If you ever wonder what the point of church is, or why it’s more worthwhile to show up in the sanctuary on Sunday morning rather than, say, go to brunch, our Youth Service on Sunday, August 27th should answer your question.
In addition to creatively leading the worship service with everything from a Star Wars-based meditation to thoughtful prayers based in study of the scripture, our young people inspired us to see the very best in ourselves.
Our preachers, Ben Whaley-Jones, Shane Wilcher, and Julia Whaley-Jones, helped us see both why we exist as a church and where we could go if we keep going together. They were responding to the prophet Micah’s reminder of “What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
In his testimony, Shane described how hard it has been to come out as a transgender teenager, but how the church had shown him the essence of lovingkindness (chesed in Hebrew) by loving him through his transition. He said that you have given him great respect, used the names and pronouns he asked for, and been kind and loving.
Ben Whaley-Jones challenged us to be part of great change by supporting coal miners in their fight against Black Lung. He learned about this while doing an internship at Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY, and has joined the miners’ struggle to get healthier regulations passed for workers. He also helped create a 13-minute documentary on the subject, which is so good that it’s going to the Sundance Festival! You can see it here: https://vimeo.com/228241566. (If you want to support this work, please donate to the Appalachian Citizens Law Center, https://appalachianlawcenter.org.)
Julia Whaley-Jones brought it all home, with the reminder that all that we do is best done in humility, both practically because it keeps us from being knocked off our pedestals, and spiritually, because it keeps us closer to God.
MacGregor Lakes and Sayer Kobersmith reminded us of the prophet Amos’ admonishment that our worship services are useless if they do not lead to works of kindness and justice rolling down like waters.
What I saw happening on Sunday was far from useless. It was Union Church offering up its brightest and best, celebrating the good works and skills they have, and continuing to nurture them into being the best selves they can be. It is a church committed to justice, compassion, and joy not just in the streets, but also around the tables of Wednesday Night Live.
I am so proud to be part of this kind of church, and I hope you are, too. I hope you will join me in humbly continuing that walk ever closer to God, to justice, to righteousness. We have some great leaders in our youth who are showing us the way.
With great hope,
Rev. Rachel
P.S. All young people grades 6-12 are invited to join this group of very accepting and fun youth. They meet at 5:45 on Wednesdays for dinner at Wednesday Night Live, then continue their programming until 8pm.
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