OneCoolGod @ University Circle UMC

The Outlook Newspaper - August 31, 2012 Issue

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:53:26 -0400

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The Outlook Newspaper - July 13, 2012 Issue

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:30:57 -0400

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Annual Conference is This Week

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 17:30:32 -0400

Following worship this Sunday, Dr. Chalker and many members of our congregation leave for Lakeside, Ohio to participate in our denomination’s Annual Conference which begins on Monday and ends on Thursday, June 21. Some of the week’s activities will be available to you through the Internet:

9:30a Mon. June 18 Commemoration & Communion Service

4:00p Mon. June 18 State of the Conference Presentation 7:30p Mon. June 18 Retirement Service

8:00a Tues. June 19 Worship Service 11:00a Tues. June 19 Episcopal/Cabinet address

7:30p Tues. June 19 Service of Commissioning & Ordination 8:00a Wed. June 20 Worship Service

8:00a Thurs. June 21 Worship ServiceYou also can access the live stream feed from the conference home page, www.eocumc.com and daily recaps, features and photos will also be posted on this website. If that isn’t enough, this year for the first time, you can even follow Conference events on Twitter at #eoac12.

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Bible's message is misinterpreted by clergy opposed to same-sex marriage: Messages of Faith | cleveland.com

Fri, 15 Jun 2012 13:50:08 -0400

Maybe President BarackObama’s motivation for “coming out” and affirming his support for same-sex marriage was politically calculated. Perhaps the president’s statement, as hard as it may be to imagine, had nothing to do with politics. Maybe the president’s statement supporting an opportunity for a lesbian or gay couple to enter into a legally recognized, binding, civil, marriage covenant and contract was an expression of his true conviction.

But whatever his motivation, Obama’s statement of support for same-sex marriage is far more genuine than the unholy response of opposition his statement has received from too many clergy. Ordained pastors thundering their opposition based on their view that God, through the Bible, teaches that marriage is between one man and one woman are just wrong.

Such a view is at best shoddy, biblical scholarship. At worst, it is a very cruel lie.

The Christian Bible contains remembered stories, teachings, written memories of historical events and settings which — in some places in the text — had their origin in traditions that were over 4,000 years old by the time of Jesus’ birth. In all that time, the rules of engagement as well as the definition and practice of marriage changed a number of times.

So, to assert that the Bible reveals an unchanging and unchanged definition and practice of marriage is a monstrous fabrication. Then, to go on and claim in the very same breath that the Bible advocates the civil practices of marriage as understood and defined by Western culture in the 21st century is just plain holy smoke.

For the most part, marriage in the ancient world of Palestine and in the days of Jesus’ physical presence on earth was all about ownership of property, lines of inheritance and the recognized status of the landed, ruling class of a carefully defined economic and religious class of men. It had nothing to do — unless by happy, unintended consequences — with a relationship of mutual love and emotional support.

In terms of legal status, spiritual value and sexual behavior, women were not valued or protected in the same way as men. It is why Jesus challenged this spiritual and civil discrepancy by, among other things, intervening in the stoning of the woman “caught” in the act of adultery, (government in the bedroom again) challenging the way in which divorce was practiced and by embracing children not as property but as being the best living example of the nature of the kingdom of God.

The Bible does not teach marriage as beingbetween one man and one woman in a covenant of exclusive, spiritual and legal mutuality as well as an expectation of sexual fidelity. This is why Jesus was so clear in challenging the excessive and repressive practices of civil marriage that abused women and which were sanctioned by the all-male priesthood.

What is of greater importance to various writers of the 39 books of the Hebrew Bible and the 27 books of the Christian New Testament than a definition of marriage is the value and integrity of committed relationships. In regard to this critically important teaching, we still struggle in getting it right. And if anything, perhaps too many of us clergy, as well as many others, are not practicing what the Bible actually teaches.

One more time and for the record: Clergy preaching that the Bible, in the name of God, defines marriage as between one man and one woman are wrong. Further, the hostility, self-righteous bigotry and condemnation of gay and lesbian couples that their “priestly” comments enflame are examples of the very same religious bigotry that Jesus challenged 2,000 years ago.

What the Bible really teaches is the importance of a loving, committed relationship that liberates the heart and soul from the power of hate, loneliness and despair.

Are we not all entitled to have such a relationship recognized and protected by law? I believe such a relationship is already blessed under heaven.

The Rev. Kenneth W. Chalker is the senior pastor of University Circle United Methodist Church in Cleveland.

via cleveland.com

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The Outlook Newspaper - June 8, 2012 Issue

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:07:16 -0400

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The Outlook Newspaper - June 8, 2012 Issue

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:07:15 -0400

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Writer's effort highlights many 'Legendary Locals of Berea' - Around the Town | cleveland.com

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 19:31:34 -0400

The publication is one of just five new books to date, heralding the beginning of a new national “Legendary Locals” series by Arcadia Publishing of Columbia, S.C., publishers of the widely-known “Images of America” series.

“There are probably two hundred or more notable Bereans, living and deceased,” in the book, Mote said, explaining that Arcadia “wanted at least a third of the people in it to be contemporaries.”

William “Bill” Allman, founder and director of the Berea Summer Theatre; Cleveland Browns football legend Lou “The Toe” Groza; former Mayor John “Jack” Kafer and his wife, Joan; the Revs. John Garrity and Leroy McCreary; local historian Betsy Menzel; former Baldwin-Wallace College President Alfred Bryan “A.B.” Bonds and his wife, Georgianne; Dr. Ed White; and the late John Michael Tebelak, of “Godspell” fame, are among those appearing in the book.

via cleveland.com

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Happy Memorial Day 2012!

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:35:33 -0400

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RSVP: All-Church Potluck Sunday, June 3, Great Hall, 12:30pm Celebrating the Men in our Lives Join us for food, fun and a time of celebration!

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:56:02 -0400

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The Outlook Newspaper - May 11, 2012 Issue

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:02:46 -0400

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President of Case Western Reserve University, is our MENS Group Forum Speaker next Sunday, May 6, at 9:30am

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:40:10 -0400

Barbara Snyder, President of Case Western Reserve University, is our MENS Group Forum Speaker next Sunday, May 6, at 9:30am.

Ms. Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from The Ohio State University and a law degree from the University of Chicago. Before becoming President of CWRU in 2007, she was the Executive Vice-President and Provost of The Ohio State University. During her tenure as President of CWRU, the university has overcome a $20 million budget deficit, increased fundraising by nearly $60 million, and increased research dollars by more than $15 million.

University Circle United Methodist Church
1919 E. 107th Street at Chester

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Welcome Bishop Sally Dyck and Sarah Ehrman, Teaching and Preaching at UCUMC on Sunday, April 15th.

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:09:07 -0400

We will welcome Bishop Sally Dyck and Sarah Ehrman to UCUMC on Sunday. They are the authors of A Hopeful Earth: Faith, Science, and the Message of Jesus, which focuses on questions of faith, science and responsibility in our relationship to God’s creation.

Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Yoder Room as Bishop Dyck and Ms. Ehrman ask us to consider “Would Jesus Bless This Food?” We acknowledge the importance of food in our biblical faith but would Jesus bless the food that we are producing and eating?

Join us for worship at 11:00 a.m., when Bishop Dyck will share the morning message, “Practicing Resurrection.” The morning’s scripture is John 20:19-31.

Sally Dyck is a Bishop of the Minnesota Conference of the United Methodist Church. Prior to her election as Bishop in 2004, she served the faith communities of Church of the Redeemer and Garfield Memorial United Methodist Church. Sarah Ehrman is an educator specializing in environmental science with high school students in Napa, CA. She is Sally’s niece and the daughter of UMUMC members Jane and Jim Ehrman.

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The Outlook Newspaper - April 13, 2012 Issue

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:09:46 -0400

April 13, 2012 Issue

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Holy Week Events at University Circle UMC...Please join us!

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:10:53 -0400

Maundy Thursday – 7:30pm
This contemplative Maundy Thursday communion service remembers Jesus’ Last Supper with his
disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin “mandatum,” meaning “commandment” and refers to the
new commandment Jesus gave his disciples to love one another as he had loved them.

Good Friday – 7:30pm
Christians around the world set aside time on Good Friday to contemplate Christ’s suffering and death
on the cross. Our evening service is one of solemnity, prayer, music and meditation.Easter Sunday
8:30am – “Son-rise” in the Circle – a brief service on our south lawn with Dr. Ken Chalker and Rev.
Ralph Fotia sharing an ancient story, a present reality and a future hope.

8:30-10am – Pancake Breakfast in our Great Hall. Suggested price is $4.00/person.11:00am - Alleluia! Christ is Risen! After the solemnity and sacrifice of Lent and the passion of Holy
Week, join us amid the sounds of choirs, brass and timpani as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
Christ and the fulfillment of his promise of life everlasting.

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Join us for Palm | Passion Sunday Worship at 11am

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:28:34 -0400

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Special Event sponsored by the Outreach Committee of UCUMC

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:17:52 -0400

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2012 Holy Week Schedule at University Circle UMC

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 22:53:53 -0400

Palm/Passion Sunday – April 1, 11am. Commemorate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem amid waving palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” And then, before the end of this service, listen for the distant shouts of “Crucify him!”

Maundy Thursday – April 5, 7:30pm. This contemplative Maundy Thursday communion service of Impending Shadows remembers Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. “Maundy” comes from the Latin mandatum, meaning “commandment” and referring to the new commandment Jesus gave his disciples at the Last Supper…to love one another as he had loved them (John 13:34).

Good Friday – April 6, 7:30pm. Christians around the world set aside time on this Good Friday to contemplate Christ’s suffering and death on the cross. Our evening service is one of solemnity, prayer and meditation.

Easter Sunday – April 8.
8:30am – “Son-rise in the Circle” – a brief service on our south lawn.
9-10:30am – Pancake breakfast in our Great Hall.
11:00am – Alleluia! Christ is Risen! After the solemnity and sacrifice of Lent and the passion of Holy Week, join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of his promise of life everlasting.

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The Outlook Newspaper - March 16, 2012 Issue

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 13:31:41 -0500

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Special Event sponsored by the Outreach Committee March Thrift Drive

Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:50:04 -0500

March Thrift Drive—Three Sundays, March 11-25
We are collecting items for Norma Herr Women’s Center and the Vietnam Veterans.
For the Women’s Shelter:

small toiletries (hotel-size shampoos, conditioners, lotions, soaps)
socks, flip flops
laundry soaps and cleaning supplies
diapers

And, for the Vietnam Veterans:

jewelry and eyeglasses
arts and craft supplies
cameras, clocks and radios
clothing (all styles, sizes and accessories), purses and backpacks

The Norma Herr Women’s Center (NHWC) houses the largest shelter for homeless women and women with children in Cuyahoga County. Services at the NHWC are available 24/7, 365 days per year. Formerly known as the Community Women’s Shelter, the NHWC recently changed its name to honor Norma Herr, a long-time resident of the shelter. Norma was an elderly woman whose courage in the face of homelessness and mental illness served as an inspiration to other residents and to staff. The NHWC also offers onsite homeless prevention services.

The Center can accommodate up to 125 women, but averages about 85 women per night. In addition to beds, the shelter provides meeting spaces, a kitchen and dining area, showers and laundry facilities and a place to access needed community resources. NHWC Program Specialists work with residents to help them achieve self sufficiency, employment, access to alcohol and other drug treatment, assistance with benefits and personal finances and ultimately access to permanent housing.

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is the only congressionally chartered national Vietnam veterans service organization. Over the years, VVA has been the primary organization insisting that the U.S. Government hold up its obligation to all veterans.

The VVA is a critical support service for our returning veterans. VVA became a membership organization in 1979 and set to work on the issues it remains committed to today:

• Improving the general welfare and hospital care of all veterans, especially homeless and disabled veterans
• Assisting veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other disabilities
• Working closely with veterans of other conflicts
• Taking the lead on women and minority veterans’ issues

In order to raise much-needed funds in support of their various facilities and services to veterans and their families, VVA sells donations in bulk to various operators across the country. Your donations might be purchased by thrift operators and resold in second hand stores or shipped to developing nations to provide affordable clothing for others.

OneCoolGod @ University Circle UMC

The Outlook Newspaper - August 31, 2012 Issue

The Outlook Newspaper - July 13, 2012 Issue

Annual Conference is This Week

Bible's message is misinterpreted by clergy opposed to same-sex marriage: Messages of Faith | cleveland.com

The Outlook Newspaper - June 8, 2012 Issue

The Outlook Newspaper - June 8, 2012 Issue

Writer's effort highlights many 'Legendary Locals of Berea' - Around the Town | cleveland.com

Happy Memorial Day 2012!

RSVP: All-Church Potluck Sunday, June 3, Great Hall, 12:30pm Celebrating the Men in our Lives Join us for food, fun and a time of celebration!

The Outlook Newspaper - May 11, 2012 Issue

President of Case Western Reserve University, is our MENS Group Forum Speaker next Sunday, May 6, at 9:30am

Welcome Bishop Sally Dyck and Sarah Ehrman, Teaching and Preaching at UCUMC on Sunday, April 15th.

The Outlook Newspaper - April 13, 2012 Issue

Holy Week Events at University Circle UMC...Please join us!

Join us for Palm | Passion Sunday Worship at 11am

Special Event sponsored by the Outreach Committee of UCUMC

2012 Holy Week Schedule at University Circle UMC

The Outlook Newspaper - March 16, 2012 Issue

Special Event sponsored by the Outreach Committee March Thrift Drive

Easter Lilies Order Form