tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.comments2011-09-20T08:21:49.385-05:00First Central Congregational Church United Church of ChristNo matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you, AND your questions, are welcome here.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12888002030194789443noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-33970795877805700322011-09-20T08:21:49.385-05:002011-09-20T08:21:49.385-05:00Update: At FCC, we are bringing the Community Gard...Update: At FCC, we are bringing the Community Garden and the Neighbors United Community Meal together. For the August 27th meal that the FCC Community Meal Team prepared, we used fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and basil from excess donations from the Garden to make the salad. In addition, excess produce is available at coffee hour after Sunday services and the donations for that produce goes to help offset the cost of the Community Meal. In this way, we are participating in outreach to the local neighborhood in different ways.No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you, AND your questions, are welcome here.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12888002030194789443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-47775031025092723972010-07-07T08:17:54.938-05:002010-07-07T08:17:54.938-05:00Hanna, the conference sounds amazing and it's ...Hanna, the conference sounds amazing and it's wonderful that you came back with such inspiration. <br /> It's true that seeing a person who happens to be without basic necessities as a "mission project" is disrespectful as well as unhelpful. <br /> And "Donating" may be the wrong word, too (never mind Tax Write Off). Donating separates the giver from the receiver. We are all givers and receivers, and sharing what we have should come naturally.<br /> Thank you for sharing what you found in Santa Fe. Nancy N.Nancy Northcuttnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-58862890239881245552010-03-09T14:14:54.109-06:002010-03-09T14:14:54.109-06:00I avoid time poverty by full-on embracing financia...I avoid time poverty by full-on embracing financial poverty. My current circumstances are very fortunate and I know everyone can't just stop working and we shouldn't be freeloaders, but even when I was working up to 50 hours a week I kept an ample amount of leisure by completely eliminating the television and computer from my life and keeping to one shopping trip (groceries, usually) every other week. I had stupendous amounts of time and I loved it! The book "Your Money or Your Life" was very influential for me, and this is a very timely post because it is something I've been really thinking about a lot lately.<br />Rachael FerberRachael Ferbernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-27691882763412607512010-03-08T13:02:05.411-06:002010-03-08T13:02:05.411-06:00Time poverty. Ah, yes....Time poverty. Ah, yes....Allisonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-87728872685085202582009-07-28T21:01:57.478-05:002009-07-28T21:01:57.478-05:00Mission is essential to the survival and vitality ...Mission is essential to the survival and vitality of any organization. As a congregation, we must focus on the issues and work that promote our values, goals and vision for this community. I suggest we take a survey of our neighborhood, our city and national and international scene. And link our selves to projects that help those in need. For example, because of the gentrification happening around midtown, we might consider helping those who are being displaced or left without essential services. On a city wide level, we could push for accountability and respect and stewardship of city resources. On a national level, we could further support and advocate for the rights of minorities and those who cannot speak for themselves. As the saying goes, we need to put our money where our mouth is, by further showing support for projects and causes which are at the heart of the progressive Christian movement. The UCC is an natural ally for those in need and so is First Central. I'm proud to be apart of a church and national church organization, which is open to all and continues it's long history of fighting for social justice. By: Hanna W.No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you, AND your questions, are welcome here.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12888002030194789443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-61520802016779519272009-07-13T20:28:58.741-05:002009-07-13T20:28:58.741-05:00Some of us even call it ministry. And when we insp...Some of us even call it ministry. And when we inspire, encourage and support each other in doing it, we call it First Central Church.<br /><br />Deb KirwanAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00658806599399278230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-80405103585016306582009-03-24T09:28:00.000-05:002009-03-24T09:28:00.000-05:00Please post your answers or thoughts here or write...Please post your answers or thoughts here or write them down and give/send them to Sara in the Church Office. We've only received a few so far, and we need help from everyone.<BR/><BR/>Deb Kirwan, ModeratorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-89904354853320417042009-03-23T11:14:00.000-05:002009-03-23T11:14:00.000-05:00Hanna, I really appreciated your interpretation of...Hanna, I really appreciated your interpretation of the parable of the sower. I've always understood it somewhat differently, and your insight just underscores the United Church of Christ's maxim that "God is still speaking,". I've thought of the seed as God's grace (or invitation to relationship) and the ground as representing whether I was ready or able to respond. While I think this is true also, I love the image of First Central as the good earth where each of us can find nourishment on our spiritual journey. Before coming to First Central, I had attended churches which for me were rocky paths or patches of thorns. And here I too found the open and loving community in which I could explore my doubts and questions. I found others on the journey with me, and that has led me (and is still leading me) to a faith on which to base my life. Thanks for the insight.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10472607894012437798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-60940354846586752612009-01-31T08:04:00.000-06:002009-01-31T08:04:00.000-06:00Me, again. I am struck by the Rev. Warren's plea f...Me, again. I am struck by the Rev. Warren's plea for "a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.” It is the differing that makes all the difference. I know conservatives who think that the world is going to end now that we have such a "progressive" president, and progressives who believe the reverse -- but it's the polar magnetism that keeps the pendulum swinging. Or something. I love this church because there is genuine diversity -- theological, political, social, economic, and, to a lesser extent, ethnic. I DO sometimes wish that we served our immediate neighborhood better.... Thanks for this blog, Pretty Hanna.... MaryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-81334847734086064232009-01-24T08:18:00.000-06:002009-01-24T08:18:00.000-06:00Articulate and thoughtful post! I appreciate your ...Articulate and thoughtful post! I appreciate your concern for atheists. Perhaps one of their number should have been asked to offer a prayer at the inauguration. I think that the intent of the framers of the constitution, in providing for separation of church and state, is that there be no state-established religion, and we can safely say that their wishes have been respected over the centuries.<BR/> As for FCC being a "progressive" church -- the United Church of Christ is certainly a progressive denomination. I rejoice that there are both progressive and conservative voices in our particular church. We are an "eclectic" church, embracing many disparate positions on social and political issues. To feel comfortable here, one need not have a politically correct opinion on abortion, "big government," the divinity of Jesus, or any other issue. That is the strength and beauty of FCC. --Mary C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2232767182837963735.post-28300316543346845592009-01-07T08:39:00.000-06:002009-01-07T08:39:00.000-06:00Great blog. Much food for thought. Thanks. --Mary ...Great blog. Much food for thought. Thanks. --Mary C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com