Our annual Charge Conference will be held today at 1pm in the social hall! All are invited!
#GivingTuesday. This year #GivingTuesday happens on 12/2/14. #GivingTuesday is a movement that created a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. Therefore, to kick start your holiday gift giving, please support Sister Marilyn Chan’s Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training Project #3020789. Contribute via The Advance by going online to www.umcmission.org/give and designating your contributions to Project #3020789. As part of UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries is matching funds of up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project on 12/2/14.
Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th).
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Ferguson Pastors Urge Peace
By Lilly Fowler / St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ST. LOUIS (RNS) Like so many others Monday (Nov. 24) night, the congregants at West Side Missionary Baptist Church were glued to televisions as a grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case was announced.
One woman sobbed in her chair as she learned that police Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the fatal shooting.
Then, with the press conference far from over, the church’s television went dark. And the congregants at the church turned instead to prayer and preaching.
Within seconds, the Rev. Starsky Wilson was at the pulpit, calling for “contrary folk.”
“Thank God for people who go against the teachings of the church,” Wilson said, while referencing those who had told the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that he was moving too fast on civil rights issues. “Thank God for contrary young people."
“To be contrary is to say we’ve had enough.”
Wilson was named by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon as a co-chair of the 16-member Ferguson Commission to look for a way forward after Brown’s death. On Monday evening, he said that despite the failure of the system to indict Wilson, the road ahead was not impossible. “God through faith turns curses into blessings,” Wilson said. “Ordinary people with extraordinary faith can change the world.”
The Rev. C. Jessel Strong, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, also took the pulpit. “We’re here because we’re sick and tired,” Strong said. “Why does it seem all of our children are shot by the police?”
At the same hour, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson gathered for prayer at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church in Ferguson. Later, he issued a statement calling for calm:
“I implore each of you: Choose peace! Reject any false and empty hope that violence will solve problems,” the archbishop wrote. “Violence only creates more violence. Let’s work for a better, stronger, more holy community — one founded upon respect for each other, respect for life, and our shared responsibility for the common good.”
On Monday afternoon, Interfaith Partnership, which represents 24 faith traditions in the St. Louis region, issued a statement calling for peace and understanding. “As we seek meaningful change and healing, we pray for understanding of the pain of others,” read the statement, signed by Carlson and Strong, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In recent days, numerous clergy members have said they will open their worship spaces to serve as safe houses and sanctuaries.
As the grand jury announcement approached Monday night, worshippers at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral downtown sat quietly. There was no broadcast of the press conference. Those listening on their smartphones were asked to use headphones. When the Rev. Mike Kinman announced the decision, one person at the back of the cathedral shouted a mournful cry and was escorted out by friends. Others in the congregation, including social worker therapist Celeste Smith, covered their faces as if in grief. Smith, who is white, listened to the announcement with Claudine Allen, also a counselor, who is black.
As planned, all fell silent then for 41⁄2 minutes. Kinman read a prayer of forgiveness written by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and all sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” considered the African-American national anthem.
Then began a 24-hour vigil of prayer and song that would continue all night and day at the cathedral.
Kinman had sent out a notice to the community in advance announcing that people could gather at the cathedral for group prayer, song and silent prayer. He wrote: “Be not afraid. Be prayerful. Be bold. Be together.”
Pastor’s Note: As we enter this season of Advent, let us be mindful that we as the church are called to share the peace and hope of Christ with a desperate and hurting world. O come, O come Emmanuel.
ST. LOUIS (RNS) Like so many others Monday (Nov. 24) night, the congregants at West Side Missionary Baptist Church were glued to televisions as a grand jury decision in the Michael Brown case was announced.
One woman sobbed in her chair as she learned that police Officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the fatal shooting.
Then, with the press conference far from over, the church’s television went dark. And the congregants at the church turned instead to prayer and preaching.
Within seconds, the Rev. Starsky Wilson was at the pulpit, calling for “contrary folk.”
“Thank God for people who go against the teachings of the church,” Wilson said, while referencing those who had told the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. that he was moving too fast on civil rights issues. “Thank God for contrary young people."
“To be contrary is to say we’ve had enough.”
Wilson was named by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon as a co-chair of the 16-member Ferguson Commission to look for a way forward after Brown’s death. On Monday evening, he said that despite the failure of the system to indict Wilson, the road ahead was not impossible. “God through faith turns curses into blessings,” Wilson said. “Ordinary people with extraordinary faith can change the world.”
The Rev. C. Jessel Strong, president of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, also took the pulpit. “We’re here because we’re sick and tired,” Strong said. “Why does it seem all of our children are shot by the police?”
At the same hour, St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson gathered for prayer at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Church in Ferguson. Later, he issued a statement calling for calm:
“I implore each of you: Choose peace! Reject any false and empty hope that violence will solve problems,” the archbishop wrote. “Violence only creates more violence. Let’s work for a better, stronger, more holy community — one founded upon respect for each other, respect for life, and our shared responsibility for the common good.”
On Monday afternoon, Interfaith Partnership, which represents 24 faith traditions in the St. Louis region, issued a statement calling for peace and understanding. “As we seek meaningful change and healing, we pray for understanding of the pain of others,” read the statement, signed by Carlson and Strong, of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In recent days, numerous clergy members have said they will open their worship spaces to serve as safe houses and sanctuaries.
As the grand jury announcement approached Monday night, worshippers at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral downtown sat quietly. There was no broadcast of the press conference. Those listening on their smartphones were asked to use headphones. When the Rev. Mike Kinman announced the decision, one person at the back of the cathedral shouted a mournful cry and was escorted out by friends. Others in the congregation, including social worker therapist Celeste Smith, covered their faces as if in grief. Smith, who is white, listened to the announcement with Claudine Allen, also a counselor, who is black.
As planned, all fell silent then for 41⁄2 minutes. Kinman read a prayer of forgiveness written by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and all sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” considered the African-American national anthem.
Then began a 24-hour vigil of prayer and song that would continue all night and day at the cathedral.
Kinman had sent out a notice to the community in advance announcing that people could gather at the cathedral for group prayer, song and silent prayer. He wrote: “Be not afraid. Be prayerful. Be bold. Be together.”
Pastor’s Note: As we enter this season of Advent, let us be mindful that we as the church are called to share the peace and hope of Christ with a desperate and hurting world. O come, O come Emmanuel.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-23
Our annual Charge Conference will be held next Sunday, November 30th 1pm in the social hall! All are invited!
#GivingTuesday. This year #GivingTuesday happens on 12/2/14. #GivingTuesday is a movement that created a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. Therefore, to kick start your holiday gift giving, please support Sister Marilyn Chan’s Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training Project #3020789. Contribute via The Advance by going online to www.umcmission.org/give and designating your contributions to Project #3020789. As part of UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodist General Board of Global Minis-tries is matching funds of up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project on 12/2/14.
Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th).
Hospitality Sign-ups! The last 3 Sundays in December are available for YOU to share your hospitality by providing refreshments after service! Please sign up!
#GivingTuesday. This year #GivingTuesday happens on 12/2/14. #GivingTuesday is a movement that created a national day of giving to kick off the giving season. Therefore, to kick start your holiday gift giving, please support Sister Marilyn Chan’s Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Training Project #3020789. Contribute via The Advance by going online to www.umcmission.org/give and designating your contributions to Project #3020789. As part of UMC #GivingTuesday, United Methodist General Board of Global Minis-tries is matching funds of up to $1 million in gifts made online to any project on 12/2/14.
Christmas Poinsettias! An annual CCUMC tradition is decorating the sanctuary with poinsettias for Christmas Sunday and Christmas eve. If you would like to order a poinsettia ($10.00 each), please connect with Laura or Helena (the plants can be taken home on Sunday, December 28th).
Hospitality Sign-ups! The last 3 Sundays in December are available for YOU to share your hospitality by providing refreshments after service! Please sign up!
Happy Thanksgiving!
The notion of building nests is often used as a metaphor to describe people successfully providing for their own comforts. When we are comfortable, secure, and feel at home in our workplace or living area, we talk about the space being “our own little nest.” The word nest often connotes shelter, coziness, homelike, comfortable. In actual fact, the nests which birds build are not for the birds who build them, but for their young, for the next generation, for the future of the species. Now consider the “nests” we build in our churches. The buildings, programs, ministries, job descriptions and services - are they for our own comfort and coziness? Or are they to further the faith and provide for future generations? Vibrant, fruitful congregations focus as much energy, prayer, and planning on those outside the church as they do on those who are already active in the congregation. For those who practice Extravagant Generosity, the nests we build are not for ourselves – they are for the next generation, those new to the faith, the future of the body of Christ.
Excerpt from Practicing Extravagant Generosity Devotional by Robert Schnase
However and wherever you celebrate Thanksgiving this week, may your heart be open to receive God’s gracious and abundant love.
Pastor Brenda
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
English Ministry News and Notes 2014-11-16
Maintaining Covenant Relations: If you haven’t already, please see Sylvia Louie to sign a Thanksgiving card for Pastor Joseph and Sister Marilyn!
Save the Date~ Saturday, November 22nd from 6pm to 8pm. Wadi Foquin Fundraiser Dinner
Thanksgiving Sunday 9:30AM Parallel Worship November 23rd! Worship will be followed by a gratitude potluck. For those with last names ending in A-M: please bring a main/meat dish to share. For those ending in N-Z: please bring a side/veggie dish to share. Ulander and Mabel will provide Ham, Larry and Peggy will provide Turkey. The Youth and Adrienne/Rich will provide dessert.
Save the Date~ Saturday, November 22nd from 6pm to 8pm. Wadi Foquin Fundraiser Dinner
Thanksgiving Sunday 9:30AM Parallel Worship November 23rd! Worship will be followed by a gratitude potluck. For those with last names ending in A-M: please bring a main/meat dish to share. For those ending in N-Z: please bring a side/veggie dish to share. Ulander and Mabel will provide Ham, Larry and Peggy will provide Turkey. The Youth and Adrienne/Rich will provide dessert.
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