Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Holiday Hustle n' Bustle- Rekindle the Joy #KeepingAdvent





Here we are- the holiday season is upon us. You might even be already sick of it,  because maybe you noticed it sort of started before it actually started. If you’re like me maybe you noticed Christmas decorations weeks out before Thanksgiving?  At Starbucks, the Thanksgiving Blend came out before Halloween, then was all out before Thanksgiving. I was actually drinking their Christmas blend coffee the day before Thanksgiving. Insanity! I didn't have time to even properly sit down with my family to be thankful for the year and everything. I was quickly being thrust into the next phase of figuring out gifts before I even cut the turkey.  I know there are plenty of feelings going around the idea of protecting the sanctity of the holidays from the stores and store employees, but this piece isn’t about ranting or raving against stores or consumers. Who doesn’t love a good deal?  This piece isn’t about any of that- this is about joy and rekindling the spirit.

So I start off with Starbucks- joy in a cup :) Well, almost. I love their slogans and taglines each and every year. They are genius at marketing. Why can’t the church be more like Starbucks? Not at all like the Youtube video on that. I mean in trying to always capture the meaning of the holidays. They (Starbucks) write:



The holidays are about spending time with loved ones and of course, giving gifts. Our Holiday Village is a place where you and yours can share seasonal moments and experience the joy of the holidays each and every day.

What would you write? What are these holidays about to you? Is it about sharing coffee and memories or about something else? I like their slogan this year, “Rekindle the joy.” This is perfect for our Advent series here at St. Luke’s Episcopal: #KeepingAdvent. Along with the other holidays, the Advent season is coming too. How many people get “geeked” for Advent like they do for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, New Years? Certainly not me, but that’s why this series is important. Advent is often the overlooked season of the church. Advent is a season in and of itself- more than just a countdown, where you get to open a little calendar door for a chocolate down to Christmas day.  I must say here that I am not speaking badly about chocolate advent calendars. I love ‘em, have ‘em, BUT there is more to this special season. Advent is about so many things- our reminder of God’s promise, that Christ came, is coming again, to keep waiting, to remember the joy of our salvation,  to keep our lamps burning, to rekindle the joy.

May you, this Advent season, hear the story of the holy father’s love of the world and for you. Be reminded again that he is indeed coming back. That he does not delay nor is he slow or keep his word. 1 Corinthians 16:13 has a great word,” Stay awake, stand firm in your faith, be brave, be strong.”

This time of year can be full of joy and harmony, but I also understand that this is also a time for stress and tension too. Maybe you are like me and most of us at St. Luke’s- we need this Advent to re-spark within us some joy. We/I need joy. We/I need to be rekindled. Thank you Starbucks for (unofficially) kick starting off a wonderful campaign. :) I encourage you to follow this Advent series this season. It’s ok to have hustle n’ bustle everyday and it’s also okay to sit down to reflect have some time for yourself. In fact, doing that will benefit everyone around you.

Here’s a poem I recently read about reflection:

Breathe,  Breathe in,
Feel it going in,
 Feel my lungs expand,
Slow,
Hold,
Feel it,
  Release it,
Release my shoulders,
 Let me eyelids collapse
Breathe in good,
 Exhale the bad,
Fill with positive,
 Create space,
Feel the distance leave us,
 Become attuned,
Aware.
Breathe.
(author unknown)

May the peace of the Lord be with you,
Mike Belmares; Mt. 6:33
(Follow him on Twitter: @metromonk)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

10+ household practices for Advent


St. Luker's decorate wreaths each year for use
in our homes. The wooden platforms (made by
our own Wilbur L.) are a vast improvement over
the styrofoam ones of years past!
Advent.
A season of getting ready.
A time to listen...to prophets and angels.
They are telling us that God still loves us, that light is coming, that we have a part to play.
They are telling us to be quiet. Listen and watch, because God is going to do something amazing.
How will we get ready to see the light in the darkness?
How will we prepare to say "yes" to God's invitation?

Below are few ideas of ways to observe Advent, which begins December 2, in our households. Many of these were suggested by our "Raising Cain" group of parents who gather monthly to discuss raising children, youth, and young adults in the faith.

Advent Practices for Households (a work in progress by St. Luke’s, Durham, 2012)

-Light the Advent wreath together. Include prayers, songs, stories from scripture.
-Use an Advent calendar, opening a door or placing something new on the calendar each day. You can purchase Advent calendars or make your own. Consider a felt board calendar with a different cut-out for each day.
-Set up an empty crèche scene. Move the Holy Family (Mary and Joseph) closer to the crèche each day. On Christmas, place the baby Jesus in the manger.
-“Pad the manger” with “straws of love.” Set up an empty box or basket. During Advent add a piece of straw to the basket every time someone in the family does an act of love for someone else. When we perform acts of love for others, we are getting our hearts ready to receive God’s love, like the manger ready to receive the baby Jesus.
-Sing Advent songs together. There is an entire Advent section in the Hymnal.
-Perform acts of service together as a family. Buy presents for needy families or food for the food pantry. Clean up God’s creation.
-Find quiet times. Just sit in the dark and look at the lights on your tree or the lights of your Advent wreath together.
-Set aside money together as a family that you will donate to a charity that is special to your family. Buy honor cards at the alternative gift fair to support organizations that help others.
-Celebrate Feast Days during the season such as St. Nicholas Day on December 6.
-Look out for other Advent events in the community.
-Select Advent story books to read together.
-Decorate your house/tree in stages, so that you are adding Christmas decorations all the way up until Christmas Eve.
-Look online for other resources. Here are a couple of good ones:
http://storypath.wordpress.com/lectionary-links/ Makes connections between upcoming readings in church and children’s literature (good all year round, not just Advent).
www.stnicholascenter.org St. Nicholas activities, crafts, recipes, and more, plus how to explain the difference between this Advent saint and “Santa Claus.”

Monday, November 26, 2012

St. Luke's Alternative Gift Fair December 2 and 9

The St. Luke's Alternative Gift Fair (going strong now for over 20 years) is coming Sundays, December 2 and 9 from 8:30-12:30.

Advent is our church season of preparing our hearts to welcome Christ anew at Christmas. We prepare by slowing down and making time to be quiet with God. We also prepare by remembering all those in need. Remember that the baby Jesus was born in a stable! Bring your checkbooks or cash to donate to organizations that will help others with housing, food, education, basic needs, and so much more. Most organizations provide a card for you to send to someone letting them know that you gave a gift in their honor. One World Market will be here on Dec. 9 only with fairly traded crafts and foods from around the globe. Learn more about all the organizations that will be represented by clicking here.

This year consider an "alternative" gift that gives to people we don't even know in addition to the people we do know. Drop by the fair in Johnson Hall behind the main church building, even if you don't plan to attend our worship services (although we always welcome newcomers). It's easy to find us and easy to park (1737 Hillandale Rd right next to I-85). And we have great, free food and coffee.

Urban Ministries of Durham offers "honor cards" for a donation



SEEDS has cards, t-shirts, and bags to benefit this gardening
outreach ministry.

Housing for New Hope has homemade jewelry for sale.


Monday, November 19, 2012

Jingle Bell LEAP 5K Run/walk for Latino Education



Jingle Bell LEAP 5K Walk or Run Saturday December 8, 2012. Duke East Campus. Registration 9 a.m. Run/walk 10 a.m. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Durham/JingleBellLEAP All proceeds benefit LEAP.

LEAP is a partnership of Episcopal Churches (led by El Buen Pastor, St. Luke's, and St. Philip's) helping young Latino students succeed in school through Pre-K instruction and afterschool tutoring. To learn more, come out to the Jingle Bell LEAP, visit the website: www.durhamleap.org or contact durhamleapcoordinator@gmail.com 

Monday, November 12, 2012

Starting Up Children's Chapel for Ages 2-4

 
This fall, we’ve been thrilled to be able to start up Children’s Chapel for ages 2-4 in Johnson Hall.  We hope to use this time each week for very basic, developmentally appropriate Christian formation.  Typically, we light the alter candles as a group, pray a short confession, read a bible story together, enjoy some craft time, and sing LOTS of songs.  Although St. Luke’s historically has had a Children’s Chapel time for this age group, this tradition is new to us, so we’re still working out some of the kinks and tailoring our time to the interests and personalities of the children who attend.  We’re so excited to see where this program goes in coming months, especially with the imminent addition of simple music instruments for our times of song. 

We are very actively looking for volunteers for this Children’s Chapel, so please let me know if you could join us every few weeks in our time of worship by emailing me at hilly@stlukesdurham.com.