A Joint Newsletter of Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ & St. John s Episcopal Church. October

Transcription

1 A Joint Newsletter of Union Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ & St. John s Episcopal Church October 2017

2 Pastoral Ponderings i thank God for most this amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky and for everything which us natural, which is infinite, which is Yes! (e. e. cummings) Wonder It is the gray misty clouds clinging to the mountains, with the taste of rain in the air. The cool wind blows against my face as the rich aroma of dirt fills the air. Thunder rumbles, as lightening raises the hair on my skin. August and September had me traveling for the better part of a month. I backpacked in the Wind River Mountains and traveled through Arizona, camping and hiking with my brother. My achy muscles groaned quite often, but my spirit oohed and aahed even more over amazing and wonderful sights. I also spent a week with my mom in Texas. There too I found myself in awe of amazing sights of nature. Although this time it was a very destructive side of nature. The flood waters of Harvey were hard to even fathom. Since then nature has unleashed even further destruction: several more hurricanes, 2 earthquakes in Mexico, fires in the NW, bombing in London, North Korea setting off more missiles (yes, human nature is quite destructive too). It s all a bit disconcerting and overwhelming. I ve even heard people wonder if the end of times is upon us. Someone even predicted September 23 rd was the beginning of the end. While I don t give any credence to end of time predictions, I can t help but wonder if we need to pay better attention to the world around us. Is there something God might want us to hear in the midst of all this chaos? Even as I ask those questions, I am reminded that God created the universe out of chaos. That gives me hope. God enters the places of utter chaos and devastation and offers new beginnings. The Spirit that stirred over the waters of creation at the beginning of time continues to stir today, breathing life into humanity. Even as heartache and despair threaten to consume us, we are invited to breathe deep that creative and renewing Spirit of God. It is in that breathing, that we can see the Divine at work in us and through and with us. Look at all the people in Texas, Florida and Mexico who are working to rescue, restore and rebuild. All the things that seem to divide people in normal times are gone. No one cares about another s race, religion, orientation, opinion or politics. Hands reach out for hands regardless. We are invited to stand in awe of nature (both earthly and human). God s word to us is to pay attention to both the wonderful and the fearful, and to trust that God is still creating and re-creating. In the midst of it all, we are to reach out to others no matter who they are, no matter where they are on life s journey. In giving and receiving, we become part of the power and beauty of life anew. Let s do it. Let s say I love you more often. Let s share from our resources so others can live again. Let s put aside divisions and be people who care deeply for all creation from the shifting earth we live upon to all the creatures and people who inhabit it. Live fully, love deeply Pastor Jenny

3 Sunday, 10/1: World Communion Sunday 9:00 a.m. Worship & Fellowship Sunday, 10/8: 9:00 a.m. Worship & FAITH EXPLORATION Monday, 10/9: 6:00/7:00 p.m. Diaconate/Trustees Tuesday, 10/10: 4:00 p.m. PUMPKIN DELIVERY (we hope) Sunday, 10/15: 9:00 a.m. Worship/Communion & Fellowship Saturday, 10/2: 10:00 a.m. BAZAAR/BAKE SALE Sunday, 10/22: 9:00 a.m. Worship & FAITH EXPLORATION 10:30 a.m. Council Saturday, 10/28: 9:30 a.m. Intermountain Assn Fall Mtg, Vernal Sunday, 10/29: 9:00 a.m. Worship & Fellowship WEEKLY CHURCH EVENTS: Jan Leonard 3 Mary Beery 7 Pam Nichelson 9 Duane Kerr 17 Kathy Beck 20 Kathryn Sweat 21 William Allen 23 Kurt Allen 28 Ray Richardson 27 Sundays 9:00 a.m. Worship Mondays 8:45 a.m. Coffee Group Tuesdays 9:30 a.m. Craft Group 6:30 p.m. Quilters Check office calendar for scouts and other regular groups. WOSHIP CD S. If you just can t make it to worship, but still would like to hear the music, prayers and sermon, there are CD s available in the gathering area by the UCC guest book. If you d like to receive a CD each week, please let the office know and we will make that happen. (A huge thank you to Ray Curtis for this ministry!) Narcotics Anonymous Mansface Church is home to the local NA chapter. Sunday night meetings are always an open meeting which means if you or a loved one is struggling with a drug addiction, you are welcomed to come. They meet at 8:00 p.m. in the Sunday School rooms.

4 Disaster Relief th Sunday, August 20, an impromptu offering was taken to send with Pastor Jenny to Texas. The cash gift of $280 went to a couple at St. Peter UCC whose home took water. A huge thank you for the generosity of all who were able to contribute to that offering! Church World Service Clean Up Buckets Further donations for disaster relief and recovery can be made by designating your gifts. Make checks out to UCC and write Relief in the memo line or put a cash gift in an envelope with Relief clearly marked on it. Clean up and recovery in both Texas and Florida will take years. If you d be interested in a mission trip to be part of that work, please talk with Pastor Jenny. Here s a link to work already beginning in Texas by the United Church of Christ: FAITH EXPLORATION Sunday, September 10, we kicked off a new season of Faith Exploration. Following the Chancel Chat children head off with their teachers for a special time of exploring and growing in the Christian faith. We do this every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month from September through May. Sandy J ohnson is handling the teacher signup. Give her a shout if you d like to teach one or more Sundays. Curriculum is in the church office. Jackie Rockhold has it all organized in folders for each week. Neighbors In Need Offering October 1, 2017 The first Sunday of October is our annual Neighbors in Need Offering. This offering supports the United Church of Christ s ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC s Justice and Witness Ministries to fund a wide array of local and national justice initiatives, advocacy efforts and direct service projects. The other third of the offering supports the UCC s Council for American Indian Ministries. For more information go to Intermountain Association Fall Meeting Come be radically connected on Saturday, October 28th, with our sister churches in the Intermountain Association of the Rocky Mountain Conference. Our fall meeting is a time to gather for fellowship, worship and exploration of shared faith and ministry. The meeting is from 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. at Kingsbury Community UCC in Vernal. Each church is invited to have 2 or more members. Let Pastor Jenny or Judy Graham know if you would like to represent Union.

5 PUMPKINS ARE COMING! The pumpkins are scheduled to arrive at Mansface Church at 4:00 P.M. on Tuesday, October 10 th. We will need lots of volunteers to help unload the truck. Please bring your strong backs and wheelbarrows to the church that afternoon. Dinner will be provided after the fun is done. Please keep in mind that this time is dependent upon the weather at the farm. They cannot load wet pumpkins. If there are changes, you will be notified by and a sign will be posted at the church. Sign-up sheets for selling the pumpkins will be available on the bulletin board by the office. A huge thank you to all who are able to help. Dig out those cookbooks and favorite family recipes and bake up a storm for our annual fall bake sale. We will be selling our yummy baked goods in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, October 21 st from 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. in conjunction with the Pumpkin Patch. Please bring your baked goods to the church by 9:00 A.M. that morning so we will have time to price them. This is always a very successful event and great fundraiser, no doubt because we have some super cooks at UCC! In addition to our annual bake sale, we will be selling our handmade crafts on October 21 st. If you are crafty and have something to donate, please bring it to the church by noon Friday, October 20 th. And to top it all off, the chili luncheon is returning to the Craft Fair and Bake Sale! Can it get any better? We will need fruit pies for the luncheon. There is a sign-up sheet in the Fellowship Hall.

6 Winning Opportunity Once again this year, we are holding a raffle in conjunction with the Pumpkin Patch. In addition to the best pumpkin selection in the county, we are going to raffle off a beautiful handmade baby quilt and stuffed elephant, donated by Jackie Rockhold, a Halloween craft made by Norma Jean Paxton, and horseshoe art donated by Duane Kerr. Tickets will be only $.50 each or 5 for $2.00. What a deal! Welcome back to the Harvest Dinner! UCC will be hosting a Harvest Dinner for everyone in the community. We hope to see many familiar, and those not familiar, with our church community in attendance. Our charge will be $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 6 years up to adulthood. We also are asking for a can of food when you come. We hope to see you on November 10 th, at Mansface Church in the evening dinner will be served at 6:00. Invite your friends throughout the community and share in the fellowship! We also are asking for members who might be purchasing their Thanksgiving turkeys early, during the October, buy one get one free sales, to put an extra one in the freezer for us. Tickets may be obtained in the church office or by contacting Kathy Wiekhorst (home) or (cell). Please leave a message on either phone and she will get back to you. Please get tickets in advance, so no one will go hungry.

7 Moderator s Message October 2017 I have been finding myself listening, reading, or watching too many news stories in the past month which has created such a myriad of emotions swirling within me. Perhaps it s been the same for you as well. First I watched with much concern and dismay as Hurricane Harvey poured 51 inches of rain on Houston and other parts of Texas and surrounding states. I wondered about the outcome for the people I knew. This disaster felt so very real and close. Following on its heels was Hurricane Irma with its horrific destruction of the Caribbean Islands and Florida then there was Maria s whirlwind destruction of Puerto Rico. If the feeling of helplessness and horror was not enough with these natural disasters, I began to be aware of the potential national security with the concerns over North Korea. Will we be safe? Will the other nations be safe? Again I have great fear and an immense sense of helplessness of the coming days. So to take a line from Oprah, this is what I know. I know that these feelings are good because I will be challenged to find ways to help. The opportunities are many. I know that no matter what we have in our lives that we will be OK. When we hear that we are his Beloved children and that we are in His care, we can rest assured that we will be OK. So will those who are struggling with pain and disaster. Yet when we experience the empathetic feelings of helplessness and pain for others we can find ways to donate the monies needed to rebuild or if we can t give much we have time or prayer to share. When we find a means to actively work to ease someone s hurt we change our feeling of helplessness to something far more positive. If it is impossible to help those far away we can reach out to our hidden neighbors in need within our community. In late November our congregation will be given a chance to share a meal with some of these hidden neighbors. Sharing a meal is one way we can make a bond with those whose lives are different than ours. Who knows how God wishes us to share the enough he has given us. We may not be able to do everything we want but by reaching out in small ways gives us a way to share the Grace God has given us. With blessings, Judy Graham Does someone s drinking bother you? Al-Anon can help. Meetings are held in Green River at 96 N. 1st E St., Green River, Wyoming on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm.

8 St John s Episcopal Church 350 Mansface / P.O. Box 400 Green River, WY mansfacechurch@sweetwaterhsa.com St. John s September Worship Schedule October 1 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Angie Bennet October 8 Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Ruth Lauritzen Reader: Tony Harrell October15 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Terry Warren October 22 Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Walt Seeley Reader: Chuck Realing October 29 Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost 11:00 Holy Eucharist Service Leader: Rev. Ruth Lauritzen Reader: Angie Bennet The next Vestry meeting will be Sunday, October 15 after coffee hour.

9 Please remember these families in your prayers: Cherie and Jack Haire, Eleonore (Lucy s mother), Jose Alvarez, Margo, Jack, Kyle, Tim, Evie Grace Huebner, Kasyn, the Porter family, Marion, Kenny, Nathan and Briana Wolfe, Joan Palin, Eddie Lee, Gary Rieben, Kristin Gasaway, Friede Foster, Don Reuss, Debbie and Kendra who are in need of a new home and jobs, and especially all the people affected by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Thursday Night Book Study The Thursday evening Bible class is studying the gospel of John. The class is lead by Rev. Walt Seeley. We meet at 6:00 p.m. for a light supper and are usually home by 8:00 p.m. All are welcome. Kylee Lewis 4 Ana Maria Ortega 4 Jack Bennett 16 Margaret Warby 18 Sarah Cummings Wilson 18 Theresa Warren 28 Susannah Cummings 28

10 The Priest s Corner As I wrote for this column last month I was in the final preparations for a much needed vacation to one of my favorite places, Hawaii more specifically Maui. Janet and I have visited and love Kauai very much, but we decided to try Maui this time. It was wonderful, the beaches were heavenly and the food altogether too good. (I still like Kauai better, but I digress.) This was a time for Janet and I to belatedly celebrate our 40th anniversary and to just unwind and recharge. I had plenty of time to think and reflect about what is going on in our world, and more specifically about how are we as Christians called to respond. As I sat in paradise reflecting, I thought of those who were suffering mightily under the wrath of hurricanes Harvey and then Irma (with more on the way), world tensions were escalating out of control, and racial tension and political animosity were growing by the day. It is really hard to remain positive and hopeful in the face of the turmoil in our country and our world, and it really made me start thinking about how we are to respond. The problems seem so huge and unsolvable that it is tempting to throw our hands in the air, or worse yet, sink into the negativity, sniping and back-biting ourselves. But, the thing is, that simply doesn t help. It makes us feel worse it robs us of our joy and hope. So, what are we called to do? How can we make a difference? The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians that we are called to have the same mind in us that was in Christ the mind of an obedient servant. Paul was writing to a Philippian church that was in the midst of persecution and distress. Paul himself was writing to them from prison. His message to the Philippians rings true for us today. In the midst of the tension and animosity around us we are called to take on the mind of Christ, that is, to be known for our gentleness, to pray rather than worry, and we are called to keep our minds on whatever is honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable and worthy of praise. Taking on the mind of Christ in this manner, we are promised that the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Sounds good right? But how do we do this? Much like in the time of Paul, we are called to live differently than the world around us. It won t always be easy. We are called to respond to hate with love. I know when I read something on Facebook that upsets me, my natural reaction is to respond with an equal amount of reciprocal animosity or at the very least to argue and try to point out where others are thinking or acting wrong. We are called rather to not respond to animosity with equal animosity but rather with love. Rather than posting something negative directed at a person or group we don t agree with, perhaps we can just post something positive and good that stands up for what we believe. Same thing goes for conversations, not letting ourselves get dragged into negativity and hate, perhaps we can just respond with a positive, loving expression of what we believe. It will be hard, and sometimes it may seem hopeless, but we must have faith that it is not. We can change the world one person at a time, one conversation at a time. In fact it is the only thing that will ever change our world. May God be with you and bless you!