Ian Tosh, our moderator nonpareil, is in Grand Rapids, Michigan this weekend for the 27th General Synod (a fancy word for meeting) of our mother church, the United Church of Christ.
He has graciously offered to document the experience for our blog, kicking off a new “Field Reports” section in the process. Watch this space for Ian’s tales of homilies and hotel rooms in the coming days.
If you are out in service of our church community, consider getting in touch with our ministers to file some field reports of your own.
Dear Beloved,
Molly suggested that while she was away on sabbatical, we should try to hear some of the top preachers in our area. We should invite them to guest preach. We have followed Molly’s advice and invited some fabulous preachers. Our first guest preacher is the Rev. Dr. Mary Luti, a renown liturgist and excellent preacher. Mary is the Visiting Professor of Worship and Preaching, and Director of the Wilson Chapel at the Andover Newton Theological School. She will be with us this Sunday, preaching, “No One Is Alone.” And Mary will lead our prayers. We invite you to come hear Mary preach, to come and pray, sing and be in community this Sunday.
Ian is our liturgist. Tim Duhamel and Jen Purves are our greeters. Deb Duhamel and Peter Baskette are in the Nursery. Erin Iwanusa will teach Sunday School.
Erin is beginning our new curriculum for our children this Sunday. The curriculum is called Godly Play, and is based in a Montessori style of teaching. The Godly Play story for this week is the Good Shephard.
Just after services and coffee hour, there will be a Safe Church Training for all who work with or are interested in working with our children. This training will be led by Ellen O’Donnell, the chair of the Safe Church Committee and a Deacon.
The Sacred Conversations on Race Steering Committee will also meet.
Before Sunday is Saturday. On Saturday, during the day, some of us will go to Maine, departing from the church at 11:30 AM to canvass door to door for marriage equality. In the evening at 7 PM is our monthly Game Night. There will be, as usual, a wide array of amazing games set out by the Yeagers. In addition, the game Guitar Hero will be played. One can, for a donation to the handbell fund, be the Guitar Hero.
I pray your night is filled with peace, I hope to see you on Sunday.
Love,
Laura Ruth
