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’S INSIGHTS
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? YHWH is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. This God does not faint or grow weary; with a depth of understanding that is unsearchable. God gives strength to the weary, and empowers the powerless. Young women may grow tired and weary, young men may stumble and fall, but those who wait for YHWH find a renewed power: they soar on eagles’ wings, they run and don’t get weary, they walk and never tire.”
(Isaiah 40:28-31, The Inclusive Bible)
The middle of July is for the most part unremarkable. There are no holidays or celestial occurrences that give us reason to wonder at the mystery of creation. But for me, there is an anniversary that alters how I think about my role among you: It has been a year since I began working at Peoples Church as your interim minister. There is nothing inherently remarkable about that, except that the average search process takes about 18 months (That’s a pre-Covid number, so don’t hold me to it!). If Peoples Church holds to that average, and there is no reason to think that it won’t, then I don’t have a lot of time to tick off all the things on my to-do list! But then, I work better under pressure, so in the grand scheme of things, it’s all for the best!
The 40th Chapter of Isaiah is a good place to read for me at this time. It begins what most Bible nerds refer to as Second Isaiah. Second Isaiah was the Interim Prophet. There had been the worst possible disaster: a devastating war, a siege of Jerusalem, starvation and disease and deportation. First Isaiah saw it coming and spoke a message of judgment. Second Isaiah saw the coming of a new era: the return of the exiles and a time of rebuilding. “Prepare the Way of the Lord, make straight a highway in the dessert, the exiles are coming home!” Now Peoples Church has not been through anything like what Judah had been through. A change in ministerial leadership is normal in the life of a congregation. But the congregation can feel a little like they are in exile in the time of transition. It is exhausting to have to defer programs and decisions to a nebulous and uncertain future. Decisions that can’t be put off have to be made provisionally, wasting precious volunteer time and energy.
So the message of Second Isaiah is apt: Wait on the Lord. It is not just a new minister that we are waiting for, it is the Creator of the ends of the earth, One who does not grow tired or weary or frustrated or anxious. Our job is to cultivate and exercise our faith, so that it remains strong, so that we can discern God’s will, so that we can tap into that vision of ministry that animates and excites us. In your Garland Declaration, you chose a passage (well, Jesus chose it first, but you chose it for your own) from Third Isaiah. You committed to the garland of flowers, the oil of gladness, a cloak of praise. I know it’s hard to remember that when you are bone tired and out of ideas or inspiration, but it is still who you aspire to be.
For my part, my work will gradually shift to preparing the way for the one God is sending. I will be making sure that the transition is a smooth one, that pastoral care needs, passwords, contact information and resources are readily available. But most of all, that you all are enthused and excited for what God is about to make happen as you put yourselves at God’s disposal. We are still waiting. There is a lot of work to be done. We have good and gifted people with their hearts in the right place and their shoulders to the wheel. With faith in the God who makes all things new. We forge ahead, making the most of the time we have, and looking forward to the time when we soar like eagles. Amen.
Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor
Pastor Dave’s Schedule for july
Pastor Dave will be in Flint on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please do call the church office to make sure, because a pastor’s schedule is always in flux.
If you would like to make an appointment to speak to Pastor Dave in person, please call the church office at (810)767-4911 between 10:00 and 2:00 M-F, or email him at david.sickelka@peopleschurchofflint.org. If you have an urgent need for pastoral care outside of office hours, text or phone (515)720-6389.
Join the Movement Toward Radical Justice
Jay and I traveled to Indianapolis, Indiana June 30th to July 3rd for the UCC’s General Synod 34. Over 2000 people were gathered there.
As part of General Synod 34, there was a call to “Join the Movement”. The UCC is trying to become an antiracist church. Every setting of the UCC, from the local churches to global partners, has a role to play in expanding our practices of antiracism and strengthening our capacities as partners and participants in the burgeoning racial justice movements of our time. The movement for racial justice cannot be separated from faith commitments to do justice and love our neighbors. For information about this movement go to jointhemovementucc.org.
We attended a fundraiser dinner for Join the Movement which featured Ibram X. Kendi. He is the director of the Center for Antiracism Research at Boston University. He is also a history professor there. He wrote How to be an Antiracist which our Adult Forum group at Peoples Church has read. I have a video of his speech at Synod.
Another highlight was a luncheon we attended which had Bryan Stevenson as the speaker. He is the founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative which is a human rights organization. He wrote Just Mercy which is also a book the Adult Forum members have read. He is responsible for establishing the Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama which is also known as the Lynching Museum. Members of the Adult Forum at Peoples Church traveled to Montgomery several years ago to experience the memorial. Bryan Stevenson can be heard if you google his name or go to YOUTUBE. Also I have a video of his speech at Synod.
The keynote speaker was Nadia Bolz Webber. She was familiar because she spoke years ago at the Michigan Conference. She is a Lutheran pastor and founder of House of All Saints and Sinners in Denver, Colorado. She has written several books and is considered a public theologian. At that time we took several cars of youth from Woodside Church on Court Street to hear her in Lansing. The high school church school class then read one of her books.
We went to a committee hearing on the Resolution, “Encouraging Plant Based Living”. You may recall that Pastor Deb originated that resolution in the Michigan Conference. It did make it through the committee and was debated on the floor of the Synod. It was, however, rejected. The main point was for it to be discussed for delegates to learn about the issue.
The new General Minister and President of the UCC is Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson. She was introduced at one of the sessions we attended. She is very impressive. This will be the first time the UCC will be led by a black woman.
In 2025 General Synod will be in Kansas City. We hope to be there!
Leslie Cummings, for the Environmental Justice Team
Good Things Happening in and around us
Plaza Event Planner…The Patio & Grounds Committee is looking for a volunteer to act as an Event Planner. This person along with the P&G Committee will conceptualize, schedule and organize events to be held on the Plaza. If you’re interested in volunteering please see Dale Emery.
Upcoming Affiliate & Community Activities
IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!
Links are on the church calendar: t.ly/ALHB. Need more info? Just ask!
Adult Forum, meets at 9:30 am on Sunday’s. Starting Sunday, March 19th we will be reading The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. 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!