BIRTH
Upon you I have leaned from my birth;
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
Psalm 71:6 (NRSV)
it was you who took me from my mother's womb.
My praise is continually of you.
Psalm 71:6 (NRSV)
Greetings!
On this 4th of July, 2020, the United States of America is undergoing labor pains.
Even as I write this, conflict arises again, this time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The most sane and balanced moment of last week for me was participating in an online
conversation between Rev. Traci Blackmon and Valarie Kaur. Here it is for you to watch if you like.
On this 4th of July, 2020, the United States of America is undergoing labor pains.
Even as I write this, conflict arises again, this time in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
The most sane and balanced moment of last week for me was participating in an online
conversation between Rev. Traci Blackmon and Valarie Kaur. Here it is for you to watch if you like.
At the top of this reflection is a professionally produced, at home edition, of the song "We Are the World."
It has over 4 million views and is superb. The video below that is of School District of Philadelphia Music
Teachers singing the same song...lower budget, yet huge heart. Actually, I've been thinking a lot about
music teachers this week, and our own Director of Music, Kristen Nolle in particular. I send this out with
love from all of us to her and all music teachers. It's not easy being any kind of teacher during this time
of Covid-19. Imagine being a teacher who teaches singing, suddenly a dangerous activity. As you've heard me
say many times before, I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for loving music teachers in my life when I was younger.
The video down by the prayer is also produced by music teachers, these from Canada, their version
of "Baba O'Riley" by The Who. To this, all I can say is "Wow!" I'd love to go back in time and attend that school!
On this 4th of July weekend of family and fireworks, this Independence Day weekend, 2020, I'll be focusing on
the theme of BIRTH during my PJ's Podcast on SoundCloud in which I'll read a poem I wrote in 2006, and my
PJ's Puppets, etc. (Worship) on YouTube during which I'll continue with Part 3 of a 7 part summer worship series
inspired by Valarie Kaur's life and her book See No Stranger - A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love.
I believe this country is experiencing a new birth.
None of us fully knows what the results of this will be.
I pray this birth happens as I believe Jesus would want
this birth to happen, surrounded by revolutionary love.
A member of our church family, Chris, recently wrote me to say: "In years to come,
I envision a history course merely titled 2020." Yes, I can imagine this too.
Blessings and Love to you, this weekend and always,
Pastor John
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
It has over 4 million views and is superb. The video below that is of School District of Philadelphia Music
Teachers singing the same song...lower budget, yet huge heart. Actually, I've been thinking a lot about
music teachers this week, and our own Director of Music, Kristen Nolle in particular. I send this out with
love from all of us to her and all music teachers. It's not easy being any kind of teacher during this time
of Covid-19. Imagine being a teacher who teaches singing, suddenly a dangerous activity. As you've heard me
say many times before, I wouldn't be who I am if it wasn't for loving music teachers in my life when I was younger.
The video down by the prayer is also produced by music teachers, these from Canada, their version
of "Baba O'Riley" by The Who. To this, all I can say is "Wow!" I'd love to go back in time and attend that school!
On this 4th of July weekend of family and fireworks, this Independence Day weekend, 2020, I'll be focusing on
the theme of BIRTH during my PJ's Podcast on SoundCloud in which I'll read a poem I wrote in 2006, and my
PJ's Puppets, etc. (Worship) on YouTube during which I'll continue with Part 3 of a 7 part summer worship series
inspired by Valarie Kaur's life and her book See No Stranger - A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love.
I believe this country is experiencing a new birth.
None of us fully knows what the results of this will be.
I pray this birth happens as I believe Jesus would want
this birth to happen, surrounded by revolutionary love.
A member of our church family, Chris, recently wrote me to say: "In years to come,
I envision a history course merely titled 2020." Yes, I can imagine this too.
Blessings and Love to you, this weekend and always,
Pastor John
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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If you wish to receive Pastor John's weekly e-mail, known as PJ's Place, please contact
Pastor John at jwhite3646@charter.net with a request to be put on the mailing list.
Suspended, Canceled or Closed
until further notice:
Public gatherings of worship and MOST meetings within our church building.
In-person worship within our church building is now taking place,
following CDC and state guidelines for reopening.
AA is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC and state and our church guidelines for meeting.
(Conversations continue about when and how to
reopen for all other meetings and gatherings)
Open
(Always)
Our collective heart, which continues to be a beacon of light beyond the
hill on which our church building stands, extending throughout our communities.
Our collective prayer
which continues to be a beacon of hope beyond the hill on which our
church building stands, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Our collective seeking after God who is always seeking after us...
Our collective financial giving, which continues to be a beacon of sustaining resources on
which the work of our church family depends, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Please... continue to give financially to your church family.
Checks can be made out to First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC).
If you use church envelopes, please include that
in the envelope you send to your church at
135 Center Road - Dudley, MA 01571
Our Deacon's Fund reaches out to those, within our church family, in
financial distress. Please, if your financial situation allows, give to our
Deacon's Fund at this time. Simply send a check to
The First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC)
135 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
in the memo write "Deacon's Fund."
Please...regardless of when we gather again for worship, do give to HANDS.
(Helping Address the Needs of Dudley's Seniors / Heating Assistance)
The organization needs extra help this year to rebuild its funds
for the next heating season. Donations have been down due to
COVID 19 and fundraisers have had to be canceled.
You may make your check payable to: HANDS
and mail it to:
HANDS
PO BOX 343
DUDLEY, MA 01571
No amount is too small!
Thank you, on behalf of the HANDS Board!
until further notice:
Public gatherings of worship and MOST meetings within our church building.
In-person worship within our church building is now taking place,
following CDC and state guidelines for reopening.
AA is now able to meet again in Jacobs Hall, following
CDC and state and our church guidelines for meeting.
(Conversations continue about when and how to
reopen for all other meetings and gatherings)
Open
(Always)
Our collective heart, which continues to be a beacon of light beyond the
hill on which our church building stands, extending throughout our communities.
Our collective prayer
which continues to be a beacon of hope beyond the hill on which our
church building stands, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Our collective seeking after God who is always seeking after us...
Our collective financial giving, which continues to be a beacon of sustaining resources on
which the work of our church family depends, reaching beyond ourselves to all people.
Please... continue to give financially to your church family.
Checks can be made out to First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC).
If you use church envelopes, please include that
in the envelope you send to your church at
135 Center Road - Dudley, MA 01571
Our Deacon's Fund reaches out to those, within our church family, in
financial distress. Please, if your financial situation allows, give to our
Deacon's Fund at this time. Simply send a check to
The First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC)
135 Center Road
Dudley, MA 01571
in the memo write "Deacon's Fund."
Please...regardless of when we gather again for worship, do give to HANDS.
(Helping Address the Needs of Dudley's Seniors / Heating Assistance)
The organization needs extra help this year to rebuild its funds
for the next heating season. Donations have been down due to
COVID 19 and fundraisers have had to be canceled.
You may make your check payable to: HANDS
and mail it to:
HANDS
PO BOX 343
DUDLEY, MA 01571
No amount is too small!
Thank you, on behalf of the HANDS Board!
Would you pray with me?
O God,
despite the stress,
despite the anxiety and worry about the unknown,
despite the deep concern of our not having enough...
financial resources, intellectual resources,
technological resources, human resources,
resources of time and energy...
...despite our deep concern
that we simply won't have what it takes,
to carry this on, for the long haul,
the long road, the epic journey...
...despite our deepest concern
that we ourselves simply aren't enough
that we don't have what it takes
for this time of laboring and laboring
and laboring...
help us know,
a time of birth is coming...
Indeed, it has already come.
Forgive us, God,
whenever we even consider losing hope.
We have leaned on you, God,
our whole lives long,
from the moment of our birth.
We lean on you now.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
again.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
so we may more closely resemble you.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
so we may think, speak, act,
create, love and be,
more and more and more and more,
like you.
Amen.
______________________________________________________________
O God,
despite the stress,
despite the anxiety and worry about the unknown,
despite the deep concern of our not having enough...
financial resources, intellectual resources,
technological resources, human resources,
resources of time and energy...
...despite our deep concern
that we simply won't have what it takes,
to carry this on, for the long haul,
the long road, the epic journey...
...despite our deepest concern
that we ourselves simply aren't enough
that we don't have what it takes
for this time of laboring and laboring
and laboring...
help us know,
a time of birth is coming...
Indeed, it has already come.
Forgive us, God,
whenever we even consider losing hope.
We have leaned on you, God,
our whole lives long,
from the moment of our birth.
We lean on you now.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
again.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
so we may more closely resemble you.
We lean on you as we seek to be born,
so we may think, speak, act,
create, love and be,
more and more and more and more,
like you.
Amen.
______________________________________________________________
