ROCK THE WEEK
November 25, 2020
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It's natural to be feeling disconnected and missing extended family and friends this Thanksgiving week. Although we might also be tired of Zoom, we'll use this tool that we have to pause and share a bite of our favorite traditional and non-traditional foods. Shadow Rock is offering an informal Zoom gathering 3:00 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day - click the button below to join.
Maybe you're already eating pie by 3:00 p.m. on Turkey Day, or maybe you'll need to click the Zoom link as you're whisking the gravy. Both are good! This will be a super relaxed opportunity to share with one another. The Zoom space will be open for an hour... you're welcome to wash dishes or carve the turkey while we're together.
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Wednesday (11/25): Connections Count on Zoom at 7:00 p.m.
Thursday (11/26): Spirituality Thursday/Thanksgiving Zoom
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no new Spirituality Thursday video on our Facebook page. Instead, you are invited to join us at 3:00 via Zoom for casual, holiday community time. See above for more details and the link.
Monday (11/30): Small Group Ministry on Zoom at 6:55 p.m.
Our focus for this small group series is mindful and safe holiday celebrations. You can expect supportive discussions and a welcoming Zoom space. Email Karen to get the Zoom link!
Sunday, November 29
Virtual Worship is delivered to your inbox first thing in the morning.
Due to increasing positive COVID test results in our local area, we have returned to a Zoom-only worship experience. Click the Zoom link at 11:00 am in the worship email for music, prayer, sermon with discussion, and celebrations! This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent and we begin our Advent series "Hope and History." See below for more details on what this means!
Adult Spiritual Formation is at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. The link is in the worship email. For Advent, we'll be exploring four songs in the gospel of Luke, starting with Mary's Magnificat. She's kind of a rock star! Spiritual formation is a time to connect our values to our experiences. Conversations are warm and lively, and all are welcome.
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From Pastor Ken:
Advent is the season of the Wedgeblade! Indulge me for a moment as I put a couple of ideas together for our friends who love us but are on the outside looking in...
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Advent is around the corner. Join us on Zoom Sunday mornings through December. Enhance and deepen your own at-home Advent journey with special devotional resources. Please complete this short form to get Shadow Rock Advent sent with love right to your mailbox, old school style. The first Sunday of Advent is November 29th.
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Our Stewardship campaign "Together" continues. Thanks to those who have completed their Estimate of Giving Cards electronically. You have saved us much time and guesswork! If you are still waiting to complete your card, what better time than this long holiday weekend? You can find the form to complete by clicking the yellow button below.
While we're talking about giving, check out our new donations page on our website! It's beautiful and easy to use. Click here to see it. |
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A Stepping Stone Foundation once again proudly presents the Christmas Angel Program
for disadvantaged preschool children and their families. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we
can only serve 20 families, so our Angel tags are sure to go quickly.
Since the Shadow Rock campus is closed, there will be no physical tree this year. Instead, click below to learn how you can still take part in this holiday tradition and make the season bright for a special family.
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Due to the current high and rising numbers, and in light of Thanksgiving and approaching holidays, Shadow Rock Preschool will remain closed through January 18, 2021. The health and well being of our staff, children and families remains the driving force behind this decision. If you have questions, or would like to know how you can support our preschool in these difficult times, please contact Preschool Director Liz Curry.
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The national UCC is offering a four-week webinar series during Advent called "A Season of Preparation: Faith-based Organizing Training for Justice." It asks "What will the world look like when justice comes? And how do we prepare for its arrival?" You can learn more about this event here. If you are interested in attending please email Pastor Ken. He will forward the link that allows you to join the classes. Contact him if you have other questions. |
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So many masks, so many choices! Which mask is best? Our Minister of Wholeness, Rev. Dr. Patricia StandTal Clarke breaks it down for us! Read her latest letter by clicking here. |
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Each week we'll be spotlighting an organization or site that's worth looking into. If you would like to suggest a future group to feature, please contact Abeth.
Giving Tuesday is a recent effort to counteract the hyper-commercialism and consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday here in the United States. On the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, people are encouraged to donate to their favorite charities, non-profits, and other local community organizations. You may see many Facebook fundraisers and other campaigns online. We encourage you to give as generously as you can to any of the organizations or groups we've highlighted in this column that you feel a special affinity to.
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Reminders While the Campus is Closed |
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- Our mail service is on hold and being picked up more sporadically. If you have important mail that needs our attention, please contact Heidi and she will give you an alternate address so we can receive it quicker.
- If you need any assistance securing groceries, medicine or toiletries, please contact us via email. We want to do our best to make sure everyone is safe and well.
- One of the most important things we can do for each other during this time of isolation and distance is to keep in touch. We're a very social church family, and it's hard to be apart from one another! Try to take time every day or two to call, text, or email one of your Shadow Rock friends.
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Thank you for your love and support of Shadow Rock! Your financial support and donations are more important than ever as we go through this unprecedented time of uncertainty. If you have questions about giving electronically, please reach out to Heidi and she'll be happy to help! You can also give to our Pastor's Charitable Fund or Facilities Improvement Fund by clicking the yellow donate button below.
Miss a week? You can find previous Virtual Worship services as well as older editions of Rock the Week by going to our website and clicking "News" at the top of the page.
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Rock the Week is published each Wednesday, and covers the upcoming week and future special events. To submit content for Rock the Week, please email abeth@shadowrockucc.org no later than noon on Monday. We welcome all comments, criticisms, concerns, critiques, and compliments at the same address. |
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