include all who come our way. We gather weekly for worship and fellowship. We pray for one another and our world. We give generously to church and community. We serve Christ by serving others. We forgive and reconcile continually. We sing joyfully with our hearts, voices, and lives.
We grow through Bible study and deep conversations. We respect the beliefs and experiences of others. We love.
The “For Such a Time As This” team completes their work this month with a focus on three “Missional Pathways” identified by members as important work for the near future. You might be hearing more about these three “Missional Pathways” soon!
1. Intentionally Reaching Out
2. Aligning Structures and Systems
3. Telling Our Story
Chapel by the Sea members gather on January 20 for the “For Such a Time As This” Workshop. The “word cloud” represents the words heard most often by consultant David Brown (standing).
Chapel Name Tags
Most of us are not good with names. Many times we meet someone new at Chapel only to realize we forgot their name by the end of the conversation. How many times have you thought, “I’d like to say hello to that person but I can’t remember their name!” Chapel name tags will help strengthen our sense of community and build relationships!
2 WAYS TO GET YOUR CHAPEL NAME TAG
1 - Complete the form in the pews, (beginning April 7) and drop it in the offering plate.
2- Scan this QR code and submit the form.
There is no cost to Chapel members for the name tag with this introductory offer. Future name tag requests may require a small fee.
*Requests must be received by 05/01/24
Save These Dates
APRIL 1ST
Easter Monday - Office Closed
APRIL 7TH
Worship Series - “Chapel So Bright, Gotta Wear Shades” Begins
APRIL 9th
Chapel Champs Breakfast, 9am
Chapel Chicks Luncheon, 12pm
APRIL 11th
Fermenting the Faith, 7pm
APRIL 23rd
Chapel Chicks Book Club, 10:30am
APRIL 25th
Chapel Chicks Nite Out, 5:30pm
MAY 5TH Music Sunday
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727-446-0430 | chapelbythesea.net
churchoffice@chapelbythesea.net
