Pastor's
Periodic
Ponderings
      
A Guest Pondering by Leann Thompson, 
Director of Faith Formation

I love coffee.  There.  I said it.  I love coffee!

This is one of my favorite quotes.

Can I live without coffee?  Sure.  Do I want to?  No.

As I sit in my office this morning enjoying my dark roast, I'm reminded of a book we used as a Lenten theme a couple of years ago:  The Gospel According to Starbucks.

I remember as we discussed the book in our weekly staff meetings, an image that resonated with me was that of the relationship of the coffee bean and the water - and the ways that the two transformed each other.

We talked about the process of brewing coffee.  "To brew" is defined as "to prepare or bring about by steeping, boiling and fermentation, or by infusion."  The word infusion caught my attention..."the act of immersing (steeping or soaking a substance in water) in order to extract its virtues."

To get that good cup of coffee that so many of us enjoy, the coffee bean is brewed - prepared by grinding and brought about through infusion by being immersed in water - all in order to extract its good virtues.
 
I think the same thing happens to us at church.

God prepares us each in our own unique ways.  And then God brings us about by infusion...immersing us in relationships, both with God and with others (our family, friends, colleagues), steeping us in this good Christian community we call Family of Christ...all this in order to extract our good virtues.  Just as the water changes the coffee bean, and vice versa, we are changed through the experiences and the relationships that are nurtured within this church community.

There are so many opportunities for that extraction to happen...Sunday morning worship, Wednesday evening Christos and Confirmation, small group Bible studies, the all-church musical, social groups and activities, service projects, and more.  And one opportunity that is set to begin next week:  J-Term.

  
In the midst of the snow, we continue to grow...

I hope you'll consider immersing yourself in some of the offerings of J-Term on Mondays, January 16, 23, 30 and February 6.  There's something for all ages.  Classes include:

* Mindful Yoga for Teens
Pinfest crafts
Crocheting with Care
* Pastor's Class on "Luther at 500"
* Restoring Hope for Christian-Muslim Relations
* Living Fully Balanced
* Wood Whittling
* Caring for Aging Parents
Handbell Bootcamp
Love and Logic Parenting
Keep it Simple, Sweetie (marriage refresher)
* In addition, Yoga with Kim continues on Thursdays
with a special invitation to beginners and new members!

For J-Term class descriptions and to register, click HERE.



Don't miss this opportunity to allow God to prepare you - to brew you - to infuse you - to change you.  J-Term provides a myriad of options to grow and be changed - to extract our good virtues in fun and creative ways - and to share a good cup of coffee (and some fabulous desserts, I might add) with our good church community. 

See you at J-Term!

Leann


A Few More Things:
 
GUYS NIGHT OUT AT THE MOVIES  
Pastor Josh is looking for a group of FoC guys who want to catch a new Martin Scorsese film called "Silence" together.  The movie is about two missionaries to 17th Century Japan, where Christianity was outlawed.  Though Josh doesn't have a time or a date yet, since the movie is currently playing only at the Uptown Theater, watch for the invite over the next couple of weeks for a chance to go together and catch this well-received movie starring Liam Neeson and Adam Driver when it is more widely released. 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
The Annual Meeting will be taking place Sunday, Jan. 29 at noon.  All are welcome to come hear about what we accomplished as a congregation in 2016 and what we hope to do in 2017.  Members will be able to vote on the 2017 proposed budget and help elect new members to our church council. A light lunch will be available. 

** NOTE: Your 2016 giving statements will be sent out by the end of the month via EMAIL.  Please check the statement against your records and contact Kris Stangrud if you have questions.

FOR MORE INFORMATION  about current Family of Christ events & opportunities, view our Family News.