News & Notes - December 13, 2020
The Third Sunday of Advent
Online Service: 9:30 a.m.
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From the Director of Spiritual Formation -
Daphne Vernon
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Advent 2020
Being a messenger of Hope
Living out the Advent message of Hope this year, of all years is a big ask. Under that description we’ve been practicing Advent for almost 9 months now we should be pretty good at it. A time when so much has happened in the world we have been hoping on compassion, a vaccine, seeing humanity in another and seeing it in ourselves. This has been a big ask and an opportunity to practice hope and believing that God is in this place. We are reminded how connected to each other we are and that we are all in this together, county to county, state to state, country to country. We don’t follow a creed that said it would be easy. In fact, our scripture reminds us of the opposite, it will be hard and much will be asked of us.
Jan Kwiatkowski says “Answering God's call to be a messenger of hope requires risk and letting go of the outcome. The message is God’s, not ours, and we take the risk of being pointed out for being out of place for that reason. We are asked to take our place in a long line of those who learned to let go of the outcome and deliver the message of love and hope”
As this week’s Advent practice: Take some time to think about where you have glimmers of Hope. In reflecting where are you a messenger of Hope?
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Washing National Cathedral Sunday Evening Advent Service here
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The cathedral also has many offerings, from morning prayer, Advent reflections, compline and so much more. Some require a registration. For more information click here.
Advent Offerings
Advent Word is a global international daily Advent Prayers.
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Online Services
During this time of pandemic, our worship continues. Using technology, we can gather from wherever we may be and join together in the Word and in prayer.
Sunday Services:
We are also live streaming each Zoom service on our Facebook page, so you can also watch the service on Facebook, and it will be archived there for viewing later in case you're not able to join in live. You don't need to be a Facebook member to see the live stream on the Facebook page by clicking the link above.
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Virtual Christmas Pageant
All are invited to participate!
Grace Episcopal Church, St. Helena, is creating a virtual Spanish-language Christmas pageant (pastorela), and would love to include our neighbors from around the Diocese of Northern California! It will be a very simple lessons and carols format, with costumed children enacting the different moments of the nativity as it is read (usually but not always by children).
This year, families and individuals are invited to record a reading/enactment/prayer/song at home and send it in by December 18. We'll knit them together to create the pageant, which will air on Christmas Eve, with a chance for the children to interact over zoom afterwards. If you or someone from your community would like to participate, please sign up using this form by December 12. You will be emailed a full bulletin including your part, instructions for returning it via dropbox, and a photo/video release form, plus your link and invitation to view and participate on Christmas Eve!
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New Year, New Me - Resilience as a Practice
Workshop Saturday, December 19, 3:00 p.m.
The holidays can be a stressful time of year, even without a pandemic. Mind-body skills like meditation, guided imagery, and mindfulness can help us reduce stress and build resiliency. On Saturday, December 19, Deacon Pamela Moore and Veronica Duarte are offering a two-hour Zoom workshop where you can learn how to use these evidence-based skills to develop a resiliency practice. There are no fees for the workshop. However, the workshop is limited to 10 people. If you are interested in the workshop, contact Deacon Pamela at deaconpamela@incarnationsantarosa.org before December 16, 2020. See flyer here. |
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Service of Nine Lessons and Carols: Trinity Cathedral, Sacramento
Saturday, December 19, 7:30 p.m.
Our diocesan cathedral, Trinity Cathedral in Sacramento, is hosting a Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, with musical contributions from across the Diocese of Northern California, including Incarnation parishioners who have sent in recordings for our Diocesan Virtual Choir. Join us to participate online at the Cathedral's Facebook page (no Facebook account required). |
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Blue Christmas Service:
Monday, December 21, 7:00 p.m.
2020 has been a difficult year for so many, with grief, loss and hardship around every corner. Maybe the holidays are always hard for you, or you’re just not feeling very holly jolly this year in particular. If you’re in search of hope and healing as we enter the Christmas season, you're invited to join our friends at St. Paul's in Walnut Creek, CA, who are hosting this service of prayer, music and reflection on their Facebook and YouTube pages. The Rev. Krista Fregoso (a friend and colleague of Pastor Stephen's) will preside. Join in online here. |
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An opportunity to serve our church –
Vestry candidates needed!
You may ask what is a vestry and what do you do?
During the 3 year term, you attend a monthly meeting and a couple of retreats where you bring your ideas and vision to help support the ministries of our congregation. Learn more about how things work here at Incarnation. Pray regularly for all of us. Live out your faith both at home and at work. Pledge your financial support. Be both a servant and a leader.
Please prayerfully consider serving Incarnation in this role or encourage a friend you think would be a good fit. For a fuller description of Vestry roles and responsibilities read here.
Eligible Vestry candidates must be enrolled in the Register of the Parish, be at least 16 years old, be regular in attendance at services, and be a steward of their time, talent and treasure for the support of the church.
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To our church family...
...do you find yourself alone this Christmas due to Covid-19? The good news is, you aren’t! Bells will be ringing, and angels preparing, so order your Christmas dinner now. All subscriptions must be phoned to
Julie, 707-755-3515, no later than 6:00 pm, Monday, the 20th of December. Dinners will be ready for pick-up in the church parking lot December 24th, 2:30-3:00. Roast Beef and all the trimming will be on the menu!
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Prayer for America
Every Monday at 3:00 p.m.
Do you feel helpless to effect change in our pandemic hobbled world? Add your voice to assist in the healing of a divided nation. A group of Incarnation parishioners is praying together every Monday at 3:00 pm on Zoom. The meeting is short (about 15 minutes) and centers on prayers from the Book of Common Prayer. Our nation needs your help. Please join us!
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Incarnation's Book & Gift Shop
Shop at great prices & support Incarnation
By appointment - 7 days a week
Gift wrap included
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Consider starting your Christmas shopping at the Book & Gift Shop this year! You’ll find beautiful jewelry, scarves from Provence, Journals, Picture Frames, Jigsaw puzzles and many other choices.
A few copies of Book Club books are still available: Pastrix, Help, Thanks, Wow: the Three Essential Prayers, How To Be An Antiracist, and The Underground Church.
For appt: Email Linda Sevier, sevierlinda@gmail.com, or text 949-280-9797. Mask required, social distancing respected, and gift wrap available.
Please note that the Book & Gift Shop can no longer take book donations at this time.
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Virtual Celebration for the life of Geoffrey Wright
Geoff, son of Elizabeth and Gene Wright, died on Saturday, October 24. You are invited to join his family and friends for a virtual Celebration of Geoff “Jefe’s” Life at 2 p.m. (PST) on Saturday, January 9, 2021 on this site, http://www.geoffwrightmemorial.com/. Even if you can't attend the celebration, do visit this website were you can read an obituary about his remarkable and singular life, a tribute to him by his former law professor at George Washington University, and view a collection of photos.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to NOLS, a non-profit global wilderness school that Geoff attended. You may send a check to 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, Wyoming 82520 (please reference “Geoff Wright” with your donation) or online at NOLS.edu, (and note that the donation is in honor/memory of Geoff in the appropriate text box). Elizabeth and Gene Wright receive email communication at gwrightcelebration@gmail.com.
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Prayer requests will stay on our list for 3 weeks. After that, if you would like long-term which is for 3 months, please notify the office. Prayers for those who have died will remain on for 6 months.
Your prayers are requested...
..Devon, Hannah, Harry, Jim R., Pam, Dan, Mai-Wah, Amy C., Alyce, Leslie, Chris S., Don, Francoise, Gene & Elizabeth, Kristin, Doug & Karin, Rob M., Hugh & Angela, Mary, Robyn, Monique & Kirk, Amanda, and Nancy H.
...for those who have died: Harry Dingwall, Athy, Bill Whidden, Marjorie Thoreson, Maureen Green, Alberta Jacobson, Ellen Meuse, Geoff Wright, Carole Jean Martino, Susan Hedges, Jerry Angel, Alphonsine Lhermitte, Raimundo Castro, Wallace Look, Marilyn Payne, Gary Lindsey, David Ratner, Frank Gavaller.
...for the victims of the fires: specials prayers for the first responders, and all those who have suffered injury or loss.
...for the victims of COVID-19: especially we pray for those affected by the COVID-19 virus, and for all who are in danger.
...for our city, county, and community; the city council, the board of supervisors, for those who serve the common good in law enforcement and the courts.
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Sunday, December 13 - Third Sunday of Advent
Monday, December 14
Tuesday, December 15
- 6:30 pm - Incarnations Book Group
- 7:00 pm - Through the Ear to the Heart: contemplative singing. Contact Devi Mathieu to request the Zoom invitation: info@singhildegard.com, 707-829-0815.
Wednesday, December 16
Thursday, December 17
- 6:00 pm - St. Cecilia Choir: Zoom
Friday, December 18
- 9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Open Table prep
- 10:00 am - Daughters of the King. This is a women's prayer group that meets once a month. If you are interested, please contact Joan, jesstafford60@gmail.com
Saturday, December 19
- 9:00 am - 11:00 am - Open Table Prep
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7:30 pm - Service of Nine Lessons and Carols, Trinity Cathedral: Facebook
Sunday, December 20 - Fourth Sunday of Advent
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Talk with Stephen
Could you use a prayer or a listening ear? Do you have ideas you'd like to share? Although our offices are closed, Pastor Stephen is available to talk by phone or via Zoom. If you'd like to find a time to talk with Stephen, you can call Alison at 707-579-2604 or email Stephen directly at sshaver@incarnationsantarosa.org.
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Need Support?
If you know of anyone, including yourself, who could use a communion visit or a prayer, please call the church office (707-579-2604) or email alison@incarnationsantarosa.org
If you have a pastoral emergency after hours or on weekends, please call the church office (number above) and follow the prompts for the Priest-on-Call.
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