I've been thinking a lot about connection this last week. You may have noticed in my last sermon -- I've been wrestling with how our lack of connection or our unwillingness to acknowledge our connection can lead to violence and harm. We see how this is playing out in our world as genocides rage, in our country as gun violence and social isolation continue, and in our own communities where homelessness, mental illness and addiction impact many of us either directly through our own experience or indirectly through the experience of those we love.
Even as I have wrestled with this, I have also found great hope (and yes, joy!) in the ways that you choose connection. In the texts of paintings, songs or prayer concerns you send me. In emails about how you are connecting with and caring for one another. In the gift of an anonymous donor who covered the cost of getting new locks and keys for our doors so that our building can be safer. Or the matching gift of an anonymous donor earlier in the year that encouraged us to give a little extra to support our homeless and unaccompanied youth in Loveland. In your questions and conversations and compassion.
We find strength and joy in connection.
I hope you'll join us this coming Sunday as we connect with the ancient nativity story through drama. It's the first time in a while that we've had a Nativity Play that required more of us than donning a costume on Sunday morning. I'm so grateful to Jay Britt and Brian Schuetz who are taking the in-front-of-the-scenes lead and Tena Britt who I know is an essential behind-the-scenes player. And I'm grateful to the people who said yes to participating.
I love this strange story -- of angels and priests, of pregnant old ladies and scared teenage girls who say yes to God. Of silence and laughter. I love that it is complicated. And messy. I love that there are all these nuances to consider -- what did Elizabeth and Zechariah think about getting pregnant so old? What worries did Mary have? Who, in addition to Elizabeth, supported Mary? Cheered her on? What about Joseph? I love the message: "Do not be afraid." It's a message that we only tell each other when we are indeed terrified. And it's less: "Don't feel afraid" and more "Don't let your fear define you. Don't let it stop you. Don't let it BECOME you."
Because the truth must be that they were all confused and terrified, anxious and worried. And in the midst of all of that, they find each other. In the midst of all of that, they say yes to God. In the midst of all of that, they find strength and joy in connection.
And so do we! Just a reminder that we are collecting socks for our unhoused neighbors this winter. Also, while we are doing our joys & concerns differently in worship, I want to make sure you know that there is a prayer table at the front of the sanctuary with candles and prayer cards. I will be looking at those prayer cards each week. If there are specific things you'd like the congregation to know about and pray for, please email those to me, and I will include them in our prayer email when it goes out.
