Program at WNL this week – Mike Harrington will present on the Pride Education Project.
Class Taught by Rev. Kent and Rev. Rachel continues: Big A** Themes of the Bible! 7:00 pm Wednesday. This week: Redemption! The Bible is a record and reminder of God’s unending (and sometimes tough) love. Reconnecting, revaluing, redeeming is a seriously Big Theme. How does it affect the way we move through the world today?
BRING: If you have a Bible, bring it! If you don’t, you can use one of ours!
October 4 is World Communion Sunday, Joint Worship with First Christian Church. Each year churches around the world celebrate World Communion Sunday as a deliberate way to recognize God’s work in all its many forms. Union Church and First Christian Church have a long tradition of celebrating our unique common heritage (both churches were founded by Rev. John G. Fee) by holding a joint worship service on this day. This year, we will host our brothers and sisters from First Christian, and their pastors, Mark and Lisa Caldwell-Reiss. The vocal choirs and handbell ensembles from both churches will sing and play together as well.
Rev. Kent & Rev. Mark will preach. As is our tradition, loose plate offering will be given to Berea Faith Community Outreach (BFCO) to assist their vital work.
The Handbell Ensemble is looking for a few rehearsal subs. From time to time, ringers need to be other places during a rehearsal. However, we are most productive and efficient when we have all the positions covered. This doesn’t require long-term commitment, and you don’t have to perform in worship services unless you want to. If you are interested in putting your name on our rehearsal sub list, please contact Pearl Marshall at pmarshall @union-church.org. You can help us be our best!
Artist in Residence Coming in October! Thanks to generous contributions to the Worship and Arts Fund, the Worship Board has invited musician and composer, A.J. Bodnar to be our Artist in Residence at Union Church during the month of October, into November.
He will be participating in worship services, conversations on artistic-spiritual expression, and maybe even helping some of you write and compose from your own sense of Spirit.
A.J. began playing piano at the age of six. He has dedicated his life to the study of all types of music, resulting in a totally eclectic approach. Along the way, he has picked up the accordion, the synthesizer, percussion instruments, and four years ago, the melodica.
His album Melodicism is a CD of folk, classical, jazz, and original pieces, all played on the melodica. A.J. has been on the faculty of Common Ground on the Hill for fourteen years, where he teaches a variety of courses, including Rise Up Singing with his partner, spouse, and good friend, Liza DiSavino. They were awarded a research fellowship from the Berea Archives and are recipients of a grant from the Puffin Foundation.
Together they have released four albums. They are also founding members of the Illegal Contraband. A.J. accom-panies classes for the dance department at Berea College, and the Berea Country Dancers.
He is the composer of our Call to Worship this morning: Holy Women, Holy Men, which he has gifted to the Union Church community.
Kentucky Environmental Foundation Movie Premier Oct. 2, 7-9 pm at the EKU Center for the Arts. The Kentucky Environmental Foundation invites you to the premiere of NERVE, a film directed by Ben Evans, produced by the Kentucky Environmental Foundation, and inspired and supported by community members.
NERVE tells the story of how a small group of Kentuckians launched a grassroots movement that ultimately stopped the military from incinerating over 500 tons of chemical weapons stored in Madison County’s Blue Grass Army Depot.
This inspiring David vs. Goliath story is about speaking truth to power and breaking down political barriers to solve the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The documentary honors the organization’s 25th anniversary, and the global fight against the incineration of chemical weapons and other hazardous substances.
Tickets free at https://www.eventbrite. com/e/nerve-film-premiere-with-special-guest-ben-sollee-tickets-17986217260
Church Council Registers Protest over Spoonbread Festival Merchandise: The Festival is presented by the Berea Chamber of Commerce (of which Union Church is a member), and supported by a number of sponsors, including the City of Berea Tourism department.
We were dismayed to see vendors selling racially divisive and objectionable materials, including the so-called “Confederate Flag.”
Moved by our faith in the inclusive love of God and by Berea’s heritage of racial justice, the Union Church Council has written a letter of concern to the Berea Chamber of Commerce specifically asking that additional rules be implemented to prohibit these symbols of enslavement and intimidation. A copy of the letter is posted on the website. https://union-church.org/church-council-registers-protest-over-spoonbread-festival-merchandise/
Library Fundraiser! Make a small quilt based on a favorite book! Contact Rita Barlow at lashleybarlow@gmail.com for details.
Volunteers are needed to help host Safe Haven at Union Church when tornadoes threaten. Call Alison Szecweyk at 859-302-6996.
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