The recent Annual Gathering of the Florida Conference is summarized on page 1 of the newsletter along with snippets as to how some congregations addressed the November elections.
We are also continuing to look at how our Florida congregations have been responding to the COVID-19 crisis — not only on Sunday mornings but on every other day of the week in the face of the pandemic’s challenging circumstances. We hope you will take the time to read about the creative and interesting ways in which our churches have gone “virtual,” some of which you may wish to consider for your own ministries. You may want to note the increasing number of our congregations that have reopened to in-person worship or are planning to do so soon.
You will also find articles about the new Anti-Racism Ministry in the Conference and activities around Halloween, Thanksgiving, All Saints Day and Advent. We’ve included information about books written by current and recent Florida UCC clergy — some good Christmas gift ideas. Then there are articles about the rabbi and the minister, the pastor who got into some “good trouble,” the minister who reflects on how we in the UCC “describe ourselves” and the federal lawsuit involving one of our congregations.
Thanks to all those churches that provide information about their ministries. If we’ve not been hearing from you, please make sure we’re on the mailing list for your newsletter and e-blasts (celebrateflorida@uccfla.org) — simple and much appreciated.
We especially appreciate your providing the Celebrate Florida link information to church members via your newsletters, e-communications and on your website. During the coronavirus crisis, it is especially covenantal to share all the good news about the United Church of Christ in Florida among your church members.
These weeks when we cannot gather in person for Sunday worship, Lakewood United Church of Christ is providing brief weekly sabbath programs for you to listen to on your own or with others in your social isolation group. They will be posted on Friday so that you can schedule your sabbath time to suit your schedule and your spiritual inclinations. We hope these programs are of spiritual support to you in these difficult times.
The post this week focuses on the theme for the third Sunday of Advent – joy.
This post includes a scripture reading from Claire Stiles, a reflection from Rev. Kim Wells and a music video by Hilton Jones. We hope this post helps to feed your spirit in these difficult times as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
You are invited to find a quiet space, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. Breathe. Life-giving breath. Be present.
You may begin with this reading:
Bright star-maker God,
travel with us
through Advent
shine into our
dark corners
lead us into
ways of justice
warm us
with joy and wonder
bring us
to new birth.
--Ruth Burgess
As you listen to the music that follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings that arise for you.
In closing, you are invited to offer the following closing reading:
All the broken hearts
shall rejoice:
all those who are heavy laden,
whose eyes are tired
and do not see,
shall be lifted up
to meet with
the motherly healer.
The battered souls and bodies
shall be healed;
the hungry
shall be fed;
the imprisoned
shall be free;
all her earthly children
shall regain joy
in the reign
of the just and loving one
coming for you
coming for me
in this time
in this world.
--Sun Ai Lee Park, Hong Kong/USA
Breathe. Breathe again. Be filled. With joy. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.
Greetings and welcome to Corona Sabbath. This is one of the ways the church is endeavoring to offer spiritual support during these challenging days of COVID-19. We appreciate your feedback and suggestions.
We listen to Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 reminding us of of God’s good news for all people, good news of healing, wholeness, and justice. This good news brings joy. In this Advent season, we seek to rekindle our dreams of joy.
“The Spirit of Exalted Yahweh is upon me,
for Yahweh has anointed me:
God has sent me to bring good news to those who are poor;
to heal broken hearts;
to proclaim release to those held captive
and liberation to those in prison;
to announce a year of favor from Yahweh,
and the day of God’s vindication;
to comfort all who mourn,
to provide for those who grieve in Zion –
to give them a wreath of flowers instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of tears,
a cloak of praise instead of despair.
They will be known as trees of integrity,
planted by Yahweh to display God’s glory.
They will restore the ancient ruins,
and rebuild sites long devastated;
they will repair the ruined cities,
neglected for generations.
‘For I, Yahweh, love justice;
I hate robbery and sin.
So I will faithfully compensate you,
and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
Your descendants will be renowned among the nations;
and your offspring among the people;
all who see you will acknowledge
that you are a people blessed by Yahweh.’
I will joyfully exult in Yahweh,
who is the joy of my soul!
My God clothed me with a robe of deliverance
and wrapped me in a mantle of justice,
the way a bridegroom puts on a turban
and a bride bedecks herself with jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and a garden brings its seeds to blossom,
so Exalted Yahweh makes justice sprout,
and praise spring up before all nations.’”
Reflection from Kim
Maybe you are feeling a little less joy this season than you normally would. Well, without the usual parties and activities, without the family gatherings and meals with friends, without the usual church goings on, it may be hard to feel the joy that we normally associate with the Christmas season. Maybe you are missing the concerts and plays and arts events that you associate with this season that bring joy.
Then there are the stunning death tolls posted each day due to covid. That certainly gives pause. And many of us have friends and relatives suffering from covid. So much suffering and grief. And our hearts also go out to those in the healthcare sector who are stressed to their limits responding to this crisis.
Yes, there are the complications of this covid Christmas. And there are other things that may dampen the spirits this season. Maybe you are remembering someone who died at this time of year. Maybe you are thinking about sad memories associated with past Christmases. Maybe economic issues are taking the sparkle out of life for you at this moment. Maybe concern for others who are having difficulties has you down. The shortened days and long nights can subdue the spirit.
In this season of lights we simply may not be feeling merry and bright. But the words of the prophet Isaiah remind us of the deeper significance of this season. The prophet celebrates one who will embody the commitment of God to justice, right relationship, and healing. And as Christians we see the embodiment of that commitment in Jesus. There is a story early in the ministry of Jesus that refers to this very scripture. We are told of Jesus declaring in the synagogue that he has come to bring good news to the poor, to heal broken hearts, to proclaim release to the captives, and liberation to those in prison, and to announce the year of God’s favor. That is a clearing of the slate relating to financial debt.
Jesus comes to bring justice and deliverance and healing. He comes to put things right. To free us from the systems that entrap us and comfort our hurt and pain.
The ministry of Jesus is a witness to the commitment of God to the well-being of humankind. Jesus shows us how to care for each other and the Earth. He shows us how to forgive each other and ourselves. He invites us to relationships that are life giving. Jesus invites us to a world where people are truly valued and not abused or taken for granted or seen as economic inputs that are expendable.
The birth of Jesus is about the birth of a new reality in which everyone and all of Creation is cherished and has the opportunity and resources to flourish.
So, no matter what is dampening our spirits this covid Christmas, may we find joy in the coming of Jesus. May we rejoice in the justice he brings. May we celebrate the new reality that he calls forth and that is continuing to emerge today.
This is a season to remember that God is with us. The God who cares that people are made poor, that people are grieving, that people are in pain. The God who offers comfort, solace, and new life. The birth of Jesus and the holy day of Christmas are to remind us of God’s intention that all lives be filled with joy. May your joy be rekindled this season.
Amen.
(Click HERE if you wish to see the post containing the video of this text.)
When we had the Christmas in July Zoom celebration we enjoyed hearing the Christmas story and singing carols. Well, there is another Zoom Christmas Eve service planned for 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 24th. There will also be an in-person outdoor service at 7:00 p.m.
The theme for this Advent season at LUCC is Rekindle the Gift from a verse from 2 Timothy. This is certainly a season to ‘rekindle’ after all that we have been through! Each week, the Corona Sabbath and daily devotions will focus on the traditional themes for the candles of the Advent Wreath. Rekindle Hope. Rekindle Peace. Rekindle Joy. And Rekindle Love.
Please see the details below for the Advent season. May you find needed hope, peace, joy, and love this season!
Carol Sing Ahead
Missing singing those favorite Christmas carols? A Zoom carol sing is being planned. Hilton will play and everyone on the Zoom will safely sing at home. In the past, each Advent season there has been a caroling event to visit the homebound. Since Corona has us all somewhat homebound, this year, there will be caroling for everyone who can access Zoom. If you have a New Century Hymnal, you can use it. The zoom will be Saturday, December 12th at 4:00 p.m.
A booklet of devotions has been prepared for the Advent season with a reading for each day and liturgy for the lighting of Advent candles at home each Sunday. These devotions are also posted weekly at the church website. May these devotions help to rekindle hope, peace, joy, and love this holy season.
In these difficult and challenging days, celebrating the birth of Jesus is more important than ever. Jesus, too, was born in difficult times. His birth reminds us that God is with us, in joy and in sorrow, in times of fear and challenge as well as times of awe and wonder.
You are invited to celebrate the birth of Jesus with the LUCC church family. The same service will be offered two ways on Christmas Eve.
At 5:00 p.m. there will be a Zoom/FaceBook live service. Go to the church FaceBook page and click on the lower left. Here’s the link for Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2700683648
At 7:00 p.m. there will be an in person version of the same service on the church grounds. Masks and physical distancing will be maintained. There will be no singing. Bring a chair and a flashlight so you can read the bulletin. In case of rain, the service will be held on the covered patio adjacent to the playground.
Rekindle the Gifts of God: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love
Poinsettias
In the uncharted territory we are facing this year, the church will be trying something new. The church family is invited to bring poinsettias to church on the Sundays in December before Christmas. They will beautify our worship space and they will be taken to those who are homebound and in need of special care in the congregation. So, if you would like to, please bring a poinsettia or poinsettias to church. Many thanks!
Congregational Care Visits Planned
While it is not safe to go caroling this year, the Care Team has plans for safe visits and drive bys to those in the congregation who are isolated or in need of Christmas cheer. Hopefully these visits will be meaningful to those who participate and will help to rekindle hope, peace, joy, and love!
In-Person Events!
The church is experimenting 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. Most events will be on the church lawn. If the weather bad, events will be held on the church patio adjacent to the playground.
Here’s what’s coming:
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 4:30p.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 a discussion about how to proceed into the New Year.
Toys Delivered at Maximo
What an amazing, inspiring day Monday was at Maximo Elementary! The toys that were collected by the Education Ministry Team were delivered to the school. What began as a request by the Family and Community Liaison, Ms. Jones, for gifts for thirty children experiencing homelessness grew and grew and grew. Partnership with the Social Justice Team at Westminster Suncoast and then St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church flourished. Generosity grew wings. When the toys were delivered there were four cars overflowing with more than one hundred fifty gifts.
Ms. Jones, along with the Principal and staff, greeted us with smiles and great appreciation. Pictures were taken and friendships made. We left Maximo having received more than we had given. Our hearts were bursting with joy.
Thanks to everyone who joined in this undertaking to spread Christmas joy to children and their parents during this very stressful time. May the pictures bring you Hope, Peace, Joy and Love as you imagine the surprise and excitement of a precious child receiving your gift.
Finally after a year and a half of planning, the renovations of the Fellowship Hall are underway to prepare for the Adult Day Care program sponsored by Neighborly Services! So far, a railing has been installed to the back entrance of the Fellowship Hall and the demolition is underway to prepare for the three accessible restrooms that are being installed. The patio has been pressure washed.
It is very exciting to finally see movement toward the goal of offering needed services to the seniors in our area!
Corona Sabbath Ahead
The Corona Sabbath post this week follows the theme for the Advent candles. This week the focus is joy. How do we think about rekindling joy in our lives this Advent season?
This week Claire Stiles is reading the scripture, there is a reflection from Rev. Wells, and music from Hilton Jones.
If you missed last week’s Corona Sabbath here’s the link:
Weekly demonstrations to end racism continue in front of the church each Sunday. Beginning Dec. 6, the demonstrations will begin at 4:30. Bring a sign or use one of the signs provided. Regardless of the outcome of the election, this witness is an important demonstration of Christian values and moral values. All are welcome to join in!
And use the following link to see pictures from the last demonstration.
In case of rain, the demonstration will not be held that week. Know justice, know peace!
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.
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.
December Birthdays: Becky Palmer 12/16, Amaiya Washington 12/18, George Diven 12/27, Melanie Moore 12/27, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, Dave Radens, Bert and Joyce Lee, Jeff Wells, teachers, students, and school personnel, and all healthcare workers and essential workers. All those suffering from COVID-19.
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!
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 