WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –
Offering Up the Election
There is much concern about the upcoming election. Pastor Kim Wells spoke to someone from the church family recently who indicated that everyone is consumed by the election. They are not thinking about what is going on at church.
Seems like what is needed is space to give the election up to God in prayer. Monday, Nov. 2 at 6:00 p.m. there will be a special outdoor prayer gathering for the election. This will be a time to release our anxiety and fears and offer them to God. It will be a time to remember that our ultimate trust is not in human rulers or institutions but in God. Bring a chair if you can.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the polls close at 7:00 p.m. Before you watch the results, center your spirit with a labyrinth walk. This walk at 7:00 p.m. will be specifically oriented toward centering on love, goodness, and peace.
Four years ago, there was a meeting at church on election night. After the meeting before heading home, Pastor Kim Wells walked the labyrinth at church. Then she went home to watch the election results emerge. She seemed much less distraught than others seemed to be in the ensuing days. She attributes this to walking the labyrinth. “I can’t tell you how it works or what happened, but I believe that somehow walking the labyrinth calmed my spirit.” So, four years later, Kim invites others to join her for a labyrinth walk on election night at 7:00 p.m.
There will also be the weekly labyrinth walk on Wednesday morning, Nov. 4 at 9:00 a.m. All are welcome!
Holidays – Holy Days
Like much else this year, the holidays will be different. Health concerns are impacting how we celebrate. What will we be doing at church for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas Eve since we can’t do what we would normally do and what we want to be doing? The pandemic invites us to consider alternative ways to mark these holy moments that ground us and help us through the cycle of the seasons of the year and of life.
In addition, how will we mark these important times in our homes? What new ways of celebrating and sharing are emerging?
The church will sponsor several Zooms to talk about the holidays and share ideas for celebrating these significant spiritual moments both within the context of the congregation as well as in our home situations. Please consider participating and sharing your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for how the church can effectively meet the spiritual needs of the congregation so that the holidays indeed are holy days.
Join in the first conversation, Holidays – Holy Days, on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7-8 p.m.
Zoom link for Thursday:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
Call in number:1 929 205 6099
ALL WELCOME!
All Saints Sunday In-Person Gathering Ahead – Remembering COVID-19
All Saints Sunday is Nov. 1. The church is planning a special gathering outside with physical distancing and masks, to remember all those who have died of Covid-19. The prayer gathering will be at 10:30 a.m. near the Memorial Garden. Participants will be invited to share the names of those who have died from Covid-19. This could be someone you know or someone you have heard about or a public figure of importance to you. If you can, bring a chair. It will be a sacred time to pause, remember, and give thanks.
Let’s Make Beautiful Music Videos Together!
Music Director Hilton Jones is working on a music video for All Saints Sunday, November 1, and for Thanksgiving Sunday, November 22. Please submit pictures of people that you consider saints for the All Saints music video. These people may be alive or historical figures or people who have entered life eternal. Please email pictures to Hilton by Sunday, Oct. 18.
For the Thanksgiving music video, please submit pictures of things that you are thankful for. The deadline is Sunday, November 8.
In these days of high anxiety, stress, and fear, we must take every opportunity to celebrate! The gift of life is amazing and mysterious. We have been given the gift of living in interesting times. Well, what times are not interesting if you are paying attention? Let us celebrate with joy!
Please email pictures to hilton.kean.jones@gmail.com
Advisors to Meet
The advisors will be holding a virtual meeting this Sunday. If there are things you would like discussed, please contact Rev. Wells or an advisor: Patti Cooksey, Jane Diven, Lucille Ruga, Malcolm Wells, Olivia Gibson.
Grateful for Grounds Work
Many thanks to William Owen and helpers for all of the grounds work that has gone on at church recently. Since the church property will be used to host more outdoor events in the next few months, we are grateful for the beautifying of the church grounds!
VOTE– Make A Plan
If you would like any assistance with voting, please contact the church office at 727-867-7961 or email at lakewooducc@gmail.com. There are people in the congregation eager to help!
Third Quarter Financial Update
Look for a separate email with more information about the financial status of the church through the third quarter of the year. Please know that your tithes, offerings, and contributions are very much appreciated and are working for good in these troubled times. While the building may be closed and Sunday morning worship suspended, the ministry of the church continues. The work of the Care Team and the Sunday evening demonstrations highlight that we are doing what we are called to do: take care of each other and heal the world.
Operation Attack Update from Ian
Operation Attack is having a drive-by pick up for the people they’re serving. I know due to covid it might be hard to donate goods but these are a few of OA’s requests:
Buy Cereal, Peanut Butter, Pasta, Pasta Sauce, or canned meat Buy diapers and wipes, sizes Newborn – 6
Donations may be delivered to the church on Wednesday mornings from 9-10 and Sunday evenings from 6-6:30. Please call the church to make other arrangements if needed.
Volunteers are needed to pre-bag food before the Drive-Thrus. Volunteer dates are on October 24th and/or December 12th at Operation Attack at Lakeview Presbyterian Church 1310 22nd Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705.
Thanks, Ian Blair-Catala iblaircatala@gmail.com
Florida Conference UCC Fall Gathering
This past Saturday morning, Rev. Wells attended the virtual Fall Gathering of the Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ. In addition to passing a budget, the conference unanimously endorsed a resolution creating an Anti-Racism Ministry in the Florida Conference. LUCC looks forward to continuing to be involved in the work of creating an anti-racism church and society. Here is a link to the resolution. https://lakewooducc.org/2020/10/15/fl-conference-ucc-unanimously-passes-anti-racism-ministry-resolution/
Corona Sabbath
The Corona Sabbath this week focuses on loyalty. Jesus is asked if it is lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. An interesting story for this moment in our lives! What is Caesar’s? What is God’s? There will be a scripture reading done by Barbara Donohue, a reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones. The post will go up on Friday so that you can create Sabbath time that suits your inclinations over the weekend. In these days which buffet us, we need time to re-center and stay grounded. The Corona Sabbath is one such offering.
Another suggestion: Take a walk outside if you can!
If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/10/09/corona-sabbath-30-golden-calf/
Health Update from Rev. Wells
I am happy to be off of the IV antibiotic and off of the walking boot for a few more hours each day! Thank you all so much for your care and support during this challenging time! And special thanks to all the folks at church who have kept things going in my absence! Much gratitude and many blessings, Kim
Meeting Needs at Maximo Elementary
LUCC is off to a good start providing Maximo Elementary school children with uniforms and a mentor or two. The need is even greater this school year with the Covid 19 pandemic going on.
If you have thirty minutes a week to mentor(lunch pal) a child from your home via zoom you can go online at focus.pcsb.org for all volunteer info or call Emily Bell at 727-692-2368.
Another important way to meet needs is by supplying school uniforms*, child masks(all masks must be store-bought), hand sanitizers, Lysol spray, disposable gloves, disinfecting wipes.
These supplies may be dropped off at the church on Sundays(6-6:30 pm) and Wednesdays(9-10 am). If you would like to make a financial contribution, please send your check made out to “LakewoodUCC” to the church marked “Maximo Elementary.”
LUCC’s EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM is gathering needed items for the students at Maximo Elementary. There are three ways you can be a part of this ministry:
1. Mail a check: made out to “LakewoodUCC” and marked ‘Maximo Elementary’
2. Purchase needed items and drop off at the church on Wednesdays 9-10 am and Sundays
6-6:30 pm.
3. Order online and have items shipped to Emily Bell. Contact the Church Office if you need her address: lakewooducc@gmail.com
ITEMS NEEDED:
SCHOOL UNIFORMS girls and boys
sizes- 5T, 6T, 8, 10,12 (also undies)
Colors: blue and Khaki for pants, shorts, dresses, skirts; Blue and white for shirts
SUPPLIES: store-bought child masks,
hand sanitizers, Lysol spray, disposable gloves,
disinfecting wipes
Ink Cartridges
The church is collecting and recycling ink cartridges! Please save up any empty ink cartridges and recycle them at the church, there is a box in the sanctuary for recycling. The last batch we recycled we received $49.90!
Sunday Evening Demonstration for Racial Justice 10/11
The Black Lives Matter and Peace and Justice Demonstration continue on 54th Ave South each Sunday evening. This is an important way to inspire hope in the community and to work to create an anti-racist society.
All are welcome Sunday evenings at the church. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!
Please note that the time for the anti-racism demonstrations is 6:00 p.m.
Click here to see pictures of the most recent witness: https://lakewooducc.org/2020/10/14/anti-racism-demonstration-10-11/
Weekly Labyrinth Walks Continue
Each Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. a small group gathers at the outdoor labyrinth for a time of devotion, discussion, and meditative walking of the labyrinth. The theme for the week is taken from the Corona Sabbath of the week before, so it is an opportunity to go deeper in the spiritual exploration of that theme for your life. This devotional gathering is outside and physical distancing is maintained. All are welcome!
If there is rain on Wednesday morning, the gathering will be held on Thursday morning at 9:00.
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/06/23/labyrinth-has-been-refurbished
Spiritual Direction Offered by LUCC Clergy Member.
In these troubled times, it is important to find ways to tend to our spiritual lives. In the Christian tradition, Spiritual Direction is one of the ways of paying attention to the spirit in our lives. A Spiritual Director is someone to talk with about what is going on in our spiritual life and in our relationship with God however we may conceive of God.
Rev. Sally Purvis, Ph.D., a member of LUCC, is a retired clergy person with training and experience in Spiritual Direction. She is offering her services as a Spiritual Director to the community. The sessions would be held on Zoom and there is no fee to be paid. Church leaders are pleased to have the ministry of the church expand in this way.
Spiritual Direction with Sally is open to anyone, not just the congregation. And it is offered to everyone whatever their spiritual or religious background or affiliation or lack thereof. Sessions are generally held once every three weeks. Spiritual Direction is not a mode of therapy. It is a process for understanding and deepening your relationship with God/Spirit in ways that are authentic and life-giving.
Sally was trained by Henri Nouwen, a noted spiritual guide of the 20th century, and did Spiritual Direction as part of her professional ministry before retiring in 2015.
If you would like to explore Spiritual Direction with Sally, please contact her at
sallybpurvis@icloud.com or contact the church (867-7961 or lakewooducc@gmail.com ).
The church is very grateful to Sally for offering this avenue of support to the congregation and the community.
USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
- Corona Sabbath Posts
- Sermon and Reflection Texts
- Music at Lakewood
- Lakewood UCC YouTube Channel
- Lakewood UCC on Twitter
- Lakewood on Facebook
- Lakewood on Instagram
For the above church website links, please note the “Older Posts” button near bottom of each page.
Daily Corona Prayer
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer
Assistance Available
If you need help of any kind – something from the store, someone to talk with, support managing during shelter-in-place, parenting concerns – please know that the church is ready and willing to help in any way needed. This situation is trying for everyone. You are not alone. We’ll make it through together. Please contact the church office (lakewooducc@gmail.com or 867-7961 or Rev. Kim Wells at wells.kim.p@gmail.com).
Miss someone from church? Give them a call or send a note. Personal contact is so important when physical contact is limited.
Music Ministry
About Hilton’s music. . . If you would enjoy hearing Hilton play more Irish folk songs, you can
listen for free at either https://hiltonjones.bandcamp.com/album/irish-
tunes or https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/irish-tunes .
October Birthdays: Janet Blair 10/19, Rick Carr 10/22, Denise Williams 10/25, Olivia Gibson 10/29, and Victoria Long 10/29. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern: Claudia Rodriguez, JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, Kim Wells, Elinor Ross, teachers, students, and school personnel, Vern McKinney, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.
Please remember Patti Cooksey who is moving into a new condo in her same complex this week.
Please keep LUCC member, Olivia Gibson, in your prayers. She is a nurse in a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!
Recent Posts:
- Midweek Hymn: NCH #499 Pues si vivimos October 13, 2020
- Sunday Morning Music: a couple Irish tunes to greet the morning October 11, 2020
- Corona Sabbath 30 GOLDEN CALF Reflection Text October 9, 2020
- Corona Sabbath 30 GOLDEN CALF October 9, 2020
Weekly Update: If you are involved with an activity or event that you would like to share with the LUCC family, please send the information to the Church Office by Tuesday since the Update usually is sent out on Wednesday.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 