
This week
Worship- this week will focus on probably the best known single verse in the Christian Bible - John 3:16. How can we claim this powerful affirmation about God without picking up some of the negative, exclusionary logic that follows? We'll also be inspired by new music, prayers, fellowship, and communion.
Discussion of The Shack by William P Young begins Sunday, April 5th, at 5:30 p.m. at the Y. Coordinated by Mark Smith, the group welcomes all.
Sharing Soup at the Y - Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Leslie Baum reports that this year we are giving out three crocks of soup in the same time we distributed two crocks last year. Don't forget: if you're able, please bring non-perishable food to our collection basket at the front desk at the Y.
It's wonderful!
$10,000 worth of support! Yes, $10,000. All the neighboring UCC churches in southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky (SONKA) have given Nexus a $10,000 grant to support our new marketing campaign. We'll have direct mail, newspaper ads, brochures for you to give out, a renewed presence on the web - and that's just the start. Dana Johnson is heading the Marketing Team which includes Krista Bramlage, Andy Closson, Jeff Davis, Brian Smith and Frank Wray.
A month of what?
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. Attached is a VERY ROUGH overview.
In closing
Here is an amazing quote and random facts that have come across my desk this week.
Amazing quote: "Local religious activists are voicing support for a proposed Butler County Children Services policy that gives preference in placing children with traditional married couples in foster care and adoption" -- that's the lead paragraph in a news article in this week's Pulse Journal. Um, interesting. The reporter seems not be able to find a single religious leader in Butler County who is opposed to this immoral and hateful policy. Um, interesting. Looks like I need to convene a gathering of progressive clergy in Butler County and invite the reporter over for coffee and conversation.
A not-much-discussed fact: Friday, March 20, is the 6th anniversary of the day that U.S. missiles began to fall on Baghdad, Iraq. Since then, somewhere between 63,000 and 655,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed; 320,000 U.S. vets (of Iraq and Afghanistan) may have some form of brain injury; and more than 4,200 members of the US armed forces have died in Iraq.
A welcome fact: Friday, March 20, is the official start of spring.
Maybe a fact: By my calculations, by moving from Chicago to West Chester, Vince and I have enjoyed a 29% improvement in the meteorological quality of our life. You see, the US Weather Service reports that in February 2009 the average monthly temperature was 28 in Chicago and 36 in southwest Ohio. And that works out to a 29% increase in warmth!
Actually, I don't need a calculator to know how much I appreciate your call to be your pastor. Vince and I are blessed by your hospitality and welcome. And with SONKA's generous support, Nexus Church is indeed stepping up to the fun and the challenges of being a voice of progressive Christianity in Butler County. Praise God!
Blessings,
Mike
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