A MESSAGE

FROM THE PRESIDENT

OF ST. MARK'S

CONSISTORY

 

August/September 

2025

 

John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; I have overcome the world."

 

It's summertime.  The time of warm weather, vacations, swimming, time outside, and just a more laid-back atmosphere.  But is it for everyone?  Most of my newsletters have been about the church and what your role is as a member of St. Mark's.  Now I ask you, what is your role as a community member, a neighbor, a person living in this world?

 

Throughout the day we are bombarded with negative news about what is happening in the world.  Whether it be political, weather-related, or war news.  I feel I can be overwhelmed and refuse to look at social media and the news to give myself a break.

 

The Bible verse above tells us that we will have tribulation here on earth.  This is so secret, and we know that God is still with us during these times and I believe fighting even harder for us.  But what should we as Christians be doing during these times?  If you were in church on July 13, Janet Lewis preached a very good sermon on WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?  If you were not there or did not watch it, I ask that you take time to do so.

 

The basis of her sermon was the well-known parable of the Good Samaritan.  I've heard it many times throughout my life and the meaning of it was always helping others.  This time I walked away with so much more.  Not just to help others but who those others are.  It is not up to us to decide who should be helped and who should not.  We are all GOD'S children and therefore we all deserved to be helped.

 

So, I ask you not to turn off the news or social media or any other platform that is used.  It is important that we know what is going on in the world.  I ask you to turn off the labels that are used.  Jesus did not use labels.  He helped the women at the well, ate with a tax collector, and told stories like the Good Samaritan to teach us to not label people but to help them and be there for them.

 

Being a member of St. Mark's UCC we have several easy paths to help people provided to us.  Whether it be through One Great Hour of Sharing, Disaster Relief, or the special collections we do as a church to help our community. I ask you to choose one and not worry about the label someone might have placed on the person receiving it but just know they are a child of God and therefore deserve help.

 

1 John 3:17  "But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?"

 

Blessings from your Consistory President

Heather Stone

"No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey,

you are always welcome here."

 

BLUE CHRISTMAS

Blue Christmas, also referred to as "The Longest Night," is a day in the Advent season when Christian denominations hold a quiet and contemplative worship service as an alternative to the the more traditional holiday gatherings.  For those experiencing grief and struggling with loss, the service is a recognition of the stress, sadness and loneliness experienced by those who have loss loved ones -- family and/or friends.

The service is traditionally held on or around the longest night of the year, falling on or around December 21st, the Winter Solstice.  Opportunities for expression of grief, pain, and heartbreak are often included in the worship service as well as the opportunity to focus on the promise of hope found in Christ during the Christmas season.

Amid many of their Christmas services, many United Church of Christ congregations are honoring those mourning the loss of a loved one.

"Advent, Christmas and the New Year create opportunities for us to minister to people's spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being," said reverend Sarah Lund, U.C.C. Minister for Disabilities and mental Health Justice in December 2022.  "It's a time of the yeare where we are vulnerable to additional stress, anxieties, feeling overwhelmed, loneliness and feelings of sadness.  We may turn to coping mechanisms that are harmful to us and others.  Some people are triggered this time of year as they navigate personal histories of trauma and unresolved grief.  It's a season that calls forth the faithful witness of the church to share  messages of hope and love for people experiencing mental health challenges and their loved ones."

While congregations are preparing for the upcoming Christmas season, many are also mindful of pain in their communities and are making space in their spiritual practices for those who may be struggling.  One of the ways that UCC churches support grieving members is through the Blue Christmas Service.

"UCC Congregations are providing meaningful worship and connection by offering Blue Christmas gatherings, a time of authentic worship during Advent and Christmas that acknowledges the complex feelings this time of years brings," Lund said.  "At a Blue Christmas Service, it is OK to not be OK.  It is OK to not feel happy, jolly, or bright.  It's OK if it is not the most wonderful time of the year."

Here at St. Mark's the opportunity exists for those experiencing grief and struggling with loss.  St. Mark's worship service usually draws small, inimate groups of those mourning the loss of a loved one.