The Good News The monthly newsletter of Christ United Church

Transcription

1 January 2018 Christ United Church A federated church affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ The Good News The monthly newsletter of Christ United Church Why Did God Come as a Person? Pastor Allan s Message It s very hard to say something new about Christmas, so I thought I would say something old. One of my favorite readings in seminary was from St. Athanasius (d. 373) in his book On The Incarnation. Here is my modernized and expanded version of what he said: Some people may ask, why didn t God appear in some totally cool way, like with a sign on the moon or the sun, or with fireworks in the air? Why did God bother to come so unspectacularly as a human being? Well, here s why: the Lord didn t come to put on a show. He came to heal and to teach people who were suffering. If you re just looking to put on a good show, go ahead and magically appear and dazzle everyone with fancy tricks. But, if you are trying to heal and to teach people, that s not the way at all. The right way is to come and live among us, and not just that, but to make yourself available to those who need you. Show up in some way that people can understand, and not in some useless way where you just overwhelm everyone. Besides, nothing else in creation is so screwed up as human beings! The moon and the sun, the water and the air, the whole universe, all of those things are still doing just what God ordered them to do from the beginning. They aren t going off on their own way and doing their own thing. The problem is with people, because we alone of all creation have turned away from what was good. We invented stories when the truth didn t suit us, and we ended up worshipping things we made up ourselves, like money, sex, power and fame, instead of God, who made us. Obviously, God couldn t just overlook something as serious as that! Now, it turns out that people can t recognize God from the order and nature of God s creation as a whole. So God decided to come as a small part of that creation instead, and came as a little human baby. God did this so that the people who couldn t recognize the unseen power and might of God from looking at the order of the whole universe might be able to recognize God coming to them in the likeness of themselves. I have always really liked the idea that God wasn t coming to put on some sort of show, but was coming to heal and to teach us. It s all too easy to be overwhelmed by God, so God comes as a baby: approachable, easy to love, non-threatening (though maybe the parents find it overwhelming!). What a perfect way for God to enter into our world to save us. Thank you, God, for doing it this way!

2 Dates to Remember January 7 Epiphany Star Sunday January 14 Martin Luther King Sunday January 21 Congregational Meeting January 27 Liar s Club January 28 Contemporary Worship February 4 Agape Meal and Service February 14 Ash Wednesday Epiphany Star Gifts Again this year, we will discover a new meaning in the Feast of Epiphany in a way that has made one of the special days of the church for its members. Epiphany is the 12th day after Christmas, which commemorates the visit of the Magi bearing gifts for the Christ child. On the Sunday morning closest to Epiphany, each worshiper is invited to receive a gift of a paper star with a single word written on it representing a spiritual quality such as forgiveness, compassion, steadfastness or understanding. The stars are placed face down in offering plates that are distributed to the congregation during the service. After receiving their epiphany gift, most worshippers will pin on their stars and we all participate in the litany of acceptance. This experience frequently helps to develop focus in a person s relationship with God that lasts throughout the entire year. Often the word on the star a person receives will represent a quality evident in the life of that individual. Sometimes it will suggest a facet for development in the person s life. Some members have kept all their epiphany stars as reminders of the spiritual gifts they received over the years. Also as a part of the service, people may share with the congregation how their star gift from the previous year was reflected in their life. We will continue this tradition on Sunday, January 7. Faith & Film Please join us on Friday, January 5 at 6:30 pm for a screening of the 2011 film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. This is a story of nine-year-old Oskar Schell whose father dies in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks. Oskar finds a key in his father s belongings and vows to find what the key 2 fits during his search throughout New York City. Oskar meets many interesting people during his search, which ends with a reconnection to his father. We will enjoy pizza, popcorn, and various sweets as we discuss this story of a boy s journey. Worship Opportunities Our Sunday, December 31, the worship service will take place in Friendship Hall marking the new calendar year. Worship service on Sunday, January 7 will celebrate Epiphany and include receiving Epiphany Stars during the service. In celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Christ United and Heritage Congregational Churches will combine for a special worship service on Sunday, January 14 at 10 am, at Christ United Church. On Sunday, January 28, we will focus upon Contemporary Worship experiences and contemporary music. This is an initiative of the Worship Committee for 2018; the committee has been aided by a great planning group of CUC members. Come prepared for a special morning. We will celebrate an Agape Meal and Service, including shared communion, on Sunday, February 4 in Friendship Hall. The Agape breakfast allows for shared worship, fun, fellowship, food for the body and food for the soul. We request donations of breakfast strata casseroles, fresh fruit and muffins; please sign up on the bulletin board. Drinks and paper goods will be supplied. The Agape meal is a breakfast and communion service close to the start of the new calendar year; it has also taken place in February (as it will this year). John Wesley is attributed as having started the tradition of an Agape Meal or Love Feast based on an old Moravian custom. The Moravians took it straight from the New Testament. From the United Methodist Book of Worship, The Love Feast, or Agape Meal, is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with disciples during his ministry and expressing the koinonia (community, sharing, fellowship) enjoyed by the family of Christ. Finally, mark your calendars for the beginning of our Lenten journey together with an Ash Wednesday service on February 14.

3 White Privilege Last spring many of us gathered in order to explore white privilege. At that time, many members of the conversation asked if they could continue with the study. This January we will be offering this continued exploration. Please join us beginning Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 7:30 pm even if you have not been part of the first class. Hope to see you there. Martha Circle Knowing what January weather can be, let s play it safe and stay close to home with lunch at Perk Cup Café at 11:30 am on Wednesday, January 10. Come to share your holiday stories; all are welcome! Please let Arlene Suehrstedt ( ) know if you plan to attend. (They do not take reservations, so if it is a last minute decision make it in favor of coming to join us.) Liar s Club After the huge success of our previous Family Feud evening, you, your family and friends are invited to chase away the winter blahs and winter doldrums with the brand new Liar s Club. This event will take place right here at Christ United Church on Saturday evening, January 27 at 7:00 pm in our Friendship Hall. Each table will become a team that will decide who is lying and who is telling the truth, so all ages can be involved. Light refreshments will be served and the evening promises to reveal the hidden talents of our own panel of Liars. The Good News The monthly publication of Christ United Church West Road Olmsted Falls, Ohio Office@ChristUnited.Church Sunday Worship 10:00 am Fellowship Time 11:00 am Judy Mitchell, Editor Betsy Clark, Associate Editor 3 Fellowship and Discuss For where two or three come together in my name there am I with them. Matthew 18:20 Join us on Thursday, January 4 at 7:00 pm at the Crall home in Brook Park. We will identify the 3 books in the Old Testament that are called the Wisdom books, which offer three different perspectives on how to live well in God s good world. They reveal the collected wisdom of generations of godly people, and invite us to consider the complexity and simplicity of living wisely. Life is full of choices; choices have rewards and consequences. Join us as we study about the wisdom. Contact Bonnie by phone ( ) or bcrall@ameritech.net to let her know if you plan to attend. Bring your Bible, and a light refreshment to share (optional). Beverages are provided. The Crall s home is at 6459 East Vancey Dr., Brook Park (off Sheldon Rd, two streets west of Donte s Restaurant, which is located on the corner of St. Rt. 237 and Sheldon Rd.). Happy Birthday January 1 John Zemon 4 Alec Suehrstedt 11 George Haag 15 Jeremie Hilberg 15 Nancy Wares 18 Carol Gardner 18 Dennis Stocker 18 Zackary Van Zante 20 Georgia Wilson 24 Carole Miller 25 Jennifer Malusky 27 Joan Dangelo 27 Sara Porter 28 Leah T. Allen

4 Wider Church News: Reforms/Updates of All Norwegian & Swedish Churches by Don Michaelsen Having returned from a five-week visit to both countries, this writer shares some new developments learned. First in 2000, the episcopalbased Church of Sweden (Evangelical Lutheran) ceased to be the state church {the state had taxed 1% of members income for upkeep of 3,500 church buildings and clergy salaries}. Today it has 63% of Sweden s 9.96 million population as members. In 2016, 90,000 members left the denomination, twice the previous year s numbers. Secondly, in January 1997 the Evangelical Free Church [ Free means congregational-based] in Sweden (EFK) was formed. This merger included Mission Covenant Church, Baptist Union, United Methodist Church, Orebro Mission. Today, the EFK has 300 parishes with 34,500 members. It also calls itself the Evangelical Church of the Holy Spirit. In Norway, the Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran) remains the state church with 82.1% of its 5.32 million population as members while 3.9% are Other Christian and Catholics are 1.8%. Denmark, Iceland and Finland also continue state churches. On November 23 at the end of the eight-day annual meeting of the 251-member General Synod of the Church of Sweden (ELC) in Uppsala, delegates agreed to revise their 31-year-old service handbook (which suggests terms of language, liturgy, hymns, etc.). They urged, advised, called (media-used) priests to use gender-neutral language when referring to the supreme deity. Clergy are to refrain from using masculine-specific terms like Lord, Father and He. The Synod strongly urged church leaders to continue working with critics (expert musicians and theologians) on musical texts and new music for worship services. The new guidelines, minus any music text changes, will be introduced on Pentecost, May 20. Headed by ELC s first female archbishop since 2013, Antje Kackelen stated at a press conference the use of gender-inclusive language has been discussed as early as a 1986 church conference. She went on... we know that God is beyond gender determinations, God is not human. 4 ELC has ordained women priests since Today, women comprise both 45% of the church s priesthood and the majority of those in training to be a priest. SOURCES: Web Site - cia.gov/library; Web Site - efk.se; Web Site - independent.co.uk A Per Capita Primer What is Per Capita? In essence, per capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that is paid to the Presbytery of the Western Reserve, the Synod of the Covenant, and the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Just as a train cannot move without an engine, our church councils require a power source to enable them to provide basic services, which support our mutual mission as the Body of Christ. Per capita covers the ecclesiastical expenses of the denomination: the coordination and evaluation of mission, and the performance of ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions. Per capita is an opportunity for all members of the Presbyterian Church to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the organizational costs of the larger church. This year s Per Capita amount is $29 per member. What about our UCC members? Obviously, we will not pay Per Capita to the PCUSA for our members who are affiliated with the UCC. However, the Governing Board has decided that to maintain equality between our two denominations we will give to the Western Reserve Association of the UCC an amount equal to the amount we give in Per Capita to the Presbyterian agencies. What we are asking of our members? Each year, we ask members to cover the cost of Per Capita in addition to their regular pledge. This year we are asking ALL members, PCUSA and UCC, to give an additional $30.23 per member to help defray the Per Capita cost. The amount that isn t covered by special donation will be included in our budget as a line item. If you have questions about Per Capita, please contact Judy Mitchell.

5 Tips for Coping with Stress and Depression During and After the Holidays Healthy Connections By Shirley M. Gerecke Prior, during and after the holidays, stress and depression can affect you and hurt your health. Being realistic, planning ahead and seeking support can help ward off stress and depression. It is no wonder that the holiday season often brings unwelcome guests stress and depression. It can become so demanding deadlines, rushing, parties, shopping, entertaining, budget overload, baking, and cleaning, to name just a few. With these tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays and as you move forward into the New Year! Tips to prevent holiday stress and depression. It is hard to stop and regroup when stress is at its peak. If the holidays have taken an emotional toll on you in the past, try to prevent stress and depression in the first place so that it doesn t follow you into the New Year just beginning. Acknowledge your feelings. If someone close to you has recently died or you can't be with loved ones, realize that it's normal to feel sadness and grief. It's OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can't force yourself to be happy just because it's the holiday season. Reach out. If you feel lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events that can offer support and companionship. A good way to lift your spirits and broaden your friendships is to volunteer your time to help others. Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to, and be open to creating new ones. Find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, s or videos, if your adult children can t come to your home. Set aside differences. Even if family members and friends don t live up to all of your expectations; try to accept them as they are. Set aside grievances until a more appropriate time for discussion and be understanding if others get upset or distressed when something goes awry. Chances are they're feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too. Stick to a budget. Before you go 5 gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Try these alternatives: Donate to a charity in someone's name, give homemade gifts, start a family gift exchange. Plan ahead. Set aside specific days for shopping, baking, visiting friends and other activities. To prevent last-minute rushing to buy forgotten gifts, food, etc., plan your menus and then make your shopping list. Don t be afraid to reach out and ask for assistance if you need help. Learn to say no. Saying yes when you should say no can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Friends and colleagues will understand if you can't participate in every project or activity. Try to remove something else from your agenda to make up for the lost time if it's not possible to say no when your boss asks you to work overtime. Don't abandon healthy habits. Don't let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Try these suggestions: have a healthy snack before holiday parties so that you don't go overboard on sweets, cheese or drinks, get plenty of sleep, incorporate regular physical activity into each day. Take a breather. Make some time for yourself. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Some options may include: taking a walk at night and stargazing, listening to soothing music, getting a massage, reading a book. Seek professional help if you need it. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless and unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Take steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during and after the holidays. Learn to recognize your holiday triggers so you can combat them before they lead to a meltdown. With planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays and as you begin the New Year ahead! Information from