Today’s reflection comes from Rev. Angie’s parting words to us at her final service with us last month.
I once had a dream that I was given a very sacred duty of safely carrying a very large, very fragile vessel across a fallen log suspended over a raging river.
I dropped it.
Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Rev. Angie Wright: The Promise
We are still here in the season of Lent. I imagine some of you may be fasting. Some of you may have given something up. All of these are an important part of Lent.
But ultimately, Lent is about Jesus’ journey to the cross. In fact, in the gospel of Luke, from the end of Chapter 9 until the cross, the story is about Jesus going to Jerusalem, going to the cross, and what happens along that road. In 9:51, Luke says that Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem. And Lent is our time to accompany Jesus on that journey. To journey to the cross.
Of course, this journey begs the question, why did Jesus die?
Continue reading Sermon from Rev. R.G. Wilson-Lyons: the narrow gate, the hen and the fox
“Did you mean to die like that, was that a mistake? Or did you know your messy death would be a record breaker?” ! ! ! ! !
– Judas in Jesus Christ, SuperStar
As Easter people, we are called to be in the presence of the Christ.
As present day humans, we did not personally know Jesus as a man. He was not a friend whose presence was felt and then his absence endured. We are asked to know his presence, now, within us.
When those we love so deeply, for so long, or perhaps briefly, change or influence our lives, perhaps even the course of our lives, dies, we have a presence/absence/presence relationship.
So, I used to think that I don’t “do” Lent. The part about fasting or giving up something for 40 days is just hard for me to get with.
Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Robyn Hyden: Am I Really Doing This?
Blue Transformation, by Macha Chmakoff
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them.
Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. -Exodus 34:29-35
Continue reading Sermon from Rev. Chris Hamlin: In God’s presence
Beloved Community Church (UCC) is an open and affirming, vibrant church comprised of mission-oriented congregants in Birmingham, Alabama. Our small, diverse congregation is honored and proud to serve as sanctuary for people who have not felt at home in traditional churches while encouraging people from all walks of life to grow in relationship with one another and with God.
We welcome all people who join us in worship as our Beloveds and have a regular attendance of approximately 40 people. Sunday evening worship includes inspiring pastoral teaching and soulful music from our Beloved Orchestra followed by food and fellowship.
Whether it be through our Care Team Ministry that provides support for congregants in need, our Brown Bag Ministry that feeds 50+ families each month, our Family Promise Ministry that helps provide food and shelter for homeless families, or our willingness to stand in solidarity with immigrants seeking better lives, Beloved cares about our congregants and our community in word and deeds.
We are looking for a teaching pastor, who is informed and responsive to community needs, able to coordinate and energize lay leaders to fulfill mission responsibilities, able to maintain administrative duties and assist in growing the church, all while embodying our Beloved Community Church covenant:
With the help of God
We will walk together
In the ways of Jesus,
Creating a community
And striving for a world
Where no one is an outcast
And no one is a stranger,
Where all people are
Celebrated as precious children of God,
Where we joyfully share
With one another
Hope for the living,
Comfort for the dying,
Dignity for those in struggle,
And freedom to ask and to
Seek and to grow more fully
Into the persons
We were created to be.
I was watching a science documentary from NOVA on PBS recently. The topic was the origins of life on the earth. Charles Darwin thought that life would have originated in a warm, shallow pond where all the conditions were right for the first microorganisms to appear. Sunlight was always considered a necessary factor for life to originate so scientists were very surprised when they discovered micro-organisms living in the deepest and darkest areas of the ocean floor near thermal vents that generate temperatures they never thought could sustain life.
Continue reading Lenten Reflection from Palmer Maxwell: Remember you are dust
As we search for a new pastor, we will hear from guest preachers each week. Please stay tuned to our email newsletter for weekly updates on who will be preaching and what all is happening at Beloved Community!
Sunday, February 7th: Rev. Chris Hamlin
Sunday, February 14th: Mark Kelly
Sunday, February 21st: Rev. R.G. Wilson-Lyons
Sunday, February 28th: Rev. Dollie Howell Pankey
Dear Beloved:
Will you submit a Lenten Reflection?
We send out a daily writing by our Beloveds during Lent, and they are as varied as are our Beloveds. There are no rules or boundaries on the kind of thing you can write – just something that you’ve been pondering, wondering about, something that inspires you, gives you hope or keeps you going.
Some people write poems, letters, songs, reflections on the daily scripture or a favorite scripture, or share a story of how they have experienced the presence of God in the heights or depths or ordinariness of their days. Click here for the daily lectionary.
We would love to hear from each of you during the 40 days of Lent (Feb. 10th-March 24th).
Please let Palmer Maxwell know what day (or days) you would like to write, and send what you have written, created or found. He will take it from there. It will be such a blessing to hear your voice among the choir of Lenten Reflections!
Please sign up here to receive the Lenten Reflection daily via email.
On January 19, we screened “Holding Ground: The Rebirth of Dudley Street.” This is the followup of that award-winning documentary about community vision, struggle, and change in the Roxbury Neighborhood of Boston. We will continue the discussion about the development of one of the most successful community land trusts in the nation, and how the City of Birmingham can learn from Dudley Street.
Led by Susan Diane Mitchell, founder of Birmingham’s first ever community land trust, the Dynamite Hill-Smithfield Community Land Trust.
Magnolia BBQ and Fish will have a hot dog stand out front.
$5 suggested donation.
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