Nexus News 10/17/09

Image by Martin Beek via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

It's a wonderfully active time at Nexus Church.  To help you plan ahead, below is first a summary of upcoming events.  Details follow.

• Sunday, Oct 18-- What must I do?  How do we live together in a new way, here and now?  What about respectability and wealth?  Our starting point will be the story of the "rich young ruler" and Jesus (Mark 10:17-31)
• Sunday, Oct 18  -- Last day to make a special donation to Neighbors in Need.
• Tuesday, Oct 20- Nexus Governing Council meets at Panera's Restaurant in West Chester.  If you have a topic for the Council, please see Karl Ulrich.
• Wednesday, Oct 21at 7:30 p.m.- The Islam-Christian dialogue series continues at St John Catholic Church in West Chester.   This week's topic is extremism and fundamentalism in Islam and Christianity.  Anyone is welcome to drop in.
• Wednesday, Oct 28 at 7:30 p.m.  The Islamic-Christian dialogue series concludes at the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati, near I75 and Tylersville Road
• Nov 1, 8, and 15- New Member Class-- noon- 1:30 p.m.
• Nov 7, 14, and 21- Homosexuality and the Bible- I will teach a 3-part workshop at the Campus Ministry Center at Miami University in Oxford. 
• Nov 22 -- Anniversary Celebration- Sunday afternoon Nov 22 we'll have a special celebration of the third anniversary of Nexus and the first anniversary of my ministry with you. 
• Nov 26 -- Thanksgiving Day, 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.- Nexus folk are invited to help out with a Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at First St John's UCC in downtown Hamilton.
• Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, 20- We'll have special events to observe the Sundays of Advent
• Dec 24th- around 6:00 p.m.  - We'll have a beautiful Candlelight Christmas Eve service in the historic sanctuary of First St Johns UCC in downtown Hamilton.
  

More info
Neighbors in Need helps make another world possible. Neighbors in Need isa special mission offering of the United Church of Christ.  It supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States.  100% of your donation goes directly to help others.

To be sure it's properly credited, please place your offering in the special envelopes available on the welcome table. This Sunday Oct 18 is your last chance make a special donation

New Member Class
The New Member Class will be held after church at the Y on Nov 1, 8, and 15 from noonuntil 1:30 p.m.

Anyone considering membership is encouraged to participate in the three-week series.  We'll have a light lunch and friendly conversation. Our focus is how membership in Nexus might (or might not) be helpful to you.  Childcare can be arranged.

To "reserve" your spot, please let me know.  If you decide to join Nexus Church, new members will be received on Sunday, Nov 22.

Homosexuality and the Bible
The first three Saturday mornings in November I will facilitate a 3-part workshop on Homosexuality and the Bible.  The workshop is a close examination of the passages in the Bible that have traditionally been sued to "clobber" gay people.  In addition, we will examine how the Bible presents Ruth & Naomi and David & Jonathan.

Sponsored by the Campus Ministry Centerat Miami University in Oxford, the workshop will provide an opportunity for students to explore what progressive scholars are saying about the Bible.  Tentatively, it's scheduled from 10:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m.

Nexus folk in Oxford are now beginning to plan the publicity and hospitality for the workshop.  If you'd like to help out, please contact Judy and Warren Waldron, Buffy Stohl, or Ed Shriver.

Celebrate our 3 years of worship at Nexus Church
Is your calendar marked for a special celebration Sunday afternoon, Nov 22?  We'll have special guests from regional and national ministries of the United Church of Christ.  How would YOU like to celebrate? If you have ideas or are interested in helping plan this, please let Frank Wray know.

Spend part of your Thanksgiving helping others
On Thanksgiving Day Nov 26 at 11:00 a.m.Nexus folk are invited to help out with a Community Thanksgiving Luncheon at First St John's UCC in downtown Hamilton.  The church doors are open to all the people in downtown Hamiltonwho may not have other possibilities for Thanksgiving.

You can be as active or "low-key" as you like. One of our roles is to welcome folks into the dining room and have conversation with them.  Another role is to provide background music for the luncheon.

Worship Comes from the Congregation: We Want You!
Our worship services at Nexus are enhanced by the many gifts that members and friends bring. Do you play a musical instrument, act, read, write, dance, arrange flowers, or prepare an altar? Are there other skills and talents that could be woven into our services to enrich the worship experience?

Beginning with our Advent services, we would like to find ways to incorporate your gifts into worship. See the themes below and then consider ways to meaningfully weave your talents into these sacred services.

November 29 .................... First Sunday of Advent: Hope
December 6 ...................... Second Sunday of Advent: Peace
December 13 .................... Third Sunday of Advent: Joy
December 20 .................... Fourth Sunday of Advent: Love

To offer your gift, please contact Suzi Jarman or Janet Crawford.

Candlelight, readings, and music on Christmas Eve
There's no better way to celebrate Christmas than to spend part of your Christmas Eve at the special service Nexus Church and First StJohn's UCC will hold.

This is an especially good opportunity to invite family and friends who might not normally be able to attend Nexus on Sunday mornings.

The family-friendly service will begin (tentatively) at 6:00 p.m.in First St John's beautiful sanctuary in downtown Hamilton.  We'll have an eclectic mix of old favorites and contemporary music.

Planning is just getting started.  If you have ideas or special requests, please let me know.

Blessings for you today and every day,

Mike