This Week at FCCLW 4/15/18

Published: Thu, 04/12/18

April 15, 2018

Nehemiah Action

This year's Nehemiah Action where we will turn out 100 members and friends to join 3000 others from around Palm Beach County to tackle issues related to homelessness, youth arrests, and treatment of undocumented immigrants. Learn more on our website.

See the PEACE website for more information on these issues.

Chicken Dinner We will be celebrating Mother's Day a week early with a chicken (and all the fixin's) dinner on Sunday, May 6th after the 10:30 worship service. We look forward to being together for food and fellowship! Volunteer Appreciation Sunday, April 15 will be Volunteer Appreciation. We will recognize ALL those who give of their time for our church. Plus, we will celebrate with a cake during Fellowship Hour. Father John Dear at St. Andrew's St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Sunday April 22nd 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Come see John Dear at this stop on a national book tour to launch his new title, They Will Inherit the Earth: Peace and Nonviolence in a Time of Climate Change, releasing February 2018. In this landmark work, author, activist, and Nobel peace prize nominee Father John Dear connects the way of active nonviolence with solidarity with Creation, and shows how our global epidemic of violence and war could only lead to catastrophic climate change. He cites Jesus’ third Beatitude as the basis for his meditation: “Blessed are the meek, they will inherit the earth.” Thomas Merton said “meekness” was the biblical word for “nonviolence” (in the Gandhi/King sense), so Dear reflects how Jesus connected nonviolence with oneness with creation, how he practiced nonviolence and lived at one with creation, and how we need to do the same. The Wisdom Way of Knowing You are invited to join Pastor Jason in exploring Cynthia Bourgeault’s book The Wisdom Way of Knowing: Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart. In it, Rev. Bourgeault traces the wisdom tradition from it’s emergence in ancient times through Christianity and describes how it might be practiced today for the benefit of individuals and the world. Each week, we will discuss a chapter of the book. We will also watch some of Cynthia’s teachings and engage in some of the wisdom practices she describes. We will have books available to purchase for $18.00. You can also purchase directly from Amazon – the book is available on Kindle. CLICK HERE to learn more. Fellowship Hall Fundraiser As a church, one of the ways that we communicate with those that visit our campus that “no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey you are welcome here” is making sure that our campus is a welcoming environment. Our fellowship hall, where we welcome guests after church and where many groups meet throughout the week, is missing tables and chairs. The current furni-ture is 20 years old, and there are tables and chairs that are worn and damaged beyond repair. We also no longer have a water fountain in the hall so we can’t even offer our guests “a cup of cold water.” Our trustees have embarked on a project to replace the tables and chairs and install a new water fountain. The cost of this project is $6500. We have some funds from which we can draw. However, it would be great to fund this project without having to use money from these funds. If you would like to contribute toward a specific item, chairs are $20, tables are $145, and the water cooler is $600. You can help continue the tradition of radical hospitality here at First Congregational Church by giving generously to this fund either online or by cash or check. You Outta Be In Pictures We are in the process of producing a picture directory to distribute to members and friends of First Congregational United Church of Christ. Instead of engaging with a photography company to do this, we are going to be a little less formal. If you were part of our last directory, we still have your picture. If you weren't, we're asking you to send us a favorite picture of yourself. It can be anything from a selfie to a more formal picture that expresses who you are. Our only request is that it be a picture just of you, because it will appear by your name when we print the directory. If you would like someone to take a picture of you, let Pastor Jason know or you can email your pictures to Pastor Jason. Hey, Thanks! You're sharing this newsletter with your friends! More people read (or at least opened) our newsletter than we send out. If there is something here that interests you, it may interest someone else. If a friend sent this to you and you would like to receive it regularly, you can subscribe on our website.	Renewal Book Club Join us on Tuesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm for a discussion of Louise Miller's The City Baker's Guide to Country Living. This is a good opportunity to share favorite recipes, family traditions, and love stories, which are all topics of this warm-hearted novel. Active Parenting Class An Active Parenting Class will be offered on three Saturdays, April 21 & 28 & May 5, at 10 am - 12 noon at the Faith United Methodist Family Life Center, 6340 W. Boynton Beach Blvd, Boynton Beach 33437. This video-based, discussion class will help parents and caregivers of children, ages 2 - 13, with the skills and insights needed to survive and thrive in our society today. The cost for members and friends of First Congregational UCC is $60 for individuals and $100 for couples. This includes the workbook and materials. For more info and to register, contact Carol Lewis at 561-346-4161 or clewis@cccpb.org C.R.O.S. We are organizing a group or groups of volunteers from the church to sort and/or pack food (maybe even our own peanut butter) at the C.R.O.S. warehouse during the week of April 23-27. If you are interested see Betty Rigdon or Janet Lisle. Opportunity to Help Mary Ellen Bryner could use some support from her church family at this time. As most of you know, Mary Ellen was diagnosed with cancer in February. She is currently undergoing treatment and is unable to work. She currently needs assistance in paying for medical treatments and living expenses. You can contribute to her through the Go Fund Me site that has been created for her or by contributing through the church. Tuesday Night Toiletries The Tuesday night toiletries need your help. We are short of the following items: Tooth brush Tooth Paste Razors Socks - black or white Online Giving Have you explored the opportunity of electronic giving? You can choose to have a set amount taken from your bank account on a regular basis or you can make a one (or more) time gift by checking account or credit card on our website. Your regular electronic giving means that your gift is available for ministry even when you are away (or forgot your checkbook!). Thank you for your continued support of the ministry of First Congregational Church! Facebook First, go to our page and "Like" us. However, just liking us does not mean that you will see everything we post. Each of our Facebook posts only goes to about 2% of the people who like our page. To make sure you see everything, after you like us, go to the pull-down menu on the "Like" button and click "Get Notifications." This way everything that we post will show up on your own Facebook wall. If you are on Facebook, you can keep up with what is happening "between Sundays" on our Facebook page. Facebook Link As much as we love gathering together on Sunday mornings, there are times when we are out of town or otherwise unable to be there in person. You can now watch our worship service live on Facebook right on your computer, tablet, or smart phone. At 10:30 on Sunday just head over to our Facebook page and join us!