Nexus News April 17, 2009

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Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

As we go into the second Sunday of our Month of Wonder, we are invited to celebrate and re-commit ourselves to our basic human relationships.

Sunday, April 19, at 10:00 a.m.: "By the grace of God, we are together."

• Any and all couples will be invited to a re-commitment of vows.
• Any and all families will be blessed.
• As symbols of the relationships that bind us all together as a congregation, roses will be given to all.
• Instead of a sermon, we will get a taste of the diversity of families and relationships at Nexus.  Katie Kool & Frank Wray, Sandi Lerner, Dana Johnson, and Dave Jarman will briefly share their points of view about families and relationships.
• Our celebration concludes with a "reception." We will have cake, sparkling fruit juice, and favors.

Also special this Sunday will be the debut of a new musical trio at Nexus: Nancy Wheeler (vocal, cello), Vince Benabese (keyboard, violin), and Mike Kiely (bass).


Upcoming events

Sunday, April 19 - 1:30 - 2:30  p.m. - Song Circle
All are invited to sing, hum, or tap your feet with new and old favorite inspirational music.  Dessert and beverages will be served. At Vince's and Mike's home in West Chester: 6983 Willowood Drive.

Monday, April 20 - 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Governing Council
At the Panera restaurant, near the Union Centre exit on I-75. If you have a question or concern that needs discussion, please see Karl Ulrich.

Saturday, April 25 - Spring gathering of UCC churches (SONKA)
At St. John's Westminster Union Church in Cincinnati.

Save the dates

• Sunday, April 26 - a special celebration of music, dance, storytelling, and more!
• Sunday, May 3 - local activist Kris Royer Henninger speaks on "Blood is the Least of It: What Makes a Family?

Blessings to you in this season of Easter,
Mike

Nexus News- April 3, 2009

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Dear Friends of Nexus Church,

This week

Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - "Which Parade Are We In?"

• With the assistance of a clip from a classic 1964 film by the Italian atheist Pier Paolo Pasolini, we will celebrate Jesus' entry into Jerusalem and have a grand procession with palms around the gym. Our service will end with communion, using the traditional readings of the last supper Jesus had before his arrest and execution.
• Sunday, 11:30 a.m. - Monthly Pot Luck (Helen Ulrich) Dana Johnson will preview all the marketing materials for our Month of Wonder.
• Sharing Soup at the Y ends this Wednesday, April 8, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Good Friday, April 10

• Noon - 1:00 -- Mike joins 14 other clergy for a traditional stations of the cross service starting at the Courthouse in downtown Hamilton;
• 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. - An intimate, moving service of readings and candles. Mike will give a brief reflection, "Nothing But God." In a community room at the Y.

Easter Sunday, April 12

• 9:00 a.m., Hot Easter breakfast potluck, (Andy Closson and Dana Johnson)
• 9:20 a.m., Baptism of Shayna Smith (by immersion in the pool)
• 9:50 a.m., Special vocal music begins a wonderful Sunday of music
• 10:00 a.m., Easter Worship. Mike will preach on "The Garden of New Life"
• 11:15 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt (Krista Bramlage)

Blessings on you, today and every day,
Mike

Month of Wonder Postcard

Dana Johnson has done a great job of helping Nexus out with the promotion of our "Month of Wonder" a special series of celebrations at Nexus beginning on Easter Sunday.  Here is the first promotional piece for the Month of Wonder. 

• Click this link to download the PDF of the Month of Wonder Flyer 
• Click this link Month of Wonder Postcard to download the PDF of the post card that was mailed out to 15,000 homes.  
• Click the images below to see the post card full sized in your browser.

 

Nexus News- March 27, 2009

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This week

• Sunday worship at 10:00 will focus on living today in a time of crisis. Using John 12:20-32 as our point of departure, we'll explore what the crisis that Jesus confronted might teach us about our living in the crises of our times?
• Sharing Soup at the Y - Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-7:00 p.m.
• Don't forget:  if you're able, please bring non-perishable food to our collection basket at the front desk at the Y.

Mark your calendar- A Month of Wonder

• April 12: Easter Celebration: "The Garden of New Life"   9:00 breakfast, 9:50 acapella vocals, 10:00 worship followed by Easter Egg hunt
• April 19: "By God's Grace, We Are Together, " a service of re-dedication for all couples and blessings for  families of all configurations
• April 26: Community Music and Arts Celebration, special music, dance, story telling, and arts of all sorts
• May 3: Social Justice   Kris Royer Henninger, prominent local blogger, speaks on "Blood is the Least of It: What Makes a Family."
• May 19: Women of Faith Sunday (a Nexus interpretation of Mother's Day, respectful of all women and girls)

Blessings on you, today and every day,
Mike

Nexus News- March 19th, 2009

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Dear Friends of NexusChurch,

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

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

Nexus Music Coordinator

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Over the last two months, we have been working on re-visioning the Nexus music program.  A fairly large group of individuals came together on two occasions physically and via email in an effort to develop a cohesive vision for what the Nexus music program will look like.  

Following is "Our Vision for Music at Nexus Church"  as it has emerged from Saturday's workshop.

The vision statement contains four sections:

1. Goals and Aspirations
2. Principles and values
3. Job description for Nexus Church Music Coordinator
4. Participants in the two workshops

While the headings are mine, I believe all the content faithfully captures the discussions we had Saturday.

I invite you to read and reflect.  No document, especially a Vision statement, is ever completely finished and final.  As you read this statement, I ask you to reflect:  is it faithful to how you see God calling Nexus Church?  does it capture your interests and desire for music at Nexus?  is it good enough to guide our music for (say) the next year?

Blessings on us all as we sing and sign a "new" song unto God.

Mike


Our Vision for Music at Nexus Church

Goals and aspirations

At Nexus Church music itself will be a transcendent experience 
– personal and in the moment

• Closeness to God through music
• Spirituality
• Sung to express emotion
• Connection community
• Appropriate
• Inspiration
• Awe
• Passion
• Spirituality
• Music related to rest of worship
• Meaningful worship
• Meaningful lyrics and musical messages
• Music facilitates togetherness and community

The Nexus congregation will be visibly engaged and connected with the music.

• Audience is engaged – the Spirit  is engaged
• Congregations eager, full of spirit and excited to participate in worship service
• Connection with audience
• Being “in” the music – everyone participating
• Energy from group all in the same moment
• Meaningful leadership from musicians encouraging audience
• Audience going together – has spirit of a group
• Congregation is physically involved - -i.e., clapping, movement, etc.
• Music is high energy
• Congregation has its own repertoire of music

Among themselves, Nexus musicians will have a spirit of family and teamwork.

• Accomplished, sense of shining
• Friendships created
• Friendships
• Playing with a group
• Camaraderie
• Harmony
• Being outside the box together
• Building relationships with the group
• Togetherness

Principles and values

Overall, our musical program at Nexus Church will 

• be inclusive of all musical talents, all musical styles, and all levels of capability
• embrace diversity through allowing the active witness of all
• encourage all to participate in their own way and to try new stuff.

We envision an open structure which is welcoming to all and which encourages and enables musicians to let their lights shine.

We will periodically evaluate how well we are meeting these goals and principles.

Nexus Church Music Coordinator

Overall focus
Work with the congregation, musicians, and pastor to ensure that the Nexus Church musical
vision becomes a reality.

Specific responsibilities

Communication

1. Communicate with all musicians and find out what they are willing to do to help Nexus pursue its movement and growth.
2. Communicate with the congregation and listen to what they want to hear and see.
3. Serve as liaison between the pastor, a/v persons, and music ensembles to ensure the music ensembles are aware of the topics that will be covered each Sunday in order to ensure the music selections enhance the service.

Planning

1. Coordinate the schedule of regular musical ensembles and special music (soloists, unique pairings, children’s performances, etc.) for Sunday morning worship services.
2. Create and propose fun and exciting events for Nexus within Nexus' budget, time, and manner.  Coordinate music for special events (Christmas Eve, Open Jam Day, Ice Cream Social, etc.).
3. Provide assistance with musicians and ensembles, as requested.

Administration

1. Maintain sound and musical equipment owned by Nexus Church.
2. Maintain a library of music used during Sunday worship and other special events.  

Selection
As part of the Nexus Church staff, the Music Coordinator is selected by the Nexus Church
Governing Council.

Supervision
The pastor provides week-to-week supervision of the Music Coordinator.


Participation in the visioning process

These statements were developed over a three-month period, open to anyone interested in music at Nexus Church.  In addition to numerous e-mails, phone conversations, and private conversations, there were two face-to-face, public workshops.  The “final” version presented here took shape in the second workshop. 

 Participants in these workshops were as follows:

10 January 2009
Brian Smith
Chip Bramlage
Dave Jarman
Emily Closson
Judy Waldron
Karl Ulrich
Mike Underhill
Nick (junior)
Nick (senior)
Suzie Jarman
Vince Benabese
Warren Waldron

7 March 2009
Chip Bramlage
Judy Waldron
Mike Underhill
Sandi Lerman
Suzie Jarman
Vince Benabese
Warren Waldron