Preaching on the first Sunday of Lent long ago, my sermon assumed everyone in the congregation was familiar with the word “Lent” and with the season. After worship a brave soul approached me and said I’d lost her as soon as I said this unknown word and she never managed to catch up. My bad!
I’ve just happened upon this fun, informative video that explains Lent’s origins and its import, so I’m passing it along for you to view and benefit from as our Lenten journey begins this week. Whatever Lenten practice you might embrace this year, may you find your faith enriched and your heart more attuned to the presence and power of the Living God.
With you on the journey,
Be the Church, wherever you are
working for the common good of the whole
as faithful followers of Christ
in community with one another and others.
(Community Spirit Church Guidepost)
Worship With Us This Sunday
Community Spirit UCC gathers each Sunday morning for an online worship service via Zoom. Log in between 10:15 and 10:25 AM. Worship begins at 10:30 AM.
All you need is a phone or a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone AND a weekly email invitation from Pastor Karen with the link to follow. (Reach out to her at revkaren@communityspiritucc.org if you're not receiving these invitations.)
Please check your email inbox on Saturday to make sure you’ve received your worship link for worship the following day. This will give you time to be in touch with Karen if you need help. If you’re running late on Sunday morning and run into trouble, please reach out to a fellow church member who may be able to forward their Zoom link or help you troubleshoot. After 10:15 AM., Karen does not check her email or texts.
Lenten Worship
You’re invited to bring a candle with you to worship each week between now and March 28th. We will light them each Sunday to mark our journey as we follow where Jesus leads.
Congratulations, Zack!
Our very own Zack Vincent recently received a $500 scholarship to study tea! If you were with us before worship on Sunday, February 7th, you heard Zack talk about what his studies will entail. If you missed it or if you’d like to follow along as Zack explores this area of interest, here’s a link to a blog he’ll be updating regularly: zacharywvincent.wixsite.com/communitea
Lenten Book Study Folks: Please RSVP
If you’re planning to participate in our study of Lenny Duncan’s book, Dear Church, do be sure Karen knows. She will be sending Zoom links only to those who have reached out to her. We will meet each Wednesday during Lent beginning at 6:00 PM. For full details on this book study, please see our previous newsletter.
Whether you’re taking part in our Lenten Book Study or not, here’s an opportunity on PBS to learn about how our Black brothers and sisters have experienced church and how that experience has made all the difference: The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
From the InReach/OutReach Ministry
During this time of Lent from February 17 until March 28, we are asking you to consider a spiritual practice of praying and giving in a tangible way to help others.
Let us practice each day to put an item in a box and to identify the needs of others and pray for them. After 40 days we will gather all items and monetary donations and distribute.
For the Methodist Church pantry
Snack size tuna and crackers, peanut butter cracker packets, soup cans with pull-tops, snack puddings, small cans of pull-top fruit.
For the emergency homeless shelter
Socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, combs, washcloths, gum, travel-size deodorant, shampoo, or hand dream, feminine hygiene products.
For Sharing Ministry Food Bank
Cereals, pastas, canned goods, boxed crackers, soups, rice, beans, cooking oil, canned or boxed meals, sugar, flour, or any other nonperishable items.
Another practice that would help these agencies would be to put a monetary bill in an envelope every day while you pray for those it will help.
Conversations in Challenging Times
As Community Spirit begins its study of Lenny Duncan’s book, Dear Church, comes this pastoral letter from our Conference Minister Rev. Sue Artt. The work of dismantling racism belongs to all of us.
Words Matter
In the fall of 2017, I visited Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. Like Mesa Verde to the north, Bandelier preserves the compelling culture and landscapes of a group of cliff-dwelling people; I was surprised when no informational sign named these people what I had long known them to be – the Anasazi. Upon research, I learned that the current day Puebloans, descendants of these cliff-dwellers, asked that the term no longer be used to describe them or their ancestors; you see, “Anasazi” was how another native tribe referred to these cliff-dwellers, and the term meant “ancient enemies”.
As people of “the Word”, we know that words matter, and continuing to use a word that means “enemy” runs fully counter to Jesus’ commission that we should all be one.
What is Learned Can Be Unlearned
The Hatfield’s and McCoy’s – two white families of European descent – settled on opposite sides of the Kentucky/West Virginia border over which they feuded for 28 years. That’s a long time to carry a grudge, and that infamous family feud could only have been continued through the teaching of the next generation that the other was to be feared and not trusted.
The fear and disdain of another must be taught – it is not inborn – and just as it can be learned, it can be unlearned.
Race is an Illusionary Dividing Line
In America we have a notion of “race” as a dividing line between peoples. That dividing line is an illusion. Rather, “race” is a learned concept, taught by one generation to another out of fear in some cases, and to gain advantage in others. Since the colonization of North American lands from the original native inhabitants, and the first abduction of Africans brought to America to build white wealth on the backs of black slave labor, this caustic notion of race has kept us -- and continues to keep us -- from realizing a true democracy whose ambition was "liberty and justice for all.”
What has been learned can be unlearned, and as Christians, it is our call to provide for God's peace and justice for all.
RMC is Launching an Anti-Racism Initiative
With this call to action clear, this past fall, in the shadow of the continued strife witnessed in the murders of so many persons of color, the RMC Board of Directors authorized the formation of an Anti-Racism Ministry for the Rocky Mountain Conference. Alongside them, I believe this to be the most important work we can do in our lifetimes for the kin-dom of God. Until we take seriously the reality of systemic racism both inside and beyond the walls of the Church, the oneness to which Christ calls us will never be achieved.
Therefore, the Rocky Mountain Conference will work intentionally to shift our culture from long-instilled and to some, invisible racism, toward a full embrace of Anti-Racism. This shift will ask deep reflection and intentional action on all of our parts, and will also entail an examination and potential retooling of every process and practice of our shared ministries.
To move this work forward, the Board has authorized $450,000 over the first three years, from the Conference’s unrestricted net assets, as a demonstration of our commitment to move toward a culture of equity for all. A significant part of that set-aside is the calling of an additional Associate Conference Minister (ACM) to provide expanded resources to our Conference team. Alongside current ACM Rev. Erin Gilmore and myself, this additional ACM will provide direction and leadership to this Anti-Racism initiative. This new ACM will also provide support for search and call, churches in transition, leadership development, and other conference offerings to ensure the integration of the Anti-Racism culture we seek to build.
The position posting will be finalized on the UCC Opportunities Listings by the end of the month, and we anticipate our new ACM will be onboard in the second quarter of 2021.
Anti-Racism Ministry Team
Because change only really occurs when people work together to make a difference, a new Anti-Racism Ministry Team will also be put in place to help mobilize this cultural work. Initial thoughts on team membership includes a lay person and a clergy person from each association, along with a couple of at-large members.
While a call went out to the Conference in the fall of 2020 for nominees to this new team, it has now emerged that the new ACM who will provide direction for that team should help build that team, so also watch for an additional team recruitment announcement in second quarter. If you have already submitted your name or the name of another for that team, please know the RMC Nominating Committee still has notes of your interest and will include your thoughts as they seek to build the team with the new ACM.
For Now We See Dimly…
The task of unlearning racism and re-learning how to love and cherish one another without the illusion of race is work for each of us to do both individually and collectively. As I envision our collective investment of time, talents, and treasure in this vital work, I see multiple entry points for congregations and associations to choose as they start their work toward a culture of Anti-Racism. Please know that this work will be more fully shaped as the new ACM, the RMC staff, and the Anti-Racism Ministry Team work together to determine needs and offerings to build this new culture. And please know that the shift that will take time does not have a “one size fits all” solution. Our work will evolve over years, and yet, every step makes a difference.
And with a bit more clarity…
One thing I am clear on: we will stumble and not get it right some of the time. At the RMC Annual Meeting of 2014, the Rev. Steve Sterner admonished us to follow the path of the tech companies in Silicone Valley: “experiment, be fearless, and if you fail, fail fast, forgive faster, and get back to experimenting to find what works.”
I pray this becomes our motto: experiment, fail if necessary, forgive & learn, experiment again. Be gentle with yourself and gracious with one another.
A peek in the rearview…
It has been 60 years since Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King’s work to create a world of equity for all, and although strides have surely been taken, the work is not yet accomplished. Along my way toward ordination, I wrote this thought about the work toward which I felt called: “the world changes gently, one heart at a time.” While I now know the world doesn’t always change gently, I am still convinced change happens one heart at a time.
The Invitation...
So I am inviting each member of the Conference to engage in this work of changing our hearts and changing our culture toward one of Anti-Racism. Jesus knew his commission to his followers wasn’t an easy path – but it is a spiritual one – and one we are all called to follow. While I am sure that achieving a culture of equity for all will not be the end of the journey, once we get there, we’ll see what God has in store for us next.
Praying your wholeness, your boldness, and our oneness in the Spirit of the Living Christ,
Rev. Sue Artt
Conference Minister ~ Regional Judicatory Executive ~ CEO
Rocky Mountain Conference - United Church of Christ
(303) 984-9118 ♦ sue@rmcucc.org
Co-creating with God a deeply connected, just and sustainable world.
From Your Financial Secretary
Last week, I mentioned the special offerings that we receive each year. The graphic shown here explains what each of these offerings are for.
Giving to our four UCC-sponsored special offerings was down considerably in 2020, which is understandable under the circumstances, but we have the opportunity to turn things around this year. Here are the various ways you can continue your support on a remote basis:
Make an Online Donation
You don't need a PayPal account to make a donation using your checking account, debit or credit card.
Set up a bill payment with your bank
Most banks now offer free online bill payment so you can instruct them to automatically mail a check to us each month.
Mail your check
Your personal check is always welcome! Make it payable to Community Spirit Church and mail it in care of Kim Floyde, 1516 Barbara Street, Montrose CO 81401. (Pre-addressed mailing envelopes are now available... just ask and I'll send you some!)
I'm available to help set up your online giving or answer any of your questions. Thanks in advance for your continued generosity!
You're receiving this email because we think you’re great (and because you subscribed to hear from us). If our newsletters aren’t sparking joy, we’ll understand if you want to unsubscribe. After all, a tidy inbox frees the mind.
If you are reading a printed copy of this newsletter, you can view it online at communityspiritucc.org/news. You can also sign up there to have it delivered to your inbox each week.
