Hello Friends:

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Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. How appropriate that thousands of people are marching in sub-zero weather, organizing in churches and community spaces and on line. We are organizing and marching for a better, more just, merciful, compassionate world. UBC will be closed on Friday, January 23rd in solidarity with a state-wide call for creative disruption of business as usual. This effort is being repeated across the country. People are traveling to Minneapolis this week to join in the movement. If you can house any of those making the long trek to MPLS, please let me know. We are housing at least one fellow clergy-person from Philadelphia. You can find out more about the events of this week here.

 

Our friends at First Congregational Church have invited us to join their Zoom reflections on what has happened in our city. The meetings are Monday at 1pm and Thursday at 7pm. This is a space to process, to grieve and perhaps to celebrate the ways we are "being church" together in this present moment. If you aren't able to get out and serve as a legal observer or protester, there are many other ways you can contribute. And if you're confused or overwhelmed by all that's going on, this meeting is designed to help you discern how your skills and time can best serve this moment. They will also share critical information about Friday’s Day of Truth and Freedom. Here’s the Zoom link. 

 

After a wonderful Sunday at FCC, we will be back at UBC this coming Sunday. My sermon is entitled, “The Economy of God.”  In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus says, “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God has come near, repent and believe in the Good News.” It’s his mission statement.  Wendell Berry wondered if we spoke about the Kingdom of God as the Economy of God. How would we prioritize the way we use our resources?  I’m sure it will be informed by the actions and reactions that emerge this week. Remember, we all have a role to play. If you can’t be out in the streets, maybe you can support someone who is. All of us can pray. All of us can amplify the real news of people we know and trust. All of us can work for a better community. Deidre Druk will be the worship leader and the UBC Chorale will sing.

 

After church on Sunday, our forum will be a mid-year budget review. Budgets are reflections of our values and where we put our priorities. See how faithful we have been for the first six months of our program and budget year and imagine how we can work even better in the future.

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

 

​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley