For the next nine weeks, during our season of Easter, we will be focusing our worship around building the kin-dom of God. Now, you may wonder what “kin-dom” is all about…like, could they just be misspelling Kingdom? I’ll admit, when I first heard the term years ago, I thought that someone was pronouncing kingdom wrong or possibly using an interesting accent.

Well, here’s what we’re learning about the difference: A kingdom in itself is about power. Kingdoms are about dominance, control, and the singular influence of one person who has authority to rule. God’s Kingdom, however, is truly a KIN-dom. The word “kin” means family, so it makes sense that kin-dom is about our family of faith – our community. The kin-dom of God is inclusive, non-hierarchical, relational, full of compassion, and justice-oriented. A true kin-dom is, therefore, a community of equals.

Throughout this series, including our AMAZING week of Vacation Bible School (June 5-9), we will wonder together about what it means to build the kin-dom of God. We’ll remember the story of Abram and Sarai and how they built altars on their journey. We’ll remember the story of the Tower of Babel and how ego got in the way of going out and doing God’s work in the world. We’ll remember the story of Solomon as he supervised the building of the Temple over 7 long years. We’ll remember the parables of the House on the Rock and the Mustard Seed. Finally, we’ll remember how Jesus called the disciples and asked them to be “fishers of men.”

We’ll wonder together what God’s calling is for us as individuals and as a community of faith. How can we build the kin-dom of God? What are WE, as the church, called to do?

With love, always,
Emily Jamison Guerrero
Director of Children's Ministries

Dear friends, 
My name is Meghan Hatcher. My spouse, Corey, and I first attended UCC on Easter Sunday 2022 and joined the church officially in December. It’s been our distinct joy to be part of this beautiful, caring, and affirming community of faith. Thank you for welcoming us so fully. 

If you’re reading this message on Good Friday, we are midway through the Triduum – the three days spanning the evening of Maundy Thursday to Easter Sunday. As we enter this period in the Church’s calendar, the movements of our faith’s story and our liturgies pick up speed. It’s a veritable sprint from Jesus sacrificially washing his friends’ feet; to his brutal arrest and crucifixion at the hands of the Roman state; and finally, to his totally improbable resurrection. So much unfolds in these three days and, if you’re like me, you’re prone to rush past the emotions of it all. 

As people of faith in 2023 we have the tremendous benefit of history. We know how this story ends. We know that what John 19:30 tells us was not, in fact, Jesus’ final act: “When Jesus had received the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” But what if for today you place yourself in the role of Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus, the two men who received Jesus’ beaten and lifeless body, prepared it for burial, and laid it in the empty tomb (John 19:38-42)? What might it have felt like to truly believe your teacher, friend, and the person who just might be the Messiah, was dead? Gone. No more. 

My encouragement to us all is that we sit with the grief, discomfort, and unknowing of Good Friday. Because in reality, Good Friday is a lot like our lives sometimes, isn’t it? We don’t always know that Love wins, hope is coming, and grief will be defeated. Let us not rush past this reality, but instead, pause long enough to feel the weight of Good Friday. That way the incredible hope of Easter Sunday will be that much more precious this year. 

In faith, 
Meghan 

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