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