April 2021 Home Edition
Stories of Generosity
“When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” - John 20:19 (NRSV)
Dear church,
Happy Easter!
One of the ways we continue our Easter celebration is by reflecting on the stories of Jesus’ continued appearances with his disciples and with the early church. Storytelling about how Jesus showed up in locked rooms, in the midst of fear, and in the confusion and chaos of the disciples’ lives gave them hope and grounded their mission in an uncertain future. Jesus offered them peace, and his presence with them began the tradition of Sunday morning worship that so many churches continue. On the first day of the week, in the morning, the disciples gathered and Jesus was present with them.
As we celebrate Easter and spring, I want to invite you, University Christian Church, to tell stories too.
Over one year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted how we gather and worship together. During this time, we have learned new skills, like how to mute ourselves on Zoom and how to better livestream our worship services. We have been figured out how to be community in different ways. It has not been perfect, and I know there are some who have not enjoyed this particular way of being church in this time.
But in the uncertain season we have been, we continued to gather in anticipation that Christ was in our midst. That’s a story that we will tell for years to come. We can tell other stories too - about how we sought to care for each other, how we responded generously through the support of the mission of our church, how we connected across the globe with friends and church members, how we launched new ministries, how we used the season to dream of our future, how we fed the hungry, and how we have worshipped even when we could not be physically together. God has given us story after story to tell.
Beginning on April 18, we are giving space in worship to begin telling those stories and reflecting on the good news of Easter in a new stewardship series called “Stories of Generosity”. I know you have a story to tell as part of this series. We will continue making space for testimonies as part of worship, so please begin to think about the acts of generosity you have been a part of, ways you have seen God moving even in a difficult time like this past year.
We will kick off the series with Future Story Sunday, making space for our Future Story that casts a vision where we believe God is leading us as a church. This vision is not a strategic plan - it’s more like a sketch that paints a rich possibility as we open ourselves up to new mission possibilities, seek to transform our practices, and continue to stay rooted in the abundant love of God through Christ Jesus.
At the end of our series, you will be invited to consider making a pledge to support the mission and ministry of our church at this busy intersection for the coming year. We know this is still an uncertain economic time for many, so we will do so with compassion and grace as we dream and take faithful steps to where God is leading us next.
May we celebrate Easter and all that God is doing in our midst.
Don’t you have a story to tell?
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
— Rev. Nathan Hill
Dear church,
Happy Easter!
One of the ways we continue our Easter celebration is by reflecting on the stories of Jesus’ continued appearances with his disciples and with the early church. Storytelling about how Jesus showed up in locked rooms, in the midst of fear, and in the confusion and chaos of the disciples’ lives gave them hope and grounded their mission in an uncertain future. Jesus offered them peace, and his presence with them began the tradition of Sunday morning worship that so many churches continue. On the first day of the week, in the morning, the disciples gathered and Jesus was present with them.
As we celebrate Easter and spring, I want to invite you, University Christian Church, to tell stories too.
Over one year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted how we gather and worship together. During this time, we have learned new skills, like how to mute ourselves on Zoom and how to better livestream our worship services. We have been figured out how to be community in different ways. It has not been perfect, and I know there are some who have not enjoyed this particular way of being church in this time.
But in the uncertain season we have been, we continued to gather in anticipation that Christ was in our midst. That’s a story that we will tell for years to come. We can tell other stories too - about how we sought to care for each other, how we responded generously through the support of the mission of our church, how we connected across the globe with friends and church members, how we launched new ministries, how we used the season to dream of our future, how we fed the hungry, and how we have worshipped even when we could not be physically together. God has given us story after story to tell.
Beginning on April 18, we are giving space in worship to begin telling those stories and reflecting on the good news of Easter in a new stewardship series called “Stories of Generosity”. I know you have a story to tell as part of this series. We will continue making space for testimonies as part of worship, so please begin to think about the acts of generosity you have been a part of, ways you have seen God moving even in a difficult time like this past year.
We will kick off the series with Future Story Sunday, making space for our Future Story that casts a vision where we believe God is leading us as a church. This vision is not a strategic plan - it’s more like a sketch that paints a rich possibility as we open ourselves up to new mission possibilities, seek to transform our practices, and continue to stay rooted in the abundant love of God through Christ Jesus.
At the end of our series, you will be invited to consider making a pledge to support the mission and ministry of our church at this busy intersection for the coming year. We know this is still an uncertain economic time for many, so we will do so with compassion and grace as we dream and take faithful steps to where God is leading us next.
May we celebrate Easter and all that God is doing in our midst.
Don’t you have a story to tell?
Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed!
— Rev. Nathan Hill
A Future Story for UCC
Easter at UCC
The Legacy Builders
This is Marshall Dunn, the chair of the steering committee for the ministry we have named The Legacy Builders. Legacy Builders are not a special club or folks who think they are better than anyone else but they ARE folks who love University Christian Church, and have remembered the church in their end of life plan.
Some gave a lump sum, some specified a percentage of their assets, some named the church as a child, some have used their 401K or a life insurance policy to name the church as a partial beneficiary, and some have done things like Barbara and me, using our will to endow our pledge for 20 years!
MOST of the Legacy Builders have already gone to be with God, but happily there are many Legacy Builders who are still WITH us, blessing us week after week with their gifts in the service of Christ’s church.
I think it’s time to look again at their names, remembering those saints who have gone before us, and some potential saints thankfully still among us!
Jerry Peacock
Julia Scott
Lydia Scott
Joe and Susan Pyles
Max and Margaret Libbee
Carl and Eleanor Bock
Francis and Lucille Stark
Jerry and Cherry King
Sterling and Elsie Burgess
James and Evelyn Wormley
Leonard and Mary Ruth DeGast
Roy White
Martha McDonald
Pat and Louise Kilpatrick
Harry Sandberg
Sandy Sanderson
Eileen Winters
Scott Libbee
And THESE Legacy Builders are current members:
Marshall and Barbara Dunn
Cathy Libbee
Ramona Crawford
Lorel and Shirley Morrison
Leah Williams
Barbara Bice
Frances Gulick
Courtney Shaw
Louise Griffin
John and Cindy Farley
Dottie Colding
Nathan and Yunkyong Hill
Cindy White
Mt. Rainier Christian Church
AND a brand new name, Charles Sheets!
If you are intrigued but would like more information please speak to any of these people: ME, Ramona Crawford, Barbara Bice or Nathan Hill.
Many of us have end of life plans that are expressed in a will, often called our “Last Will and Testament!” I love that final word. It is very closely related to our church word “testimony.” I think Legacy Builders believe that the last thing we want our heirs to know about us was what we deeply valued and loved—THEM of course, but I also want our children and grandchildren to know that Barbara and I loved our God and our church and wanted to help keep its vital ministries going long after WE are here to support them!
THAT’S our testimony. And rather than our kids saying, “Rats, I had hoped they would leave everything to US!” I bet they will say, “Isn’t that just like them? I’m glad they had the faith they had and the values they had. Now it’s our turn to go and do much the same!”
Thank you, God bless you and may God bless University Christian Church for many, many years to come!
Some gave a lump sum, some specified a percentage of their assets, some named the church as a child, some have used their 401K or a life insurance policy to name the church as a partial beneficiary, and some have done things like Barbara and me, using our will to endow our pledge for 20 years!
MOST of the Legacy Builders have already gone to be with God, but happily there are many Legacy Builders who are still WITH us, blessing us week after week with their gifts in the service of Christ’s church.
I think it’s time to look again at their names, remembering those saints who have gone before us, and some potential saints thankfully still among us!
Jerry Peacock
Julia Scott
Lydia Scott
Joe and Susan Pyles
Max and Margaret Libbee
Carl and Eleanor Bock
Francis and Lucille Stark
Jerry and Cherry King
Sterling and Elsie Burgess
James and Evelyn Wormley
Leonard and Mary Ruth DeGast
Roy White
Martha McDonald
Pat and Louise Kilpatrick
Harry Sandberg
Sandy Sanderson
Eileen Winters
Scott Libbee
And THESE Legacy Builders are current members:
Marshall and Barbara Dunn
Cathy Libbee
Ramona Crawford
Lorel and Shirley Morrison
Leah Williams
Barbara Bice
Frances Gulick
Courtney Shaw
Louise Griffin
John and Cindy Farley
Dottie Colding
Nathan and Yunkyong Hill
Cindy White
Mt. Rainier Christian Church
AND a brand new name, Charles Sheets!
If you are intrigued but would like more information please speak to any of these people: ME, Ramona Crawford, Barbara Bice or Nathan Hill.
Many of us have end of life plans that are expressed in a will, often called our “Last Will and Testament!” I love that final word. It is very closely related to our church word “testimony.” I think Legacy Builders believe that the last thing we want our heirs to know about us was what we deeply valued and loved—THEM of course, but I also want our children and grandchildren to know that Barbara and I loved our God and our church and wanted to help keep its vital ministries going long after WE are here to support them!
THAT’S our testimony. And rather than our kids saying, “Rats, I had hoped they would leave everything to US!” I bet they will say, “Isn’t that just like them? I’m glad they had the faith they had and the values they had. Now it’s our turn to go and do much the same!”
Thank you, God bless you and may God bless University Christian Church for many, many years to come!
News you can use
University Christian Church Blessing Box
How Does This Blessing Box Work?
Thank you to Margie and Katie for donating to our Blessing Box!
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.
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.
SAMPLE ITEMS NEEDED
Paper Products
Baby Supplies
Nonperishable Foods in Boxes/Bags/Plastic Jars/Cans
- 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
Events
Thursday's
Adult Bible Study @ 7pm
Bible Study Host: Rev NathanRegistration is required
Click here to register
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Korean Bible Study Thursday evenings @ 8:15pm
Register in advance for this meeting:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
If registration links do not work you may also register through the UCC website. Choose GROW then Small Groups. http://uccmd.org/small-groups.php
We 
You!
~From the church at the Intersection
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Do you have questions or need help email the church office.
Online Giving
Give Online at www.uccmd.org
