Get to know Beloved, Lenten reflection, Social justice

Lenten Reflection from Ramallah Friends Meeting in Palestine

“Do not weep for me. No! Weep for yourselves and your children.”

This week, the worldwide Christian fellowship will turn its attention to the last days and hours of Jesus’ earthly life. Many will travel here to Palestine as pilgrims to participate in our spiritual observances.  Once again, together and wherever we may be in the world, our thoughts will dwell upon his suffering. We will undoubtedly be moved by compassion as we allow ourselves to enter into both the horror and the wonderment of this experience.

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Lenten Reflection from Rev. Lawton Higgs: A message to the white protestant church

2 Corinthians 5:16 (New Revised Standard Version)

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer that way.”
 
2 Corinthians 5:16 (The Message)
“Because of this decision we don’t evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don’t look at him that way any more.”
 
Phil. 3:4b (New Revised Standard Version)
“If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more:”
 
Phil. 3:4b (The Message)
“we can list what many might think are impressive credentials.”

The White Protestant Church in Alabama has failed God. We evaluate people by what they have and how they look. You have to be born straight, out of a white, thin, rich belly from a white male, as a white male to count. We no longer see our Christ as a poor, brown, unattractive, Jewish, Palestinian, peasant as the embodiment of God’s rule among us, as the spokesperson and demonstration of the Queendom/Kingdom of God.

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Lenten Reflection from Rev. Lawton Higgs: Praxis

Luke 4: 5-8 Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'”

Romans 10: 11-13 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

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Sermon from Rev. Emily Freeman Penfield: Can’t Keep Quiet


The Procession in the Streets of Jerusalem by James Tissot, 1890s

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Lenten Reflection from Carmen Maria Austin: Smell the Flowers

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads in every place the fragrance that comes from knowing him. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not peddlers of God’s word like so many; but in Christ we speak as persons of sincerity, as persons sent from God and standing in his presence. -2 Corinthians 2:14-17

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Lenten Reflection from Susan Proctor: God is Alive

When I was a teenager, I left the Methodist church and joined LRY, Liberal Religious Youth, of the Unitarian Church in Birmingham. At one point, we decided to each bring a song that had affected our hearts in a very powerful way. Below is the song that I shared. Now, at sixty, I find that this song has stayed with me, grows in meaning and strength and comfort.

What we knew when young, is often our greatest truth. This is to me. I am very grateful to these artists. – Susan Proctor


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Holy Week and Easter at Beloved: Join us Sundays at 6 pm!

Beloved is welcoming a series of guest pastors during this holy season.  We are also celebrating in several joint services with neighboring congregations, including fellow UCC churches, for many holy week observances.

We hope to see you Sunday nights at 6 pm – and throughout this holy week – to share in the message, music and joy of Beloved!

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Get to know Beloved, Lenten reflection

Lenten Reflection from Deborah Nell: Beloved

This post appeared on the blog Daily Painters of Pennsylvania. All artwork and words are the copywright of painter Deborah Nell. 

“So there is a story to this painting. I went into my studio the other day to get something and happened to glance at the newsprint covering my art table. I haven’t changed it for quite some time. Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Deborah Nell: Beloved →

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Lenten Reflection from Martha Graham: Vitality

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action.

“And because there is only one you in all of time, this expression is unique.

“And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium…the world will not have it.

“It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable, nor how it compares with other expressions.

“It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open.”

Martha Graham (1894-1991) was an American choreographer and dancer. Above: Martha Graham with her partner and husband Erick Hawkins in rehearsal in New York City in May, 1950. Other images show members of the Martha Graham Dance Co.

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Lenten Reflection from Black Elk: Prayer to the Great Spirit


“You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer.

All things belong to You—the two leggeds, the four leggeds, the wings of the air and all green things that live.

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