For those of us who wanted 2021 to be different than 2020, our hopes were dashed quite quickly on January 6 as white supremacists and conspiracy theorists attempted an insurrection on our Capitol. On some days, I find myself trying to play down what happened, thankful that it wasn't more serious. But even as I write this, Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick lies in state on the Capitol rotunda, a victim of the mob violence that day that attempted to harm legislators and staff and halt our democratic process. The day was an awful one for our country, and it could have been worse.
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​Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic appears unwiling to let up, though vaccinations are increasing. New strains of the virus are poised to wreck havoc among our communities, and scientists are wondering if it will continue to mutate. The future is uncertain, and we know so many small businesses and neighbors who are out of work continue to suffer while this pandemic rages.
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​We cannot forget that we are still in the midst of a racial reckoning, reminded daily that we have so much work to do to create a more just society. January 6 showed us how brazen and out in the open racism still is, but we must do better as a society in how we distribute resources during this pandemic and how vaccines are delivered to vulnerable communities. As a church, we have an opportunity to work for the kind of transformation we need in our county and local communities through partners like PLAN (Prince George's Leadership Action Network). We can be a part of ending the pandemic of racism in our generation.
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​One thing this pandemic has shown me is that we are not well in so many ways.
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​What we pour into our lives matters - whether that is the consumption of social media, including fake news and conspiracy theories, the consumption of less than healthy food options, the consumption of narratives that tell us we are failures and can never get better, or the consumption that the problems we face are insurmountable.
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​Maybe you have heard that old phrase - "you are what you eat". In this past year, that has taken extra meaning for me personally. Maybe it has for you. We have consumed so much negativity and division, that it threatens to make us cynical and resistant to the possibilities that God still has for us as a church and as families.
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​With Lent on the horizon, a 40 day period that prepares us for Easter traditionally through fasting, prayer, and study, what if we begin subtle shifts in our lives by making better decisions in what we consume? What if we turned off the TV more, especially the 24 hour news cycles? What if we fasted from social media for a portion of each day or each week? What if we got outside more often to enjoy the cool winter air and the emerging notes of spring? What if we spent more time focusing on what we can do to address injustice than dwelling on the enormity of the problems we face? What if we began to try some healthier recipes for dinner or set aside a day to sleep in?
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​What if we grounded ourselves in the stories of Jesus' healing to discover how many possibilities there are for transformation and repair available to us through our Creator?
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​Our Lent season will invite us on such a journey through the theme of "Holy Vessels". At our own pace, we will center ourselves in Jesus' remarkable gift of healing through the Gospel of Matthew and invite one another to begin to experience healing through the touch of our God. That healing may mean caring for our bodies and spirits in new ways or it may mean making space for the grief and sorrow that lingers with us. Our lives are Holy Vessels - what we take in shapes our health. Perhaps Lent is a perfect time to pay fresh attention to those choices before us and discover affirmation, self-care, and renewal even as we recommit our work to a transformed world.
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​Stay tuned for small group studies and bible studies that will provide ways to go deeper as we journey together.
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​Our Lent season begins on Ash Wednesday, February 17, with worship online at Noon and 7 PM.
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​May we heal and may we grow together.

Lenten Testimony Video: "How has God been good to you?"

Last year was a challenging year for everyone, the pandemic the civil unrest in our country and with no clear end in sight we are still dealing with the same issues in 2021. 

However, as we continue to navigate through these troubling times we still put our hope and trust in God.  With that being said in this Lenten season we would like for you to answer this question....

"How has God been good to you?"

As we move into this Lenten season, we are asking if you feel comfortable to submit a 3 minute video reflecting on this question.  Your video will be used during worship service on Sundays through this Lent season.  We would like to have enough videos to include in each worship service through Lent.  We are aiming to have the first video for the February 21st service.

You may use wetransfer.com to submit your video or upload your submission to the church google drive: UCC Google Drive

If you have questions please email the church office at cucoffice@verizon.net or call 301-864-1520.

Thanks!  We look forward to hearing about "How has God been good to you?"

February 13th: Winter Talk - Led by Jon Ghahate and Rev Nathan Hill

Every second Saturday each month, online, from 10:00am to 2:00pm (Pacific) for a time of learning and growing together.

To learn more about this event please read here: https://northernlightsdisciples.org/second-saturdays/

 

Save the Date - February 23rd | 4-8pm

Fundraiser at Nando's Peri Peri in College Park. Proceeds support homelessness and go to the PGPlaza Day Center (non-profit) program in Hyattsville. 40% of all proceeds between 4-8pm on Feb 23, connected to the homeless program, are applied, Be sure to mention the homeless program (PGPlaza Day Center). Take-out is encouraged; limited in-person dining also available. #homelessnessawareness

University Christian Church Blessing Box 

How Does This Blessing Box Work? 

This mini pantry is a way for neighbors to help neighbors who are in need. 
 
Even though its home is on our church property, this mini pantry belongs to all of us. Please take care of it and the space around it. Tidy the mini pantry if it needs it. If you can, clean up spills, and please don’t litter. 
 
Give what you can by placing food, hygiene, or paper items inside the mini pantry. Give what you would want to receive. An easy rule of thumb: buy extra of what you buy your household. No gift is too small. Items should be unexpired and in good condition.  
 
Take what you need. If you find items inside and you need them, take them and know we care about you. Please remember the mini pantry belongs to all of us and take only those items you need, trusting the mini pantry will be here for you again. 

Paper Products

• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Tissue

Baby Supplies

• Diapers 
• Formula 
• Baby Wipes 

Nonperishable Foods in Boxes/Bags/Plastic Jars/Cans

• Peanut butter and jelly in plastic jars
• Grains, beans and rice
• Pasta: dry pasta, bagged pasta meals, mac n’ cheese
• Pasta sauce in plastic jar
• Cereal: cold and hot
• Snack crackers
• Canned meals (chili, ravioli, soup)
• Canned meat (Spam, tuna, chicken, sardines)
• Dried fruits
• Granola bars
• Canned fruit/Vegetables

LOWER CABINET 

Personal Care Items  

• Shampoo/conditioner 
• Soap 
• Toothpaste 
• Toothbrushes 
• Moisturizer 
• Pads/tampons 
• Deodorant 
• Chapstick 
• Face Masks 
• Hats/Gloves/Scarves 
• Laundry Detergent 
• NEW Socks/Underwear 

Pet Supplies 

February 17th Ash Wednesday Service via zoom

12pm and 7pm

Zoom information will be the same for both services.
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Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89932643324
Meeting ID: 899 3264 3324
Passcode: 813318
One tap mobile: 3017158592

You are invited to gather virtually on Saturdays during Lent starting February 20 at 2pm led by Linda Bock. Nathan’s Lenten sermon theme is “Holy Vessels”; our theme is “Holey Vessels vs. Holy Vessels” or perhaps “Sacred Vessels vs. Scared Vessels” where we discuss how our sufferings, struggles, and illnesses can be developed into self-knowledge and a meaningful way of life. It is for the caretaker and the caregiver. Some of us aren’t afraid of dying but perhaps we are afraid of living life to our fullest in body, mind and spirit.

We will be using the book “Radical Hope – The Healing Power of Illness: A Jungian Guide to Exploring the Body, Mind and Spirit Connection to Healing” by Bud Harris. It is not necessary for you to buy it as we will be sharing some excerpts from it and use the suggested exercises between our time together. We will be encouraged to journal, do deep breathing exercises and to listen to our inner self for God’s voice to help us see that what we are going through as a way to be a Holy Vessel, a child of God.

I hope you will please join in these Lenten moments Saturdays at 2:00 from February 20 to April 3rd for approximately 40 minutes. For questions please email Linda or call 240-676-0946.  Thank you! Blessings!

Registration is required to join the Lenten Group please click button below to register.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Celebrate Black History Month with PBS & join our UCC Discussion

Thursday's

Adult Bible Study @ 7pm 

Bible Study Host: Rev Nathan
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89894708458
Meeting ID: 898 9470 8458
Passcode: 914256
One tap mobile: 301-715-8592

Korean Bible Study Thursday evenings @ 8:15pm 

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85221792809

Meeting ID: 852 2179 2809
Passcode: 914256
One tap mobile: 301-715-8592

We  You!

~From the church at the Intersection