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The Week Ahead at UPC (June 15-22)

UP Church is hosting the funeral for Helen Hendricks on Saturday, June 15, visitation at 10 am, funeral at 11 am, and lunch fellowship to follow.


Thursdays in June: “Grill’s On” Community Picnic (5:30 pm – ?)We’ll set out tables and fire up the grill. You bring a lawn chair, a friend, something to put on the grill, and something to share (nothing fancy, just share what you have – and if you don’t bring anything, we’ll have plenty to share!)

NOTE: Any extra lawn games tucked away in your garage? Bring those too.


Note from Pastor Paul:   Well, between Pentecost and Father’s Day, I’ve found myself reflecting a lot this week. See, in my prayer and studies, Pentecost tends to shift me from contemplating resurrection and the presence of Jesus in my life, to an exploration and celebration of the Holy Spirit in my life…and how I’m called, how I listen, how I respond.   Hate to say it, but I’m not always the greatest Christian. I get crabby and angry and selfish and sharp. But here’s where my reflection on Father’s Day comes in. As a father, there is no perfect way. Being a father (any parent or caregiver for that matter) is an endless inventory of successes and failures. For as many pats on the back I give myself for being Super Dad, there are just as many dope-slap moments, thinking: “hope they don’t hate me for that as they grow up!” I am proud to say that I’ve learned a lot, but I’m also proud to say I am still clueless and trying to figure it all out.   

Same for being a Christian. In Bible studies or sermons or ramblings like this one, I like to prefix any theological insight with the phrase: “this is where I am at right now”, because there’s always room to change.   Repeat: Always room to change.   So, how do I know if I am heading in the right direction as a father? I see the faces of my children. I see their behavior and their emotions and demeanor. I feel their love, expressed in so many ways. I learn to see it.   

Same with being a Christian.

Let’s talk!

Pastor Paul 

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New summer events!

Hey Friends! Exciting summer things on their way:

Beginning in June, on Thursdays: “Grill’s on!” Community Picnic (5:30-?)

We’ll set out the tables, break out the lawn games, and fire up the grill. You bring a lawn chair, a friend, something to put on the grill, and something to share as a side (nothing fancy, just share what you have!) (and thanks to Scotty for finding the great grill! Though this doesn’t mean I’ll let you win in Bocce Ball!)

Also, for you creative souls, we’re planning a gathering to explore visual arts in our sanctuary and worship – and dream up creative new ideas we can create together! Date TBA, but contact us if you’re interested!

And for those that like to play in the dirt, we’re planning to gather for Garden Days. Again, date TBA, but let us know if that interests you!

OK, that’s enough for now. See you Sunday with our choir singing and – hey – I’m pretty happy with the sermon I planned.

In God’s Love,

Pastor Paul

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Spring Going-Ons

The Spaghetti Dinner was a huge success, thanks to everyone’s efforts! Thank you also to everyone who came out to enjoy the pasta!

Bakeless Bake Sale:
Women’s Fellowship is collecting donations for the Bakeless Bake Sale until June 1. Make checks payable to Women’s Fellowship and return to Doris Toman or Char Marich, or simply drop the envelope in the collection plate. Your support is very appreciated.

Mark your calendar!
These events are coming soon:

May 11: Rummage & Bake Sale, 8 am-1 pm, coffee bar and coneys for lunch. Credit cards accepted. It’s not too soon to start spring cleaning of closets, cupboards, basements. Clean, gently used items, including clothing, will be accepted for the sale. Watch for more details.


June 2: Morgan Park 5K Run/2.5K Walk, 4:30 pm
Eve Graves has begun coordination of this event. There will be raffle, bake sale, coneys again this year.

KITCHEN FUN!
If you are a person that believes those two words go together – and that gathering with friends in our kitchen for creative cooking sounds fun – let us know! We had a great time making doughnuts, and we’re interested in other adventures. Contact Pastor Paul if interested.


LIBRARY/STUDY RENOVATION
You’ll notice some changes in our library space. We are working on clearing our library – and sending books we don’t need to better homes! (Before any books leave the church, we’ll be offering them to the congregation.) Then we’ll be bringing in comfortable couches and chairs to create a comfortable small group gathering space. We’d love your input!


MONDAY LECTIONARY STUDY
Every Monday at 6pm, Pastor Paul welcomes you to join him in the first look at the Lectionary texts for the following Sunday. This is a time for questions and conversation in our lives of faith – and your participation greatly assists in creating a meaningful sermon on Sunday. Join us!


SUMMER LOVIN’!
It’s been a long winter – let’s welcome Summer with beautiful gardens and summer picnics. We’ll be creating a “Monarch Waystation” garden on our grounds with milkweed and pollinator plants, and Pastor Paul would like to host weekly picnics with a grill at the ready, lawn chairs and lawn games. Interested? Let us know!

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Annual Meeting, Pot Luck, and Council Installation

Our annual meeting went quickly and successfully this year. If you’re interested in reviewing the reports, contact Clarice in the office. It was followed by a wonderful, warm meal with myriad hot dishes. The following week, we installed council members.

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Pastor’s Message – October

I’ll be the first to confess: it is easy for me to get lost in my head – easy for me to ride a wave of  thought and prayer until it comes crashing into the shore, and I’m left having to get up, shake myself  off, and head on to more practical matters.

I don’t regret it. I like the ride. And quite honestly I think it’s a good thing for a pastor to do, as thoughts and prayers like those are the ones that helped many of us hear our calls in first place. So let me offer this by way of preparation: if you walk into the church, or see me about town, and I’m wandering aimlessly and talking to myself, do not be alarmed.

Do, however, say hello.

Because I need it. Because a pastor is not called merely to be lost in thought and prayer, but rather to walk with others, and to live in the real messy-middle of everyday life. A pastor is called to hear stories, to share stories—to share where we hear the presence of God and the pulse of faith beating within us, uniquely and collectively. 

This is why I invite you, Monday evenings, to share my first glance at the week’s lectionary readings. I want to know what is on your mind, what questions or ideas you have, and where God is nudging you. Sharing scripture with you helps to keep me firmly grounded in everyday life, and helps me find God’s presence there. I don’t have “answers” in our Monday Bible Study… I celebrate questions.

And likewise, a church is called not to merely be lost in worship, in study and song and prayer. We are called to open our doors—not only to welcome the stranger into our Sanctuary, but also to carry our faith into the world and introduce ourselves to strangers.

As I look toward my service of installation in a few weeks, I find myself reflecting on what therole of a pastor is in a church? I think it is the same as the role of the church in the community. Our work is to meet people where they are at, to honor them, each as unique and beloved children of God.

Be it a person mourning loss, a person struggling with addiction, a person who has been rejected or ridiculed—just as much as a person who has fallen in love, a person thriving in a state of curiosity, creativity, and exploration—they are all holy. They are stories longing to be told. They are lives longing to be shared.

So to my church community: just as a wise person might say I should not be lost in the thoughts of my past, so should the church not be lost in its past. Just as I should not spend all my hours lost in my thoughts, so the church should not spend all of its energy lost in our day-to-day maintenance. We both need the wider community, the real life and lives around us—to interrupt us… to say hello. Tune in with faith and we’ll find God there.

Enjoying the Journey, Sometimes you just have to meet somebody where they’re at.

Pastor Paul