Loving Earth

As you read this, I’ll be spending some time in one of my favorite wilderness places: the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. As most of you know, I love to be outside. My earliest memories are of exploring the woods situated around our home in the San Juan Mountains. The wilderness is a place of peace, adventure, comfort, and homecoming for me. I feel so fortunate to have grown up feeling close to our Mother Earth, experiencing her provision throughout my life. I still marvel at all of the ways our planet provides for us: clean air, fresh water, sunlight that heals our hearts and gives our skin a needed Vitamin D boost, beauty that inspires, soothes, and grounds. As a kid, I took all of creation’s gifts for granted. But now, as the Earth’s temperatures rise at alarming rates, as clean air and water become rarer, as plastics and other pollutants threaten to poison our soil and our very bodies - I fear what the future might bring if we human beings can’t release our addictions to convenience, profit, and comfort at the expense of the environment.

 

I’m so grateful for all of the things the good folks at Epiphany are doing to care for our planet. Tireless volunteers wash reusable coffee cups and plates each Sunday after Fellowship Hour- and many more dishes every Wednesday after the Welcome Meal. Kathy Engert provides (and launders) real towels in our bathrooms. We compost and recycle. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate all that we are doing right. And. It’s just as important to continue to challenge ourselves to do better. I’d love to hear from you. What are some things that we might do as a community to better care for our Earth? How might we confront powers and systems that put our Earth at risk? We have so much wisdom within this faith community. Please reach out and share it! pastorlarissa@epiphany-ucc.org

 

 

Wild Blessings,

Pastor Larissa

 

1:1 Meetings with Pastor Larissa

Click the link or scan the QR code below to schedule a 1:1 meeting with Pastor Larissa. 1:1 meetings are not about church business or about addressing specific pastoral care needs but about getting to know one another more authentically!

 

https://calendly.com/pastorlarissa/1-1-meeting

 

Young Adult Group

Come and explore your faith with other young adults! We will have our first gathering on April 25, 2024 at 7 pm, proposed location: Basant, 1939 W. Byron. Reach out and let me know if you’d like to attend - pastorlarissa@epiphany-ucc.org

​​

 

Here’s What’s Happening at Epiphany This Week:

 

4/21/24 Fourth Sunday of Easter 10:30 a.m. Online and Sanctuary Worship

4/23/24 Welcome Meal 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

4/25/24 Young Adult Group 7:00 p.m. Basant, 1939 W. Byron

 

Special Note: Pastor Larissa will be away for a UCC Clergywomen Retreat April 15 - 21. She’ll return to the office on Tuesday, April 23.