Hello Friends:

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On Saturday hundreds of thousands of people across Minnesota and an estimated 7 million people across the country gathered, marched, prayed, danced and advocated for a better form of government in the US. I was part of the march in Minneapolis and was proud of our communities gathering and exercising collective power. The challenge is going to be to sustain a movement beyond a march. It’s an ancient problem. Look at the Palm Sunday street protest and how the crowds disappeared when it got more dangerous. I am going to continue to be inspired by the creativity and courage of my neighbors and I will be marching alongside them into the future.

 

This week the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty is holding their annual Shurden Lectures in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The topic is how faith communities have a role to play in the immigration detention crisis. You can find out more and sign up here. I hope to see you at one or more of the events.

 

As we wrap up Queer History Month, we’re going to shift our focus on Sunday to the holy love between David and Jonathan. Sunday’s scripture reading is II Samuel 1:17-27. Jonathan and David had a deep and abiding love. David declares that his love for Jonathan surpassed the love of women. David made sure that Jonathan’s heirs were protected and honored as having royal status. Was David bi? Why is his relationship with Jonathan not criticized, but celebrated? Maybe it has something to do with holy love that is decidedly biblical. Deidre Druk will be the worship leader and the UBC Chorale will sing.

 

After church, our forum will be led by one of our mission partners, Clare Housing. Clare Housing is a community organization and leader in providing care for neighbors living with HIV and experiencing housing insecurity. Staff member Tom Page will give an up-to-date conversational presentation that connects the dots between stable housing, health outcomes, and HIV prevention while lifting up practical ways a congregation can help.

 

As our friend E. is recovering from surgery, we’ve set up a meal train for him as he recovers. Please sign up here.

 

The deadline for the November UBC Newsletter is Saturday, October 25th. Please send your photos, announcements, and articles to chrisf2828@yahoo.com.

 

As part of our 175th anniversary celebration, we’re going to start doing small features on social media about some people in our church community. If you’re willing to participate in this project, please click here to sign up.

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We also have new UBC t-shirts. Pick them up at UBC for $20. 

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Check the schedule below for more of what’s happening this week.

 

​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley