Category: Study

Priest, activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Fr. John Dear to speak in St. Pete about his new book on Jesus and nonviolence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: Rev. Kim Wells at (727) 776-7890 or wells.kim.p@gmail.com

PRIEST, PEACE ACTIVIST AND NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINEE FATHER JOHN DEAR TO SPEAK ABOUT HIS NEW BOOK ON JESUS AND NONVIOLENCE

Priest, peacemaker, author and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Father John Dear will appear at 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 17th at Lakewood United Church of Christ, 2601 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712 to talk about and sign copies of his new book, The Gospel of Peace: A Commentary on Matthew, Mark, and Luke from the Perspective of Nonviolence. It is the first commentary on the Synoptic Gospels from the perspective of active nonviolence in the tradition of Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Refreshments and music will begin at 3:30.  The talk is free and open to the public.

In his book, Father Dear shows how Jesus’ teachings and practice of active nonviolence made him a disarming, healing presence to those in need and a revolutionary disrupter and threat to the unjust status quo, and how this nonviolence led to his execution and resurrection.

Father Dear bases his book on scholarship and on over forty years of nonviolent activism.  In 2008, when Archbishop Desmond Tutu nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize,  he called Father Dear “the embodiment of a peacemaker. He is a man who has the courage of his convictions and who speaks out and acts against war, the manufacture of weapons, and any situation where a human being might be at risk through violence.”

Father Dear has served as the coordinator of chaplains for the Red Cross after 9/11 in New York while simultaneously organizing demonstrations against the U.S. war against Afghanistan, and as pastor to rural parishes in the high desert of New Mexico. He has traveled in warzones and has spoken to audiences about the Gospel message of nonviolence around the world. He arranged for Mother Teresa to speak to U. S. governors to stop the death penalty and helped prevent eight executions.  He has been arrested over 85 times for nonviolent actions.

In 1998, he became executive director of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the largest interfaith peace organization in the United States, and led Nobel laureates to Iraq and an interfaith delegation to Israel/Palestine. He drafted Pope Francis’ January 1, 2017 World Day of Peace message, the first statement on nonviolence in the history of the Catholic Church. He is the executive director of www.beatitudescenter.org where he hosts and offers zooms on Jesus and Gospel peacemaking.

Father Dear has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and USA Today. For eight years he wrote a weekly column for the National Catholic Reporter and Huffington Post.  He is the author of hundreds of articles on peace and nonviolence, and forty books, including The Beatitudes of Peace, of which President Jimmy Carter said, ”I urge everyone to study John Dear’s beautiful reflections and join his campaign of peace and nonviolence.”

To contact Fr. John Dear directly:  1-505-629-2029 or  johndearsj@msn.com. His website is at johndear.org

The Advent/Christmas Season: Deep Peace of the Shining Stars

This is a season of watching and waiting and wonder.  Given the stresses of our days, what does the it look like to be given peace – in our lives and in the world?  Join your faith community in seeking peace this holy season, the Deep Peace of the Shining Stars.

In addition to the activities listed below:

There is an Advent Calendar for daily devotions available at church.  This was prepared by a cousin of Jeff Wells, Merry Watters.  She is a retired Methodist minister.  If you would like one emailed or sent to you, please contact the Church Office.

Advent devotions will be emailed during the season to inspire your journey to the Deep Peace of the Shining Stars.  If you would like to consider writing a devotion this month, please contact Tina Allen at tinaallengifted@gmail.com

Please consult the Weekly Update sent by email each week and posted on the website for changes and additions to the information below.  

This Advent/Christmas season may we experience the Deep Peace of the Shining Stars!

December 1

World AIDS Day.  Say a prayer for those living with HIV/AIDS.  Get tested.  HIV/AIDS is on the rise in St. Petersburg.

December 2

10:30 a.m. Join in decorating the sanctuary at Lakewood for the Advent/Christmas season.  The stunning Christmas Tree from Trinity will be decorated.  Join in the festivities!

December 3

10:15 a.m.  Singing of favorite carols before worship

10:30 a.m.  First Sunday of Advent

Lighting the advent wreath

A reflective service with time to center on the gift of Deep Peace we are given through Jesus.
Communion will be served.
Childcare is provided.

11:30 a.m. Star ornament making with Morgan Wright!  Help to make star ornaments to decorate the branch in middle of the sanctuary.  Deep Peace of the Shining Stars!  ALL WELCOME!

Poinsettia order forms available.
Financial donations received for Christmas hams for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.
Communion offering received.
Cards available to fill out for area nursing home delivery.  

Donations welcome for the Maximo Elementary Holiday Gift Shop:

  • Poinsettia order forms available.
  • Financial donations received for Christmas hams for the Good Samaritan
  • FoodPantry.
  • Communion offering received.
  • Cards available to fill out for area nursing home delivery.
  • Donations welcome for the Maximo Elementary Holiday Gift Shop:
  • Toys for All Ages
  • Jewelry: Popular for moms, grandmothers, and big sisters.
  • Stickers: Affordable and perfect for siblings.
  • Mugs: Everybody can use one more, right?
  • Coloring Books
  • Bicycles
  • Notepads: Especially in fun shapes like dogs, cats, hearts, or flowers.
  • Examples… headphones, pop-it, barbie dolls, action figures, perfumes, cologne, board games, sensory balls, footballs, cars, nail polish, blankets, lipgloss, kids wallets, purses and silly socks.

And for three specific families at Maximo:

  • Family I — Mikailah: Suitcase for kids, Baby Alive doll, food for doll, Doll stroller; Kayleigh: Baby Alive doll, baby diaper bag, baby changing table and babybottles.
  • Family ll — Nasir: (4yr old boy) 4T-5T clothes, 9c shoes, likes Ninja Turtles, Spiderman, trucks, dinosaurs and bike with helmet; Kamilah: (3yr old girl) 3T clothes, 6c shoes, likes Doc McStuffins, MinnieMouse, princess and bike with helmet.
  • Family III — Sha’nya: L.O.L Doll, L.O.L Doll House, slime, perfume, play make-up, pailpolish, scrunchies (for hair) and bracelets.

For details about Maximo, please contact Emily Bell — Maximo donations will be collected through December 17.

December 5

9:30 a.m. Weekly faith discussion group on Zoom.  To participate, please email Diane Bullock at dibull321@gmail.com

December 6

10:00 a.m. Weekly guided labyrinth walk at Lakewood.

7:00  p.m. Planetarium presentation at St. Petersburg College Gibbs Campus (5th Ave. N. and 66th St., St. Pete).  

For December, Dr. Craig Joseph will be presenting Yuletide Skies, based upon what the sky would have looked like 2000 years ago during the birth of Christ.  Seating (46 total) is first-come first-served.  Parking is free on campus and located next to the Natural Sciences building.  Each show starts at 7 p.m. and lasts for about 45 minutes.  After the show, attendees are welcome to view the night’s sky from the rooftop observatory, weather permitting.

Join folks from Lakewood and Trinity for this illuminating opportunity to view the Deep Peace of the Shining Stars!

December 8

7:00 p.m. Join in ‘No Room at the Inn.’  This is a Christmas caroling event sponsored by Celebrate Outreach that ministers to the houseless in St. Petersburg. Visits include Cara House and St. Petersburg Free Clinic Baldwin Women’s Residence. Celebrate Outreach distributes the toiletries that are collected at church.  Meet at the Mirror Lake Unitarian Universalist Church of St. Petersburg (100 Mirror Lake Dr. N.).

December 10

10:15 a.m.  Singing of favorite carols before worship

10:30 a.m.  Second Sunday of Advent

Lighting the advent wreath

The service will provide a time of comfort in this busy season and these troubling days.

Childcare provided.

11:30 a.m. There will be a cookie event following worship!  Watch the Weekly Update for details.

There will be cards available to sign for the home bound of the church families.

Poinsettia order forms available.

Financial donations received for Christmas hams for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.

Maximo donations welcome.  See Dec. 3.

December 12

9:30 a.m. Weekly faith discussion group on Zoom.  To participate, please email Diane Bullock at dibull321@gmail.com

December 13

10:00 a.m. Weekly guided labyrinth walk at Lakewood.

6:00 p.m. Blue Christmas Service at Trinity UCC (1150 49th St. N.). For many the holiday season includes feelings of grief and loss.  This service is a time to honor those feelings and appreciate the healing love of the Christmas season.  

Today is the deadline for poinsettia orders.

December 14

6:30 p.m. Monthly Book Talk discussion will be held on Zoom.  Watch the Weekly Update for the link.

December 17

10:15 a.m.  Singing of favorite carols before worship

10:30 a.m.  Third Sunday of Advent

Lighting the advent wreath

The service will provide a time to remember Mary and her commitment to justice.  There will also be recognition of the founding of Trinity UCC on Dec. 21 in 1952.

Childcare provided.

This is the last opportunity to make financial donations for Christmas hams for the Good Samaritan Food Pantry.

Cards must be returned for area nursing home delivery.  

Last day for contributions to the Maximo Elementary.  Please see list on December 3.

Noon Light lunch will be provided for those who will go Christmas caroling to the homebound from the church families.  

12:30 p.m.   Christmas Caroling!  Leaving from Lakewood.  Car pooling will be arranged.  

December 19

9:30 a.m. Weekly faith discussion group on Zoom.  To participate, please email Diane Bullock at dibull321@gmail.com

December 20

7:00 p.m. Nighttime guided labyrinth walk.  This will be a time to remember the solstice and prepare for Christmas.  The evening will include a fire circle and s’mores.  

December 21

The anniversary of the founding of Trinity Evangelical and Reformed Church in 1952, later Trinity United Church of Christ.

December 24

10:15 a.m.  Singing of favorite carols before worship

10:30 a.m.  Fourth Sunday of Advent

Lighting the advent wreath

The service will provide a time to re-create the Christmas Tableau.  Come as a shepherd, an angel, a wise one, whoever you envision at the manger.  There will be some costuming available at church.

The service will also include the ritual of lining the manger in preparation for the birth of Jesus.

Childcare provided but children are welcome to participate in the interactive service.

6:30 p.m. Christmas Concert of piano music offered by Hilton Jones preceding the Christmas Eve service.

7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Service of lessons and carols with candlelight and communion.  Celebrate the Deep Peace of the Shining Stars that comes to us through the birth of Jesus.

The Christmas Eve offering will be dedicated to helping the children of Gaza and Palestine.  The money will be given to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund which is supported by the United Church of Christ.  

December 26

9:30 a.m. Weekly faith discussion group on Zoom.  To participate, please email Diane Bullock at dibull321@gmail.com

December 27

10:00 a.m. Weekly guided labyrinth walk at Lakewood.

December 31

10:30 a.m. Morning Worship with a focus on spiritually preparing for the New Year.  Perhaps there is something you need to leave behind?  Maybe there is something calling out to you in the New Year.  This is a time to listen and discern.  And to commit:  Before I die, I’m going to. . .

January 2

9:30 a.m. Weekly faith discussion group on Zoom.  To participate, please email Diane Bullock at dibull321@gmail.com

January 3

10:00 a.m. Weekly guided labyrinth walk at Lakewood.

January 6

Epiphany!  There will be a celebration of the coming of the light with a fire circle at night.  Watch the Weekly Update and the bulletin for details about time and place.