Old Pride!

Image by Xavier Fargas via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

Corn fields, wheat fields, mountains, and birthday cake
Tomorrow morning Vince and I will pack up the car and head west on I70 across Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado until we come to Vince's Mom's in Denver.  There we'll help organize a week-long 80th birthday celebration for Mom (shhh - there's a secret party, too).

We're taking a driving vacation so that we can take along our little dog Xena.  It will be leisurely trip, since we stop at about every other rest stop and stretch our legs.  The scenery may not be "exotic" but isn't it a blessing just to be with those you love?

This is my first vacation time since I came to Nexus last November.  You'll see below that you will be treated on Aug 16 and 23 with top-notch guest preachers.  Be sure to come to church, and let me know what you think.

While we are out of town, please call me at the regular church cell number (513-708-7803) if you have any critical need of pastoral care.  I have found that often a telephone conversation can be very helpful.  If immediate face-to-face conversation is needed, I will contact our own the Rev. Barb Hobe to make arrangements to meet with you.

Old Pride: All Shall be Well Enough
This Sunday Aug 16 our guest preacher -- the Rev. Jan Griesinger from Athens, OH -- will reflect on "Old Pride: All Shall be Well."

I know that you will want to hear Jan's reflection.  I first heard her speak at the Ohio Conference of the UCC.  In a very few minutes she caught everyone's attention with her celebration of being "old."

Jan is a co-founder of  the Susan B. Anthony Memorial UnRest Home Womyn's Land Trust where she currently lives. She currently serves as national Co-Director of Old Lesbians Organizing for Change.  Jan is Director Emerita of UCM:  Center for Spiritual Growth and Social Justice at OhioUniversity (1976-2004).

Chip Bramlage and the Nexus Singers and Band will inspire us with music.  We'll share our joys and our concerns in prayer.  Krista Bramlage will give the Children's Message and then lead the children in New Explorers.  Sandi Lerman will teach us new sign language.  Helen and Karl Ulrich will set up our worship space,  make announcements, and read Scripture.

Reg Olson to preach Aug 23rd
What does it mean to have church in a gymnasium?  Come Aug 23rd to hear our very own the Rev. Reg Olson discuss "Surely the Lord is in this Place"

We know Reg as a faithful supporter of Nexus Church who almost always takes a front-row seat along with his wife Barb.   You may not know that Reg is a retired United Methodist clergy person.  He was born and raised in the Evangelical & Reformed Church (which joined with the Congregational Christian Church in 1957 to form the United Church of Christ).

By Request sermon series begins Aug 30
Early in the summer you voted on the four sermon topics on which you'd most like me to preach.  With fear and trepidation, I'll begin the series on Sunday, Aug. 30.  I don't (yet) have a "flashy" title, but the sermon topic will be forgiveness.  Do we "need" forgiveness?  If so, who? What? When? And how?

And don't forget after church on Aug 30
Kim Martin and Corinne Cross are hosting a pool party at their home immediately after church on Aug. 30.

Blessings for you today and every day,

Mike

Nexus News- August 7, 2009

Image by bandita via Flickr

Nine months, one week

If I were pregnant, I'd be awaiting the birth of a child.  If I were in school, I'd be awaiting promotion to a new grade.  As your pastor now for nine months and one week, I'm eager to see where our journey together with God will lead us.

Several of you tell me that you notice God's Spirit actively working in and through Nexus church. I am aware that everyone now connected with Nexus is taking new steps - small steps and big steps.  I see you doing things you never thought you could.  I see you claiming new ministries of service and compassion and hospitality.  I see you letting the word of God challenge you.

I am also aware that many are dealing with situations they had never expected.  As a community, we know about loss - loss of relationships, loss of health, loss of income, loss of certainty.  And as a community, we are beginning to trust each other enough to grieve our losses together.

As a community, we're also learning how to celebrate together.  We are blessing marriages and relationships, welcoming births, blessing homes, and baptizing children and adults.  We're also inviting family and friends to "check out" Nexus Church.

I am truly blessed to be your pastor and friend.  I appreciate your growing willingness to invite me into the joys and concerns of your daily lives.  Vince and I are refreshed by your continuing hospitality.  We thoroughly enjoy living in this corner of Ohio.  Thank you for making it all possible.

Kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and conversation

What a wonderful and relaxing time last Sunday at the Nexus family and friends picnic and outing!  Our group included 15 adults, 5 children, and 2 dogs.  We arrived by car and bicycle.  We ate and ate, talked and talked, and many of us went down the Little Miami River by canoe or kayak. Some fished in the river and others played cards.

Already, I'm getting notes from folks who couldn't make it last Sunday but are saying they will definitely be there "next year."  So I guess we've started another Nexus tradition.

Many helped make the event possible - thank you!  Helen Ulrich and her family deserve special thanks for finding such a good place, making the arrangements, doing publicity, and setting things up.

And mark your calendar for Aug 30
Kim Martin and Corinne Cross are hosting a pool party at their home immediately after church on Aug. 30.

Pop Quiz Update
Last week I asked you a question about the racial and ethnic backgrounds of students in the Lakota School District.  Thanks to one of the faithful readers of this note, I now have the latest available data from the 2007-2008 school year:

• What percentage of students in the LakotaSchool District are students of color?  21%
• What percentage are white or Caucasian? 79%

I shared this information last Saturday morning at a Sacred Conversation about Race which I helped lead with the leadership team for the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Association of UCC churches.  Some in the group, especially those who were born and raised in ButlerCounty, were most surprised to see how much Butler County has changed from their childhood and youth.

The whole conversation was very positive and hopefully will encourage many other sacred conversations about race.  To me, it was a vivid reminder that the sooner we talk about the issues that can be used to divide us, the sooner we will discover the common humanity that unites us.

Enough, Already!
This Sunday August 9 the theme is "Enough Already!"  How might we respond when life give us more than we think we can bear?  Our point of departure will a fascinating story from the life of the ancient prophet Elijah.  You can read the story in 1 Kings 19:3-8.

Chip Bramlage and the Nexus Singers and Band will inspire us with music.  We'll share our joys and our concerns in prayer.  Krista Bramlage will lead the children in New Explorers.  Sandi Lerman will teach us new sign language.  Ty and Brian Smith will set up our worship space and make announcements.

See you Sunday at 10:00 a.m.!

Blessings for you today and every day,

Mike

Nexus News- July 17, 2009

Image by Sonia Kiss via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

Restoration, comfort, and abundance?
In our very busy and challenging lives, we get lots of experience in coping with struggle, scarcity, and fear. Our worship this week invites us to claim a different world -- a world of restoration, comfort, and abundance.

The Scripture and sermon this week will explore perhaps the best known chapter in the entire Bible: Psalm 23.  Can we really have no fear when life puts us in the "darkest valley?"  Is it enough to trust in a Shepherd God?  Would we prefer a conquering God?  a rescuing God?  a punishing God?  Or perhaps we'd rather just get through it all ourselves?

Our point of departure will be Jesus' diagnosis (Mark 6:34) that the people of his time were "sheep without a shepherd."

We'll have the usual strong music of our Nexus Band and Nexus Singers and time to share our joys and our concerns in prayer.  Krista Bramlage will lead the children in New Explorers.  Kim Martin and Corinne Cross will set up our worship space, make announcements, and read Scripture.

I hope to see you Sunday at 10:00 a.m.!

Christmas in July
You now have an opportunity to support a Christmas in July party for homeless children.  Every child at the party will receive a new outfit for the first day of school, a full back-pack, a hair cut, new shoes, plus special surprises.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network estimates that 75 children will attend this year's party in Lebanon, OH.  All the children were in the shelter sometime during the past twelve months.

At Nexus we will collect your donations and then send them all to the Interfaith Hospitality Network which we support throughout the year. Please use the special "Spread the Love" envelopes at the welcome table and place them in the basket.

Health care is a moral issue
Health care is not just about dollars and cents, but is a profound moral issue of life and death. It is fundamentally about whether we are a community that values the life of each person- poor, rich, or middle-class.

I encourage you to play a role in the current health-care reform debate.  You can be part of creating a better system for all in our community.

Here's one resource that you may find helpful.  It's produced in part by Sojourners, a long respected organizational leader in many issues of quality and fairness.
http://www.sojo.net/action/alerts/health_care_toolkit_2-page.pdf

If you have other resources that would be helpful, please let me know and I'll be glad to help distribute them.


Blessings to you today and every day,
Mike

Nexus News- July 3, 2009

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

Happy Fourth of July!
The meetings in Grand Rapids last week were wonderful but Vince and I are delighted to be back home in Ohio to celebrate our first Fourth of July here.  Somewhere tonight we look forward to a grand fireworks spectacular.

And then on Sunday, of course, we look forward to being with you at the East Butler County YMCA.

In the midst of all the red, white, and blue celebrations of a busy weekend, we will have a wonderful time of worship together this Sunday July 5.

• Our focus will be practical and down-to-earth, as we explore the all too familiar experience of rejection. Using the story of Jesus' last visit to his hometown Nazareth, I will share ideas about "Rejecting Rejection." Actually, this Sunday will be the first part of a two-part sermon series.  The topic of rejection was just too big to "squeeze" into one sermon.
• In addition to the usual strong music of our Nexus Band and Nexus Singers, this Sunday we will enjoy a brand-new song, "Hope in You," written and composed by our own Chip Bramlage and Nancy Wheeler.
• Our worship will end with the quiet and peace of Communion.

By Request -- It's time to vote!
All the nominations are in and voting has been extended for one more Sunday.  Altogether, you submitted 15 topics on which you'd like me to preach later in the summer:

• What's the difference between being spiritual and being religious?  Do they correlate with each other?
• What is heaven like?  What about life after death?
• Forgiveness
• Opening one's heart to the truth
• How should Christians respond to people of other faiths? Should we try to convert them?
• Did God create everything? What do the creation stories mean to us in the 21st century?
• Why did they decide to nail Jesus on the cross?  What does the cross represent?
• Is there a "bad place" (hell)? Where did the idea of "hell" come from and how has it changed over the years?
• What are the issues between Muslims and Christians?
• Is God man, woman, or both?
• Do Angels exist?
• Is there a Devil?  What about evil?
• Where did God come from?
• Book of Revelation - e.g., was the guy who wrote it really "nuts"?
• How do we acknowledge the legitimacy of other paths to God but understand Jesus' words "no one comes to the Father but by me"?

Ballots will be available at church this Sunday.  Just check your 4 favorite topics and leave you ballot in the basket on the welcome table.

Planning your summer calendar

• A baby shower for Krista Bramlage will be held Sunday, July 12.  See Ty Smith for details.
• We will not have a potluck lunch this Sunday July 5.  Instead, Ty Smith and Helen Ulrich are planning a cook-out after church in August.  Stay tuned for details.

Many thanks!
If you were at church last Sunday June 28th, you were in for a treat.  While I was out of town attending national church meetings, many folks stepped up to make worship possible.

Nexus had the honor of welcoming Rev. Larry Rezash from Centerville as our guest preacher. Reg Olson held everything together as our worship leader.  Nancy Wheeler and Mike Kiely once again led the music.  Helen Ulrich and Mark Smith took care of the set-up, and Jeff Davis read Scripture.

Nexus Church is indeed blessed to have so many talented and spirited folk!

Blessings to you today and every day,

Mike

Nexus News- June 18, 2009

Image by BrianWestChest via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

Do you have the "Courage to Sleep?"
(No, I am not encouraging you to "sleep in" this Sunday!)

Our focus this Sunday June 21st is what should we do when life turns "nasty" and threatens to overwhelm us. How can we move from panic to faith?  What actions demonstrate our faith?  Based on Mark's account of Jesus' sleeping in a violent storm (Mark 4:35-41), we'll explore "The courage to sleep."

Our music this week will be wonderfully led by Nancy Wheeler and Mike Kiely.

Also, this Sunday we'll lift up Men of Faith.  During the open mic time folks will be invited to share a few words about the men who've been important in their faith development.

By Request-ONE more week for your nominations
Later this summer I will preach a series of sermons on the topics which you have selected.  Here are just a few of the topics which have already been suggested:

• Forgiveness
• Opening one's heart to the truth
• How should Christians respond to people of other faiths?
• Hell
• Did God create everything?

Here's how it will work.  You nominate the topics on which you'd like me to preach.  I will then compile the nominations into a ballot.  On June 28 (while I'm out of town attending the UCC General Synod) everyone will vote.  In late July and August I will then do my best to preach on the four topics that got the most votes.

History is made in Ohio
Yesterday, House Bill 176, the Equal Housing and Employment Act, passed out of State Government Committee in the Ohio House of Representatives.  The committee vote marks the first time in Ohio's history that a vote has occurred on legislation protecting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Ohio in either chamber of the General Assembly. The bill now moves to consideration by the entire House of Representatives.

As your pastor, I lobbied in support of this bill in Columbus with all the ButlerCounty legislators.  It's a matter of justice in basic rights for housing and employment.  Without this bill, for example, a company in Ohio can legally fire someone simply because they are lesbian or gay.

More opportunities for service and community
PB&J food drive - an ongoing drive to collect basic food supplies for summer-time sandwiches.  Contact Leslie Baum for details.
Many thanks to Mark Smith for coordinating and leading our 4-session discussion of The Shack.  Over a dozen Nexus folk participated in one or more of the discussions.  Do you have a book you'd like to discuss?  Just let Mark know.

Bible is the "ultimate immigration handbook"
World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia this week said the Bible was the "ultimate immigration handbook".

Kobia asked Christians to apply the parable of the "good Samaritan" to the current context in which they live.

"It speaks to us in this week after virulently anti-immigrant parties made unprecedented gains in European elections", he said. "This parable of Jesus calls us again to consider, 'Who is my neighbour' and how are we to live out that relationship? Christ calls us to be neighbours of immigrants, of oppressed minorities within our own nations, of all who are in need of a neighbour."

Blessings to you today and every day,
Mike

Nexus News- June 12, 2009

Image by ~Asturnut~ via Flickr

Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

The "greatest" or an invasive weed?

• This Sunday June 14th we'll take a fresh look at Jesus' parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:26-34).  What does this simple story teach us about the realm of God?  What might the mustard bush teach us about living and working together here and now?  Hint: Is the mustard bush the greatest of bushes or an invasive weed?
  
  
• As usual, many hands make our worship possible. Chip Bramlage and the wonderful Nexus singers and band will lead us in music; Brian and Ty Smith  will do set-up, make announcements, and read Scripture; Sandi Lerman will continue our education in ASL; Krista Bramlage will lead the children; and Vince Benabese will prepare the visuals.
  
  
• Plus, after worship Mark Smith will lead the discussion of Chapters 13-17 of The Shack.  All are welcome to join in the discussion, whether or not you've been able to attend previous discussions. 

By Request-YOUR chance to pick the topics for my sermons
Later this summer I will preach a series of sermons on the topics which you have selected.  Here are just some of the topics which have already been suggested:

• Should we try to convert people of other faiths to Christianity?
• Why did they decide to nail Jesus on the cross?
• Did God create everything?
• Is there a "bad place" (hell)?
• What are the issues between Muslims and Christians?

Here's how it will work.  You nominate any topic on which you'd like me to preach.  Maybe your topic is an issue, an ethical or political question, a particular part of Scripture, a particular Christian doctrine, or anything else on your mind.  I will then compile the nominations into a ballot.  On June 28 (while I'm out of town attending the UCC General Synod) everyone will vote.  In late July and August I will then do my best to preach on the four topics that got the most votes.

Bring your ideas this Sunday!

More opportunities for service and community

• PB&J food drive - an ongoing drive to collect basic food supplies for summer-time sandwiches.  Contact Leslie Baum for details
• Men of Faith - our special Nexus' recognition of men who've been important in our faith development will take place on June 21st.

Let your voice be heard
"The use of torture by the United States in recent years, and our refusal to renounce its use, has diminished us as a nation not only in the eyes of our own citizens, but in the eyes of the world... " - that's the opinion of the Rev. John Thomas, General Minister of the UCC.  To learn more about this critical issue, see http://www.ucc.org/justice/uccagainsttorture/urge-the-president-to-create.html?autologin=true

Let the White House hear YOUR voice about faith and politics
In this time of such great need, it's more important than ever to let elected officials know how your faith and values connect.  It's especially easy to send an e-mail to the White House. This web-site makes it easy: http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/


Blessings to you today and every day,

Mike

Nexus New-s June 5, 2009

Image by Terra Lynne via Flickr

Dear Friends of NexusChurch,

"God Throws a Curveball"-- this Sunday, June 7 at 10:00 a.m.

No, please don't come expecting a discussion of baseball.  Instead, we'll use the familiar story of Nicodemus and Jesus (John 3:1-17) as a starting point to think about one of the oldest Christian teachings, the Trinity. Is this an "antiquated" doctrine of the 4th century?  Is it something that is truly relevant to our lives in southwest Ohio in 2009?

As usual, many hands make our worship possible. Chip Bramlage and the singers and band will lead us in music; Pam Benjamin and Eric Middlebrook will set-up, make announcements, and read Scripture; Sandi Lerman will continue our education in ASL; Krista Bramlage will lead the children; Suzi Jarman will assist with communion; Andy Closson will prepare the print materials; and Vince Benabese will prepare the visuals. Plus, after worship Helen Ulrich is coordinating our monthly potluck lunch.  See you Sunday!

By Request-YOUR chance to pick the topics for my sermons
Later this summer I will preach a series of sermons on the topics which you  select.

Here's how it will work.  Starting this Sunday you may nominate the topics on which you'd like me to preach.  Maybe your topic is an issue.  Or maybe it's an ethical or political question. Or maybe it's a particular part of Scripture or a particular Christian doctrine.  I will then compile the nominations into a ballot.  On June 28 (while I'm out of town attending the UCC General Synod) everyone will vote.  In late July and August I will then do my best to preach on the four topics that got the most votes.

More opportunities for service and community

• Nexus Governing Council - Monday night, June 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Union Centre Panera Restaurant.  See Karl Ulrich for details.
• PB&J food drive - an ongoing drive to collect basic food supplies for summer-time sandwiches.  Contact Leslie Baum for details
• Chapters 13-17 of The Shack - discussion at the Y after church Sunday, June 14.  See Mark Smith for details.
• Men of Faith - our special Nexus' recognition of men who've been important in our faith development will take place on June 21st.

In this time of challenge and change ...

A Prayer for Southwest Ohio

We did not choose to be created in your image, God.
We did not choose to be related to the rest of your creation.
And yet, we are a part of one another.

Despite all of the things --
real or imagined,
understood or denied,
recognized or ignored --
that manage to set us apart from one another, 
stir us to recognize and celebrate our kinship to one another,
and to you, our Source. 

God of justice and hope,
give us wisdom and courage
to demand policies which meet the real needs
of all in our large community of southwest Ohio.

God of many names,
remind us daily that we all belong to you.
Let generosity, peace, and a forgiving spirit abound in all we do.

Amen.

Blessings to you today and every day,

Mike