Pastor’s Corner – November 25, 2021
Dear Beloved Siblings,
A few months ago a participant in the young adult Conscious Caring Community shared a mission moment about the Community Food Box Project which she began five years ago. The Outreach Ministry Team decided that offering a community food box on the campus of Friedens United Church of Christ would fit well with the mission that God has given Friedens to share the love of Jesus with children and youth in the community…
Pastor’s Corner – November 18, 2021
One of the questions to ponder as we posture toward the future at Friedens by turning to the community with a focus of serving younger people, is: How do we connect meaningfully with younger members and friends while honoring the long-term commitment of our older and most active members and friends?
Serving younger and older people is not an either/or but a both/and. We do both at Friedens. Of course, the long-term older members and friends have gotten us where we are today. Thank you! There is no future without younger members and friends getting more involved. Welcome! We need each other. We serve each other. We bless each other.
Pastor’s Corner – November 11, 2021
Dear Beloved Siblings,
In this season where we often take time to focus on gratitude, my heart is full. While my heart often feels heavy with the loss and grief near and far, it remains overflowing with thanksgiving for you and the opportunity to serve and follow Jesus with you. Each Sunday, it is a blessing to worship with you in-person and virtually and to connect with the Treasure Seekers children in-person and virtually.
Pastor’s Corner – November 4, 2021
A recent survey of in-person church attendance in the United States confirmed what we have noticed at Friedens UCC—numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic figures. In fact, currently average church attendance in America is approximately 40% of pre-pandemic attendance. The good news is the way online worship is helping to fill the gap in a new age.
The survey also asked church attenders whether they preferred in-person or online worship. As you might have guessed…
Pastor’s Corner – October 28, 2021
Dear Friends,
As a teenager, All Saints Day became an important holy day for me. In order to tell children about the day, I remember looking up the definition of saints. The definition that I found said that a saint was a person who shared the good news of God’s love. The children and I talked about how that means that anyone who shares God’s love is a saint, and then we took time to give thanks for the saints who had brought the messages of God’s love to each of us.
Pastor’s Corner – October 21, 2021
Practice makes perfect; well not quite but it sure helps! We are all works in progress when it comes to faith and discipleship. One of the ways we grow is through spiritual practices. In recent months I have been sharing a few of these practices. Some are traditional, like prayer and worship. Some you might not have considered as a way to grow in your relationship with God…like today’s idea.
Pastor’s Corner – October 14, 2021
Hi Friends,
You continue to be in my thoughts whether we connect in person or virtually. I am grateful for you. You are in my prayers. You are family!
At the beginning of the month, I was reminded of the blessing and diversity of families. I'm thankful that Friedens United Church of Christ recognizes, honors, respects, and welcomes families in all their different shapes, sizes, and structures.
I grew up being taught that I had a biological family, a church family, and a human family.
Pastor’s Corner – October 7, 2021
Practice makes perfect; well not quite but it sure helps! We are all works in progress when it comes to faith and discipleship. One of the ways we grow is through spiritual practices.
Lately I have been writing about spiritual practices, like prayer and creative expression. These practices help us to cultivate a mindfulness of God’s graceful presence undergirding each moment in life.
Pastor’s Corner – September 30, 2021
Dear Friends,
Each week, I’m blessed to spend time with you in worship, with the children in Treasure Seekers, and with the young adults in formal and informal gatherings. I am grateful to connect with the confirmation students and with the members of some of the ministry teams each month. I learn so much with and from you.
Pastor’s Corner – September 23, 2021
Practice makes perfect. Well not quite, but it sure helps! We are all works in progress when it comes to faith and discipleship. One of the ways we grow is through spiritual practices.
Pastor’s Corner – September 16, 2021
Dear Friends,
You are in my prayers, and I am grateful that we can hold each other in prayer during the times in life that feel chaotic, the times that feel calm, the times that feel confusing, and in all time and places. My heart has been heavy for the last month in hearing and seeing how the Delta variant is impacting kids and pregnant women.
Pastor’s Corner – September 9, 2021
Practice makes perfect; well not quite but it sure helps! We are all works in progress when it comes to faith and discipleship. One of the ways we grow is through spiritual practices.
In August articles I reminded you about the practices of Lectio Divina and prayer. I hope you have experimented with these practices and are finding some ways that work for you and your schedule. Just as the best kind of physical exercise is the kind you will do, so the best kind of spiritual practice is the kind that fits you and brings you closer to the living Spirit of Christ.
Pastor’s Corner - September 2, 2021
Dear Friends,
How are you? I ask this often, and I really mean it. How are you?
These times leave me feeling like I have all kinds of answers for this question. Some days I feel really confused by these times. In these times, I feel ever more grateful that I can trust a Creator whose love is steadfast, who always accepts us, and whose faithfulness never fails. I find hope and strength in this good news. Where do you find hope and strength?
Pastor’s Corner - August 26, 2021
Practice makes perfect, well not quite but it sure helps! We are all works in progress when it comes to faith and discipleship. One of the ways we grow is through spiritual practices.
Prayer is the most common and widely used spiritual practice. This suggests its importance in connecting us to the Divine.
We have gotten the idea that prayer happens in a sanctuary with a particular formula that uses religious language. The truth is prayer is simply and profoundly communication with God. This communication requires no special location or language for it to be of value to spiritual growth.
Pastor’s Corner - August 19, 2021
Dear Friends,
The summer before last, author Layla Saad led me to think about my ancestors in new ways and invited me to consider what it means to be a good ancestor. Her work has impacted me in many ways, and I am grateful that she has led me to remember my ancestors more often. One of the core values my ancestors have offered me are practices of gratitude – practices which are also passed on to us by our ancestors in faith whom we hear about in the stories of scripture. I am enjoying the journey that Pastor Marc is leading us on through the Bible and a new look at ancient stories from the book of Genesis and the ancestors in faith in the Old Testament. What core values have your ancestors passed on to you?
Pastor’s Corner - August 12, 2021
In my last article on the value of church membership I mentioned that a community of faith is a great place to practice servant leadership. Following Jesus’ example, we use our God-given gift to raise everyone in our community through service in Christ’s Spirit of grace. The goal of servant leadership in Christ is another of the blessings of church membership.
Pastor’s Corner - August 5, 2021
Dear Friends,
As school begins, some of us may be adjusting to new routines. Some of us may find ourselves taking a look at plans for the fall. If you are looking for opportunities for connecting, learning, and serving, please know we always have ways you can become involved. If you’d like to learn more about trying out a ministry team, your church staff and members of the Council of Ministries are glad to explore your interests and questions. If you’d like to try a Christian Education opportunity, an Outreach opportunity, or one of the programs/classes offered by the Conscious Caring Community here are a few upcoming opportunities for August:
Pastor’s Corner - July 29, 2021
This summer I have offered reminders of the blessings of church membership; they include: supporting discipleship, nurturing community, being part of something bigger than ourselves, sharing our God-given gifts, practicing being a servant leader, and working toward God’s vision of Shalom. Best of all, church membership and discipleship bring us closer to God and to one another.
Relationships of love bring us deep meaning and significance.
Pastor’s Corner - July 22, 2021
Dear Friends,
It is always a blessing to be learning and growing with you and to be serving with all of you. I am grateful for Pastor Marc’s recent sermon series on the book of Romans. I tend towards books that are story-based, yet there is much to explore and learned from the book of Romans and all the books of the Bible. What caught/is catching your attention in Romans or other books or passages you are exploring?
Pastor’ Corner - July 15, 2021
In my last article on the value of church membership I mentioned that a community of faith is a great place to practice servant leadership. Following Jesus’ example, we use our God-given gift to raise everyone in our community through service in Christ’s Spirit of grace. The goal of servant leadership in Christ is another of the blessings of church membership.