True Colors CAMP (Creative Arts + Music Program)

50 campers

26 volunteers

2 camp directors

2 music directors

1 pianist (thanks Patricia Griffith)

1 mural artist (thanks Yes Arts)

12 guest teaching artists (thanks KY Dance Academy, Yes Arts, Jimmy & Joey Webb, Nimmo Martial Arts, and Jeri Katherine Howell)

7 Camper Support Services Team members

10 Individualized Support Plans (designed to help every child succeed)

9 Care Team helpers (making sure every camper felt supported & loved)

9 Food Services Team members

800 meals and snacks served (thanks Frankfort Independent Schools)

14 Dish Team members

234 dishes washed (yes—every single one, with no disposable plates or cups!)

45 hours spent with campers

5 hours of EarlyCare & AfterCare (to help parents who work long hours)

36 hours of preparation (before camp even began)

158 apples cut and made into fried apples (thanks Gina Williams)

200 Light Stones (given to campers who were caught shining God's light through kindness, encouragement, respect, & love)

1 giant inflatable obstacle course (moved into the gym - thanks Jordan Clark)

1 fire alarm (no worries - just a little popcorn snafu)

1 soon-to-be Final Performance (TOMORROW @ 5pm IN THE SANCTUARY)

1 post-performance reception (in the Fellowship Hall)

The numbers are impressive—but they only tell part of the story.

For one incredible week, First Christian Church became a place where children experienced God's love through music, art, movement, friendship, and service. Together, campers learned eight songs in four different languages—English, Spanish, Swahili, and Latin. They mastered a choreographed dance, learned a song using American Sign Language, painted a full-wall mural, and explored their creativity through 19 different crafts and free-time activities.

Each day included meaningful devotions led by guest teachers and artists, reminding campers that they are wonderfully made and called to be the light of Christ in the world. Campers also rotated through hands-on experiences in visual arts, dance, and music (including bucket drumming, chimes, Orff instruments) while discovering new talents and helping build confidence and community.

What makes True Colors CAMP so special isn't just the music or the art—it's the people. Every volunteer, teacher, counselor, musician, kitchen helper, support team member, and behind-the-scenes servant gives generously of their time, talents, and hearts so that every child feels welcomed, valued, and loved. It is truly a church-wide ministry that reflects the hands and feet of Christ.

Now we'd love for you to see what God has been doing.

We invite our entire church family to attend the True Colors CAMP performance and celebrate the incredible accomplishments of these children. Your presence means more than applause—it tells every camper that their church believes in them, is proud of them, and is cheering them on as they grow in faith and confidence.

Come celebrate the music, the art, the joy, and the countless moments where God's light has shined so brightly throughout this week. We can't wait to share it with you!

~ Elle Travis, Children’s Ministry Director

Click here to view our Prayer List or visit firstchristianfrankfort.org/prayer

Weekly Prayer:

Gracious God, thank You for the ways You are at work in our church family, and help us to reflect Your love through kindness, compassion, and faithful service in our homes, workplaces, and community. Strengthen those who are weary, comfort those who are hurting, guide those facing difficult decisions, and remind each of us that Your presence goes with us wherever this week may lead. Amen.

New Additions:

• Eli & Addison Drake (Alison Bittner)

• Lorie & Joe Enlow (Lisbon Hardy)

• Oyndeoo Ramsey (Shawn Ramsey)

• Marianna Petrey (Karen McGaughey)

Hoping to be deliberate about our prayer life, we are updating our prayer list. People who are Friends of FCC will remain on the prayer list for one month and then we will rely on you to add them to the prayer list again if needed.

TURNING BARE FEET INTO LEARNING FEET

In anticipation of the new school year, help students “Turn Bare Feet into Learning Feet” by donating new athletic shoes or croc-like shoes, Youth sizes 8 to Adult 14.  Shoes can be dropped off at either Bondurant Middle School or the Welcome Center here at Church no later than Sunday, July 26th.  On August 1st, students will be able to come and receive a free pair of new shoes.  Monetary Donations are welcome and volunteers are needed to help staff the event on August 1st. For more information, contact Mandy Heacock, Youth Services Coordinator, Bondurant Middle School, (502) 209-9041.

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The FCC Foundation offers financial assistance to our members who are enrolling in post-high school educational institutions for the 2026-27 school year. It is because of the generosity of some of our faith family that the Foundation is able to offer education scholarships. Only accrued interest is used, as the Foundation seeks to maintain and grow these permanent funds given specifically for this purpose. Therefore, amount of each award varies year to year and may vary from recipient to recipient.

The Foundation requires the following application process be followed:

• A letter of application must be received by the Church Office on or before July 31, 2026 (316 Ann St., Frankfort, KY 40601).

• The names and contact information of two non-family member references must be included for consideration.

• A copy of the most recent school transcript must also be attached.

Additional requirements that must be met include

• being a member of First Christian Church in Frankfort

• being enrolled in a course of study at a post-high school institution

The Foundation Scholarship Team will determine qualifying recipients, awards will be announced in early August.

THE GENE FLYNN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY SCHOLARSHIP

Any First Christian Church member attending the University of Kentucky (UK) is eligible to apply for the Gene Flynn Scholarship in addition to the Foundation Scholarship. Monies donated in memory of Gene Flynn are making this scholarship available. Gene loved our young people and loved the University of Kentucky. If you are attending UK for the 2026-27 school year, please note your request to be considered for this additional scholarship when you submit your application for the Foundation Scholarship. 

Eligible students may apply for each of the following scholarship opportunities for post high school education: 

• Foundation Scholarship

• Gene Flynn University of Kentucky Scholarship

• Disciple Women’s Ministry love-gift program (using a separate application process scheduled for a later date).

DISCIPLE MEN’S SPIRITUAL RETREAT

The 2026 Regional Men’s Spiritual Life Retreat will take place July 24-26, 2026 at Nazareth Retreat Center in Bardstown, Kentucky.

The total cost of the retreat is $170.00, which includes registration, meals Friday night through Sunday morning, and lodging for Friday and Saturday night.

Deadline to register is July 20. Click here to REGISTER.

SPELLAPALOOZA IS ALMOST HERE!

Spellapalooza is scheduled for Friday, August 7th.   FCC usually hosts a team to compete in this fundraiser to support the Thornhill Education Center.  Four eager spellers are needed to represent us and one person to coordinate the team and also serve as an alternate. Contact the Church Office ASAP if you are interested in participating. The Church needs to quickly submit our team application and fee if we are going to participate this year.