clackamas united church of christ a just peace congregation · 2018. will resume studying...
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Clackamas United Church of Christ
A Just Peace Congregation January 2018 Newsletter
The Faith Adventure
Happy 2018!
Edith Pierce, a great 20th century Christian mystic, sums up my excitement for 2018. She wrote back in 1947 that, “We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
I’m excited for 2018 because the future is full of opportunity for us here at CUCC. Together we will write the CUCC book of 2018. What will the first chapter be? How will the book unfold? What’s the plot? Where are we headed?
These are just a few of the questions that excite me as we begin the New Year. I’ve done a little brainstorming of words I’d like to put on the blank pages of 2018. Here are some of the words of opportunity I see ahead of us:
Opportunity to get to know each other better - I will continue to hold office hours on Mondays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 2:00. (Thursday will be 10:00 – 12:00 with a Bible Study from 12:00 – 1:30. More on that below!) I plan to use these hours in multiple ways. First, I’d love for you to come by and visit me in the office. We can talk about life, faith, family, church, or whatever is on your mind. Before you come to the office though, please do contact me so that we can set up an appointment. You can email me at [email protected] or call (503) 734-6927. Setting up an appointment is best because I’m also going to use this time to visit with people who may not be able to make it into the office. I’d also like to continue the online video series, “Getting to Know CUCC.” If you are interested, I’d love to interview you with three questions – What was church like for you growing up? What does faith mean to you today? And what does CUCC mean to you? These interviews will be posted on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. It’s a great way for us to get to know one another better and for us to get the message of CUCC out in the public. Check out the interview I did with Patti Hanson!
Opportunity for spiritual growth through Bible Studies – In 2018, we will have two opportunities for Bible Study. First, before worship on Sunday mornings, we will have a Bible Study led by a member of the congregation. I’ve participated in many of these Bible studies. The depth of conversation has inspired me. I highly recommend this Bible study if you can make it! Second, I’ll be leading a Bible Study in the pastor’s office on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:30. We will discuss the Scripture passages that will be the focus for
worship on the upcoming Sunday. We’ll discuss a few questions, including: How do these passages speak to you? And what might they mean for our contemporary situation? See below in this newsletter for the January schedule.
Opportunity to participate in worship – One way to grow spiritually is to help with worship. I always think the more voices we have in worship, the better the experience for everyone. Are you willing to do a reading during worship? Are you up for doing a little “acting” during worship? Would you like to help the worship committee or maybe join the CUCC choir? If so, feel free to email me.
Opportunity to work for peace and justice – One thing is for sure as we enter 2018 – the world needs more peace and justice! How can we better meet the needs of peace and justice in our personal lives, in the Milwaukie area, and around the world? I’d love for this to be an emphasis at CUCC during 2018 and I look forward to working with our Justice and Witness team, along with anyone else who is interested, as we work for a more peaceful and just world.
Opportunity to listen – This might be the most important opportunity we have in 2018. I’d like to invite us to be still for a moment and listen. Listen to what God might be saying to us. Listen to what your inner voice is saying to you. And listen to one another. What are your goals for CUCC in 2018 and beyond? What are our goals as a community? What would you like to see from CUCC? Do you have talents that you’d like to share with the CUCC community? I’d like to foster this conversation with you in 2018.
The book of 2018 is wide open. All we have is opportunity ahead of us! I’m so excited that we will write this book together at CUCC. What words will we put on the first few pages and beyond? I don’t know for sure, but I look forward to finding out!
Adam
Join the Pastor’s Bible Study on Thursdays from 12:00 to 1:30! Bring your lunch as we discuss the readings below.
January 4: Isaiah 60:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-12
January 11: Genesis 1:1-5 and Mark 1:4-11
January 18: Jonah 3:1-5 and Mark 1:14-20
January 25: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 and Mark 1:21-28
Clackamas
as
A Just Peace Congregation Minister: Pastor Adam Ericksen [email protected] (503) 734-6927 Choir Director & Organist: Jean Herrera [email protected]
CHURCH COUNCIL OFFICERS: Moderator: Peggy Soliday [email protected] Vice Moderator: Jeff Pratt [email protected] Clerk: Rhonda Frick-Wright [email protected] Treasurer: Lori Prouty [email protected]
Financial Mgmt: Suzanne Lacampagne [email protected] Financial Secretary: Patti Hanson
Christian Education & Youth Contact: Lori Prouty [email protected]
Trustee Chair: Dave Frick-Wright [email protected] Deacon’s Chair: Cathy Cooper [email protected] Justice & Witness Contact: Patti Hanson Staff Relations Chair: Jean Herrera [email protected]
Newsletter Submissions: The CUCC Newsletter is open to submissions from members and committees. We welcome information, poetry, photos and art for consideration in this monthly publication. Also – we love to receive member “News” – submissions to be considered can be emailed to Lori Prouty at [email protected]. Next Newsletter is Feb., deadline Jan. 21st.
Web Sites to Check Out: Clackamas UCC - http://www.c-ucc.org/
CPC-UCC “On the Way” Newsletter - http://cpcucc.org/wp14/on-the-way/
CPC Aging & Spirituality Network - http://cpcucc.org/wp14/ministry-teams/local-church-ministry/aging-and-spirituality/
UCC National Offices - www.ucc.org
UCC Justice & Peace Action Network – http://www.ucc.org/justice_jpanet
Pray for Peace Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
St. Francis of Assisi
Prayer Requests
Keep the following folks in your prayers!
Steve Andersen’s Dad, Carl – Dealing with cancer and Parkinson’s.
Judy Boncaro – Continued healing.
Abbie Ericksen – Healing from surgery. Patti Hanson’s Daughter, Lauri Barry – Healing from migraines.
Patti Hanson’s Son, Pete Hanson – Ongoing health issues. Junita Kauble – In treatment for breast cancer.
Jill Lewis – At Royalton Place. Gary Lowrie – Ongoing medical care for heart-related issues. The Paulson Family – Continue to keep them in your prayers
as Sandy’s dementia progresses. Betty Pribil – Living in an adult foster care home.
Darryl Raby – Heart issues. Dwight Richardson – At Royalton Place.
Howard Robinson – Health issues. Jazelle Savin – Under treatment for breast cancer, including recovery from surgery. And to Jazelle’s family, Mike, Elsie,
Lisette & Tony, as they support her recovery. Eldon Steiner – Severe back/leg pain issues.
Joyce Steiner – Eye concerns. Brian Wilcox – Dealing with skin cancer and treatments.
Barbara Williams – At the Villages at Clackamas Town Center.
Phyllis Yambos – Ongoing health concerns; turning 100 in February 2018.
A Special Thank You … Thank you Pastor Adam for keeping us informed and providing leadership to CUCC through your videos and social media even when things like ICE happen and our Christmas Eve Service must be cancelled.
Thank you Peg Soliday and Bill Magorian for calling and informing CUCC congregants when our Christmas Eve Service was cancelled due to the dangerous weather.
Thank you Patti Hanson for delivering our Giving Tree donations to the Clackamas Service Center, this year’s designated benefactor. Her car was completely loaded and they were all thrilled!
Thank you Dave Frick-Wright, Lori Prouty, Denise Andersen and Jean Herrera for reviewing and implementing the CUCC Building Safety Plan this past year (see Plan information later in this newsletter).
Do you know someone who deserves a special thank you? Tell Lori at [email protected].
Member News
Welcome Another CUCC Baby!
Rhonda & Dave Frick-Wright flew to Germany to welcome the birth of their 5th grandchild to proud parents Laurel and Fabian Rieping! All are doing well, including siblings Finya
and Steen – they will all be visiting from Germany in 2018. Lars David Rieping Born 12/18 at 6:12 pm 8lbs 2oz 21.25 inches
Marsha and Virgil Miller and their dog Dancer have moved! Their new address is 6115 NE 77th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662. We will continue to see them from time-to-time, please drop them a note and wish them well in their new home.
Look Who Turned 99! Happy 99th birthday to Elsie Savin – you are looking marvelous! Elsie was born on 12/4/1918!
Michael & Elsie Savin – Elsie turned 99 Year’s Old!
Can You Lend a Hand? On Sunday, January 7th after Worship and the Kings’ Cake, we are asking for help to take down the Christmas decor-ations in the Narthex and Sanctuary, including ornaments off the tree. If you can lend a hand it will make it go faster for everyone and will be way more fun!
On January 7th Peg Soliday will lead the study focusing on Epiphany. On January 14th we
will resume studying Ecclesiastes lead by Jeff Pratt.
Additionally, Pastor Adam will hold Bible Study in his office on Thursdays between noon – 1:30 pm to discuss the upcoming Sunday’s sermon passages.
3rd Monday of each month, 10:15 - 11:45 in Fellowship Hall.
Please join us on Monday, January 15th, 10:30 - 11:45 am. January 2018 is Poetry Month! Please bring your favorite poetry book(s) and join us.
Fabian, Laurel & Baby Lars Rieping
Even though our Christmas Eve Service was cancelled due to the icy weather, we want to thank all of those who had cookies and other refreshments baked and all ready to go for the Christmas Eve gathering. We continue to be blessed by great bakers in this congregation and – fear not – those goodies will be stored appropriately to be used for future CUCC gatherings!
Fundraising Luncheons
Past practice in our church has been to have several fundraising luncheons during the year to supplement the general fund in order to meet the ongoing expenses of the church. Traditionally, these luncheons have
been hosted by the church youth with Denise and Steve Andersen. The church Council will be discussing what fundraising events to hold during the January meeting. We will be asking for volunteers to "host" (plan, organize, food and cleanup) these fundraising events that are critical to the life of the church. The more volunteers the merrier and less work and cost for everyone. The February newsletter will include all of the fundraising luncheons and dates (3-4) and volunteers will be solicited for specific events. Please consider volunteering to "host" a luncheon with friends / family this year.
Art & Spirit Circle Art & Spirit will not meet in January. The next gathering will be in February with the date and theme to be included in the February newsletter. Thanks to all who participated in the December circle where we made pine cone ornaments for the Narthex Christmas tree.
CHRISTMAS
DEVOTIONAL BOOK –
What Does Christmas
Mean to You? Our CUCC Christmas Devotional Book of Reflections is finished and turned out to be full of very special memories. You can pick up a book at church or you can find it at this link. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
Crushed Flavored Canaan Olive Oils Thanks to all who shopped at our Gifts that Give Twice Table featuring fair trade items and local crafts. These gifts supported our missions 100%. We have a handful of the Crushed Flavored Canaan Olive Oils from Palestine remaining. Please see Lori Prouty if you’d like to purchase - $10.50 each.
Hold the Date! Congregational
Meeting & Potluck – Jan. 28th
CUCC Congregational Meeting is scheduled for Janaury 28th, 2018 immediately following the church service. The 2018 CUCC budget will
be presented and voted upon at this meeting. It is important that you attend to vote on the budget, your input is valuable and appreciated. A potluck will follow the meeting!
Trimming the Tree with Pastor Adam
Art & Spirit Circle Pinecone Ornaments
Everyone knows that Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, but 12 days later, on January 6th, many Christians around the world enjoy a
second Christmas Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day, Little Christmas or the 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th. We will be celebrating Epiphany on Sunday, January 7th. Religious scholars explain that for many devout Christians, Christmas is a season rather than a day — with festivities beginning with the Advent and concluding with the Epiphany. Among Orthodox or Eastern Christians, January 6th is known as the Epiphany, the day in which Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. In Western Christianity, the day commemorates the visit by the Magi, or the Three Wisemen, to the baby Jesus.
Following the service, refreshments will include a King Cake. The king cakes are a sweet symbol of Epiphany, a Christian holy day in January that celebrates the visit of the Magi (the Three Kings or Three Wise Men you might recognize from Christmas nativity
scenes) to the Christ Child. The first king cakes had a small dried fava bean (or fève) baked inside. The cake was served and guests looked to see if their piece contained the bean. The person who found it would receive a boost of good luck, be named "King" for a day, and would be required to host the next party and/or provide the cake (a tradition that continues today). Other tokens like coins, pecans, peas — even rings — were hidden inside the cakes. Most recently, porcelain, and then plastic, baby figurines became popular hidden treasures in king cakes, which some say represent the baby Jesus. This holy day marks the close of the Christmas season.
Building Safety/Emergency Plan
As we enter a New Year, we’d like to remind everyone of the CUCC Building Safety Plan that was implemented this past spring. In the event of an emergency, it is good for all to review what may be expected. You no doubt agree that we want everyone who walks through our church doors to feel safe and be safe –
our recently updated Plan outlines what that means in practice. You can view the Plan in the church office or you can find it at this link.
Staff Christmas Gifts
Thank you to the congregation for your generous response to the collection for staff gifts. Your contributions totaled $1,405 and will be a blessing to those individuals whose sacred work on behalf of the church is very much appreciated.
Per Capita Dues
Each year the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ bills all churches in the Conference for Per Capita dues. Per Capita dues support travel expenses for Conference Committees, staff and General Synod Delegates.
In 2018, each church must pay $14 per member of the church. CUCC is responsible for paying $1,372 ($14 x 98 members) to the conference. We recoup this expense by asking each member to pay their individual Per Capita dues.
You may make your payment by:
Identifying on your check what part of your weekly giving is for the Per Capita dues.
Pay by cash by simply putting the payment in an envelope and identifying it as Per Capita (be sure to include your name).
Donate online at http://www.c-ucc.org/online_donations.htm.
Thank you in advance for submitting
your Per Capita dues in January!
Social Justice
Millennials for Racial Justice UCC.ORG - Justice & Racism Millennials for Racial Justice is a monthly reflection of stories at the intersections of gender, race, and sexual orientation among others. This page will include social analysis, liberation strategies, strategies to dismantle white supremacy, and biblical narratives inclusive of theologies of liberation and Womanism.
Our purpose for this page is to highlight issues and concerns of Millennials, providing a platform to address the Christian Church from our lived experiences, and speak truth as we live it because we have something powerful to say.
The Millennial voices featured on this site will:
Critique the status quo and call the Christian church into question for its binary and traditional ways of talking about the social constructions of race and gender.
Analyze and critique government policies which are devastating black and brown communities.
Provide helpful strategies for community engagement and organizing in order to address being profiled, vilified, and called out for protesting in the streets.
The Church will be a better place because Millennials are leading movements now. We are the social activists and public theologians of the Christian church. We are equipped to change the narratives of colonial-based structures and traditions that silence and shut down a more radical engagement as to why Black Lives and LGBTQIA lives matter. We are Millennials for Racial Justice and our thoughtful expressions will provide words of healing, hope, and wholeness as the body of Christ in a troubled world.
You can find more information at http://www.ucc.org/justice_racism_millennials
Stillspeaking Daily Devotional
How's the Weather? December 26, 2017 Written by Lillian Daniel
"Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling
his command!" - Psalm 148
It's the day after Christmas, and I have no idea what the weather is wherever you are reading this. Perhaps there is snow and frost all around you, and you're getting ready to do some shoveling. Perhaps you are somewhere warm where sea monsters frolic in the salty deep, and you get to work on your tan. Maybe there's a storm coming your way, or a fire raging in a forest nearby. All this reminds us, it's God's world and we just live in it.
Where I live, the lovely snowy scenes can get old pretty fast. We shovel and shovel and still slip on the ice. And then when the snow melts, you don't want to see what my yard looks like as it thaws, and we see all that two dogs produced over the winter. It's no Christmas card, let me tell you.
Weather is humbling, and reminds us of all we don't control. Yet when the power goes out after a storm, neighbors check on each other. A brush fire brings out heroes and rescuers. A tornado in one place brings healing rain to another. Weather intrudes, reminding us that we are not in charge, nor should we strive to be.
So when the snow cancels your plans, or the frost causes you to stay home from a game, or the rain changes the course of a party, listen for God in the natural interruptions. Perhaps God wants to spend some time with you, through the snow, the rain, the sun and the wind.
Prayer: For all the people whose lives depend upon the weather, I pray today: for the farmers, the construction workers, the wedding planners and the snow shovelers. Be with the parade planners, the beachcombers, the skiers, and the forest fire fighters. Be with all of us whose lives are affected by weather, and let us see your power in this remarkable world you have created. Amen.
About the Author Lillian Daniel's new book Tired of Apologizing for a Church I Don't Belong To: Spirituality without Stereotypes, Religion without Ranting is available on Amazon.com.
At Christmas, Love Wins December 11, 2017 Written by John Dorhauer
General Minister and President the Rev. John C. Dorhauer invites all in the wider church to commit to making sure that 'Love Wins', no matter the season.
Merry Christmas to each and all!
In this last year the United Church of Christ has been asking what it means to share a common purpose: "to love the Lord our God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength; and our neighbor as ourselves."
It was Jesus who taught us what love of God incarnated looked like. We are his disciples. Our own devotion to God and to Jesus manifests itself in our love for others. Jesus once was asked, "When did we see you hungry and feed you; or naked and clothe you?" His answer was not only tenderly beautiful, it was fully instructive: "Whatsoever you did to the least of these, you did unto me."
Therefore, as a means of taking our purpose to love God seriously the United Church of Christ has entered into a season of what we are calling our 3 Great Loves: love of children ("bring them unto me, for to such as these belongs the Kingdom of God); love of neighbor ("…whom you shall love as you love yourself"); and love of creation ("when I consider Your heavens, the work of your hands, the moon and the stars which you have made — who are we that you are mindful of us? Yet you have made us little lower than the gods, and entrusted to us care over the work of your hands.").
What better time than this season to commit to our own acts of love for God's children, our neighbor, and the handiwork of God's vast imagination — our mother Earth?
In this past year, I have borne witness to what your own commitments to love incarnated look like. I have seen your acts of kindness and compassion change lives.
In Maine, I sat in a church/restaurant where once a week members present a fine dining experience to about 85 homeless residents. In Colombia, I met with peace activists who serve as our co-mission partners and who worked with the government and rebel factions to negotiate a peace settlement that has helped end the longest armed conflict on the globe. In Italy, I met with Reform partners who daily receive refugees from Africa landing on their shores in search of food and freedom. And in Standing Rock we demonstrated with first nation peoples for water rights.
This baby Jesus we will soon celebrate the birth of inspires in all of us an impulse to love. Borne of God's love for us, we extend that love daily to those most in need of our acts of compassion and kindness. Our own lives are daily transformed by the kindness and compassion of others.
This Christmas, love wins.
May the joy of this season inspire you to know the love of God, incarnated once in Jesus and today in your acts of love — of children, to neighbor, and for creation.
Merry Christmas everyone!
January CalendarSundays at Clackamas UCC Bible Study: 9:20 am –Join us!
Worship: 10:30 am
During Worship: Youth are dismissed for activities.
Wednesdays at Clackamas UCC
Women’s Circle: On break until February 2018. Choir Practice: Meets from 6:50 to 8 pm.
Pastor Adam’s Office Hours
Mondays: 10 to 2 pm Thursdays: 10 to 2 pm with Bible Study from noon to 1:30 pm
Sunday, January 7th – Rev. Ericksen leads Epiphany worship. Epiphany king cake served during Fellowship Hour. Finance Committee meets after Worship. Please help to take down Christmas decorations today.
Sunday, January 14th – Rev. Ericksen leads worship. Council meeting after Worship.
Monday, January 15th – Book Club meets in Fellowship Hall 10:15 to 11:45 am. January is Poetry Month! We will be bringing our favorite poetry and having some readings.
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Sunday, January 21st – Newsletter Deadline, Deacons meet after worship.
Sunday, January 28th – Congregational Meeting & Potluck.
January 2018