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New Items
- The Support
Center will
be closed December 26 through January 2 which also means there
will be no Netweaver
next week.
- Margaret Mills, EOA/WRA Minister for Stewardship and Youth,
will be on sabbatical from January 4 to January 24. She'll be
working on issues of immigration approaching it from the
standpoint of "Documented and Undocumented Immigrants - How
Does the Issue Affect our Churches and
the Extravagant Welcome and Radical Hospitality We
Profess?"
- The joint EOA/WRA spring meeting will be May 5, 2012 at Middleburg Heights
Community Church, 7165 Big Creek Parkway, Middleburg
Heights, OH 44130. Dr. Clinton
McCann of Eden Theological Seminary will be our keynote speaker.
Please mark the date on your calendar right away!
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Around WRA
- To serve worship and
music leaders within the United Church of Christ, Methodist
Theological Seminary in Ohio (MTSO) is offering a January
course titled "Congregational Song: Singing in the United
Church of Christ Tradition" on Friday, January 20 from 9AM to
4PM preceded by several hours of required online meeting times.
The class is taught by Dr. Robin Knowles Wallace, professor in the
Taylor Endowed Chair of Worship and Music, and an authorized
minister in the UCC. "Congregational Song: Singing in the
United Church of Christ Tradition" carries one hour of
graduate-level credit. A limited number of non-credit auditors
will be accepted. To register, contact MTSO Registrar Susan Lamphere at slamphere@mtso.edu or
740-362-3344 and reference course No.
WM-008d. To learn more about the class, contact Robin Knowles
Wallace at rwallace@mtso.edu or
740-362-3431.
- January 23-24 the Ohio
Ministries Convocation will be held in Columbus. The theme is "The
American Dream or God's Dream?" Keynoter, Dr. Ron Sider, will take a look at what is going on in
our economy and help participants wrestle with what pushes us, as
Americans, to pursue the "American Dream." There
will be a UCC sponsored box lunch that participants must register
for. Please visit www.ohcouncilchs.org/register.apx for
a detailed brochure and registration.
- The 1995 Chevrolet truck
at Pilgrim Hills needs to be replaced due to a cracked frame and
many other needed repairs. We plow snow and do a great deal
of hauling around camp, so we need at least a ¾ ton truck with an
eight foot bed. We would like to get a 2002 model or newer if
possible. If you can help us out on our needs for another truck,
or if you know someone who can help us, please contact Jeff
Thompson at 740-599-6314 or phcamp@hotmail.com.
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Youth & Education
- It's Your Turn: EOA/WRA Youth Leaders Lock-In. "YOUth" on January 27-28. Taking the
emphasis off youth and putting it on YOU. A time for Taize, journaling, massage, quiet reflection,
learning ways to take care of ourselves in the midst of busy youth
group schedules. We'll be back at the Radission
and Church House in Cleveland.
Watch for details. Register online at www.cvent.com/d/7cq8qc/1Q.
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Local Church
- First Congregational United Church of Christ, Elyria,
seeks a talented musician to fill the part-time position of
Organist/Minister of Music. Lead worship on a great
instrument in a multi-generational faith community that
appreciates the creative blending of styles from many Christian
traditions. See full job description at www.firstcongelyria.org.
- All are welcome to the Auburn Community Church United
Church of Christ Christmas Eve Service on Saturday, December 24th,
7PM, at 11076
Washington Street, Auburn
Township 44023.
The service will feature the choir, soloists, instrumentals,
carols and scripture readings.
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In This Issue
New Items
- Office Closed
- Sabbatical
- Spring Meeting
Around WRA
- Congregational Song Course
- Ohio Ministries Convocation
- Truck Needed
Youth & Education
Local Church
- Organist
Wanted
- Christmas
Eve Service
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Food for Thought
Who Am I?
"Praise him, all his angels;
praise him all his host. Praise him, sun and moon: praise him, all you
shining stars!"
Psalm
148:2-3
Reflection by Anthony B.
Robinson
(Stillspeaking Devotional)
Martin Luther described sin as life curved in upon itself. The theme of today's psalm, praise, is
pretty much the opposite of that. Praise is life opened out, expansive,
a jubilant response to a gracious and astonishing God. What's
especially wonderful about this psalm of praise is that it includes all
creation in the great chorus. Perhaps this is part of the reason that
many of the manger scenes we see at this time of year aren't limited to
human beings alone. They include sheep and goats, a donkey or a cow.
They unfold beneath the starry sky and sheltering trees. Sometimes it
can seem that all creation is somehow caught up and united in praise of
God.
Such experiences tell us something about who we truly are. At one time
or another, most of us wonder what life is really about and why we are
here. We may think of ourselves as producers or professionals, as
family members or citizens. All of these are important and have their
place. But most of all we are, I think, worshippers. Whether kneeling
at some manger, shouting praise unto the highest heavens, murmuring our
gratitude before mystery, we are worshippers. And the reason for our
praise? While we were yet sinners, Christ has come for us; while we
were yet far off, Christ has come to us.
Prayer
"Unto you is born this day in the city of
David,
a Savior who is Christ the Lord." And for this we praise you this
day and all our days. Amen.
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