kim November 4th, 2009

From the worship service on November 1, whose theme was “Overflowing with thankfulness…”

There is a Buddhist tradition of wearing a thin red cord that has had knots tied in it as signs of protection and blessing. The knots are tied by a religious leader, and the cord is a reminder of the blessings offered the wearer. Reminders are often what we need. Sometimes it is work to be thankful. It takes effort to achieve gratitude. Yet when time and attention are taken, there is much for which to be grateful every day.

Anne Lamott (in Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith) talks about a red cord she wears around her wrist, which was given her by a Buddhist friend and was blessed by the Dalai Lama. Though she’s a Presbyterian, she wears this reminder as a sign to herself. She remembers other red cords that speak of connection and of the protection of God: the umbilical cord that, in our earliest days, connects us to life; and the scarlet rope hung from the window of Rahab (in the story of Joshua and the taking of Jericho,) which stood as a signal that this woman and her family were to be protected.

Take a piece of red string (which will be distributed) today. Call to mind some of the things you’re thankful for — people or experiences or an awareness — and as you think of each, tie a knot in the red cord. Then, each day this week, add a knot or two as you recall things for which you’re grateful during the day. You may want to wear the cord around your wrist, to put it in a pocket or wallet, or simply to keep it nearby. Let it be for you a reminder of the blessings you know and of the connection to God that is yours. Let it be an emblem of the ways your life overflows with thankfulness.

• Prayer , Spiritual Growth , Worship
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pam September 18th, 2009

World Communion Sunday & Love Feast - Sunday, October 4, during the 10:50 am Worship
During worship, we’ll be re-affirming our connections to all God’s people, engaging in a symbolic act of service, receiving the bread and cup, and sharing a common meal. We hope to include those who might not be able to come in the evening, and plan to end by about 12:30 p.m. More details will come soon.

• Prayer , Spiritual Growth , Worship
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pam September 18th, 2009

The Sabbath Economics study group will begin meeting again NEXT SUNDAY, September 27 immediately following the service in the library with a brown bag lunch, so please come join us and bring a lunch - especially if you weren’t able to attend the first series because of the early hour. During the first series of meetings we had a Bible study on the theology of economics, or, simply put, God’s economics. Now we will explore how we can begin to live out that theology by interpreting these teachings for our own times and lives. See you then!

• Simple Living , Spiritual Growth
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pam February 3rd, 2008

1) Consider using the daily calendar (see below) as a guide to mindfulness through the season
2) Join in one or more Lenten Ember Nights, planned for occational Wednesdays through the season (The ancient tradition of ember days encourages time set aside to tend the coals of the spirit)

Wednesday, February 6: Shared Prayer (Ash Wednesday focus) 6:30 pm at the church

Wednesday, February 27: Ember Night supper 6:30-8:00 pm (eat a simple meal with several other, and take part in a Lenten activity) Email or sign up at the back of the sanctuary if you would like to participate.

Wednesday, March 12: Come to the church for dessert and a short reflective experience with a Lenten Gallery of Art 7:00-8:00 pm (art works are being chosed by Kim’s Italy/Greece colleague group, and will be presented as part of their joint project)

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• Lent , Spiritual Growth
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pam December 5th, 2007

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6

With plenty of talk swirling around about whose shoulders the government will be on in the future, the words of the prophet come again as welcome relief.  They also come as pointed challenge.

Author Joyce Hollyday remembers a visit to a family whose five-year old son had memorized the Christmas story from the Bible.  “He started out strong and did well until he came to his favorite part, where the angels appeared to the shepherds and said, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace.’ He remembered the ‘Glory to God’ part, but then his mind went blank.”

“His mother offered some words of encouragement, and Kyle thought hard.  Suddenly his face brightened, and he proudly launched into the story again: ‘And the angels appeared to the shepherds and said, ‘Glory to God in the highest… and I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down.” (excerpted from Then Shall Your Light Rise) As Hollyday suggests, Kyle’s confusion expresses, inadvertently, the dilemma with which we live.  Often it seems that God’s will for peace on earth is obscured by all the huffing and puffing of the nations.

Advent reminds us that history is shaped not by the powers of this earth.  In Jesus of Nazareth, another way of living is enacted.  A way in which huffing and puffing are absent.  A way that leads to peace.  The path is characterized by justice, mercy, and nonviolence.  All of them offered by means of costly self-giving. By this way shall life be found.

Elections tempt us to believe that transformation is possible through one candidate or another.  But Christmas reminds us that hope comes from outside all our established structures.  Voting for the candidate or party of you choice may hint at a new way, but the way is not found in any of them.

As we celebrate the gift of the Prince of Peace, we are reminded that our ways are not God’s ways.  But we are also challenged to step onto the path where we can.  May this Christmas bring us new hope, and new resolve!

A blessed Christmas to you -
Kim

• Advent , Spiritual Growth
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pam May 18th, 2007

Our Adult Ed classes usually run from three to seven sessions and utilize in-house presenters/facilitators and expert speakers from outside the Church as well.  The sessions are held during our joint Sunday School hour (9:30-10:30am) at UPCOB.  We hope the range and diversity of previous topics listed here show something of our fellowship as an open-spirited and open-minded group of Christian seekers.   Please join us and feel free to comment below on sessions you’ve enjoyed or taken something valuable from.  Also, please let us know what other topics you would like the Adult Sunday School to study and learn about next.

• Bible study:  Acts and Mark
• Contemporary Anabaptist Literature: Prose and Poetry
• Genetic Engineering – Blessing or Blasphemy?
• Pacifist/Anabaptist Perspectives on American History
• The Inviting Word:  Using Poetry, Music, and Art to Enhance our Understanding of Scripture
• Human Sexuality as God’s Gift
• Bible Study Genesis
• Creating Community in the Metropolitan Context - with contributions from members.
• The Church and Mental Illness – from stigma to inclusion
• On the Pilgrim’s Way: Looking at J Nelson Kraybill’s conversations on Christian discipleship arising from his pilgrimage walk across England
• Anabaptist Perspective on Violence in the world, American society and in the home.
• Personal Stories about careers and calls shared with the youth class .
• Video Series on Parenting 2004
• Be Not Conformed: Theology, Holidays and Celebrations, Family life and Economic Lifestyle 2001
• Myers-Briggs Personality Theory 2001
• Faith, Spirituality and  Environment 2001
• Healing and Transformation 2001
• September 11: Individual Reflections, theological and political perspectives and discussion with  Muslim guests 2001
• Spirituality and Economics 2002
• Cloud of Witnesses 2002
• Hate, Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Moyers  and Menno videos 2002
• 9/11 One year after  (two hours)
• Conflict Resolution: Long series introducing principles of conflict resolution and communication and problem solving and hearing guest speak on US domestic mediation and application of ideas in Balkans, Middle East and Columbia
• Hospitality: Biblical Perspectives. Hospitality in Congregation. Opportunities and Barriers 2003
• American Empire in the 21^st c: NAC vision, empire – military, economic and cultural,faith perspective, challenges to and from Anabaptists. 2003
• Bible Study Lenten exploration 2004  South African Model,  Bibliodrama etc.
• Fiction, Film and Theology 2004
• Advent Storytelling:  Music, Food and Traditions:  Sharing from Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Tanzania, Native American Tradition, Indonesia 2003
• Simplicity 2004
• Core Biblical themes: Awe, Reverence, Hope, Integrity, Justice,  2005
• Living the Core Values (Lent 2005) Jonah House and Quixote Stories
• Our Changing Community – Mayor, CUCE, neighboring Churches, Glen Ivey 2005
• Being passionate Believers: Personal discussions around  Borg’s, Heart of Christianity and McClaren’s A Generous Orthodoxy 2005
• Enriching your Relationships
• Confronting Conflict – Rwanda, CPT stories from Iraq and Columbia, Muslim and Christian in Indonesia 2006
• Bible Study in small groups – John  Lent 2006
• Intersection of Faith and Science  Spring 2006
• Encountering Faith in other cultures? Fall 2006
• 21^st Century Simplicity – not like your Grandparents practiced it Fall 2006
• Sports and Faith Winter 2007
• The Health Care Challenge and the Church Spring 2007

• Spiritual Growth , Sunday School
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pam April 9th, 2007

“On the seventh day God ceased work. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on that day God ceased from all the work God had set to be done.” (Genesis 2:2-3)

In a few weeks, I’ll begin the sabbatical time the congregation has approved.  As it approaches, I’m conscious most of all, of what a privilege it is - and of how grateful I am for your generosity in granting it.

Reflecting the wisdom of remembering God’s blessing of Sabbath, our denomination recommends this time away from normal responsibilities for pastors.  It is intended largely as an opportunity for rest and renewal.  In the plans I’ve made, I hope there is space for both.  I know, though, that they come as gifts and can’t always be grasped.  As does the experience of being granted a sabbatical itself!

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• Spiritual Growth
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pam February 18th, 2007

Is there a personal change that might be of spiritual benefit for you? You’re invited, during Lent, to choose a six-week step to which you may feel drawn, and to covenant with others in the congregation to take it on as a Lenten exercise.  Tradition has it that something is given up during Lent, but it may be equally important to some among us to take on something new. In either case, disciplines bring growth and change. Continue Reading »

• Lent , Spiritual Growth
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