February 10, 2023

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

But the expert on the Law, seeking self-justification, pressed Jesus further: “And just who is my neighbor?” (Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan) “Which of these three, in your opinion, was the neighbor to the traveler who fell in with the robbers?” The answer came, “The one who showed compassion.” (Luke 10:29, 36, 37, The Inclusive Bible)

The news out of Syria and Turkey keeps getting more dire. At this writing, the number of dead is estimated at around 8,000 people and with the expectations of finding survivors dwindling, it is likely the number will continue to rise as more bodies are recovered. International responses are ramping up, though, and it is heartening to see compassionate responses to this disaster. It is an opportunity for Christians to put their faith into action, as it is for people of all faiths and of no faith.

It is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the benefits of having denominational connections. When disasters occur, there are funds available for immediate release. Both the United Church of Christ and the American Baptists see this as a crucial aspect of their work. You can go to ucc.org and look for the Giving tab and then “Disaster Response” to learn more, or to abc-usa.org/giving/annual-offering. Both denominations participate in One Great Hour of Sharing, a cooperative effort in which many main-line denominations raise money for just this purpose. (The UCC promotes this in Lent, the ABC in September/October.) Throughout the year, there are special appeals for particular disasters. To designate your OGHS gift, make sure to indicate to which appeal you are responding, for example “OGHS – Ukraine Relief,” or “OGHS – Earthquake in Turkey.”

As weather patterns intensify and human conflicts escalate, we are in danger of succumbing to “compassion fatigue.” So many needs and so much suffering may cause us to quit caring and just turn off the news or harden our sensibilities. Jesus encountered many people who had begun to shut down their compassion. Religious leaders used sinfulness as an excuse to  ignore peoples’ suffering, or to inflict pain and even death on those who broke rules. The expert in the law in the above passage was worried about inheriting eternal life….for himself! He wanted to know who he “Had to love,” as if there were some     threshold of “good deed doing” that would get him into God’s good graces. Jesus cleverly answers a different question. Instead of “who is my neighbor?” Jesus answers the question, “How can you BE a neighbor?”

It is often hard to raise relief money for countries and ethnicities that are “foreign” to us. If race or religion or culture or government are not like ours, the resources don’t come as readily for relief work. It is easier for us to ignore their plight and “pass by on the other side of the road.” The Samaritan in the story demonstrates what it is to be a neighbor, even when the one in need is “foreign” to us. March 19 is the date suggested to receive the One Great Hour of Sharing offering in the United Church of Christ, but you don’t have to wait for that. Go to either denomination’s website and donate now. The money will be put to good use and will demonstrate that we are willing and compassionate neighbors to people with whom we have little in common. Amen.

 Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

Lent begins February 22

 We will mark the beginning of Lent by marking ourselves! The ancient tradition of using ashes to express our losses and remorse will find it’s modern expression in using the ashes of Palm Sunday branches as a sign of confession and grief. Join us for our Ash Wednesday service on Wednesday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. in our worship space. Dress is casual and make sure that what you wear is washable. Ashes have a way of migrating from wherever we put them! (receiving the ashes is optional!)

If you cannot make the worship service, we will be offering “curbside ashes” in the plaza from 10 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. that day and again from 4 -6 p.m.

Good Things Happening in and around us

Search Committee Update,

The search committee continues meeting regularly to review applicants and fine tune our list of interview questions, in hopes of finding the right fit for peoples church. We have been communicating with our contacts from all three of  Peoples Church’s denominations – The United Church of Christ, the Alliance of Baptists, and the American Baptist Churches as candidates have continued to come in. 

The committee is scheduled to spend the day together this Saturday February 11th, it’s hard to believe that January has come and gone already! We would like to thank the congregation for the ongoing thoughts and prayers, it is very much needed and appreciated. The committee will continue to give regular updates as we review all applicants.  Thank you,

Adam Schmidt, for the Search Committee

Thursday night book group

 If you need to purchase the book please click HERE  to be taken to the Amazon site.  

 Join us by clicking the adjacent link: Book Group Zoom Link:

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 Sundays, We’re currently reading, Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis. 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!

January 27, 2023

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

“All our people are to learn to do what is good for their practical lives as well. They’ll then be able to provide for their daily needs and not be unproductive”. (Titus 3:14, The Inclusive Bible)

The early church discovered quite quickly that being people of faith did not insulate them from the harsh realities of violence and suffering, nor did it exempt them from the practical (often boring) realities of having to earn a living, cook meals, or deal with conflict internally. In Titus (as well as I and II Timothy), we find a lot of practical advice about the nuts and bolts of being a congregation. Paul is sharing with young leaders his wisdom and experience about what it is to engage in ministry. So since Peoples Church of Flint is working toward extending a call to your next minister, I thought it might be a good idea to go over some of the practical aspects of “hiring” a new minister. It may not seem important, but it will certainly affect your relationship with your new minister if it is ignored!

First of all, the document that establishes the relationship (The Call Agreement) is a covenant, not a contract. I have heard experts in employment law say that the standard agreement used in most UCC churches (I am not familiar with what the Baptist churches use) is unenforceable legally. But frankly, if we have to go to court over what is in it, we have bigger problems than a broken “contract!” We give our word as congregations that we will do certain things, and behave in certain ways and if we go back on that, we cannot expect to have others trust us!

Secondly, clergy are an anomaly in the employment world. By the standards of the IRS, we are employees (except when we get honoraria for weddings, funerals and such - that gets reported as self-employment income), but by the standards of the Social Security Administration, we are self-employed. Since the forms assume only one of them is true, it means that if we do our own taxes, we have to do them twice, just to get the numbers to put in the boxes! The IRS does not tax the housing allowance, but the SSA does. It’s a nightmare! The result is that clergy get pretty protective of how they get their compensation. Putting the numbers together wrong can be costly! (And yes, clergy can opt out of Social Security, but if they do, they lose all benefits as well and for must of us, that is not a good idea.)

And since we are employees in the eyes of the IRS, the courts have held that the intellectual property we create (sermons, Bible studies, articles like this one) belong to the employer, the church. You can give your minister permission to use such things, but it should be in writing (in the Call Agreement, which is not enforceable!).

Clergy also have to pay attention to maintaining their authorization to be a minister. Denominational standards expect continuing education, boundary training (to help us recognize when we are getting too close to ethical or legal misconduct),  participation in meetings of the wider church, and sometimes a periodic review of ministry. Churches are expected to help facilitate this by covering costs. (In the UCC, clergy are required to pay for a Criminal Background Check before circulating a   profile. The church that calls them is expected to reimburse that cost.)

Now, I know that churches don’t call a minister to manage taxable income, nor do most ministers want to spend their energies making the case for their compensation arrangements. But like Paul and Titus (and Timothy), we find out quickly that ignoring these things can end up consuming a lot of time and energy that is better spent on the mission and ministry we want to accomplish. And I want you all to understand that ministers’ compensation is not like most other professions.

So take the time to find out what the best practices are in this particular and peculiar “employer/employee” relationship. Help your new minister connect with someone who knows clergy tax law inside and out. Recognize that clergy typically experience a lot of anxiety around this and that it can be intensely personal. Sometimes a particular household faces a situation that makes all of this critical to their well-being. Be flexible and understanding. Together, you can craft a covenant that will enable many years of productive ministry. Amen.

 Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

we can do better

Beyond Plastics is more than a Website.  It is a course at Bennington College in Vermont. An advocacy program committed to removing the poison of plastic from our lives and fighting the greatest plastic producer on  earth - American oil industry. Beyond Plastics is a work in progress that Peoples Church is called to support and help build. Become acquainted with them by visiting their website – but don’t stop there: https://www.beyondplastics.org/about .

 Last week Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics, hosted a very enlightening Webinar. The guest presenter was Dr. Phil Landrigan, leading epidemiologist and pediatrician, and Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College. His presentation demonstrated how deeply invested American Oil companies are in the production of plastic. Recognizing that the days of fossil fuel driven transportation are coming to an end, American Oil companies are resetting their focus to producing oil for plastic.

Their efforts are paying off for the oil billionaires and industry while killing the rest of us. Since the 1940’s, 100s of 1000s of chemicals, related to plastic polymers and additives have been developed, producing new plastic products, and added to the environment. Today there are 350,000 manufactured chemicals on earth and 95% are made from petro-chemicals. 40% of these products are single-use items. Just walk through Walmart and any other store taking note of all the plastic containers and wrappers on food, toys, hardware products, drugs, ad infinitum. Clothes don’t need to be wrapped. All the polyesters in them make up for the lack of plastic wrapping more than enough!

Only 8% of used plastic is recycled compared to 90% of all glass used and 68% of all paper and cardboard. Why? Glass, cardboard and paper have all been subject to regulation. Plastic/chemical production and sales are completely free of governmental oversight. The oil companies can and do inject into the air, water, ground, bird, fish, animals and our bodies any chemical that suits them to produce more plastic products. Many of those chemicals are carcinogens. But the government closes its eyes. Our eyes need to be wide open.

Click HERE for the link to the above mentioned seminar.

 Kendall Brown, for The Creation/Justice Team

Good Things Happening in and around us

Funeral Arrangements for Rebecca Gwillim:

Rebecca Lynne Gwillim, age 62, died on Tues., January 24, 2023, of an autoimmune disorder. Becky is survived by her mother, Ruth O. Sharpe, and her siblings, Cynthia Gwilym and Thomas A. Gwillim. A memorial service will be held at Court Street United Methodist Church in Flint, Michigan on Fri., February 3, 2023, at 11 AM.

Both Becky and Ruth are former members of Woodside Church. Please keep Becky’s family and friends in your prayers.

 Make Sure that You Are in the Loop!!!

If you are missing some of the alerts and notifications that go out from the Peoples Church office, it may be that they are being diverted into your spam file. One thing you can do to ensure that this doesn’t happen is to add peopleschurchofflint.org to your list of approved senders. That way, anything that comes to you from our “domain” will be more likely to get through.

UPCOMING AFFILIATE & Community ACTIVITIES

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

 Book Group Zoom Link:

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 Sundays, We’re currently reading, Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis. 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!

January 13, 2023

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

“For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it fertile and fruitful, giving seed to the Sower and bread for food, so will my word be that goes forth from my mouth: it will not return to me empty, but will carry out my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 54:10-11, The Inclusive Bible)

The folks in California are bearing the brunt of winter storms this week, dealing with wind and rain, mudslides and swollen waterways, all of which pose a very real threat to life and health of human beings, animals and plant life. We need to keep them (and others all over the world in similar situations) in our prayers. The silver lining, of course, is that the drought that has plagued the west is being mitigated by the torrential downpours. Water levels in the reservoirs are rising and the snow pack in the mountains is deepening. While this is good news, not all of the water will counter the draught. Much of the rain will come too fast for the soil to absorb it and on the west side of the mountains, it will drain into the Pacific becoming salty and unusable for drinking. It is a painful irony that so much water comes down without benefitting the environment and ecology which so desperately needs it!

In the time when the Words of the Ancient Prophet Isaiah were delivered to God’s people (also familiar with the delicate balance of water and arid conditions), what they longed for most was a return to their homeland. They were in exile in Babylon, and many interpreted their predicament as a sign that God had abandoned them, or worse, that God was not potent enough to rescue (redeem?) them. So the prophet uses a familiar image, the coming of precipitation, as a reminder of what the gift of rain and snow can be like. In the desert, such blessings completely transform the landscape. The pastures become green again, the pools and wades fill up with water, wells again are productive. And various plants and animals thrive, giving life to other living things.

The Word of God is like the rain and snow. It is not just sound in the air or ink on a page. It has purpose. And it does not go back to its source without accomplishing that purpose.

In this season of our lives, it can seem as if God is not relevant or at least not capable of reversing the evils of our time. The cold and bareness we see out our windows seems to mirror the injustices and callous indifference that we experience daily. People spew hateful messages into our civil discourse, and post snide and disparaging memes on social media, as if there were no consequences to their vitriol. As people of faith, our resolve is tested by the very people we are called to serve and invite into a better future. How is that supposed to work?

The Word of God. It has its own power and potency. It accomplishes what God intends it to accomplish. It is more than simply quotes from the Bible, it is a living enactment of the grace of God. It dissolves the most calcified heart and injects the most violent conflicts with grace and healing. 

Peoples Church of Flint is in the process of calling a new minister. You are examining the gifts and credentials of candidates for the office that God is leading to consider coming to serve here. A big chunk of what they are called to do is proclaim the Gospel, to deliver God’s Word. When that happens, remember that it does not just go away. It reverberates among the people, it throbs with the power of a God who does great things. It drowns out the clamor and false claims of the world and those who trumpet warped values. It does not go back to God empty.

We are still some time away from voting on a new minister. There is a lot that has to happen before we do that. But what we can do is let the word soak in. We can put in some spiritual retention ponds, so that we can have hefty reserves of God’s word in us. We can live differently than the world, being stewards of the Word, instead of chasing after false promises. We can foster community and share the joys and burdens of life. And we can make sure that the people in our neighborhoods have access to the Word as well.

In the long cold winter, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves that whatever exile we find ourselves in, it never is the final word: there is a Word that comes from God. A Word that brings life. Amen.

 Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

Office Closed for MLK Day, Our office will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Pastor Dave at (515)720-6389 (cell).

the mindful train

Springer.com https://link.springer.com/ is a scholarly site where one can find an abundance of links to scientific articles and research.  It is an overwhelming presentation of research, theory and data.  You can hardly find the word, “religion” among the millions of words that will quickly appear here.  Type “religion” into the site’s search engine.  Here is the very first thing that will appear: “There is no universally accepted definition of religion. Today the term mainly refers to institutions and systems of belief.” End of discussion about religion.  As a religious person with a huge interest in science as well as religion I find that statement leaving me cold.  Yet, not surprised; as there is a huge and growing wall between religion and science to which people on both sides have been adding bricks for centuries. 

 On the Springer site I found one little spot that might provide a good place for starting to chip away at this fortress of mutual resistance to open-minded thinking.  The Article’s title is “Mind the gap: The role of mindfulness in adapting to increasing risk and climate change.”

 Here is the article’s first sentence:

“Dominant policy approaches {to climate change} have failed to generate action at anywhere near the rate, scale or depth needed to avert climate change and environmental disaster. In particular, they fail to address the need for a  fundamental cultural transformation, which involves a collective shift in mindsets (values, beliefs, worldviews and associated inner  human capacities)”.  [Click here for article]

“Values, beliefs, worldviews, inner human capacities.” Wow, that is a lot of religion to be found in the middle of this scholarly    science!  And to me that is exciting.  Reading deeper into the stream of academia above cited, one finds a key for initiating the  cultural transformation needed for humanity to become capable of dealing with the tumultuous climate challenges that we face.  The key in which these scientists take a great interest is Mindfulness.

Along the way the scientists even suggest that society has a great need to raise up cultural leaders who have received training in mindfulness. We are lost without that. 

The roots of mindfulness go deep into Buddhism and Hinduism, centuries before Jesus.  In recent decades, psychology has come to recognize and widely use mindfulness as a therapeutic tool and appreciate the value in ancient religions.   My question: Why in blazes doesn’t the church get on this train for a trip down the track into the future along with the medical and scientific communities and our Buddhist and Hindu spiritual companions who are already on board?  We could start by looking around for a certified mindfulness counselor and offering them a good deal on space for their classes/workshops here at Peoples. 

Kendall Brown, for The Creation/Justice Team

Good Things Happening in and around us

Continued thanks...Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Peoples Church of Flint, I just want to thank you for your kindness to Voices for Children. There are more than 30 children who will have joy because of the squish melon pillows, Legos, and art kits – especially clothing. Thank you for being a blessing to them.  Nyse, President & CEO of Voices for Children

(Editor’s note: Peoples Church actually provided the above for a total of 41 children! You went above and beyond! Kudos to you all! – Pastor Dave)

One Digit. .. And so a new year begins. The year advances by 1 digit but much stays the same. It's still cold outside, the days are short, and weekly meetings continue meeting weekly. But with that 1-digit change comes the anticipation of something new. Warmer weather, longer days, new insights that gradually emerge during weekly meetings. As a Search Committee we continue working towards that something new. The process is long and perhaps it seems we are moving at a snail's pace, but we remain committed to the work, trusting the Spirit's guidance, direction, and timing. We also, continue to rely on your prayers for this process, for our future pastor, for discernment and clarity.

Carla Pierik, Search Committee Chair

  Memo from OS-SA & ENJ* groups: The *Outreach and Social Action and Environmental Justice Teams along with a few extra persons with interest have been meeting together to discuss and plan future initiatives for Peoples Church. We want to share with you some of our thinking and encourage you to join us in our discussion and future action.  For now, we are considering ways to build up Peoples’ presence and ministry in our neighborhood. In particular, we are exploring the idea of providing a warming station (winter, inside) and a hospitality service (summer in our plaza) to expand our ministry to persons in our    neighborhood. The need is before us and at our feet.  We will need support (material and in person) in many ways. For now, this memo is simply to encourage you to be praying for and thinking about this initiative. Either Jay (jhcummings@aol.com) or Kendall (redbaron1947@gmail.com) would be glad to hear from you and will pass your thoughts along.  Our next meeting will be on Monday, Jan. 23rd  at 6pm. at the church.  Join us.  

UPCOMING AFFILIATE & Community ACTIVITIES

Environmental Justice People Power Gathering (VIRTUAL)

The Environmental Justice team at Michigan United wants to meet with the community. We have a plan to fight corporate  polluters in 2023 and want your help!

At our January meeting we plan to announce our 2023 priorities and discuss environmental racism. The meeting will be held Thursday, January 26th from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Click HERE to register.

If you have additional input or know anyone who cares about the environment but is unable to attend, please  email  Tony Paciorek at tpaciorek@miunited.org  to take a survey.

17 resolutions may be up for Synod consideration in 2023:

by Connie Larkman UCC staff, published on Jan 9, 2023

Reparations, reproductive rights, trans and non-binary people, white supremacy, gun violence, green energy, plastics and public schools.

These are just a few of the issues addressed in proposed resolutions slated to come before the United Church of Christ General Synod this summer.

“Seventeen resolutions were formally submitted to the Office of the General Minister and President by the deadline of January 2,” said adjunct national staff member Kevin Peterson. He and David Anderson staff the Synod’s resolution and committee     process.  

Of the proposed resolutions:

· Four have been submitted by a delegate with the written concurrence of at least ten more delegates.

· Two were proposed by local churches with the written concurrence of at least five other churches.

· Five were submitted by Associations.

· Six were proposed by Conferences with one of those co-submitted by the UCC Board.

A few other broad topics the resolutions address involve access to technology, ministerial standing and authorization, personal diet choices, solitary confinement and harm reduction.

The General Synod of the UCC will meet in Indianapolis, IN June 30 through July 4                                                                           (delegates are chosen by the Michigan Conference). Go to ucc.org for more information.

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

 Book Group Zoom Link:

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 Sundays, We’re currently reading, Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis. 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!

December 30, 2022

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

“Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a, The Common English Bible)

The older I get, the more I find history fascinating and illuminating. I love the ingenuity of the designs of old buildings and the artistry of their ornamentation. I marvel at the way human beings achieve great things and at the same time make tragic miscalculations. In some ways, human nature has not changed much since “Bible times” and in other ways, the world has moved on. And, of course, if we don’t learn from the past, we are condemned to repeat it. So a passage like the above, written several thousand years ago, seems an oxymoron. It is ancient history, and we are to simultaneously forget it, and take it to heart!

If you are still maintaining a paper calendar to hang on your wall or refrigerator or to put in your briefcase or on your desk, replacing it each year is a lot like the antiquated notion of spring cleaning. Reminders of birthdays and anniversaries need to be transferred to the new calendar, as do appointments, trips, and events. And it may be that you will be reminded of things that are done and people who have died or moved on to other things. As the old calendar goes into the recycle bin, we grieve a bit, and try not to dwell on what cannot be changed. Spiritually, the New Year is an occasion to clean house a bit – take stock of where we are on the journey and reorient ourselves to the path God desires for us.

The passage above was penned (Quilled?) when a convulsive change was on the horizon. The Israelites held captive in Babylon were being encouraged to take heart because the Persian Empire was bearing down on Babylon, and it seemed inevitable that there would be a new order. The last time this happened, the Jews got all but destroyed. There was death and destruction and enslavement. I think this is what Isaiah is asking them not to dwell on. They are being asked, instead, to imagine what God might be doing, even in the midst of the horrors of war. They can imagine liberation instead of captivity.

We have heard repeatedly that in the wake of Covid, there will be a new normal. That language comes from the area of disaster response and trauma treatment. It is a recognition that the pain and loss we endure cannot be ignored, but it can be incorporated into a future that will necessarily be different, but still rich and fulfilling.

Peoples Church of Flint has made a number of courageous decisions and we have been living them out for the last few years. As we replace our calendars (or delete a lot of information to free up memory space), it is a good time to remember where we have been, not so that we can preserve traditions and practices that are no longer relevant, but so that we can see where we are headed. We have an opportunity to evaluate what we have accomplished so far and remind ourselves of the work yet to be done.

I hope you will join us for worship on Sunday, January 1st, either in person of virtually for a time of review and recommitment. The basis of the service will be Peoples Church’s Garland declaration, a bold statement of who we have become and how we intend to prioritize our ministry and our resources. We will encourage one another, solidify our relationships, and agree in love to hold each other accountable. Most importantly, we will look for God’s hand at work in our lives and consider how our walk lines up with God’s call.

It is a bold assertion to claim that God is leading us into the future. It challenges our assumptions that tomorrow will not be much different than today. And if a new thing is springing up in our midst – if it is God that is bringing it about – if it is we who are told of its coming – then we had better open our hearts and minds so that we recognize it when it comes! Amen.

 Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

Thank You!

Pastor Dave and Susan would like to thank the congregation of Peoples Church of Flint for remembering us with a gift this  Christmas. In many ways, the role of an interim lacks the deep relationships that are typically involved in ministry. But you have, from the beginning, been attentive to the needs of your interim and made allowances for commuting, for support, and for renewal. Your generosity and sensitivity speak well of your commitment to the work that we do together. We are very grateful.

The Revs. David and Dr. Susan Sickelka

A Joyous New Year to You 

Loren Eiseley (1907-1977), naturalist, author, poet, considered by many to be the Thoreau of the 20th century was an articulator of the synthesis of religion and science. The third chapter of his book the Star Thrower, titled “Science and the Sense of the Holy,” Eiseley wrote, “Charles Darwin…jotted thoughtfully into one of his early journals upon evolution…’If we choose to let conjecture run wild, then animals, our fellow brethren in pain, disease, suffering and famine – our slaves in the most laborious works, our companions in our amusements—they may partake of our origin in one common ancestor – we may all be netted  together.’…In spite of the fact that Darwin was, in his later years, an agnostic, in spite of confessing he was “in thick mud” so far as metaphysics was concerned, the remark I have quoted gives every sign of that feeling of awe, of dread of the holy playing upon nature, which characterizes the work of a number of  naturalists and physicists down even to the present day. Darwin’s remark reveals an intuitive sensitivity to the life of other creatures about him, an attitude quite distinct from that of the laboratory experimentalists who is hardened to the infliction of pain. In addition Darwin’s final comment that we may all be netted together in one gigantic mode of experience, that we are in a mystic sense one single diffuse animal, suffering to joy and suffering beyond what we endure as individuals, reveals a youth drawn to the world of nature by far more than just the curiosity to be readily satisfied by the knife or the scalpel.”

 Both science and religion draw us in a sense of wonder, awe and humility. Ultimately for both fields the object of attention is the origin and final culmination of all that there is. As in meditation one constantly turns to breathing as the ever-present point of focus, in environmental work one always finds in wonder and awe the ever-present adrenaline that invigorates our work and draws us on. This thought is the gift of Darwin and a good internal starting point for us as a new year kicks off: “We may all be netted together.”

Kendall Brown, for The Creation/Justice Team

Good Things Happening in and around us

UPCOMING AFFILIATE & Community ACTIVITIES

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Day Observances

“Grace and Perseverance Under Pressure”

44th annual Citywide Tribute Event

Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Genesys Banquet and Conference Center

Admission: $50, Table Sponsorship: $400 (8 seats)

For more information, call Mott Community College (810)762-0425

To register, sponsor, or donate click HERE

All proceeds go to support the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship for eligible students attending:

(Baker College, Kettering University, Mott Community College, and U of M – Flint.)

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

 Book Group Zoom Link:

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 Sundays, We’re currently reading, Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis. 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!

December 16, 2022

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

“In the Word was life, and that life was humanity’s light – A Light that shines in the darkness, a Light that the darkness has never overtaken.” (John 1:4-5, The Inclusive Bible)

The symbol of light is rich with mythic import. It ranks right up there with water and earth as essential for human existence. Without it, we have a hard time finding our way, seeing the expressions on the faces of those we love, growing food, or taking in beauty. It all depends on light. It is so crucial to our identities, that virtually every culture has idolized its sources of light – sun, moon, stars, fire, and lightning, personifying their presence and panicking when they are unexpectedly absent.

There are some historical links to our celebration of Christmas and the celebration of Saturnalia in ancient Rome. But there is  probably no more apt time of the year to remind one another of the coming of the Light that is God’s self-revelation. We need that reminder when the world is steadily losing light. Even with our modern understanding of the cosmological reasons for shorter days and the confidence that gives us that this is a normal cycle, and the longer days will return, on a primitive level, we worry that   perhaps the light will fail us. The world certainly gives us reason to doubt. Human nature bears out the fear that maybe we will simply annihilate one another and God’s good creation will simply end.

One of my favorite Christmas Songs is I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, from the poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Written in 1863 during the American Civil War, it laments the downward spiral that humanity seems unable to avoid.

And in despair I bowed my head. There is no Peace on Earth, I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of Peace on Earth, Goodwill to (all).

War and disease and disasters of all kinds, violence in streets and in homes, hate and greed seem to absorb more light than  exists in the universe with no end in sight. But Longfellow comes to a hopeful position in spite of all evidence to the contrary:

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep. God is not dead nor doth (God) Sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with Peace on Earth, Goodwill to (all).

It is certainly possible to look at all of the examples of light being snuffed out and conclude that all is lost. We seem, as a species, to be hell-bent on our own extinction, and in the process will take other species with us. We argue about nonsense and ignore the most reasonable solutions to the problems we face. Generously, more eagerly about our work, and how you might support it. Think about what you have, not what you don’t have.

We are asking everyone to chip in a one-time gift to help us reach our budget needs for next year. An envelope will be coming to your household in the mail in We invest in enough guns and bombs and artillery to destroy several planets. But I hope this      Christmas you will listen for the song. I hope the light will carry the day, at least where you are. And I hope you will not keep it to yourself. Amen.

 Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

Get Involved! Legislative Action is Needed!

 The Michigan National Guard is trying to expand its footprint on our public lands at Camp Grayling in Northern Michigan. The National Guard wants to expand the base’s current lease of 147,000 acres to 309,000 acres – more than doubling its current footprint. Camp Grayling has made no effort to show that such an overwhelming expansion is necessary.

This expansion of the military use of Michigan forests will cause an inevitable increase in environmental strain no matter the imitations imposed. From threats to endangered species, protected conservation areas, and important waterways to overall areas frequented by a host of wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, all would be impacted by this expansion.

Right now, the Michigan DNR is reviewing the proposal for the expansion of DNR-leased lands and is currently taking public comment. You are needed to take action and send a message to the DNR asking them to deny the proposed expansion. To send a message click the link below:

Stop Camp Grayling Expansion  

Leslie Cummings, for The Creation/Justice Team

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

The Search Committee, met on Dec. 3, 2022 for a few hours of community and relationship building. In the effort to more fully enter into the process of finding a new pastor for Peoples Church. Starting with a time of meditation. We told some of our personal stories, listened to poetry and centered ourselves. 

The remainder of the time together was spent discussing interview questions that will be used to guide our conversations with  candidates. These questions address a broad series of concerns that we think need to be discussed with candidates as we progress through the process.

Since we have completed the Profile of Peoples Church, we have been receiving resumes from candidates and we are currently reviewing those resumes. The Search Committee is working diligently toward our common goal of finding the next pastor of Peoples Church of Flint.

 Respectfully submitted,

Carol Higgins, for the Search Committee

 Building & Grounds…

As you may have noticed this fall, we have been busy working to maintain our building. The main area we have been concentrating on has been painting of the exterior structure. Which is now complete (Yessssss)! I wanted to thank the congregation for their financial support for the Peoples Plaza project and the volunteers who stepped up and provided their time and labor to complete it. This would not have been possible without your efforts.

We also had volunteers who dedicated their time and skills set to search out different financial and community grants. There have been two grants so far that were approved for the project, one from the Genesee County Land Bank and another from Community Foundation Greater Flint. Through these resources we were able to purchase, build and paint the furnishings in the Plaza area. If you haven’t taken the time to walk out and around the area to see what their efforts have accomplished, I encourage you to do so.

The winter months are upon us now, but we are so excited and looking forward to our plans for the spring and summer of 2023 for Peoples Plaza. Our vision for a community space is coming together. Thank you again to the volunteers and supporters that have brought this project along. 

 Thank you,

Dale Emery, Building & Grounds Committee Chair

 Good do, Peoples People!!!

The church office recently received a thank you card from Sofia Del Valle, Development Coordinator for RIP Medical Debt. The card reads:

                  “Thank you so much for your recent donation to RIP Medical Debt and for becoming an important part of our community of compassionate change-makers! Your congregation’s gift is maximized to help purchase medical debt for families in need, helping them to work towards greater financial security.”

Again, good do, Peoples People!

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 Sundays, We’re currently reading, Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis. 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!

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

Book Group Zoom Link:

UPCOMING AFFILIATE & Community ACTIVITIES

American Baptist Church, Metropolitan Chicago Region

Save the Date: Family Council Meeting

January, 28, 2023

  The American Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ have their Biennial Meetings this Summer. The General Synod of the UCC will meet in Indianapolis, IN June 30th  through July 4th  (delegates are chosen by the Michigan Conference) and the American   Baptists have their Biennial Mission Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico June 23rd through the 25th  (Each church gets 2 delegates). Visitors are welcome at both meetings. People who attend these meetings typically report that the spiritual lift they get is amazing! If you would like to attend either (or both?!?!?!) of these meetings, please contact Pastor Dave for more details.

December 02, 2022

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

“A year ago, you were not only the first to act, but you did so willingly. Finish that work, so that your eagerness to begin can be matched by your eagerness to finish, according to your means. For so long as your heart is willing, it’s what you have that is acceptable, not what you don’t have.” (II Corinthians 8:10b-12, The Inclusive Bible)

The thing that prompted Paul to think about the nature of giving and of generosity was a special offering (many think it was an offering for the Jerusalem church) that was being collected. He marveled at the spontaneous generosity that came from those in his congregations in Macedonia. He tells the Corinthian Church(es?) that they should remember how eagerly they embraced the cause at the beginning and recover that same eagerness for the end of their fundraising.

It makes me think of the hard work you all have done in making some tough decisions. It is never easy for congregations to make dramatic changes in their identity, which includes a well-known facility, and strike out into an unknown future. That is exactly what you have done. It is hard to take positions on issues of justice and inclusion, which run counter to conventional wisdom. That is what you have done. It is hard to commit to minster in communities where the needs and challenges are many. That is what you have done. You have embraced all of this eagerly, just as the Corinthians had done at the beginning of the capital campaign that Paul spearheaded.  We might say they came up with a leadership gift.

But Paul then asks them to sustain their eagerness to be generous. He pushes them to remember the work that they have committed to and the people who will be blessed by their generosity. And then he says something that I think is very profound. “as long as your heart is willing, it’s what you have that is acceptable, not what you don’t have.”

Too often we are caught up in dwelling upon what we don’t have. The people we see on social media and on TV and in movies all seem to lead lives without care and without worry about money or daily needs. We never see them shop for groceries or putting gas in their vehicles. Paul tells his listeners that they should think about what they have, not what they don’t have.

While our pledge campaign is technically over, we are still faced with the task of planning for and implementing our ministry in the next calendar year. And frankly, we have come up a little short of our hopes and expectations for what we want to do. So I (and your elected leaders) want you to think more boldly, more generously, more eagerly about our work, and how you might support it. Think about what you have, not what you don’t have.

We are asking everyone to chip in a one-time gift to help us reach our budget needs for next year. An envelope will be coming to your household in the mail in the next week or so. I hope you will embrace the appeal with an eagerness of spirit and a willing heart! Amen.

     Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

.

Painting The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt vav Rijn, 1633

my boat so small

Every assignment to fill this space with words fills me with a sense of how very small my boat is in this work. Possibly, under the clouds, storms, earthquakes and fires around us, many of you feel like the disciples in Rembrandt’s boat scene.  Even our skipper is napping at the helm! Nothing seems right. A beautiful orange sunset over Lake Michigan might be nothing but the smoke from Western fires. The painting is not all about darkness, dread and destruction. Jesus with the hope he offers is very much present even in the darkness and practically out of sight.

In the painting the darkness is the quiet, peaceful and still part of the picture. The men who are in the light are running themselves ragged trying to survive, to win and overcome the odds. Trying to engage the challenges of supporting Environmental Justice can leave us basking in the light of feeling we are doing the right thing and fighting for the right cause but running ourselves worn and tired at the end of the day. 

Perhaps the tiredness is more of our own making than the fault of the world we are working so hard to change. It seems that in the darkness of the boat’s stern Jesus wasn’t paying much attention to the storm. We have this picture and this Gospel story not to encourage us to hope for extraordinary miracles but to guide us to a place within us that is calm and focused. The disciples probably got to shore quite excited about their miraculous journey and also missing the point of the whole adventure. It wasn’t the wind that Jesus worked to reorient. He was more interested in reorienting the inner compasses of his companions – moving the needle from fear to faith. 

My boat becomes larger for me by finding the things I can realistically do. Our work as Environmental Stewards begins in our own backyards. In the overwhelming sea of possibilities we can use some help to find our way. The purpose of these articles is to offer you some resources to guide us along. I have found Homepage - Story of Stuff to be place that has been worth many return trips for education and encouragement. Maybe you will too. For starters, check out this easy and informative quiz.  Changemaker Personality Quiz — Story of Plastic Edition | Story of Stuff

Kendall Brown, for The Creation/Justice Team 

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

Please Remember!!!!!

The deadline for returning your wrapped gifts for Voices for Children is this Sunday, December 4th. Make sure the child's number is on the outside of the bag your gifts are in (and NOT their name). 

 Thank you, Laura Eufinger 

UPCOMING AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES

Both the American Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ remember their retired clergy with special offerings in December. The American Baptists collect on Dec. 1 (and include missionaries among those for whom assistance is sought), and the United Church of Christ recommends an offering date of December 18 for their “Christmas Fund” or “Veterans of the Cross” special offering. Many retired clergy began their ministries in the days when salaries were low and benefits were meager. These offerings help retired clergy and clergy with low incomes to make ends meet, especially important during the holidays. Please  consider sharing something to help make life easier for those who have served faithfully in the church.

 Go to ucc.org or abc-usa.org to learn more and to donate.

Knowing your Church’s Past-Bringing Justice: What are the next steps for your church?

December 6th from 7pm-8:30pm EST via Zoom, with Dr. Andrew Gardner

Historian and author of Reimagining Zion, Dr. Andrew Gardner will offer a framework for engaging the work of antiracism in the local church setting. Dr. Gardner will deliver a presentation which will be       followed by small group discussions. This will be a time to offer shared wisdom and learnings about where folks have been and where they are headed on this journey. Regardless of where you or your     congregation may be on the road of intentional antiracism, everyone is invited to participate in this    important conversation! Wisdom is gained by sharing our lived experiences together.  To register or for more information, CLICK HERE: 

American Baptist Church, Metropolitan Chicago Region

Save the Date: Family Council Meeting

January, 28, 2023

  The American Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ have their Biennial Meetings this Summer. The General Synod of the UCC will meet in Indianapolis, IN June 30th  through July 4th  (delegates are chosen by the Michigan Conference) and the American   Baptists have their Biennial Mission Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico June 23rd through the 25th  (Each church gets 2 delegates). Visitors are welcome at both meetings. People who attend these meetings typically report that the spiritual lift they get is amazing! If you would like to attend either (or both?!?!?!) of these meetings, please contact Pastor Dave for more details.

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

Book Group Zoom link:    

IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!

 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!

November 18, 2022

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

“Dismiss all anxiety from your minds; instead, present your needs to God through prayer and petition, giving thanks for all circumstances. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

(Philippians 4:6-7, The Inclusive Bible)

The idea of giving thanks to God goes way back. The earliest traditions of the Hebrew people refer to a thank offering as a category of sacrifice and ritual. Some of our favorite prayers, hymns, and devotional writing spring from the spiritual condition of being thankful. But I don’t think we should simply go from day to day until the thankfulness bubbles up from within. Our ancestors made clear that if you aren’t feeling thankful, you’ve got some spiritual work to do!

Almost 30 years ago, a small group in the church I was serving decided to do a small exercise between their monthly meetings. They agreed that each of them would take a few minutes as they were going to bed and take stock of the day. They would then write things down for which they were grateful. As the pastor, I could hardly bow out of the activity, which seemed a little simplistic to me. Our children were small, we were both working and our days were hectic. Bedtime for the adults in our household was more a matter of falling, exhausted, into our bed than a planned routine. But I dutifully kept a notebook on my nightstand and made notes as I went to bed, not really expecting anything earth-shattering to happen.

But after a week or so, I did notice something. I was sleeping better. I fell asleep quicker and slept deeper. My anxiety level was significantly lower and my mood was definitely better. By cultivating my thankfulness, I was more likely to see things positively and to relate to others a little more receptively. The next time the group met, everyone who participated in the exercise reported similar results.

I’ve been a part of many a Thanksgiving dinner where those gathered were asked to share something for which they were thankful. I do appreciate those comments, but we typically leap too quickly to feasting and forget what those around the table have said. Doing it at bedtime meant that I had nothing to distract me from thankfulness. I slept on it. It infiltrated my dreams and infused my spirit with peace. I encourage you to try this, although I now know it doesn’t work for everyone. You may have to adapt it to a different time of day or connect it to a different part of your routine (lunch, for instance, or exercise time.) And who knows? When it’s your turn to say what you’re thankful for, you might have some really interesting things to say! Amen. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Pastor Davis Sickelka, Interim Pastor 

.

  Get Involved, Legislative Action Is Needed!

 Hold Polluters Accountable:

Michigan House Bill 4313 and Senate Bill 58 will allow our state environmental protection agencies and ordinary citizens to hold corporate polluters accountable for cleaning up spills, abandoned sites, and thereby protecting waterways, soil and aquifers.

Until 1995, Michigan had the strongest “polluter pay” law in the country! Since then, the burden of cleanup has shifted to the state and taxpayers. (See Lockhart Chemical spill in Flint River below.)

Contact your state legislators to support these bills! To find your state representative and state senator, google, ”Find Your Elected Officials”. Also you can google, “Sierra Add-Up Campaign: Make Mich. Polluters Pay”. You only need to fill in the blanks of your name, etc. and click on an already written email.

Lockhart Chemical Spill in Flint River:

On June 15th there was a chemical spill by the Lockhart Chemical Company. It was discovered near the Flint Drinking Water Treatment Plant where chemical waste was escaping from the storm drain. 20,000 gallons of waste has since spilled into the Flint River. There is still a “No Contact” order downstream of Stepping Stone Falls to Leith Street, and a “Do Non Consume Fish” order for the entire river in Genesee County downstream of Stepping Stone Falls.

Lockhart continued to use their leaky storage system until the Michigan Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) blocked its use on September 19th. To make matters worse, Lockhart has also filed bankruptcy to avoid responsibility for environmental clean-up and paying damages to the city of Flint and EGLE who are among those who paid for the clean-up. Sixty creditors are listed in the ensuing lawsuit. This came as a blow to the Flint River Watershed Coalition who has worked for decades to monitor and restore the health of the river. This is just one example of why we need to support the “Polluter Pay” legislation.

  Leslie Cummings, for The Creation/Justice Team 

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

What A Wondrous Variety

The Search Committee is in the process of reviewing applications we have received, some of them already from a few months ago when we were still in the process of developing our profile, others that have arrived within the past weeks. It is an exciting, challenging task to be sure! Even at the beginning of this review process we are amazed at the wondrous variety of talented and dedicated people whose paths have intersected with Peoples Church, even if just by way of a resume. Please remember that your part in this process is vital--we rely on your prayers for the Spirit's leading, that we will find a fit for Peoples Church; perhaps  someone who will stretch us and encourage us to grow, someone who will strengthen us while broadening our vision, or someone who may bring us to a path we have yet to imagine.

 Carla Pierik, Search Committee Chair

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!!!

All the children have been adopted to receive gifts for Christmas. Great job Peoples, People! Please make sure to drop-off your wrapped/bagged gifts with the child’s gift number (not name) to the church by or on Sunday, December 4th. 

 Thank you, Laura Eufinger 

UPCOMING AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES

Both the American Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ remember their retired clergy with special offerings in December. The American Baptists collect on Dec. 1 (and include missionaries among those for whom assistance is sought), and the United Church of Christ recommends an offering date of December 18 for their “Christmas Fund” or “Veterans of the Cross” special offering. Many retired clergy began their ministries in the days when salaries were low and benefits were meager. These offerings help retired clergy and clergy with low incomes to make ends meet, especially important during the holidays. Please  consider sharing something to help make life easier for those who have served faithfully in the church.

 Go to ucc.org or abc-usa.org to learn more and to donate.

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

Book Group Zoom link:    

IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!

 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!

November 04, 2022

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

“…Jesus said, ‘The truth is, this woman has put in more than all the rest. They made their contributions out of their surplus, but she from her want has given what she couldn’t afford – every penny she had to live on.” (Luke 21:3-4, The Inclusive Bible)

The story of the Widow’s Mite has long been a favorite of church folks. Jesus sits where he can see the temple treasury box and notes how the wealthy put in their gifts. Then a poor widow shows up with a couple of inconsequential coins and puts them in. He then values them more highly than all the other gifts combined. The reason given is that the gifts of the wealthy are what they don’t need. They are leftovers – disposable income that they might as well dispose of at the temple (church). The widow’s gift is what she couldn’t afford, meaning she would go without something essential because of her gift: food or shelter or clothing maybe.

As we collect pledges for the work of Peoples Church in 2023, it is tempting for those of us with a vested interest in the church’s financial health to leverage this story to get our donors to dig deeper. After all, if the widow in this story can go without food in order to make a gift, surely our church members can go without a latte or a new outfit or a new phone in order to give more to the church.

But if that is how we use this story, then I think we miss an important aspect of our stewardship. While it is important to follow the leading of the Spirit, which often prompts us to do something extravagant for others or for God, Jesus also makes it clear that we are to be deliberate in our decision making. Our stewardship (the management of what God has entrusted to us) is most effective when we give thought and consideration to what is most important to us and how we can best see that those important things are brought about. That doesn’t mean we can’t be generous, or give in a sacrificial way, but our approach must be realistic, or maybe we would use the word “sustainable.”

Sometimes the need is so great, or the cause is so important, that we must give out of our living. Sometimes a little bit given at the right time and in the right way, will make a huge difference. Sometimes we have more than we need and it makes sense for us to direct it to some other person or group. It’s all stewardship. We manage what we have, what we do, who we are and how we live so that what God wants and expects happens.

None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. Like the widow, we may find ourselves in dire circumstances. But for now, we can plan for work that is important to do. We can provide a welcome to those who are on the fringes. We can amplify the voices of those who are ignored. We can stand with those who insist that justice be done. We can challenge the systems that dehumanize and dismiss. But it starts with us thinking about the resources we have. I invite you to do that and then fill out a pledge card and bring/send it to church by November 13. Then we will express our gratitude to God for all the abundant gifts committed to this work, no matter how big or how small. Amen.

   Pastor Dave 

Death Announcement: It is with much sadness that we inform you of the death of Cliff Worstenholm, which occurred Sunday morning, October 30.

 Visitation will be Thursday, November 17 from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m. and again on Friday, November 18 from 12:00 to 2:00 with the service following at 2:00. Swartz Funeral Home (1225 Hill Rd.) is in charge of arrangements.

 In times of grief and sorrow, the presence of one’s community of faith is an indispensable source of comfort and strength. Please keep the Worstenholm family in your prayers and support them in whatever ways you feel are in alignment with your gifts and resources.

 Pastor Dave

BECAUSE the ICE CAPS are MELTING…. DIVEST

 A resolution was passed at the Michigan Conference UCC’s annual gathering last month calling on churches and members to

1. Divest from fossil fuel companies and the financial institutions that support them (Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, Bank of America)

2. Participate in individual and collective action relating to climate change

3. Divest from the use of plastics, particularly single-use plastics

As you know, Peoples Church has already gone through the process of divesting from fossil fuel companies. Our delegate, church Moderator, Jamie Schmidt talked to the gathering about our board of directors’ experience with divesting. She spoke to encourage other churches which are considering this action.

Now we need conversations among our members to consider what we might do individually to support this resolution. Are you ready for this next step? I am. I know that “wrecking creation is a sin”.  I know that simply recycling my junk mail is not enough. I know that America is addicted to oil, and it is time to call for a fast because the ICE CAPS ARE MELTING at an irreversible rate!!

 Leslie Cummings, for The Creation/Justice Team 

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

We have been privileged, with 41 children to provide Christmas gifts for this year.  Starting November 6 we will have the age, gender and gift ideas for each child. Wrapped gifts are due back at church by Sunday December 4th.  Suggested amount to spend per child is $35.

A couple of changes this year, children are listed as individuals and not grouped by families and each child has a number. Since we don't have "family" groups you may take as many children as you want. Make sure the child's number is on their gift tag and that their number is also on the outside of the bag the gift is in. Please do not use the children's names. 

 Thank you, Laura Eufinger 

People's Church Fulfilled A Goal!

We asked for donations support medical debt relief for low income families in Michigan. You responded with typical Peoples (Woodside) generosity. You went far beyond our goal. $1,916.00 has been received and sent to The RIP Medial Debt relief. No more is needed.

We are now asking those who are able to contribute to our Ministers Discretionary Fund for emergency assistance in our community.

Thank you! Jay Cummings 

UPCOMING AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES

    Informational Links:    

Nov. 5th Zoom Registration , Nov. 9th , Centering Africa at COP27 , The Equal Justice Initiative: Registration

 Nov. 30th Climate Hope Cards Art Contest

A COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION

Per the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, during a 12 month period (from April 2020 to April 2021) there was an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths within the United States. That’s an approximated 8,359 people per month, 2,090 people per week, 300 people per day and 2,006 people per each one of the 50 states (give or take a few people). (Source)

Now we could dive deep into the various reasons why someone would willingly use a substance that could potentially cause them to un-alive themselves but that’s a topic for another day. But what we can discuss today is what we could do to hopefully assist someone to come back from the brink of an overdose if we were to witness it. Please see the information provided by Jay Cummings below.

Narcan Training & Narcan Kit Acquisition

There are two options:

Genesee Health System provides in person group training.  There is no cost. They have a minimum group size of 10 but can accommodate up to 50 people…Training are scheduled during the weekday.  It is possible to schedule evenings but apparently  requires all sorts of special approvals when training is outside of the scheduled work day.  If you want to pursue this option, contact Sheila Rickman.  Her desk phone is 810.496.5783 and her cell phone is 810.429.6279.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) (familiesagainstnarcotics.org) does online training. From the homepage, click on Programs, then Naloxone training.  Individuals can register online for naloxone training dates/times that fit their schedule. Upon completion individuals are mailed a Narcan kit. At no cost.  FAN is located in Macomb County and some sessions are limited to Macomb County residents.

Listed on the website there are currently two trainings on the schedule:

Saturday, Nov 12 at 11:00 a.m.  Virtual Training Session Registration

FAN continuously adds new training dates to their calendar.

Of course you can always utilize both options!

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

Book Group Zoom link:    

IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!

 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!

October 21, 2022

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 Insight’s

“No matter how we try to organize our religion, it never will be the last word.”

“I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”     

 (Ephesians 3:18-19, The New Revised Standard Version)

 I have to say at the outset, that I love Halloween. I love the decorating, the costumes, seeing the neighbor kids at our door, and watching Hocus Pocus on TV. I also have trouble curbing my enthusiasm for things that not everyone enjoys. One Halloween, after moving into a “fixer-upper” in September, I decided to take advantage of the house’s condition and incorporate it into my decorating. The front deck had missing and broken spindles in the railing, so I loosened a few more, strung some fake cobwebs over it all, and had creepy organ music playing in the attic (Bach’s toccata and fugue in D minor, for you music buffs). I added a smoke machine so that when the front door opened, smoke came rolling out along the ground. It was great! None of the neighbors had anything like what we had. Of course, we had very few kids come to the door! It was too scary!

We celebrate the end of October with this bizarre holiday for a lot of reasons. It owes its place on our calendars to what happens the next day, which many observe as All Saints’ Day, and the following day, All Soul’s Day. In Roman Catholicism All Saints’ Day was celebrated as a time to pray to and honor the saints of the Church. As the clock ticked down to midnight on the day before (All Hallow’s Eve, or Hallow e’en), the dead saints were thought to revisit the mortal world and all kinds of spooky things transpired. In Hispanic cultures, many traditions of Pre-Christian death commemorations were added to this three-day time period in a parallel observance of El Dia de los Muertes, The Day of the Dead. The last day of October was also the day that, in the year 1517 the ninety-five Theses or Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences, a list of propositions for an academic disputation written by Martin Luther, professor of moral theology at the University of Wittenberg, Germany, were posted on the door of the church. He knew lots of people would be there the next day! So we Protestants now celebrate it also as Reformation Day.

But the Reformation Day/All Saints Day/Halloween/Day of the Dead melting pot (cauldron?) is about more than church debates and cultural divides. It expresses, albeit inadequately, the spiritual realities of the deep faith (sometimes accompanied by miracles) of those who have gone before us, the need for us to dredge up our deepest fears (to confront and conquer them), and the recognition that as we try to organize and structure our faith communities and the institutions that serve them, we have to        continually “reform” them and throw out what is no longer serving us well. All of this is part of what the Apostle Paul was writing about in Ephesians 3. He recognized that God is always more than we imagine, more than our ability to express and more than our institutions can embody. No matter how we try to organize our religion, it never will be the last word.

It's easy to take pot shots at someone else’s values and ideas. We can pooh-pooh the idea of praying to St. Anthony to help us find our car keys, while others laugh at us for our many church splits and our “cafeteria” approach to religion, taking what we like and leaving some important things out. But Paul would not have endorsed us focusing on what others do wrong. He (following Jesus’ lead) would have said we should look at our own practices, not look down on others, and do everything in love. The fact that we have divided Christ’s church into “sects” or denominations is an occasion for confession and repentance, not celebration.

Decades ago, I heard a presentation by Michael Kinnemon, a Disciples of Christ theologian. He did a lot of work in the area of ecumenical (interchurch) relations. He said we got the cart before the horse. We think that bringing all the denominations together is something we should work on, when in reality it is already God’s gift to us. We just can’t recognize it. As Paul puts it just a few lines further on in Ephesians, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and [parent] of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Eph. 4:4-5, NRSV).

I don’t plan to stop decorating for Halloween. But I hope I will do a better job of seeing the value of what others bring to the rich banquet of our spiritual lives, whether it be in the Christian community or in the other religions of the world, or among people who have no organized group to join. We are all family. Amen.

   Pastor Dave 

Carbon Footprint Made Easy… Well, Maybe

 Over the past 20 years or so, the idea of Carbon Footprint has seen increasing usage in our conversations and culture. We are going to hear much more about Carbon Footprints in the future. Getting a handle on what these imprints are is in our own best interest. For starters on this road to clarity, carbon footprints aren’t footprints at all.  If that causes confusion, BBC is here to help with this brief video that could be called Carbon Footprints for Dummies. I for one found it very helpful. Watch now before continuing and save me from getting writers’ cramps.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9yO-K8mwL0/

Getting a grip on your own contribution to the murderous methane pollution and destruction of our atmosphere and life on earth begins with acknowledging and understanding your own share in this human crime against the universe. Here is a link to a Carbon Footprint Calculator produced by the Nature Conservancy: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/?redirect=https-301. Many more calculators can be found online. Pick your favorite. Different calculators have different equations and consequently will give you different numbers. I found the important and most helpful thing about the calculators is not the numbers (which are hard to get your head around no matter what they are). The helpful part is in all the questions that you will be asked as you make your calculation. The questions will start you thinking about your own responsibility and what you can do.

In conclusion, here are some facts and links about Carbon Footprints. Enjoy.

Trees cut per year: The U.S. Forest Service estimates that one 33 year old Gumtree has about 1.2 tons of carbon stored in it (Source).

Flights from LA to Paris: Each flight from LA to Paris is equivalent to approximately 1.3 tons of CO2 (Source).

Square feet of Arctic sea ice loss: For every metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted, about three square meters (approximately 32.3 square feet) of Arctic summer sea ice is destroyed (Source).

Percent weight of a humpback whale: An adult humpback whale weighs around 36.28 metric tons (Source).

Miles driven: For this estimation, we're using an average car with a 22 miles per gallon efficiency (10.6 L/100km), and 8.887 kg of CO₂ emitted per gallon of fuel burned (Source).

Cows burping per year: A special breathalyzer measured about 0.5kg of methane burped by one cow every day. Multiply that by 25 to get the CO₂ equivalent of methane, and that's 12.5kg per day, or 4.56 metric tons per year! (Source)

Burgers eaten: Exact numbers for emissions from one burger vary from 1.8 kg to as much as 335kg (factoring in deforestation for cattle farms). We stuck to the more conservative estimate (Source).

   Kendall Brown, for the Creation/Justice Team 

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

It's that time of year, where you can help make it a Merry Christmas for the children at Voices for Children.  

Information sheets will be available starting Sunday November 6th. The   information sheets will have the name, age, gender and gift ideas for each child. A suggested amount is $35- $40.00 for each child.

Wrap your gifts and return them to Peoples Church by December 4th. Please put all the gifts for your family in one bag or box with the information sheet on the outside.

Thank you, Laura Eufinger 

Search Committee Update, Hello Peoples Church! The Search Committee is excited to have completed our Church Profile. It has been submitted and posted on the Pastor Search pages of the UCC, American Baptist, and the Alliance of Baptists Church websites. Consequently, our task now changes. We are now in a time of waiting and you may not hear from us as frequently, but know that the Search Committee continues to meet regularly. Our focus during this time is one of seeking discernment, of developing processes, and of growing together in our common goal through meditation and prayer. Waiting, eagerly.

 Thank you so much!

 Carla Pierik, Search Committee Chair

UPCOMING AFFILIATE ACTIVITIES

    Informational Links:    

Installation Service      or   Edgewood UCC, Youtube 

(BOOK LINK). Nov. 5th Zoom Registration

Upcoming Event Links Below:

Nov. 9th , Centering Africa at COP27

Nov. 30th Climate Hope Cards Art Contest

A COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION

Let’s discuss something ugly. Per the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, during a 12 month period (from April 2020 to April 2021) there was an estimated 100,306 drug overdose deaths within the United States. That’s an approximated 8,359 people per month, 2,090 people per week, 300 people per day and 2,006 people per each one of the 50 states (give or take a few people). (Source)

Now we could dive deep into the various reasons why someone would willingly use a substance that could potentially cause them to un-alive themselves but that’s a topic for another day. But what we can discuss today is what we could do to hopefully assist someone to come back from the brink of an overdose if we were to witness it. Please see the information provided by Jay Cummings below.

Narcan Training & Narcan Kit Acquisition

There are two options:

Genesee Health System provides in person group training.  There is no cost. They have a minimum group size of 10 but can accommodate up to 50 people…Training are scheduled during the weekday.  It is possible to schedule evenings but apparently  requires all sorts of special approvals when training is outside of the scheduled work day.  If you want to pursue this option, contact Sheila Rickman.  Her desk phone is 810.496.5783 and her cell phone is 810.429.6279.

Families Against Narcotics (FAN) (familiesagainstnarcotics.org) does online training. From the homepage, click on Programs, then Naloxone training.  Individuals can register online for naloxone training dates/times that fit their schedule. Upon completion individuals are mailed a Narcan kit. At no cost.  FAN is located in Macomb County and some sessions are limited to Macomb County residents.

Listed on the website there are currently two trainings on the schedule:

Thursday, Oct 27 at 7:00 p.m. Virtual Training Session Registration

Saturday, Nov 12 at 11:00 a.m.  Virtual Training Session Registration

FAN continuously adds new training dates to their calendar.

Of course you can always utilize both options!

JOIN THE THURSDAY NIGHT BOOK GROUP

Book Group Zoom link:    

IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!

 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!

October 07, 2022

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

“Jesus left the house and sat down by the lake shore. Such great crowds gathered that he went and took a seat in a boat, while the crowd stood along the shore. He addressed them at length in parables.” (Matthew 13:1-3a, The Inclusive Bible)

A few years back, I attended a church meeting. The planners of the event had decided that relationships would be the focus and wanted to make sure that each person present would be given the opportunity to meet everyone there. So while we were gathered in the sanctuary, they had us form a large circle. Then they had one person step into the enclosed space and begin shaking peoples’ hands, moving around the circle as they went, followed by each person in turn. The intent was that in a very short time, everyone would have met everyone.

Ten minutes were allowed for this exercise. After fifteen minutes we were encouraged to pick up the pace. After 20 minutes, we were told to limit our conversation to one phrase. After half an hour, they called it to a halt. What the planners had neglected to take into account (besides the fact that church people like to talk!) was that in a large group, there are many opportunities for relationships, and that complicates anything you try to do. This can be summarized in a mathematical expression that is called “The handshake formula.” N x (N – 1) ÷ 2. If each member of a set interacts with every other member of the set, it tells you how many interactions there will be. So if there were 101 people at my church meeting, then 101 x 100 ÷ 2 = 5,050!

Jesus understood that the larger the crowd got, the more you had to work to keep everybody in the loop. He relocates to a boat on the lake so everyone can hear. He calls 72 people (in addition to the Twelve) to go ahead of him to spread the word and minister to the people. Peoples Church has about a hundred people that we consider to be members, friends, and supporters. That means there are about 5,000 relationships percolating and fizzing in this community of faith. Granted, some of them are stronger than others, and some require more attention than others, but our togetherness is built on an assumption of keeping track of each other and meeting the needs of everyone to be engaged in the work and supportive of our goals. The forces that alternately strengthen and then weaken these relationships are always working among us.

Picture it like a large trampoline or a spider web. If something drops on the trampoline or flies into the spider web, it pushes and pulls the whole thing! The tension is felt in some places more than others, but it affects the whole. The same is true in a congregation. If someone loses a job or faces a serious illness, all of us are affected. If someone gets promoted or wins the lottery, we all reap the benefits, even if it is “only” the joy that spreads among us. That is why opportunities to share that kind of life experience are so important – what we commonly call “fellowship times.” They offer some stretching and exercising for the whole web.

The challenge churches (and groups like them) face is tailoring their programs and policies to the size we find ourselves to be. As congregations grow and shrink, they tend to try to do things “the way we’ve always done it” even if that doesn’t work well anymore. Shrinking churches tend to have more policies and procedures and structure than they need. Growing churches tend to try to make do with “the grape vine” for communication and pastoral care or want to avoid scheduling more than one event for the same time slot. As size changes, different approaches are needed.

In an interim time, it’s important to remember that most clergy have a mid-set for growth. They will look at the church’s profile and the neighborhood’s needs and demographics and envision a thriving ministry that leads to more participants. That will require a re-thinking of the use of space, staffing, programing, and structure. It is a normal dynamic of the entry process. Receive it as a gift that will help generate excitement and momentum moving forward.

And periodically run the handshake formula to remind yourselves of how many relationships need the nurture and healing that this congregation has to offer. They will grow exponentially as people find their spiritual home here. As Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, pray that God will send workers to bring it home.”

Amen.

   Pastor Dave 

just in case you didn’t know…

This graph from Population Connection surprised me. I am a big-time paper recycler - even going through the wastebasket in search of paper! We compost and recycle at our house. I guess we need to up our game! What about you?

Population Connection link:

   Leslie Cummings, for the Creation/Justice Team 

GOOD THINGS are HAPPENING in and

AROUND US 

Peoples Plaza Needs You! It’s time for the next step in updating our building—painting the exterior trim and lamp posts. We’ve secured a professional contractor. But we are also looking for volunteers to help with tasks such as:

• Scrapping old painted surfaces

• Prepping old surfaces for painting

• Taping off window areas

• Scraping windows from new paint install

• Prepping lamp posts for painting and priming and painting them.

• Prep and clean up paint areas

The only thing we don’t know: the actual date. But it will be this month.

In the meantime, please let us know if you can help. Please call the church office at 810-767-4911 or send an email to info@peopleschurchofflint.org. Also, you can reach out to either Dale Emery or Joe Eufinger.

Search Committee Update,  The committee has been working on our church profile to help us find a pastor that will be a good fit and help us on our journey. I use the word journey because we, the congregation of Peoples Church, are finding our way to what is next.

A big part of the profile is looking back, thinking about where Woodside has been. The big risk we took leaving our long-time church home to find ourselves in a rented community space and finding a home here in downtown Flint.

I think our little team has had an opportunity to think about, discuss and feel all the emotions that come along with significant change. Grief, fear, confusion about how to move forward. Working through until we are becoming excited for a new season in our church life. We are learning to believe and trust that the right person will find their way to us and together we will find what is next.

Not everyone can be at the same place on this emotional journey. We want you to know you are not alone. Although we cannot share details about our progress, we are here to support you. Talk to us if you have concerns or just feel like you want to express where you are in this process of letting go and moving toward a new path. I am so glad to be on this journey with you!

 Thanks so much!

                                                                Dee Johnson, Search Committee Member

Upcoming Affiliate Activities

    Informational Links:    

Quarterly Council Meeting      Environmental Justice is Racial Justice       Installation Service   or   Edgewood UCC, Youtube 

join the thursday night book group

Book Group Zoom link:    

IN THE CONGREGATION
Links are on the church calendar. Need more info? Just ask!

 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!