from Rev. Shari Prestemon, Conference Minister 

Mixing Faith & Politics

The world took note this week as Pope Francis declared Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, opening up the possibility that he might eventually be named a saint.

Romero was assassinated in El Salvador in 1980 while he celebrated a Catholic Mass. Prior to his murder, he had become a fierce human rights advocate, speaking out against repression and on behalf of the poor in a Salvadoran context that would soon erupt in civil war. In a homily he delivered just one day before he was killed, he preached: "In the name of God, and in the name of this suffering people, whose laments rise to heaven each day more tumultuous, I beg you, I beseech you, I order you in the name of God: Stop the repression!"

The announcement from the Vatican this week declaring Romero a martyr came after over 3 decades of debate in the Catholic Church about whether Romero was killed because of his politics or his faith.  My question is this: aren't faith and politics inextricably linked?

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Each year, on February 2nd, the eyes of the nation turn to the furry forecast of a groundhog named "Punxsutawney Phil"; but I've discovered, in my moves around the Midwest, that there seems to be a forecasting groundhog almost anywhere I move.

In Kansas, it was "Centralia Sam". In Iowa, it was "Iowa Falls Fred". In South Dakota, it was "Pukwana Pete". In Minnesota, it was "Wegdahl Willie".

Each February 2nd, I would get directions from someone familiar with the critter's domain and head over hills - sometimes crawling - to check on the local prognosticator's forecast.

This January, I learned there was a groundhog somewhere south of Hutchinson that they call "Brownton Billy". Early Monday morning, although I had not fully recovered from the Super Bowl, I headed south on Highway 15, took a left turn south of Lake Marion and followed the directions to the right location. I watched the site for some time and then approached the hole.

There was no sign of "Brownton Billy"; but I did find a jar just beyond the hole. There was a note inside that read, "I don't know if we're going to have six more weeks of winter; but I do know that, whatever the weather is June 12-14, you will have a great weekend if you attend the Minnesota Conference Annual Meeting at the College of St. Benedict."

Now, that's "A Great Forecast!" We hope to see you there!

Rev. Dick Fylling, Annual Meeting Planning Work Group

On Saturday, February 14, 2015, the United Church of Christ will celebrate the Open and Affirming ministry settings from across Minnesota as places where God's love story is proclaimed as a continuing testament in word and deed. We will gather for workshops at 1:00pm and worship at 2:30pm. This year's celebration will be hosted by St. Paul's UCC, 900 Summit Ave in Saint Paul. The choir is open to all who wish to join! A rehearsal will be held at the host church on Saturday, February 7 at 10:30am. 

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