eNews for Thursday, June 24, 2021
Bloop
By Quinn Caldwell, author of All I Really Want: Readings for a Modern Christmas
Then the Lord answered Job: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth, when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?”—Job 38:4, 7 (NRSV)
Whether you call it singing or shouting is probably poetic license, but it turns out the author of Job was onto something: heavenly bodies really do make all kinds of noises.
Take gravitational waves: they’re ripples in the fabric of spacetime itself, caused by unimaginably giant things moving unimaginably fast. For a long time, cosmologists were theoretically sure they must exist, and while some were sure we’d be able to perceive them someday, even Einstein thought they would probably always be impossible to observe by humans.
Then in 2015, scientists were able to detect the gravitational waves created by two giant black holes circling each other and smashing together. In that moment, humanity learned that cataclysmic events a jillion miles away make the most adorable bloop sound.
The Big Bang, the explosive creation of the universe billions of years ago, would also have given off gravitational waves. So many stars springing into being, so many heavenly beings shouting for joy, so many squee-worthy bloops.
The event we observed in 2015 had this effect: the waves moving through spacetime changed the length of a 4-kilometer-long observatory by one-thousandth the width of a proton. The sound it made can’t be heard by human ears, only by those listening through specialized and highly tuned machinery.
Which is to say: the universe sings in a still, small voice. Very.
But if you believe it’s there, if you’re quite theoretically sure it must be, and if you listen long enough and hard enough, if you build a life ready to sense it when it comes, it’s entirely possible you too will hear the sound of the song of the One who laid the foundation of the universe.
Prayer
I’m listening. Amen.
2021 General Synod
A Special Virtual General Synod 33
Join us July 11–18, 2021
Registration is now open. Register now.
Since 1957, when the first “uniting” General Synod gathered in 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio, to the meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2019, the General Synod of the United Church of Christ has faithfully convened a meeting every two years in physical locations throughout the United States.
2021 will be different. We are moving through a pandemic that has taken many lives. This pandemic has disrupted our routines and many of our well-established practices as we adapt to the new demands for safety and social distancing. The meeting of the General Synod is no different, and the 2021 gathering of the General Synod will take place entirely online.
We have prayed and discerned this new way forward and look to God for guidance on doing a new thing, while grieving the inability to be together and the changes that surround us during this time of pandemic. While we would prefer to be together, we err on the side of caution, desiring to lower the risks for all and to ensure safety.
A virtual General Synod presents a significant opportunity for this body of Christ to join together in full participation at General Synod. This is an exciting opportunity for those who have always wanted to attend General Synod, or those curious about this gathering of members of the UCC. Thousands of people can join in full virtual participation. We look forward to welcoming you across the miles.
We will gather under the theme: Rooted in Love, July 11-18, 2021. You can expect the vibrancy of Spirit-led worship with prophetic preaching, music- and art-filled experiences that will anchor us. You can expect the same Spirit-filled energy in an engaging meeting of the General Synod that tends to the business and forward-momentum of the United Church of Christ. And, you can expect to learn more and connect with the UCC by attending workshops and other opportunities being prepared for you.
We are ready to journey together into our first-ever virtual General Synod where spirits will be uplifted, and connections to the Divine strengthened. Hearts and minds will be opened to the issues that inform the development of Resolutions, and knowledge and skills will be honed through workshops. Actions will be taken to make the world a better place. We are excited and hope you are too. We are ever thankful to a still-speaking God for our continued ministry with you and ever grateful to you for our shared discipleship to the risen Christ.
Welcome!
Penny Lowes, Moderator
Bob Sandman, Assistant Moderator
Karen Georgia A. Thompson, General Synod Administrator
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister & President
Learn more and register at generalsynod.org
Annual Meeting Voting Results
From the Moderator
Ballots from the annual meeting were tabulated on Monday. The results were as follows:
Proposed Budget:
- 73 Yes
- 1 No
- 1 Abstain
Election of Church Officers & Committee Members:
- 74 Yes
- 1 No
Thank you for voting!
Building Updates and Staff Vacations
The church building is reopening! Beginning Thursday, July 1, the building will be open to members and visitors during regular business hours: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am-4:00 pm.
The office will be closed Monday, July 5, for the holiday weekend.
Pastor Judith is on vacation and will return to the office Tuesday, July 6. Jackie Falk will handle pastoral emergencies while she is away.
Associated Church in Owatonna Hosts Juneteenth Community Event
The church held the public event on its lawn to open up dialogue in the community. The evening included an orientation to Juneteenth, a summary of the original Emancipation Proclamation, and a remembrance of the 1920 lynching in Duluth.
Rhubarb Festival
CHUM's Rhubarb Festival is happening this year!
Saturday, June 26, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
First United Methodist Church (Coppertop)
The 17th annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival returns this year both in person and online. The week-long celebration takes place from June 20-26. During that week, several local community partners will offer special rhubarb-themed meals and treats, including At Sara’s Table, Sir Benedict’s Tavern, Love Creamery, and more. See the entire list on the CHUM website.
Join us on June 26th at First United Methodist Church, also known as the Coppertop, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for fun, food, and Rhubarbara. Social distancing and all Minnesota Health Department protocols will be observed. The carnival will have activities for the kids, rhubarb treats, and Rhubarb Festival gear for sale.
At 3:00 pm, the CHUM Rhubarb Festival will continue online with a Livestream featuring performances by local musicians, gardening and cooking tips, and a look at how CHUM has adapted to the pandemic. There will also be an online auction starting June 25th and ending the 26th with auction items donated by CHUM Congregations.
Look for rhubarb-themed treats all around Duluth along with Rhubarbara in a Duluth Rhubarbara hunt. The longest leaf and largest stalk contest winners will be announced during the Livestream along with Rhubarb Trivia.
Sunday Worship at Pilgrim
Join us Sunday at 10:00 am for Sunday Worship at Pilgrim, in person or online. You can view the service on Pilgrim's YouTube channel and Facebook page.
You can download a Bulletin here.
This Sunday's scripture readings:
- Lamentations 3:22-33
- Mark 5:21-43
If you have an announcement that you would like read during a Sunday service, please get it to the office or directly to Pastor Judith by Monday each week.
Please send in your prayer requests to include in Sunday services. Send your prayer requests, joys, and concerns to Pastor Judith via email by Friday each week to be included. We will use only first names during the service in order to maintain confidentiality, and your prayer requests will be passed along to Marge Fraser and Pilgrim's Prayer Chain.
In case you missed it, you can view last Sunday's worship service on YouTube.
Attendance: 28
YouTube views: 12
Facebook reach: 39
Prayers and Condolences
Keep in your prayers:
- Noah, whose friend and mentor Judy Hole passed away last week
- Carol Bacig asks for prayer for Matthew, her grandson-in-law. He is in Rochester and received a liver transplant in late May. He is having a rocky road to recovery. Pray for comfort and successful healing.
- Deb and Steve ask for prayer for their son Noah and his close friend and mentor Judy, who is in hospice with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- Anita and her family as she undergoes medical treatment
- Wanda and her family as she recovers from surgery
- Betty and her family as her son undergoes medical treatment
- Andrew, as he continues with medical monitoring
Memorial for Cliff Grindy
A memorial service for Pilgrim member Cliff Grindy will be held on Friday, July 9, at 1:30 pm at Pilgrim.
Show Us Your Walks
Some lush greenery in Brewer Park
We're lucky to live in a community with so much beauty and access to nature. Send Patrick your photos to share your walks with us in future emails! It's another way to stay connected in these troubled times.
What Patrick's Listening To
A very cool modern dance piece from the Polish National Ballet, set to "Reckoner" by Radiohead.