UPC Communicator
April 17, 2018


Hands
The other day, I heard someone from our UPC congregation comment that a person who had visited UPC decided not to return because the people here were not friendly.  
  I beg to differ.             
  Last summer, I began attending UPC just a few weeks prior to the previous pastor's departure. Pastor Sheri spoke about the hands and feet of the resurrected Christ. She provided some thoughts during her sermon on April 15, 2018, about how we are the hands and feet of the Lord, helping to serve others.
  You're likely wondering how these things relate to my experience thus far in this church. I'm naturally friendly, so I may have attracted more friendliness in return than the disgruntled visitor. But please let me share some stories of how your hands have served me.  
  T he first time I attended, greeters welcomed me, shook my hand and handed me a program with the Order of Service. I sat in the back where I could watch and see the service, and where I could lift my gaze to the cross, which I always find immensely comforting. The hands that played the organ and the piano and the guitar and the tambourine brought sounds into the sanctuary that helped fill my heart with gladness. Hands that held the offertory plates and passed them through the congregation provided me a chance to give what I could. After the service, I shook the hand of the minister before I left. This is something I was taught to do as a child, to pay my respects, so to speak.
  The next Sunday, greeters again welcomed me, and a few men and women from the congregation introduced themselves to me and shook my hand. After the service, one of the women from the congregation chatted briefly with me about how long I had lived in Laramie. I explained that I had lived here many years before when I came to earn my bachelor's degree. She nodded matter-of-factly and said what I had been about to tell her: "And so you came home." Yes.
  The next week, one of the women from the congregation showed me the coasters that could be used in the pews if I wanted to bring my coffee with me into the sanctuary. Another invited me to join a circle group, and another invited me to come to brunch with a bunch that meets informally at a local restaurant after church. Soon after that, I was encouraged to join the choir, where I was handed music, a folder and a choir robe.
  You at UPC have extended hands of welcome, hands of hospitality, hands of hopefulness and of course, hands that prepare and serve communion. Contemporary inspirational singer Twila Paris says it so well in her song, "How Beautiful," with the lyrics, "How beautiful the hands that served. ..."
  All of these actions came so naturally from all of you that you probably didn't even realize how meaningful they were to me. Let me assure you that such kind gestures have been appreciated, most especially because of the recent changes I have made during my life journey. Simple things-a handshake and a hello. Gracious things. Helpful things. You didn't overwhelm me, and you didn't overpower me as sometimes people filled with Christian zeal do when someone new ventures into their midst. You allowed me to be as I needed to be the first time or two, and then you extended heartfelt invitations and continued with the introductions. This is how I first felt the congregation express "Christ's love in action."
  This is why I was so startled to hear that someone considered this congregation an unfriendly one.
  I came to UPC because I discovered that over the past few years, my relationship with God-while always intensely personal and private-had become a less formal one than I originally thought. I seek Him as friend, a Great Friend, who quite often holds my hand as He gently guides me through life.
  When I endured a very difficult period in my life a few years ago, I prayed for God to please send me a human hand to hold. God, being who I believe Him to be, sent more than one. He sent several. And believe you me, I held onto them! And as I reflect on many years past and challenges that I have overcome throughout my journey, I see that God has often sent me hands to hold when I am frightened and feel lost. And I have held onto them.
  So, too, ever since I have been attending this church, you as a congregation have been holding my hand as I move through my life transitions, and we are holding one another's hands as we navigate the changes that this church is experiencing currently.
  But really, it is God who is holding us, isn't it? And that, to me, is the highest form of friendship.-Lori VanPelt
Property Quiz - Answers Next Week!
This past week, Pete Lindahl and church handyperson Josh spent a lot of time cleaning out the church. Thanks Pete and Josh! Play along with this Property quiz, answers will be revealed next week.
-How many florescent lightbulbs were recycled?
-How many pounds of trash were taken to the dump?
News from Mission
-Many thanks to the folks, particularly the young people, who helped put together the 42 disaster kits - 20 Education Kits and 22 Hygiene Kits. Everything is packed and will be taken to UPS for shipping to the warehouses maintained by Church World Service.  These kits are a just one action of the disaster relief activities of the Presbyterian Church USA.  Also, thanks to Pastor Sheri, Vi Baker, and Nancy Lick for the dinner.  This was the first year that this event was held in the evening and the Mission Committee will be reconsidering this timing.
-Don't forget the upcoming Habitat build in Cheyenne for the UPC women.  Please see either Pastor Sheri or Nancy Lick for details.
-Another Habitat build in Cheyenne is scheduled for August 18th for a "coed" UPC team.  Please sign up with Pastor Sheri, Nancy Lick, Vi Baker, or Wayne Karberg.
-Please consider volunteering to help with the coordination of the 2019 Relay for Life.  UPC should not miss another year to participate.  For more information, see either Susan Bulgrin or a member of the Mission Committee.
-The student intern assisting with the UPC Outreach Program at the Downtown Clinic this year will be graduating next month.  She has been absolutely a gift to the program.  Please keep Alie in your prayers as she finishes up her graduate studies and plans for the next phase of her life.
Washer/Dryer Ready to Go!!!
The washer and dryer donated by Family Promise to UPC are installed and ready for laundry! Family Promise will be providing the soap, so UPC groups wanting to use the machines please help yourself!
Christ's Love in Action!
UPC celebrates and thanks:

-the volunteers that went to the VBS work day on the 7th.

--Thank you for the ways that you are putting Christ's Lov in Action! 
VBS sign up!
The weather is getting warmer...its time to start thinking about Vacation Bible School.

UPC will hold  VBS  June 4th - 8th from  9:00- 11:30 am.

Please follow this link to register:

Please let Michelle Harris know if you have any questions.
A Habit for Change...May & August is Habitat Months at UPC!
" Habitat for Humanity is a perpetual miracle; everyone who receives, gives; and everyone who gives receives. If you want to live complacent and uninspired, stay away from Habitat; come close to Habitat and it will change you, and make you part of something that changes the world ."--  Randall Wallace
  Helping other is always a great way to give back to your community. Try thinking of others who can use a little help to make a lot of change. Habitat for Humanity has been making that change every year.   Since its inception, Habitat for Humanity has helped to build more than 800,000 houses around the world providing safe, affordable shelter to so many people. The houses are built with donated materials by volunteers then are sold to qualified families with no profit. Each home is financed with affordable, no interest loans that can extend out over 30 years.
  Habitat for Humanity is not a government agency and they accept no government funds for the construction of their houses. Their mission is to eradicate "Poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action." In order to get a Habitat home, the future homeowner must agree to pay a down payment and make monthly mortgage payments. In addition, they must invest hundred of hours of their own time into building their Habitat house and the houses of others. Families in the program are chosen based on "their level of need, their willingness to become partners in the program and their ability to repay the no-interest loan." There is no discrimination based on religion or race.
Why I believe in Habitat               
  After my first Habitat building experience I learned that it's about creating a safe place where the people and the love inside the home are the most important thing - and not the stuff. If there is love at home, then there will be love in the world when we step out our front doors. Despite my disbelief at first, I learned that by the end of a build, an entire house is in fact going to be constructed by people, some of whom have ever even swung a hammer. From my participation with Habitat, I have experienced the impact of a person serving and being a part of something larger than them.  
  Come join us & have a Brush with Kindness on Saturday, May 26 and join the lady's build team.   We need to be in Cheyenne by 8:00 a.m. and our shift ends with lunch provided by Habitat at 12:00 pm.  I feel car rides complete with donut and coffee deliciousness coming on!!   Please RSVP to Sheri at UPCLaramiePastor@gmail.com with your interest. We have another opportunity to participate in a Habitat build on Saturday, August 18.
Rev. Sheri Fry
EASTER PEOPLE
  The road to Emmaus is a great passage for those of us working on this faith thing. It speaks to what most of us yearn for...some assurance that we are on the right road, and that God is walking with us. Because, of course, it doesn't always feel that way. We can do our best, make the best decisions we can, seek God's guidance each step of the way, but it seems like rarely is it clear that God is walking' along with us, saying "yes, this is right." We pray and pray for at least a feeling of confirmation, but still there are times we think we're on the right road, but really can't be sure. And that's when life is good. There are also times we know we're on the wrong road, but truly, honestly, can't find the alternative route. 
  Jesus meets these two people on the way to Emmaus. He doesn't come to them in Jerusalem. He doesn't wait for them at home. He doesn't bid them make some holy pilgrimage or undertake some pious feat. Rather, he meets them where they are...on the road, amid their journey, right in the middle of the pain, frustration, and despondency that threatens to overwhelm them. Jesus listens to them, to their pain, he interprets scripture to them, he walks all the way home with them. But they don't recognize him until they are together around a table, in a sacred moment, breaking bread together.  
  It's not a bad pattern to emulate, is it? Meet people where they are. Open up the scriptures so they can make sense of their lives in light of God's mercy. Gather them to the meal that they might behold and be nourished by Christ's own presence. This story directs us to the church, where we may encounter Jesus in the word and the sacraments. But not "the church" that's equated with the institution. We are directed to the church that meets a very ordinary world; a world marked by loss and brokenness. Church is where you come to find out that Christ loves you, God walks with you, even when you are nowhere in the ball park of being good.  
  We can Easter people. We can be a community that opens people's eyes to the presence of God in their lives no matter what those lives look like. We can meet people on their road to Emmaus. And it's not a matter of convincing someone of something, converting someone, telling them right from wrong. It's a matter of doing what we do: gathering, singing, breaking bread, loving, welcoming, and not judging. We do this well. We can help Easter people who are dying into new life.   Thanks be to God.                          -- Rev. Sheri Fry
UPC's Stroll to the Scrolls
  The unique exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls prepared by the Israel Antiquities Authority is currently on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.  Please sign up with Pastor Sheri or Nancy Lick for a UPC trip to see this exhibition on Wednesday, June 6th .
  These scrolls are the oldest known biblical documents dating back over 2000 years.  The first scrolls were discovered by Bedouin goat herders near Qumran by the Dead Sea.  Ten scrolls are being displayed along with over 600 other artifacts from the ancient Middle East.  Accompanying this exhibition is a 44-minute firm on Jerusalem that sets the stage for viewing the scrolls. 
  A van has been reserved to transport our group and reservations have been made at the museum so we can benefit from the group rate.  The cost of the trip includes the museum's entrance fee along with the fees for both the exhibit and the movie, round trip transportation from the church, and dinner where our "visit" to the Mideast will continue in the VIP Room at the Phoenician Restaurant (recommended highly by Pastor Sheri).  The cost for adults under the age of 65 is $65 and for folks 65 and over, the cost is $61. 
  Please make your reservation early as , if the van fills up, efforts can be made to try to expand our participation if we have time to do so.
Ghost Ranch
June 17-23, 2018
We hope you will consider having your youth (incoming 6th grade through graduated 12th grade) joining us on a service trip to Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico in June.
 
The Youth Service Corps program at Ghost Ranch provides middle school and high school youth with opportunities to deepen connections through meaningful service work on and off Ghost Ranch property.
 
Youth work an average of 20-25 hours during their Sunday-Saturday stay at Ghost Ranch. Service work extends from the ranch and out into the great Northern New Mexican communities surrounding Ghost Ranch providing enriching and engaging cultural educational experiences. Each day, YSC participants are provided with opportunity to contemplate the meaning, purpose and connections made through service work, reflections and other spiritual offerings.
 
This program also includes opportunities for the group to participate in fun activities; ropes course, hiking beautiful trails, kayaking and swimming on Abiquiu Lake's waterfront and ranch swimming pool and ranch wide games.
 
If you would like more information please contact Rev. Sheri Fry at UPClaramiepastor@gmail.com or call 307-742-2061 x 12.
 
Registration is due by Sunday, March 25. Cost is $450 and financial assistance from UPC is available.  
 
Elizabeth William and Rev. Sheri Fry will be the chaperones on the trip and we are hoping one of the college adults will also join us. 
Per Capita
Please be sure to pay your member Per Capita of $43.05 for 2018.  Thank you.
Reports & Session Minutes
The UPC Session Minutes and reports can be read at our website at  upclaramie.org/minutes/
Spring Church Office Hours
The hours for the church office are as follows:  Monday and Wednesday 10:00-1:00 and Friday 12:00-3:00.  We want to remind everyone that the church is open.  We check the phone messages and emails on a regular basis. Please, if you feel you need to give the church a call or a visit please do so!
Church Contact Info
To contact the church staff click on a name below.

Rev. Sheri Fry        Rev. Sheri Fry

Clerk of Session      Carole Hertz

Church Office or 
Nikki Rogers           Nikki Rogers

Children's 
Ministry                   Michelle Harris

Music 
Ministry                  Lorinda O'Hashi
L iturgist  volunteers
Liturgists  are needed for upcoming services at UPC. 
If you are willing to step forward to do this, please click on the following link and mark the date/time that will work for you. Thank you from the Worship Committee.

liturgists
Giving Paul Rechard a Ride to Church
The Deacons are working to coordinate rides to church for Paul Rechard.  Please click the sign up below if you would be willing to help.  Thank you!

Give Paul a Ride
APRIL Care Cart
Whiting High School (WHS) strives to maintain students - many facing serious personal problems-in school to provide them with a solid learning foundation on which to build and meet their goals.  Currently WHS has increased its student body to 45 while keeping its low teacher student ratio.  This allows the school to live up to its motto, "With high expectations comes high support."  It is a Character Counts school that embeds the six pillars of character into their program: trustworthiness; respect; responsibility; fairness; caring; and citizenship.  Given the dire economic realities facing most of their students, all school meals are free and the school runs its own "store" where students can obtain food and other necessities at no cost. The school's principal is thrilled that UPC is planning to make some donations to their efforts and has asked for paper products and toiletries.
Items to be donated:
-disposable razors
-shaving cream
-shampoo
-hair conditioner
-deodorant
-toothbrushes
-toothpaste
-shower gel
-dental floss
-skin/hand lotion
-fingernail file
-toilet paper
-tissues
ORDAINED ELDERS AND DEACONS
If you are an ordained elder or deacon, your help in serving communion during our worship services would be greatly appreciated. Just click on the following link and then mark the date that will work for you. Thank you from The UPC Worship Committee.

elders and deacons
ONLINE GIVING
UPC is pleased to offer online giving opportunities.  For more information click  on-line giving  
Calendar of Events at UPC
For a full calendar of events click here         

United Presbyterian
Church

upclaramie@gmail.com
307-742-2061

Christ's Love in Action