June 2006

Miscellaneous Thoughts

I couldn’t get my thoughts together this month for a cohesive report so I thought I would just share some random thoughts I have had about our RUCC.

With the growth of our church in numbers and in activities, the church board is looking to future needs of the church . The Personnel Committee has made some recommendations on staffing  needs and will continue this effort over the next month. An ad hoc committee will be evaluating space needs and will be seeking your input as they work to develop a recommendation. Look for details about these and other church board decisions on the kiosk.

Member Justin Caldwell and Eric Shamp, who is new to the church, have offered to work on the FaithActs project to convert the church to solar energy. They are researching options and Eric has generously offered his architectural skills and knowledge to help make this a reality. Thank you both – we look forward to hearing about your progress as you pursue this project.

This month, two fund raising events occurred. A charity poker tournament was held and was a huge success. From what I hear, everyone had a great time – especially my granddaughter Cailie, the first place winner! Thanks to Lashawn Lee for all her hard work on putting this together to raise money for the Get on the Bus program.

Last Friday night, the First Annual Youth Jazz Festival was held. Justin Caldwell, husband of the aforementioned Lashawn Lee, organized this event which featured middle school and high school student jazz bands. Funds raised benefited the Step by Step program. I was personally blown away by the great music and immense talent displayed by these young people. There was a huge crowd in attendance. One of the youth participants was overheard at the refreshment stand saying, “This is the most fun I’ve ever had!” What a wonderful gift to the community! What a wonderful opportunity for young people to have a chance to perform!

We are blessed to have Lashawn and Justin as part of our church family. They used their youthful energy, creative ideas, and considerable amounts of hard work to organize these two wonderful, fun, successful events. Thank you, Lashawn and Justin.

In case you weren’t there Sunday, we had music! Bells, instrumentalists, youth choir, soloist, organist, choir – lots of music! It was fun to be part of it and I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed participating in it.

One more thing. Have you noticed the table set up in Covenant Hall during fellowship? Vickie Wilson is usually seen sitting at that table. It is our Letter Writing project in action. Each Sunday there will be letters which you can take, sign and send to your legislators on peace and justice issues. Come take a look; learn what the issues are. We have made it easy for you to let your voice be heard. And if you are willing to help with this project even if just to sit at the table occasionally, please contact me, Vickie Wilson, or the church office.

All of this in one month !  There is so much good work happening in this place. I’m proud to be part of it.

– Dianne Landeros, President

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The issue of immigration is on everyone's minds these days. I recently came across this article written by Rev. Daniel Romero, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ Southern California Nevada Conference. I thought it was worth re-printing in the Wanderings. - Dianne Landeros

Do Not Neglect to Show Hospitality to Strangers
by Rev. Daniel Romero

Throughout the history of our nation, refugees and immigrants arriving in the United States have been received with varying degrees of hesitation and suspicion, as well as outright violence. Over time, however, many immigrants have been welcomed into the nation’s life, both because of Americans’ compassion and because of the conviction that the vitality and diversity that immigrants bring are a blessing. Today, once again, immigration has become a hotly debated topic, provoking a range of responses from Americans, including Christian leaders across the spectrum of the Church. Some advocate for the rights of immigrants, while others react to newcomers with outright hostility.

To think responsibly about immigration, we should first realize that it is a world-wide phenomenon. According to some estimates, more than thirty million people are on the move around the globe at any given time. As Christians we ask, What is God’s agenda in the midst of this global migration? What is God seeking to accomplish in the midst of massive relocation because of war, oppression, and poverty? Is it possible that God is seeking to bring out of the change all around us a new way of living in the world, perhaps even a new world order? Is it possible that, in and through the global migration we witness today, God is challenging us to live out more fully the words we say often and much too easily, "humankind is one"?

The Bible speaks volumes about the movement of people, sometimes of entire societies, and it is quite realistic about the disruption and conflict that often accompany migration. Yet, despite the problems caused by migration, there is in the Bible an unwavering theme of hospitality to strangers. And this hospitality is called for without any distinction made between legal and illegal strangers: “When a foreigner resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress that alien. The foreigner who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the foreigner as you love yourself, for you were once aliens in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34).

The theme of hospitality is consistent throughout the Old Testament and made even more emphatic in the New Testament. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). To make the point in its most conclusive way for Christians, the New Testament recounts the experience of the disciples on the way to Emmaus. Though bewildered and distraught because of the crucifixion of Jesus, they took time to offer hospitality to a stranger whom they met along the way, and gradually they came to realize that the stranger was the Risen Christ.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” Ever, for any reason?

The biblical theme of hospitality is accompanied by a full awareness that migration is not without problems. Indeed, just as migration usually originates in problems, such as intense poverty, it sometimes results in problems for the communities that are called to be hospitable. Today, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, one of the chief concerns highlighted in debates about immigration policy is national security: could the strangers in our midst be threats to our safety? The U.S. government has a legitimate responsibility to protect its citizenry. But when national security and immigration policies come to be based upon fear of strangers, Scripture reminds us that we must not permit fear to overcome hospitality (see I John 4:18 ).

Christians should join in debates about immigration issues, and when we do we will almost certainly come to a variety of different conclusions about matters of policy. In these debates, however, some things are surely required of all Christians if we are to be faithful to the biblical tradition: