Thursday Thoughts

A Joyful Christmas

More of a thank you note than a blog post, my friends. It's been an incredibly busy couple of weeks at Emmanuel--the bishop's visit on the 20th, our children's choir singing the anthem, confirmations (Matt Sims and Haley Robinson), receptions (Dick and Joyce Hedges), blessings of marriages both new (Arienne and Doug) and seasoned for 60 years (Bob and Andi Lewis). It was a fantastic day all around, with more than 240 people turning out for church that morning. Bishop Rickel posts his sermons as audio files. Since he preached two different sermons that day, you might want to listen to one or both. 

And then, in the next instant, it was Christmas Eve. A glorious day and evening, with the church and her people looking beautiful! 375 people came through our doors on the 24th and about 15 people came together for Eucharist on Christmas morning. I hope you were in that number.

For the second year in a row, we welcomed families with exceptional needs children into a specially-tailored, highly participatory Eucharist. The children and their families were a Christmas blessing to all who gathered.  The hymn sing at 4:30 that preceded our Family Eucharist was fun and informal and the church was chocked-full of kids and their families.  The choir's offering of carols and anthems later in the evening and the families with older children and longtime Emmanuelites who gathered for the midnight Mass made that Christmas Eve liturgy truly special.

It takes dozens of people--staff, altar guild, flower guild, musicians, nursery providers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers, lectors, plus all the people of God, to create liturgies as meaningful as ours were these past couple of weeks. Thank you for all you do to make Emmanuel a community of welcome, worship, witnessing and service.

We are going into 2010 in good financial shape, thanks to the generosity of so many of you and the good stewardship of our vestry. Our solid fiscal condition puts us in such a good place to deepen and broaden ministry in the name of Christ. Please plan to be at our annual meeting on January 10 at 9am sharp. We'll review the past year and look forward together, for what's possible in the coming year.

Blessings on you and those you love,
Hunt+

What then should we do?

That was John the Baptist's question for the crowd that had gathered around him. He called them a "brood of vipers" and yet they stayed to hear what we had to say. that must have been one charismatic guy!

This part of Luke's gospel was our Gospel lesson this past Sunday and the crowd's question has been with me all week. Here's the lesson.

Perhaps you've asked the same thing. After the death of a spouse or a parent? After a tragedy in your own life? When you've reached a fork in the road or gotten to the dead end of another? John's response is one I try to take when I am at one of those tough spots.

He answers the crowd by telling them to share what they have. I would do a little creative translating and add to that: to reach out to others. To move beyond our own needs, from beyond our despair and to reach out. To lend a hand. To check in someone without expectation of getting anything in return.  To find a way to respect and honor those we might not ever think deserve it. John says tax collectors and soldiers who extort from people. You can add your own outcasts to the list.

This can be a season of despair for some. I hope it isn't for you, but if it is, reach out to others. Talk to someone you're close to, be honest. It's okay to not be okay. And if you don't have someone to talk to about it, call Beverly or me. We can help find, and even help pay for, an appropriate counselor. You're not alone.

Blessings. And see you in church this Sunday and Christmas Eve. And Christmas Day.

Hunt+

 

Sabbath, Rest, Hopeful Expectation

It's a December tradition, isn't it? A newsletter article or sermon from the priest or pastor about the real meaning of Advent and Christmas. The reminder that it's not about shopping or parties or the feeling that if you're not having fun, something is wrong with you. We clergy types also like to remind people to find space to pray, to listen and wait for God, for the still and quiet voice.

And you know what? That's really hard to do. That finding time part. I know it's hard because I don't always take my own advice. But it must be done for our own spiritual health and wellbeing.

When I hit "send" on this, I'll be gathering a book, and a small suitcase and my running shoes. I'll get in the car and I'll drive down to The Spirituality Center at St. Placid Priory in Lacey for an 18 hour silent retreat. I'll break the silence for an hour-long spiritual direction appointment, but otherwise quiet and reading and rest.  And it will be a gift. It will be just what the doctor ordered.

Consider, please, taking some time for yourself and for God before December 24 or during the 12 Days of Christmas. Or both; that's even better. (End of sermon, now I'm going to live it!)

Blessings on your time,
Hunt+