Brecksville

On three Monday evenings in August, we will show three TED Talks, each serving as a springboard for some timely discussions. The speakers and topics are:

• August 6 – Jonathan Haidt – Can a Divided America Heal?
• August 13 – Verna Myers – How to Overcome our Biases? Walk Boldly Toward Them!
• August 20 – Karen Armstrong – My Wish: The Charter for Compassion

These events will begin at 7:00 PM in Pilgrim Hall. In addition to viewing the approximately 20 minute-long video, we will also share some light refreshments and some lively conversations. Each evening and topic can “stand alone” – so feel free to attend any or all of them.

Please invite a friend to join you! All are welcome!

On Saturday, June 2, 2018, several members of our congregation marched in the parade that kicked off the event, reminding all present that they are welcome here at BUCC. [Click on the title of this post to see pictures]. We were joined by many community groups and other UCC congregations to celebrate inclusiveness and acceptance of everyone, regardless of gender or orientation.

One of our members felt that “we’re marching in support of those who’ve felt excluded from church and religion in general.”

Also, on May 1, 2, & 3rd, you can support Edna House by eating at Melt Bar & Grilled (so good!) and presenting the flyer you can download and print this flyer.

Sunday, May 13th is our annual Mother’s Day collection!

This year we will be collecting donations to benefit Edna House (as we did last year) to help women who are in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. We will collect funds as well as items:

• Clean, gently worn clothing, professional attire, shoes, pocketbooks, briefcases, backpacks, scarves, accessories, and jewelry for Spring and Summer wear, new socks and new packaged underwear—please place in garbage bags (no boxes and no hangers needed!).
• Notebooks, pencils, highlighters, pens, paints, canvases, brushes, Big Books and 12 x 12 Books, and journals (no paperback novels!)
• Unopened toiletries that do not contain alcohol!
• Cleaning products such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, floor cleaner, bathroom cleaner, bleach, sponges, spray bottles, mops, and large black garbage bags
• Canned food, condiments, and nonperishable snacks, coffee, creamer and sugar
• Paper towels, toilet paper, personal hygiene products
• Gift Cards, Bus Passes, Postage Stamps!
• Flash drives, resume and copier paper and envelopes for Job Development
• Light bulbs and extension cords
• Prayers are ALWAYS welcome!

Find out more about Edna House at ednahouse.org

Please join us for worship this Sunday, the most glorious day in the church calendar.

• 7:00 AM Sunrise Service at the Highland Cemetery in Brecksville.
• 10:00 AM Easter Celebration in our sanctuary.

Alleluia! Jesus Christ is risen!

Please join us to hear:

• Kyung Ah Oh, violin
• Christine Hill, piano

Sunday, April 29, 2018 At 4:00 PM

Program will include works by Beethoven,
Ysaÿe, Grieg, and Wieniawski.

Free-will offering will be taken. A reception with light snacks will follow.
Brecksville UCC is located at the intersection of Routes 82 & 21,
23 Public Square, Brecksville, Ohio
(Due to construction on 82, please enter from Arlington Road, 1 block south of 82 on 21.)

For further information, call 440-526-4364.

That’s a question we will be discussion for five Tuesday evenings in Lent, from 7:00-8:15 pm in Pilgrim Hall. For this series, we will look at the “Beatitudes” which are found in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, and in Jesus’ “Sermon on the Plain” in Luke. In addition to comparing both Gospel accounts, we will utilize some intriguing insights from a set of daily devotional readings by Franciscan priest Richard Rohr. Plus, we will share the issues, questions, thoughts and ideas that each of you bring to the table!

The topics for the evenings will be:

• Feb. 20 – Blessed are the poor [in spirit]
• Feb. 27 – Blessed are those who mourn,.
• March 6 – Blessed are the pure in heart
• March 13 – Blessed are the peacemakers
• March 20 – Blessed are those who are persecuted

Sunday February 11 at 7 PM – 9 PM
We will be watching Valarie Kaur’s TED talk on Revolutionary Love and follow with an engaging discussion.

In a time of deep polarization and escalating hate, Revolutionary Love is the call of our times. Every Valentine’s Day, the word “love” is captured by Hallmark cards, sidelined as personal and romantic — too fickle and sentimental to be a political force.
Love is more than a feeling, it is sweet labor. When we love even in times of crisis, we can transform relationships, our country, and our future. Love becomes revolutionary.
Across the country, people concerned with the state of our communities and our country have mounted a powerful resistance against hate and the dangerous policies and rhetoric of this administration. This year, we will need to maintain a strong defense against actions that threaten the very pillars of our democracy. But resistance alone is not enough: We will burn out, or worse, we will start to mirror the vitriol we are resisting, especially as we enter the 2018 midterms.
So this year, let’s come together to #ReclaimLove!

Refreshments will be served. Feel free to bring snacks to share as well. ALL are welcome!