Keeping in Touch - December 10, 2016

Good afternoon, James Bay United Church,

The daffodils in full bloom just a block away from where I live (!!*?!!) weren't the only darlings shivering their timbers earlier this week.  And then there are the humming birds this time of year.  The signs of resilience all around us are remarkable.  I'm sure by now you've heard the news that broke out last Sunday afternoon of the withdrawsl of the proposed pipeline route near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota ... after months of standing steady and growing solidarity among the Sioux Nation and water protectors from near and far.  What makes for resilience among us?  It's a question worth carrying, attending to.  Maybe this is something of the gift of winter -- to attune us to this capacity --this holy life force --  that is woven into so much of God's creation.

Tomorrow, already, we arrive at the 3rd Sunday in Advent.  It's the Sunday we light the Joy candle.  Consider taking some time this week, even in preparation for tomorrow's service, to ask yourself how have you known joy?  It's questions like this (and the resilience question) that cause us to trace our way to life-giving moments, that put us in touch with the movement of the Spirit in our life, in our world.  It's one of the ways we find ourselves stepping into a pool of grace.

That pool of grace will be a very present thing in our service tomorrow as we celebrate the baptism of Oskar Johannes Williams, new to our neighbourhood. His parents and grandparents have been anticipating this day for some months now.  I hope you can lend your heart and voice to that celebration and the service as a whole tomorrow.  It's also the day that we gather in the Angel Gifts, if you're one of those angels, and haven't already delivered yours to the church.

In case it's not already on your calendar, one last reminder of our pre-Christmas dinner and carolling event next Saturday (December 17), beginning at 6pm in the lower hall.  You're asked to bring along a vegetable dish or dessert to share ... and your singing voice.   A wonderful evening is in store.

Grace and Peace,

Karen