Thank you, United Church of Santa Fe, for sharing such an appropriate verse for Advent.
Light looked down and beheld Darkness, Thither will I go, said Light.
Peace looked down and beheld War, Thither will I go, said Peace.
Love looked down and beheld Hatred, Thither will I go, said Love.
So came Light and shone;
So came Peace and gave rest;
So came Love and brought Life. And the Word was made Flesh and Dwelt among us.
-Laurence Housman
Revs. John Dorhauer, Keith Haemmelmann, and Kent Siladi have teamed up to do a weekly podcast, “Three Pastors, No Filter.” It drops every Friday with banter, opinions, dialogue, and debate on matters of import and relevance from a progressive Christian point of view. Check it out on Spotify.
A fun tradition at First Congregational in Albuquerque is the GIVE/TAKE AWAY table. It’s a great opportunity to re-gift things that aren’t to your taste, but that someone else would love. People are welcome to take without bringing anything in return. “Givers” just have to make sure that additions to the table are in “gift giving” condition.
A “ Blue Christmas Service” is a peaceful service for those living with pain, stress, loss, grief, or loneliness during this season of celebration.
First Church Phoenix and Encanto Community Church will hold their combined Blue Christmas service on Dec. 18th at 7 pm at Encanto (2710 N 7th Ave, Phoenix).
Church of the Palms will also hold a Longest Night/Blue Christmas service on Dec. 21st at 5 pm.
First Congregational in Albuquerque will hold its Blue Christmas service also on Dec. 21st at 3 pm.
Church of the Palms is celebrating their fifth year of hosting IHELP every Monday night. Program volunteers help transport guests to the church, provide meals, showers, laundry, clothing and hygiene products. In addition, church members plan special programs, such as trivia night, cookie baking, birthday cards, and haircuts. The church also collects and stores household items and furniture to help graduates of the IHELP program furnish their new apartments. IHELP in the Sun City area is coordinated by Lutheran Social Services. Homeless individuals receive services from LSS and are housed in different churches nightly until they become self-sufficient.
The Wednesday Wanderers at Shepherd of the Hills are starting a new book this Wednesday, December 4th, at 10:00 am via Zoom. This is the perfect time to join as we begin reading Go and Do Likewise: Following Jesus into Our Common Humanity by Terry B. Kyllo.
You can grab your copy here: