New Covenant Fellowship

 September 17, 2023

This month's visit was to New Covenant Fellowship on the south side of downtown Champaign. They choose to think of themselves as multi-denominational rather than nondenominational. I parked on the street and helped an older woman get to the door. As she headed in another direction, a sign pointed me upstairs to the sanctuary, a big room with drop ceilings and natural light from windows to the street. Rows of padded stacking chairs were interspersed with rockers and small tables of greenery. The chairs faced a well-lit stage decorated with a big mural of interlocking hands. A man and woman behind the wooden podium welcomed everyone as I took a seat. Then guitars, keyboard, drum set and vocalists led us into praise.

After the singing, I moved up a couple of rows to sit in a rocking chair beside an old friend whom I had recognized from behind. Another couple took the platform and shared a bit about Rosh Hashanah. Did you know the Jewish New Year celebration is this week? We were soon to learn more about it as Pastor Renée Antrosio, in a casual top, jeans, and sneakers, took the stage for her message. Sitting at a small table she wished us “Shana Tovah!”

Good year to you and may your name be sealed in the Book of Life. "May your new year be sweet as we celebrate the birthday of the world and the goodness of creation." The world suffers as a result of individual and collective sin, yet we can rejoice despite our lack of agency against evil. God's language is driven by curiosity and questions. We can repent, pray and participate in acts of mercy and justice. May we remember our origin created in God's image.

As the musicians began again, people left their seats to pick up elements of Communion. My friend whispered that I was welcome to take them with others kneeling at a table in the back or take them as I wished by myself.

A woman in the worship band shared a meaningful story from her life. And we sang again, surprisingly and happily this:                                                                                                          He comes to make his blessings flow,                                                      Far as the curse is found! 

Joy to the world!

A gentleman gave the benediction after making some announcements and we were dismissed with encouragement to meet at Hessel Park for a picnic lunch.

First Presbyterian Church, Urbana

 September 3, 2023

Today First Presbyterian Church in Urbana is on my radar (after I missed a visit opportunity in August). This congregation has an Earth Care Team and is working to reduce their carbon footprint. Kudos! Their Twice as Nice thrift shop in Urbana is one evidence of this commitment. In honor of the Feast of St Francis, they host an upcoming Blessing of the Animals service. A wellness committee and two Parish Nurses are available. And some students in Africa receive support from this Urbana church. These are a few highlights from the bulletin and website.

The front of the sanctuary is a beautiful wall of stained glass. It's easy to gaze transfixed at the intricacies of the pattern. Chimes sound and we start through the multi-page order of service on the dot of time. Welcome, prelude, call to worship, prayers, scripture reading. The music is lovely; the atmosphere welcoming; the setting, impressive. But, as with so many other post-Covid churches, many pews are empty. I wondered how so few persons are able to keep up the expense of such a nice building. Then the choir began to sing. To my surprise, I realized there must be another dozen or so congregants out of sight in a rear balcony! Ah—more than I thought. That’s encouraging. The singing was beautiful and stirring—a version of Be Thou My Vision that I’d never heard before.

The pastor is away "for the second portion of his sabbatical,” the bulletin says. A retired guest speaker took the pulpit this morning. She earnestly explained Paul’s encouragements for loving action in Romans 12. They're descriptive, not prescriptive. Biblically speaking, being prophetic does not necessarily mean telling the future. Another song and then we heard the gifted choir again as an offering basket was made available.

Prayer was offered for those losing jobs at the closing of both Dart and Volition, for farmers dealing with draught in the West, for lives disrupted by recent fires and hurricane, for our earth. 

In conclusion, all were invited to partake of communion:  the body of Christ broken for you. Amen.