Author: lakewooducc

Memorial Day in the Land of the Free

As a pastor for almost 35 years, I have had the privilege of knowing many veterans within the context of the church. I have had the opportunity to speak with many of them directly about their military service. In all of these interactions, I have been impressed by the honesty and integrity of the conversations. There has been acknowledgement of the sometimes complicated moral and faith issues involved in being part of the military. After all, Jesus was a pacifist. But I have been very moved by the thoughtful consideration of the veterans I have known.

In all cases, the people I have spoken with have seen their participation in the military as service: Something they did to help others, something done for the good of others. And there is a sense of the desire to protect the freedoms that are at the essence of US identity. I have just finished listening to Philip Roth’s novel, The Plot Against America, set around World War 2. And it is a reminder that threats to American freedoms do not only come in the form of dropped bombs or exploded buildings. There are many other ways that American freedoms can be attacked and undermined.

This is Memorial Day. A day to remember those who have served and died serving our country. We also remember their families. It is a solemn and sacred day. I’m not sure how Memorial Day came to be associated with shopping, boating, beaches, and picnics. The gateway to summer. Some tell me that Memorial Day is about giving thanks to those who have protected our freedom of access to recreation and retail by fully engaging in those activities. Ok. But personally, I prefer something more solemn.

But I will say this. From the veterans I have known, who have served to protect our freedoms, retail and recreation included, I know that they did not have in mind protecting the freedom to shoot an unarmed person who is jogging down the street. Think Ahmaud Arbery. And so many others.

And, during these times of COVID-19, I am fairly sure the veterans I have known did not serve to protect the freedom to infect someone with a deadly virus.

But every single veteran I know has served to ensure our freedom to vote. So If you want to honor those who have served in the military, past and present, exercise your freedom to VOTE.

Corona Sabbath 10 (Memorial Day Weekend)

CS10These 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 those you live with. 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.

There is a scripture reading and a brief meditation by Pastor Kim Wells followed by music offered by Music Director Hilton Kean Jones. We appreciate your suggestions and feedback.

Find a quiet place, inside or outside. Light a candle. Take a look around you. If you are inside, pay attention to the room you are in. Breathe. Be present.

You may begin by offering this reading:

True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it is not haphazard and superficial. It comes to see that an edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring.

–Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968

When you are ready, start the video below.

(For written text of the above video click HERE.)

As you listen to the music from Hilton which follows, you are invited to notice the thoughts and feelings and that arise for you.

After listening to the music, you are invited to offer the following closing –

He needs you
That’s all there is to it
Without you he’s left hanging
Goes up in dachau’s smoke
Is sugar and spice in the baker’s hands
gets revalued in the next stock market crash
he’s consumed and blown away
used up
without you
Help him
that’s what faith is
he can’t bring it about
his kingdom
couldn’t then couldn’t later can’t now
not at any rate without you
and that is his irresistible appeal

-Dorothee Soelle 1929-2003

Breathe. Extinguish your candle and engage whatever may come with a sense of peace and a desire to serve.

LAKEWOOD UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

The mission of Lakewood United Church of Christ, as part of the Church Universal, is to:

  • Celebrate the presence and power of God in our lives and in our world;
  • Offer the hospitality and inclusive love of Christ to all people;
  • Work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation.

QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:
Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/
Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/
Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/
For all links, please note “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.

Weekly Update 5/20

WHAT IS GOING ON AT CHURCH –

This Sunday: The church will be open from 10:30 to 11:30.  The peace candle will be lit.  It will be a time of prayer and reflection as a witness that the church is still open and ministry continues even though we are not able to gather in person for worship.  

Look for a Corona Sabbath post on Friday.  Check for it at the website – lakewooducc.org
Also, please subscribe to the website so that you receive regular updates about church life.

Advisors Held MeetingThe church advisors met last week sitting outside in the shade near the Memorial Garden and the labyrinth.  It was good to feel the spiritual support in that sacred location!
The advisors will be contacting the congregation for input about extending the ministry of the church in new ways in light of the restrictions necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  
The advisors are considering ways of managing building usage for small groups and renters.  They are also considering when and how church activities, especially Sunday morning worship, may resume.  It may not be safe for quite some time.  You will be hearing more in the days to come.  The church is anticipating an expansion of ministry opportunities for connection and community needed to provide spiritual support.

Mobile Care TeamLast Sunday, the Care Team took to the road.  The group, all in individual cars, went to Westminster Suncoast and parked outside and gathered, 6 feet apart with masks, near the old entrance.  Folks from the church that live in the Suncoast community gathered on the other side of the fence.  It was a shady spot.
Warm greetings were shared from the two sides of the fence.  The Care Team had signs and cheers to offer.  After catching up with everyone and glorying in being able to actually see one another, the gathering ended in prayer.  
The Care Team had a wonderful time and was so happy to see the faces of some of our beloved community!
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/20/care-team-makes-a-visit/

Money Matters  Many thanks to those who have given their stimulus checks to the church.  This is a blessed offering!
A donate button on Facebook is in the works.  
The ministry of the church is needed now more than ever!  Your continued support makes that ministry possible.  
One last note:  Deposits at church are being made once or twice a month, not weekly, so there may be a delay in the depositing of checks.  This is to reduce risk for those who are involved in doing the banking.

LUCC’s Jim Andrews Featured in Article about Area Chaplains
Jim Andrews, director of Spiritual Care for Suncoast Hospice, was quoted in an article about the challenges facing chaplains as they seek to provide spiritual support in the context of COVID-19.  Here’s the link to the article:  
https://www.tampabay.com/news/community-news/2020/04/27/always-on-the-front-lines-tampa-bay-chaplains-find-new-ways-to-connect/

PINELLAS COALITION FOR IMMIGRATION JUSTICE/Immokalee Workers

Even while sheltering at home, we are still part of a larger Beloved Community that needs our help and support.  Please join your Lakewood family in contacting Gov. Ron DeSantis by phone (850-488-7146) or email (GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com) on behalf of the Immokalee farmworkers, who are putting their lives on the line for us. Ask for (1) a temporary field hospital to isolate/treat workers positive for COVID-19 & live in crowded conditions (2) masks/PPE/sanitizers for workers and (3) free COVID testing for workers.  The Coalition is tallying our impact so please let Sue Sherwood (sherwood.susan@gmail.com) know if you called or emailed the Governor. Thanks to Patti Cooksey and Sally Purvis for helping to launch this campaign!

Want to learn more about life and legislation for those held at the border or in ICE detention facilities?  “Friend” and follow the Coalition for Immigration Justice on Facebook. 

To see the status of legislation to ensure that asylum seekers, refugees, detainees, and children receive just and humane treatment, check out the Action Lanes at the Coalition’s website: bit.ly/PinellasIJ

QUICK LINKS TO OUR RECENT POSTS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:Sermon videos: https://lakewooducc.org/category/online-devotional/Sermon texts: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/sermon-texts/Posts containing music: https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/For all those links, please note the “Older Posts” button near bottom of page.

FOR JUST THE MUSIC: https://soundcloud.com/hilton-kean-jones/sets/music-at-lakewood 

Corona Sabbath Posts

Each Friday, the church will post a devotional with readings, video from Kim, and music from
Hilton. You are invited to access these at the website and observe the sabbath according to
your schedule over the weekend. There will be a new one posted each week. 

Please use the link below to view last week’s Corona Sabbath Post –
https://lakewooducc.org/2020/05/15/corona-sabbath-9/   

In addition to the weekly Corona Sabbath devotions on the website every Friday, Hilton is also posting music, mainly hymns, on the website daily. These are also posted on the church’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. You may find links to all the music posts on the website at https://lakewooducc.org/category/posts/music/ — note the “Older Posts” button down the page.

Daily Corona Prayer

https://lakewooducc.org/2020/03/20/lucc-corona-daily-prayer/

 Labyrinth Walks

Labyrinth Walks are being held as scheduled on Wednesday mornings at 9:00.  We feel given current information and restrictions that it is safe to hold this activity. It involves less than 10 people, it is outside, and the people can be at least 6 feet apart. Bring your own chair and wear a mask if you wish.

Assistance AvailableIf 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 .

May Birthdays: Mark Gibson 5/2, Angela Wells-Bean 5/7, Emily Gibson 5/8, Julian Micheal Ricciardi 5/9, Colleen Coughenour 5/11, Jen DeGroot 5/12, Christy Martin 5/15, Bill Parsons 5/16, Danielle Hintz 5/25, Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.

Circle of Concern: JoAnn Reid, William Owen, Wilbur Reid, Martha Lamar, Jen Degroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers. 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 on a COVID-19 unit in a local hospital. We are grateful for her ministry!

Recent Posts:

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.

Encouraging Youth: Video from LUCC’s Danielle Hintz of JWB

As part of our Early Readers Future Leaders Pinellas Grade Level Reading Campaign, we have worked with Tampa Bay Rap Artist Corey Thornton to create a song/video, Finish Strong.  The song is designed to motivate Pinellas County students to finish the school year strong, and to carry their digital learning into summer for those attending Summer Bridge. CLICK HERE to view the video on JWB’s YouTube channel.  JWB is promoting this far and wide, and we ask that you please help us get this out to parents, students, and the wider community ASAP, as we are in the last two weeks of the school year! 

As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic caused all Pinellas County public schools to move to distance learning, creating new challenges for student attendance and achievement. The song’s positive attendance message urges students to “log-in, sign-in, and be present” to make the most of their online learning experience, and the music video brings the song to life. The project is a collaboration between Pinellas County Schools, JWB, and Tampa Bay Rap Artist Corey Thornton, who uses catchy beats and memorable lyrics to inspire, motivate, and educate our next generation through music. Promoting positive school attendance is one approach under the Early Readers, Future Leaders: Pinellas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, led by JWB and supported by dozens of Pinellas County partners.

Danielle Hintz | Community Projects Manager
Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County

Care Team Makes a Visit

Last Sunday, the Care Team took to the road.  The group, all in individual cars, went to Westminster Suncoast and parked outside and gathered, 6 feet apart with masks, near the old entrance.  Folks from the church that live in the Suncoast community gathered on the other side of the fence.  It was a shady spot.

Warm greetings were shared from the two sides of the fence.  The Care Team had signs and cheers to offer.  After catching up with everyone and glorying in being able to actually see one another, the gathering ended in prayer.

 The Care Team had a wonderful time and was so happy to see the faces of some of our beloved community!