Hello Friends:

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On Sunday, we had a packed house at UBC to witness the dedication of Ignatius (Iggy) Hartman Waller who was born on February 1st. What a joy it was to celebrate with his fine extended family.

 

We also got to hear the UBC Carillon play at UBC. In the afternoon, the handbell choir joined with The Grove UMC bell choir and several singers from UBC and FCC. The concert was live-streamed from the UBC sanctuary. But, it’s really great to hear this in person. The same concert will happen this coming Sunday at The Grove UMC, 7465 Steepleview Rd, Woodbury, MN 55125 at 3pm. Elwyn Fraser’s stunning piece, “Heaven’s Sunrise,” is also a part of the program.

 

Speaking of Elywn, he wrote a new piece that dropped online yesterday, which also corresponded with his birthday. It’s entitled “And For You And For Me.” This piece will be in the new UBC hymnal. Give the video a watch/listen.

 

Gayla Marty, Denise Roy, and I spent the better part of last week at the Alliance of Baptists Annual Conference in Chicago. The theme was “Reckoning with our Roots.” So, that’s the topic for my sermon on Sunday. We’ll read the familiar passage Isaiah 58:9b-12, where we are called to be repairers of the breach. How might we do that in our present context? We’ll have some insight to share at Tuesday’s antiracism meeting and at a forum on May 3rd. The UBC Chorale will sing and Deidre Druk will be the worship leader.

 

After church, we’ll have a forum on the Singing Resistance. C. Borchardt will be with us and will lead us in some songs and speak about the movement that has added song and spirit to the work for justice in the Twin Cities and beyond.

 

At the Alliance gathering, we were encouraged to call our representatives on Wednesday, April 22nd to encourage them to support HR 1061 And S 455 the act to protect sensitive locations, including churches, schools, hospitals, and courthouses from immigration enforcement.

 

If you have not done so yet, please complete your pledge of time, talent, and treasure for the upcoming year which begins on July 1. The Council is working on a budget and slate of officers to present to the congregation at our June 7th annual meeting.

 

I have been cleaning out the books in my office. For the next several weeks, these books will be on the pew between the Sanctuary and the Lounge. Please help yourself. If you want to make a small donation to the church, that’s fine, but not necessary. These books have blessed me throughout my career and it’s time for them to have a new home. A new batch of books will come out every week or two through the end of May.

 

Chris Follett would like to get your feedback on the new look of the newsletter. What did you like? What do you miss? Any suggestions for improvements? Email her at chrisf2828@yahoo.com. BTW, the deadline for submissions to the May newsletter is this Saturday, April 25,

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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