January Pastoral Letter

To all God’s Beloved in the Zion United Church of Christ, Steubenville, OH, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from our Triune God, the Holy One of Israel.

Before my first Sunday in the pulpit back on October 12, and even prior to the Church Council inviting me to preach for six months, the council knew that I would not be able to preach every Sunday and that I would be away January 18 through February 8. That means that after January 11 I will not be at Zion again until February 15. But do not fret, a competent and experienced UCC Minister will be filling in while I am away.

The council has asked me to continue preaching through the end of 2026 and I have agreed, with the understanding once again that I will not be available every Sunday. I occasionally attend various conferences and retreats that fall over a Sunday, conferences and retreats that spiritually nourish and energize me. Even though I am retired, I still have occasional Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) responsibilities that sometimes mean I will be away over a Sunday. I recently gave the council the dates I am available through the end of June and when my summer and fall calendar becomes clearer, I will give the council available dates through the end of the year.

Watch future newsletters for more details about upcoming opportunities as Zion seeks to grow and reach out into the community. During Lent we will host a Facilitated Labyrinth Workshop and Facilitated Walk open to the local community and regional UCC congregations. I am currently a Certified Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator and am planning to take Advanced Facilitator Training the last week in March. The use of labyrinths in Christian Churches dates to the 4^th Century in Africa. The most famous labyrinth in a Christian Church is the 12^th Century stone labyrinth laid into the floor of the Cathedral in Chartres, France. Our Lenten Workshop and Walk will offer participants the opportunity to learn about labyrinths and walking labyrinths as a form of walking prayer. Invite your friends and family to attend with you.

In April we will offer the inaugural session of what we are calling Poetry in Season. We will be inviting regional Ohio poets to be with us in worship, read the Psalm for the day, and after worship to offer a poetry workshop for the community during each season of the year, beginning with Spring. Guest poets will be asked to focus their workshop on celebrating the season they are invited to appear in. Whether you are a poet, budding poet, or simply enjoy poetry, this will a great opportunity to support the arts and exercise whatever creativity God has blessed you with. Again, invite your friends and family to participate in this opportunity.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you

John Edward Harris