For Further Reflection
Cross Roads: What is intersecting in your life right now? Make a short list. What “holy options” present themselves, even if only in your imagination? As you breathe, as you travel through the week, open your prayers to these options. What would it take to be able to follow where they lead?
Reconciling Past and Present: What would it be like if we truly lived into being at peace with one another? What if we all chose to be bound together in mutual love? How would you need to think differently or act differently? With whom would you need to reconcile? Take time to today to pray for peace for any conflict in your life. Like St. Columba of Iona (Scotland, 6th century), pray for your community to have more peace and less conflict. Pray against the spirit of fear and disunity…in your own life, in the lives of your friends and family and in your country.
Knotted Grace: To immerse in a spirituality that resounds in God’s creation is not an effort at simplification. As the knotworks of Celtic artisans remind us, to embrace nature is to embrace intricate complexity. So too with our relationships, our discipleship, our service to God and to others. Meditate on the knotted grace of your complex spirit and spiritual path. How are you tracing God’s designs? What intricacy is particularly delicate or fragile, and how will you be caring for it? Take time as well to follow the path through all the people who have helped make your pattern. Lift those persons in your prayers, and express appreciation for the complex web of Spirit and persons who make your life rich.
We are grateful for today’s guest musicians!
Al, Alice & Ruth are long-time Union Church family members Al White, Alice White and Ruth McLain Smith. They play music in the Appalachian Mountains traditions, some old & some new. The music they play is upbeat, Appalachian-flavored bluegrass music. Instruments include banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass.
Bella Issakova began playing the violin at the age of 5 at the National Music School of Sofia, Bulgaria. Growing up in the rich Bulgarian musical culture, Ms. Issakova had the privilege of working and touring throughout Europe, the Middle East, and the US with various orchestras and chamber orchestras. In 2000 she discovered and fell in love with Irish Traditional music. She became a Kerry Irish Productions artist in 2005 and has toured with the group since. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia where in addition to teaching and performing, she has become a member of the critically-acclaimed Irish Traditional group The Red Wellies.
Randy Clepper grew up in southeast Tennessee. His early musical interests covered many styles of music including traditional, folk, pop, rock, jazz, funk (yes, funk) and bluegrass. Early influences ranged from Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin to the guitar styles of Crosby Stills and Nash, Dan Fogelberg, and James Taylor. Developing a particular interest in traditional Irish music, he returned to the guitar to play fingerstyle Irish arrangements in alternate tunings, influenced by the playing of Martin Simpson, Pierre Bensusan, El McMeen, and Ohio-based guitarist John Sherman. From there came Irish sessions and an interest in the bouzouki, where both his fingerstyle and flatpicking expertise transferred quickly from the guitar to his new primary instrument.
Announcements
Many, many thanks to the musicians and readers, tech crew and all who participated in today’s service!!
Berea Shape Notes Group TODAY – all welcome! They will meet the first and third Sundays of every month in the parlor, at 1:30. No experience or talent necessary! Come one, come all!
A BIG, HUGE, THANK YOU to all who helped make the Community Creativity Celebration last Wednesday, Aug. 16, such a great success! If I missed any individuals name on the Thank you post below, I apologize. Some of you registered to volunteer and I knew who you were, and others just jumped to help out wherever it was needed and I appreciate all you did. I am so grateful to you all. Union Church stepped up in an incredible way to make last night a wonderful community event.
The Return of Wednesday Nite Live!!! Supper is at 5:30 (provided—no need to bring anything), other activities and groups too, including Youth Group at 6; and ConneXions (for college students & young adults) at 6:30! Come for supper and hear all about it!
Old Time Music Jam starting Sept. 9. the Jam folks will be playing, singing, dancing and visiting here at Union Church in the Parlor from 10 a.m. until about 12:30 p.m. on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of a month. Enter at the handicap ramp.
All musical skill levels are welcome! Why not come on out some Saturday morning to listen, learn a new tune, just play along, dance or sing.
Help with Water and Summer Cooling Bills Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. will accept applications for the Low Income Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and Summer Cooling portion of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications can be made through September 22, or until available funds have been expended.
How to Apply: LIHWAP and LIHEAP operate on an appointment-based system. You can schedule your appointment by calling 859-544-1713 or online at https://foothillscap. itfrontdesk.com
Requests for assistance can be made by contacting:
Clark Co: 859-744-235, email clarkoutreach@foothillscap.org
Estill Co: 606-723-4492, email estilloutreach@foothillscap.org
Madison Co: 859-623-6514, email madisonoutreach
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