MLK and the UCC   

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, JR addressed the 5th UCC General Synod in 1965. The University of Memphis has the manuscript of the speech, unique in its handwritten edits. You can see a digital copy here.  

In their notes on the speech, UM writes:

Dr. King was invited by the predominately-white United Church of Christ to speak on the topic “Man in a Revolutionary World” and in the speech he urged the white churches to join with the black churches in the civil rights movement. He said it was the church’s role to take the moral lead and condemn racial segregation and discrimination, which many white churches had supported historically. He acknowledged that changes in the law were important but the hardest task was to change people’s thinking and that was a great responsibility of the church.

"It is not enough for the religious insitutions to be active in the realm of ideas;" Rev. King proclaimed to the synod,  "they must move out into the arena of life and do battle for their sanctities."

By the time you read this there will still be some events in Lake Worth to celebrate MLK, including the candlelight March and commemortive dinner.

IMPORTANT: Writing Checks

Our bank has cracked down on what checks they deposit for us. Please make your check out to "The First Congregational Church of Lake Worth." Yes, they need the "The." We will let you know when our name changes with the bank. Of course, you can always cut out the middle person and give online here.

This week, we began a new worship series, pondering what we might create anew. We began this week, we started with the story of Samuel and Eli, and the call of Phillip and Nathaniel and how we might practice hearing God anew. You can watch the service here. Next Sunday, we will explore the story of Jonah and talk about creativity in connection.

One of the most important things you can know about anything spoken or written is who is responsible for the material. The who and when questions are vital to understanding the material. Another way to say that is context is everything. For the most part, we are good at this but when it is the Bible we give up because; it is about what we believe and that is just belief and not burdened by knowing the who and what because, well it’s God’s book. I have been teaching the who and when of biblical text for over 50 years. Rev. Nelson Stone, facilitator, was told in seminary that this was a foolish thing to do. "But, as foolish as I am going to be doing it again." Starting Wednesday, January 17 running for 6 weeks. We will meet in person at 1415 North K St. and online.

2024 Network Member Meeting

Our justice ministry network members will be meeting next Monday, January 22nd at 6:30 in the parlor. This is the meeting where we make our lists for who we will be inviting to the Nehemiah action                                                                                                    

• Grocery Bags
• Peanut Butter
• Pouches of Tuna and/or chicken
• Canned Vegetables (tab top and/or single serve sizes are best)
• Ravioli, Spaghetti, Beefaroni (tab top)
• Canned Soups/Stews (tab top)
• Single serve ready to eat meals

We are in desperate need of the following mens' clothing items: 

• T-Shirts sizes L & XL
• Socks
• Boxer Briefs sizes L & XL
• Athletic shorts sizes L & XL
• Backpacks