CLICK HERE to read Thursday Thoughts for October 15, 2020
Dear Congregation:
Do you have your ballot? Do you know how to vote? Would you be willing to join an energetic group of people trying to get as many people to the polls as possible? Please join us on Friday evening as we celebrate our right to vote and the importance of participating in our democratic process. This Friday, October 16th, we will welcome musicians from the Frederick School of Rock, Pizza Llama, and Jay Mason from the FCPS Board of Education.
The ERUCC Faith and Democracy group completed 3000 postcards that were handwritten and sent to voters in Georgia, encouraging these voters to get to the polls. We’re hoping that the record turn-out for early voting in that state can be attributed, in part, to the efforts of our work and that of others.
Many in the congregation are working with various groups such as the League of Women Voters to get out the vote. These efforts include committing to or encouraging at least three friends to vote on or before Election Day. Because of the changing rules and procedures amidst the pandemic, it is more important than ever that we know our voting rights and that we have a plan vote.
I recognize that we, as individual members and friends of ERUCC, have a variety of thoughts and opinions with this election and with many other aspects of life. What I really appreciate is our willingness to share those perspectives with one another. It is not always easy to stay in community when we share differences of opinion but we are called to love one another as God has loved us.
Please continue to share your perspectives with me. I sincerely want to learn what all of us value and how we can make ERUCC stronger and more welcoming as a community. I also want us to explore how we can embody those values in the larger community of Frederick that we love.
Worship Notes
In Exodus 33:12–23 , we are privy to a conversation between God and Moses. Reminiscent of last week’s struggle of the Hebrew people with an idea or presence of God vs. a tangible, physical god, Moses also asks for proof of God’s presence – to see what God looks like. Matthew 22:15–22 tells the story of discerning taxes, where the stamping of Caesar on the coinage settles the question – “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s and unto God the things that are God’s” (v. 21). While this can be seen as an example of the separation of church and state it also harkens back to the wilderness experiences of discerning and following God’s guiding presence.
Food for Thought:
“The thing about light is that it really isn’t yours; it’s what you gather and shine back. And it gets more power from reflectiveness; if you sit still and take it in, it fills your cup, and then you can give it off yourself.” (Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith)
Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel, Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed Church, United Church of Christ
15 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
301-662-2762
E-mail: bkdaniel@erucc.org
