Ordinary Little Things 
A Prayer of Thanks
Loving God,
 Awaken me to the gift
 Of ordinary little things.
  
The kindness of strangers
 Whose door opening 
 Fashions a flash of friendship.
 
The feel of breath
 Moving in and out,
 Gift to a body 
 I did not make.
 
The flower that persists
 Even as snow flies
 Daring to cover 
 The joy it offers.
 
The wonder of children 
 Helping me see anew
 Noticing things long lost
 In my taken for granted world.
 
The unexpected call 
 From a friend too long
 Silenced by seconds 
 Strangely become years.

The taste of foods
 Sacramental all 
 In their awakening 
 Dance of delight
 On a tongue often occupied
 With too much speech.
The red light that pauses
 My hurried journey
 Too often missing
 Your rising in everything
 And everyone all around
 Revealing miracles close
 Yet distanced
 By needless worry.
 
Yes, God, 
 Grant me the grace
 Of a grateful heart
 Awakened and conscious
 Of your persistent gift
 Pressing Your presence
 Tending the little things
 Shaping larger things 
 With Your Holy motion of love.
 
And may the joy you offer
 And the joy I desire
 Become one,
 Little by little
 Bit by bit
 Yes, thank You.

-DMLH, November 2021
Dayton Disaster Relief Underway in the New Year:
Accepting Volunteers Now!

A tornado outbreak in May 2019 damaged thousands of homes in the greater Dayton, OH area. The Disciples of Christ agency for relief funding, Week of Compassion, is working with the Miami Valley Long Term Recovery Operations Groups on an innovative collaboration called the Tornado Survivors’ Pathways to Homeownership, which helps families displaced from tornado-damaged rental housing become first-time homeowners. In partnership with the Ohio Disciples Region, the Heartland Conference of the United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Network, UCC Disaster Ministries, and DOC Week of Compassion, volunteer teams of 4-10 people are gladly welcomed Jan 9-April 2, 2022 to finish interiors of new homes. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older (mixed age groups must have 1 adult for every 4 volunteers under 18).

Click on the image above for more information!!
As you may know, a 2017 General Synod Resolution identified a non-profit, member owned credit union as a way to provide vital financial benefits to the UCC community, and to advance justice for many who need access to the products and services a credit union can provide.

The Pension Boards of the UCC has undertaken the challenge to create a credit union for UCC clergy, lay church workers and local church members across the denomination. As part of the regulatory process to obtain a credit union charter from the National Credit Union Association (NCUA), a critical step is a survey to measure interest from potential credit union members like YOU.

Please answer the 10-minute survey now by clicking the link below.
The survey closes on November 22nd, 2021.
Your answers are essential, as a new credit union charter cannot proceed without a sufficient number of surveys. If you have any questions, please feel free to call The Pension Boards at (800) 642-6543, from 8:30-4:30 Eastern Time. 
ENLIVEN

Enliven is a series of virtual courses that create community and conversation around spiritual life, and encourage individuals to learn, grow and share together.
On Giving Tuesday, November 30,
the Heartland Conference invites you
to indulge in Giving Twos-Day!

You can support our National Setting initiative for Climate Justice by clicking here: https://www.ucc.org/giving/donate-now/

Or you can support our Outdoor Ministries in either of these two ways:

Camp 2.0, which funds ongoing programs: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=EZR4R2Z32SDMJ.

Or The Hills Are Alive! Capital Campaign, in support of Capital Improvements and Camperships at Templed Hills: https://www.loveourhills.org/.

This Giving Tuesday, and every day that you share your treasure with us and our partners, is a wonderful time to give thanks for the reciprocal gift of Christian generosity.