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ABOUT PEACE ISLANDS' IFTAR DINNER
AT UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ON SATURDAY, MARCH 16 AT 6:30PM
The Peace Islands Institute has invited us to share an Iftar Dinner with them as they celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. We will gather in our Assembly Room at 6:30pm for a presentation on Peace Islands, Ramadan, and a Call to Prayer, and then share a meal they prepare to break their Ramadan fast. This is a wonderful opportunity to break bread with our Turkish Muslim neighbors, learn about their traditions, listen to an enlightening program, and get to know one another. Please click this link or the button below to RSVP by March 9 so they can prepare an adequate amount of food.
Event Highlights:
-Connect with people from diverse backgrounds and faiths
-Enjoy a delicious Iftar meal, prepared to celebrate the spirit of togetherness
-Engage in meaningful conversations, promoting unity and understanding among all attendees
-Learn about and share various cultural and religious traditions that make our communities unique and enriching
-Experience the spirit of Ramadan through friendship, unity, and mutual respect
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LET'S WATCH FILM SERIES: 'RUSTIN'
Tomorrow, Friday, March 8, starting with dinner in Assembly Room at 6pm
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 |  | Join us for a 6pm dinner in the Assembly Room, and a 6:30pm screening of 'Rustin' in the Guild Room on Friday night, March 8 with discussion after; or watch it on your own and join for a Second Hour discussion on Sunday morning, March 10. The next film in the Let's Watch series is Rustin, a 2023 historical drama about Bayard Rustin (1912-1987), the advisor to Rev. Martin Luther King who in eight weeks brought together many disparate groups for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, which in its oratory, size, and execution remains the standard by which all other gatherings on the International Mall are measured. Yet he was largely erased from civil rights history. Colman Domingo received a 2024 Best Actor Oscar nomination for his nuanced portrayal of "Mr. March on Washington," who among other things was a Black labor and civil rights activist in segregated America, an out gay man years before Stonewall, and a Socialist during the Cold War. Sponsored by the Racial Justice Ministry Team, there are two ways to view the movie: a screening in the Guild Room on Friday, March 8 -- feel welcome to bring a brown bag or takeout supper -- or on your own. To prepare for the movie, please read and consider, "Have the Demands of the March on Washington Been Met?" If you can't attend the Friday screening, watch the movie on your own and come to the Sunday discussion -- the movie is playing in some theaters and is available with subscription from Netflix.
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JOIN US AT THIS TUESDAY EVENING'S
LENTEN PRAYER SERIES. WE WILL HOST
SPECIAL GUEST RABBI ELLIOTT TEPPERMAN .
March 12, at 7pm in the Chapel
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Our Lenten prayer series continues on Tuesday, March 12 with special guest Rabbi Elliott Tepperman, who will teach us about prayer in the Jewish tradition. Rabbi Tepperman has been the spiritual leader of Bnai Keshet, in Montclair, New Jersey, since 2002. His rabbinate embraces spiritually courageous Judaism, and loving pursuit of shalom and justice for all people.
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THIS SUNDAY'S SCRIPTURE:
1 Kings 17:8-16
(Women's Lectionary Translation)
SPECIAL MUSIC: A JAZZ QUARTET WILL PROVIDE MUSIC THROUGHOUT THIS SUNDAY'S WORSHIP SERVICE
Union's music program seeks to include repertoire as varied as its congregation and community for our worship services. We are overjoyed to host Rob Middleton on saxophones, Roberta Piket on piano, Dave Kingsnorth on bass, and Tim Horner on drums at this Sunday's worship service.
From Rob:
"I’m thrilled to bring jazz back to our worship with such a fine group of jazz musicians. We’ll open the service with my brand new gospel-inspired arrangement of ‘God’s Eye is on the Sparrow”, which the congregation will also sing during the service. The theme of this service evokes God’s promise to provide for us, and this old song assures us that we needn't worry; that we will have enough. Another theme of the music is the coming of light with the approach of spring and the beginning of daylight savings time. After a meditative piece during the service, we’ll conclude with my Brazilian-flavored piece ''Out of the Darkness.'”
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AFTER WORSHIP THIS SUNDAY:
Rev. Ron and the "Let's Watch" film group will get together to discuss 'Rustin,' a 2023 historical drama about Bayard Rustin, an advisor to Martin Luther King, Jr.. Bayard Rustin was responsible for orchestrating the elements of the 1963 March On Washington, the standard by which all other gatherings on the National Mall are measured. History has down played Bayard Rustin's contribution, likely because of the fact that he was a homosexual man.
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EASTER FLOWER AND MUSIC DEDICATIONS:
The beauty of Spring flowers and the sound of glorious music enhance the celebration of our faith. Both are gifts of God made possible for us to enjoy by the generosity of others. The flowers beautify the Sanctuary on Easter morning and are then delivered by the deacons to those who are unable to be with us. If you would like to donate, please complete the form in this Sunday's bulletin and return to the church office or place in the offering plate. You can also pay for your church flower or music dedication online using the DONATE/PAY tab on the front page of the church website. This year, azalea plants, peace plants, and ivy plants will be ordered. Don't forget to include your dedication on the form.
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LEARNING CENTER THIS SUNDAY:
The children will continue the winter unit in A Joyful Path
March 10: Rise Up, The children will also present a prayer they wrote together for the whole congregation during worship.
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OUR EASTER OFFERING:
HELP (Haitian Education And Leadership Program)
With this year's Easter Offering, we are setting out to help one female student build a better future through the Haitian Education And Leadership Program. We have set a goal to raise an additional $15,000 (to add to the Marion Whittenburg fund) so that we are able to fund one female student with a full scholarship for all 5 years of the program. For more information, please click here to go to the Easter Offering 2024 tab on the church website.
To donate, click the link below and be sure to select "Easter Offering" as your purpose.
https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/UnionCongregationalChurch1=
Conor Bohan, Founder and Executive Director of HELP, and former student and HELP Development Officer Daphnee Charles, spoke to the congregation during last Sunday's worship service, click here to watch the video. HELP graduates use their education to bolster their communities and build a brighter future in Haiti. Through their work, HELP alumni strengthen institutions, create jobs, and address environmental and infrastructural issues. Even through the current security crisis, they are carrying on and providing a safe place for students to learn.
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THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AT UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: | |
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THE RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY TEAM WILL MEET ON ZOOM ON MONDAY, MARCH 11 AT 7PM
Lead Contacts: Catherine Spinella (cspinella99@gmail.com) and Rev. Katrina Forman (kforman@unioncong.org)
The Racial Justice Ministry Team meets monthly to share information and resources and to further our Congregation's missional priority to:
· deepen our commitment to racial justice through building and deepening relationships with local organizations that share that goal,
· engaging the wider community in conversations around this issue, and
· evaluating our own internal practices.
New members to our Ministry Team are always welcome; please reach out to Rev. Katrina or Catherine Spinella if you would like to receive notifications of upcoming meetings and events!
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THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 7PM: ‘How Are We Doing Online With The Livestream’: Join the pastors in a conversation about online worship. We regularly have 10-20 households participating live in online worship on Sunday mornings. It is important to us that you feel included and valued as worship participants. We recognize that hybrid worship has its challenges and we have some need for improvement. We will talk about what is working, what isn’t, and some ideas and plans for how to strengthen the connection between online and in-person worship, and will ask for some help from you! Whether you are a regular online worshipper or want to help bridge the digital divide, please join us for this conversation. The Zoom link can be found in the church calendar listing and on the front page of the church website.
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, AFTER WORSHIP: CONGREGATIONAL DISCUSSION WITH THE BUILDING RENEWAL TASK FORCE - FOCUS ON THE VINCENT BUILDING (IN PERSON AND ON ZOOM)
SUNDAY, MARCH 17, 3PM-5PM: YOUTH GROUP AT GLEN RIDGE 'PUTTING THE SAINT BACK IN ST. PATRICK'S DAY:
Register using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeIZn7rtWN8pcvt7ljfbdoTDvPK_rmh7foYrXC9H4IWuCCKCQ/viewform
MONDAY, MARCH 18, 7PM: ZOOM MEMBERSHIP INFO SESSION: Are you curious about getting more involved or becoming a member of our church? Join Rev. Katrina at this session to learn more and ask questions. The Zoom link can be found in the church calendar listing and on the front page of the church website.
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A LOOK AHEAD AT PALM SUNDAY, HOLY WEEK, AND EASTER
PALM SUNDAY, SUNDAY, MARCH 24:
Sunday Worship: We will begin our Palm Sunday service gathering in the Assembly Hall, a beginning worship by creating a procession from the Assembly Room, outside across the front of the church, and into the sanctuary. There will be music in the sanctuary for those who are unable to participate in the procession.
Adults At A Second Hour After Worship:
Rev. Ron and the participants from the Civil Rights Pilgrimage will help facilitate a discussion around their learnings from the experience and how that might inform the next steps the church might take in pursuit of racial equity and racial justice.
Families After Worship On Sunday, March 24:
Rev. Katrina, Patty, families, and members are welcome to take part in this intergenerational family event dyeing Easter eggs the natural way! We can't wait to see excited little hands reaching for eggs to soak in tumeric, red cabbage and spinach juice to celebrate the season and the regeneration of new life. Eggs will deepen in color over the following week, and be distributed on Easter.
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This link below will take you to the weekly Children, Youth and Families Weekly Newsletter where all programming for children from birth through high school is hosted. This newsletter is sent directly to families on Tuesdays. If you have children and haven’t been receiving this newsletter, please email Patty at pdow@unioncong.org. | | | | |
