God likes variety and reveals himself to us in countless ways. God is, indeed, still speaking. We try, in this church, to offer informed, balanced and carefully considered looks at a wide variety of topics in our adult education series; "First Forum", offered each Sunday morning at 9:15. Our fall offerings will include a National Issues Forum on Health Care Reform presented by Kent Kirwan on four Sundays from September 20th - October 11th. All are welcome to join us for these thought-provoking and very timely sessions. We welcome suggestions for topics that matter to you.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Update an Obsolete Poverty Line
Check out this interesting article, "Update an Obsolete Poverty Line," which is published by God's Politics: A Blog by Jim Wallis and Friends, a meeting place for progressive christian minds.
http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/17/update-an-obsolete-poverty-line/
http://blog.sojo.net/2009/07/17/update-an-obsolete-poverty-line/
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Social Work You Do Is Necessary
We all do this thing differently.
Those of us who simply do social work, those of us with degrees, social workers who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Those of us who found our path and followed it, whether it required schooling or not. We all have our own way of changing lives around us.
We all have issues that drive us. We work with those in poverty, in hospitals and hospices, people who live alone and disconnected in their own homes and people on the street. We work with people in their own social situations, relationship therapy and group therapy and learning to treat others with respect, kindness, compassion, understanding -- and so many more. We're not just in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania or New Jersey, or even just the Northeast, we're everywhere, and connected. Many of us have made our career in social work and it's the gleaming beacon of our lives, that difference we can make for someone else. Many of us do it a bit at a time, seeing the little things and knowing the impact they can have. Many of us didn't even know that social work was what we did... until someone told us so.
Whatever we do and whatever the reason, people put their trust in us because we have mandated change by our actions. They see what we believe in because we act on it, though every single one of us has our own way of accomplishing it. Our diversity empowers us, lets us touch hearts and souls and minds across the world. It's not the exact method we use, or background we have, that's important. It's only that we care. That's what shines through.
Who are you, and what is your work? What drives you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
You're important to the world. We need you.
By Megan Elizabeth Morris
Source: Social Work PRN Blog
Link: http://blog.swprn.com/blog/bid/23247/The-Social-Work-You-Do-Is-Necessary
Those of us who simply do social work, those of us with degrees, social workers who have dedicated their lives to helping others. Those of us who found our path and followed it, whether it required schooling or not. We all have our own way of changing lives around us.
We all have issues that drive us. We work with those in poverty, in hospitals and hospices, people who live alone and disconnected in their own homes and people on the street. We work with people in their own social situations, relationship therapy and group therapy and learning to treat others with respect, kindness, compassion, understanding -- and so many more. We're not just in Philadelphia or Pennsylvania or New Jersey, or even just the Northeast, we're everywhere, and connected. Many of us have made our career in social work and it's the gleaming beacon of our lives, that difference we can make for someone else. Many of us do it a bit at a time, seeing the little things and knowing the impact they can have. Many of us didn't even know that social work was what we did... until someone told us so.
Whatever we do and whatever the reason, people put their trust in us because we have mandated change by our actions. They see what we believe in because we act on it, though every single one of us has our own way of accomplishing it. Our diversity empowers us, lets us touch hearts and souls and minds across the world. It's not the exact method we use, or background we have, that's important. It's only that we care. That's what shines through.
Who are you, and what is your work? What drives you? What gets you out of bed in the morning?
You're important to the world. We need you.
By Megan Elizabeth Morris
Source: Social Work PRN Blog
Link: http://blog.swprn.com/blog/bid/23247/The-Social-Work-You-Do-Is-Necessary
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Conversational Dinner
Food, friends and great conversations-- what’s not to love?
Join us this Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. for the all church Conversational Dinner. The Dinner will be held in the parlor at First Central Congregational Church located at 421 South 36th Street Omaha, NE 68131.
Conversational Dinners are dinners held 4 times a year, usually in church member’s homes. There are typically 8-10 people at each dinner, with everyone contributing something to the dinner. We have held these dinners for the last several years, and find them to be a really good way to get better acquainted with people we might otherwise not know, and to get to know better those that we already know. The last dinner of the season is a potluck held at the church.
Visitors are welcome! We hope you will consider attending the Conversational Dinner on June 28th as a way of “testing the waters,” so to speak. Don’t worry about bringing anything – be our guest. We only ask that you let us know if you will be attending, so we may plan appropriately.
Childcare will be available on the lower level of the church. Please make sure your child has eaten beforehand, or bring a sack lunch for them, since the dinners are for adults only.
Please call Sara at (402) 345-1533, if you would like to attend. We hope to see you on Sunday!
Join us this Sunday, June 28, 2009 at 6 p.m. for the all church Conversational Dinner. The Dinner will be held in the parlor at First Central Congregational Church located at 421 South 36th Street Omaha, NE 68131.
Conversational Dinners are dinners held 4 times a year, usually in church member’s homes. There are typically 8-10 people at each dinner, with everyone contributing something to the dinner. We have held these dinners for the last several years, and find them to be a really good way to get better acquainted with people we might otherwise not know, and to get to know better those that we already know. The last dinner of the season is a potluck held at the church.
Visitors are welcome! We hope you will consider attending the Conversational Dinner on June 28th as a way of “testing the waters,” so to speak. Don’t worry about bringing anything – be our guest. We only ask that you let us know if you will be attending, so we may plan appropriately.
Childcare will be available on the lower level of the church. Please make sure your child has eaten beforehand, or bring a sack lunch for them, since the dinners are for adults only.
Please call Sara at (402) 345-1533, if you would like to attend. We hope to see you on Sunday!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Nebraska Pride/Rainbow Celebrations: Come Visit First Central’s Booth
The United Church of Christ has supported the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people for more than 30 years, adopting the Open and Affirming (ONA) Resolution in 1985. First Central adopted our own ONA resolution in 2005. Many in the LBGT community don't know churches like First Central exist, so this upcoming event is a way to let people know we are here, and they are ALL welcome.
First Central will have a booth at the Rainbow Celebrations, Saturday, June 20th. Located at Lewis and Clark Landing (located at 515 North Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102), the event will feature many organizations that support the LGBT community. The celebrations will start at 12:00 pm and run until 6:00 pm. First Central is proud to be an Open and Affirming Church. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. Visit some of your First Central family on the 20th - the more, the merrier!
Posted by: Blog Administrator
First Central will have a booth at the Rainbow Celebrations, Saturday, June 20th. Located at Lewis and Clark Landing (located at 515 North Riverfront Drive
Omaha, NE 68102), the event will feature many organizations that support the LGBT community. The celebrations will start at 12:00 pm and run until 6:00 pm. First Central is proud to be an Open and Affirming Church. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here. Visit some of your First Central family on the 20th - the more, the merrier!
Posted by: Blog Administrator
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Resources: Multicultural Bibliography
The following books include the themes of call and vocation, prayer and spiritual life, worship, biblical story and scripture from a multicultural perspective. Prepared by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Landers Pettigrew
Nonfiction
Crockett, Joseph V. Teaching Scripture From an African American Perspective. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1985.
DeYoung,Curtiss. Coming Together: The Bible's Message in an Age of Diversity. PA: Judson Press, 1995.
De Waal, Esther. The Celtic Way of Prayer: Recovery of the Religious Imagination. Doubleday, 1997.
Edelman, Marian Wright. I'm Your Child God: Prayers for Our Children. Hyperion Books for Children, New York,2002.
Eddy, Kathy Wonson and Maren C. Tirabassi. Gifts of Many Cultures: Worship Resources for the Global Community. Ohio: United Church Press, 1995.
Gonzalez, Justo L. Out of Every Tribe and Nation: Christian Theology at the Ethnic Roundtable. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992.
Helphrey, Juanita J. ed. Worship Resources. Council For American Indian Ministry, 1991.
Kyung, Chung Hyun. Struggle to the Sun Again. Introducing Asian Women's Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1990
Lesher, Jean A. Prayers For The Common Good. Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998.
Mackall, Dandi Daley. Why I Believe in God and Other Reflections by Children. Prima Publishing, 1999.
Pettigrew Landers, Carolyn and Woodward, Betsy. Children and Families in Worship: Two Perspectives. Resource developed for Ministry to Children and Families. Worship and Education Ministry Team. United Church of Christ. 2002
Pettigrew Landers, Carolyn. Integrating Multi-cultural Perspectives into Workshop, Curriculum and Resource Design, Doctor of Ministry dissertation, May 2000. Contact Rev. Dr. Landers Pettigrew for more information. Minister for Children and Families, The United Church of Christ,700 Prospect Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Pettigrew, Carolyn Landers. Spiritual Deepening in Small Groups: Facilitator's Guide and Spiritual Deepening in Small Groups: Participant's Booklet. United Church Resources, Cleveland, Ohio, 1999.
Pettigrew, Carolyn Landers and Betsy Woodard. Children and Families in Worship: A Resource. Spring, 2002. Available from the United Church of Christ's Minister for Children and Families, Carolyn Landers Pettigrew.
Santiago, Esmeralda. When I was Puerto Rican. New York: Vintage Books, 1993.
Schaper, Donna. Sabbath Sense: A Spiritual Antidote for the Overworked. Innisfree Press, Inc., 1997.
Thurman, Howard. Moods of Christmas. Friends United Press, 1985.
Treat, James. Native and Christian: Indigenous Voices on Religious Identity in the United States and Canada. New York: Rutledge, 1996.
Tutu, Desmond. An African Prayer Book. Doubleday, 1995.
Yust, Karen Marie. Attentive to God: Spirituality in the Church Committee. Chalice Press, 2001.
Weems, Renita J. Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible. Laura Media, 1988.
Weems, Renita J. Listening For God: A Minister's Journey Through Silence and Doubt. Simon and Schuster, 1999.
Fiction
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Tree. HarperPerennial, 1990. The Poisonwood Bible. HarperPernnial, 2000.
www.kingsolver.com
Tan Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: The Putnam's Sons, 1989
Children Learn What They Read: A resource for educators, families and churches, Carolyn Landers Pettigrew, D.Min. and Dawn Karima Pettigrew, M.F.A. This bibliography of award winning children's books, includes a synopsis of each book, spiritual themes, relevant scripture, discussion, spiritual applications, prayer opportunities and suggested activities for each book. The listing is multi-cultural. For more information contact Carolyn Landers Pettigrew at the address listed above.
The Way We Make Sense, Dawn Karima Pettigrew, M.F.A. Writer in Residence and faculty member at Western Carolina University. "On every page of The Way We Make Sense, a sparkling, wildly original and inventive novel, Dawn Karima Pettigrew provides us with the complex joys and strictures of a world that demands our attention. Her characters are red, white, black and brown, but above all they are real. She cares so much about them that they become a part of our lives, too. This is a most auspicious debut. "Dawn Karima Pettigrew-make no mistake about it-is a writer." David Citino, Professor of English and Creative Writing, Ohio State University. Publisher, Auntlute, October 2002.
Information taken from the National UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/children/multicultural-bibliography.html
Posted by: Blog Admin
Nonfiction
Crockett, Joseph V. Teaching Scripture From an African American Perspective. Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 1985.
DeYoung,Curtiss. Coming Together: The Bible's Message in an Age of Diversity. PA: Judson Press, 1995.
De Waal, Esther. The Celtic Way of Prayer: Recovery of the Religious Imagination. Doubleday, 1997.
Edelman, Marian Wright. I'm Your Child God: Prayers for Our Children. Hyperion Books for Children, New York,2002.
Eddy, Kathy Wonson and Maren C. Tirabassi. Gifts of Many Cultures: Worship Resources for the Global Community. Ohio: United Church Press, 1995.
Gonzalez, Justo L. Out of Every Tribe and Nation: Christian Theology at the Ethnic Roundtable. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1992.
Helphrey, Juanita J. ed. Worship Resources. Council For American Indian Ministry, 1991.
Kyung, Chung Hyun. Struggle to the Sun Again. Introducing Asian Women's Theology. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1990
Lesher, Jean A. Prayers For The Common Good. Pilgrim Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 1998.
Mackall, Dandi Daley. Why I Believe in God and Other Reflections by Children. Prima Publishing, 1999.
Pettigrew Landers, Carolyn and Woodward, Betsy. Children and Families in Worship: Two Perspectives. Resource developed for Ministry to Children and Families. Worship and Education Ministry Team. United Church of Christ. 2002
Pettigrew Landers, Carolyn. Integrating Multi-cultural Perspectives into Workshop, Curriculum and Resource Design, Doctor of Ministry dissertation, May 2000. Contact Rev. Dr. Landers Pettigrew for more information. Minister for Children and Families, The United Church of Christ,700 Prospect Ave, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Pettigrew, Carolyn Landers. Spiritual Deepening in Small Groups: Facilitator's Guide and Spiritual Deepening in Small Groups: Participant's Booklet. United Church Resources, Cleveland, Ohio, 1999.
Pettigrew, Carolyn Landers and Betsy Woodard. Children and Families in Worship: A Resource. Spring, 2002. Available from the United Church of Christ's Minister for Children and Families, Carolyn Landers Pettigrew.
Santiago, Esmeralda. When I was Puerto Rican. New York: Vintage Books, 1993.
Schaper, Donna. Sabbath Sense: A Spiritual Antidote for the Overworked. Innisfree Press, Inc., 1997.
Thurman, Howard. Moods of Christmas. Friends United Press, 1985.
Treat, James. Native and Christian: Indigenous Voices on Religious Identity in the United States and Canada. New York: Rutledge, 1996.
Tutu, Desmond. An African Prayer Book. Doubleday, 1995.
Yust, Karen Marie. Attentive to God: Spirituality in the Church Committee. Chalice Press, 2001.
Weems, Renita J. Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women's Relationships in the Bible. Laura Media, 1988.
Weems, Renita J. Listening For God: A Minister's Journey Through Silence and Doubt. Simon and Schuster, 1999.
Fiction
Kingsolver, Barbara. The Bean Tree. HarperPerennial, 1990. The Poisonwood Bible. HarperPernnial, 2000.
www.kingsolver.com
Tan Amy. The Joy Luck Club. New York: The Putnam's Sons, 1989
Children Learn What They Read: A resource for educators, families and churches, Carolyn Landers Pettigrew, D.Min. and Dawn Karima Pettigrew, M.F.A. This bibliography of award winning children's books, includes a synopsis of each book, spiritual themes, relevant scripture, discussion, spiritual applications, prayer opportunities and suggested activities for each book. The listing is multi-cultural. For more information contact Carolyn Landers Pettigrew at the address listed above.
The Way We Make Sense, Dawn Karima Pettigrew, M.F.A. Writer in Residence and faculty member at Western Carolina University. "On every page of The Way We Make Sense, a sparkling, wildly original and inventive novel, Dawn Karima Pettigrew provides us with the complex joys and strictures of a world that demands our attention. Her characters are red, white, black and brown, but above all they are real. She cares so much about them that they become a part of our lives, too. This is a most auspicious debut. "Dawn Karima Pettigrew-make no mistake about it-is a writer." David Citino, Professor of English and Creative Writing, Ohio State University. Publisher, Auntlute, October 2002.
Information taken from the National UCC website: http://www.ucc.org/children/multicultural-bibliography.html
Posted by: Blog Admin
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Change the World
Change—a goal or objective
1. Proactive. Making a difference.
2. Putting your faith into action.
An old, popular UCC bumper sticker once proclaimed, “To believe is to care, To care is to do.” Or as the book of James puts it in the Christian Scriptures, “Faith without works is dead.”
If there’s any single trait that UCC members share in common, it’s our commitment to building a better world. Our faith compels us to change things- through our advocacy, our service, our financial gifts, our prayers and our personal growth and understanding. In the UCC, ‘witnessing’ is not insisting that others must believe exactly as you do. Instead, we witness our love and faith by working for justice for the marginalized and oppressed.
Check out the National UCC and First Central's website to see and learn about all the UCC initiatives. Together we can make good things happen at home and around the world.
1. Proactive. Making a difference.
2. Putting your faith into action.
An old, popular UCC bumper sticker once proclaimed, “To believe is to care, To care is to do.” Or as the book of James puts it in the Christian Scriptures, “Faith without works is dead.”
If there’s any single trait that UCC members share in common, it’s our commitment to building a better world. Our faith compels us to change things- through our advocacy, our service, our financial gifts, our prayers and our personal growth and understanding. In the UCC, ‘witnessing’ is not insisting that others must believe exactly as you do. Instead, we witness our love and faith by working for justice for the marginalized and oppressed.
Check out the National UCC and First Central's website to see and learn about all the UCC initiatives. Together we can make good things happen at home and around the world.
- National UCC- http://www.ucc.org/change-the-world/?log-event=sp2f-view-item&nid=53243548
- First Central Church- http://www.firstcentral.org/ministries/outreach.shtml
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