Woodside World
NEWS of CONGREGATION + COMMUNITY
Joyfully Defiant for the Sake of a Just World
a congregation of the United Church of Christ, the Alliance of Baptists, and the American Baptist Churches
MORE CREATION JUSTICE…
It's a new year, a good time to reflect on the earth that sustains us and awes us with its beauty, majesty, and wonder.
But the earth is also telling us in no uncertain terms that it is suffering. And there's no denying that we humans are to blame. It is not enough to bemoan the state of creation; we must accept responsibility for the health of the planet by making some tough changes to how we live.
It is true that it's the big corporations and fossil fuel companies that bear the bigger responsibility for changing their practices and that will have the greatest impact on
the dramatic effects of climate change, but we are the consumers of their products, of the food, energy, and stuff that drives the corporate machine.
What we buy matters. How much we buy matters. How much and what type of energy we use matters. Our food choices matter. Our vacation choices matter. Our consumption choices are a reflection of our values, and they matter.
At Woodside we are committed to living in a way that honors the world we live in, the very world that enables life itself.
The board has committed to using the Creation Justice Guiding Principles as a tool for how to live sustainably as a church community. These principles are now posted alongside our Garland Declaration and our Financial Guilding principles here: t.ly/77m5.
We invite you to look this document over, to hold us accountable, to suggest improvements, and to join us in our journey to sustainable living.
The Creation Justice team would love to hear from you, or better yet, have you join us in finding new ways to challenge ourselves to live better and to love doing it!
If you'd like to join the work of the Creation Justice Team, email Carla!
A WOODSIDE ORG CHART, SORT OF
It's a new year, and we are constantly welcoming new people, so maybe it's a good time to refresh our memories about how Woodside is structured for mission and ministry. We want everyone to be able to access the right people and resources,
so, here goes:
We are a "congregational" body, which means our denominations exist to support and collaborate with us, but not to dictate or compel anything.
We are guided by our pastor and governed by our Board of
Directors as we "live Jesus' way of social justice."
Our Officers and their areas of responsibility:
Jamie Schmidt, Moderator (President). Jamie works with Deb to keep all the plates spinning. She presides over the board and congregation meetings and is ex oficio on almost everything.
Karen Eaton, Vice Moderator. Karen supports Jamie, but is also chair of our Personnel Committee. If you ever have a staff thing
to discuss, she's the one.
Joe Eufinger, Treasurer. Joe, just as you might guess, works with our bookkeeper Jerry to keep us on budget, to mind our financial business and help make possible all the things we dream about. Joe also chairs the Finance Committee.
Courtney Cody, Clerk. Courtney is responsible for minutes and records, plus certifying our membership roster each year. She also chairs the Nominating Committee. (Which may be another reason we're telling you all this: spring elections are coming.)
Dale Emery, Director of Buildings & Grounds, tends to the well-being of our physical space.
Carla Pierik, Director of Outreach & Social Action, including things like Creation Justice and our weekly racial justice vigil.
Jay Cummings, Director of Church & Ministry, which is all things related to faith formation, congregation care and programming.
PLUS, WE HAVE STAFF!
Tom is our music leader
Samantha is our worship production coordinator
Lazarre is our custodian & building manager.
So, there's Polity, Pt 1. Woodside tries to be non-controlling, to make space for folks to get involved. And now you know who to find if you have a need, an issue or an idea!
IN THE CONGREGATION
Zoom links are on the church calendar here. Need more info? Just ask!
Adult Forum, 9:30 am Sundays, by Zoom only, is reading Allan
Boesak's Dare We Speak of Hope?: Searching for a Language of Life in
Faith and Politics. Let us know if you need a book.
Thursday Evening Study Group, Thursdays 7-8:30 pm by Zoom
only, continues our consideration of Brueggemann's Tenacious
Solidarity: Biblical Provocations on Race, Religion, Climate, and
the Economy.
Vigil for Racial Justice is still gathering 1-2 pm Thurs, on the
Genesee Courthouse lawn. We'll be there anytime the temp is
above 20º. Can't make it to Flint? Choose a courthouse near you,
and sit with your sign for an hour. Virtual solidarity!
Year-end notes: Jerry has reminded us that gifts for 2021 can be
remitted until January 16. Just date your check with the year you
prefer it be counted — 2021 or 2022.
WORSHIPPING IN A COVID TIME
We're now in Omicron season, which means, for now, we are streaming only — no worshippers in the sanctuary except the worship leaders.
If you want to be a reader, please let us know. We want to include anyone who wants to participate. Vaccinated and boosted only, please!
Please, if you're experiencing symptoms when it is your turn to read, stay home & call Pastor Deb (502-550-1236). We're ok covering last
minute changes, and want everyone to be safe and well.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Creation Care and Indigenous Peoples. The Great Lakes Creation Care Collaborative hosts Treaties Broken, Earth and Lives in Crisis: How Do We Change the Narrative for the Land and All Its People?
7:30-9pm EST, Jan. 13.
Frank Bibeau, tribal attorney for Honor the Earth and the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, will speak on the treaties that continue to be broken by white settlements and corporations working with the U.S. government.
More info and registration link here: t.ly/KhEa.
Tribute to Dr. King. The 43rd annual citywide tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr is 6 pm Jan 13.
The event is completely virtual. The 2022 theme is America's Pandemic: Distrust, Hatred & Racism. The keynote speaker is Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Tickets are $25/person, available at mcceventsonline.com.
Chevy Commons ("Chevy in the Hole"). Flint Neighborhoods United and the Flint River Watershed Coalition will host a public discussion from 6:30-8:30 pm on Jan 19 about this community park.
You can watch livestream on YouTube (t.ly/DzUW) or participate via zoom. For a zoom link, email parkswebteam@gcparks.org for a link.
A Change is Gonna Come. The Music of Sam Cooke starring Bradd Marquis, depicts the life and music of one of America’s most iconic and
talented performers.
Feb 5 at the Capitol Theatre. A soulful performance, a live big band.
Tickets & info: t.ly/1Nzl.
IN OUR DENOMINATIONS
Make Congress Do Something! The United Church of Christ hosts a
webinar 1 pm EST Jan 12 called Getting Congress to Act: Strategies,
Tactics and Vision for 2022.
There is no cost to attend.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Mchigan-13, will be among the guests and speakers.
To participate, register here: t.ly/qTFyly/qTFy.
HOLIDAY THANKS
Gifts for Children: Voices for Children has expressed thanks "for
blessing so many children this holiday season."
"We were overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity! Without you and your congregation we couldn't provide such a wonderful Christmas experience to our children."
Woodside Staff. Thanks have also been received from staff for the
kindness and well-wishes of the season. It is good to work at Woodside
Church!
And for our worship leaders, from Pastor Deb:
Woodside has a wonderful and rich worship life, observing the seasons and trying to keep it all fresh and inspiring. I am thankful for the many
folks who said yes when asked to read, sing, light a candle, say prayers nor something else. Karen continues to design our altar; Adam and Cory
lead our technical life (while still coaching Samantha on our system); Tom engages musicians and finds songs to include; Linda Angus writes
our prayers each week and curates our poetry readings.
It is a gift to work with such dedicated and talented people, who clearly care about the spiritual life of this congregation!
NOT TOO LATE FOR A CHRISTMAS OFFERING
The Board of Directors has designated 2021 Christmas Offerings to our patio project, our vision of a place where people can gather, where people who struggle and people with reasonably well put together lives can bump into each other and begin to feel like neighbors, where people can find the community love and support they need.
It will include space for sitting or napping, a source to charge phones or other devices, water access for folks to fill bottles, trees and loveliness, shelter from weather, a place to just be when there never seems to be a place to be.
We think this is a reflection of the anti-pharaoh intentions of scripture, of Jesus, of Woodside. An oasis of sorts, an equalizing space to express our neighborliness. This is something we can do, something we can offer. We’re even planning to reinvigorate our bay doors, to let us enjoy indoor/outdoor events — health clinics, poetry readings, live music, blessing the animals, community meetings.
We have garnered grants so far of $19,500 toward a goal of $50,000 (restoring the bay doors is the largest expense) and hope for other grants and gifts.
If you'd like to contribute, you can in all the usual ways (link on the website) and designate "Christmas" or "Patio."
— Thank You!