Have You Heard?

We know that our churches are places of welcome, justice and love. It is a decades old message we are called to share in our local communities and the world. The extravagant welcome of the United Church of Christ has been a beacon of light for the LGBTQIA+ community for years. People have found a church home where they can bring their whole self into the worship community and to God. Loomis Basin hangs a banner with a version that represents the ministry in their community: "Whoever You are, Whomever You Love, Wherever You find Yourself on Life's Journey, You're…

A Little Church Responds to Deadly Gun Violence On Transfiguration Sunday, Bishop Bonnie A. Perry, Diocese of Michigan, began her sermon with these words: “There are text led sermons and there are life led sermons. This is the latter.” She was addressing recent gun deaths in her jurisdiction, including the mass shooting at Michigan State University. (see link below to her sermon video) Our little church has also heard a call from the Holy Spirit to dedicate this Lenten season to an intentional awareness and response to our culture of violence, including gun violence. Our Lenten journey, “Through the Valley…

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food and Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Twenty million dollars for a Superbowl advertisement and the Servant Foundation plans to spend another one billion dollars to advertise, "Jesus Gets Us.” Let’s discuss mission, outreach, and justice, and not the…

Today, as I sit down to write the article for this week, I have received calls, text messages, and emails regarding the brutal beating that led to the death of Tyre Nichols. And I cannot catch my breath between one killing and the next. We cannot even begin to mourn one senseless murder before the next and the next. God, in your mercy, Hear our prayers and tend to our broken hearts. In partnership with the Elected Officers of the United Church of Christ and Conference Minister of Missouri Mid-South Conference UCC we share this Prayer .      …

ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING. ANOTHER PRAYER. ANOTHER HASHTAG. ANOTHER DAY IN AMERICA. (Ruiz) Thus far in January, there have been forty mass shootings in the United States. That fact took my breath away in disbelief. I can’t help but wonder. How did we get here? God be with us. Deadly start to 2023 as mass shootings pervades the nation. Two fatal mass shootings have rocked our [Asian] community in California in two days – tragedies as we celebrate the Lunar New Year, as well as gun violence killing Asian-Americans, and others, by two older Asian men. The stress, trauma, and sheer…

Today is my third week as your Bridge Conference Minister (BCM), and what an impactful three weeks it has been. First, I would like to thank God, who continues to bless, keep, watch over, and guide me. I would also like to thank two of the most delightful working colleagues I am blessed to serve alongside, Office Manager MeLinda LaViene and Office Support Joy Davis. Their jobs are extremely demanding and they work so hard to ensure you all have everything you request promptly. Your Conference Staff is intelligent, competent, wise, compassionate, and filled with the love of God. I…

This week, NCNC Ministers braved the storms to travel to Monterey for the annual Authorized Ministers' Retreat. The weather was frightening, but the worship, workshops, meals, and time spent together was well worth it. (Note: send your pastor next year!) Meanwhile, the UCC Disaster Ministries has been in touch to ask how NCNC churches are doing (see below) Getting through Gilroy was an adventure. One minister didn't make it -- they're okay!! -- they turned around and went home.             Disaster Update, How to Help Event:  California Atmospheric Rivers, Storms, Floods, Mudslides, Landslides, and Fallen…

Welcome to the New Year of 2023! American Recording artist Prince released the song “1999” on October 27, 1982. I was twelve years old, and I recall thinking, wow, 1999, will we even see that year here on earth; will I be alive…well, yes and yes. The world remains, and I am nearing my 53rd birthday this month on the 15th. Through it ALL, God has blessed me, kept me, called me to ministry, and now to this newly elevated role as Bridge Conference Minister. Furthermore, I am in as much wonder and excitement as I was when I heard…