This Week at UBC
Updated every Monday
“Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen
Dear Friends:
As we hear the devastating news of floods in Kentucky and Uganda, we are challenged, as articulated by Henri Nouwen in the quote above, to not look away from the scenes of pain and suffering, but instead to share in the anguish of our siblings in Christ. Diving into the reality of this anguish is both required of us by our faith and requires of us faith and hope to sustain us.
Yesterday, in worship we began an exploration of those things that sustain us and that are sustained by the Holy Spirit - faith, hope, and love, and why it is those things that abide. Yesterday’s service was ably led, by Howard Johnson and I preached on the ways that faith calls us into challenges and sometimes requires us to be challenging people. This coming Sunday, in a service led by Gayla Marty we will explore the nature and function of Hope in our lives. and, since it is a communion Sunday, my sermon will look at how celebrating at God’s Table (a ritual that has indeed abided), leads us to, and leaves us with hope. I hope you can celebrate at table with us.
Tomorrow, a celebration of Jim Ufer's life will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. You may remember Jim's presence as a friend of UBC and particularly of Howard Johnson. Please include his other friends and his family in your prayers.
We are still seeking folks to take on the roles of co-President and co-Treasurer on the Church Council with Denise Roy. I know it can sound intimidating to take on these kind of leadership, but if you feel called to help sustain the work of the church in either of these roles, I hope you will reach out to Denise or myself. You will be given as much support as you need.It is vitally important.
Be well. Do good.
Take care,
Pastor Matty
Sunday Worship
August 7
10 am – Worship in the UBC sanctuary or join via livestream on the UBC YouTube page.
11 am (or when the livestream has ended) – Joys & Concerns in the sanctuary and on Zoom.
ZOOM INFO:
Meeting ID 839 4725 7444
Passcode 257750
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83947257444?pwd=cFZCWEdqUkR0RDgwT0JwT3hrQ3FpUT09
Other Happenings this Week:
Clases de español
(Spanish Classes)
Monday, 8/1
Intermediate 5-6 pm
Beginners 6:15-7:15 pm
Thursday, 8/4
Advanced Conversation Practice
4:30-5:30 pm
If you are new to Spanish or not yet ready for conversation, the Beginning Class is a great option for you, with focus on vocabulary development and verb conjugation.
If you are comfortable with basic Spanish, the Intermediate Class would be a good fit for you. The focus is on reading, writing and discussing.
If you have any questions, please contact Anielka Montiel at: anymontiel22@gmail.com or
651-295-4590.
ZOOM INFO:
Meeting ID: 870 8785 1406 Passcode: 634591
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87087851406?pwd=K2VPL1NrNWJMSDN3Wm5CeXRZYUNwUT09
Anti-Racism Discussion & Action Group
Tues. Aug. 2 at 7 pm
The Anti-Racism Group has finished reading the book Trouble the Water, A Christian
Resource for Work of Racial Justice and will meet to discuss the book
as a whole and to decide next steps.
If you have any questions, please contact Denise Roy at denise.roy@mitchellhamline.edu
ZOOM INFO:
Meeting ID: 831 4584 1908 Passcode: 313775
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83145841908?pwd=djhuSmMwZ1NESXZ5SExNOURXa2FNQT09
Garden Team
Weds. 8/3, 10 am
Come help keep our church gardens beautiful!
We have tools and gloves available, and will mostly work on weeding, pruning and watering. Park in the Mormon lot or behind the church. Feel free to join us whenever you're available!
If you have any questions, please contact Trish Donley at patricia.donley63@gmail.com
Caregivers Support Group
Thurs. Aug. 4, 6:30 pm.
UBCers who are providing care for an elderly parent or other loved-one meet for support.
If you have any questions, please contact Jean Lubke at:
ZOOM INFO:
Meeting ID 822 6832 6290 Passcode 881907
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82268326290?pwd=SGMrZldnUmsxR0Z2aktyTWlSUEpudz09
Meals On Wheels
Aug. 1- 4
Meals are picked up around
11:15 am and the route in SE Minneapolis usually takes less than two hours.
We’re always looking for substitute drivers. If you have any questions, please contact Marie LaFrance at: marielafrance46@gmail.com
Interim Sabbatical Pastor's office hours: Wednesdays 10am-2pm and by appointment.