CONGREGATION + COMMUNITY NEWS
PEOPLES PRESS
Joyfully Defiant for the Sake of a Just World
a congregation of the United Church of Christ, the Alliance of Baptists & the American Baptist Churches
INTERIM INSIGHTS
Now on the same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. (Luke 24:13-17, NRSV)
My parents grew up in the years following The Great Depression, and because of that, they acquired some quirky ways of doing things. My dad saved used nails, straightened and reused them. My Mom saved bread wrappers, aluminum foil, and Cool Whip containers. When I heard them talk about their childhoods, there was a wistfulness in their stories, almost as if they missed those days, but not enough to want them to come back again. Life was hard for them, but there was also a sense of community and interdependence that made them value others and recognize their own worth as well.
We sometimes find ourselves, like the disciples in the Emmaus story, telling stories from the past with some longing for what used to be. Certainly, Jesus’ followers were in grief and pain after the crucifixion, traumatized by the violent end to such a hopeful and idealistic period in their lives. Luke tells us that when Jesus (whom they don’t recognize) presses the two walking disciples for details about their conversation, they stop walking. And that is how grief often is for us. It immobilizes us and distracts of from many of the tasks at hand. But we cannot proceed until we tell the story again, invite others into our pain and accept our loss as real and irreversible. I have heard it said that all change involves loss, and all loss evokes grief, and all grief must be mourned.
Peoples Church of Flint has seen a lot of changes in the last few years, that cannot be denied. I have heard you telling the stories, describing people who are no longer part of the congregation, and programs that no longer exist. There is a wistfulness to many of these conversations. It would be normal and expected in any congregation whose pastor has departed to find a sense of loss and grief, but for Peoples Church, it is a change compounded by a long series of significant changes. The progress you’ve made is laudable, but there have been losses also, and the inevitable grief that goes with them. There is nothing wrong with grieving change. It does not mean that you want to go back to what was, or that you don’t want to be part of what is unfolding. And it is okay to stand still for a moment or two, reflecting on the story you share. It is how grief gives way to purpose.
Luke does not tell us when the trio in this story starts moving again. Maybe no one in the group realized when it started. Suddenly, they are near their destination. Perhaps that is the metaphor that Luke intends. There are lots of indicators that you are on the move: plans for the facility, efforts for justice and compassion, strengthening community and a process for hiring a new minister. But we mustn’t confuse busyness with progress, or substitute activity for the hard work of grieving. Maybe you have already attended to your grief. Maybe it is a part of your daily routine. But I invite you to visit your losses again, whatever they are, and tell the story again. With any luck, you will find that there has been on this journey with you, a Divine Presence that opens you to the future. Amen.
Pastor Dave
80 Years! There are many to thank for the fun time after church celebrating my 80th. (I still can’t believe I’m 80!). Laura Eufinger and my daughter Kathy Eaton head the list! I know Joe Eufinger pitched in too. And several others who aren’t from Peoples Church. Everything was so pretty and delicious! I loved the banner Karla Holiday put together and I’m still looking over all the cards, notes and pictures given to me. Thank you to everyone who came. It is a memory that boosted my spirits and made me feel loved.
Karen Eaton
An Ancient Companionship: Mystics and Naturalists
Frequently heard is the comment, “I am not religious but very spiritual.” The words ‘spiritual’ and ‘spirituality’ have become catchwords so burdened with use that meaningfulness has been wrung out of them. In the academic world which prepared me and many others, the rich, deep spiritual side of Christianity was largely overlooked or briefly footnoted in Christian history classes. In spite of this abuse, Christian spirituality is manifested in the lives of the Mystics who have been active and around since Biblical days.
One would be hard pressed to study the life of a mystic without learning about the mystic’s devotion to meditation.
The shamans, healers, sages, and wisdom keepers of all times, all continents, and all peoples, in their ageless wisdom, say that human spirituality is composed of three aspects: relationships, values, and life purpose -- Five characteristics of spirituality include: meaning, value, transcendence, connecting (with oneself, others, God/supreme power and the environment), and becoming (the growth and progress in life)
Some mystics have developed practices still widely used today. Modern methods of meditation draw from a well of wisdom and traditions that is fed by many streams of faith and is not limited to Christian traditions alone. Tara Brach is a prominent meditation teacher. Her work is rooted in Buddhism and, like the work of many who teach meditation practice, has a strong appreciation for our oneness with the universe in a manner that reflects Buddha, Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen and Thomas Merton and many others. Important to mindfulness, as Brach teaches, is the concept of kindness. The spiritual self is kind to one’s self, others and the environment (including the universe). Through this kindness our environment and all nature take on a wholly different dimension in our faith life. No longer is nature or the universe simply the physical stage upon which our salvation history, both individual and communal, is worked out. Through meditation, the physical world becomes an essential part of our spiritual life as we ourselves become more aware of our oneness with nature. Having even a small part of that experience makes inevitable being an advocate for the natural world. A person cannot claim to be spiritual without assuming responsibility for the care of the earth.
Having said the above, it is no wonder that meditation and mystical experience go hand in hand with environmental activism and stewardship. William Blake, John Lennon, Henry Thoreau, Samuel Coleridge, Ralph W, Emerson and many others with a transcendental/mystical bent might say, “We told you so.”
Footnotes:
1.Google.Elements of spirituality.
2 Guided Meditations - Basic Meditations - Tara Brach.
Kendall Brown, for the Creation/Justice Team
To Michigan Conference UCC Churches,
Did you know that medical debt is the number one cause of personal bankruptcies in America? And 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. have medical debt?
Bethel UCC in Waterford, in conjunction with the Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team, has partnered with RIP Medical Debt Relief, has started a campaign to eliminate the total amount of personal medical debt for every person in Michigan who fits the criteria of low-income as described by the National Poverty Level.
I’m asking you and your congregation to join us in this important endeavor.
Every donated dollar we raise together allows Rip Medical Debt Relief to reduce Michigan’s entire debt of $4 million, as part of a bundled portfolio, for pennies on the dollar. Therefore, our goal is to raise the entire $40,000 it will take to eliminate Michigan’s entire debt.
That means, that if every UCC church in Michigan raises $275 and donates it to our campaign, UCC churches of Michigan will be responsible for eliminating the entire Michigan debt, thereby relieving the crushing burden placed on already sick Michiganders who cannot afford the medical cost of their illness. We are urging each church to give what they can and raise what they can. And ask their friends, families, and ecumenical partners to join in.
Won’t you please join your fellow UCC members who are following God’s direction as stated in Hebrews 13:6 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
All you have to do is visit ripmedicaldebt.org and find “Michigan UCC – United in Love” located under the “Campaigns” tab.
For questions, or more information, contact Rev. Dr. Diane Baker, at betheluccwat@sbcglobal.net
We will touch base with you in the coming days.
To learn more about RIP Medical Debt, click here.
Thank you in advance for joining us to do justice, love mercy, and eliminate medical debt!
In Christ’s love,
Rev. Jay Cummings, Facilitator – Prophetic Integrity Team – Michigan Conference UCC
517-392-0209
Bethel United Church of Christ and the
Prophetic Integrity Mission Area Team
GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and AROUND US
Let’s Discuss Someone You Already Know: Peoples Church’s own Jay Cummings, in 2021 realized a goal of running a marathon in all 50 states – yes, all 50 states. Along with running a marathon in each one of the nation’s states. So let’s put this achievement into perspective. A marathon race is 26.2 miles or 42.195 kilometers long. By Jay running a marathon in each of the 50 states (okay, do the math with me, +1-13 ÷ by ? to find X=) 1,310 miles or 2,109.75 kilometers. Of course this doesn’t include the many hours of mental and physical preparation throughout the years.
Jay has also participated in The Great Wall Marathon held in the Peoples Republic of China. Just some fun facts regarding The Great Wall Marathon. The segment of the wall used for the marathon consists of 5,164 stair-steps (doesn’t that make your joints ache just thinking about it)? The race is the standard 42.195 kilometers or a total of 26.2 miles long and reaches an elevation of 493 meters or 1617 feet at the tallest peak. Since the inception of the marathon in 1999, the race has been recognized as one of the world’s most arduous races. So needless to say (but I’m gonna mention it anyway) this is a race that’s not for the faint-at-heart.
Has it been mentioned that Jay is a joyful 76 years young?
So anywho, Jay thank you for being living example of what determination and dedication can help one achieve.
Transition Update, Hello Peoples People! As we are moving into the final weeks of summer, your board is already looking ahead at what tasks can we still get completed this year (external painting, etc.) and the early talks on the 2023 budget have begun. We are doing well with Pastor Dave at our helm and with the Search Committee working tirelessly to complete the Profile for a new pastor.
At our board meeting last week, we discussed how we could include RIP Medical Debt Relief into our fall service. There is a letter attached to this edition of Peoples Press that details this program. Please plan to help in whatever way you can, using the link provided. On September 18 we will make this the theme of our service and you can donate at that time as well
Also, feel free to reach out to Pastor Dave either via the church office at 810-767-4911 or through his email at davidsickelka@peopleschurchofflint.org . If you would like to schedule a personal meet and greet with Pastor Dave please call Karla at the church office. His “in-office” days are Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
And as always, the board and I are here to help you as you need.
FYI: for weekly sermon information, please refer to the calendar on our church webpage:
https://peopleschurchofflint.org/
Blessings,
Jamie Schmidt, Moderator
Search Committee Update, In our last update we asked you to pray for our future pastor, that their heart be drawn to the vision of Peoples Church, their spirit ignited, and their faith emboldened. Today we ask you also keep the Search Committee in your prayers, the individual members and our work as a team. We are reaching a turning point in our work--even as the profile nears completion we are already receiving applications. How exciting! But now our attention turns to capturing the essence of each applicant drawing from the details and facts that are provided, reading between the lines, and gathering a sense about each applicant. Pray for wisdom to choose the best candidate to lead us into whatever may lay ahead for Peoples Church. For patience, clarity, humility and agreement through respectful dialogue. For grace as we consider each applicant and our individual responses. And that we remain always mindful of the vision of Peoples Church and our responsibility to the trust you have given us in this work.
Thanks so much!
Carla Pierik, Chair Search Committee
IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!
Thursday Book Group, is reading The History of the Bible is Black by Dr. Theron D. Williams. This book is described as, “An unveiling of truth captivating, thorough, and culturally liberating!” For more information please contact Jay Cummings at 517-392-0209.
Adult Forum, 9:30 am Sundays, is presently in-between books. We will be reading various works of poetry until our next book has been chosen. Join us either in person at church or via Zoom .
Vigil for Racial Justice is still gathering 1-2 pm Thursdays on the Genesee Courthouse lawn.
New Text Alert System. We have shifted to a new text messaging service. If you're in our church directory, you're all set. If you're not, go here to sign up!