May Happenings @ FCCBC
Hello, friends!
May's warmth has been a welcome boon, and I hope all of you are delighting in the torrents of redbuds and redolence of fresh-cut grass.
Fun fact: in my spare time, I've been learning to DJ! Of the many random projects I've started in my 37 years of ADHD, I can say that this has been one of the most fun.
And it's not totally random, either.
In writing the liturgies and arranging music for our luminous Holy Week services, I recognized a part of me that I've left long unattended—a part which wants to weave music and space, light and shadow, rhythm and stillness into spaces for people to encounter themselves, one another, and the mystery of Divine Presence.
Far more than just mixing songs into a playlist that hits, the art of DJing is about weaving an acoustic space in which folks on the dancefloor can encounter self and one another in music.
And it's not just about playing what the DJ likes, either; a DJ is a host, a celebrant, and a coordinator all in one, in conversation with the crowd about what will keep the energy flowing and the dance floor jumping.
As I'm learning to spin jogwheels, adjust sliders, match beats, and mix sets, I'm realizing there's a lot in common with weaving this mystery we call "Church" in partnership with God's Spirit.
We, too, are creating holy spaces for folks to have transformative encounters with themselves, one another, and the mystery of God's love as we join the dance of creation.
We're not lingering on personal favorites, but matching the energy and the motion to the needs of the people on the floor.
We're getting strangers connected to one another in new, generative ways.
(And, just like DJing, we get better with practice, you know?)
As we're moving further in our path toward the future, I'm getting more and more excited about the spaces that we'll weave as a congregation for our community.
Wherever the future finds us, we will offer God's welcome and grow our diverse, caring, and passionate community for the sake of justice, healing, and joy.
We'll continue working in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church, Just Us People, and our other core community partners.
And we'll get on the dance floor in our neighborhood, revealing the joy and resilience of the Commonwealth of Heaven.
Because when we, the Church, show up and hold our post, the world heals, bit by bit—
and in the words of the unrelated Belgian techno anthem, Pump Up the Jam, you'll find out if you do that!*
(*you get 10 points if you get this joke)
As usual, some shout-outs are in order:
One, to my colleagues in our Ministry Collective. Jaimie has been hard at work coaching our Council leadership through our financial reorganization, helping our Council teams do incredible work, and making back-end odds and ends happen in the world of administration—the kind of stuff that you only notice when it goes off the rails.
Jaimie will be sending out some notes from our recent discernment gathering on the 26th of April, and we'll also have some updates about our journey with Trinity to share very soon—stay tuned for those!
Meanwhile, Rev. EJ has been stirring up some delightful offerings for our young people and their families, and they've got some exciting invitations for you. They are also gearing up for another Sandbox gathering in July—remember our gathering back in March of 2025? Who could forget!?
Scroll on down to read more about those.
Two, deep gratitude to FCCBC member Elizabeth R. for jumping in on music this past weekend. Our music director, Vicki, had to attend to a family concern on short notice, and Elizabeth graciously accepted the invitation to lead us with her gifts on Sunday.
Three, profound gratitude for the diligent and thoughtful leadership that our Council and Council Teams have been showing us as we move through this transitional season. Our financial tracking controls are all in order, we've a complete draft of a Safe Church policy and a new ministry review process in the works, and we're in the weeds of our conversations with Trinity Lutheran Church about the possibilities and logistics of sharing space.
Fourth, gratitude to all of you! I left our discernment conversation on the 26th feeling buoyed by hope and grateful for the clarity, sincerity, and fidelity you all demonstrated by showing up (whether you made it to our worship service at Trinity or not!) and engaging in our time of reflection and holy imagination. That sensation
Your input—which, again, Jaimie has catalogued and will be sending out, as well as questions for those who weren't able to join for that gathering—is helping us to make concrete plans for the future. We are all in this together!
Please continue to keep our leadership and our whole congregation in your prayers: that the right buyer for 145 Capital NE may come along swiftly, that our leadership may be kept in wisdom, patience, and courage, and that we all may continue to take the next faithful step into the future.
remember, i'm in your corner. reach out if you need me, or if you just want to talk.
scroll down for more. love, peace, and all good things.
Rev. Nate
Here's a slice of what's happening in May...
Spring Sunday Faith Formation in May: UCC Crash Course
Note revised dates
After worship during May, our leadership team will be offering a deeper introduction to our wider family of faith, the United Church of Christ. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our denomination, our culture, and why we do church the way we do church.
Sunday, May 17th : UCC Polity & the Wider Church w/ Rev. Tom Ott
Sunday, May 31st : UCC Theology & Worship w/ Rev. Nate
Sunday, June 7th : UCC History & Identity w/ Rev. Nate
Spring Book Study begins May 20th:
Sacred Belonging by Kat Armas
Many Christians today are seeking to disentangle biblical teaching from power structures that marginalize women and people of color. There's a hunger for a new kind of devotional that offers refreshing and relevant ways to connect with God and the Bible--ways that challenge readers to seek out a more liberated and embodied faith.
Drawing from personal narrative and Scripture, Cuban-American theologian Kat Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonized themes centered on creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Sacred Belonging helps us see how Scripture directs us to live a liberated faith, where we belong to God, the earth, and one another.
This book study will meet at 6:00 PM via Zoom beginning Wednesday, May 20th for six weeks. Please sign up at the Welcome Center or email Rev. Nate. Books are a suggested donation of $20.
Pentecost Celebration:
Sunday, May 24th, 2026
On Sunday, May 24th, the Easter season culminates with the celebration of Pentecost! In worship we will reaffirm the covenants we make with one another, with our ministers, and with the wider United Church of Christ, and receive anointing for empowerment to live as liberating love in the world.
Remember that we will collect the Strengthen the Church offering in worship on the 24th, too. This special UCC Mission Offering goes to support clergy formation, youth ministry, and church support throughout the wider United Church of Christ.
Pentecost 2026: Kites & Kids
Young families and friends from FCCBC will be caravaning to Lake Michigan/Tower Hill Camp after worship on Sunday May 24th to learn about and REJOICE in the power of the Holy Spirit. We will have snacks at the beach, but please grab lunch on your way to the Lakeshore. The only thing you need is a family kite (if it's red and has flames on it, you get Pentecost points!)! Any questions? Email EJ: emilyjoye@gmail.com
Mitten Project Training for Parents & Caregivers
(that means you, grandparents!)
Sunday, May 31st, 2026 - 2PM to 4PM
Parents and caregivers hold a unique role in how the faith of children is formed. This Zoom training opportunity is specifically designed to share Mitten Project data and invite them to engage in the 2026 Mitten Project with the Michigan Conference of the UCC. You can register at this link!
Save the Date: Sandbox Gathering
July 19th-24th
Our Minister for Children & Families, Rev. EJ Staib, is partnering with folks from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Chicago to create all-ages curriculum to tell the stories of White abolitionist ancestors and to the next generation. We'll learn more about this endeavor in worship on July 19th.