Lent was an annual mystery for me from childhood to middle age. In my family, Lent was a "Catholic" thing to be avoided. Smudged foreheads and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church draped in purple were to be shunned. Lent remained suspect in seminary. Scottish Presbyterians had little use for the season of ashes.
The Daily Cardinal ran an article about the candlelight vigil held here on February 7. There is a very nice picture of our Sanctuary with everyone holding their candles. Read more to find the link to the article.
“It describes a genuine love for others who are not yet a part of the faith community, an outward focus, a reaching out to those not yet known, a love that motivates church members to openness and adaptability, a willingness to change behaviors in order to accommodate the needs and receive the talents of newcomers.”
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the non-Biblical observance of the end of the frivolity of Carnival (Mardi Gras) and the point of beginning of our turn towards the passion of Jerusalem. On Ash Wednesday we look to Jerusalem to see what waits for us and for Jesus in that place of great and troubled antiquity.
This article is from the February 10 on-line Cap Times. Steven Elbow, who covers law enforcement in addition to city and county government, did a Q & A Session with our very own Rev. Jerry Hancock, First Congregational UCC prison ministry program.
First Congregational held a community-wide candlelight vigil in support of efforts to end gun violence on Thursday, February 7, at 7:00pm. Channel 27 did a story on this vigil, which you can watch here.
Last Sunday after worship the 2013 budget was presented as recommended by the Executive Council. This budget will be put to a congregational vote on February 10th after worship. It shows a projected income of $726,310 and projected expenses of $818,016, for a significant deficit of $91,706. For more details on the specifics of this budget, please see the insert in this Tower.
What happened last Sunday? In addition to the preaching, singing, praying, and voting, what happened? Much of what actually happened on Sunday will not become clear for a long time. A great deal of what was begun last Sunday will not come to fruition for months and even years. But some things happened that are already crystal clear.
We are in the grip of a significant moment in the life of FCUCC. Right now decisions are being framed and formed on the Reach & Renew funds, on the financial picture of the church, and on the church’s next Senior Minister. Each of these decisions has enormous consequence. To have all three before us at the same time is clearly momentous. But the most fascinating aspect of these decisions is that you are the one called to decide and you are the one who will be called to live out the decisions after they are made.
On January 20, the congregation will consider our recommendation that Rev. Eldonna Hazen be called as our next Senior Minister: Search Committee member Jessica Taft offers her personal thoughts on the committee's journey of discernment.
