Dearly Beloved,
Does one ever stop wondering at the forward march of time?
Sometimes in our Tuesday morning Lectio Divina conversations, we talk about the possibility that for God, time does not exist. That past, present, and future are all somehow simultaneous. Already, right now, and not yet all happening at once. It's a bit of a brain bender.
I am noticing the days shortening. The cold is coming, I am told (for Game of Thrones fans, I think the phrase is "Winter is coming."). I pray for the rain or snow that the earth and all our plants and trees need. This week, as we prepare to receive our pledges for the coming year and as I have begun to turn my hands and heart more firmly towards Advent, I've been thinking a lot about the power of story. The Advent stories that are so familiar: told year after year after year, and yet every year they have some new or particular layer to offer us. What pieces will land with us this year? On what will we focus? Which details may we notice for the first time or simply afresh?
And what about us as a church? What are the stories that we need to tell? About the good work that we are doing together? About how Christ moves among us, equipping us with curiosity, courage, and compassion. About what our financial gifts and our gifts of time and talent mean to our congregation and to our wider community? Sure, they keep lights and heat on, they pay our staff, they purchase supplies for our worship and our fellowship time.
But there are also the stories of relationships cultivated within (and outside!) of our walls through our being community. There are stories of newfound or re-found hope in community. Of the power of prayer and the laying on of hands before surgery. Of a lengthy dark night of the soul when someone could not feel God's presence and then, not suddenly, but clearly after a time of showing up, an awakening a re-awakening to the indwelling spirit. There are the stories of what it means to show up and have our children welcomed -- the talkative, boisterous, extroverted ones and the quieter, more reserved ones all seen and embraced and welcomed for who and how they are.Of the person who stumbles into Thrifts and Gifts, needing community or purpose or just a warm coat and being met with dignity, respect and care. Of the young men who walk with empathy and compassion and who know without a doubt that their church family loves them. There are the stories about how hearing of our own belatedness -- and each others'! -- week after week changes us, transforms us.
What stories are you holding about how this community is impacting you? What hopes and dreams do you have for our church? And for yourself as part of it?
I hope as we move through Thanksgiving and into Advent, we can hold and share those stories. That we can tell how God is moving around, among, and within us.
Just a reminder, tonight at 6:00 pm is our congregation's Third Wednesday supper social with a Thanksgiving feast! I won't be there due to family commitments, but I hope you can make it! It will be fun, and there will be opportunities to sing carols together too.
Tomorrow at 7:00 pm is our Community Transgender Day of Remembrance Worship at Namaqua Unitarian Church (745 E 5th St, Loveland, CO 80537). Our very own Macy Warner and Brian Schuetz will be providing special music for the service.
Friday at 10:00 am, we will hold a funeral service for Bruce Helzer here at church.
Whether you are here in person for these events, thank you for holding our community in your heart and prayers, for witnessing and sharing in God's story of love that get to live in community together.
With gratitude and hope,
Thandiwe
