Nexus News- March 13, 2009

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Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

This week
It's a Bluegrass Sunday!  Judy and Warren Waldron will be our featured musicians Sunday, March 15, 10:00 a.m., at the Y.

More singing! 

Vince Benabese hosts an hour of informal singing Sunday afternoon, March 15, 1:30-2:30 at Vince and Mike's house: 6983 Willowood, Drive, West Chester 45241.  Dessert served.

We care a ton!  

If you're able, please bring non-perishable food to our collection basket at the front desk at the Y.  Sharing Soup at the Y - Wednesday, March 18, 5:30-7:00 p.m. See Leslie Baum for details.

It's new to me

The Shack by William P Young is the first book for the new discussion group now forming. See Mark Smith.

Knitting Ministry will start soon.
See Suzie Jarman.


Save the dates

April 10, noon-1:30 - We've been invited to join in the ecumenical Good Friday Stations of the Cross walk in downtown Hamilton.

April 12 thru May 3 - A Month of Wonder

-- Beginning with Easter on April 12 we'll have a month of special services. These are the kind of services to which you'll want to invite friends and neighbors.  Included will be an Easter Egg Hunt; re-commitment opportunity for couples of any kind; special musicians, dancers, storytellers and artists; and ButlerCounty justice folk.

In closing

What do you think about politics and religion?

For me as your pastor, it's nothing to do with partisan politics, with supporting the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, or any other partisan group.  Instead, for me the question is about justice on earth as it is in heaven.  It's about following Jesus.

I'll share with you something that makes a lot of sense to me -- a Lenten reflection by another UCC pastor, Quinn G. Caldwell, the  Associate Minister at Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts:.

I believe that the American principle of the separation of church and state is designed to protect religion from the state, not the state from religion.  You might argue this particular point, as many do. What's harder to argue is this: that the entire story of the people of God from the Exodus on, from the prophets to Paul to Jesus Christ himself, derives from this: a story in which God sent the prophet Moses to Pharaoh, a head of state, to advocate on behalf of the poor and oppressed.  God told Moses to get political.

In the days before his inauguration, then President-elect Obama reminded us that voting should be the beginning, not the end, of Americans' political involvement.  He told us to organize, to write letters, to advocate for what we believe needs to happen.  He reminded us that politicians' hands are tied without the will of the people behind them.

So I say, let's give him what he asked for, and let's do it as Christians.  Ask yourself: how does God want me to be political?  What does God want to happen in the nation or the world?  If you're not sure where to start, ask your pastor, or check out http://www.ucc.org/justice/jpanet.html

The poor and oppressed are still here, the Realm of God is not, and God needs you to get political.

What do you think?

Blessings,
Mike