​As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of Second Helping later this year, the Board of Mission would like to invite those are interested in becoming Church Hosts at Second Helping to attend a training session. The Church Host is present for the meal each week, welcoming our guests, answering questions, and ensuring that the atmosphere remains warm and home-y. 

There will be a training session on Sunday, Feb. 25 from 12:30-2:00pm. A simple lunch will be provided and we are thankful that Kevin Tilley, who is the director of security at Via Christi Hospital and a regular attender at our services, will help provide part of the training. You can expect to learn helpful tips for making Second Helping run smoothly, including time to talk about how to help prevent or respond to conflict between guests and how to best serve our guests who may be intoxicated or living with mental illness. If you have any questions, please contact Jackie Kerstetter, P.O. of Mission. We hope to have another training in March and you can watch the bulletin for that future date. 

Lent is traditionally a time in the church year where we start to think about “making changes.” Traditionally, Lent has been a time of fasting, penance, sacrifice. As a child growing up in a community where Lent was taken quite seriously, it was common to hear kids at school say, “So…what are you giving up for Lent this year?” There are folks for whom giving something up  is very meaningful and find a deepening of their faith through that practice each year. If that’s you, I say GO FOR IT. 

Other folks approach Lent by “making changes” by adding something in. Perhaps they commit to a new prayer practice or find an outlet for community service. Again, this seems like a lovely practice for Lent. Adding something in with the desire to deepen your faithful roots into the ground is what it’s all about. Lent is a time for lengthening, sending our roots deep down into the fertile soil that is about to wake. Lent is a time for ripening, waiting patiently for warmer days to come as we quietly and carefully lay the foundation for new life and growth. If adding something in helps you grow and deepens your connection to the Holy, I say GO FOR IT. 

For those wanting to try something new this year, or those “just not feeling it” as Lent approaches – I have another possibility for you. How about a year where your Lenten practice is to Just Be? Father Richard Rohr wrote an article, “Lent is About Transformation,” back in 2012. In it, Fr. Rohr says that, too often, Lenten practices are about making changes, not about being changed. This whole practice of following Jesus is about transformation – about allowing our very form to be altered on a foundational level – not just about making surface-level changes. Sometimes, of course, the practice of living in new ways leads to foundational shifts. I think that’s what we are often seeking when we give something up or add something in for Lent. When that works, it’s a powerful, powerful thing. 

Sometimes, though, what we need (perhaps especially in a world that is always changing) is less movement and more stillness, fewer changes and more steadiness. Sometimes we don’t need to radically alter ourselves. Sometimes we simply need to be present and allow. This is not a passive waiting. This is an active, intentional way of grounding ourselves in each moment and inviting an awareness of God’s presence in our lives. This be-ing requires careful self-discipline and awareness. In his book Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer, Fr. Rohr says, “Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know. Be still. Be.” 

Be. 

It’s a radical invitation in a world where we are told we need to be constantly in motion. It’s a radical invitation when our whole lives are built around the never-ending cycle of producing and consuming. It’s a radical invitation to rest in God’s presence and learn to simply be present. To honor the holiness of each passing moment. To be inspired by something as beautiful as our own breath. To stop striving, working, moving. To just BE. 
I’m not suggesting, incidentally, that you try to Just Be 24-7 during Lent. I’m pretty sure that’s not possible. But I am going to work this year on Just Be-ing during short daily meditations. You might decide to Just Be during conversations with your loved ones at the dinner table. Or maybe you want to Just Be when that negative voice starts to play in your head. Perhaps you want to Just Be in nature, or in worship, or at the gym. I think it can be done anywhere, really. It’s about a quality of awareness we bring to each moment as holy – nothing more, nothing less. However you observe this season of lengthening that we call Lent, know that I will be praying for you as you seek wholeness and growth on this journey towards Easter. 

Pastor Caela 

Lent begins February 14th. Learn more about Lent at First Congregational UCC.

​When I was a child I heard the Grimm’s Fairy Tale, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and it stuck with me ever since.  For those of you who are not familiar with this story: Once, through no fault of his own, a shoemaker had fallen on hard times.  He had just enough materials left to make a single pair of shoes so he got everything ready then retired to bed for the night.  Before falling asleep he said his prayers, thanking God for the things he did have.  The next morning, much to his surprise, the shoes he planned to make were already made!  Soon, someone came into his shop and were so impressed with the quality, they paid more than his asking price.  Now the shoemaker had enough to buy materials for 2 pairs of shoes.  He bought the materials, readied them before retiring to bed, and once again the following morning, the shoes were already done!  In no time they were purchased and he had money to buy materials for 4 pairs.  The same scenario kept repeating itself until at last the shoemaker was back on his feet and in fact doing quite well.  He and his wife stayed up late one night to see how this incredible feat was being accomplished.  They quickly discovered that it wasn’t magic, it was a group of elves, working together, donating their time and their talents, to make the shoes for the shoemaker to sell. 
 
By supporting the Blessing Box with food and personal item donations, we have a chance to be like the elves from the story: we can lend a hand to those in our community who may have fallen on hard times and need some help to get by for a day or two. The box will be open to anyone at any time: there are no forms to be filled out, no requirements to be met, no judgements to be made; anyone is welcome to take what they want should they have the need.  
 
I agreed to be the point person on this outreach endeavor and I need help from the rest of the congregation.  Before we can begin filling the box we need items to fill it with.  These items must be non-perishable and able to withstand the freezing temperatures outside, meaning nothing with liquid until spring.  I’ve compiled a list below of suggested donations but this isn’t an exhaustive list, if you have other ideas, they are welcome too.  Items marked with * would be stocked only when temperatures remain above freezing.  If you want to help, we’ll be setting out a tote soon where you can drop your donation.
 
Food Items: granola bars, breakfast cereal (individual boxes/cups), instant oatmeal (cups/packets), dry soup (packets/cups), ramen, mac & cheese (cups/boxes), peanut butter & cracker packs, cheese & cracker packs, instant coffee singles, hot cocoa packets, koolaid mixes, pasta, dry pasta sauce mixes, crackers, chips (individual bags), rice, dried beans, boxed/bagged rice/noodle/potato dishes, seasoning packets, dry milk, pudding/jello cups*, jelly*, canned fruit/vegetables*, canned pasta sauce*, peanut butter*
 
Personal Items: bar soap, deodorant, wet wipes, razors, shaving cream, laundry soap powder (small boxes), toothpaste, tooth brushes, gloves, stocking hats, hand warmers, tissues, toilet paper, feminine sanitary products, shampoo*, lotion*, dish soap*
 
I’d like to set up small group of volunteers who can take turns making sure the box is filled after church on Sundays.  I believe there are several people who have already expressed an interest when the idea first arose but perhaps there are more of you who would like to help.  If you are interested in being part of this group, please see me after service or send me an email and we’ll get started!  Also, if you have any questions, please let me know.
 
Rebecca Bishop