Pastor Greg s Gandering

Transcription

1 FEB 2015 Pastor Greg s Gandering WOW Wasn t it just Christmas and now in a couple weeks it s the start of Lent. It s like Jesus just gets born and we re killing him off. It s like the whole church year, all the important stuff happens between the last week of November and the middle of April and the rest is just filler. If the church calendar makers would have been a little more accurate it seems to me that it would have made a better church year. What I m getting at is that for there to be shepherds watching their flocks by night, Jesus birth wasn t happening in the bleak mid-winter. In fact, most scholars on the subject guess that he was actually born in the spring or summer. But instead, the date given for Christmas was set to coincide with the pagan celebration of the Saturnalia festival in late December. To top it off, in 274 C.E., the Roman emperor Aurelian established a feast of the birth of Sol Invictus (the Unconquered Sun), on December 25. Christmas, the argument goes, is really a spin-off from these pagan solar festivals. According to this theory, early Christians deliberately chose these dates to encourage the spread of Christmas and Christianity throughout the Roman world: If Christmas looked like a pagan holiday, more pagans would be open to both the holiday and the God whose birth it celebrated. In any case, despite the errant placement of Christmas in December as a marketing ploy, my point is that if they would have celebrated Jesus birth closer to when it probably really happened then we would have a much more functional Church year than we have currently. We could have Jesus born in July. Like July 26 that s a good date for important people to be born like Mick Jagger, Jan Grebing and Bryon Shelton oh and me. But if we celebrated Jesus birth in July we could then pay more attention to all that that happens inbetween his birth and his death. It s like the creeds; they talk about Jesus birth and his death and say nothing about all he did in between. So in August you could review his youth and then in move slowly through his life and teachings give him a little more time to be alive before we see him die in March or April; dates that were tied to the Jewish Passover, but now have to do with the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox. That all being said, for centuries the church argued over the stuff that would go into the creeds which focused on his birth and on his death. But, in my opinion, they don t say anything about what I think is really important and that was what he did in between his birth and death. The creeds and the church year which focus upon his birth and death and leave so little room for his life; they force our attention away from what is really important. What is even more important was his life and teachings that taught a radical hospitality in God s Beloved Community. It was his life and teachings that gave meaning to his birth and death and resurrection. Without his life and teaching who cares about his birth and death. What separated Jesus from the other pagan heroes who were believed to be born of virgins and to be immortal-- was what he did between those events. Just sayin THE UNITED CHURCH OF BROOMFIELD an Open & Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ The Center of Our Lives Pastor: Greg Garland 825 Kohl Street, Broomfield, CO Look Inside. FEB Anniversaries & Birthday s 2 Upcoming events 3 Education 4 Prayers & Meet your new Members-at-Large 5 Small Groups & Activities Calendar Listing 7 February calendar & Notes 7-8 Sunday Hours: 8:30AM Adult Choir - 9AM Sunday School 10AM Service of Celebration Our Mission Statement Our Church is dedicated to the love of God as demonstrated by Jesus Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit. We demonstrate our love of God through everyday living. Everyone is welcome to join us as we grow in our faith and in our relationship with God and each other through worship, teaching, caring and fellowship.

2 2 FEB 2015 Your 2015 Church Leadership Greg Garland Pastor Corey Hill Moderator Jane Martin Shelton Vice Moderator Jonathan Wade Clerk Alice Kidney Financial Secretary Gary McKee Treasurer Brian Conn, Mark Stevens Members at Large - - Commi ee Chairs Mark Stevens Trustees Jonathan Wade Worship Lu Reuter Spiritual Care Bob Wathen/Mary Beth Jones Chris an Educa on Kathy Plomer Mission Mary Jones/Desi Hill Fellowship Thank you to everyone for their love, encouragement and support. You can't even imagine what it means to us. A special thank you to the UCB Choir and Undying Flame for their abundant generosity! We are blessed by you all. Kevin & Keri In a democracy it's your vote that counts. In feudalism it's your count that votes. Birthday s 2 Robert Hoyle 3 Vaughn Evertz 5 Douglas James Kevin & Keri Jacobs, with Kevin's mom, Judy, married at the United Church of Broomfield on December 28, Carson Holst Terri Lucero Darcy Dees Lance Stevens 18 Beth Perez 19 Mark Diekhoff 24 Kathy Plomer Lu & Earl Reuter 2/28/ Gayle Tenorio If we missed your b day please contact the church office.

3 3 FEB 2015 DBSA Depression and Bipolar Support Group Open to all those diagnosed with either depression or bipolar disorder. Families and friends are invited the fourth Thursday of the month. We will meet every Thursday from 6:30-8pm in the Steele Commons Room. *This is a peer support group and in no way is meant to be medical advice nor is it to replace individual therapy. Boy Scout Sunday and Pancake Breakfast February 8th Please join us for worship on Scout Sunday when the church s Boy Scout troop will be leading the service. After service they will be hosting a pancake breakfast. $7 per person $20 per family Breakfast will be held in the Fellowship Hall All are welcome -- please come and support our boy scout troop! Menu includes pancakes, sausage, egg casserole, fruit, juice, coffee, and milk Shrove Tuesday February 17 5:30PM Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, Shrove Tuesday, it s all the same a time to come stuff yourself before LENT with a delicious Pancake meal. Ash Wednesday Service February 18 7:00PM Ash Wednesday, in the Western Christian calendar, is the first day of Lent and occurs 46 days (40 days not counting Sundays) before Easter. It is a moveable fast, falling on a different date each year because it is dependent on the date of Easter Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of repentance. Ashes were used in ancient times, according to the Bible, to express mourning. Dusting oneself with ashes was the penitent's way of expressing sorrow for sins and faults The 10 th Annual Holy Smokes will be held this fall, and we need folks who want to help plan the best Holy Smokes yet! We ll have an initial meeting on Tuesday, February 24 th from 4:00-5:30, at a to-be-determined Broomfield location. Please contact Catherine, if you re interested in being part of the fun: cballance@flatironshabitat.org; , Ext Evolution Sunday February 15, 2015 We will be joining with Hundreds of Congregations from 9 Countries as we recognize the compatibility of Religion and Science and the contribution each can make to the other. Over the past 9 years, Evolution Weekend events have touched approximate threequarters of a million people. Religious people from many diverse faith traditions and locations around the world understand that evolution is quite simply sound science; and for them, it does not in any way threaten, demean, or diminish their faith in God. In fact, for many, the wonders of science often enhance and deepen their awe and gratitude towards God. A list of participants can be found at More than 1,000 scientists on six continents, representing 32 countries, have signed on as consultants.

4 Nov FEB Lent Study series The six Mondays of Lent, beginning February 23, at 7PM we will be watching the Most watched TED Talks TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading worthy ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics from science to business to global issues in more than 100 languages. Yes we will be using our theologizing skills to see how God is active in our world. There will also be optional readings each week associated with the videos we will watch. Watch your s for more information to come. Pat s Adult Class - The Adult Sunday School class that meets in the Steele Commons Room will continue to meet every Sunday in February. They are continuing their study on "The Harmony of the Gospels". For more information on this Adult Sunday School class, please contact Pat James. All are welcome to join this class at anytime. Kohl Street Kids Before and After School Care Child Care Contribution Credit UCB Preschool can accept donations from parents, families and community members and THEY can get a tax credit. The child care contribution credit is available for up to 50% of the donation. It is 75% restored for 2014 and 100% for 2015: This means that when parents, families and community members donate to our Preschool, they can get a tax credit for 37.5% of their donation in 2014 and 50% in All licensed child care providers in Colorado serving children 12 and younger are eligible to accept donations in exchange for the tax credit, which is called the Child Care Contribution Credit (CCCC). Preschool News One of my extra curricula activities involves my work with the Broomfield Early Childhood Council. In this edition of The Visitor you will see an announcement about the documentary, Raising of America. The first installment is called Are we crazy about our kids? I watched and it is very interesting and thought provoking. The Council is presenting it at the Broomfield library on Wed. Feb. 18 th. Another viewing will be held on Saturday, March 14th at 2pm. These showings will include time for discussion. However, if you just want to see the documentary you can view it online on Rocky Mountain PBS website. Look for the link to Are we crazy about our kids? "Are We Crazy about Our Kids" makes the argument that the return on investment of high-quality early child care experiences will ultimately benefit our nation, economically and sociologically. Nancy McKee, Preschool Director Raising of America Documentary Wednesday, Feb. 18th 8-9:15AM at the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library Please join us for breakfast, networking, and a screening of the PBS documentary: Raising of America - Are We Crazy About Our Kids? This documentary gives us another lens to look at early childhood - a return on investment. It will give concrete economic research that proves by investing in early childhood, we can improve the outcomes of children in the long term with positive economic results, less dependence on government assistance, and reduced crime rates. We will watch the powerful documentary and then have discussion on what we can do in Broomfield to help support families and children. This screening is targeted at Broomfield businesses, policy makers, community advocates. Please RSVP as space is limited!! Jessica@broomfieldecc.org Another viewing will be held on Saturday, March 14th at 2PM Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library

5 Nov FEB Welcome your new Members-at-Large Mark Stevens and Brian Conn! 35 Mark S. and his better half, Peggy S., have seen and shared many changes in our church since we became members, at least 15 years ago. Mark's penchant to recycle, refurbish, and help keep "our ship (UCB) afloat" literally, figuratively, and prayerfully, humbly help our Duct Tape Deacons (trustees) to steam through our 50s, 60s and into our 80s. Oh yes, sir, yes, ma'am, we try to replace those light bulbs, keep walkways clear of snow, etc, etc, etc. with grains of salt and a twinkle in our eye. We depend upon ingenuity and love of congregation to keep this place spiffy. If this congregation were stranded on Mars, trying to figure out how to survive until somehow, someway, we would be rescued (think Apollo 13), then I think our dear DTDs absolutely would figure out how to engineer schemes to make our time up there and here on earth one heck of an experience. Mark retired a few years ago as a writing instructor and tutor for special needs students at several local community college campuses for 10 years, was a technical writer for 20 years, and a Navy journalist during the '70s. Yes, the old coot still likes to write and works on a multimedia, reality-fiction novel. Focus, focus, focus, you one lucky baby boomer. Brian Conn and family joined United Church of Broomfield in Since that time, Brian has served in a number of roles, including Sunday School teacher, Choir member, Treasurer, Vice Moderator and Moderator. Brian is also presently the liaison to UCB's boy scout troop. Over the past two years Brian has been working with the UCC executive for Health and Wholeness to form a national working group (committee) to support scouting programs in UCC congregations. The primary focus of the working group has been formalizing the relationship between the UCC and Boy Scouts of America with the ultimate aim to allow UCC congregations to select the leaders for their troops from among their congregation's membership and communities without discrimination. Brian (and Mark Stevens) look forward to discussions with all members of the congregation to understand your concerns about our congregation. Prayers for Stephanie Gastelbondo for the passing of her mother into a new life Helen Austin and family for the passing into a new life of her brother Glen Buddy Jones The Jacobs family on the passing of Kevin's mother into a new life Rev. Loren Richmond, Pastor of Henderson Community UCC for the speedy recovery from surgery Kay Stevens (Darcy Dees mother) for sympathy and comfort on the passing of her spouse into a new life Steve Snyder for a speedy recovery from surgery Aaron Dees family on the passing into a new life of his grandmother Violet LoSasso after a 7 year battle with Alzheimer's disease Prayers for all those dealing with grief Ziggy in his passing into new life and for his close friends, the Crouse's, O'Kelly's and Sissel s and for his family, Dana and the kids Lea Sissel and family on the passing of her mother into a new life No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.

6 6 FEB 2015 MORNING STAR GROUP WILL MEET AT NEW STAR CAFÉ TUESDAY Feb 3rd AT 11 AM. WELCOME!!! ALL Men s Fellowship will meet 7:30AM,Sat. Feb 7th at Great Scotts & we will meet Sat, March 7th 7:30AM at the Egg & I Book Club Update: The next meeting of the Book Club will be Friday, Feb 27th at 7PM at the home of Nancy McKee We will be discussing "The Husband s Secret by Lianne Moriarty. Gathering Circle will meet Sat. Feb 14th at 8:30 AM at Mimi s Cafe Delaware St. Westminster (In the Orchards Shopping Center) Duct Tape Deacons Work Crew This is open to anyone that can come & help with repairs around our church building. We will work no more than 2 hours & then go out to lunch. Fix-it, Fellowship & Fun! Thursday, FEB 12th 10AM followed by lunch Attendance & Offering Dec Offering: $14, collected / $11, budget (over by $3,440.63) Jan Offering: (thru 1/31) Adults / Kids Jan 4 = 54/7 Jan 11 = 55/8 Jan 18 = 55/6 Jan 25 = 58/6 $10, collected / $11, budget (under by $569.63) YTD Offering: (thru 1/31) Same as above for January 2014 giving statements can be requested from Gary McKee toptrack@msn.com

7 7 FEB 2015 Worship Service Volunteer Sign Up If you'd like to sign up to volunteer as Liturgist, offer a Kid's Time message or host after service snacks, we have a new way to do so. Just click here: Worship Help and simply follow the directions to sign up. It's easy and we appreciate all your volunteer efforts. And don't forget that you can put pen to paper and still sign up on the sheets hanging in the Narthex. Save the Date for the Annual Poverty Meal! March 15 after church This year the meal will benefit: Red Light Resources, a new non-profit started by our own Pasha Ripley UCB CALENDAR Morning Star Circle meets 1st Tuesday 11AM Men s Fellowship meets 1st Sat. 7:30AM Gathering Circle meets 2nd Sat. 8:30AM Duct Tape Deacons meets 2nd Thurs. 10AM Book Club meets 4th Friday 7:00PM Church Council meet 3rd Wed. 7:00PM Fellowship meets 1st 9:00AM Trustees meet 1st Sunday after service Worship meets 1st Sun. after service Spiritual Care meets 2nd Sun. after service CE meets 2nd Sunday after service Mission meets 2nd Sun. after service March 1 FISH Food Collection Bouquet Boutique Vase Drive 2 Lenten Series 7PM 8 Daylight Savings Time Begins 9 Lenten Series 7PM 14 Blood Drive 8AM - 2PM Lucky Lenten Dinner & Auction 5PM 15 OGHS Collection Poverty Meal after service to benefit Red Light Resources 16 Lenten Series 7PM 17 St. Patrick's Day 23 Lenten Series 7PM 29 Palm Sunday 30 Lenten Series 7PM April 2 Maundy Thursday Maundy Thursday service 6:30PM 3 Good Friday 5 Easter FISH Food Collection Easter Egg Hunt after service 11 20th Annual Lawn Mower Clinic 18 20th Annual Lawn Mower Clinic 19 Theatre Earth Day 25 20th Annual Lawn Mower Clinic May 3 FISH Food Collection 10 Mother s Day 16 Armed Forces Day 17 Promotion Sunday Transitional Housing Drive 24 Pentecost Confirmation Strengthen the Church collection 25 Memorial Day 31 Bouquet Boutique Vase Collection June 7 FISH Food Collection 13 Picnic in the Park 14 Flag Day 21 Fathers Day 28 VBS begins July 2 VBS ends 4 Fourth of July 5 FISH Food Collection 12 Crayon to Calculators School Supply Drive August 2 FISH Food Collection 8 Steak Fry 5PM 16 Transitional Housing Drive 30 Service in our Park September 6 FISH Food Collection 7 Labor Day 13 Sunday School Kick-off 19 Broomfield Days 26 Blood Drive 8AM to 2PM 27 Ocktoberfest October 4 FISH Food Collection NIN Collection Blessing of the Animals 1PM 12 Columbus Day 18 Transitional Housing Drive 24 Christian Ed. Halloween Event 31 Halloween November 1 Daylight Savings Time Ends FISH Food Collection 7 Progressive Markel's 5PM 11 Veterans Day 14 Thanksgiving Food Drive for Henderson UCC Food Bank 22 Greening the Church 26 Thanksgiving 29 First Sunday of Advent 30 Advent Series 7PM December 6 FISH Food Collection; Giving Tree Gifts Due 7 Advent Series 7PM 14 Advent Series 7PM 20 Christmas Fund Collection Christmas Program during service 21 Advent Series 24 Christmas Ever Service 7PM & 11PM 25 Christmas Day 31 New Years Eve

8 8 FEB 2015 Did you know... That we're on Facebook? We here at the United Church of Broomfield are cool and tech savvy! Jump on the bandwagon and stay up to date and informed! Click the link and "Like" us. Another great way to keep up with what's going on here and in the UCC. The United Church of Broomfield 825 Kohl Street Broomfield CO designed & printed courtesy of TopTrack, LLC