A Full Copy Of July 21st’s Thursday Thoughts Can Be Found HERE

July 21, 2022

Dear Congregation:
On Tuesday we welcomed our friends from the Altmark region of Germany. Because of COVID, it has been four years since they have been able to visit. We are so grateful that despite the virus and the craziness of travel these days, they are here with us again.
The congregational support for our children and youth is an incredible gift to them, our congregation, and the world. Imagine that our young people grow up loved by their families and dozens of caring adults who nurture them in faith, impart life lessons, serve as mentors, and provide encouragement. We all know that a kind word of support speaks volumes to a young person. As the legendary poet Maya Angelou once wrote, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
For many years, Kim Sexton and I have been able to work with and support our children, youth, and family ministries. And we’ve seen firsthand our community’s generosity in action. When we reach out to the congregation with requests for donations of funds or cereal or coats or school supplies or whatever the case may be, we know our congregation will respond. Most recently, you have provided funds and food as we provide hospitality for our German friends.
Your generosity helps the work Kim and I do much easier. Even more, our children and youth grow up in an environment of generosity. They learn about giving from the congregation.  They experience the joy of sharing.
Thank you for your continued support of our children and youth. They are not just the future of the church. We know and we acknowledge, and we celebrate, the gifts they share with the life of the church and community today.

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel

Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ
bkdaniel@erucc.org
15 W. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21702
301-662-2762

A Fully Copy Of July 14th’s Thursday Thoughts Can Be Found HERE

July 14, 2022

Dear Congregation:
When I called a recent visitor to worship on Sunday morning, he was effusive with praise about the welcome he received.  He attended on one of the Sundays in June when I was on vacation and while he was sorry we did not connect he wanted me to know how much he enjoyed the service.  He said that there many people who connected with him and introduced themselves.  He felt at home.
Seeing someone you do not recognize, smiling at them, extending a welcome, introducing yourself takes a few seconds of time but for someone seeking community, it makes all the difference.
Another way we extend hospitality and welcome is how we care for our building.  When the building is clean and not cluttered, it says to those who enter, “We want our space to be welcoming, too.”
I spend a few hours every week cleaning up what has been left behind.  No one leaves things intentionally, it just happens, just like in our homes.  I find things like leftover bulletins and miscellaneous paper stuff in the pews and on tables.  Sometimes things in the sanctuary are not put back in place.  Sometimes there are signs and decorations from previous events that seem to remain long after the event is over.
I’m thinking it would be great to have at least four teams with two people each who choose a day to come in during the week and give an hour to help with this task of getting things back to where they belong and or in the trash.  Find a friend, plan to give that hour to the church, and then have coffee or lunch together.  Make it an excursion.
If this is something you may be interested in, please let me know.  Thanks in advance,
Note:
As Kim Sexton’s ministry with us as Associate Minister for Children’s Ministries concludes, it is important for our congregation to take time to reflect on what we should start, stop, and continue as it relates to what and how we are sharing in our ministry with children and their families.  With thanks for his help, David Cooney has agreed to facilitate three Listening Sessions. One has been held and there are two more that we hope you will consider attending:

•  Sunday, July 17, in the Community Room after the 10:30 am service (babysitting provided)
• Wednesday, July 20, in the Community Room at 6:00 pm in person (babysitting provided)

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel

Senior Pastor
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ
bkdaniel@erucc.org
15 W. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21702
301-662-2762

A Full Copy Of July 7th’s Thursday Thoughts Can Be Found HERE

July 7, 2022

Dear Congregation:

There are seasons in our lives that are perplexing, concerning, and bewildering.  There are seasons in our lives that are painful, grief-filled, and exhausting.  There are seasons in our lives that are joy-filled, exciting, and beautiful.  And like the seasons we experience in nature, where one day it is hot and muggy and the next a cool and breezy day, so it is true in the seasons of our lives.

Over the past few weeks, members of our congregation have faced the death of loved ones. We have found ourselves with unexpected hospitalizations and surgeries.  Some of us are facing a change in our daily routine as we have retired or are making changes in our employment.  Some of us are preparing for a transition to an empty house as our youngest child heads off to college.

We know that change is inevitable; that the seasons come whether we want them to or not.

These changes can be bewildering and fearful.  We wonder how we will go on.  How will we live in this new season?

While those fears and questions do not leave us, we are not left alone to ourselves.  Light breaks into those days.  Hope arrives in unexpected ways.  We laugh as we remember a loved one’s life, even as tears flow from the pain of loss.  We recall stories of how quickly we were able to get to the hospital for that emergency surgery and give thanks.  As we help our young adult pack bags for their new life, we recall those precious days when we watched them get their first tooth, learned how to ride a bike and do all manner of silly things.

Over these weeks, I have seen again, how our church community surrounds one another with hope and light.  We make phone calls, send cards, make visits, and pray.  We listen as stories are told.  We are present as tears flow.  We celebrate the seasons of someone’s life and remind them of the impact they have had on our lives and those of so many others.

The musical, Rent, tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village New York.  They ponder life and how to make sense of what is happening around them.  They ask questions about how to measure the value of life in the beautiful song, “Seasons of Love.”   “In daylights, in sunsets, in midnights, in cups of coffee, in laughter, in strife…How do you measure a year in the life? How about love? Remember the love…Measure your life in seasons of love.”

May we see and remember the love that surrounds us from God, family and friends, and our church community as we experience these seasons in our lives.

Note:

Please plan to be in worship on Sunday as we celebrate the season of Kim Sexton’s ministry with ERUCC and give thanks for all she has shared with us.

Another Note:

As Kim Sexton’s ministry with us as Associate Minister for Children’s Ministries concludes, it is important for our congregation to take time to reflect on what we should start, stop, and continue as it relates to what and how we are sharing in our ministry with children and their families.  With thanks for his help, David Cooney has agreed to facilitate three Listening Sessions on this. The schedule is:

• Tuesday, July 12, at 6:00 pm via Zoom

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83775669655?pwd=NWUxZVo4N09WN0RXQ3R2bWRLdnBJdz09

Meeting ID: 837 7566 9655

Passcode: 729030

• Sunday, July 17, in the Community Room after the 10:30 am service (babysitting provided)
• Wednesday, July 20, in the Community Room at 6:00 pm in person (babysitting provided)

The Rev. Dr. Barbara Kershner Daniel

Senior Pastor, Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ

15 W. Church Street Frederick MD 21702

301-662-2762

bkdaniel@erucc.org

A Full Copy of June 30th’s Thursday Thoughts Can Be Found HERE

June 30, 2022

Dear Congregation:

If you walk by ERUCC on any given morning, you may find a group of Temple School future professionals hanging out.  They’re drinking coffee, eating lunch, chatting.  I so enjoy walking past and hearing their conversation and laughter.

I took this photo yesterday and told them how glad I was that they felt comfortable to gather on our steps.  I added that I wanted to take a photo so you could see how sitting on our steps are a place of enjoyment.  One of the future professionals said, “Thanks for being so welcoming.”

            Providing a welcome and safe space for people is one of our core values.  Whether it is the front steps or the Community Room or the sanctuary, we want to send the message, “We are glad you are here.”

As our country reels with the January 6^th hearings, the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the uncertainty of the economy, the war in Ukraine, and the continued spread of Covid 19, it is even imperative that ERUCC members and friends create an environment of care for anyone who sits on our steps or enters our doors.  These are days when people reach out to the faith community seeking comfort, hope, and peace.

Let us be ready for those visitors who came to our steps and our doors, welcome them and extend our radical hospitality to all.

Another Note:

As Kim Sexton’s ministry with us as Associate Minister for Children’s Ministries concludes, it is important for our congregation to take time to reflect on what we should start, stop, and continue as it relates to what and how we are sharing in our ministry with children and their families.  With thanks for his help, David Cooney has agreed to facilitate three Listening Sessions on this. The schedule is:

• Tuesday, July 12, at 6:00 pm via Zoom
• Sunday, July 17, in the Community Room after the 10:30 am service (babysitting provided)
• Wednesday, July 20, in the Community Room at 6:00 pm in person (babysitting provided)

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