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Advent is the official start to the church year. Rather than a New Year’s Eve and Day, we take on the new church year with weeks of thoughtful preparation and discernment. Admittedly the parties and game nights of secular New Year’s Eve seem like more fun, but the rush to make resolutions, clear clutter, and begin fresh feel very rushed as the work week/school week kicks back off on the 2nd. Advent is meant to be more considered and deliberate; we sense where the Holy Spirit is pushing and we clear the path, we dive in, we resolve and edit.
We’ve launched into Advent with great discernment as a parish. Our worship has been filled with joy and excitement. Our pews after the long Covid wilderness are finding themselves bustling with energy, with people who are long time parishioners and brand new faces. Our stewardship drive continues to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is palpable in this place and we are ready to let ministry be our guide. Our traditional Advent dinner is a tremendous mix of people - guests and parishioners, first time attendees and every time attendees, and ages across the generations. It is an exciting time to be at St. John’s. The Holy Spirit is pushing our ministries and our vision of what is possible in pulling God’s Kingdom into Olney and the enthusiasm is contagious.
This Sunday, we reach a new point in our new year discernment; Fr. Henry returns from his sabbatical. After rest, reflection, and prayer, we are looking forward to hearing what he has been discerning with God over these last three months and we are eager to speak to our experiences of discernment while he was away. While Father Henry will join us at Advent Dinner and worship this Sunday, we are planning a more formal welcome back on December 11th, where we will invite him to an extended coffee hour, for him to share his sabbatical highlights with us.
Speaking of Advent Dinner, we look forward to seeing everyone who signed up, as well as those who hope to attend but did not get the opportunity to RSVP (just send us an email and let us know you'll be joining the celebration). Frankly, even if you just decide to come on Saturday, we will have a seat at a table for you and/or your guest to join us.
We hope to see you Saturday, and then Sunday, and then December 11th.
(See, the Holy Spirit has a whole lot moving at St. John’s!)
In Christ,
Mo. Shivaun+
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