The choir offering “Who Is Like You, Lord?” a traditional Yoruba Nigerian song arranged by Hal Hopson. The choir was accompanied by percussion thanks to Genie Terrell and Jan Trebesch, both playing the drums for the first time!
| STAY for James Dailey! Statement of Attorney for James Dailey in response to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Grant of a Stay of Execution until December 30, 2019: “We are grateful that the U.S. District Court for the Middle District has granted a stay to allow Mr. Dailey’s newly appointed federal counsel time to present his new and substantial claims of innocence, so that they may finally be heard on the merits. We urge the Attorney General and Governor DeSantis not to appeal or otherwise oppose this limited stay in order to allow Mr. Dailey’s case to proceed under the timeline directed by the Court.” — Carol Wright, Chief Attorney, Capital Habeas Unit, Middle District of Florida October 23, 2019 The court’s order can be viewed here: https://tinyurl.com/y4uwhssa Your help is needed for the work to be done. Please support Florida Death Penalty abolition action campaigns to end the use of the Death Penalty. Please post and share this message widely. Sent by: Mark Elliott Executive Director Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty www.fadp.org FADP is a non-profit and non-partisan statewide Florida organization of individuals and groups united to abolish the Death Penalty in Florida. please donate here:https://www.fadp.org/donate/ |
This Sunday: All Saints Sunday November 3 is an opportunity to name all those who have been saints in our lives. We celebrate those who inspire our faith. Don’t forget daylight saving time.
Please bring your Harvest Forms to church this Sunday!
Communion Sunday: The first Sunday of the month is a Communion Sunday. That means the communion offering will be received. This offering is used to help people in the church and the community with basic needs such as rent and utility assistance, bus passes, prescriptions, etc. There has been heavy need for these funds in recent weeks. Please consider how you can help the community through this offering.
The Big Event Save the date for the Big Event, Sunday November 10th. The theme will be What Seeds are You Planting? This will be a wonderful celebration of the congregation and ministry of LUCC. Join in fellowship and refreshments following the service. Don’t miss it!
Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice: Thanks to the ongoing work of organizations like the Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice, long-time protestors at the Homestead Migrant Child/Youth Detention Facility, and elected representatives like Charlie Crist who have stood for compassionate, just, accountable immigration policies, the Trump administration announced today that the Homestead facility will be closed by Nov. 30. Caliburn International (donor to Sen. Scott) has been charging taxpayers $720,000/day for a now-empty facility. Special thanks to the LUCC postcard-writers Sunday, who asked our elected Congressional representatives not to re-open Homestead – and to monitor that these children receive the care and education required by law for any children. You might just have been the “tipping point” for change. Thank you, Lakewood! – Sue Sherwood
Immigration Justice: This Sunday there will be a post card writing table set up before and after worship to (1) acknowledge our gratitude for the permanent closing of the Homestead Migrant Youth Detention Facility and (2) ask that for-profit detention centers all be closed.
Name Tags: For those who requested name tags on Oct. 13th your name tags are now ready. Name tags are in the long red basket near the entrance of sanctuary, usher name tags are green basket right next to the red basket. If you are in need of a name tag, please speak with Wally LeBlanc
Maximo Uniforms: Mrs. Moses and Ms Jones, administrators from Maximo Elementary were at church last Sunday to receive the uniforms being donated to help the homeless students at the school. Many thanks to all who donated!
Education ministry Team: There will be a meeting on Tuesday November 5th at 9 A.M.
Letter Writing: A letter writing station is being set up at church. Look for opportunities to share your faith perspective on immigration, the environment, and gun safety with elected officials.
Lakewood Day Trippers: We will be visiting Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park. We will meet at the church at 9:30 AM, November 7th. Then we will carpool to 18700 S County Road 325, Cross Creek, FL. 32640. The park admission is $3.00 per vehicle. After our guided tour we will eat at the Yearling. There will be . a sign up sheet in the Sanctuary. For more details contact Patti Cooksey or Carol Shores.
A Fair Food Congregation? The Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Fair Food Program have set up a new initiative inviting churches to become a Fair Food Congregation. Fair Food Congregations pledge to share information about farmworker exploitation and the how the Fair Food Program is working to end these abuses. They also commit to promoting and participating in farmworker led campaigns such at the Wendy’s Boycott, marches, demonstrations, letter-writing, etc. And they offer ongoing financial support to the Fair Food Program. This support involves 3-5 people in the congregation giving a monthly financial donation of their choice to support the work of the Fair Food Program.
The advisors discussed LUCC making this commitment to become a Fair Food Congregation. The church is already doing parts one and two. One person has come forward to be a financial sustainer. With two or more additional people who will make a monthly ongoing financial commitment to the Fair Food Program, LUCC can take the pledge and become a Fair Food Congregation. Please consider if you would like to become a financial sustainer giving the amount of your choice to the Fair Food Program each month. Please speak with Rev. Wells or an advisor if you would like to make this commitment. Many thanks. Si se puede!
Ben Prestage Concert (Tennessee, Blues/Roots Music) : Join us to see Ben Prestage perform and share his talent! Ben has participated in the International Blues Challenge (the world’s largest gathering of Blues musicians) and within three consecutive years he took 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place. He is also the only two-time recipient of the Lyon/Pitchford Award for “Best Diddley-Bow Player.” Ben’s interesting approach to instrumentation (fingerstyle guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar, foot-drums), vocals, and his award-winning original songwriting (recipient of “The Most Unique Performer” at “The Song- Writers’ Showcase of America”) have earned him invitations to perform across North America, Europe, and as far as North Africa. All awards aside, he has proven himself, through his live performances, to be the future of American Blues, Roots Music, Americana and is one of today’s most talented outsiders. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. on November 15th. Suggested donation of $20. All proceeds go to the artist. Please feel free to contact the church with any questions! lakewooducc@gmail.com or call at 727-867-7961.
Operation Attack: Operation Attack is very much in need of clothes for men, boys, and girls as well as diapers and peanut butter and canned fruit. Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary. Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located a Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!
Remember to Vote: Tuesday November 5th is election day!
Hearing Augmentation: Devices are available from the usher in the sanctuary during worship.
October Birthdays: Malcom Wells 10/8, Janet Blair 10/19, Denise Williams 10/28, Olivia Gibson 10/29, and Victoria Long 10/19. Someone missing? Contact the church office with birthday information.
Circle of Concern: Tony Rogers, David Rowland, Sherry Santana, Jen DeGroot, Carolyn Moore, Ann Quinn, Maggie Brizendine, and Ann Rogers.
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.
Florida Conference of the United Church of Christ 2019 Annual Gathering and Meeting– Orlando, Florida October 10 – 12, 2019 Observations by Claire Stiles
Pastor Kim Wells and Claire Stiles attended the Annual Gathering of the Florida UCC on Friday and Saturday, October 11 – 12 in Orlando, Florida. Besides co-presenting a workshop on Becoming a Creation Justice Church: The Journey, we attended business, affinity group, and Town Hall meetings as well as inspiring presentations on Racial Justice and Equality and the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Fair Food Alliance. The conference ended on Saturday morning with a heartfelt “vespers” style worship service where a small group of us sang “Here I am Lord” and “Rejoice!” in four-part harmony under the direction of Kevin Harris.
The theme of this year’s gathering was “What Wondrous Love” from the book of Acts in the Bible. The scripture tells of many wonders and signs which arose when around a common table, shared prayers, learning about the Way of Jesus, and community building, people walked in covenant with one another. As we confront the sometimes overwhelming challenges of the 21st century, we were and are asked to embrace this wondrous love and continue to build the beloved community together. Finding and following our own discipleship as we love and support each other was a powerful message for all of us.
Sharing of personal stories of suffering, healing, and redemption both publically and in one-on-one conversations by a number of participants and leaders made this gathering particularly memorable and touched many hearts. I came away feeling humbled and uplifted by the UCC leadership, values, and spirit. Many caring, committed, and compassionate people are working hard in Florida to uphold the true mission of Christianity and of the Church. I am grateful to be a part of this tradition.
Lakewood United Church of Christ Concert Series http://lakewooducc.org Lakewood United Church of Christ 2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712 Contact: Yoko Nogami: nogamiyoko@gmail.com or 727-687-6742
Event: Ben Prestage Date: Friday, November 15, 2019 Time: Concert: 7-9PM; door opens 6:30pm Admission: Pay at door, cash or check only. Concert (Suggested Donation): $20
Artists Information:
http://www.benprestagemusic.com/
Ben Prestage’s musical background began before he was born… even before his parents were born. Ben’s great-grandmother was a Vaudeville musician who toured with Al Jolson and also participated in medicine shows. Her daughter was a Boogie-Woogie pianist and painter who used to play for Ben when he was coming up. On the other side of the family tree, his grandfather, who was a Mississippi sharecropper turned Ben on to the sounds and culture of Mississippi and Blues in general.
“When my father was growing up in Mississippi,” states Ben, “ they never had running water and the only electricity was one light bulb that hung from the ceiling, but they had it better than some of their neighbors, because they didn’t have dirt floors. I grew up in rural Florida, on a 14-mile-long dirt road, near the headwaters of the Everglades. It was 7 miles either direction to the nearest paved road, and when you got to pavement, you still weren’t near a town. It was panther, gator, and cottonmouth country. Out there, there was only one kind of music in the house. Whether it was being played on an instrument, or on a recording, it was Blues.
“One day though, in my early teens, I went to help a neighbor build a chicken-coop on his property. When we went inside to eat lunch, I asked him about a banjo I saw in the corner. He picked it up and I heard Bluegrass music for the first time. He was from a musical family and learned old-time banjo from his father from the South Ohio/North Kentucky hills. He lived half a mile away, but it was so quiet out there, you could hear that banjo all the way to my house, if he was on his porch and I was on mine.. He made homemade wine with my dad and when he’d come over, he’d bring his banjo and show me how to pick with my fingers instead of a plectrum.”
Later while living in Memphis, Prestage became a busker (street performer) on historic Beale Street. This is where he perfected his drum-kit. “I played out there a few times with nothing but a guitar and my voice. Once people heard me they liked it, but it was hard to get them on my side of the street with all the other music going on down there. There were some other guys out there who played drums with their feet, and they always got people’s attention. I started playing drums with my feet as an attention grabber but soon found out that the drums played with foot pedals actually enhanced my music dramatically. Not only were people listening and buyin’ discs, they were now dancing and hollerin’ to boot. Now I am to the point where, if you close your eyes, you would think there was a professional drummer with a full-size drumkit behind me. I learned a lot from the guys I shared the street with, including John Lowe, (inventor of the Lowebow, a type of diddley-bow that I play), Robert Belfour, and Richard Johnston.”
Ben returned to Memphis over the next few years for the International Blues Challenge (the world’s largest gathering of Blues musicians) and within three consecutive years took he 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place. He is also the only two-time recipient of the Lyon/Pitchford Award for “Best Diddley-Bow Player.” Ben’s interesting approach to instrumentation, (fingerstyle guitar, harmonica, banjo, lap-steel, fiddle, resonator guitar, foot-drums), vocals, and his award-winning original songwriting (recipient of “The Most Unique Performer” at “The Song- Writers’ Showcase of America”) have earned him invitations to perform across North America, Europe, and as far as North Africa. All awards aside, he has proven himself, through his live performances, to be the future of American Blues, Roots Music, Americana and is one of today’s most talented outsiders.
Lakewood United Church of Christ Concert Series:
This concert is part of the Lakewood United Church of Christ Concert Series.
About:
LUCC Concert Series invites Old-Time, Jazz, Blues, Blue Grass, Folk and Country musicians, emerging and obscure in spirit to celebrate and promote Americana music and artists from all over the United States.
Concerts at Lakewood United Church of Christ (LUCC). $20 suggested donation at the door. All proceeds benefit the musicians. Doors open at 6:30PM, show at 7PM.
Lakewood United Church of Christ Concert Series
Lakewood United Church of Christ Concert Series
Lakewood United Church of Christ
2601 54th Ave. S. St. Petersburg, FL 33712
Contact: Yoko Nogami
727-687-6742
2019-20 Schedule At-A-Glance:
8/17: Evan Kinney with Van Burchfield, Old-Time Workshop & Concert “Georgia Old-Time Repertoire” (Georgia) https://evankinneymusic.wordpress.com/
9/13: Jason Charos Ensemble: (Florida, Jazz) http://237.wusf.usf.edu/jazz/program/mike_cornette_jason_charos
10/18: Ali Kafka & Sarah Gwendolyn (North Carolina, Old-Time, Roots Music)
https://squirrelskinners.bandcamp.com/album/all-day-long
11/15: Ben Prestage (Tennessee, Blues/Roots Music) http://www.benprestagemusic.com/
12/6: Roy Book Binder (Florida, Blues, Folk) http://www.roybookbinder.com/
1/10: Stillhouse Shakers (Sarasota, Old-Time) https://stillhouseshakers.bandcamp.com/releases
2/7: Frank and Allie (North Carolina, Folk) https://www.frankandallie.com/
3/6: Paula Bradley (Massachusetts, Folk) https://www.reverbnation.com/musician/paulabradley2
4/3: Charley Groth (Florida, Blues, Folk) cg-musicman.com
5/1: Grant Peeples (Florida, Americana) https://www.grantpeeples.com/
Ben Prestage:
Lakewood United Church of Christ 