Photographs – Jan. 25, 2015

Guest Preacher Rev. Dr. Clanton C.W. Dawson

The Rev. Dr. Clanton C.W. Dawson, Jr. was the guest preacher at our worship service on Jan. 25, 2015. He is the Pastor, President, and CEO of Dawson Journeys Ministry, a multicultural, multigenerational ministry of hope. He is President of the African American Clergy Coalition of Mid-Missouri and Professor of Philosophy at Columbia College and United Theological Seminary.

The photos below watermarked © 2015 Ansar Actograph were taken by Andrew Twaddle. The other photos were taken by Steve Scott.

Ene-Kaja Chippendale, left, was the board welcomer. Seated, from left,
were Rev. Molly, Rev. Dr. Dawson, and Worship Associate Sam Otten.

Rev. Molly introduced the Rev. Dr. Dawson and gave the invocation.

Sam Otten lit the chalice and spoke the chalice-lighting words.

The congregation sang a hymn, "Come Though Fount of Every Blessing."

Jeremy Milarsky presented a "Moment for Stewardship." His theme was
that we are all in this together. "In this place, in this community,
there is no they. There is only we, he said. Full text below.

The UU Singers performed "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" by Patty Griffin.

Chelsea Otten was the soloist for the UU Singers.
Her husband Sam accompanied on the piano.

Desi Long led the UU Singers.

Rev. Dr. Dawson's sermon, "Why Stand We at the Gate?" was based on 2 Kings 7:3. He spoke of the
need to keep moving forward against injustices no matter what obstacles and hazards lie ahead.

The congregation enjoyed Rev. Dr. Dawson's lively sermon.

Sarah Hiles and her son.

The congregation gave Rev. Dr. Dawson a standing ovation when he concluded his sermon.

Wiley Miller introduced a Faith-to-Action Collection for
Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.

Full text of Jeremy Milarsky's "Moment for Stewardship:"

Years ago, as a small boy in a synagogue in northwest Pennsylvania, I thought I heard the voice of God. It feels strange to say this because I identify as an atheist. But during the part of the service when people were called to speak in unison – think of the Borg from Star Trek, to use a modern and less spiritual example – that sounded magical to 5-year-old Jeremy Milarsky.

In a way, I still see magic in communities. We are social animals. We need each other to communicate, live and thrive.

I am here today to discuss this togetherness and our shared responsibility in maintaining it. Soon our annual stewardship drive – in which we collect pledges of note from members to plan our church budget year – will begin. This may surprise you, but I am not here to ask you for a certain amount of money. I am here to ask you to pledge. Period. When pledge cards are available - and they will be shortly, fill one out, on paper or online.

By pledging to UUCC - as most of our members do - we support not just the church, but each other.

I want to share a story of a recent church potluck. As many of us know, hungry people waiting in a long line for their lunch can lose their ... filters. Recently while in this situation I overheard a person near me make a comment about a decision about dish washing that – and I quote – "they" made. I did not have a strong opinion about the dishes. But I do know this – in this place, in this community, there is no they.

There is only we. This church is not a building, it is a community made up of all of us. We benefit from it. And we are responsible for it. We are it.

Thank you.

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