Holy Humor Sunday “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 “Come and join us for some belly jiggling laughs on Holy Humor Sunday, April 11 at 10:00 am.”, stated the newsletter from Olivet Congregational Church in Bridgeport, CT. Holy Humor Sunday has its roots in history. For centuries, in Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant countries, Easter Monday and “Bright Sunday” or the Sunday after Easter, were observed by the faithful as “days of joy and laughter” with parties and picnics to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. This is certainly a fun way to live a life of prayer. (Continued on July 29, 2010)

(Continued from July 26, 2010) During the Leadership Now program, young people had an opportunity to lead and use their gifts and skills for ministry as the tackled the topics of U.S. health care reform and why it’s so difficult; women’s issues and activism, particularly related to health care; and HIV/AIDS and how the church deals with it. Workshops also included “The Sex Industry & the Women of Thailand,” “No More Deaths: Issues on the U.S./Mexico Border,” and Evangelism: What Is IT and How Do We Do It?” “Energizing.” “Inspiring.” “Educational.” These are words that the participants use to sum up the experience. LTS strives to engage every generation in theological exploration and faith formation, building up leaders in church and society. The Leadership Now Justice Summit is one opportunity to see that ministry and mission in action.

As many people were recovering from New Year’s Eve celebrations and festivities or preparing to indulge in another January 1st meal of pork and sauerkraut (A Pennsylvania tradition), 40 high school and college-age youth gathered at Lancaster Theological Seminary (LTS), along with Leadership Now staff and mentors, for a weekend devoted to exploring issues of justice and faith. The subject matter of the event was both timely and challenging, emphasizing health care in the U.S. and around the globe. Workshops were led by “graduates” of the Leadership Now program – a step in fulfilling the program’s long range goal of providing more leadership opportunities to participants – as well as LTS faculty and alumni/ae. (Continued on July 27, 2010)

Ask the Question “What am I going to do with my life? How can I make a difference? For what purpose was I created?” Maybe these are questions most of us ask at one time or another in our lives. For some, they are questions that lead to wondering about a “vocation”—a call to serve God through ministry in the church. In the United Church of Christ, we have a special website designed for anyone who wonders whether ministry is for them. Even if you’re just curious, you might want to check out www.askthequestion.org. It’s a site to help people on their journey of exploration. There are video testimonies from others who have asked themselves the question, resources for prayer and study, and an online forum about church vocations. In February, we celebrate Church Vocations Sunday. Maybe someone you know would make a wonderful pastor . . . maybe you are someone who has wondered about answering God’s call in your life. Go to askthequestion.org and explore. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

(Continued from July 23, 2010) The days were be spent by Bridgewater’s youth by working in food kitchens, homeless shelters, thrift stores, gardening, cleaning playgrounds, painting, etc. The work camp was led by full-time volunteer and other members of the Old First congregation. The evenings were free for sight-seeing and entertainment options. The "missionaries" from Bridgewater church stayed in the Parish House of the Old First Reformed Church. As in previous years, we hoped members of the congregation would contribute food and supplies for the weeklong stay, and they did. Back on My Feet’s MISSION: Teaching literacy to kids, serving meals to the homeless and urban poor, helping at a recovery program in the poorest neighborhoods. Bridgewater’s MISSION: To send their kids with food and supplies for the week; to provide meals they’ll served at a soup kitchen; to help with financial support to make this mission possible.

Returning today from a mission trip this summer to the Old First Reformed Church in Philadelphia is the youth group from Bridgewater Congregational Church, Bridgewater CT. This was the fourth year that their high school youth group have spent a week at this same mission site, and it was a rewarding, unforgettable week for each of them. This year they departed on July 18th and return on July 23rd, to participate in "Back on My Feet," an organization that promotes running and walking events for the homeless in Philly. There was a huge event on July 17th and New Jerusalem Drug Rehab had a team running. They needed help with water stations and registration for the event and the youth were there to help. (Continued on July 24, 2010)

(Continued from July 21, 2010) Here’s some things learned in Wayzata Community Church: 1) giving encourages giving, year end contributions to the church were not negatively impacted, but actually outpaced projections; 2) sharing their resources with those in need resulted in Christmas Eve loose offerings that more than doubled the average of recent years; 3) as Dr. Ross stated, “this is exactly the RIGHT message to be sending at Christmas time. We don’t worship God and seek to follow Christ for our own gain . . . but in gratitude for the gifts God has given us in order to love and serve others. What better way to celebrate Christmas than to give gifts?” All totaled: the “Reach for the Light” special Christmas offering raised nearly $45,000 for the Harbor Light Center that serves individuals and families with food, shelter and treatment.

“Reach for the Light” In November of 2009, the Rev. Dr. John Ross, pastor of Wayzata Community Church in Wayzata, MN, had what he called a really bad idea. He wanted the congregation to take a special offering at Christmas and give it ALL away. The fear that people reported around the idea were threefold: 1) that is would negatively impact the critical year-end giving to the church; 2) that is would diminish the Christmas Eve loose offering (donations in the plates); and 3) that it would send the wrong message as the congregation was wrestling with their own financial challenges. What a joy it is to report, that the congregations fears were unfounded and that faith has proven once again a worthy response. (Continued on July 22, 2010)

What better way to honor the words and work of a tireless social justice advocate than to follow her example and carry on her mission? Violet Groth Vaca, a missionary to Ecuador with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and active in the Ecumenical Foundation for Holistic Development Training and Education (FEDICE), died in February 2009. Her deep love for the people of Ecuador and her commitment to education marked her existence and, thanks to Disciples of Christ members from Fort Worth, Texas under the leadership of Dr. Tim Carson, her mission will live on at a day care center bearing her name in Caluqui. Church members from Austin and Forth Worth helped to build the center, along with Rev. Tim Tutt, Marilyn Cooper, and David Johnson, Violet’s nephew. Scripture tell us that faith without deeds is dead [James 2:26]. Faith and deeds, word and work, are alive in Ecuador.

Zimbabwe is a place of struggle and strength, of potential and problems. It is a place of warm hospitable people who in the midst of difficulties offer a smile and a helping hand to visitors. The following are excerpts from a prayer written by Herb Perry, a longtime friend of Zimbabwe: Eternal God, we offer heartfelt prayers for the people of Zimbabwe, both so richly endowed with your gracious blessings – a land that we know is capable of abundant production and a people blessed with a beautiful heritage of fortitude and joy. We thank you for the strength and resourcefulness of Zimbabwe’s people. We especially ask that you be with mission agencies as they struggle to continue providing essential humanitarian service. While the full potential of this land and its people is yet to be realized, may the vision of its fulfillment be energized by the life and labor of your faithful servants. Amen.

Story: MISSION Moment Church Camp: Brought to you by Our Church’s Wider Mission Lives can be shaped or changed at church camp. Ask the campers and you’ll hear: “I really enjoyed who I was at camp. I was able to be myself.” “We had a special sense of community where everyone could feel loved and included.” “Camp gave me a safe place to talk about my beliefs and questions, surrounded by others doing the same thing.” “Great friendships and great memories.” “A place to grow in trusting God and appreciate God’s creation.” “Music, music, music. Discovering my gifts.” And a camp counselor says, “A week at church camp can have as much impact as a year of Sunday school. A lot of kids will remember camp as one of the most significant faith events in their lives. I do.” Conference camp trustees work creatively to promote camp usage and set registration fees to cover costs–directors and staff, training volunteers, processing registrations, food, equipment, program supplies, insurance, facilities upkeep, and remodeling and additions. Our Church’s Wider Mission may supplement fees, paying staff salaries, promoting camp, providing camp scholarships, or balancing the camp budget when needed.

The youth of First Congregational Church spent several hours on a cold winter night handing out the items that the congregation had generously donated to their New York City mission, “Midnight Run.” It is difficult to describe the appreciation that the homeless people feel for receiving the warm clothing and hot food. It is especially nice because some of the items still had tags in them and the folks receiving them felt extra special. Usually when the youth would go on the midnight run they would encounter perhaps 100 folks, but last winter over 200 meals were made, distributed and more could have been used. One of the biggest stops is at Penn Station in NYC. We can all be proud of these youth and others who serve those whom God so dearly loves.

(Continued from July 15, 2010) This is only one part of the real story of the Oglala Lakota people who call Pine Ridge home. The people themselves are a warm, generous, giving and welcoming people. Even after all that they have experienced as a cultural tribe, the Lakota not only survive but they are building an even stronger community. To help build the community the youth from Eden helped to make the houses more secure, more energy efficient and safer. They even helped to build new houses.

In April of 2010 the Senior High youth and leaders from Eden United Church of Christ, Edwardsville, IL, worked with the Oglala Lakota People on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. They worked with the organization Re-Member.org. Through work projects and cultural immersion, they developed a growing circle of advocates standing in solidarity with the Lakota people on Pine Ridge. There is much poverty on Pine Ridge. The poverty there can be described in no other terms than “third world.” It is common to find homes terribly overcrowded, as those with homes take in anyone in need of a roof over their head. Many of the houses are without electricity, running water or ever sewers. (Continued July 16, 2010)

Sometimes it is easier to recognize and address the needs of those removed from us rather than admit our own neighbors are in dire need. Martha Mensendiek who serves at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan experienced this in her capacity as advisor to the Habitat for Humanity group on campus. Student volunteers would go abroad to countries like the Philippines and Thailand to build homes for the homeless in those countries. But until recently, the homelessness issue in Kyoto was largely ignored. Recently, she witnessed a change in attitude as a subgroup of students now participate in a project to provide support for those without homes in Kyoto. The volunteers connect those who are homeless with government social agencies but, perhaps more importantly, they themselves connect with the people they are trying to help – sharing a cup of tea, taking time to talk and to show they care.

In July 2008, seven members of Church of the Beatitudes UCC in Phoenix and members of the rural community of Chacraseca, Nicaragua, worked side by side and, in the process, learned much from each other. Made possible through Global Ministries missionary partner JustHope, church and community members built a home, established a small dental office in the local clinic, and equipped a youth meeting space with sports equipment. Church members heard life stories, played with children, and shared photos of their own families. They ate new foods they’d never seen before, and offered granola bars on the work site, candy at the fiesta, and shared peanut butter – a cherished treat – with community leaders at the end of the week. Participants from Church of the Beatitudes not only helped bring needed services to Chacraseca, they were transformed by the extravagant hospitality and steadfast hope of the town’s people.

Project MAESTRA began in August 2006 to help improve the quality of life in the poorest communities of Paraguay through medical care and health education. Started by Global Ministries partner Friendship Mission, Project MAESTRA offers health services through a mobile clinic that serves communities where no other health care is available. According to project records, the most commonly addressed health issues are diabetes and hypertension. A recent study found that 79 percent of those treated are poor and 47 percent live in extreme poverty. Since its inception, workers have completed more than 3,000 consultations in seven communities. In addition, Friendship Mission and Paraguay’s government have an agreement in which currently unstaffed local clinics are used as treatment centers. The government provides medicines and Project MAESTRA covers the cost of fuel, salaries and other expenses. The interdisciplinary teams of Project MAESTRA serve weekly in eight treatment centers.

The Bigger Picture “No island is a man,” said Ernest Campbell, former pastor of Riverside Church in New York City, playing off John Donne’s familiar verse. No congregation is the church. We are part of a much bigger picture—God’s worldwide mission, of which we are a part in the United Church of Christ. Our motto comes from Jesus’ prayer, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21)—brought back into relationship across all that divides us, whether point of view, class, creed, color, or sexual preference. As former UCC General Minister and President, John Thomas, reminds us, our unity is not simply “happy conviviality.” It’s shared focus on a Christ who “for the sake of the joy before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Following Christ is demanding. It often involves conflict. But we’re not in this alone. We’re called to see through differences with one another the support we need to give and receive to discover the joy meant to be ours, too. When we feel distant from God it’s often because we’re not close to one another. When our congregation is not close to the wider church, we are not the church we’re meant to be. Giving to Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) supports the work of the wider church—the regional, national, and international expressions of the United Church of Christ. It also puts your congregation right in the middle of “the bigger picture” that is the church, our part of God’s mission.

Secret Sisters is an activity of the women of First Church in Manchester, NH. One woman is paired with another for the purposes of extending greetings, pleasantries, sending cards, surprises, or whatever else the participants choose to do in order to brighten up the day or enrich the other woman’s week or month. The women who receive the pleasantries do not know from whom they come . . . thus, Secret Sister. The activity usually begins in February when everyone is notified of the name of their Secret Sister and this will run for one full year at which time the name of the Secret Sister is revealed. Such hospitality learned at “home” often times teachers us to hospitable to the strangers among us as well.

People of faith know that “neighbors” don’t have to live next door – they can be thousands of miles away in actual distance but still close to our heart. Members of Plymouth Congregational Church, Lawrence, KS know this feeling well in their relationship with the Family Village Farm (FVF) in Vellore, India. FVF is a Child Sponsorship ministry partner with Global Ministries. Several Plymouth church members have sponsored children from the FVF orphanage including their pastor Reverence Peter Luckey. The congregation raised $2,250 that will be split between the orphanage and the Ashabhaven Respite Center in Kottayam, Kerala, India – a home for women with intellectual disabilities. The Respite Center is run by the Women’s Fellowship of the Madhya Kerala Diocese of the Church of South India. Both ministries are close to the heart of Plymouth members – caring neighbors thousands of miles away.