Hello Friends:

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It was really wonderful to hear Elwyn’s piece that will be included in our new hymnal on Sunday. I’m amazed by Elwyn’s talent and humility.  

 

This Sunday, we’ll hear another addition to the new hymnal. This is a setting of the beloved tune known as "Onward, Christian Soldiers.” Kim rewrote it as “Onward, Justice Seekers.” It seems appropriate for this Sunday. After all, Zena Hamilton and Violet Butler both graduate from law school on Saturday. My sermon will be entitled, “Graduation.” As the Hebrew people were set to graduate from being a wandering people to being a settled people, Moses gave an extended graduation address. In it he included the line “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (Deuteronomy 16:20). Scholars have said that the repetition of the word "justice" might mean justice for the insider and justice for the outsider. Justice for the insider often means “just us.” Imagine if we as a country pursued justice for everyone. How might our priorities shift? The scripture reading will be Deuteronomy 16:18-20.  Megan Dahlberg will be the worship leader and the UBC Chorale will sing Kim’s arrangement of “We Shall Overcome.” 

 

On Sunday, we had a great forum about the ideas for the future of our grand building. We heard work that the Rooted Good Team has done to market our fine building to people who need it to do more good in the world. And we heard about the financial challenges that go with stewarding this great community resource. The UBC Council has proposed that we make a conscious decision to stay in this building for at least the next five years. This will give us time to find better partners that can help better offset the costs of the building. We can get the answers from the Historic Preservation folks that may free up some grant money to repair some of the facade. It will also give the church some breathing room while the search for a settled pastor happens. Please make plans to attend this important meeting right after church on Sunday. 

 

The last stack of books from my extensive library is in the hallway. Next week, I plan to have them live someplace else—like maybe at a local used bookstore. Help yourselves. 

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For more of what's going on at UBC this week, see the schedule below.

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​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley