Dear U Park Family,
Last month, I had the privilege of spending a few days with a friend of mine I’ve known since I was seven years old. We spent very little time reminiscing. Most of our conversation was about now: our perspectives on our very different careers and lives, the basic values we share, our plans for the future. Interestingly, we didn’t talk at all about our country’s current acrimonious social and political divide, or how we voted. We had more important things to discuss. I came home with greater clarity about my life and gratitude for our friendship.
What holds you together when life is hard? How do you keep going when you feel like staying in bed and pulling the covers over your head? We could probably all answer that question in a couple of ways, but for me, one of them would be that I have friends who support me. We don’t agree on everything; in some cases we don’t agree on much. But we’re committed to each other, and that can be an enormous comfort.
This Sunday, I’ll continue our current sermon series on how the resources of our faith can equip us to cope with the uncertainty, division, and turmoil around us. I’ll be focusing on the story of Ruth. In my study Bible, the Book of Ruth is less than six pages. It’s filled with ancient Israelite legal and marriage customs, and so it can feel strange to us. But this short story has a lot to say about how community and commitment to each other can transform our lives, even (or perhaps especially) when we haven’t done anything to earn the blessings that companionship can bring us. I hope you’ll join us in worship on Sunday, either at 9:00 in Wasser Chapel or at 11:00 in our main Sanctuary. If you can’t be present in person, you can watch the 11:00 service live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/UParkumcdenver/) or catch it later in the day on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/UniversityParkUMCDenver).
Last week, we postponed our visitation blast to this Sunday. Like most churches, we have members who find it difficult to get to worship in person. The visitation blast is one way we let them know that we treasure them and think of them. It’s easy to join in – after worship we’ll have cards with the names and addresses of people to be visited, and a treat like some trail mix or a pie to take to their home. Just pick up a card and a treat and deliver them. If you get the chance to say hi or chat, even better. It’s a way of letting people know that they’re still part of us, and to meet people who you may not know.
This Sunday, we’re also teaming up with After Hours (led by my friend Logan Robertson, who offered a dialogue sermon with me a few week ago) in a winter clothing drive for Porter Hospital. Porter often admits homeless people through their emergency department, and when they’re discharged they have almost nothing to wear. We can help by providing coats, hats, warm socks, gloves, shoes, and the like. We’ll collect them for the next two weeks, then take them over to Porter so that people who have almost nothing will at least be able to stay warm when they’re released from the hospital. If you have extra winter gear you don’t wear anymore, this is a chance to put it to good use.
About a month ago, we sent out 2024 contribution statements by email. Since then, I’ve had several calls from people who didn’t get theirs, or who needed a hard copy mailed to them. If you’re in either of those categories, give me a call at the church or email me (adunning@uparkumc.org) to let me know, and I’ll be happy to send it out. I can also give you instructions to find your giving records on Breeze, our church database, if you have a Breeze account.
I hope you’re staying warm in these arctic temperatures, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Andy