Hello Friends:

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This is Transgender Awareness Week. It’s a time to recognize and celebrate the grand diversity of our world. Our transgender siblings expand our imaginations and are brave examples of embodied grace. May we honor, walk alongside, advocate, and protect the dignity of all people, especially those who have felt the cruel sting of persecution. It’s what Jesus would do.

 

I had the honor of presiding at the Celebration of Life service for Mel Roy this past Saturday in Kansas City. Here’s a link to the video of the service. Please continue to keep Shirley, Deb, Ruth, Mark and the rest of the Roy family in your prayers.

 

On Tuesday, our antiracism group will join the good people from Judson Baptist for a webinar led by the ABCRGR. They want to hear about how the killing of George Floyd shaped and changed our congregations in these past five and a half years.  If you would like to watch or join the discussion, please register here.

 

We have had a great response to Give to the Max in November. We’ve already raised over $2400, including a generous match of the first $1,000 raised. Another anonymous donor will match any further funds up to $5,000. How’s that for an incentive? Remember, on Give the Max Day (November 20th) there are all sorts of prizes given out every 15 minutes, which may expand our rewards. Here’s the link to the UBC Give to the Max site. Please invite your friends and family to support UBC’s important ministry.

 

On Sunday, my sermon on Sunday is entitled “Remember Me.” The scripture reading is Psalm 106:1-5. Psalm 106:4 says “Remember me, O YHWH when you show favor to your people.”  Sounds innocent enough. And yet the concept of “God’s favor” has been used to further domination. Think manifest destiny or the transatlantic slave trade or even redlining. As we approach Thanksgiving, how do we makes sense of our complex world. And how do we respond in a way that is pleasing to God. Do we want God to remember just our triumphs? How about the sins of our ancestors? The UBC Chorale will sing a piece appropriately written by a transgender musician. Violet Butler will be the worship leader.

 

Looking ahead, on November 25 (the Tuesday before Thanksgiving) All Nations Indian Church has invited us to a Wopila. In Lakota, Wopila means “a giving of thanks.” It’s part fundraiser and part connection for many of our churches interested in reparations with our Native American siblings. The evening includes a social hour and church tours at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Wopila dinner and worship at 7:00 p.m. Share in a communal meal, storytelling, and reflections inspired by The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer. They have asked each congregation to host a Friendship Table of six people at this event. If you would like to attend please let me know. (The first six people to RSVP will represent us at the event.) Here are some links that you might find helpful:

Read The Serviceberry Essay

Access the Study Guide for the Essay

Participate in Facebook Discussion

 

The deadline for the December newsletter is November 25th. Please send your announcements, pictures and articles to chrisf2828@yahoo.com.

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

 

​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley