Thanks to all who made the Youth Talent Show a success!
William Maxwell has a new book available, The First Hero, an historical fiction novel.
Ramadan begins this week on Tuesday night.
Rev. Kent will spend part of the week with our visitors from our Japanese Sister City, Hokuto City, Japan.
Next Sunday is Pentecost, the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming on the disciples, and the birth of the church. Everyone is invited to wear red, or yellow, or both, and after service we will take an all-church picture. Don’t miss out and help get the word to everyone!Also, next Sunday we will celebrate our graduates! If you have a high school, college, or other graduate in the family, please let us know!
Prayers of thanksgiving for safety: Tom and Dorie Hubbard, and Christine and Teri Van Pelt’s son, Christopher were in a serious accident that totaled both vehicles. Thanks be to God!
Please Pray for Erin McNamara, Michelle and Rob Hayden’s sister-in-law who was diagnosed with stage-4 colon cancer this week. She’s already had surgery and will be starting chemo very soon. Our prayers continue.
We rejoice in the birth of James Everett Small Stokes, born Wednesday, May 9! He is the son of Rev. Rachel and Les Small Stokes, and Jack’s little brother.
We bid a fond farewell to the Groth family. Ben has accepted a call to full-time parish ministry in New Orleans and next week will be the family’s last Sunday with us. Come help us bless their way as Ben, Chloe, John Henry, and Ellis start their new adventure.
Union Church seeks nursery subs! We need your help this summer for occasional subbing in our nursery when our regular workers (Hope, Shelley, and Elly) are away. Can you help? We are currently looking for subs who are over the age of 18. Subs earn $12 an hour and must complete a background check and Safe Sanctuaries training. Interested? Call the church office (986-3725) or email office@union-church.org and leave your contact info as soon as possible. Questions? See any member of our Faith Development Board.
“What Next, Union Church?!” If you can be a facilitator or recorder as we discuss the ways we empower lay leadership as we move forward at Union, please call the office and let us know. A training session for facilitators and recorders will be held on May 16 at 6:30 pm. Please see the full report of the recent survey results for a detailed explanation of recommendations, including logic for these changes and the advantages of these changes (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZT4uIELeUa9hbs5Puov1wIP6ZN5z4JJ/view?usp=sharing)
May 18, SongFarmers’ Gathering, Community Room, 5:30 pm. SongFarmers of Madison County is focused on creating opportunities for musicians and artists to play and jam together and for all to benefit from the love of live music. This event will include an acoustic open mic for singer/songwriters doing original work and covers plus a jam (play and singalong) section, all intermingled with poetry (original or inspired). Do join us for an evening of community and music. Come early for chili and an opportunity to build community. If you want to perform, please sign up by 6 PM.
Upcoming Concert: Deborah Payne and Sam Gleaves, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum, 2590 Richmond St., Mt Vernon, Saturday May 19, 3:00 pm. Tickets $10, available in advance at www.KentuckyMusicHallofFame.com
The Union Church Choir & Handbell Ensemble Presents: Make Me an Instrument of Peace: Songs on the Prayer of St. Francis. May 20, 2:00 pm , in the sanctuary. Both ensembles have prepared various selections that illustrate this beautiful prayer. The carefully crafted program will allow you to read the prayer line by line and be moved deeper into a more profound experience with a musical response to the violence in our world.
During the concert, the music program will collect a love offering for the Berea Leadership Experience. The money raised will help fund scholarships, support camp programs, and help BLE expand beyond its one-week summer camp. Please join us for this wonderful event! Admission is free, open to the public!
May 22 is Election Day for Kentucky’s Primary races. Polls open 6 am—6 pm.
Baby Shower June 3, after worship! Come celebrate baby Ahnat, the foster daughter of Deborah Payne!! Gift registry info: https://smile.amazon.com/baby-reg/deborah-payne-june-2018-berea/2KOF12RKFHN6R (this link will also be in the emailed announcements tomorrow, so you can just click on it).
Bring a potluck dish to share! Drop off in the kitchen before church.
The Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ is offering 3 days of workshops specially related to church transition, revitalization, and relevance. Rev. Kent is attending but thinks we will gain so much more if other Board members could also attend. The dates are May 31-June 2 in Indianapolis. Costs are $125 + housing. Topics include areas of interest for Stewardship, Worship, Spirituality, Budget and Mission Planning, etc. If you are interested in making a Union Church team to bring back information with the pastor, please contact him or the church office as soon as possible. Some financial assistance may be available.
Official Record Book Still Missing :(. Have you seen the sign-in book we use to record new members’ joining dates and attendance at meetings? Did you look in your car? What about at home? It’s been missing since November and maybe some-one accidentally took it home or tucked it somewhere for safe keeping? It’s black padded leather, about 8 1/2 x 11. Help!
Please Sign up to Read Scripture or to Help Greet and Usher! Please use our electronic sign up system, http://signup.com/go/xkdVtB, where you can pick a date that works for you and get reminders! OR you can also call the office and we’ll get you on the lists.
UPDATE. Fewer than 10 spots left! Berea Leadership Experience for Rising 2nd-8th graders. Berea Leadership Experience will hold its camp for kids to learn skills of conflict resolution, media literacy, mindfulness, and appreciation of nature the week of July 16th -20th, 9 am – 2 pm.
There are also openings for several staff members. Training and a reasonable stipend are provided; contact the director at kim.kobersmith@gmail.com if interested, or to register your kids. Thank you!
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