This Week at Glade

This Week at Glade Church

(October 28 – November 3, 2024)

     Glade Church, a United Church of Christ (UCC) congregation, is a progressive Christian community—welcoming, compassionate, and joyful—seeking to embrace all people wherever they find themselves in life.  We strive to discern God’s still-speaking voice through worship, study, fellowship, and service. We work for God’s peace and social, economic, and ecological justice. We seek a greater understanding of ourselves and others, recognizing that all persons are members of our one human family, God’s family.

WORD FOR THE WEEK: Presence

Scripture for the Week

Ruth 1:1-18 (Common English Bible)

¹ During the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. A man with his wife and two sons went from Bethlehem of Judah to dwell in the territory of Moab. ²The name of that man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the territory of Moab and settled there.
³But Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died. Then only she was left, along with her two sons. ⁴They took wives for themselves, Moabite women; the name of the first was Orpah and the name of the second was Ruth. And they lived there for about ten years.
⁵But both of the sons, Mahlon and Chilion, also died. Only the woman was left, without her two children and without her husband.
⁶Then she arose along with her daughters-in-law to return from the field of Moab, because while in the territory of Moab she had heard that the Lord had paid attention to his people by providing food for them. ⁷She left the place where she had been, and her two daughters-in-law went with her. They went along the road to return to the land of Judah.
⁸Naomi said to her daughters-in-law, “Go, turn back, each of you to the household of your mother. May the Lord deal faithfully with you, just as you have done with the dead and with me. ⁹May the Lord provide for you so that you may find security, each woman in the household of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.
¹⁰But they replied to her, “No, instead we will return with you, to your people.”
¹¹Naomi replied, “Turn back, my daughters. Why would you go with me? Will there again be sons in my womb, that they would be husbands for you? ¹²Turn back, my daughters. Go. I am too old for a husband. If I were to say that I have hope, even if I had a husband tonight, and even more, if I were to bear sons – ¹³would you wait until they grew up? Would you refrain from having a husband? No, my daughters. This is more bitter for me than for you, since the Lord’s will has come out against me.”
¹⁴Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her. ¹⁵Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her gods. Turn back after your sister-in-law.”
¹⁶But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to abandon you, to turn back from following after you. Wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. ¹⁷Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do this to me and more so if even death separates me from you.” ¹⁸When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her about it.

Pastor Kelly’s Comments on the Scripture

Experiences of food insecurity and migration bring these three women together. Naomi and her husband come to Moab to escape famine in their homeland of Judah. While in Moab, Naomi becomes a widow, but her two sons marry Moabite women. There is hope that male children will be born in the next generation to provide. Unfortunately, Naomi’s sons also pass away, leaving Orpah and Ruth childless.

As heartbreaking as death can be, in the culture in which these women lived, it also meant that they had no protection, no means of income, and no hope for the future. Aside from that, there was now famine in Moab. Naomi’s only hope was to return home and pray that she may survive in Judah. She had heard that God was giving the people there food.

She tells her daughters-in-law to return to their fathers’ houses. They are still young enough that they may marry again, and even if they don’t, they have fathers, brothers, and other male relatives that can provide for them. Orpah returns, showing good, practical sense. But Ruth vows to remain with Naomi until death parts them.

Whatever Ruth’s circumstances, her staying with Naomi is a gift of grace to her mother-in-law that Naomi doesn’t see at first – not until after they return to Judah and the other women tell her that Ruth’s love for her is worth that of seven sons. When Naomi commands her to return home, Ruth doesn’t argue with Naomi’s forlorn words or perception of her situation. She doesn’t assert her own beliefs. She simply stays. She refuses to leave. She swears to do what none of Naomi’s other family could do – stay.

There are times when someone we care about goes through events in life that are devastating. Heartbreaking. Things that change their lives forever, never to be the same, and not always for the better. It’s in these times that the best thing we can do is not offer words of comfort or try to “fix” anything that is happening. It’s simply to be a presence in our friend’s life. To be a constant assurance that they are not alone during this time of struggle. Sometimes love is a silent presence – something that seems so simple, but can be so important to someone in need.

Kelly Bryant

Office Day Next Week: Monday November 4^th Kelly isn’t listing hours to not place limits on their availability to you. Please contact them for a meeting at a time that fits your schedule on office days. Should you need Pastor Kelly outside of these days, please don’t hesitate to contact them.

540-521-9993, [email protected].

Lectionary Readings for the Week

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 — Ruth 1:1-18 — Psalm 146 — Hebrews 9:11-14 — Mark 12:28-34

IN OTHER WORDS

Taken from:

Stand By Me
By: Ben King, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller

When the night has come and the land is dark
and the moon is the only light we’ll see
I won’t be afraid, no, I won’t be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

Ecclesiastical Council for the Examination of Kelly Bryant for Ordination

On Sunday, November 3^rd, the Ecclesiastical Council will interview and vote on Ordination for Kelly during the Shenandoah Association meeting. As the meeting will be held over Zoom, the church would like to invite everyone to return to the building and participate in a “Watch Party” to be present for the interview and show our support for Kelly during the Council meeting. The Association meeting begins at 4 PM and the Ecclesiastical Council is scheduled to begin at approximately 5 PM. Support Kelly by joining us for the watch party, and feel free to bring a snack to share!
Click this link to read Kelly’s Ordination Paper: UCC Ordination Paper

If you can’t make it back to church that evening to participate, register as a guest to attend the Zoom meeting here: Association Zoom Registration
Meeting link: Association Zoom Link

Spiritual Formation Class has begun!

Spiritual Formation for adults and Youth Group meets on the first and third Sundays of each month. Next meeting date is Sunday November 3.

Volunteers needed for Kids Church and Youth Group

There are leader slots available for youth, kids, and nursery. Session topic info is available on the sign-up link below. Youth Group is on the first and third Sundays of each month at 9:45 AM. Kids Church is on the second and fourth Sundays of each month during worship service. Here is the link to sign up to serve our children: Kids Church and Youth Group Volunteer Signup

Laundry Love Coffee Fundraiser

We are doing a coffee sales fundraiser to support Laundry Love! An order form is included in the email with this newsletter, and we hope you will help by sharing the sale with your family and friends. Coffee makes a great Christmas gift! Each bag of coffee is $15, and $4 of each bag sold will go toward Laundry Love at Glade Church. Each type of coffee is available in whole bean or ground. Completed order forms and payment are due on 11/17. Checks should be made out to Glade Church.

Sunday, November 3 from 2-4 PM and Thursday, November 14 from 6-8PM at North Main Laundromat.

Laundry Love has opportunities to volunteer.  This is a great way to put “Words” into “Actions” of faith and love. We do this at the laundromat on North Main across from the Y-Thrift Shop. Click below to volunteer!

VOLUNTEER FOR LAUNDRY LOVE

Laundry Love is Always Looking for Volunteers on 1^st & 3^rd Sunday & 2^nd & 4^th Thursday

2025 Pledge Cards

To help Council plan for next year’s budget, the 2025 Pledge Cards are due by November 10^th. Cards are available on the podiums at the front and rear of the Sanctuary. A digital version is also included in the email with this newsletter. You are welcome to drop your card into the offering plate or email a digital copy to the church at [email protected]. Thank you!

Glade Church gleaned turnips!

Glade Church volunteers gleaned approximately 280 lbs. of turnips on Saturday 10/26.

Wednesday Mornings- Coffee & Devotion on Zoom — October 30 @ 10am

This virtual get-together meets at 10 a.m. on Zoom and lasts for about an hour. It’s a time to meet people, share your thoughts, hear a brief devotion, offer prayer requests, and join in prayer.  Everyone is welcome!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89240288592?pwd=KzhRWlJiQTkzWWRlYTNuRkdPaUNqUT09 Meeting ID: 892 4028 8592 Passcode: 290014

Radical Conversations [RadCon] Meets Saturdays at 11:00 am

Radical Conversations meets from 11:00-12:15 each Saturday morning at the church. This is a time for open discussion of a wide range of topics. RadCon is open to any and every interested individual.

We are doing a series of programs about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the world of religions. How might the future of AI change the nature of religion—church, synagogue, mosque, temple? How might it impact or even change you?

Last week we began with a brief article and video from the BBC [British Broadcasting Company] that you might find interesting as an introduction to the topic.

God and robots: Will AI transform religion?

BBC, 21 October 2021

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-58983047

Artificial Intelligence is changing how we interact with everything, from food to healthcare, travel and also religion.

Experts say major global faiths are discussing their relationship with AI, and some are starting to incorporate this technology into their worship. Robot priests can recite prayers, deliver sermons, and even comfort those experiencing a spiritual crisis.

BBC Global Religion reporter Sofia Bettiza has taken a look at whether AIs relationship with religion is just a gimmick, or whether it can truly transform how people experience faith.

 UCC Purpose, Vision, and Mission Statements

 Purpose: To love God with all our heart, mind soul, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. (From the Gospel of Matthew)

 Vision: United in Christ’s love, a just world for all.

Mission: United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.