Christmas is one of the times in the church year where the walls between our community and the larger community come down a bit. People who do not attend regular worship start showing up. People who stopped attending services at our church may come back. Those who question God's existence may decide to come and see if anything can sway their opinion.

 

Many years ago, when I was serving in Rhode Island, I walked into church on Christmas morning to find an older man, unshaven and tired looking, playing the church's organ. I recognized him from the previous night, when he sat, unmoving, in the back pew. I slowly approached and asked him if I could help at all. He was startled at first, but then told me that he came back to Christmas Eve to hear the music. He had been playing the organ since about four in the morning-he had gone home after the service, but decided to come back to play music.

 

It would be very easy to consider our church to be our home, to be 'our' place, to be our clubhouse. For those of us who serve, those of us who minister week in and week out, who lead lessons or make coffee, it would be easy to understand what we do as something done for those who are part of our tribe. But as I've often said, if you're here, then you belong. As Archbishop William Temple was fond of saying, 'the church is the only institution founded specifically for non-members.'

 

So this Christmas, make room for those you don't know. Six to a pew, and try to sit next to a stranger. Introduce yourself. Here are some good things to say, "Merry Christmas!" "How are you doing?" "It's wonderful to see you/meet you!" Here are some things that might not be helpful to the church's mission of reconciling the world with God through Christ: "Where have you been?" "Excuse me, but I need those seats for my in-laws" "Have you been here before?" (the fact is, they could attend a different service than you!)

 

What we want to do is welcome. What we want to remember is that Christ is a gift given to the world, not just the church. What we want to offer is a place where all can feel as though they can have an experience of the divine, no matter what their station in life, no matter what their level of belief, no matter how well they know the prayers. Merry Christmas to all, and thank you for being here.

The Children's Epiphany Pageant will occur  on Sunday, January 7th in the Parish Hall at the regular time of 10:15 or a little after. Rehearsal will be held on Saturday the 6th at 9 a.m. This cannot happen without parent volunteers! Parishioner Angela Carpita will be heading up the volunteer effort and has created an automated registration form online . For questions, contact her at lalasuzanne@yahoo.com.

We will be holding a special Senior Session on Tuesday, January 2, right after the New Year holiday. Seniors aged 65+ will share their hopes for the new year, as well as study the Gospel lesson, and pray special prayers for all. The session will be held at 10 a.m. in Classroom E of the formation building. Please come!

Our Faith & Fellowship Monday activities begin again on Jan. 8.  Our St. Margaret's Social Justice Group will provide four Monday adult education forums on Monday evenings at 6:45 p.m.- Jan 8, 22, 29 and Feb 5 on Homelessness and Refugees and Immigrants. 

For those volunteering for winter relief, it is strongly recommended that you attend the Jan. 8 & 22 forums.