Pastor Patti s Ponderings Faith and Action

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1 Pastor Patti s Ponderings (Continued from Front Page) UPCOMING DATES TO LOOK FORWARD TO * Peace Camp * Pride * Love is Love * Community Baby Shower July August 5 August 6 August 26 HELP NEEDED Peace Camp - Want to help make some children happy? We need volunteers on July Barb Shelton and her crew have some really fun activities lined up. Please call the church office Community Baby Shower is fast approaching and we are in need of 30 to 35 people to help during the week and the day of the shower. Please call the church office at to volunteer. St John s United Church of Christ 801 South Mechanic Street Jackson, MI God, you call us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. Equip and empower us, we pray. Amen. RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED We have an obligation to link our faith and our civic responsibility. For some people, it may mean running for public office in order to do good. For others, it may mean writing to our congress people, attending rallies, marching for peace or women s rights, or introducing legislation to make the world a place that is safe and just for all. For all of us of voting age, it means making our vote count for the good of all people, in the name of the God who made and loves us all. Eighteen years after the Civil War ended, our congregation was formed. It was, and is, active in the Civil Rights movement. Many in our congregation were involved in helping the NonDiscrimination Ordinance pass. Our history as people of faith is inextricably linked with the well-being of our neighbors and nation, our women and world, our children and churches. May we find the courage to stand up and do good. Website: Church office (517) Pastor: Rev. Dr. Patricia Kenney President: Richard Poor Office Administrator: Bobby James Newsletter articles for July and August 2017 Pastor Patti s Ponderings Faith and Action My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, God bless you! Keep warm and eat well! if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead. James 2:14-17 Separation of church and state is an important civic concept. It protects freedom for the citizens of our country to worship, or not worship, as we see fit. It guarantees that the government will not enforce one form of religious faith and practice above all others. It allows our children to safely attend school without having their religious liberty infringed upon. Christians have sometimes taken separation of church and state too far. We separate faith and civic duty in our minds and hearts as though they have nothing to do with each other. We pray about our private concerns but not about the political unrest in our country and world. We offer clothing and food to others without advocating for a system that distributes wealth more equally. We worry about health care for all, but believe ourselves powerless to influence the decisions our government is making about health care reform. As citizens of this world and of a heavenly realm, we are to live as people of faith and action. Jesus held civic and religious authorities accountable for their actions. Jesus didn t mince words in criticizing those in power he called them blind guides, he accused them of being like porcelain cup, that inside had maggots crawling around. He relentlessly advocated for the powerless, and was crucified for it. (Continued on Back Page)

2 Strategic Doing Workshop July 29, 9-4 Harry Wilson will guide the church in an in depth exploration of the concept of Strategic Doing. Everyone in the church and community is invited to learn and shape our conversation. The outcome of the workshop will be a specific goal for the coming year along with action steps and assignments for marking our progress. Lunch will be provided a free will offering will be taken to help offset the cost of the workshop. Back Porch Chats Join Pastor Patti for holy conversation on themes that emerged from last summer s getting to know you gatherings. 4:30 to 6 pm 802 Sunburst Rd. on our back deck (there is great shade there!) on 4th Mondays July 24 How can we shape our communication so it reaches you and the people you love? August 28 How can we effectively integrate newcomers into the life of our church? The Books of the Bible and How to Read Them Mark your calendars now for the Adult Bible class this fall! The same class will be offered twice each week: on Sunday morning at 9 am and Tuesday morning at 11 am. (Week of 9/17 week of 11/21). This class is designed for anyone who would like to familiarize themselves with the Bible. We will address types of literature in the Bible, highlight key stories and how they have influenced the development of Christianity, and introduce principles for reading and understanding the Bible for its historical context and as a faithful guide to living in the way of Christ. Contact Pastor Patti for more information or to sign up. Church School Sunday Calling all children and youth! Our kickoff Sunday for church school is September 10 in the 10:30 am worship service. We will celebrate learning stories from the Bible and introduce the year s theme to the whole congregation. Everyone is invited for a very special time of worship and education. FOOD PANTRY, COMMUNITY TABLE, & MIS Food Pantry served 135 plus people on June 16. Next Pantry date is July 18. We are also in need of food for our emergency food closet. Donations are welcomed. Thank you. Sunday School Orientation for Parents and Volunteers Saturday, September 9, there will be an orientation for parents, teachers and helpers. We have two classes one for younger and one for older youth. There is loads of room for new volunteers to join in this exciting program and be teamed up with an experienced teacher as a classroom helper. 10am to noon - Introduction to Sunday School curriculum and sample lesson - Team teaching - Classroom set up and management (enrollment forms, attendance, behavior, incident reports) - Schedule for the year - Lunch provided 12:30-2:30 Safe Sanctuary Training required for all teachers and volunteers, open to all. Child care will be provided if requested in advance. Contact Pastor Patti Kenney for more information. Community Table dinner was held June 21, 75 plus people were served a delicious dinner of beef and chicken enchiladas. We would like to extend an invitation to the congregation to attend the next dinner. It will be on July 16, at 6pm. Thank you Barb Shelton for all you do in this community. There were 20 volunteers and over 400 hours worked at MIS the weekend of June A great big thank you to everyone who helped. It was a success.

3 Please visit our website for the routinely updated calendar!!!

4 Please visit our website for the routinely updated calendar!!! July Schedule 2017 July 2 July 9 July 16 July 23 July 30 Driver: Dick Poor Sherm Smith Carl Robinson Duane Leece Dick Poor Worship: Sherm Smith Barb Shelton Jim Benedict Tom Fraser Greeter: Jean Allen Wanda Beavers Linda Canter M. Brown Dorsey Linda Canter Greeter: Mary Tropp Nancy Hackworth Mary Tropp Jim Benedict Art Bonner Greeter: Lou Cubille Art Bonner David Chesney Donna Benedict Mary Tropp Greeter: Muriel Ort Barb Parks Art Bonner Barb Parks Greeter: Barb Parks John Roggenbuk Usher: Erv Handloser Gary Reasoner Nancy Hackworth Barb Byrum Allen Schroeder Usher: Jim Benedict Mary Tropp Barb Parks Sherm Smith Mary Tropp Usher: Bob Harkness John Roggenbuk Dorothy Woodruff Cathy Welker Barb Parks Usher: Donna Benedict Tim Schroeder Larry Chase David Chesney Duane Leece Usher: Wanda Beavers M.Brown Dorsey Art Bonner Art Bonner Comm: Sandra Harkness Duane Leece Coffee: Jan Long-Williams Bobby James Who Wants to Play the Name Game? The Women s Ensemble, Barb Shelton, Dorothy Woodruff, Muriel Ort, Miriam Dorsey Brown and Sandra Harkness, are looking for a name for their group. It can be church related but doesn t need to be. We will consider all suggestions. With your ideas, contact one of the above named women, call the church office at , or drop your thoughts in the offering plate; the ideas and suggestions will get to us. Singing Dates: Sunday July 9th, during 10:30 am service Sunday August 6th, during 10:30 am service and at 4 pm at the tent service by 1stCongregational Church downtown JuLY Birthdays 2nd Lily Carlson 17th Susan Canter Tristen Rose Rachael Osborne Tim Schroeder 18th Bobby James 3rd Erin Butterfield Zymir Thompson Katie Anderson 19th Erv Handloser 4th Penny Poor Todd Willoughby Amanda Canter 21st Conrad Ludwig 5th Rashiem Dentmond 24th Elora Houser 6th Caleigh Anne Kaiser 25th Christopher Evans 8th Kate Reynolds Samantha Schroeder Gary Reasoner Jr. Walter Shuberg Jr. Deborah Grice Randy Vowler 9th Debbie Benedict Baretta Donahee 10th Sicialiano Salinger 26th Mindy Knapp 11th William Duncan Juanita Shuberg 13th Rebecca Havens Michele Wilson 14th Karen Stadnikia Terry Hamka Kain Elliott 27th Caroline Kintsle 15th Allen Schroeder 30th Valery Lashley

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6 August Schedule 2017 August 6 August 13 August 20 August 27 Driver: Sherm Smith Carl Robinson Duane Leece Dick Poor Worship: Michael Young M.Brown Dorsey Jan Janke Sherm Smith Greeter: Jean Allen Wanda Beavers Linda Canter M.Brown Dorsey Greeter: Mary Tropp Art Bonner Cathy Welker Jim Benedict Greeter: Lou Cubille Barb Parks Mary Tropp Donna Benedict Greeter: Muriel Ort David Chesney Art Bonner Greeter: Barb Parks Usher: Erv Handloser Gary Reasoner Nancy Hackworth Barb Byrum Usher: Jim Benedict Mary Tropp Barb Parks Sherm Smith Usher: Bob Harkness John Roggenbuk Dorothy Woodruff Cathy Welker Usher: Donna Benedict Tim Schroeder Larry Chase David Chesney Usher: Wanda Beavers M.Brown Dorsey Art Bonner Communion: Gene & Rose Johnson Coffee Hour: Jackson Pride March and Festival August Birthdays 2nd Cheryl DeGroote 18th Shelia Simpson Logan Hetherington 19th Dorothea Henry 3rd Kevin Sisk Ava Rose Michael Young 20th Harold Lindner Jr. 6th Cynthia Wheeler Rebekah Hadley 8th Larry Martin Sandra Lee Bramble 9th Amelia Osborn 21st Ann Church Robert Sisk 22nd Karey Collins Todd Schuler 24th Nicole Daugherty 10th Kira Scahill 25th Thomas Bumpus 12th Howard Wheeler 26th Kylee VanSlambrouck 13th Erin Knapp 29th Charyl Wozniak Vickie Steck Robert Patefield 14th Darrin Johnson 30th Mackenzie Miller 15th Tyesha Hunt Marisa Miller 16th Rylee Paige 31st Daniel Canter 17th Scott Elliott Rachel Parrot March/Parade kick off 12:00 noon Staging to start at 11:00 am Corner of Mechanic and Morrell 801 S. Mechanic Flag Raising and Rally immediately following march corner of Jackson and Michigan Ave Festival: 1: 00-9:00 pm Horace Blackman Park Vendors, Miss Jackson Pride Pageant, Music, Dancing, Beer Tent, Drag Queen For more information or to volunteer please contact: jacksonpridecenter@gmail.com Follow