BCUCC News for Sunday, November 18, 2018

News and Upcoming Events

  •      We have a new guest in the shelter program who lost all of her clothes. She is in need of size 8 clothing. Please bring your gently used or new clothes to the Fellowship hall.
  •    Sunday November 18:10am Worship Bible reading: Mark 11:12-25. Theme: “Good News for the Earth.”  Fourth Sunday of the Season of Creation. (By creation we mean God’s ongoing relationship with the world, in harmony with evolution.)
  • Sunday November 18: Neighbors in Need special UCC offering.  This offering provides grants to church-related ministries for mercy and social justice.  Matching funds will be given to OC’s own Neighbors in Need recipient, the Friends of OC Detainees, who coordinate volunteer visits and aid to immigrant detainees in OC jails, and to clothe them when they are finally released.
  • Oct. 27-November 24: Interfaith Shelter Network in the Hall. Thanks to all who are cooking and sharing mealtimes with our guests.  They appreciate our welcome. Thanks to Ann Marshall and Carol This for coordinating this important ministry. Please see Ann to sign up to buy perishable groceries when neededNote: The shelter stay was extended two weeks.

 

  • Saturday Dec. 1 at 9 am: Hanging of the Greens.  Help us decorate the sanctuary and hall!  Bring your old clothes and your creativity.

 

Ongoing

  • Bible Study is now 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!
  • Thursdays 6:30: Tai Chi. Karen will guide us in this gentle meditative movement: restorative for body and soul. All ages welcome. Wear comfortable stretchable clothing; layers so you can be a comfortable temperature. Scheduled Nov. 1, 15, 29. 

  • Choir practice Thursdays at 7:30. 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!
  • Fellowship Time Refreshments needed!  Sign up at the Kiosk. Great way to do your holiday baking without eating it all!

Reminder: Has your Ralphs community card been updated? If not, Brian Wake can help you!

Neighbors in Need Special Mission Offering (NIN)  of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of this offering is used by the UCC’s Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants. Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to UCC churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice. This year, special consideration will be given to projects focusing on serving our immigrant neighbors and communities. Projects receiving grants have included food pantries and homeless shelters, a prison to community re-entry program, interfaith groups that advocate for worker justice, microbanking, and community organizer training.

Why “Creation Justice”? Using the term “creation” instead of “eco” or “environment” demonstrates our humble self-awareness that we are part of the created order our Creator constantly is at work with us to redeem and sustain. Using the term “justice” rather than “care” indicates our commitment to not only heal, tend, and restore God’s creation, but to ensure the protection of God’s planet and God’s people from exploitation, as well as provision for the remediation of the damage that has been done. Because of the connotations and meanings of the phrase creation justice, it was adopted in the naming of Creation Justice Ministries. More recently, the United Church of Christ has named their green church recognition program “Creation Justice Churches,” while the American Baptists have developed a “Creation Justice Network.”

 

UCC Creation Justice Resources: 

      http://www.ucc.org/creation_justice_churches

      http://www.ucc.org/creation_justice_webinar_series

      http://www.ucc.org/your_one_stop_shop_for_research_resources

Creator God, your love calls forth beetles and butterflies.

You speak in tendrils of green growth and the stark beauty of scree slopes.

Help us to see ourselves as precious and vulnerable,

held in relationship with all creation

by the Divine breath of love. Amen