BCUCC News for Sunday, April 7, 2019
News and Upcoming Events
· One Great Hour of Sharing: It’s not too late to give! Envelopes will be in this week’s bulletin. Support projects that empowers and relieves suffering all over the world.
· Check out our UCC “Rainbow comma” on the smaller church sign facing Imperial Highway. Thanks to Randy Fowler and Ann Marshall for creating this welcoming graphic.
· Sunday, April 7: Worship at 10am. Theme: “Cultivating Our Values”, Scripture: Luke 6:39-49.
· Sunday April 7: Potluck, First Food Sunday, and Celebration of Becoming a Creation Justice Church. Themed potluck: “Going Green!” Bring dishes with the color green in them. Toast our Creation Justice accomplishments with a little sparkling cider in a non-disposable glass. All-church photo with our new Creation Justice Banner, and celebration of steps on our green journey. (And collection of nonperishable food for First Food Sunday, of course!)
· Thursday April 11: Worship Team meets at 6:30pm.
· Sunday April 14: Palm Sunday, and Rededication of our Native Garden. Thanks to those who helped refresh our Native Garden in the past few months! We will have a short liturgy at the end of worship.
· Save the dates: special Good Friday worship April 19, 7:30pm. And bring flowers on Easter to help transform our cross!
Ongoing
· Tai Chi Thursdays at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary. Dates for April will be the 18th and 25th.
· Bible Study is on Thursdays at 2-3pm. Join us in the pastor’s office; you are always welcome. We are studying the Gospel of John. Lively discussion about what scripture means to us today. No homework!
· Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30pm. Like to sing but not sure you’re ready for prime time? Jessica Cosley is a fabulous teacher and our choir is a great place to grow musically. Join us!
· The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be reading, Making a Way Out of No Way, by Monica A. Coleman. Coleman articulates the African American expression of “making a way out of no way” in today’s context of globalization, religious pluralism, and sexual diversity. Drawing on womanist religious scholarship and process thought, Coleman describes the symbiotic relationship between God and humanity that helps to change the world into the just society it ought to be. Come join the discussion on Wednesday, April 17 (note date change!) at 7:00 p.m. at the Hill household. Please email or phone Jim or Karen for directions at jandkhill@mac.com or 714-693-0261. See you then.
· Our California Native garden will be part of “California in My Garden”, the OC California Native Plant Society garden tour, Saturday April 13, 10-4. To register for this free garden tour and receive the guide by mail, see occnps.org.
· Our church is discussing a resolution to the UCC General Synod in support of the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763. This is a game-changer. Let’s learn about it now so we know what we are being asked to support. Here’s some info:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/energy-innovation-and-carbon-dividend-act/
https://www.fcnl.org/documents/886
Creation Justice Covenant
Adopted by congregational vote on January 6, 2019
We, the members of Brea Congregational United Church of Christ
· Embrace our responsibility to be good stewards of God’s earth.
· We feel God’s presence in nature.
· We strive to treat the environment with respect; to preserve it for generations to come.
· We believe this is fundamentally Christian, and that we are called to care for one another and for all of God’s creation.
· We recognize that those negatively affected by environmental degradation and an unstable climate are often those least able to cope and who need support.
· We will work to do our part, with God’s help.