Sunday Services At 9:30 am and 11:15 am March 3 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Whom Do We Serve? An exploration of the mission of the liberal church... and the mission of our own church. March10 | TBA March 17 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Dayenu Passover doesn’t begin until the 26th, but I want to reflect on Passover without confusing it with Easter. “Dayenu,” Hebrew for “It would have been sufficient,” refers to a prayer that models gratitude. March 24 | TBA March 31 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Anastasis Emerson wrote that Jesus “spoke of miracles; for he felt that man’s life was a miracle, and all that man doth… But the word Miracle, as pronounced by Christian churches, gives a false impression; it is Monster. It is not one with the blowing clover and the falling rain.” One Easter we examine the miracle that diminishes all others. Anne and I feel blessed to be here. I laugh even as I write that sentence. Had you asked me earlier in my life about the possibility of serving a church in Omaha, Nebraska, “blessed” would not have been the first word that came to mind. Blessing, however, is always a surprise. The building and music program are indeed part of the blessing, but the core of the blessing is the people, who have genuine affection for one another. Yes, there are the conflicts that all healthy congregations have: how to set priorities with limited resources (limited time, limited space, limited energy, limited finances). Only a defunct institution would not have such struggles. If we focus too much on these struggles, we risk losing sight of the big picture. This month, as we conduct our stewardship campaign, I want to ask again the foundational question, “Whom do we serve?” It’s a permutation of the question that plays a key role in the Grail legend. We must ask the question over and over. We must find the courage to articulate the answer that is in our hearts. Blessings and love, Frank The Newsletter of First Unitarian Church of Omaha The Flame March 2013 REV. ELATIONS
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Transcript
Sunday Services At 9:30 am and 11:15 am
March 3 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Whom Do We
Serve?
An exploration of the mission of the liberal
church... and the mission of our own church.
March10 | TBA
March 17 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Dayenu
Passover doesn’t begin until the 26th, but I
want to reflect on Passover without
confusing it with Easter. “Dayenu,” Hebrew
for “It would have been sufficient,” refers to
a prayer that models gratitude.
March 24 | TBA
March 31 | Rev. Frank Rivas | Anastasis
Emerson wrote that Jesus “spoke of
miracles; for he felt that man’s life was a
miracle, and all that man doth… But the
word Miracle, as pronounced by Christian
churches, gives a false impression; it is
Monster. It is not one with the blowing
clover and the falling rain.” One Easter we
examine the miracle that diminishes all
others.
Anne and I feel blessed to be here.
I laugh even as I write that sentence. Had you asked me earlier in my
life about the possibility of serving a church in Omaha, Nebraska,
“blessed” would not have been the first word that came to mind.
Blessing, however, is always a surprise.
The building and music program are indeed part of the blessing, but
the core of the blessing is the people, who have genuine affection for
one another. Yes, there are the conflicts that all healthy
congregations have: how to set priorities with limited resources
(limited time, limited space, limited energy, limited finances). Only
a defunct institution would not have such struggles.
If we focus too much on these struggles, we risk losing sight of the
big picture. This month, as we conduct our stewardship campaign, I
want to ask again the foundational question, “Whom do we serve?”
It’s a permutation of the question that plays a key role in the Grail
legend.
We must ask the question over and over. We must find the courage
to articulate the answer that is in our hearts.
Blessings and love,
Frank
The Newsletter of First Unitarian Church of Omaha
The Flame March 2013
REV.
ELATIONS
2
The Women’s Alliance will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 11 at 6:30pm in the Common Room
at First Unitarian Church. Our speaker for the March meeting is Emiliano Lerda, Esq., Director of JFON
(Justice For Our Neighbors). Originally from Argentina and now a U. S. citizen, Emiliano knows the
immigrant experience firsthand. He says that he was drawn to America’s Midwest because its agricultural
environment reminded him of his native Cordoba province in Argentina. Mr. Lerda earned a Bachelor of
Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa where he was the first international student elected
as student body president. After earning his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines¸ he
worked as government relations manager for the Iowa Corn Growers Association. Emiliano is passionate
about public service and is completing his studies toward an LL.M degree from the University of
Arkansas. He joined JFON as executive director in January 2011.
Our dinner ($12) will be corned beef and cabbage catered by Eddy’s and chick pea stew for our
vegetarians. If this is your first time, please be our guest. Reservations must be made no later than
Friday, March 8 to Janet West: 402-553-3162 or [email protected]. We hope to see you at
the meeting.
First Thoughts on Our Pledge Campaign:
Weaving Our Journeys by Ron and Diane Withem, co-chairs
Women’s Alliance
Please join us March 3 for the “kickoff” or as a previous campaign dubbed it, “Generosity Sunday” of “Weaving Our
Journeys” for our 2013-14 Pledge Drive. There is more information in this issue of The Flame, but let us be the first to
invite you to join us in pledging to build the future of our church and to take part in the all-church celebration to be
held Saturday, March 30 at The Elmwood Towers. This fund drive will be filled with heart-felt words and an artistic
endeavor in which pledging persons will be asked to take part (see Judith Wright’s article on page 10 ). There will once
again be an All-Church party (complete with talent show) which will serve as the culmination of what we hope will be
the First UU’s most successful pledge campaign of the 21st century!
Joining us in this is the most wonderful group of volunteers anyone could ask for—all of whom have offered us their
knowledge, support, and creativity. Jaime Alexander is our honorary chair. We benefit from his inspiration to all
church members from the care he puts into greeting visitors to his smoothing the way for those interested in learning
about our church through UUs and You. Our steering committee includes Tony and Sandy Host, Louise Jeffrey, Lois
Norris, Kim Dunovan, Carolyn McNamara, Anne Rivas, Barb Ross, and Judith Wright. Judith has offered not only this
year’s party location, but her artistic talents to create the beautiful tapestry that we will each take part in weaving as
we turn in our pledges! Each and every member of this committee has offered invaluable input toward getting this
project under way. When you see these people, remember to thank them for the hard work they put in to the
project. Additionally, we have had counsel and input from board president Kate Godfrey. Walt Jesteadt has offered
budget information, and Megan Gustafson and Dave Richardson of the Religious Services Committee have offered help
along with Reverend Frank who has encouraged us and offered his input and vision. As co-chairpersons of this year’s
pledge/generosity campaign, we have discovered why past campaigns have been so successful—each person we have
approached is more than willing to help. It is being a part of this larger community—one woven together with a
diverse set of members and friends—held together by the common thread of our belief in UU
principles—which makes our church and congregation so special.
Join with us in pledging generously this year to help grow our church!