Gather the Spirit for Justice (GTSFJ) is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that brings together Allison Hill residents, area organizations, businesses, and churches to address issues of social justice and economic equity. It was jointly founded by UCH and the Shared Ministry during the time we operated at 1508 Market Street. It now operates out of First Church of the Brethren, 219 Hummel Street.
GTSFJ strives to be a place where people can find common ground, to meet and discuss the changes that need to be made to make Harrisburg a great place to live for all of its citizens.
**Last month, a check totaling $1,159.00 was donated to AMiracleforSure. Thank you for supporting our beloved community with your generous plate gifts!**
As most of you know, Rev. Bran is currently serving as our minister on a contract-to-call basis, with the current contract ending on July 31, 2026. In August, the Board of Trustees appointed a Call Planning Task Force to help determine whether we should proceed with calling Rev. Bran as our settled minister. The task force began surveying the congregation last month, is planning cottage meetings in November, and will report back to the Board in January. Our goal is to move forward in February, based on congregational input.
You can read the rest of Board Treasurer, Chris Dutton's article about the call process in this month's Reporter. Follow the link for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
10:30 am: Worship Service
"Worth It"
Rev. Lyn Cox
Any endeavor that is worth doing involves risk. Being authentic, listening to each other, working toward peace and freedom, creating beauty--all of the activities that bring meaning to the human experience expose us to the possibility of pain and disappointment. We also risk the possibility of success, the chance that our hopes will bear fruit and we will be challenged to yet more beauty and authenticity and creativity. We cannot build on assurances or perfection, but we can build on embodied values such as courage and grace. Putting love at the center is harrowing and worth it. Covenanted relationships are included in this realm of peril, possibility, and poetry. As the congregation enters into discernment about calling Rev. Bran, let's talk about the gifts that UCH has and can bring to this process.
Rev. Lyn Cox (they/them) is an Accredited Interim Minister. They served UCH in 2017-2018. They have also served congregations in California, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. Rev. Lyn resides in Baltimore with their family. They enjoy gardening, walking, and reading speculative fiction.
Members and friends can submit joys and/or sorrows to be read (with your permission) during a Sunday service. Submissions sent before Friday at noon will be read that Sunday, all others will be held for the next week.
To read the monthly columns by our minister, board trustees and staff as well as other feature articles - click here!