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For Today, Every Day
A couple of Sundays ago, on Reformation Sunday, our Minister Emeritus, the Rev. Larry Reimer, challenged the congregation with the important quotation from the lips of the great reformer, Martin Luther. After he was condemned for the declarations of conscience …
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Inspired by Competition
By nature I am not all that competitive. In those fun-filled online personality quizzes, I learn that my particular type is motivated intrinsically and that beating someone else is not necessarily an impetus to me to aim higher or to …
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The Search Process
The search process for our next UCG Associate Minister has begun. As per our UCG policies and procedures, the nominations for Search Committee members were contributed by the congregation, vetted for every possible representation, diversity, and availability by Council Exec, …
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Bread and Wine
I do this weird thing with wine and bread every once in a while. My wife Tracy busts me almost every time I do it, but still, I do it anyway. Often, gathered around our dinner table, I’ll take a …
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Water is Powerful
We are preparing for Gathering of Waters and it is a joyful time of reunion after a summer apart for many UCG’ers. As we gather this Sunday, may we hold in heart and in prayers those suffering because of the …
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A Letter from John Vertigan, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ Florida Conference
To: The United Church of Christ In Florida Re: Recent Events July 8, 2016 Dear Church, Grace and peace to you in a time that, for many, is trending toward despair. There is so much violence, and it happens with …
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Thy Gold to Refine
From the UCC Still Speaking Daily Devotional, June 28, 2016 “When you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the Lord, they shall no longer say, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” It shall …
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Flyers for Orlando
Last Sunday UCG and the greater community gathered to create flyers of support and love for Orlando. It was part of a project by artist Oliver Bendorf. Thanks to Kristen Angeline-Stone for organizing. Enjoy these beautiful flyers and visit Oliver’s …
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Love Will Always Win
On Monday, June 13th, almost 1000 people gathered at City Hall for a candlelight vigil to honor those who were killed in the shooting at Pulse nightclub in Orlando and to show love and support for the LGBTQ+ …
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Deep-seated Love
It says something about our church when, last weekend, as our children and youth took control of our 9:15 and 11:15 am services the youth speakers gave a powerful testimony to the love, acceptance and care that has been modeled …
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The Makers
This week I’ll be traveling to San Francisco as part of the Next Generation Leadership Initiative, a clergy leadership program I’m part of. One of the things I’ll be doing with my colleagues is attending a Maker Faire. (If you’ve …
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What Brings You Joy?
There is a fabulous verse in the book of Philippians that says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice!” The apostle Paul seems to be encouraging his friends in the Philippian congregation to reconnect to gratitude and …