First UCC DC

Please join us on October 4th for World Communion Sunday as we bring forward a variety of breads to honor the people of Colombia, Ghana, Palestine, Nepal, and Haiti. Following worship we will enjoy a Feast of Global Breads. Please feel free to bring bread from a part of the world that is meaningful to you; we will supply various toppings.

In 2023, Rev. Amanda served on the General Synod committee that studied the Indian Boarding School resolution, which passed. Let us continue to take action in support of justice for American Indian tribes. One way you can do this is through our October "Second Sunday Special Offering," a portion of which will go to the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM).

Let us pray.

"God of strength and hope, this election cycle triggers our anxieties with advertisements, memes and a relentless news cycle. Pause our doom-scrolling. Quiet our hearts. Help us to regain our center. Amen."

Join the United Church of Christ for as we lead up to our national election. Take a moment to breathe and center yourself with these prayers each day. And don't forget to on Tuesday, November 3rd!

resources: ucc.org/our-faith-our-vote

We celebrate the faithful work of our own Dwan Reece, Associate Director for the Humanities at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and Chair of the Smithsonian Music Executive Committee on this 10th anniversary of the the NMAAHC. She curated much of the 4th floor, wrote a book about it, and has served on our own Commemorative Artwork Task Force, facilitating panel discussions with historians, theologians, and artists. We give thanks for her visionary wisdom.

Let us pray.

"God of all nations and peoples, we begin our cycle of prayer with praise for you. We celebrate that you are bigger than any person, any nation, and any election. We trust that you hold us in the palm of your hand. Amen."

Join the United Church of Christ for as we lead up to our national election. Take a moment to breathe and center yourself with these prayers each day. And don't forget to on Tuesday, November 3rd!

resources: ucc.org/our-faith-our-vote

Take Action Thursday:

www.votervoice.net

In partnership with Congregation Action Network, Rev. Amanda, Sandy Sorensen, and the Rev. Barbara Gerlach attended a Congressional Forum taking testimony from the families of those slain by ICE. Their stories were heart-wrenching. Please hold them up in prayer as we continue to speak out against ICE brutality and the senseless violence being perpetrated in our communities.

On Sunday, our children and youth had the opportunity to walk the neighborhood, meeting and greeting unhoused neighbors with a Pathways to Housing DC staff member as our tour guide. We learned so much, hearing directly from our neighbors about the challenges they face daily. Thanks to Rev. Sam for organizing this outing as we grow in compassion and understanding.

We are excited to welcome new middle schoolers into our youth group! On Saturday night they enjoyed climbing a high ropes course together, challenging themselves, having fun together, and elevating their perspectives. Thanks to Rev. Sam for making it all happen!

Good morning to the great state of Virginia, where early voting begins today!

This election season, we encourage you to vote faithfully by:
*Checking your registration
*Vote Early (so you can help get out the vote on election day)
*Vote Early In-Person
*Vote by Mail using a Drop-Box
*Vote by Mail with an effort to get it into the mail the day after you receive your ballot. You can track your mail-in ballot to ensure its timely arrival.
*Take part in training to become an Election Day monitor or Poll Chaplain
*Encouraging friends to check their registration and make a voting plan
*Helping others get to the polls on Election Day

We will have a safe, fair election with trusted results as we participate in democracy and exercise the rights that others fought, bled, and died to win. Go Vote!