In my day Sunday School was a terrifying experience. It was all about not getting in trouble, not moving, not speaking, and not doing anything to upset the adults.
On October 17, 1969, a thousand people in Bismark, ND walked in what may have been the first-ever CROP hunger walk--and raised $25,000 to help stop hunger.
Because I am a person involved in practical cares, I cannot give the first half of the day to these things but must meditate when I can, early in the morning and on the fly during the day. Not in the privacy of a study — but here, there and everywhere — at the kitchen table, on the train, on the ferry, on my way to and from appointments and even while making supper or putting the kids to bed.
Dear God, I give you may hands to do Your work; I give You my feet to go Your way; I give You my eyes to see as You see; I give You my tongue to speak Your words; I give You my mind that You may think in me; I give You my spirit that You may pray in me. Above all, I give You my heart that You may love in me – love God and love all humankind. I give You my whole self, God, that You may grow in me, so that it is You who lives, works and prays in me. Amen.
In 1985. the General synod of the United Church of Christ accepted a resolution that called on congregations to declare themselves open to and affirming of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in the full life and ministry of the church. In 1990, a committee was formed at First congregational to study the possibility of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation.
