Posts

New Issue of Celebrate Florida

Advent and Christmas Greetings, Florida UCC members:

Here is the link to the December/January issue of Celebrate Florida.

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.

Blessings of the season,

Rick Carson
Editor

Corona Sabbath 39 JOY

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

When you are ready, start the video below. 

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

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.

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.

USEFUL LAKEWOOD LINKS DURING THE CORONA CRISIS:

Corona Sabbath 39 JOY Reflection Text

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.)