The Congregational Church of Austin, UCC
United Church of Christ

     In a recent worship service, I noted my concerns regarding the possible capture and trial of Osama bin Laden by US authorities. While I hope bin Laden is captured and brought to justice, I'm concerned that a bin Laden trial and execution could turn into a national frenzy of hatred and revenge.
     Anger doesn't come close to describing how we feel about the atrocity bin Laden is accused of masterminding. Shock, revulsion, repulsion and abhorrence don't describe how we feel. The massacres committed were such a violation of humanity that our words cannot adequately communicate our visceral response. But what will it take to be healed as a nation? Will it take a spectacle of revenge and death?
     Assuming for a moment that US troops capture bin Laden, assuming he's put on trial and convicted, assuming he's given the death penalty, will we then be subjected to the same payback media circus that surrounded Timothy McVeigh's execution?only magnified by a million?
     Will the media and government exploit our national and personal pain by appealing to and manipulating our feelings of grief and desires for vengeance? Will we rally together as a nation around a huge exhibition of self-righteous retribution?
     Will the execution be televised on prime-time? Will Connie, Barbara or Jeraldo get their exclusive bin Laden interview? Will huge crowds be encouraged to gather at the nation's parks, state capitals and houses of worship to celebrate the moment of bin Laden's death? Will T-shirts and commemorative beer mugs be sold? Will the crowds sing "God Bless America" as we collectively kill bin Laden?
     Will people complain, as they did with the McVeigh execution, that death by injection is inadequate because it doesn't make bin Laden suffer enough? Will the execution be an anti-climatic disappointment? Will it simply whip up more desire for vengeance? For more executions?
     Will those who oppose the execution, those disturbed by the spectacle of revenge be called un-American? Un-patriotic? Supporters of terrorism?
     How will we respond as a church? How will I respond as a pastor? How will you respond as a Christian?
     I understand this is all hypothetical at this point. Osama bin Laden may never be captured alive. But the time may come when my concerns become reality.
     Personally, I'm opposed to the death penalty. Even for bin Laden. I would be one of those people deeply disturbed by the attempted manipulation of my pain and my confessed thoughts of vengeance. But I will not participate in a spectacle of revenge.
     I've had to search my own heart and soul on this one, and I don't believe Jesus Christ would kill Osama bin Laden, not even for the crimes he's accused of committing. I don't believe Jesus Christ is calling me to support the killing of Osama bin Laden. I believe Jesus Christ is calling me to a ministry that brings some healing and reconciliation to the world, at least to the little piece of world in which I have some influence. As a Christian, I don't believe getting caught up in a spectacle of revenge and death promotes the healing and reconciliation Christ's calling me to pursue.
     I share these thoughts with you not to tell you how to respond to this hypothetical yet potentially real situation. Rather, I simply encourage you to reflect on this situation in light of your own Christian faith before these possibilities unfold.
     If you would like, I'd love to have you share your thoughts and struggles around this issue with me. Come see me, e-mail me or call me. I'm around.

On Saturday, January 12, 9 am - 1 pm, the bloodmobile will be parked on 23rd street, in front of our church. Area churches and organizations will be alerted, as well.

CHURCH DIRECTORY NOTICES (Please update your directory)
     p. 1    APPEL, Jean (Deceased)
     p. 3    BROWN, Hulen  sec783@c.s.com
          BURNHAM, *Dr. Barbara 453-7763 4100 Ave. C, #107 78751 (new member)
     p. 6    HARTER, *Nicole 462-12071006 Banister Lane, #307 78704 (new member)
     p. 8    McMILLAN, Joseph T., Jr.  JTMcMillan@msn.com
     p. 9    NOVOTNY, Mrs. Charles (Deceased)
     p. 11  ROSSON *Chester 282-8048 2606 Gettysburg Dr. 78745-7507 (new member)
     p. 13 TUCKER, *Dr. Pam 337-9132 12227 Tanglewild Dr. 78758 (new member)
              VANDESTADT, *Rev. Thomas J. & CHAPMAN, *Robin 490-6660 (new members)
              4817 Transit Circle 78727 tomrobalx@onr.com
              VANDERPOEL, Suzanne 3503 Harmon ave., #203 78705
     p.14 ZIMMERMAN, *Devin 447-9645 2207 S. 5th, #109 78704 (new member)

Flowers for the Church -from Savanna Sharpe
     King Florist of Austin is our "Preferred" florist. We are setting up an account with them. If you wish to provide flowers for a special occasion, in memory or in honor of someone, call them at least by Thursday morning, for a Saturday delivery. You can also stop by in person to hand select your choice of flowers/plants.

King Florist, 4311 Medical Parkway, Austin, TX 78756 512-453-6633

To share. . .
     On the glorious Friday afternoon of Thanksgiving weekend, Rizer Everett appeared with his daughter, son, grandson, and close friends to plant nasturtium and bluebonnet seeds in the patio garden in Hildegard's memory. While we know that she loved bluebonnets as all Texans do, we know Hildegard would especially enjoy the edible nasturtiums. The Fun & Fellowship Committee will have fun remembering our legendary former F & F Chair as we use the blossoms and leaves in salads and garnishes for events next spring. Thank you, Rizer & family!

     The "E" word (evangelism) is often a tough one for liberal Protestants. Congregationalists avoid it with the same zeal they avoid bishops and other forms of hierarchical leadership. But we shouldn't, for we do have good news to share. We do have a message we are called to proclaim. We do stand for something --the healing, reconciling, forgiving, loving message of Jesus Christ. The just, peaceful new creation God is seeking to create through Christ and Christ's disciples.
     On Tuesday, January 29, The South Central Conference is sponsoring a day-long workshop on evangelism and creative programming. Wil Brown, along with some national UCC folks, will be leading the event. I'm evangelizing you now! Please come with me to hear some good news about how we can share the good news we have. The workshop will be held from 10:30 am to 3:00 pm at Slumber Falls. A sign-up sheet will be placed in Fellowship Hall.

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

  1 - Bob Breihan
      Suzanne VandePoel
18 - Paul Deisler
      Kaitlyn Newell
22 - Mary Masters
23 - Danny Masters

January 6, Epiphany Sunday, Communion Sunday, Matthew 2:1-12
     In Matthew's gospel, we read the account of the wise men from the East who follow the star to Jerusalem. There they encounter King Herod, who is troubled by the news that a new King has been born. Herod sends the wise men out to search for the child, ordering them to return to him with more details. The wise men find the child, worship him and offer him gifts. In a dream, they are warned not to return to King Herod. In our worship, we'll celebrate Epiphany with the wise men's story as we enter this new liturgical season.

January 13, Acts 10:34-43, Matthew 3:13-17
     In the Acts passage, we encounter the controversy surrounding the inclusion of gentiles in the early church. This particular controversy revolves around a gentile "god-fearer" named Cornelius. In the passage from Matthew, we read the account of Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. In our worship, we will reflect on baptism as a symbol of our covenant with God and other people through Jesus Christ. We'll ask ourselves: what gift does baptism bestow upon our lives and what does baptism call us to do with our lives?

January 20, Isaiah 49:1-6, John 1:29-42
     In Isaiah, we read the second of four "Servant Songs." Many Christians find a deep resonance between the "suffering servant" and Jesus Christ. In John's passage, John the Baptist declares that he saw the Spirit of God descend as a dove from heaven upon Jesus, fulfilling God's promise that John would witness to the "Lamb of God" sent to "take away the sin of the world." In our worship, we'll reflect on some possible meanings regarding the claim that Jesus takes away the sin of the world.

January 27, I Corinthians 1:10-18, Matthew 4:12-23
     In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the dissension within the Corinthian church as the church divides into different factions loyal to different leaders. Paul reminds them that their only loyalty is to Christ, not to their favorite leader. In the passage from Matthew, Jesus hears that John the Baptist has been arrested. Jesus begins to preach his own message of repentance, announcing the "Kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus also starts to call and gather together a discipleship community. In our worship, we'll reflect on what it means to be called together as a discipleship community. Matthew's passage depicts an idealized community of exceedingly willing and loyal disciples. Paul's passage depicts a religious community beset by the types of tensions and challenges that face many communities. How do we balance the ideal with the reality?

     Jean Appel died early on Thanksgiving morning. There was an overwhelming mixture of sorrow and love in the services which were beautifully coordinated by the family. Tom VandeStadt, John Towery, Jim Tomasek, and Kay Lewis all participated. Jean's family, including grandchildren, and members of the congregation shared memories, and Melanie Wilkinson shared with all of us her gift of music. In the late afternoon and evening the whole church attended a reception at the App[e home, and it is a tribute to Jean's loving spirit in all her family that those who came to comfort came away comforted and renewed.
     Tom's installation was held on December 9 and was an occasion of much rejoicing. From our church he was welcomed by John Moore, from the United Church of Christ by our own Wilmer Brown, from the Alliance of Baptists by Steve Lucas, from University Area Churches by Larry Bethune, and from the Austin Area Inter-Religious Ministries by Susan Wills. His long-time friend and fellow pastor, Craig Schaub, gave a reflection and Dennis Murphy and Ruth Schemmer presided at the Installation. Mark Miller gave the charge to the congregation. Melanie Wilkinson was soloist with the choir for "He Never Failed Me Yet" and ended triumphantly with "Life Is a Ball Game." Among the nicest touches were the bulletin cover of joining human hands drawn by Jeri Winter and the introit which had Kathleen Hawes-Domingue using finger cymbals and Rev. Thomas J. VandeStadt, about to be installed, on the drum.
     Our Christmas Pageant was beautiful and testifies to the spirit and work of the players and the painstaking coordination and creativity of Doyal Pinkard, Jamie Adams, Lisa Kirch, Julia Deisler, and Robin Chapman. Lisa's turbans were a marvel, and the expert costuming of Lisa, Mary Sinclair, and Sara Ross yielded magnificent results. John Burlinson was a tremendous, burly Santa. Julia Adams was Mary, and Ian Ross was Joseph. Olivia Deisler and Alex VandeStadt each played both a shepherd and a child. Junior, Jeff Lemley, and Eric Deisler were the three kings. Ava Deisler was a narrator; Jake Burlinson and Kathleen Hawes-Domingue also narrated. Jamie Adams was Herod, Sarah Kirch an angel, and Katie a lamb. The first innkeeper was Ben White, the second, George Lemley, and the third Jeff Lemley. The donkey, complete with ears and tail, was Michael Adams. Florence Castle provided the musical accompaniment, and Geneva Ross assisted with the production. Bree Hawes-Domingue was our photographer.
     The Oakes' Christmas party was wonderful as always. Two of the three Oakes daughters were home, beautiful and completely grown up. Mardie is completing her MBA from Harvard, and Sarah is teaching high school chemistry.
     Christmas Dinner for the homeless went well. Tom VandeStadt, John Burlinson, Betsy Tylka report that between thirty and forty came to us. Richard Jackson did a yeoman's job of washing dishes. And from the leftovers Suzanne Bradford and John Moore made a delicious pot of vegetable soup, which was enjoyed that night (a freeze night).
     Suzanne VanderPoel had a more dramatic move to a new apartment than she had intended. On December 16 she was preparing for a children's cookie making party in the kitchen downstairs, had her arms full, missed seeing an open cabinet door, and fell, completely cracking a kneecap. Tom took her to the hospital, where she was operated on that evening, staples placed on each side of the break, and a full leg brace to wear. But many church members and members of the Austin mosque helped her move on schedule. She has just had the staples removed and is happily installed in her new apartment at 3503 Harmon Ave., #203, same telephone as before.
     Following the fire in their home, Michael Adams' family has now restored two bedrooms and is about to tackle the roof. He thanks friends for their help and feels good about the prospects of a soundly restored building. The family spent Christmas Eve and Christmas night in a Residence Inn away from the smoke. Jamie just received a 99th percentile on the PSAT and the NMSQT. He is a junior at Huntington-Surrey.
     Rizer Everett has been busy. He was entertained for Christmas dinner by the Householders and had a chance to talk with Nana Householder, mother of the family, who was one of Hildegard's bridesmaids at her and Rizer's wedding. His nephew, Charlie D. Everett, was preparing to show slides of his recent trip to Europe, and he was invited to dinner by his eighty-three-year-old neighbor, Campbell Pennington, a rtired professor of geography, who loves to cook and is a good conversationalist.
     Ben and Marguerite White enjoyed Thanksgiving week in Denver with their son Carl and his family. Marguerite's health has remained stable. Congratulations! The Blackstocks are enjoying their new floor. Their wooden tile floor was a flooding casualty, and it has now been replaced with ceramic tile from Italy.
     Bee Polome tells us that her violinist daughter, Marilyn Harris, is on tour with Neil Diamond and will play at the Erwin Center on Feb. 12.
     On Thursday after Christmas Tom and Alex went down to Port Aransas, walked along the beach, stayed in a hotel where they swam in the heated pool (They were the only ones in it!), and on Friday visited the aquarium in Corpus Christi. They had a great time exploring some more of Texas.
     On December 7 the Tomaseks went to see their daughter Dorcas in Orlando, Florida and witnessed the annual Christmas celebration put on by actor Paul Newman for the camp, which Dorcas directs: Boggy Creek Gang Camp, which serves terminally or chronically ill children. Dorcas spent Christmas with Jim and Mary.
     This was the first Christmas since 1949 that Tommie and Doyal Pinkard have not spent the holiday together. Doyal went to the Philippines to attend son Chris's wedding, and Tommie went to New York City to celebrate Christmas with son David and his friends. The Rosses went to Houston to visit Sara's sister's family. Many had family here. On December 30 Michael Ross was in the choir, and the Briggs brought Rollin Russell's family to church.