Sunday, January 14, 2018
“Whose Are We?” – 9:15 and 11:00am
On Martin Luther King’s birthday we consider what calls us to the work of justice. Who claims our hearts? Who owns our intentions? Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
UCE’s Incredible Generosity Results in a Successful Mitten Tree
On Christmas morning I was thinking of the children at the Rice Center who would be opening their presents. I know they enjoyed them. One little boy who is addicted to trains received a train set and in talking with Keith Polan, the Executive Director of the Rice Center, he said we are worried he will refuse to go to school because he will want to play with his train set.
The generosity this year was remarkable. We donated over 125 gift cards totaling over $3000, 365 food items, 477 toys, electronics, housewares and books, and 144 items of clothing.
We had some generous donors who provided over $600 in cash to fill in when mittens weren’t taken. We had a great team of helpers including Vicki Doebele, Michelle Novak, Maggie Weiss, Christine Peters, Jeanne Kerl, Aidan Strueber, the Music Committee who packed and delivered the Hillside Pantry food, Alice Swan, Marilyn Wroblewski, Cindy Sammons, Sue Thornton, and Connie Karduck. There were many more volunteers and you are all appreciated for your efforts.
We are also grateful to all those who wrapped presents, delivered gifts, and helped at the sign-up table. This is an all-church effort and as it was noted in the long-range plan, the 2nd highest participation after the Rummage Sale of any of our many church events.
The TV news organizations highlight only a small part of all the giving that occurs at this time of year. The Mitten Tree team is incredibly grateful that UCE makes such generous and heartfelt contributions to the organizations we supported.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
“Empire and Epiphany: With Our Annual Burning Bowl Ritual” – 9:15 and 11:00am
For the traditionalists, the Christmas tree doesn’t come down and the season doesn’t end until Epiphany, which celebrates the three magi who visited Jesus the night of his birth and decided not to report back to the tyrant king Herod. Epiphany can be a powerful time to reflect on these oppressive times of empire — and what we will do in the coming year to be a resisting influence in our own ways. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.