In Person Services and Gatherings Ahead!
In the next two months, the church is going to experiment with a ‘soft’ re-opening. There will be in person gatherings and services outside, with masks, and physical distancing. There will be no singing. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Some will also be available at the church.
Here’s what’s coming:
All Saints Prayer Vigil featuring Covid Remembrance Sunday Nov. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the Memorial Garden
Election Prayer Vigil Monday Nov. 2 at 6:00 p.m.
Election Labyrinth Walk Tuesday Nov. 3 at 7:00 p.m. as the polls close
Thanksgiving Service Sunday Nov. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
Advent Services Sundays Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 10:30 a.m.
Winter Solstice Celebration Monday Dec. 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Service Thursday Dec. 24 at 7:00 p.m. Music begins at 6:30 p.m.
New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day A vigil for letting go and moving on – time to be determined
In addition, the weekly guided labyrinth walks will continue on Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. and weekly anti racism demonstrations will continue on Sunday evenings at 6:00 p.m. All are welcome.
For those who want to remain engaged with the church ‘remotely’, the church will continue to post a weekly Corona Sabbath with a scripture reading, reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones. Paper copies of the Corona Sabbath and the Update will continue to be sent to those who do not use the internet.
After this period of experimentation, there will be discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.
Church Office to Re-Open!
Beginning in November, the Church Office will be open again on a regular basis. Office administrator, Gabi Paxton, will be at church Tuesday – Friday mornings from 9:30-noon. Please feel free to stop by with donations for Maximo or Operation Attack or to take care of other things at church.
In Memoriam
The church expresses gratitude for the precious life of Elinor Ross who entered life eternal on Thursday October 15. Elinor slept away peacefully at her daughter, Cheryl’s, home. Prayers and condolences for Elinor’s family and many friends!
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!
All Saints Sunday In-Person Gathering Ahead – Remembering COVID-19
All Saints Sunday is Nov. 1. This is a time to remember those we name as saints – living, historical, those who have gone before us. This year, we also want to remember those who have died in the pandemic. The church is planning a special gathering outside with physical distancing and masks, to remember all those who have died of Covid-19 along with those we name as saints. The prayer gathering will be at 10:30 a.m. near the Memorial Garden. Participants will be invited to share the names of saints as well as 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 October 25th. Note the new deadline.
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
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!
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
Corona Sabbath
The theme for this week is Compassion. Compassion is an antidote to selfishness and greed. It is a core characteristic of Jesus. How can we venture out of our apathy and numbness and live from compassion without being overwhelmed? See 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8.
If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/10/16/corona-sabbath-31-loyalty-and-devotion/
Meeting Needs at Maximo Elementary
LUCC’s EDUCATION MINISTRY TEAM is continuing to gather much needed supplies 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 items and drop them off at the church on Wednesdays (9-10am) and Sundays (6:00-6:30pm)
3. Order online and have items shipped to Emily Bell. Contact the church office for her address at lakewooducc@gmail.com
ITEMS NEEDED
SCHOOL UNIFORMS Girls and Boys
Sizes-5T,6T,8,10,12 (also undies)
Colors:
Blue(light or dark) Or Khaki for pants, shorts, dresses, skirts
Blue(light or dark) or white for shirts, blouses
SUPPLIES: store bought child masks, hand sanitizers, Lysol spray, disposable gloves, disinfecting wipes
Side Walk Messaging at Sunday Evening Demonstration for Racial Justice 10/25
This week at the anti racism demonstration, participants will be invited to engage in sidewalk chalk messaging about voting. Help write messages encouraging people to vote on the sidewalk along 54th Ave. S. in front of the church while keeping the community aware of the work that still needs to be done to end racism. Bring chalk if you have it. Some will also be provided. There is a lot of foot traffic on the sidewalk of 54th Ave. The messages will be seen!
All are welcome at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday evenings at the church. Bring a sign or use one that is available. In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!
Click here to see pictures of the most recent witness:
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/10/22/anti-racism-demonstration-10-18/
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, Family and loved ones of 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:
- Royal Poinciana (works in silver by William II) October 20, 2020
- Sunday Morning Music: Carrickfergus October 18, 2020
- Corona Sabbath 31 Loyalty and Devotion Reflection Text October 16, 2020
- Corona Sabbath 31 Loyalty and Devotion October 16, 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 