 Beloved:
Home is the least-hyped place I go this Christmas week, and I couldn’t love it more. I love not feeling crazy. I love not feeling overwhelmed by the expectations of the faceless others I sometimes imagine judging me. I love when the word incarnation makes more sense to me than Black Friday and Amazon Prime. Which is not to say I don’t enjoy certain things like mocha star cookies and small scale decorating. Family get-togethers are hands down the best. Again, it’s those hugely hyped-up expectations that give this season the life-sucking edge I dread so much. Though recently I’ve come to wonder if this might be my problem and not the faceless others’.
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Beloved:
I blinked and my Tuesday Morning was Thursday afternoon, and I still haven’t written you. Which isn’t to say you aren’t on my heart and mind. I’ve been everywhere but my desk, mostly sitting with people with things to talk about. Wonderful stories of where they’ve been, the work they do and whom they love. This morning I had a meeting where a golden retriever lay on my feet. His job is to comfort stressed-out kids. Skilled yet subtle therapist that he is, he lies near the kid but ends up helping everyone in the room chill out. He works for pats and treats and constantly responds to the command, thank you . More than other years I’m in touch with people for whom the holidays are achingly hard. Some are grieving and others lonely. More than usual tell of brokenness in their extended families that is making going home or seeing family a tender, tearful conversation. If you find yourself there, I pray you know you aren’t alone . . . that your church family loves you, and we are glad you are here. We are your tribe. For people without an invitation: you are always invited to whatever we have going on, including our Christmas Eve Services. In the morning we’ll gather at 10:45 for a joined service with McDoel Baptist Church for music and little sermons from both Reverend Ron Hamrick and myself. Downstairs before and after the service we will have coffee, Christmas cookies and a small missions project for the Interfaith Winter Shelter. In the evening, Ron and I will lead our usual candlelight service of Lessons and Carols with Communion at 7:30 PM. This is a very casual service with music and readings. Wiggly, excited little kids are most especially invited. As well, there are other ways to serve people needier than ourselves this season. See some ideas below. If you are hosting family and friends, consider widening your table a bit to include people who’ll be on their own. What a gift to have a home and family to share! Also, don’t forget the cantata this Sunday! Carl Briggs is planning a party spread of little eats after the service, so invite a friend for music and treats this week. ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette Opportunities to Serve ~ See their websites for the ways you can donate to or volunteer for some of the organizations we support: Community Kitchen - volunteer; Community Kitchen - donate Interfaith Shelter - volunteer; Interfaith Winter Shelter - donate Salvation Army - volunteer or donate money or goods  Seeing my neighbors go all out lighting up their houses and yards with Christmas decorations inspired me to throw the two rotten pumpkins on my own porch into the chicken coop. Our tree is not up, nor are any stockings hung.
The Christian in me wants Christmas to be a season of worship, like Lent and Easter, where eggs and chocolate are the lesser part. But sadly, the Christian in me is all too easily hijacked by the hedonist who also lives in me, the one who eagerly eats up the Christmas message of over-working, over-spending self-indulgence. Knowing full well it’s a message sold by retailers and profiteers, I’m still hard pressed to decline, even passively, what I know will never keep its promises. |
I write a Tuesday morning devotional to members and friends of UBC. It is also posted here.
Enjoy! Pastor Annette Copyright
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July 2022
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