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Reflection from our Co-Pastors, Tuesday November 30
Continuing our journey of Hope during this first week of Advent, let us be inspired by the words of The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky.
Our world is in need of hope! We are in need of hope! The Advent and Christmas seasons invite us to reflect hope. How can Scripture, signs and symbols of the season remind us of this hope? Where might we find hope in others' words and actions? How is it that we can nurture hope into the Christmas season and New Year?
Expecting Hope
It’s that time of the year again, when we are brought to the gift of our Advent and Christmas stories. Our readings will blend the prophets foretelling with the Gospel realities of this coming of Jesus.
Yet, our global reality is different. It is one of division, poverty, hunger, inequality, fake news, self-interests, individualism, corruption, violence, destruction of Earth, no sense of the common good, and many other tragedies and injustices. How is it that we enter a season of Advent, as season of hope, amidst this reality?
It is the darkest time of the year for those living in the United States and yet, as the winter solstice approaches, the smallest amount of light will provide hope as we move toward spring. Our world seems bleak and without hope due to the many injustices. And yet, to have hope, reminds us of that holy discontent within each of us for the world as it is. Hope is about our longing for the “Kin-dom of Heaven” in the here and now.
Contemplate:
- What is hope to you?
- Where do you find hope?
- How do you nurture hope?
Believe! This word invites us forward with our hearts in that internal knowing of Emmanuel, God’s presence with us at all times. An invitation to rest and connect as Mary did when she sat at the feet of Jesus awaits each of us. Watchful, as those shepherds were with the night sky. Waiting as Mary did prior to the angels arrival knowing that our Divine loves us. Our stance is one of trusting that Jesus’ Spirit is already present and that each is invited to the spiritual labor of waiting and listening. We open our heart to the manger child and to the great wonder that awaits. We rest in hope.
We are called to intentionally reflect more deeply during this season on Scripture and the many signs and symbols. We note how Jesus’ Spirit is present, how God reigns in injustices, how peace unseats war, how Mary responds with a yes not knowing what lies ahead, how Jesus becomes the center over all ‘stuff’, how our Divine is renewing the world in small ways. Finding and experiencing hope takes courage. Desiring and praying for hope, often involves a seeing and experiencing differently. We long
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for hope in the other and others seek hope through us.
Contemplate:
- Where do I experience Jesus’ Spirit or our Divine offering hope to me through others? beyond our congregations or families?
- How do we maintain faith in one another amidst all that surrounds us?
- How do my words and actions offer hope to others?
Mary and Elizabeth shared, together, that nothing was impossible with God. Their emptiness and cooperation with our Divine brings forth hope that injustice's days are limited in number. Mary breaks into a song of praise. Together, they set about preparing with anticipating the bringing about of this longed-for hope. They become living signs of hope. Openness to the impossible is a moment for new beginnings and a clear indication that suffering is not all there is.
“A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices.” Goodness always breaks through. Human beings rise time and again when situations are tragic and others are in need. This is hope. This is the power of resurrection. Each is called to nurture and express hope in the midst of our weary and unjust world.
Contemplate:
- How can I be like the evergreen tree, constant and unwavering in hope?
- How can each of us, as Mary and Elizabeth, demonstrate the impossible with our Divine?
Perhaps the following ideas may be helpful in our endeavors toward hope.
- Turning on a light as a call to be watchful in the darkness.
- Seeing our evergreen tree as part of God’s constant presence.
- Listening to wise shepherds, dreamers and visionaries for inspiration.
- Being in silence for God’s words and distancing ourselves from constant news cycles.
- Desiring a message of hope from the symbols of our family Saints on our Christmas trees.
- Creating a star with words, phrases, or images that guide us to hope.
- Experiencing the manger scene with awe of God’s abundant love.
- Preparing self for God’s hope as we hear John the Baptist crying, “prepare the way.”
- Mesmerizing at the beauty of decorations that remind us to see and experience hope differently.
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This Week's Advent Schedule
301 Faith Partners
In church and live on Zoom where noted
Advent Compline – Wednesdays, Dec 1, 8, 15, 22 - at 8:00 pm. End your day with a 30-minute sung Compline service. Host, St. Paul's or join via this Zoom link. The passcode is 419433
Weekly Contemplative Time – In the Sanctuary only, Friday’s at 2:30-4:00 pm
No Zoom link
For complete Calendar for Advent and Christmas visit our website here
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301 Faith Partners - This week |
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16 Days Against Gender Violence: A Webinar
Hosted by Churches Beyond Borders
Webinar - Tomorrow Wed. December 1st
11:30am - 1:00pm
Authors reflect on contributions to a 16-part series of devotional reflections for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
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301 Faith Partners Immigration Task Force
The ITF will meet on **Thursday, December 2 at 7:00 pm** via Zoom. New members are always welcome to join us! To join click HERE , Meeting ID: 350 899 592 | Passcode: 028929
Agenda will include updates from:
- Frances Gaebler and Ticie Rhodes, who will join us to answer questions about a program that will provide volunteer drivers to assist/accompany Asylees to appointments in Fort Collins and to Denver. They are specifically looking for a program coordinator before moving forward with the program.
- The ISAAC Interfaith Working Team
- The ISAAC Advocacy, Accompaniment & Education Working Team
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Praying for peace, health and well-being through challenging times
+Yvonne Keefe - member
+Everly Parks - 4 year old with cancer, friend to Lynne and Jim Barnes, members.
+Joyce - for her cancer treatments, friend to Suzanne King, member.
+Harry, 11 year canine companion to Gray La Fond.
+Allison and Madison- Granddaughters Cousin Nancy and Sister-in-law Judy - Dick and Sandra Life, members.
+Dan Scace, Tom Dykers and Monte
Bowthorpe - friends of Dick Life, member
+Charli - friend of Jean Christen, member
+Joan Wershberger & Mary Etta Fothergill - friends of member Cathy Engel
+Dorothea Grimm - Mother of Rosanna Bateman, member
+Mary Detweiller - member
+Jerry Padilla, father and Ryan Cordova nephew of Lisa Jones - member
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+Joanne Gallagher - member
+Rosemary - Fr Michael's mother
+Dani - niece of the Cloyds - members
+Mike Gudim
+Suzanne King - member
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A blessed and peaceful repose of souls for those who've passed and comfort for the friends and families.
+Michael Beavan, Brother of Anne Beavan, member
+For the niece of Steve and Cheryl Backsen (of Trinity Lutheran) and the entire Backsen family
Fr. Denny Dempsey - and in gratitude for his spiritual presence in my life - Gaston Lopez
Eric Rose - Estes Park Policeman
Leo Six – Father of Michael Six, member
Dr. Barbara Immroth - sister of member Joanne Gallagher
Dolores Orsi - mother of member
Jared Orsi
Herman Phillip - friend of Brad Rouse
Adrian - Son of Joe & Ann - friends of
members Cindy and David Cloyd
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Please send prayer requests to marymagdalafc@gmail.com. Prayers will be listed for one month unless requested for longer. Prayers for the repose of souls will be listed for six months unless requested for a longer time.
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Sunday, Nov 28th - Recording, First Sunday in Advent
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Past Recordings, Bulletins, and Announcements
For all bulletins, reflections, Sunday recordings during, visit our webpage. Please contact us with questions, concerns and ideas for better connection with and for the community - marymagdalafc@gmail.com. And feel free to call the office at 970 493-9536.
Newsletters of Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Paul's Episcopal
What are our partners in ministry up to? Go here for the Trinity Lutheran Church monthly newsletter, "Tidings". And here is St Paul's weekly bulletin
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Who Are the 301 Faith Partners? |
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The 301 Faith Partners have a Vision,
Mission and Values statement that guides our relationships, interactions, and shared projects and ministries.
Our Vision – ‘Our guiding Light’
Weaving a tapestry of love, hope and justice for the world.
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Read the Vision, Mission, Core Values and Covenant here.
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