Who's on First

Pastor Jennifer writes: When I was a teenager and then a young adult, traveling outside of Oregon usually led to some experiences of culture shock around bottles and cans. At that time, recycling bottles and cans was still a lefty, hippy thing to do outside of the state. Oregon’s Bottle Bill incentivized recycling for everyone and, while at home, it was usually easy to find some kind of bin at hand. Recycling became a habit that required no more thought than taking out the trash.  

In other states, though, those bins were nowhere to be found. I remember wandering airports and conference centers with co-workers or friends, bottles or cans in hand as we all searched in vain for recycling bins. Eventually, dismay dawned to the realization that no such repository existed, and with a moral stomachache, we would deposit the items in the trash.

Virtues, like recycling, work best ingrained as habits, rather than as “feel good” activities. In worship this week, we look at the challenges of our commitments, of doing the right thing even when we don’t feel like it or when doing so costs us something. Please join us IN PERSON or ONLINE at 10 a.m. Masks are recommended! (Note: This week’s photo is from UCC Missoula’s Glass Recycling program. For more information, contact Graham, graham@uccmissoula.org )

After worship, please join us in the Sanctuary for a presentation by Dr. Steve Running, Nobel Laureate in Climate Science, for an update on what’s new with climate.