Communications
E-mail Epistle for February 2, 2012
Greetings from First Congregational United Church of Christ!
In the year 2000, our church first encountered that wonderful organization, CEPAD in Nicaragua. It is an acronym which translates as Council of Churches in Denominational Alliance but everybody knows it simply as CEPAD. It is doing extraordinary work in Nicaragua.
It trains the rural poor in back yard agriculture and other skills. It organizes rural communities so they may help themselves. It works hard to counter the effects of ‘machismo’ and violence to women that have been so much a part of Nicaraguan life. It provides training to clergy. It coordinates partnerships between Nicaraguan and US groups. It acts as a council of churches to bring churches and clergy together. It works to safeguard the environment and to encourage involvement in the political process. I’ve seen it affecting people’s lives in Nicaragua in so many ways over the years. I am a huge supporter of CEPAD.
CEPAD is this month’s Mission of the Month. I’m going to make a substantial contribution and I invite you to do so as well.
This Sunday in Traditional worship, we will look at a God who is very much a part of your life and mine, whether we know it or not. New Creation will consider Jesus, the man of prayer. Once again, the Gospel writer Mark will be with us.
In Faith and Reason, Aaron Litke will present on his recent trip to Kenya. Members of the sponsoring church in Greenwood will also be present. All other opportunities will be offered as well during the Education hour.
Our youth will get ‘locked in” tomorrow night to prepare our Super Bowl snacks.
This Sunday will be Jan Bates last before she moves to Florida. Jan has been a faithful servant at this church and we will miss her.
Our brothers and sisters in CEPAD have responded to God’s call to minister in Christ’s name in meaningful ways. On Sunday, we will gather to empower ourselves to do the same.
E-mail Epistle for January 26, 2012
Greetings from First Congregational United Church of Christ.
At last night’s meeting, it was announced that the Rev. Dr. Dan Moseley will be our interim pastor. Dan retired from CTS a short while ago where he was professor of practical parish ministry. He served as pastor of Disciples of Christ congregations for 30 years and is the author of three books. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity School.
I have heard Dan preach and been part of some of his preaching workshops and he is first rate. I know you will be impressed with him. He will be a true blessing to this church and a very capable guide in this transition period.
In other business, the congregation elected a slate of officers, approved a budget, and voted to move ahead with the futuring process. We thanked Jan Bates for her service as our moderator and welcomed Gary Pike as our new moderator and Wendy Harrison as vice-moderator. No fist fights broke out and we left feeling pretty good.
More immediately, this Sunday we will gather in worship to consider Mark’s take on Jesus’ ministry. In New Creation, Mark will introduce Jesus, the man of prayer. In Traditional worship, I will preach on the authority of Jesus.
Saturday morning is our Board Retreat. Pray that good work gets done as we start the church year with new folks on board.
Our youth are raising money for the National Youth Event by selling Super-bowl snacks. This Sunday will be the last day to order.
Michelle Dyar’s Ecclesiastical Council will be this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 at St. Peter’s in Carmel. You are welcome to attend.
I especially love Mark’s Gospel. In my opinion, it brings the authentic Jesus to us with less filtering and theological gloss. In Mark, we see more of the true Jesus. This Sunday, we’ll visit portions of that Gospel to hear Jesus’ word of life for us. See you then. Dick
E-mail Epistle for January 12, 2012
Greetings from First Congregational United Church of Christ.
On Monday, we observe the birthday of Martin Luther King. Its significance is frequently overlooked these days. By way of remembering, here are a few quotes from Dr. King:
“Non-violence means avoiding not only external violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, you refuse to hate him.”
“We will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
“In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, as ‘right-to-work.” It provides no ‘rights’ and no ‘works.’ Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining…We demand this fraud be stopped.”
This Sunday, New Creation worship will begin a series, “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.” We will meet “Mark” who will introduce us to Jesus’ basic message.
Traditional worship will take a look at Samuel and include an observance of Dr. King’s legacy.
Our Youth will be taking orders for Super Bowl appetizers. This is a fund raiser for the National Youth Event coming up later this year. Also, 4th and 5th graders will go ice skating this Sunday.
The full range of educational opportunities will be offered at the 10:00 Education hour. Faith and Reason will have guest, Avrom Handleman discuss nuclear power.
Dr. King called us to bring the compassion of the Gospel into our society and our laws. This Sunday, we will gather to be energized for this purpose. See you then. Dick