Hello Friends:

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There was another mass shooting yesterday. This time it was at an LDS church outside of Flint, Michigan. The prophet Habbakuk gave voice to his people asking, "How long, o YHWH, how long?" We ask the same thing. Maybe that’s why it’s time to put restrictions on assault-style firearms. But that can’t be the only approach. There needs to be a concerted effort to tamp down hate speech which too often results in hate-fueled action. Always, innocent people are killed when it gets to this stage. So we need to work to curb it at its source.

 

We celebrated the long and impactful life of former UBCer Ruby Rott yesterday. The love overflowing from that funeral home in Hudson, Wisconsin was palpable. She touched so many of us. We’ll put her bell on the UBC memorial banners in November.

 

The month of October is Queer History Month. We’re going to bookend the month by talking about two loving relationships: Naomi/Ruth and David/Jonathan. This Sunday, we’re looking at the story of Ruth. The words she gives to her mother-in-law Naomi are often the basis for wedding vows today. “Where you go, I will go, where you live and die, I will live and die, your people shall be my people and your God shall be my God.” What does it mean that these words were spoken by women and women of different generations and nationalities? Deidre Druk will be the worship leader, we’ll celebrate communion, and the UBC Carillon Bell Choir will play for the first time this season.

 

The Worship Planning Team will meet on Sunday at 1pm. We’ll be making plans for the rest of the fall and Advent.

 

Looking ahead, the homecoming parade will happen on October 10th. Come join us on the UBC lawn to watch the parade and cook s’mores. We’ll gather at 5pm and watch the parade that starts at 6:30pm.

 

That same weekend, we’ll be holding our first ever block party. There will be food trucks, a bouncy house, lots of music, and games. It will be great way to spread the word about UBC and enjoy the fall season.

 

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

 

​Blessings and Peace,

 

Doug Donley