RIDING THE CREST (JC)

I am so pleased and thankful to have been given the opportunity to be the Sunday morning preacher at this year's General Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona.  For those who missed the worship service , you missed a treat!  There were 192 voices in the choir, a large house band, and over 4,000 people in attendance singing along jubilantly to hymns and choir songs. Your ministers were all participants in the service and by the number of comments we received after worship ended, we could all conclude that the service was a success.

I want to personally thank Marty Day for making the lovely stoles you see in the photo.  As I said in the sermon, "We looked marvelous!"  I also want to say "thank you" to those UUCA members who came all the way to Phoenix to support us.

For me, this powerful service marks the end of my church year and the beginning of summer.  As I go into the month of July, I plan to take time for study.  I am looking forward to reading several books.  I have a few I'd like to recommend to you, as these books more than likely will influence my ministry here with you in the coming months.

• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (She was one of the worship leaders at GA)
• The Persistence of the Color Line by Randall Kennedy (Fred's recommendation)
• How We Decide by John Lehrer
• It Was on Fire When I Lay Down on It by Robert Fulghum
• Voice from the Margins by Jacqui James and Mark Morrison-Reed
• The New Species: A Vision of the Evolution of The Human Being by Dr. Cherie Carter-Scott
• Guns, Germs, and Steel:  The Fates of Human Societies, by Jared Diamond

I am so thankful to you, UUCA, for allowing me the spiritual time needed to continue the vibrant ministry we have together.  We have had a great church-year!  We have lived boldly and compassionately.  I look forward to continuing the journey with you soon.

In the name of Love,

Rev. John

 

Phoenix, Here We Come! (FM)

Every June thousands of Unitarian Universalists gather for the UUA annual General Assembly.  This year’s event will be in Phoenix, AZ.Ministers arrive on June 18 and lay delegates come on June 20.It’s a unique Assembly this year because the theme is “JusticeGA.  ”You can hear President Morales’ invitation by clicking here.  At least a dozen members of UUCA will be attending and bringing home the “Good News” of GA.
           For your Ministry Team, this GA will be unlike any other.  We are excited about having been asked to bring our ministry to Phoenixand sharing it with so many other UUs.  As your ministers, we have always known that UUCA is a special congregation; now we’re going to share it with thousands of others during two major gatherings

           On Wednesday, June 20, I will be delivering the 192^nd Berry Street Lecture. Started in 1820 by William Ellery Channing, the BSL is the oldest continuing lecture in North America.  Rev. John will be introducing me to the audience of 500+ UU ministers.   My presentation is entitled “From iChurch to Beloved Community: Ecclesiology and Justice,” and in many ways you have heard it all!  That is, much of what I will be sharing grew from ideas that originated here at UUCA. Two ministers will give responses to my lecture: UUA President Morales and Kimberly Tomazewski (last year’s UUCA intern). I am honored and humbled to have been asked to do this (and will be happy when it’s over!).

           Then on Sunday, June 24, your Ministry Team will be conducting the biggest worship service of the Assembly. Anastassia will be lighting the chalice and giving the opening words, I will be speaking the prayer/reflection, Christina will be telling the “story for all ages,” and John will be delivering the sermon. The congregation will number 4000+! It promises to be an experience to remember. You can watch the service live by tuning into the streaming video link on June 24 (at 12 pm). We hope to arrange for watching it here at the church, so look for an announcement about this special and fun gathering.

           Both of these experiences are “once in a lifetime” opportunities. We will be holding you – the members and friends of UUCA – in our hearts and spirits as we travel to Phoenix and tell of the ministry we share with you.
           Take care and see you soon,
                         Fred