december 2015 epistle
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Our monthly newsletter ... the December 2015 editionTRANSCRIPT
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http://bradforducc.org [email protected]
Dear Church Family,
If you love beautiful church music and candlelight, if you love the children’s
Christmas pageant and the church full of greens, if you love Christmas
carols and familiar Bible passages foretelling or recounting Jesus’ birth, then
every Sunday in December and the first half of January will be a treat for
you, and the 6:00 PM Christmas Eve service best of all.
Also, between Sundays, you can see our website for an expanding list of
Advent music to listen to and books to read. Please let us know if you have
favorite ones that we could add to the resources at
http://bradforducc.org/category/advent-resources/.
If you feel drawn to live more simply in this complex and troubling world, if
you feel scattered and long to be more centered, if you feel empty or lonely,
or if you yearn for a closer connection to God, then the Advent course we
are offering could be helpful for you. (Please see the article below about the
course, and get in touch with me right away if you would like to participate!)
And if you are one of the many who struggle during the holidays, the church
has something to offer you during this time, as well.
Exactly a year ago we were studying the comments many of us made about
this congregation in the questionnaire and small groups—the ones that
shaped our Identity and Aspiration Statement (http://bradforducc.org/).
We found that the number one thing that people love and appreciate is how
they feel here when the church is at its best. As the Statement puts it, we are
See us on Facebook!
December, 2015
striving “to be a loving church family where everyone feels welcome and at
home, appreciated and supported. We want our faith community to be a safe,
comfortable place.”
So if this is a season when you struggle, please know that you do not have to
avoid coming to
church, nor do you
have to hide the
truth if you are
feeling down. We
want to walk with
you through the
coming weeks
whatever shape
you are in, and
wherever your path
may lead. The
congregation wants
to support you and
surround you with
our love and care,
and the Deacons and I are available to talk one on one with you anytime.
Please do not hesitate to speak with us after worship or email or call. It is
what we are here to do. Christ came to love and serve those who were
suffering in body, mind, heart or soul. He calls us to do the same.
One of the marks of Advent spiritual wisdom is to know that when you are
in a dark night of soul, when it seems as if there is no light in the universe
and never was and never will be, when God feels absent, right then is a time
to turn to the light in faith as if it were within you and all around you. It is
the time to increase your prayer and worship and spiritual practice of all
kinds. As the 20th Century Trappist monk and author, Thomas Merton, said,
“Pure love and prayer are learned in the hour when prayer has become
impossible and your heart has turned to stone.” We transform our suffering
to wisdom and our struggle to peace when we turn to God in those worst
moments.
One of the traditional marks of spiritual maturity is the ability to feel a
fullness of sorrow and fullness of joy at the same time. That is what Advent
is all about. It is full of the grief and longing of
“O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear,”
and at the same time full of the hope, peace, joy and love that sings out in
the next breath,
“Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Please do not misunderstand me. Like anyone else, the spiritually mature
person can experience extremes of grief or joy that drive the other out, or
can suffer mental illness that controls the experience of grief or joy and is a
matter of body chemistry requiring therapies and medications in order to
restore balance.
As a season, though, Advent gives us the opportunity to practice living
faithfully in a world in which there is reason for both grief and joy at the
same time. There is room for us all in Advent, wherever we are on that
continuum.
Advent offers us the opportunity to grow in spiritual wisdom and maturity,
and to grow closer as a loving community. All we need to do is carve out
the time and make the effort to show up, and the Spirit of Christ will do the
rest, working in our
hearts through the
church and the Advent
words and music of
the ages, and through
all we do to support
one another here and
serve those in need
outside our doors.
Taking Advent seriously is important for this congregation in this interim
time because the Spirit of Christ that we open to now is the same one we
depend on to lead us into the next chapter of our history. Keep that in mind
as you wait and watch and pray. You are doing it for us all, to help us
follow the star on the path ahead.
Thank you for being part of this loving community. May your Advent and
Christmas be blessed with
Hope, peace, joy and love,
Tom
Advent Mindfulness and Simplicity: A Course on The Practice of the
Presence of God
Meeting Thursdays December 3rd, 10th and 17th from 5:30 to 6:50 PM at
the Bradford Congregational Church
parsonage, 258 North Main Street,
Bradford, Vermont.
This course is designed to help make
Advent a time of spiritual deepening,
preparing us for the coming of Christ at
Christmas and in our hearts at any time
through the ancient Christian disciplines
of simplicity and watchfulness.
Our text will be the 17th Century spiritual
classic, The Practice of the Presence of
God by Brother Lawrence of the
Resurrection. We will be reading the
Image edition translated and with an
excellent introduction by John J. Delaney,
and with a foreword by Henri J. M.
Nouwen.
Brother Lawrence developed a simple and
powerful spiritual practice of being
mindful of God as many moments every
day as he could. It filled his life with hope, peace, joy and love. It has done
the same for thousands of others over the centuries.
The course will include discussion as well as mindfulness practice for all
levels of experience including beginner.
Participants are requested to read the Foreword, Introduction and First
Conversation before meeting on December 3rd if possible.
The course is free, but please register in advance by writing to
[email protected]. Feel free to ask any questions you have
about the course, and also let us know if you would like us to provide a copy
of the book for you. The cost of the book is $9.00, scholarships available by
request.
Advent Colors I have asked the Diaconate to use the Advent vestment color on
communion Sunday. This is a departure from tradition in this congregation,
but in most congregations this is standard. For instance, in all the
denominations that celebrate communion weekly, the colors of the season
are always used—otherwise they would have only white all the year round.
The reason why Advent is so important to keep in the violet, purple or blue
vestment is that it is all about waiting in the darkness for the coming of the
light—waiting for the change to white at Christmas. Advent colors
symbolize our preparing for the light of Christ in hope and a spirit of
metanoia (that Greek word meaning turning our hearts, minds and spirits
back to God that is translated inadequately
as “repentance”). If you are uncomfortable
with the absence of white vestments on
communion Sunday, you can reflect on the
discomfort of Mary on the hard journey to
Bethlehem. She, too, longed for the coming
of the light.
New Christmas Eve Service Time
Please note on your calendars that the
Christmas Eve Service will be at 6:00 PM this
year. We hope the earlier time will enable
more families with young children to attend as
well as people who have a traditional
gathering that evening.
Prayer requests may be directed to [email protected]
It is our privilege to pray for you and those you care about.
Our Prayer Team first formed many years ago when a member’s
daughter was undergoing major surgery. From that initial prayer
vigil gathering grew the current team, composed of those who lift
up in daily prayer all who ask, all who are facing difficulties, all
who are worried or scared or anxious. We pray for caregivers,
medical teams, those who are ill, those who grieve, families, and
communities.
And we pray for each other,
without ceasing
Your prayer requests are held
in strict confidence.
24 questions, one per day, starting with December 1st
Lectionary Readings for DECEMBER November 29 – 1st
Sunday of Advent
Jeremiah 33:14-16
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
Psalm 25:1-10
Luke 21:25-36
December 6 – 2nd Sunday of
Advent
Baruch 5:1-9 or Malachi 3:1-14
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
December 13 – 3rd Sunday of
Advent
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 12:2-6
Luke 3:7-18
December 20 – Christmas
Sunday
Micah 5:2-5a
Hebrews 10:5-10
Luke 1:46b-55 or Psalm 80:1-7
Luke 1:39-45
Christmas
Isaiah 9:2-7
Titus 2:11-14
Psalm 96
Luke 2:1-14
Or
Isaiah 62:6-12
Psalm 97
Titus 3:4-7
Luke 2:8-20
Or
Isaiah 52:7-10
Hebrews 1:1-4
Psalm 98
John 1:1-14
December 27 – 1st Sunday after
Christmas
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26
Psalm 148
Colossians 3:12-17
Luke 2:41-52
January 1 – New Year’s Day
Numbers 6:22-27
Psalm 8
Galatians 4:4-7 or Philippians 2:5-
11 or Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
Luke 2:15-21
Revelation 21:1-6a
Matthew 25:31-46
January 3 – Epiphany Sunday
Jeremiah 31:7-14 or Sirach 24:1-
12
Psalm 147:12-20 or Wisdom of
Solomon 10:15-21
Ephesians 1:3-14
John 1:10-18
Advent – Christmas – Epiphany
Lectionary Selections
9
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar
Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when
Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own
city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto
the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and
lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she
should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in
swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in
the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over
their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of
the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said
unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall
be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising
God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward
men.”
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the
shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing
which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with
haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they
had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this
child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the
shepherds.
10
Neighbors in Need is a
special mission offering of
the UCC that supports
ministries of justice and
compassion through out the
United States.
One-third of the NIN funds
support the Council for
American Indian Ministries
(CAM). Two-thirds of the
offering is used by the UCC's
Justice and Witness
Ministries (JWM) to support
a variety of justice initiatives,
advocacy efforts, and direct service projects.
NIN contributions can be made on-line at any time here. Or you can place it in the
Sunday offering plate with “NIN” on the check’s memo line.
A donation for the Christmas Fund, formerly known as
Veterans on the Cross, can also be made at any time.
These donations go towards helping retired clergy.
You may donate through the Sunday offering by writing “Christmas Fund”
on the memo line of the check.
11
a Mission opportunity through Inter Church Council
12
Our Community Supper
We will have our monthly
community supper on December 16
at 6:00. Starting in January we will
go back to the fourth Wednesday of
the month.
Do you have holiday
tablecloths and centerpieces
you could share with us that
evening? Please contact
Marcia or call at 802-449-
4689.
See You There!
13
A History for Our Youngest and Newest
Members:
Merry Christmas to everyone from sunny
Florida. You cannot believe the Christmas
lights and decorations here. We have whole
streets where every house is professionally
decorated – darkened homes, lights and
huge decorations on palm trees, shrubbery,
walkways, lawns and roof tops! They
really go all out here BUT no snow. They
even have music, refreshments, and visit
with the strollers. Lines and lines of cars go
by! Fun, fun, fun!!
It occurred to me that our church children
may have questions about the decorations
on our sanctuary Chrismon tree. So here
goes: an explanation of the significance of the Chrismons and for our older, newer
members, how we came to have a Chrismon tree and who made our first
Chrismons. I will ask someone to help explain them to you, children, during your
story hour.
Eris Eastman,
Historian
14
15
16
17
The Inter Church
Council is sponsoring
the annual coat drive to
assist Operation Santa.
Please drop off any new
or gently used coats of
any size to Odell
Insurance or Perry Oil.
The coat drive will be
held until Thursday
December 10th.
Also remember that it is that time of year
when the food shelf is really used. Please
bring in your usual donation of canned soups,
stews, peanut butter or tuna. Thank you for
your generous donations. And they can also
use disposable diapers, toilet paper, soap,
laundry detergent, paper towels, spices, juice
boxes, popcorn and crackers. Put anything
you want for the Food Shelf into the basket
at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Storme Odell
18
Members of our church are in
this chorus and hope some of
you will come to this wonderful
concert. The first half will
feature J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat
(click here to sample).” After
intermission is Matthew Harris’
cantata set to Dylan Thomas’
“Child’s Christmas in Wales.”
Here is a (brief sampling).
19
Memorial Poinsettias 2015 Order Form
Please place your order for this year's memorial poinsettias on or before December
15th. Christmas Sunday is December 20th.
1. $15.99 each in a 6 ½ inch pot with 5-8 blooms.
20% of the purchase is donated to the UCC Flower Fund by the florist.
2. Make your check out to: UCC Flower Fund.
3. Print the name of the person(s) it is to be in memory of (as you wish it to be
printed in the bulletin insert).
4. Print your name on the “from” line (also as you wish it to be printed in the
bulletin insert).
5. Print to whom the plant should be delivered and give instructions if needed.
6. We will have large name tags in each plant – please look for correct name.
7. Help will be needed to deliver plants.
8. Mail the check and this form to: Janice Larabee, P.O. Box 216, Bradford,
VT 05033
In Memory of:
From:
Deliver to:
Check here if you wish your plant to remain for the Christmas Eve
service, after which you will take it.
20
Hello Everyone,
Next year 2016 will be my last year as chair of the buffet table and making the
Gingerbread for Game Supper. It will be my 37th year as chair of the buffet table!!
Tina Towle is shadowing me this year and will try the buffet table with my help
next year. Then she will be ready to go on her own for 2017.
We have not been able to find anyone to
chair the Gingerbread. If you like to
cook, it is really not that hard a job. We
have a wonderful recipe and I have a step
by step list of the making and baking
directions. Your responsibility is Friday
afternoon before Game Supper from 2;30
to about 6:30. It works well to have 3
people help you up at the Oxbow kitchen.
If you might be interested in volunteering
please contact me at 222-9655 or speak with Dan or Tracy Smith.
Storme Odell
CHURCH COUNCIL 11/5/15
With ten members present following prayer we discussed the Search
Committees duties and qualifications. Each one submitted names and we
developed a list of candidates. We discussed each one and ended with a list of ten
people. Two members who couldn’t serve again agreed to contact the people
letting them know of what to expect and if they were interested in serving. They
will bring the results to council on Dec. 3rd for confirmation.
Trustees recommended we budget for two camp scholarships at $250 each for
next year. Also reported that the windows in the belfry were painted glass and
many panes were broken so not worth repairing and installing them in the Choir
room. They have hired a woman janitor. They didn’t feel it necessary to have a
kitchen committee. They are having Rev. Tom Kinder’s name printed for the sign
in front.
Bethanne Tillotson and Kim Merrill have agreed to put on the Christmas Dinner
this year.
Missions will be setting up a table at Midnight Madness.
Finance meeting for Budget is set for Jan 14th at 7 PM so all committees need to
get figures ready and bring them to the meeting.
Christmas Eve Service will be at 6:00 PM
Council Co-Chair, Daniel Perry
21
Hello everyone,
During Advent, I will be emphasizing chorale preludes based on “All Glory Be to
God on High” for the first two Sundays. The first Sunday I will include as prelude
a three part fugue on this hymn tune (BWV 716) which I will probably play at least
twice using very different organ combinations. I plan to begin it as a trio with a
single part given to each hand and pedal. It has taken me a while to master this, but
it is great exercise for hand-feet-eye coordination.
Later in Advent, I will feature “Joy of Man’s Desiring” of J.S. Bach which I have
been re-learning. The German chorale preludes seem best early in Advent, but I
will select more French pieces as Advent progresses. Thanks, Tom, so much for
the Advent plan! That is really helpful to establish the mood as musical context for
your messages.
John Atwood, Organist and Choir Director
A Portrait of Our Church
The publicity committee is beginning the process of sprucing up our bulletin
boards, and our first bulletin board project will feature portraits of the
congregation. During the month of December, Bridget Peters will have her
"studio" set up in the vestry during coffee hour each Sunday to take photos of
individuals, couples, or families. You do not need be a member to get your photo
taken, we want to include everyone! If you have your own photo that you would
prefer to be used on the bulletin board, please give it to Bridget.
Thank you from the Publicity Committee!
Sunday School
December is an exciting month for the children in our congregation! In their
home lives of course, they are thinking about Santa, presents, and family
gatherings, and in church, they are learning about Advent and the wonder of Jesus’
birth, and they get to be active participants in some of the special church rituals we
do this time of year.
They launch into this exciting season by singing “Light One Candle” with the
choir and lighting the first Advent candle on November 29th, after which they’ll go
downstairs and get ready to host coffee hour!
Please also mark your calendars for December 13th when they will perform the
annual Christmas pageant.