The Call For Julia, In the Deep Water
The instructor we hire because she does not love you Leads you into the deep water, The deep end Where the water is darker— Her open, encouraging arms That never get nearer Are merciless for your sake. You will dream this water always Where nothing draws nearer, Wasting your valuable breath You will scream for your mother— Only your mother is drowning Forever in the thin air Down at the deep end. She is doing nothing, She never did anything harder. And I am beside her. I am beside her in this imagination. We are waiting Where the water is darker. You are over your head, Screaming, you are learning Your way toward us, You are learning how In the helpless water It is with our skill We live in what kills us. —John N. Morris
Prayer Reflections
You are invited to write notes, to reflect, or draw responses to questions or ideas that occur to you during the sermon, or holy questions of your own.
Reflect on the feelings that arise when you give Love… When Love is given to you…
Do you ever feel “unclean” or unworthy, as Isaiah did when he saw the court of God? What has helped you feel loved, worthy, and capable?
What does it mean to you to “launch out into the deep?” Where in your life are you clinging to shallow, perhaps safer, waters?
Offering baskets are placed in the aisle, and can also be brought to your seat.
Announcements
Union Church
Union Church’s Annual Meeting will be March 10, after worship and lunch. We will vote upon acceptance of the Annual Report and conduct other business of the church. Board & Officer reports are due in the office February 24.
Do you like snacks? Do you like helping your friends enjoy snacks? If so, you’re in luck. We are looking for two more people to join the Sunday Morning Hospitality Team to set up / clean up the coffee and treats in the parlor. There are openings the first and third Sunday of the month. It would be a great opportunity for a family to serve together — snacks are fun! Contact Laura Nagle for more information. (Call or text: 859-358-0106 or joyfulsunflower@gmail.com)
Worship is work we do together! You Can Help! If you can read, or carry, or welcome you are helping! If you have suggestions for names we might light the Justice Candle for, you are a gift! If you can help straighten the pews and hymnals after service, or share the names of those who need prayer, or sing with joy, you are lifting our work together to a new level. Sharing on facebook or twitter might be a good way to bring someone a little inspiration! To volunteer, or submit names for prayer or justice work, please call the office or email Rev. Kent. You can also submit these on the church website, a great place to stay connected.
Every Week—you’re invited!
Zen Meditation every weekday, 8:00 am. Join us for 20 minutes of unstructured quiet meditation in beautiful Cowan Chapel, on the Scaffold Cane Road side of the church.
Mondays at 6:30 pm, Cowan Chapel. David Parks will offer Zen teaching: Meditation, Koans, Conversation, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Cowan Chapel.
Come to Wednesday Nite Live (WNL)! The Union Church community gathers for a simple supper at 5:45 pm, September through May, in the Community Room (basement level, handicap accessible by ramp near the playground). After a few announcements, recognition of birthdays and prayer, it’s supper time! No need to call ahead – you, your friends, neighbors, college students, visitors to Berea, are welcome to come for food and fellowship – whether once, once in a while, or every week. After supper:
· Youth Group (grades 6-12), 6:30 pm. Want to know more? Contact Chris McKenzie, Youth Director at mckenziec@berea.edu.
· Handbell Choir rehearsal, 7 pm. Want to know more? Contact Pearl Marshall, Handbell Director at pmarshall@union-church.org.
Occasional presentations & discussions around mission work and hot topics. Watch bulletins and email announcements for info.
Thursday Noon Bible Study. Meet with Rev. Carla in the Classroom at noon to reflect upon the Scripture for the week and issues of the day.
Thursdays — our Music Director, Bernardo Scarambone, will teach a very basic music reading class right before choir (5:45 pm). Everyone is welcome to join them — no pressure to stay for choir – but you’d be welcome!
Union Church is participating in Room in the Inn! Union Church will participate as one of the “Inns” every Sunday night until the end of the season (likely March 10) and we are looking for volunteers who can help. Whether it’s just once, once a month or once a week, we can use your help. Call Joan Moore 859-302-5582 if you can help with laundry and other tasks or Mary Lou Wiese 260-571-4959 for food and meals.
Around Town and Notes & Notices
Feb. 23 – Stepping Out for Art, fundraiser for the Berea Arts Council. Come to an elegant evening when local artists, Arts Council members, and guests will gather to raise funds to support Berea Arts Council operations and programs. This year the theme will honor spring in Japan with “Cherry Blossom Time.” Food, music, and cash bar, at Churchill’s. Rev. Kent will be the auctioneer.
For dinner tickets, contact the Arts Council at 859-985-9317.
How to Choose & Use the Right Assistance Equipment. Feb. 26, 6 pm at First Christian Church. Berea Home Village invites you to learn how to choose the right device for your situation (wheelchairs, walkers, braces, etc.) Presented by Ernestine Brashear, Physical Therapist. Open to all, no charge.
The Census Bureau is hiring now and up to the 2020 Census. You must be 18 years old or older, a US citizen, have transportation, an email address, internet access to apply (you can use a computer here). Pay is $14 an hour + 58 cents a mile driven for the job. Part time, flexible hours. Paid training for 3-5 days. 2020census.gov/job
Music Events at Union Church!
Cancelled, sorry! Feb. 15 – SongFarmer Gathering
Feb. 23 – The African American Traditional Music Workshop and Symposium (hosted by the Berea College Black Music Ensemble) will be held at Union Church beginning at 12 pm. The half day events will include a community choral (spirituals and gospel song) music workshop—inviting all to sing and to learn African American traditional sacred music. We will engage with the song history, and the role of African American traditional music our world today. The day will conclude with a 7:00 pm symposium talk (also free and open to the public) by our guest clinician, Dr. Raynetta Wiggins, ’08 alum of Berea College, and a gospel choir performance. Complete schedule coming soon. All welcome – no charge.
March 3 – This & That: A Concert of Anything but “Church Music” The ringers of Union Church Handbell Ensemble will present a mini-concert comprised of pieces that would not likely find a place in a typical worship service. Please join us Sunday, March 3 at 2 pm in the sanctuary for a variety of fun and funny handbell music.
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