Life & Faith will gather at High Park Bar and Grill on Monday, July 6. Anyone – whether part of CUCC or from the community – is welcome to come for this monthly gathering of whoever shows up to swap ideas about the intersection of the day to day of life with what one believes.
Our start time is moving 15 minutes later
To allow people time to participate in the A Peals for Peace (6:00-6:15PM at CUCC) then drive to Life & Faith, we are starting 15 minutes later than usual.
Place your food order: 6:45 PM
Conversation: 7:15-8:15 PM
Given that high temperatures expected on Monday, look for the red Life & Faith comma centerpiece on our table inside. Whether you buy a meal or only a drink, you are welcome. Our two guidelines are to tip generously (Christians are notoriously terrible tippers and the wait staff is wonderful) and not to repeat what was said to those not in attendance that night.
Anyone can bring a question from their own life for the group to chew over. If no one has a question, Jane Smith (group convener) prepares a back up question. If you would like to receive the monthly email reminder, let Jane know (contact info in Breeze or via office.cucc@gmail.com).
July back-up question
In this July 4th week there is much talk of “freedom from” – freedom from government restriction of our inalienable rights. As people of God’s kindom, an interesting question for us is “What or who are we free for?” The apostle Paul, like us, was struggling with nurturing multi-cultural churches when some folks were intent on insisting that people who wish to be Christians must first become Jewish (monoculture). In Paul’s letter to the Galatians (cool, short cartoon summary of the letter to the Galatians here), Paul writes “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” And for what or for whom are we free? “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
In our country where the government does not establish a particular religion, we can’t extrapolate from Paul’s writings to the political freedoms of all US citizens. But we can explore what and whom we, as people of the Spirit, are free for. Which brings me to the second part of our back-up question. CUCCer Jeanne Ledbetter has invited friends on her Facebook page to post “Beginning today let’s spend devoted time to historical events and positive experiences during the last 250 years. I welcome any comments you have of a time in history that is special to you.” Another way of issuing Jeanne’s invitation might be “Who are people in US history who inspire you by what or whom they realized they were free for?”