Posted in The Wider Church

Still Dreaming

The folks at Salt have made another marvelous video, celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.  Take a look!

Composting Church

washington DC churchIt’s hard to miss the fact that church is changing all over the world, as well as here at home.  Last year, several folks come together to consider the insights and resources offered by the “Emerging Church” movement.  This September, our Associate Conference Minister Wendy Vander Hart came to visit us to talk about the church’s “New Normal” and encourage us to be clear about what we are called to do and be.  Last week, Constance sent me another perspective written by her brother, a UCC pastor.  He wonders if we need to compost the church to renew our vitality.  Read more here.  What do you think?

Why I Love the Bible

  • October 2, 2013

Goddess, Sirach, St Johns BibleWhat was it that first drew you to Jesus, to Church, to Christian traditions?  What has kept you engaged or drawn you back?  Here a bishop and professor of New Testament at Harvard Divinity School movingly describes his abiding love affair with the bible.

John Bell: Singing with the Global Church

We have the great privilege of welcoming John Bell, internationally acclaimed preacher, sized_Copy of BELL.1bwteacher, songwriter, and musician from the Iona Community in Scotland to WCUC on October 12th and 13th.  On Saturday, we’ll gather at 7pm for an interactive workshop for all ages, “Singing with the Global Church.”  On Sunday morning, John will offer a sermon during worship.

Please register with the office if you would like to attend the Saturday workshop, to save your spot.  Registration is free; Donations will be requested at the door.  978-369-6309 or office@westconcordunionchurch.org.

Don’t miss it!  And spread the word if you can — here’s our poster.

Pope Francis

This past Sunday, I mentioned Pope Francis and the waves he has made in the past few Francismonths.  You can read more here from the National Catholic reporter.  How do the actions of the most visible Christian in the world impact us as those from another branch of the Christian family?

Local stories from the UCC: Chaplains on the way

You can learn more about the ministry of local UCC churches by reading the Massachusetts’ Conference Spotlight.  This month’s spotlight highlights a ministry called Chaplains on the Way, which works to build relationships wCOTW_logoith and offer spiritual support to people who are experiencing homelessness, living in poverty, or living with mental illness or addiction: “I feel we are acting like Veronica,” said Murray, referring to the woman who gave Jesus her veil so He could wipe his forehead while He carried his cross to Golgotha.  “She didn’t stop the crucifixion, but when she touched Him there was a momentary sense of relief and in that moment she received back some of Jesus, through the imprint in her veil.  We experience that same God when we make that face-to-face connection with someone in need.”  Learn more here.

Video Highlights from the UCC's General Synod

Our denomination gathered and wonderful things happened!  Take a look:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Be7XCZUHPvs]

UCC Divests from Fossil Fuels

At the end of June, the United Church of Christ gathered in California for its General Synod.  There were worship services, conversations, and demonstrations, , but the biggest news is that we adopted a resolution to divest from fossil fuel companies.  Read more here.  We can thank our local Massachusetts Conference, and especially our leader, Rev. Jim Antal, for making this possible.

In other General Synod news, a local young clergyman celebrated the return of marriage equality to California by marrying his sweetheart in a flashmob!  Read more here or watch the video.

We’re part of a courageous and joyful denomination!