“Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6, NRSV)

Dear Friends,

It’s Thanksgiving Week. It’s a time for gathering with family and friends, to reflect on all that has been a gift in our lives, but it is also a time to be thankful for the challenges as well. Today would be the 40^th birthday of my twin sons, John Steven and Kiel Edward. They never had a chance to grow up, to live the lives I hoped they would live. There is sadness today, but there is also thanksgiving. Hard to imagine, isn’t it? How could I be grateful and thankful for this loss? Well, let me tell you a story.

While I was in the hospital after their birth and death, my pastor came to see me. I was in the “why me?”” stage of my grief, angry and unbelieving that this could have happened. My pastor, knowing me well, asked me questions. “Why not you? Who would you wish this on? Would you want this to happen to someone whose faith would be destroyed?” At the time I was taken aback. How could he ask these questions of me, while I was in such pain? And yet, he knew me well. He knew I would turn to God, angry at the occurrence in my life, but I would still turn to God. He knew I would rage at God, yell into the cosmos, but he also knew my deep and abiding faith anchored me in the presence of God.

This Thanksgiving season, everything may not be as we wish. Yet, I will stand firm in my faith. I will give thanks for the others, whether they agree with me or not, who also stand firm in their faith. I will give thanks for the varying opinions about God, if we all keep seeking the presence of God. Even when the decisions of others hurt me and those I care about, I will offer thanks that God is with us in these moments, that God has not, and never will, leave us. I will stand for my belief in a loving, inclusive, steadfast God. I will stand for justice and hope and love. I will make my requests known to God, and even when it doesn’t seem that God is answering me, I will trust that God embraces me, loves me, and blesses me. I wish the same for you. Happy Thanksgiving. Blessings, Bonnie

Blue Christmas Service

December 18 – 2PM – Blue Christmas – St. John’s (Mickleys), Whitehall – in person only

December 18 – 3PM – Blue Christmas (4 locations and zoom) - TBA

Click Here for Service Bulletin

Caring Bridge Entry by Candy Miller dated November 18, 2022

I want to write a quick update. This summer we received the devastating news that Alan had but a few weeks left of his life. Again, Alan has defeated the odds. The past 2 weeks, he has been declining. He has lost 10 lbs in those 2 short weeks, he is very confused, but still remembers family and friends. Which is a true blessing. He sleeps most of the day. He is mobile, but weak. Hospice comes in 2 times a week at this point, and keeping his pain controlled. They are saying that he is beginning to transition. We are asking for prayers for a peaceful entry into Gods kingdom. 

We love you all. The Miller Family

Bonnie's Letter

This week, my friends, there are two letters for you to think about. Once again, a hate crime has been perpetrated against the LGBTQI community, Say their names: Daniel Davis Aston, Derrick Rump, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh and Raymond Green Vance. These five people were shot and killed at Club Q in Colorado Springs on Saturday. Eighteen other people were wounded.

“The shooting occurred minutes before Transgender Day of Remembrance began and as homophobic rhetoric by extremists, politicians and pundits has intensified. Officials identified the five victims of the shooting on Monday.”[1]

This is at least the 11^th shooting in Colorado aimed at LGBTQI siblings. When will this stop?

Perhaps the mass shootings will stop when we learn to allow people to be themselves, to feel safe in their personhood no matter their gender identity or orientation. Perhaps the mass shootings will stop when assault rifles are no longer put in the hands of those who threaten violence and who are prone to continue this path. Perhaps the mass shootings will stop when we stop allowing hate to be spewed as a means of strengthening our own opinions or our self-esteem. Perhaps the mass shootings will stop when we embrace all people as beloved of God we can move past this hate and violence.

While 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich perpetrated this crime, how many others are there, who given the chance would or will take a similar action? Perhaps there are only a few, or perhaps there are many. The question is, “What will we do?” Will we rely on heroes such as Thomas James and Richard Fierro, the two men who stopped the shooter, as the barrier against hate and violence? Or will we only pray in the safety of our homes and sanctuaries? How will we act to change this culture of hate and violence perpetrated on those who are different than we ourselves are? Will we proclaim that these behaviors and the attitudes that influence them are not acceptable in our culture?

I will leave it to you to move into the behaviors that will bring reconciliation and peace, a sense of safety, the recognition of God’s presence in every person. Please, please, act for justice, peace, and love for all the beloved of God. Blessings, Bonnie

[1] https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/11/22/club-q-shooting-victims-colorado-springs/

Leading Worship for Lay Leaders

Saturday, December 3, 2022 --- 9AM to Noon via zoom

FREE -- Designed to help lay leaders prepare and lead worship!

The training will cover:

• Basic liturgy planning
• Using the lectionary
• Identifying hymns
• Utilizing worship resources to plan worship
• Framing questions for dialogue sermon

Click Here for Flyer & Registration Info.

Beyond Plastics

Dear Friends. I’m reaching out specially to invite you to join Beyond Plastics upcoming free, virtual, 2-part grassroots organizing training in early December that will teach you practical and powerful ways to help end plastic pollution and take your place in a community that’s working to break free from plastic. Our voices are stronger when we use them together. 

After this training, I hope that you will join the growing anti-plastics grassroots movement by starting a Beyond Plastics Local Group, or add your existing organization as an Affiliate. 

You can run your own campaigns in your community to reduce wasteful plastics in coordination with activists nationwide, and we’ll support you to make your efforts more effective and broaden your reach. We will also plug you in to other work happening in your state.

If you can’t attend the trainings or start a local group, you can (and should!) still keep up with Beyond Plastics. There are quite a few ways to do this. First, if you're not already on Beyond Plastics' email list, please sign up here to stay in the loop. You’ll receive announcements about our webinars, initiatives, and publications – all of which we would love for you to engage with. Next, drop in on the Beyond Plastics virtual group, a gathering of activists from all over the country who meet online from 7-8:30 EST on the first Thursday of each month. Email BPVirtualGroup@Gmail.com with questions or to be added to their mailing list.

Big change starts at the local level, and it helps to be well-networked. Please reach out to Megan J. Wolff at meganwolff2@bennington.edu with questions, or to find out how Beyond Plastics can best support your activism.. 

Onward!

Megan J. Wolff, Ph.D., MPH; Policy Director, Beyond Plastics

Join us for the Women's Clergy Retreat!

This retreat will be centered around YOUR NEEDS; so you will be able to choose what activities are beneficial for your well-being and the refreshing of your spirit. There will be opportunities for worship, discussion, engaging in spiritual practices, and more - all centered on the theme of unprogramming ourselves and unplugging from the demands of our day-to-day life. Massages will be available for an additional fee. 

The retreat will take place at Mariawald Retreat Center, 1094 Welsh Road in Reading, PA. Modest linens/towels and simple meals are provided - you are welcome to bring snacks and drinks to share! Rooms are double occupancy and cost $130 - space is limited! First floor rooms available on request, and be sure to include the name of a roommate if you have a preference. Full vaccination and a negative home covid test required up to 48 hours before the retreat. 

Click Here for Registration

Please contact Kim Berenotto with any questions: kimberlyberenotto@gmail.com

Abolition Advent Calendar

Looking for a meaningful way to engage Advent this year? Want to learn more about contemporary Abolition movements? The United Church of Christ’s antiracism initiative, Join the Movement Toward Racial Justice, is offering an Abolition Advent Calendar: www.JoinTheMovementUCC.org/Abolition-Advent-Calendar

Daily offerings include… 

• Artwork – Breathing Praying Meditations by Dr. Yohana Junker

• Advent scripture readings

• Abolition reflections, prayers and practices 

…to keep awake to the ways God’s freedom and love is unfolding in our midst.  

Sign up to receive daily reflections via email, or find them on Facebook United Church of Christ, Instagram @UnitedChurchofChrist or Twitter @UnitedChurch. 

Also check out the Abolition Advent Calendar Discussion Guide for curriculum and ideas about how you might structure a discussion group using the Calendar. https://jointhemovementucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Abolition-Advent-Calendar-Discussion-Guide.pdf

In the season of Advent, where we await the coming of transformational Love in flesh and bone, connect to contemporary abolition movements and consider how you are preparing the way for Love’s birth.

Rev. Traci D. Blackmon

Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ 

Crossroads 2023 Winter and Spring courses:

Note: All Courses are in person for those who are able AND also real time on Zoom. Your choice.

Mondays, January 9 - February 27 from 6 to 9PM

Ministry Journeys of the New Testament with Rev. Dr. Joanne Marchetto

Thursdays, January 5 - February 23 from 6 to 9PM

Mapping the Route - Conversations in Theology with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla

Mondays, March 6 - May 1 (except April 3) from 6 to 9PM

Traveling Mercies Congregational Care with Greg Krausz and Diane Kareha

Thursdays, March 9 - May 4 (except April 6) from 6 to 9PM

Traditions - Exploring Denominations & Religions with Rev. Dr. Bill Falla

For more information, Contact Jill Peters at petersj2@moravian.edu or go on our website at  www.moravianseminary.edu/crossroads

DISASTER MINISTRIES UCC

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program opened November 1, 2022. LIHEAP helps families living on low incomes pay their heating bills in the form of a cash grant. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on your bill. These grants range from $500 to $1,500 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Remember: This is a grant and does not have to be repaid and you can apply online at https://www.dhs.pa.gov/Services/Assistance/Pages/LIHEAP.aspx

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The Pennsylvania Homeowner Assistance Fund helps homeowners cope with financial hardship caused by the pandemic. A homeowner is eligible for up to $30,000 or 24 months, whichever is less. Household income must be no more than 150 percent of area median income; however, priority is given to homeowners who are at 100 percent of AMI or lower and meet the definition of socially disadvantaged. This requirement is part of the guidance from U.S. Treasury. Applications can be submitted online through www.PAHAF.org or call  888-987-2423

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**You can find more information & updates at UCC Disaster Ministries: www.ucc.org/disaster