Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Amy
September 13, 2024
James 5:16
It was a joy and comfort to be together again as we kicked off the new church year last weekend. Something special happens when we worship and are fed together at the communion table; when we hug, cry, and laugh together; when we celebrate together in the sunshine. The church is called the Body of Christ, and each of us members of it, and we find a healing, strength, and comfort unlike any other when we gather, re-united in Christ.
We will share additional information soon, but Pastor Megan has arranged two special times in the coming week to gather and heal. On Thursday Sept. 19; and Sunday, Sept. 22, Riverside Community Care’s Trauma Center will lead Coping Groups, guiding us through a highly supportive and structured session designed to thoughtfully and sensitively process the recent loss in our community. The goal of the group is to provide support as well as a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space to reflect on how each individual, and our community, can begin to work toward healing — and support each other in that process. They have asked attendees to RSVP so that we can make sure the groups are an appropriate size. Please email Pastor Megan or me if you would like to join either group.
We will also be praying for one another in a special way throughout the month with a new “take a prayer; leave a prayer” prayer station in our sanctuary (see the flyer and description in the side bar). If you won’t be in the sanctuary in person, but would like to participate, please share your prayers with either Pastor Megan or me, and we will add them, and share community prayers with you. May we, connected, find a new wholeness and healing this year together.
With the love of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Amy
Past Posts
- From Our Pastors
Pastor Megan
November 15, 2024
Congregational Meeting Recap Thank you to everyone who joined in the Congregational Meeting last Sunday, and particular thanks to co-moderators Susan Hunt Stevens and Susan Gedrick for leading us, and to Jaap van Reijendam for ensuring those on Zoom could take part as well. The brief workshop Leila led on 1:1s, in the GBIO and community organizing model, gave us a tool for connecting with one another more deeply. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024Pastor Megan
November 8, 2024
Post Election Interfaith Gathering I want to share with you a small portion of how I opened our interfaith post-election gathering, as we prepare to gather in community together this Sunday for worship and the congregational meeting. Learn More - From Our Pastors: October 18, 2024Pastor Megan
Octoberr 18, 2024
Recent Celebrations Did you miss the recent celebrations at church? Here are some photos from our new sign celebration and the Blessing of the Animals! It has been a fall of connecting – with one another, the wider community, and God’s creation (including beloved pets like Barky, Felix, Jack, Rosey, and Lucy!). Learn More - From Our Pastors: October 11, 2024Pastor Megan
Octoberr 11, 2024 So much in the world at large and within our own community and families feels like it is in upheaval, right now. War, storms, the coming election, health challenges, grief, transitions, and more make it feel as though the ground is shifting for so many of us. I was reminded in a conversation this week of the framework offered by Joanna Macy in The Work that Reconnects. In it, she explains that how we choose to tell the story – of the world and society at large, but also of our lives – affects how we feel and how we act. Learn More - Hurricane ReliefAs I’m sure many of you have been, I have been devastated to see the pictures and reports coming out of communities in the Southeast that have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and wanting to find ways to help. One of the blessings of being affiliated with our two denominational partners is that our impact to help when disasters like this occur can be magnified by the existing systems of support that the denominations have in place. Learn More
- From Our Pastors: September 13, 2024Pastor Amy
September 13, 2024 It was a joy and comfort to be together again as we kicked off the new church year last weekend. Something special happens when we worship and are fed together at the communion table; when we hug, cry, and laugh together; when we celebrate together in the sunshine. Learn More - From our Pastor: July 19, 2024Pastor Amy
July 19, 2024 On Thursday, July 18, travelers and members of UCW gathered to share learnings, photos, and stories from our recent service trip to Puerto Rico. The trip at the end of June was transformative for the 20 members (mostly high school and college youth) who travelled. Learn More - From Our Pastors – July 19, 2024Pastor Megan
July 5, 2024 Beloved, have you gotten and decorated a Flat Jesus yet? Be sure to take part in this fun and creative way of staying in touch with one another throughout the summer, and of sharing with one another as the new church year begins in September. Learn More
