Welcome Berea Celtic Festival Guests and Friends: Union Church has been a partner with the Berea Celtic Festival for all 17 years of the festival. We are delighted to welcome musicians and friends from around the world to this service, especially our guest musicians, Bella Issakova and Randy Clepper, and the many other artists who make this worship service possible. Fáilte!
About Bella and Randy: Bulgarian born, classically educated violinist Bella Issakova has spent the past 30 years performing and teaching. In the mid 1990s, in addition to playing in orchestras and chamber groups, Bella began exploring other genres of music – bluegrass and jazz being the first forays outside of the classical structure. Eventually Bella discovered and fell in love with the Traditional music of Ireland, and has had the fortune and privilege to play and tour extensively in that field.
Ohio-based multi-instrumentalist Randy Clepper is a player of the Irish bouzouki, fingerstyle guitar, tenor banjo and hammer dulcimer. Originally from Tennessee, Randy’s early musical interests covered folk, pop, rock, jazz, funk, bluegrass and various traditional styles, eventually settling into a deep, lifelong love of Irish music.
Fate brought Bella and Randy together in 2019, when an unexpected scheduling mix-up led to a last-minute festival performance together at the Celtic Festival. With only an hour to prepare and no prior rehearsal, the duo experienced an effortless musical connection that both amazed and delighted the audience.
With a shared commitment to honoring traditional Irish music while exploring its nuances, Bella and Randy’s partnership reflects a deep passion for the craft, a respect for the past, and a mutual chemistry in their subtle and delicate approach to traditional tunes.
Aug. 19 Open Table Supper for ALL! Community Meals begin again after the summer break and we cannot wait to see you and break bread together!! Every Wednesday 5:30pm-6:30pm: “Open Table” is a “pay what you can” ($0-$$) meal open to anyone. Chef Deb Beishline and a wonderful crew of volunteers prepare the meal each week – always with gluten free and vegetarian-friendly options. Our hope is to remember the gifts of connection with great food the chance to “rub elbows” with neighbors. The food is great, the company is better, the hungry are fed, and we pray the love Jesus will be shown!
Menu for Aug. 19:
· Rice Bowls with Veggies
· Shrimp
· Hicken
· Banana PuddingAug. 21: Kentuckians for the Commonwealth and KY Poor People’s Campaign along with other state partners are hosting a Singing For Democracy event in Danville, on August 21, 2026 from 6:30-8 pm. Bishop William J. Barber II will offer a challenging call to action in preparation for the November elections.
Aug. 28. Hands Across Stand Together. Human chain of community! On Friday, August 28, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, you can join a human chain of linked community with Hands Across Stand Together from noon – 1 pm! This is a chance to stand hand-in-hand with others to show what we stand FOR!
We Show Up is organizing carpools: If you want to carpool from Berea, please show up at Union Church by 10:30 am, in time to leave no later than 10:45 am. If you want to carpool from Richmond, please show up at the public library by 10:45 am, in time to leave no later than 11 am.
Purpose: to provide a visible demonstration of nonpartisan unity and community, shown by folks standing beside each other, hand-in-hand and with positive sign messages, along a route across central Lexington, inspired by the core message of Dr. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
When: Friday, August 28, 2026, from noon to 1pm.
Where: Stand (or sit) anywhere along a prescribed public sidewalk route across central Lexington. The route extends from New Circle 4 on Versailles Road (highway 60), through downtown including Main Street, and across to New Circle 4 on the east side, via Winchester Road (60).
Aug. 28: Amadeus Lex presents “For the Record,” a chamber music concert in Union Church’s sanctuary on Friday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. Printing hot takes didn’t start with social media: Antonín Dvořák and Amy Beach debate the future of American music. Free admission; donations welcome!
Aug. 29 & 30: Battle of Richmond debate between Cassius Clay and Rev. Fee! During this year’s reenactment on August 29-30, Rev. Kent Gilbert, pastor of Union Church, Berea, KY, will portray his predecessor and founder of the church – John G. Fee.
· Debate between “Rev. Fee” and “Cassius Clay,” portrayed by Mathew Parrish, at 12:15 on Saturday, Aug 29, at Pleasant View, 1546 Battlefield Memorial Highway.
· Church Service to be held on the porch of Pleasant View at 8:45 AM on Sunday, Aug 30. Reenactors and the public are encouraged to attend.
There IS such a thing as a free lunch!!
Kentucky River Foothills invites everyone 60 and over to a FREE lunch every weekday at 11:30 with activities, stories and smiles with others!
¨ In Berea at the Berea Senior Citizens’ Center, 214 W. Jefferson St. Please call the day before to let them know you’re coming. To-go meals available too! 859-986-8350.
¨ In Richmond at the Richmond Active Living Center, 801 Brighton Ave. 859-623-0474.
What’s Going on Around Here?
Regular Union Church social/musical/educational events that YOU might be interested in. Call or email the office for details.
*Third Sundays of the month
1:30 pm, ShapeNote Singers, Parlor
*Wednesdays
10 am Zoom Coffee Hour with the Pastor
1-4 pm Bridge
*2nd Wednesdays
4:00 pm Psalm Study, Office Level Classroom
*Thursdays
10:30 am Zoom Bible Study
*Third Tuesdays
1:00 pm Book Club, Training Room off the Community Room
*Fridays
9:00 am Meditation in Cowan Chapel
Coming Up & Resuming after Summer Break
¨ Open Table will start back on Wednesday, August 19!!
¨ Handbell Ensemble (6:30 pm) will start back Aug. 19
¨ Orchestra (5:30 pm) and Choir (6:30 pm) will start back August 20
¨ Amadeus Lex concert in the sanctuary on August 28 (no charge)
¨ Stop the Bleed Training August 30
¨ Theology in the Round starts back September 2
Please note that Union Church services are livestreamed & recorded.
Children Are Welcome in the service, and a Staffed Nursery is available!
When Open Table begins on Aug. 19, the nursery will be staffed Wednesday evenings as well. Bring your littles!!!
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