Pastor Annette's Blog
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
"OF ALL THE THINGS GOD HAS SHOWN ME, I CAN SPEAK BUT A LITTLE WORD NOT MORE THAN A HONEYBEE CAN CARRY AWAY ON ITS FOOT FROM AN OVERFLOWING JAR."
~ MECHTHILD OF MAGDEBURG, 13TH CENTURY MYSTIC |
December 3, 2019
Beloved: Our bathroom rugs are grungy, seriously grungy. So I went shopping for new ones yesterday and then realized I’m supposed to be Christmas shopping. A woman at the store told the clerk she was done with hers. What had started as an errand threatened to become a full-blown obligation to the Spirit of Christmas and all the anxiety and stress therein. I didn’t find any rugs and managed to finish my errands without taking the Christmas-is-just-twenty-two-days-away bait. Instead, I’m going to exercise a yoga practice I’ve been working on. Any time an idea comes to mind, something to do or say, I first ask myself who wants me to say or do this: my ego or my soul? If it’s my ego - I try not to say/do it. If it’s my soul - I try to do/say it. Written out like that it sounds so easy. In practice, it’s terribly difficult. My ego cares about protecting my self-image, what others think of me (what I think others think of me, actually). My soul only cares about being true to my deepest self, my heart, my deep happiness. My soul doesn’t care a lick about what others think or my reputation. Naturally, I fail most of the time. Usually, I don’t even remember to pause and ask the first question, who wants me to say/do this? And when I do, my ego too often wins out. About Christmas I don’t even have to ask; I know. I know immediately my ego is the driver of that expensive, exhausting, stress-filled Christmas agenda of decorating, cooking and shopping. When my soul can get a hearing, she says stay home with your husband and your kids and gather around a crowded table. Add a few more family and friends and share some lovely eats. When my soul can get a hearing, she reminds me we don’t need a thing - except to share a big chunk of what we have. Go buy bikes and books and toys for kids who need to feel welcome in this town. Buy blankets for the shelter and groceries for MCUM, and don’t forget cash for the Holiday Benevolence at church. And make cookies, loads and loads of cookies, especially chocolate mocha stars. * Along with Advent worship, this is more than enough to fill me with Christmas joy without hanging a single ornament. And if you truly love the full measure of all things Christmas, I wish you all that joy and more. Whatever the case, do as your heart and soul lead, and discover the joy of being true to yourself this season. ~ peace & prayers, pastor annette There are so many ways to help others at Christmas and all year long. Check out the embedded links for more information about the organizations mentioned here. Gifts for Latinx Children -- You can provide gifts for Latinx/Hispanic children through the City of Bloomington Holiday Assistance Program. All participating families are Bloomington residents with children ranging from newborn to 12 years old and with 1 to 6 children in a household. If you are interested in participating, please submit the sponsor application at this website: https://airtable.com/shrYAat2GTv3iFrFM . Josefa Luce from the City will send you information on the child/ren you are sponsoring. The deadline to drop off your donations/gifts at City Hall on Morton Street is Friday, December 13th. If you have questions, please contact Josefa Luce at 812-349-3860 or at [email protected]. Blankets for Wheeler Mission -- other items needed especially during the winter months can be found on the linked page, along with information about their various programs throughout the year and other ways you can help during this very busy season. MCUM list -- Sunday December 8 is the last of our monthly donation days for 2019, and we want this donation to be extra large! Most-requested items include canned green beans, carrots & potatoes; vegetable and chicken soups; canned fruit; pasta & pasta sauce; canned pasta meals; canned chili; peanut butter; cereal; hygiene & cleaning items such as shampoo & conditioner; laundry detergent, dish soap, all-purpose cleaners; razors, diapers, & pull-ups. Other items and other needs are listed on their website. Holiday Benevolence -- our goal is to raise $1000 to assist the small churches in Texas that are providing food and shelter for immigrants across the border, who are waiting on their legal asylum court dates in the United States. Read more about this mission and how our dollars can help, on the linked webpage. Mocha Stars Christmas Cookies
Cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add flour, eggs, coffee, coffee liqueur, cocoa powder and mix until it forms a ball. Divide batter in half and wrap each in plastic wrap tightly. Chill 20 minutes. One at a time, roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness and cut star shape. Bake at 375 degrees for 7 or 8 minutes. Cookies should be slightly darker but not crisp. Cool on pan for one minute then move to cooling rack. In double boiler melt together baking chocolate and shortening. Dip stars into the chocolate, covering half of the star. Lay on wax paper until well set, 2 to 3 hours, or overnight.
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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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