Prayer, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Holy Hilarity Women's Retreat

This Sunday, January 20, we will turn our attention to the topic of Prayer. All are welcome to come and worship in an inclusive and intergenerational setting, exploring how we connect with God and how God desires to be in relationship with us. Worship is at 10 a.m.

This Monday, January 21st, is the anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, a time to remember the struggles of the past, how far we have come, and how far we still have to go to realize the dream of the Beloved Community. Retired Bishop Woodie W. White has posted his annual birthday letter to Rev. Dr. King about the nation's progress toward racial equality at the UM Reporter website.

All are invited to participate in the annual MLK Day "Marade" from City Park down Colfax to Capitol Hill. United Methodists from the Metro District will be gathering at Park Hill UMC at 9:30 a.m. to be at City Park at 10:00 a.m. There will be some preliminary speeches, and we actually walk around 10:30 a.m. Everyone will be picked up downtown, to avoid the time with the return walk.

Lunch will be served at Park Hill, followed by a short program featuring Dr. Jacqueline Benton, who grew up in segregated Little Rock and is cousin to one of the Little Rock Nine. The observance will be finished by early afternoon.

Reminder...
It's not too late to sign up for the Annual Highlands UMC Women's Retreat! We'll be going to Templed Hills next weekend, January 25 - 27. See below for more information, or contact the church office (303-477-5857). We always have a good time, but our topic this year (Holy Hilarity) should lead us to even more fun and laughter than usual!

First Sunday after Epiphany; Baptism of Jesus

This Sunday is the first Sunday after Epiphany, when we traditionally tell the story of the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17). It's a time to remember our own baptism, the "outward and visible sign of an inward grace," and the children who have been baptized into our community and whom we have pledged to surround with love and support in their spiritual growth.

Other lectionary readings for this week include a "Servant Song" from Isaiah (42:1-9), a passage commonly applied to Jesus as Christ but that seems to have originally referred to the whole people of Israel; Psalm 29, a hymn of praise to the Creator; and Acts 10:34-43, Peter's response to a vision in which God made clear to him that there is no distinction for God between Jews and Gentiles - a radical change from the Jewish disciples' earlier understandings of the message they were to spread.

Coming soon: Highlands UMC Annual Women's Retreat, to take place at Templed Hills Camp and Retreat Center in Woodland Park, Colorado. Friday, January 25 - Sunday, January 27. This year we will explore the theme of "Holy Hilarity" and being Fools for Christ. If you've always thought laughter should be considered a spiritual practice but never been able to prove it, this is a great time to share in fellowship, reflection, rest, and lots of good humor! Please contact the church office for more information or to sign up.