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| Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, Northwest Central Regional Minister |
This week's author is the Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, Northwest Central Regional Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will not enter it.
To be honest, I did not want to tackle the other verses in the passage from the Gospel of Mark for this week. Too complicated and 300 words or less would not cut it.
This is the week we remember our Neighbors in Need. Hopefully all of our congregations will meet the challenge of taking up this annual offering to generously support the many ministries serving the last and the least in addition to all who advocate for justice on our behalf. Jesus reminds us that the best way to do so is by shedding our "mature/adult" senses of cynicism, indifference, and apathy; and replacing them with the awe, wonder, creativity, and openness of children.
So for this week I share with you an amazing video I stumbled on the other day. A story of a woman who found a way to turn her own grief into an opportunity to create community in places where it is most needed. I hope you are touched as much as I was.
http://video.ted.com/talk/podcast/2012G/None/CandyChang_2012G.mp4
Dear God, help us to imagine each day how to reflect your your love in new ways. Amen.
As the Search Committee begins the work of considering those who have submitted a profile for the position of Connecticut Conference Minister, they ask that all the churches in the Conference hold them in prayer this coming Sunday, October 7: World Communion and Neighbors in Need Sunday. Please join us in asking God's guidance, strength, and wisdom to rightly choose the next leader for the Connecticut Conference.
Please remember:
the friends and family of Tyler Giuliano and the entire community of New Fairfield in shock and mourning his tragic death on September 27.
Please remember:
with joy the birth of John Gregory "Jack" Rosenthal, born to the Rev. Kristen Kleiman, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Bristol, and her husband Stu Rosenthal, on September 16;
the Rev. William K. Dunlap, pastor of the First Congregational Church UCC of Norwich, who is recovering following bypass surgery;
the friends and family of Glen Doherty, Sean Smith, Christopher Stevens, and Tyrone Woods, who were killed at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11;
the Rev. Stephen Camp, senior pastor of Faith Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, who is recovering from severe injuries suffered in a fall;
the Rev. Carl F. Schultz, Jr., pastor emeritus of First Church of Christ Congregational UCC in Glastonbury, doing well recovering from a broken hip;
the Conference Minister Search Committee as they consider candidates;
the Rev. Dr. Barry Cass, the staff, members, and friends of the Somers Congregational United Church of Christ, which lost its 170-year-old meetinghouse to a devastating fire the night of January 1-2;
the Rev. Alison Buttrick-Patton, the lay leadership, staff, members, friends, and community of the Saugatuck Congregational Church UCC, which suffered severe damage from a substantial fire on the night of November 20;
the Conference's partners in the Kyung-Ki Presbytery and their communities on the Korean peninsula;
the Conference's partners working for peace in Colombia amidst violence;
the leaders of this nation, that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
this nation, that it may continue its difficult work to end the practices of racism;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, seeking employment, or working to find just resolutions; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to Rev. Eric Anderson at: webmaster@ctucc.org.
Hartford
Broadview Community Church
PT The Rev. Ruth M. Maedel
CE Ms. Carol Staron
MM Pat Hopkins
Hartford
Liberty Christian Center International
P The Rev. Dr. Keith A. Bolton
Hartford
Faith Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Stephen W. Camp
AP The Rev. Mia J. Douglas
Hartford
First Church of Christ in Hartford
P The Rev. Damaris Whittaker
PE The Rev. J. Alan McLean
Hartford
Immanuel Cong'l Church, Inc.
P The Rev. Edward G. Horstmann
MM M. Singleton
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
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The Spirit Calendar: October 01, 2012 by Rev. Ineke K. Mitchell, Northwest Central Regional Minister
