Little did I know when posting the Preview for yesterday's worship at First Church, that the medium would be the message. That is to say, the "Tackle Hunger" image pertains both to the Souper Bowl of Caring (charitable organization and the Super Bowl XLVI game, later yesterday evening, and to Pastor Brenda's message.The pastor told of a United Church of Christ conference on the isle of Cyprus some years ago, where a colleague had been offered a communion "porridge" of bread and wine, to be shared by worshippers, one at a time, dipped and sipped from a common spoon, something few of us have done, except in a family group, I'd wager.
"Spoonful," brings to my mind the soulful Willie Dixon tune, asserting that a spoonful of a substance can make or break a person. Part love song, part hard-headed diatribe, part, plea, the lyrics seem to say that what you get depends upon what you've got in that spoonful. (Of course, with these lyrics, many other interpretations are possible, as well.) But let's say, for the sake of this case, that you are what you sip. And you are what you fight for to sip.Lyrics from the chorus:
Some lies about it.
Some cries about it.
Some of them dies about it.
Everything's a-fightin' 'bout the spoonful.
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful.
Pastor Brenda's story goes beyond the substance in the spoon to her theme: Unity. Unity in diversity. The act of sharing. Finding wholeness in being part of a group. The United Church of Christ (UCC), she pointed out, is made up of a number of denominations who decided to set aside their various original or sectarian views to unite for the greater good. She suggested that uniting for the greater good is a benificial way to come together, in this case, as a church. She pointed out that the UCC in the 1700s ordained a black minister, in the 1800s ordained a woman minister, and in 1972 ordained an openly gay person. Inclusiveness. That's what the UCC stands for. The motto on the UCC logo (above): That they may all be one.
Isn't that what we would wish for in our community? A way of sharing for the common good? That's what we say our democracy is: a way for all to pursue ... happiness. (whatever that is, within the bounds of our common laws). And doesn't that idea apply across the board? Uniting for the common good, judging for the common good, accepting for the common good, giving and taking for the common good.
Serving the common good. If you have concerns about the propriety of school board activities, or the appropriateness of the common council's rulings or actions, come to the meetings. Do the homework. Look at the documentation (or lack thereof). State your opinion based on facts. Join the discussion. Make a difference. Together. By contributing your 2¢. Contribute your spoonful.
If you're looking for a house of worship, come to First Church of Christ, Congregational (UCC), at 190 Court St., in Middletown. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
Some cries about it.
Some of them dies about it.
Everything's a-fightin' 'bout the spoonful.
That spoon, that spoon, that spoonful.
Pastor Brenda's story goes beyond the substance in the spoon to her theme: Unity. Unity in diversity. The act of sharing. Finding wholeness in being part of a group. The United Church of Christ (UCC), she pointed out, is made up of a number of denominations who decided to set aside their various original or sectarian views to unite for the greater good. She suggested that uniting for the greater good is a benificial way to come together, in this case, as a church. She pointed out that the UCC in the 1700s ordained a black minister, in the 1800s ordained a woman minister, and in 1972 ordained an openly gay person. Inclusiveness. That's what the UCC stands for. The motto on the UCC logo (above): That they may all be one.
Isn't that what we would wish for in our community? A way of sharing for the common good? That's what we say our democracy is: a way for all to pursue ... happiness. (whatever that is, within the bounds of our common laws). And doesn't that idea apply across the board? Uniting for the common good, judging for the common good, accepting for the common good, giving and taking for the common good.
Serving the common good. If you have concerns about the propriety of school board activities, or the appropriateness of the common council's rulings or actions, come to the meetings. Do the homework. Look at the documentation (or lack thereof). State your opinion based on facts. Join the discussion. Make a difference. Together. By contributing your 2¢. Contribute your spoonful.
If you're looking for a house of worship, come to First Church of Christ, Congregational (UCC), at 190 Court St., in Middletown. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here.
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