How many of us know what denomination our congregation belongs to? Or if we do, do we know much about that denomination? If someone asked you, “what’s the United Church of Christ?” could you answer? Or how would you answer? We are a non-creedal denomination (which means that we do not...
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“Here I am Lord Is it I Lord? I have heard You calling in the night I will go Lord If You lead me I will hold Your people in my heart.” That is, not surprisingly, the refrain of the hymn “Here I am, Lord.” Four verses in the first-person about God and...
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“Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love… make haste to be kind. And as we go, may the blessing, the peace, the love, and the glory of the Holy One, who is in the midst
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We vote this Sunday after worship, in what’s expected to be a short congregational meeting— most of the discussion, we assume, happened in two pre-meetings- significant discussions after church on May 5 and May 19. So the meeting will happen in the Sanctuary: checking for a quorum...
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I was away last week at a retreat organized by the UCC Pension Boards. The good news is that I had a great time away, but was also happy to get back. It’s also good news that since I began ministry in the late 80’s, the church has recognized and put in place a lot
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Since Michael is away at a retreat this week, we decided to re-post an older article that he wrote from November 17, 2017. Enjoy! ************** I have been doggedly catching up with folks lately, particularly the new faces who have arrived over the summer while I was away as well as...
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I was away in Lancaster at the Clergy Convocation this week, the annual Gathering of colleagues from our own Pennsylvania Southeast Conference and the neighboring Pennsylvania Northeast Conference. Our topic was “Breaking the Silence: Mental Illness, Family and Church.” Our...
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The plane just landed in St. Louis, and I switched on my phone. The first thing I saw was an announcement by Hans Holynagel that he was returning to the national staff of the UCC as Digital Content Specialist. Hans had worked for the national setting of the church in various capacities...
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It was nice to see so many people in church on Easter. Really nice. Easter crowds make me wish we were working with that many people each Sunday. Before I go any farther, let me offer a bit of clarification. Or some refocusing. Just as you don’t join a church primarily to get...
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I was visited this week by two leaders from the American Bible Society. The ABS, known most commonly these days for the “Good News translation” of the Bible, relocated to the neighborhood in 2015; they transplanted to Philly from NYC, they explain, “choosing to reclaim the city of...
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