A Prayer for light in Advent

This prayer, written by Daniel Heath, focuses on light in a dark season and seems most appropriate for the Winter Solstice.

Sparkling and Shimmering God.

Thank you for calling us to walk in the light -

light that can brighten gloomy cities, light that can make planets glow, light that can warm cold hearts.

Gleaming and Glistening God,

Thank you for calling us to be light -

light so bright that even when we try to hide among the shrubs, burning bushes appear.

Twinkling God,

Thank you for calling us to share light -

light that stretches beyond distances of six feet. Light that breaches depths.

Help us hold up our light on lamp stands, participating in your work of resisting all darkness in our world. Help us never to hold up our light for notoriety, fame, attention or comparison.

Allow every wave of light that radiates from our being to illumine you, the source of all light.

We pray this prayer in the strong name of Jesus, the light of the world. Amen.

Courtesy of The Presbyterian Outlook.

Pastor as Transitional Leader: Week 2 Online Training

April 17-21, 2023

Week 2 training focuses specifically on the leadership of a person in a pastoral role serving in a ministerial context characterized by transition. This can be any ministry that is consciously seeking to work with the change that is being experienced or is anticipated (whether in leadership, culture, context, and ministry). This is weeklong course, with significant time spent in small group Leadership Learning Conversations. It also includes presentations by the faculty and guest presenters. We request that arrangements be made in advance for coverage of pastoral responsibilities so that participants can focus fully on this program for the sake of their own learning and that of their colleagues in the cohort. Click here for additional information and registration.

Engaging in Matthew 25

Team Tannenbaum delivers Christmas cheer for Kenosha seniors

A Christmas kindness in Kenosha has grown into a heartwarming holiday tradition.  



Some 10 years ago, a group of parishioners at First Presbyterian Church noticed a need they could fill. Some of the older church members found it difficult to put up a tree and decorate it. But with a little help from some younger volunteers, they could have a decorated tree with all the trimmings. 

The idea worked and now after ten years the small group of volunteers have turned their simple idea into an organized team of do-gooders.

On CBS 58 Sunday Morning, Natalie Shepherd highlighted the giving spirit of Team Tannenbaum. (Video in link)

Although this article is from 2019, Team Tannenbaum is still active, spreading Christmas joy in Kenosha. This year trees were delivered and set up on

December 3.

‘Trouble the Water’ docuseries now available to download

Film series serves as prompt for challenging conversations about race and racism

by Darla Carter | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — A documentary series designed to encourage constructive conversations about race and racism has been released by the Presbyterian Mission Agency in collaboration with the Office of the General Assembly and other partners.

The docuseries, “Trouble the Water: Conversations to Disrupt Racism and Dominance,” features four episodes that challenge viewers to think, listen and work together to disrupt the systems that perpetuate racism. It consists of Episode 1: “Why Us? Why Now?,” Episode 2: “Whiteness,” Episode 3: “Racial Identity,” and Episode 4: “Intersectionality and Disruption.”

“Trouble the Water amplifies voices and counterstories that challenge the dominant narratives and colonial myths that continue to perpetuate systems of oppression and dehumanization,” said Director David Barnhart, whose completed several other films, such as “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City” and “Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence,” as part of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Story Productions. “I hope that groups can gather around these stories, listen deeply to one another, collectively explore these issues and questions, and take concrete steps together toward building Beloved Community.”

Read more.

Merry Christmas

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