This week's author is Cecile Gilson, Assistant to the Conference Minister for the Connecticut Conference, UCC.
The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you." So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days' walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"
And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
I mean, brothers and sisters, the appointed time has grown short; from now on, let even those who have wives be as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no possessions, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
There is a recurring theme throughout the lectionary readings for this week. It is one of "Change," a change for the better, toward a more just and compassionate world. The "kindom" of God is come near and the old ways will slip away.
It is appropriate that these passages are being read at a time of great change in our country. I am not naive enough to think that a new president will bring about the societal changes that are necessary to bring our country closer to a reality of God's vision. It does seem to me, though, that the conversation has begun and our thinking is beginning to change from a "me" society to an "us" society.
This is "our" world, "our" gift from God. Together we can strive to become the more just world we need. We pray God's blessing upon the new administration and our country as we journey toward peace and justice.
Compassionate God, We ask your blessing this day for President Barack Obama as he is inaugurated, and for the rest of the new administration. This is a momentous occasion for our nation and these are difficult times. We ask your guidance and your blessing on this journey. Amen.
Please remember our Conference Minister, the Rev. Dr. Davida Foy Crabtree, as she continues treatment for breast cancer. You can follow her progress and leave messages for her at this site:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/davidacrabtree
Please also remember:
Peg Zappulla, wife of the Rev. Jon T. Zappulla, interim pastor of Bunker Hill Congregational Church, UCC, of Waterbury, who is hospitalized and seriously ill with cancer;
Cheryl McNamee, daughter of the Rev. Al Turner, pastor of South Congregational Church UCC in East Hartford, who will have breast cancer surgery on Jan. 21st;
the loved ones of MaryAnn Halibozek, church secretary at Immanuel Congregational Church UCC in Hartford, who died last Sunday after a short struggle with a malignant brain tumor;
the Rev. Barbara Libby, interim pastor in this conference, who has completed treatment for breast cancer with gratitude for the prayers and the presence of God throughout;
Alden Tyrol, retired Director of Silver Lake, who is recovering from pneumonia at home;
Cecile Gilson, Assistant to the Conference Minister, on the death of her brother-in-law on December 29;
members of the Conference staff who are ill or recovering from broken bones;
the Rev. M. J. Hinchliff, pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, UCC of East Haddam, who is being treated for breast cancer;
the leaders of this nation, especially newly inaugurated President Barack Obama that they may meet the challenges of the day with insight, wisdom, and compassion;
those suffering due to the ongoing financial woes of the nation, be they struggling to meet an unaffordable mortgage, confronting the loss of a job, or working to find just resolutions to the crisis; and
those serving or living in war or conflict zones around the world, or where terrorists have struck, particularly in Gaza, Israel, Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, Georgia, India, Pakistan, and the Sudan.
To be added to the prayer list, please send an email to your Regional Minister or to webmaster@ctucc.org.
Hamden
Dunbar United Church of Christ
P The Rev. George Manukas
Hamden
Mt. Carmel Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Douglas J. House
CE Ms. Karen Baranski
Hamden
Spring Glen Church
P The Rev. Andrew J. Nagy-Benson
AP The Rev. Nancy W. Strickland
CE Ms. Barbara Butler
Hamden
Whitneyville United Church of Christ
P The Rev. Carolyn L. Young
Hampton
Hampton Cong'l Church
P The Rev. Howard A. Mayer
To read previous editions of the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/spiritcalendar/
To learn more about or subscribe to the Spirit Calendar, visit:
http://www.ctucc.org/fido/
The Spirit Calendar: January 20, 2009 by Cecile Gilson, Assistant to the Conference Minister
