United Church of Christ
United in Spirit and inspired by God’s grace, we welcome all, love all, and seek justice for all.
The Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ (UCC) equips a courageous Church alive with Christ’s transforming love.
Scripture Text | Matthew 27:1-2, 11-26
Three Wonderings
1
I wonder about a time when someone hurt, bullied, or said something untrue about you? I wonder about a time when you thought you didn’t matter or were ashamed of who you are?
2
I wonder what those experience feel like in your emotions and in your body?
3
I wonder what God is trying to whisper in our ears about these experiences?
Video Conversation & Reflection
Join Reverend Sheri Nelson and Rev. Eli’jah Carroll from St. Paul’s UCC in St. Paul, Minn. for this week’s conversation and reflection.
Music
Holy Company by Richard Bruxvoort Colligan
For Reflection
For far too long we have been seduced into walking a path that did not lead us to ourselves. For far too long we have said yes when we wanted to say no. And for far too long we have said no when we desperately wanted to say yes. . . . When we don’t listen to our intuition, we abandon our souls. And we abandon our souls because we are afraid if we don’t, others will abandon us.
— Terry Tempest Williams, When Women Were Birds: Fifty-four Variations on Voice
Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime. It’s what unites us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.
— Sherrilyn Kenyon, Invincible
Caring for the Common Good Project
Make Room for the Hungry
This mini-fundraiser for the local food pantry is a wonderful opportunity to show support for people in your community who are facing tight times, an experience that can feel as though the whole world is a betrayal. Charitable programs like the local food pantry offer hope, and we can help.
Materials: Paper soup container, Decorating supplies, Printable “Make Room for the Hungry” mini fundraiser
How to: Decorate your soup container, turning it into a Giving Jar.
- Read the printable for daily prompts to guide you through a mini-fundraiser.
- Every donation counts. A one dollar donation to the food pantry allows them to purchase ten dollars of food to support our community.
Contemplative Movement
Outdoor Explore
What: Blow bubbles outside, and follow them where they lead.
Reflect/Ask:
- What does it feel like when the bubbles burst? Let yourself feel that feeling.
- What does it feel like to float on the air: is this how it feels to be supported?
- Where is God when we feel abandoned; when we feel supported?
- How can we become more supportive of people we love and people we don’t know?
Films
Short film: Solipsism, (all ages), This 5-minute animated short film is “The story of a young girl who gets lost inside the world around her—or rather, inside her own head—this seven-minute short transports us to a gorgeously designed world and takes an unconventional narrative approach to explore a fascinating philosophical idea” (from Short of the Week)
Full-length movies: The Great Mouse Detective (ages 6+) Common Sense media review, The Lion King (ages 8+) Common Sense media review
Creative Project
Bubble Play
Materials: dish soap, water, straw, string, wire or bubble wand
How to: Make bubble water and wands. Play with bubbles!
- Wonder about what makes bubbles “work”
- When and why do they not work?
- What does it feel like when the bubbles burst: is this how it feels to be betrayed or abandoned?
