Holy Week at Boise First

Palm Sunday, March 24
10:00 am Sunday Worship
Gather in the Narthex, just outside the Sanctuary doors, a little before 10, receive a palm, and then we will all process into the Sanctuary, waving our palms and singing All Glory, Laud and Honor.  Pastor Bruce and Intern Jenny will lead us in, and if the Spirit moves us, we might even take a lap or two around the Sanctuary before we settle into our pews.

Maundy Thursday, March 28
7:30 pm Service of Tenebrae
In this quiet and reflective evening service, we will journey with Jesus from the Last Supper to the Cross, with Luke serving as our guide.  After reading each passage from Luke’s gospel, a candle will be extinguished and the light will be dimmed, until we find ourselves in utter darkness at the foot of the Cross. 

Good Friday, March 29
12 noon to 6:00 pm: The Labyrinth
For this year’s ritual, we are inviting you and your family, committee or group, and our neighbors to walk the candle lit labyrinth in the quietude of our fellowship hall. The labyrinth is open to all and will be available continuously with pastoral presence for continued contemplation.

Holy Saturday, March 30
4:30 pm Easter Egg Hunt
5:00 pm Easter Vigil Potluck

Please sign up to bring a dish to share: https://www.perfectpotluck.com/OQOU5642
6:00 pm Easter Vigil Service
The Church Family gathers to mark the transition from the sorrow of Good Friday to the joy of Easter morning.  Bring the kids, lawn chairs and warm clothing for this outdoor service.

Easter Sunday, March 31
Flowering of the Cross at 9:45 am
We are delighted to return to our practice of flowering the cross on Easter morning. Families are invited to bring their children by 9:45 to begin the process. Families and members of the congregation are invited to bring flowers from their yards as available. We know everyone will welcome the return of our long beloved Easter tradition!
Worship at 10:00 am
With trumpet and organ and a full Sanctuary, we will celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection!


Gaza Cease-Fire Walks        

You can choose the way you wish to walk to contemplate, pray or talk about what is taking place in Gaza.  Materials to read and think about for the coming week will be supplied on the Church’s website and each Sunday at worship.  Invite friends.

  

Walk Choices

 You can choose to walk with the:

a. Thursdays @ 5pm Group or

b. Form your own group or

c.  Walk on your own time.

 

Following the Greenbelt map. Each week’s segment is about 2 miles one way or 4 miles round trip.  Walk as long or short as you are able.


 6 Weeks of Lent 

 

Week 1: Feb. 18-24. *UPDATE*  Barber Park locks their gates at sundown. So instead of starting at Barber Park, we will gather at Eckart Road, north of the river, at the intersection of Millbrook Road and Eckart Road. (this is a quarter mile north of Barber Park). We will walk East up the river.

*Parking is on Millbrook Road. (parking restrictions there only apply in the summer)

You can download your week 1 walk information here:  WEEK 1


Week 2: Feb. 25- March 2. Warm Springs Golf Course parking lot and walk east up river.

You can download your week 2 walk information here:  WEEK 2


 Week 3: March 3-9. Natatorium Pool parking lot.  Walk west down river. 

You can download your week 3 walk information here:  WEEK 3

 

Week 4:  March 10-16. Julia Davis Park. Gather near the band shell and walk west down  river.

 

Week 5:  March 17-23. Esther Simplot Park. Start at Whitewater Park and walk west down river.

 

Week 6: March 24-30. Glenwood St. bridge parking and walk west down river.


Please read this informative and important article: Duty to Demand Cease Fire

Senior Luncheon

Seniors Gather for Lunch on Tuesday, March 5

 

Seniors will meet at the church for food and fellowship on Tuesday, March 5 at noon. The potluck will be food with an Irish flavor in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

Richard Werner will speak this month. As a San Francisco printer for the last 13 years of his career, he enjoyed reproducing limited edition prints for living artists. He’ll tell us about the printing process and the backgrounds of the artists he was privileged to represent.

This month’s table conversation starter: Each of us has story to tell about our work/life backgrounds – bring a small item that characterizes a past job, hobby, or volunteer position you want to share.

We are looking for one more volunteer to help with clean-up after lunch. If you’d like to help, let Carol Stirling or Elaine Mayo know. Thanks in advance!



Boise First UCC Green Team

Putting Faith into Action on Climate

The Justice Witness and Mission (JWM) Board decided to form a church Green Team in 2023.  Our decision is rooted in love- the love of all God's creation, and that God's creation is threatened by climate change.  Our church needs a Green Team to step up its efforts to be more sustainable and to become a carbon neutral congregation by 2050.  Boise City's goal is for the entire city to be carbon neutral by 2050.  Boise First UCC should set an example to the community and join this effort. We realize that to be successful we will work together to educate each other.  Together we can reduce the carbon footprints of our congregation, building, and grounds.

 Our Green Team is small but mighty and enthusiastically welcomes new members as well as suggestions.  So far, Jessica Aston, Ed Keener, Liz Roberts and Carol Stirling are members. We've had a couple of meetings so far and are working on a statement of goals to be presented to the congregation at a later date.

 The Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) has made great strides in working on becoming a carbon neutral congregation.  We've met with Jim Bigelow, a BUUF member. who's leading the effort there.  Jim gave us suggestions on how to get started. We intend to invite Jim to Boise First UCC in early 2024 to let us know how BUUF plans to be carbon neutral by 2050.

 We also understand that in addition to individual and church actions, policy changes that reduce greenhouse gases are important for maintaining a livable world. The Green Team will work to inform the congregation about opportunities for voicing concerns about climate policy at the local, state and federal level.

 Please join our Green Team.  We'd be happy to have you  help us care for God's creation. Our next meeting will be on January 3 at 3 pm at Martha and Ed's home.

April Book Club

For April, we are reading "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama.  "Drawing from her experiences as a mother, daughter, spouse, friend, and First Lady, she shares the habits and principles she has developed to successfully adapt to change and overcome various obstacles--the earned wisdom that helps her continue to "become." She details her most valuable practices, like "starting kind," "going high," and assembling a "kitchen table" of trusted friends and mentors. With trademark humor, candor, and compassion, she also explores issues connected to race, gender, and visibility, encouraging readers to work through fear, find strength in community, and live with boldness."


We will meet on Tuesday, April 9th at 1:00 p.m. at church.  All are welcome to attend!

Carol Bearce, Facilitator




2023 ANNUAL Report.pdf

2023 Annual Report

Our 2023 Annual Report is now available to view or download.


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For more information about these and other activities, download the current Herald (newsletter) available here.