Reflection from your Co-Pastors
Monday November 30, 2020
On the first Monday of the first week of Advent, Isaiah 2:3-4 says
“Many people will come and say:
Come, let us climb YHWH’S mountain
to the Temple of the God of Jacob,
that we may be instructed in God’s ways
and walk in God’s paths.”
Translation from The Inclusive Bible, 2007
This Advent we have a renewed opportunity to climb the mountain to the Temple of God. Understanding and believing that the Temple is me, is us, a steep way lay before us. How do we prepare, watch, and wait?
I offer a section of yesterday’s homily as a simple starting point today to “…go deeper, to yearn for, to anticipate and to prepare for Advent’s transformational potential.”
“Advent can teach us to wait for the beginning signs of change in us. How do we do this? What are our sacred practices of change? How do we invite this fundamental transformation into our cells and our souls?
'I noticed that I began with small changes: evaluating, deep cleaning, and changing my prayer space. I wanted to change the air flow, the feng shui, and prepare to wait. I changed my candle and looked for the advent wreath. I’m wearing a stole of the color of hope. I have prepared my sacred space to wait and watch. It may be dark but I’m watching. And in the preparation of my physical space, I am welcoming what
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the story refers to as the household owner, the One who dwells in each of us, in the houses of our hearts.
We don’t know what God will ask of us. Hope, the eternal hope for wholeness, gives us the courage. We have to live with an expectation of the fantastic; to live the conscious life of waiting and watching; to move in the direction of working in preparation for some unknown Coming that will cause an unknown Change that will bring about greater joys with those who are joyful and greater compassion with those who are suffering.’
"Greater joy with those who are joyful and greater compassion with those who are suffering" is the result of moving into and within, willfully and willing choosing God. Interior reflection, watching/waiting/preparing is to choose God. Consider that in your sacred space you move one item, clean one window, burn some incense and you find you are preparing in a willing way for the arrival of the Unknown and Unknowable.
God speed.
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Advent Calendar for this Week |
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For complete information on the Advent
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Advent booklet discussion groups begins on Tuesday, Dec 1st.
4 weeks - Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am
Tuesday's Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82709740353
Thursday Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93086048248
Four Weekly Sessions - save the link.
It will be the same link throughout December
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Taize Services
Three Wednesday evenings -
6:45 p.m. on Dec 2nd, 9th and 16th
Zoom Link is the same for all three services - click here
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St Paul's invitation - Weekly Sung Compline Service' on Zoom
Wednesday evenings - 8-8:30 pm. December 2, 9, 16, and 23.
Zoom link is the same for all three services - click here
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Prayer Requests and Service Links |
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Hi Y, please put Diane Arnette on your next prayer list. Dear friend of mine who is in Covid ICU.
Prayers for Diane Arnette - friend of Kerrie Anderson - currently very ill. Lisa McCann - member, for personal challenges this year. Jim Berry - member, for his new journey to the diaconate. For Lauren Roob - friend of Rosanna Bateman - continuing cancer treatment.
Healing prayers for Dianna Padilla, sister of Lisa Jones, who underwent surgery for cancer. For Liz and Ken Zornes and family, friends of Sandra and Dick Life, whose daughter is struggling with addiction.
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For Michael Keefe, son of member Yvonne Keefe. For Dona Bosse - community member and Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother. For Dani - Niece of the Cloyds and Mary Crosby – parishioner. For Ruth Parker - sister of Dori Carroll. And Leo Six – father of Michael Six, Mike Gudim, Suzanne King, Robert Browel
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For peaceful repose for the souls of those who've passed and comfort for the families.
For Margie Weitz - member. Chris Bachman, friend of Lisa Jones.
Bob, husband of Joyce Dehaven -
friend of Cathy Engel
David Heyman - member
Teri Kent - member
Pat DeMuth -sister of Jim DeMuth, member
Bill McClellan - Father of Jennifer Pfeister, member
Father of Julie Shoenbauer, member
Edwin White - brother in law of Pastor Jane.
Bill, Greg, and Calvin -
friends of Deacon Rosean
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On Sunday we honored Ruby Bridges who in 1960, her parents responded to a request from the NAACP and volunteered Ruby to participate in the integration of the New Orleans school system. Although the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional, many southern school districts resisted integration.
Ruby, just 6 years old and in the first grade was escorted daily by 4 federal marshals through crowds of angry whites. Rather than instruct a Black child, the first grade teacher quit. The Bridges family suffered.
As white parents began to break the boycott at the school, the protests subsided. In subsequent years, Ruby attended classes and developed friendships with white students.
Now 66, Ruby Nell Bridges Neil still writes and works for civil rights. She has authored several topical children’s books, recently “This is Your Time”, a letter of encouragement addressed to young peacemakers. For more information about Ms. Bridges, click here.
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For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during our hiatus from celebrating together, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry here up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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