December 6, 2020

Good morning St. John's Community,

We have conflicting messages right now. There is hope on the horizon for vaccines to fight the virus, but before we get there we're seeing cases, hospitalizations and deaths climb. Likewise, unemployment numbers are hardening. As a strange sign of the times, last night I saw an image of Santa encased in a plastic bubble doing his best to share holiday joy with a young child at a mall.

This is an Advent we will never forget.

I am mindful of the original build-up to Jesus' birth, when there was hope, but the darkness of the world was still very great. We are perhaps closer to what that experience was like than the typical holiday frenzy we would normally have. This year we will get through it by remembering to nurture one another and stay connected, to savor the slowing down where we can, to pray, and to stay mindful that we are entrusted with the gift of God's love both for our own sake and for the sake of the world. That is ultimately the point of this season.

I am grateful that we can be as connected as we are at this time as a church. From the many conversations I have been having with parishioners lately, it could not be clearer how much we need the blessing of community.

Today, in addition to our worship and classes, we are bringing back Zoom Coffee Hour at 10:00am. (Click here to participate.) We also have our annual Advent celebration this evening! Please look below to read more about it and to sign up.

Today's service will be available to watch live at 9:00am on Facebook, or at any time on our YouTube page, or here on our website. (There are no outdoor worship services today.)

Finally, we have a new podcast on Christian practices called "Holy Habits." The first episode is already out, and we will provide new episodes weekly throughout the seasons of Advent and Christmas. You may find it here.

I hope you will take the opportunity to tune in to some of these offerings, and that they will be a blessing to you.

Faithfully,

Rob+

How to help, or how to get help. During this difficult time, St. John's is looking to connect people in need of assistance with those who are able to help. If you fall into either category, please visit this link or send an e-mail to help@stjohns-dc.org with your name, contact information, and details of the type of support you can give or the support you need. And to get involved in any of our ongoing local outreach ministries, which are in special need curing this time, you may click here.

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