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Sanctuaries of Life in Dangerous Days
By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman
On the last weekend of every September clergy and lay delegates from across the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ gather to tend to the business of the conference — resolutions, bylaws, nomination of new board and committee members — and for the renewal of connections, mutual encouragement, and worship. For the last few years we have deferred the business part of our gathering to a long zoom session on the following weekend and focused our time, energy and imagination on renewing our life together. This year our theme was: Refugia Rising: Sanctuaries of Life in Dangerous Days.
Listening for Spirit’s Call
By Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman
Once again, there is a lot to be anxious about this Advent season.
Many of us are living in fear of the next presidential administration, afraid of the effects its policies will have on the nation and the world. Scared of what will happen to our immigrant neighbors, our trans family members, our own social security, Medicare or SSI, worried about education and access to reproductive health care.
An Invitation to Pause
by Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman, Pastor
Just for today.
Just for now.
Be still.
For the faithful who rejoice at the outcome of yesterday’s election, be still and know that people you love in your community are frightened and despairing. Be still and know they have reason to be.
For those in the grip of shock and incomprehension, be still and know that you are not alone.
On this unexpectedly sunny day, turn your eyes to the beauty of the world, fill your heart with the love of your family and friends and be gentle with yourself and the people closest to you.
Gratitude Is a Gift
by Rev. Jeanne Randall-Bodman, Pastor
In a recent lectionary reflection Diana Butler Bass compared gratitude to salt. Because, as good chefs know, salt is something that should be added to food as it cooks so that it can do its work of changing the flavor and texture of food from within.
Just so, with gratitude.
November Book Reviews
by Kathy Anderson, Mission and Social Action Team
Somewhat belatedly, we of the UCC (or, at least, the Central Pacific Conference) are realizing how our pioneer ancestors contributed to the decimation of the indigenous people who were already living here when they came to the Oregon Territory.
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
The Stones Cry Out
The Stones Cry Out Solidarity Delegation to the West Bank and Washington, D.C. consisted of 23 American Christians‚ faith leaders (both lay and ordained) representing 12 different denominations, who traveled to Palestine to hear the people of that place describe their reality and send us home with a direct and urgent message.