Events

We will begin with a simple soup supper and then a group reflection & discussion. This year, we plan to use Pope Francis’ profound statement to the world on care for the earth as a background for our own reflection about concrete ways we can 1) seek to become more spiritually aware of our place as part of creation and the current crisis; 2) take action to make a difference, and 3) advocate for social change to reduce the impact of the climate crisis. If you want to take part in the series, please sign-up in church so we know how much soup to prepare. For more info, contact John Gill.

“Muslim peace advocate Fetullah Gulen and the Hizmet (Service) movement in Turkey - resilience with faith and dialogue” with guest speaker Umit Gunebir, President of the Atlantic Institute. Mr. Gunebir will offer a presentation about the philosophy of Fetulleh Gulen and the movement he started in Turkey, as well as talking about the efforts of the current Turkish government to have him extradited from the U.S. There will be time for discussion afterward. We will provide a light lunch and childcare for those who want to stay.

A celebration of the beauty, culture, creativity, and cuisine of the Appalachian region and her people (us) – through music, poetry, stories, & good food

When: Date —March 21, 2020; 5 PM gather; 5:30 eat; 6:30 read and play; 8 PM clean up

Who: Whomever! We will have designated music and readings. Bring: yourself, friends, family, Appalachian style food (soup & beans can be vegan if you leave out ham hocks and such; corn bread can also be made vegan-wise).

Why: just because (and just because it’s our home!) Contact Kevin Collins for more info.

In our ongoing efforts to make our annual fundraising events both fun and outward facing, we are planning this special event to honor two COS members who are well-known in the wider community.

John and Nancy Stewart have spent their lives in service to others, demonstrated through their deep faith and commitment to social justice and public service. Please plan to join John and Nancy's family, friends, and colleagues for a lively celebration filled with stories, thoughtful reflections, and humorous recollections, of two lives marked by spiritual values, action, and accomplishments.

If you have not yet browsed the shelves of the COS Library collections, you can now see what is available through the new online catalog. The library has over 1,000 adult, children’s, and teen titles you can borrow. You can click the link for any of those sections on the catalog page to see what is available in those sections, or you can do searches by author, title, subject, and other categories. The adult collection is in Shalom House, children’s books are in the church’s downstairs Sunday school classroom, and teen book are shelved in the youth room upstairs in the loft. For questions and more information, contact Ed Sullivan.

This week, the Sunday morning group will begin discussing Broken We Kneel: Reflections on Faith and Citizenship by the well-known religious studies scholar and author, Diana Butler Bass. “Written in the tumultuous aftermath of 9/11 and now a spiritual classic, the book draws on both her personal experience and her knowledge of religious history. Bass looks at Christian identity, patriotism, citizenship, and congregational life in an attempt to answer the central question that so many are struggling with today: ‘To whom do Christians owe deepest allegiance? God or country?’ America's unique and often fractious relationship between church and state is, if anything, more relevant to who we are as a nation than when Diana Butler Bass' examination of it in Broken We Kneel was first published 16 years ago.” Books are available on-line or can be ordered from a local bookstore like Union Avenue Books or Barnes and Noble Booksellers

We hold this special evening prayer service every year as a refuge and comfort for those who find the holidays to be difficult due to their losses, hurts, or worries. This service also serves as a time during Advent for many of us to pause and be reminded of the spiritual dimensions of this season. Join us for a time of prayers, readings, and special music meant to remind us that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s light still shines into every dark corner of our world.