Nexus News- November 5, 2009

Image by Rickydavid via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

Do you ever come across something that says EXACTLY what you wish you had the wisdom and the skill to say?

That's what happened to me when I read a statement by Rachel Mikva, the newest faculty member at Chicago Theological Seminary.  It's pleasure to share her thoughts with you:

Simple truths
The most profound truths are not simple ones,
and they often live in dialectical tension with other truths.

Pursuit of justice is essential,
but the equally compelling call to mercy
sometimes (gently) pushes justice aside.

Freedom is a God-given right,
but freedom without commitment and purpose leaves us rootless.

Peace is our perpetual desire,
even as we sometimes decide we must fight.

We live with the breathtaking and terrifying knowledge that
religious passion is a catalyst for great good,
but all too often is wielded as a weapon.

Our ongoing search for meaning

Much of rabbinic literature is devoted to exploring these tensions, trying to sketch the limits of our ideas so they don't become dangerous absolutes.  There is a Divine standard, but it has always been mediated humanly.  The fact that the Hebrew Bible itself did not become Scripture before it had already begun to be multiply interpreted should help us see that it is the ongoing search for meaning that makes for a holy text.

Our community and redemption
We search together in community and help each other reach toward the Divine call. In this journey, there is religious inspiration and guidance. It marks a path to redemption."

Sunday Nov 8: living on the edge
When faith and values come up at work, do you ever feel like the "odd" person out?  Or maybe you're the proverbial "black sheep" in your family?  Then you know what it's like to live on the edge, with values, assumptions, and goals often different from the dominate groups around you.   Using Mark 12:38-44 as our point of departure, our focus Sunday will explore living as a faithful person on the edge.

The Nexus Singers and Band will inspire us with music.  Krista Bramlage will lead the children.  Helen and Karl Ulrich will set up our worship space, make announcements, and read Scripture.

Looking ahead

• Nov 7, 14, and 21- Homosexuality and the Bible - at Miami University, 10:30-12:30, at the Campus Ministry Center, 16 S. Campus Avenuein Oxford, OH
• Nov 8 and 15- New Member Classes - immediately after worship
• Nov 22 - Nexus Anniversary Celebration- a special luncheon celebration immediately after worship.
• Nov 26 -- Thanksgiving Day Luncheon, 11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.- Nexus volunteers provide hospitality and music for needy persons in downtown Hamilton.
• Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, 20- special events to observe the Sundays of Advent.
• Dec 5 - Annual Congregational Meeting after worship and the potluck lunch
• Dec 14 - Governing Council meeting at 7 pm
• Dec 18 and 19 - Nexus volunteers help homeless families in the Interfaith Hospitality Network in Lebanon.
• Dec 24th- 5:00 p.m.  - a beautiful Candlelight Christmas Eve service in the historic sanctuary of First St Johns UCC in downtown Hamilton.

A closing reminder

As the poet Lala Winkley teaches us to pray,
we are yours, God,
endowed with your power
to make our world whole.

Blessings for you today and every day,

Mike