It's Summertime!

Sunday was our last service of the church year - we will return to Emerson on August 5.

Here are links to the meditation and sermon that Dave Hogg gave on Sunday.

It was also the last Sunday that Pam Klueck will be with us. Her music will be missed, but not nearly as much as her charm, beauty and grace. Good luck at Bowling Green!

Church Picnic 2007

Rob and His Models
Originally uploaded by Emerson Church

You want one of these t-shirts.

You NEED one of these t-shirts.

They will change your life.

More pictures from Emerson's 2007 Church Picnic at Flickr.

This Sunday - June 17

Parents and Guardians Sunday

On this Father’s Day, we will be honoring all those people who are charged with caring for our children. Even in the best of times, child rearing is a challenge. Thus, it is important for all of us in the Emerson community to acknowledge and support these special people. We will also be honoring our R.E. teachers. Hope to see you. ~ Rev. Harold W. Beu

This Sunday - June 10

Surviving the Worst

We cannot always control the events in our life. Sometimes the worst happens and we may find it hard to go on without bitterness, anxiety or depression. But if we are to live a good life, we need to find a way of thinking that helps us to let go of our own anguish. That does not mean we forget the event or ignore a person’s cruel behavior. Rather, it refers to an inward event that allows us to continue to live a good life, even when the worst has happen to us. ~ Rev. Harold W. Beu

Don't forget Emerson's annual picnic will follow Sunday's service!

Walking Together

I enjoy and cherish our members and friends of Emerson. We have a church that has the potential for growth in spirit and influence in the community. We may be small, but we offer a spiritual community that is much like a family with an intimacy that provides a warm and caring community. Plus, we embrace our mission which is to promote the principles of liberal religion.

Even with our small numbers, I look to provide some important programs and committees that people will be interested in. I am especially interested in working with the Social Justice Committee because I believe it is important to do good works for our community and future generations. But I also think it is important that we do not become so provincial that we are only concerned about our own needs. There is much to do in the world, and I can understand people feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by the prospect of working for Social Justice, but that does not mean we should do nothing.

Rather, it means that we can focus on what we can do and on what interests us. As 19th Century Unitarian minister Edward Everett Hale said:

I am only one, but I am still one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.

Another important element in our creating a dynamic church is the worship service. It is my purpose to provide you with a worthy, interesting, satisfying, stimulating and, hopefully, inspiring worship service. As one who has acted in the past [once as a professional in an outdoor historical drama called Tecumseh – for $75 a week and a place to put my tent], I see Sunday morning as something like a play.

And thus, I look to others such as those on the Worship Committee as producers, agents, directors, and actors in this collaborative effort to help me make the best Sunday Worship Experience possible. Also, the Worship Committee is charged with creating services on the Sundays I am not preaching.

If you are interested in working on either of these committees or in doing other needed work to make our church healthy and strong, such as, working on the finances, administration, issues concerning our building and grounds, and most importantly Religious Education, do not hesitate to talk to me or Laura Ross, our DRE, or a board member about how you can get involved.

I think you will find that getting involved actually will raise your spirit as well as the spirit of our church. ~ Reverend Harold W. Beu

This Sunday - June 3, 2007

Liberating Faith

There are those who claim to have the “true faith” often are the ones who preach violence, hatred and ignorance. Thus, they do nothing to solve the difficult problems of our time: an intractable and immoral war, our uncertain local economy, global climate change, and political, business and military leaders who pander to our worst instincts in order to gain and maintain power. In fact, they make them worse. But their faith is not the only religion in town. Let us explore together for a religion that promotes progressive ideals and compassionate relationships. Let us discover our liberating faith. ~ Rev. Harold W. Beu