Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Bread for You
“Contemplation,” or meditation as it is called by some, became more popular in contemporary times through the writings of Thomas Merton. The word most Christians were more familiar with was simply “prayer.”
Unfortunately, in the West prayer became something functional; something you did to achieve a desired effect—which puts you back in charge. As soon as you make prayer a way to get something, you’re not moving into a new state of consciousness. It's the same old consciousness. “How can I get God to do what I want God to do?” It's the egocentric self still deciding what it needs, but now often trying to manipulate God too.
This is one reason religion is in such desperate straits today. It really isn't transforming people, but leaving them in their separated and egocentric state. It pulls God inside of my agenda instead of letting God pull me inside of his. This is still the small old self at work. What the Gospel is talking about is the emergence of “a whole new creation” and a “new mind,” as Paul variously calls it. - R. Rohr
Yoga at First Congo
Saturday, September 15th
Saturday, October 13th
Saturday, November 17th
Saturday, December 15th
Friday, September 7, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
UCC Peace and Justice
International Day of Prayer for Peace
September 21st join people of faith worldwide for the 2012 International Day of Prayer for Peace. This year’s theme is “Praying for Ceasefire” and the UCC has signed on with On Earth Peace to encourage churches to host vigils and tweet for peace using #peaceday.Stages, Phases & Places: The 2012 UCC African American Women in Ministry Conference
October 11-13 at the Franklinton Center at Bricks (Whitakers, NC) - Join other sisters in ministry (ordained, commissioned, youth ministry, missionaries, in discernment) for a spirit-filled conference to explore more deeply God’s call to you to serve in ministry. Featured preachers are Rev. Susan K. Smith, Dr. Delores Carpenter, and Rev. Neichelle Guidry Jones. Get more info and register.New UCC Environmental Justice Trainings Scheduled
The UCC Environmental Justice Center at Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard, WA will sponsor its second and third training events October 16-18 and November 16-18, 2012. The first event will be for those unable to come on weekends, and the second will be for young adults. The $175 cost includes meals, lodging, and materials. To register, click here. For more information, contact Meighan Pritchard at 206-370-4142. World Food Day and Food Week of Action
World Food Day(10/16) & Food Week of Action Oct. 14–21: World Food Day and Food Week of Action are times to celebrate God’s Creation and highlight the role of small farmers and cooperatives in improving food security ending hunger. Join with people and churches around the world in praying and advocating for just food systems a world in which no one hungers.Missionworks and MMI training
Register for the Global Ministries ¡Missionworks! 2012 Conference, October 25-27 in Cleveland, OH, followed by an optional Ministries and Mission Interpreters training, October 27-28. Deepen your engagement with global partners, including advocacy with partners on international justice issues.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Lovely prayer......
Dear God, I am so afraid to open my clenched fists! Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to? Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands? Please help me to gradually open my hands and to discover that I am not what I own, but what you want to give me. And what you want to give me is love— unconditional, everlasting love. Amen.
A prayer by Henri Nouwen
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
UCC Justice and Peace Network
Take action to combat human trafficking!
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is a comprehensive piece of legislation which underwrites U.S. efforts to end all forms of human trafficking. First passed by Congress in 2000, it has been unanimously reauthorized – and strengthened –in 2003, 2005, and 2008. When the TVPRA (s 1301) was introduced in Congress more than a year ago, partisan politics blocked reauthorization and the TVPA expired on October 11, 2011. S 1301 is now moving again through the Senate and a National Call-In Day to advocate support will occur on Tuesday, September 4th.
Urge your Senators to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S 1301).
The TVPA has provided critical support around the country to put in place protections for victims of human trafficking, coordination among various law enforcement and social services, educational programs to train officials, business owners and the public to recognize the signs of trafficking, and much more. As a result, a growing number of UCC churches are engaged in their own communities to stop modern-day slavery, promote slavery-free products, and support advocacy efforts aimed at stopping these violations of human rights.
The TVPA has helped the U.S. become a global leader in addressing trafficking in persons which has become one of the most lucrative illegal businesses in the world. It ranks in the top three of such enterprises along with the illegal small arms and drug trades. More than anything, poverty and a lack of opportunity to make a sustainable living are the driving forces behind the exploitation of persons. In addition to addressing these driving forces, reauthorization of the TVPA is needed now more than ever to prevent and prosecute modern-day slavery operations worldwide.
The failure of Congress to reauthorize the TVPA is shameful and dangerous, especially for those victimized by such exploitation. Join the National Call-In Day on Tuesday, September 4th and ask your Senators to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S 1301). They need to hear from you!
The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) is a comprehensive piece of legislation which underwrites U.S. efforts to end all forms of human trafficking. First passed by Congress in 2000, it has been unanimously reauthorized – and strengthened –in 2003, 2005, and 2008. When the TVPRA (s 1301) was introduced in Congress more than a year ago, partisan politics blocked reauthorization and the TVPA expired on October 11, 2011. S 1301 is now moving again through the Senate and a National Call-In Day to advocate support will occur on Tuesday, September 4th.
Urge your Senators to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S 1301).
The TVPA has provided critical support around the country to put in place protections for victims of human trafficking, coordination among various law enforcement and social services, educational programs to train officials, business owners and the public to recognize the signs of trafficking, and much more. As a result, a growing number of UCC churches are engaged in their own communities to stop modern-day slavery, promote slavery-free products, and support advocacy efforts aimed at stopping these violations of human rights. The TVPA has helped the U.S. become a global leader in addressing trafficking in persons which has become one of the most lucrative illegal businesses in the world. It ranks in the top three of such enterprises along with the illegal small arms and drug trades. More than anything, poverty and a lack of opportunity to make a sustainable living are the driving forces behind the exploitation of persons. In addition to addressing these driving forces, reauthorization of the TVPA is needed now more than ever to prevent and prosecute modern-day slavery operations worldwide.
The failure of Congress to reauthorize the TVPA is shameful and dangerous, especially for those victimized by such exploitation. Join the National Call-In Day on Tuesday, September 4th and ask your Senators to support the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S 1301). They need to hear from you!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Bread For You
"[God] removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit."
- John 15:2
Dear God, I pray that your love for me allows me to bear more fruit of kindness, compassion and faith. Amen.
For Our Teachers
Please take a few minutes to think and pray over the teachers in your communities as they prepare for a new school year.