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
ST. FRANCIS, AN EARLY CREATION/JUSTICE/PEACE ADVOCATE
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) is just about everyone’s all-time favorite saint. Even millions of Protestants, (horrified oppositionists of religious icons and statues) place in their gardens statues of Francis. He is feeding a bird from his hand with another bird resting on his shoulder listening intently to the Saint preach. Francis was infinitely more than a bird lover. Given our stance and disposition at Peoples Church, Francis makes a great mentor for us.
Here is a list of some of his qualifications:
¨ A brave peacemaker, a champion of the sick, impoverished, imprisoned, women and marginalized, a great preacher, founder of the Franciscan Order, builder of churches, a resister of the highest order, a radical upstart in his world of empires both ecclesiastical and secular, and a person of deep devotion and prayer.
That seems like a long enough short list. So here is a detail or two: To become a Franciscan one must take a vow of poverty, which goes to the very heart of Francis’ theology and program. The Brothers took a vow of severe poverty which included a lifetime of begging for food and wearing no footwear. Money for shoes could be better used buying clothes and food for the poor. Francis found embedded in the creation itself the foundation for his lifetime commitment.
Diana Butler Bass in A People’s History of Christianity, p.138, vividly calls out the Franciscan uniting of Social Activism with Creation theology.
“In a very real sense, creatures and creation exist as the ultimate teacher of holy poverty. Animals, birds, trees, flowers, and plants own nothing. As Jesus explained, they completely depend on God and at the same time are profoundly beautiful. Those beings that humans consider the least are actually the greatest because they exist in such close connection to God, a connection that illustrates a life of total dependence – and absolute poverty – in relationship to the Creator.”
The Creation/Justice Task Force could recognize Francis of Assisi as its patron saint!
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ’What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things he will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:26-34 NIV
2 Principles lifted up here from: 17 Principles of Environmental Justice (https://climatejusticealliance.org/)
1. Environmental Justice affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, ecological unity and the interdependence of all species, and the right to be free from ecological destruction.
2. Environmental Justice demands that public policy be based on mutual respect and justice for all peoples, free from any form of discrimination or bias. Food for thought: What would Francis say to you about all your stuff?
Kendall Brown for the Creation/Justice Team
St. Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226)
GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and AROUND US
A group from Peoples Church will be marching in Washington, DC this weekend with the Poor People’s Campaign. Please pray for them to have safe travels.
Also this weekend First Congregational Church UCC is having their Annual Hal Oliver Concert Series, on Saturday at 1 pm. Special guest is world renowned organist, Christopher Dekker. First Congregational Church is located at 327 N. Washington Street, Owosso, MI 48867. For info please call 989-723-3010. This concert is free to the public.
The 12th Annual Flint Pride Festival is happening Saturday, June 25th from 2 pm to 8 pm at Riverbank Park. Tom Travis is working to organize a table for the event. If you’re interested in joining him, please reach out to either Tom or the church office. More details will be shared during service this coming Sunday.
The Peoples Plaza continues to move forward. More updates to come in the June 24th issue of the Peoples Press. Feel free to contact either the church office or Moderator, Jamie Schmidt if you have any questions.
TRANSITION UPDATES
We are blessed to continue to be uplifted with thoughtful and challenging sermons. The guest preachers that have agreed to spend time with us (in person and online) are helping us remain strong while we move through this time of transition. For weekly sermon information, please refer to the calendar on our church webpage. calendar on our website
Jamie Schmidt, Moderator
natesmamajamie@gmail.com; 810-287-8308
SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
We are near completing a first draft of the Church Profile. This first step in our task that needs completion before we can post an open ministerial position. That is when pastors can apply. Note that I said ‘a first draft.’ There is much work yet to be done, and we are grateful for your patience as we meet each week to put words to our dreams for Peoples Church.
Thank you to everyone who completed the survey question asking for your input on the most important core competencies in our next pastor. Your responses have given us valuable guidance. They also have led us to our next question. Many of you indicated the importance of an 'impactful sermon'. As the Search Committee members reflected on this, we realized this could mean different things to different people. Therefore, we would next like your input on what makes a sermon meaningful. Please give this some thought over the next week or two. In the next People's Press we will post a link where you can tell us what an impactful sermon means to you.
Thanks so much!
Carla Pierik, Chair Search Committee
IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!
Adult Forum, 9:30 am Sundays, is reading Heather McGee's, The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together. Join in by zoom or in person at church. And let us know if you need a book.
Thursday Evening Study Group is reading A People’s History of Christianity by Diana Butler Bass. Books will be on the welcome table at church. Need one shipped? Call the church office at 810-767-4911!
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!