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, and PLEASE let us know if we’ve missed something!
*Third Sundays of the month
1:30 pm, ShapeNote Singers, Parlor
*Third Tuesdays
7:00 pm Book Club
*Wednesdays
10 am Zoom Coffee Hour with the Pastor
1-4 pm Bridge
5:30 pm Open Table supper for all – NO charge!
6:15 pm Handbell Ensemble
*2nd Wednesdays
4:00 pm Psalm Study, Office Level Classroom (pls. note change, starting March 11)
*1st & 3rd Wednesdays
6:30 pm “Theology in the Round” focusing on the Lord’s Prayer, in person or Zoom
*Thursdays
10:30 am Zoom Bible Study
5:30 pm Orchestra
6:30 pm Choir
*2nd & 4th Saturdays
10 am Old Time Music Jam: play, sing, dance, or watch, listen & enjoy!
Feb. 18 – Ash Wednesday, Lent begins. 7 pm service in Cowan Chapel
March 15 – Union Church’s 173rd Annual Meeting after worship & lunch
Looking for ways to step closer to the work of the church? Three boards currently have open positions.
· Finance Board: reviews and makes recommendations about the ins and outs of the church’s various budgets.
· Worship Board: coordinates worship leaders and greeters to make Sunday services smooth.
· Admin Board: provides oversight regarding the administrative aspects of church operations.
Each board meets monthly, primarily on zoom. Terms are three years in length and begin in the spring. Questions? Want more information? Please contact Laura Nagle at joyfulsunflower@gmail.com or 859-358-0106 (call or text).
Beginning Feb. 22: Parents / Caregivers of kids in grades K – 5: During Lent, the Children’s Team will be offering the Faces of Easter program.
This is part of the Godly Play Montessori curriculum, and allows children to explore the story of Easter using simple props and a lot of wondering. Children who want to participate will be led to the chapel rather than back to the nursery after Children’s Moment beginning on Sunday February 22.
We Celebrate Black History this Month and Every Month. Black history is American history and it is especially true for Union Church, founded on the principles that powered the movement to abolish the enslavement of more than a fifth of Kentucky’s population. Black history month was founded by one-time Union Church member, Dr. Carter G. Woodson (wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_G._Woodson). Throughout the month we will be celebrating the diverse, rich, and beautiful contributions to American history made by black persons and black culture. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are gifts to us all.
Get Informed. Get Trained. Love Your Neighbor. To meet love’s demands everyone is encouraged to increase their knowledge and skills so we can Lead with Love and let Justice Roll down as we protect neighbors, human and civil rights in the way of Jesus. Here are online resources you can use ANYTIME to advance your abilities:
*FreedomTrainers.net: Look for the “non-cooperation library” for videos, slide decks, etc.
Rev. Kent is a certified FT trainer and will be leading live workshops soon.
*www.trainingforchange.org/tools/
*marchminnesota.org The interfaith group that sponsored Rev. Kent’s recent action in Minneapolis
Open Table Community Meals 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 menu each week always with gluten-free and vegetarian-friendly options . The food is great, the company is better, the hungry are fed, and we pray the love Jesus will be shown!
Feb. 11 Menu
Valentine Special
· Pork Loin
· Mashed Potatoes
· Green Beans
Vegetarian Valentine Special
· Polenta
· Mushroom Ragu
· Green Beans
· Red Velvet Cake
Second Friday Sharing Feb. 13 Jennifer Elam, Katy Lashbrook, and Sue Peterson-Blyth invite you to 2nd Friday Potluck & Sharing. Together we eat, dance, & create – this time writing a prayer poem together. Bring something creative you have done to share in the circle. Feb. 13, 5:30-8, 300A Harrison Road, Berea.
Ballad Night! Feb. 13, 7:30 pm, Loyal Jones Appalachian Center. Featuring ballads hinting at the supernatural and superstitious! Presented by the Folk roots Ensemble, directed by Liza DiSavino. Free, open to all.
Ash Wednesday is Feb. 18. 7 pm Service in Cowan Chapel.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Season of Lent. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshippers’ heads or foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and sorrow at the death that sin brings into the world. It not only prefigures the mourning at the death of Jesus, but also places the worshipper in a position to realize the consequences of sin. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of reflection on what needs to change in our lives if we are to be fully Christian.
Most Christian churches that observe Lent focus on it as a time of prayer, especially penance, repenting for failures and sin as a way to focus on the need for God’s grace. It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter, and the resurrected life that we live, and hope for, as Christians.
Palm Sunday fronds were burnt and prepared for use on Ash Wednesday. The ashes, symbolizing sin and distance from God and our best selves, are mixed with oil, a sign of God’s blessing, forgiveness and anointing for special purpose. We begin our Lenten journey in humility and in hope by placing the ashes and oil on our heads or hands. You do not have to be a member of this church, or any church, to mark this sacred time and journey.
Be a Hero to a Child This Summer Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) is seeking summer camp volunteers and AmeriCorps members to serve children in Jackson and Floyd Counties. CAP summer camps support children from low-income families, ensuring every child can enjoy a summer camp experience.
Ways to Serve:
¨ Camp Counselors & Lifeguards
¨ RNs & LPNs
¨ Arts & Crafts
¨ Photography/Content Creation
¨ Kitchen Help
Commitment:
¨ RNs/LPNs: Minimum 1 week
¨ All other volunteers: Minimum 3 weeks
Room & board and travel reimbursement provided.
Those serving 5–8 weeks may be eligible for AmeriCorps, which includes:
¨ Up to $2,340 summer living allowance
¨ A $1,500 Education Award for tuition or student loans
To learn more or apply: Visit christianapp.org or contact Amy Schill – aschill@chrisapp.org |859-230-4027
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. 859-986-8350
In Richmond at the Richmond Active Living Center, 801
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