🌟 JANUARY THEME: RESILIENCE 🌟
Sunday, January 26th, 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Monthly Service Project - Project Host
Service is at the heart of our church beyond the walls, embodying our belief that faith is lived out not just in worship but in how we care for others. Whether it’s standing in solidarity at Pride events, organizing community outreach, or offering support to those in need, service is a tangible expression of our love for God and neighbor. This commitment to serving others is deeply connected to resilience. When we engage in service, we create bonds of mutual care and build a foundation of strength in community. Acts of service ground us in purpose, shifting our focus from personal struggles to collective action. Through service, we not only strengthen those we serve but also find renewed strength within ourselves, making resilience a shared journey of healing and growth.
Dear Beloved Community,
Resilience During Times of Sickness
This past week, I struggled with a head cold. After our service Sunday, I had an intro Zoom call for a year-long course I'm taking on process thought. Then, my guys and my parents went to a show A Beautiful Noise at the Peace Center. Come Monday, I was wiped out, from planning our first service at Other Lands to the emotional drain of pastoral work. I had pushed myself to get things done beyond my physical limitations, and my body decided it was time to stop. I spent almost all day Monday in bed and then recovered slowly from a cold during this extreme cold. I felt anything but resilient.
When we think of resilience, we often imagine strength in the face of monumental challenges: navigating loss, recovering from a major setback, or weathering a storm in our lives. But resilience is just as crucial in the quieter, more personal struggles we face—such as times of sickness. Whether it's a cold that disrupts our plans, a more serious illness, or caregiving for a loved one, the experience of being unwell tests our patience, resolve, and faith in unique ways.
Illness often comes with a sense of powerlessness. Our bodies don’t cooperate with our desires, and we are reminded of our limitations. Yet, in these moments, resilience isn’t about "pushing through" or pretending everything is fine. Instead, resilience during sickness invites us to lean into a different kind of strength—one rooted in gentleness and grace.
First, resilience requires us to embrace rest. Our culture often equates productivity with worth, but sickness teaches us to pause and listen to our bodies. Resting is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of wisdom. Scripture reminds us of this in Psalm 23: "He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul." Rest is restorative—not just for our bodies but for our spirits.
Second, resilience calls us to nurture connections. During illness, it’s tempting to retreat into isolation, but resilience grows when we allow others to care for us. Whether it's a friend dropping off soup, a loved one checking in, or the prayers of a community, these moments of connection remind us that we are not alone. They reflect the truth that we are part of a greater body, one that is strengthened when we share both our burdens and our joys.
Finally, resilience during sickness involves a shift in perspective. Illness can feel like an interruption, but it can also be an invitation—an opportunity to slow down, reflect, and realign with what truly matters. Even as we navigate discomfort, we can practice gratitude for the care we receive, the healing that comes in time, and the small graces that sustain us.
As we enter seasons of sickness—whether personally or within our community—may we extend compassion to ourselves and others. May we remember that resilience doesn’t always look like strength; often, it looks like surrender. And may we find in our moments of weakness an opportunity to draw closer to God, who walks with us even in the most challenging times.
This week, I encourage you to reflect on the ways you can build resilience in times of illness. How can you embrace rest, seek connection, or shift your perspective? And how might you extend grace to someone else who is unwell? Let’s support one another in cultivating a community of care, knowing that resilience is not just an individual journey but a shared one.
Blessings,
Pastor Brian
CALLING ALL LGBTQ+ WRITERSÂ
AND STORY TELLERS
TIRED OF BEING TALKED ABOUT
AND NEVER LISTENED TO?
Too many of us in the LGBTQ community are talked about more than we are ever listened to. New Day is seeking to change that by providing opportunities for our LGBTQ community to share our stories through a storytelling showcase.Â
New Day is partnering with So Say We All (sosaywealllonline.com) to help folks in the Upstate SC LGBTQ community share their stories through their VAMP Storytelling Showcase. VAMP is a highly-produced multimedia reading series, where several writers perform works with visual accompaniment revolving around a changing theme.
How the VAMP process works:
• Writers will participate in a half-day workshop either in person or virtual where they will learn how to craft a story.
• Following the workshop, writers will have two weeks to prepare and submit their first draft.
• Writers will then participate in group read and critiques to give and receive feedback, work with assigned writing coaches 1-1, and receiving performance coaching to ensure they’re comfortable with public speaking.
• Finally, writers will select visual images to accompany their stories, send in their final drafts, and then perform together in front of an adoring audience!
• Videos of performances are uploaded to our Youtube Channel, and selected pieces will appear on The VAMP Podcast.
• We encourage writers to seek opportunities to publish their work, and to treat the VAMP Storytelling Showcase as a powerful growth experience, but not the end of the line for the stories they workshop with us. Authors retain the rights to their work.
How the VAMP process works:
• Writers will participate in a half-day workshop either in person or virtual where they will learn how to craft a story.
• Following the workshop, writers will have two weeks to prepare and submit their first draft.
• Writers will then participate in group read and critiques to give and receive feedback, work with assigned writing coaches 1-1, and receiving performance coaching to ensure they’re comfortable with public speaking.
• Finally, writers will select visual images to accompany their stories, send in their final drafts, and then perform together in front of an adoring audience!
• Videos of performances are uploaded to our Youtube Channel, and selected pieces will appear on The VAMP Podcast.
• We encourage writers to seek opportunities to publish their work, and to treat the VAMP Storytelling Showcase as a powerful growth experience, but not the end of the line for the stories they workshop with us. Authors retain the rights to their work.
So Say We All is a 501c3 literary and performing arts non-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for individuals to tell their stories, and tell them better. SSWA offers education outreach programs specifically targeting communities who have been talked about disproportionately more than heard from in mainstream media.
If you have further questions or would like to participate, please contact Pastor Brian at pastor@newdaycc.ccom of call 864-216-7714.
Here is a sample from when Pastor Brian shared his story in 2014 as part of the VAMP process. (Brian Joyner is his pen name.)Â
If you'd like to add anything for next weeks' community prayer, please contact Pastor Brian at pastor@newdayccc.com.
- Prayers for Vanessa and her family. Â
- Prayers for Krista's dad as he continues to undergo therapy following a stroke.Â
- PRAISES that Michael's friend Mark is out of the hospital and in rehab. Prayers as he goes through radiation treatments.
- Prayers for Gary Harris who had a bone marrow biopsy.
- Prayers for Beth for comfort due to her abdominal pain. Prayers for an earlier doctor's appointment.Â
- Prayers for Joe as he deals with an ongoing heart condition.
- Prayers for Andrea and Sarah as they struggle with mental health. Prayers for Andrea as she handles the emotional roller coaster of the death of her father. Prayers for Sarah as she faces the anniversary of the death of her mother.Â
- PRAISES that Miss Judy is out of the hospital and rehab and returning to her home at Quillen Manor.Â
- Prayers for Liz's stepdad who is on hospice care at home. May God's love and presence hold him in peace and comfort.Â
- Prayers for Oak who is fighting a virus.
- Prayers for those who are struggling with physical, mental, and economic challenges.
- Prayers for those who have suffered trauma and those who suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
- Prayers for those suffering the effects of war.Â
- Prayers for our nation as we face local, national, and global challenges.
- Prayers for New Day as we consider our future.
- Prayers for those of us who are suffering from the already blistering attack on our community by the current administration.
- Prayers for Brooke, Ness, Scott, Pastor Brian, and others who have unspoken requests this week.
New Day continues its mission to become a "church beyond the walls" with a broad range of activities to build community and several ways to grow in your faith and spirituality over the rest of this month. Â
*Note the location for each event.
Please support the work of the church
 by donating your time, talent, and tithe.
WHY WE ARE CONSIDERING SELLING OUR BUILDING?
Our church has been actively reaching out to the community, participating in about ten Pride-related events each year to share our vision of a church beyond the walls. While many people are excited about this concept, we’ve found that our location in Greer has been a barrier, with interested individuals unwilling to make the drive to join us. Although we are fortunate to own our building outright, our tithes and offerings have not been sufficient to sustain the work of the church, and we cannot continue to operate at a deficit. Growth is essential for our survival. At our most recent congregational meeting, the community came together to discuss this challenge and agreed to explore relocating to a space closer to Greenville, where we believe we can better serve and grow our ministry.
As we embrace new opportunities in 2025, your support is more vital than ever. Your generosity fuels our mission to serve the LGBTQ community, provide a welcoming space for worship, and grow into all God calls us to be. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue creating a space of love, connection, and hope. Thank you for being part of this journey—your contributions truly make a difference.
Click the link below to give through our Flocknote portal or donate through Zelle to treasurer@newdayccc.com. Â
New Day Christian Community Church
MEETING LOCATION FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH
Bible study and Worship
OTHER LANDS
731 Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609
New Day Christian Community Church exists to provide a diverse, open, and affirming Christian community to all who desire a discipleship walk with Jesus Christ by offering challenging worship experiences, mission-based service opportunities, and Biblical learning so that we are empowered to reach out to others, introduce them to the love and strength of the beloved community, and invite them to join the faith journey of discipleship.Â
