The Villager Voice
With the Iowa caucuses right around the corner, we are once again entering what a dear friend referred to as “the silly season,” when the looming election threatens to steal all the air out of the room for the next eleven months. Last week I read a piece by Jim Antal, whom many of you heard speak at my installation lo those many years ago. Titled, “Preaching an Election Sermon Is Urgently Needed,” Jim harks back to the old New England custom of clergy urging their congregations to stay engaged with current, mostly local, political concerns as a way of being good citizens. The Sunday before Election Day saw packed meetinghouses as folks came to hear the local preacher outline the day’s pressing issues and pray for God’s blessings. If you want to read further, Jim’s opinion piece is here:
https://www.ucc.org/commentary-preaching-an-election-sermon-is-urgently-needed/
I agree that the church’s voice is an important one in the local commons; I’ve even been known to bring an election sermon of my own to the pulpit. Take a look at Jim’s thoughts and let me know what you think – he always provides me with food for thought.
Following last week’s postponement due to weather, we will observe Remembrance Sunday this week, reading and praying for the names of loved ones passed whom you have placed on the Remembrance Tree through Advent and Christmastide. I hope you can join us.
And a reminder as we move into this new year, if you have not yet made your pledge to the church for 2024, please do so soon. The United Church depends on the support of all our members and friends to maintain the high level of worship, pastoral care, local leadership and community engagement that we strive to provide. We can only do this with your dedicated support – and we thank you.
Links to this Sunday’s bulletin and service are here: