Dear Friends, as I mentioned last week, we have renegotiated the Interim Rector Covenant of Ministry, which will increase my time commitment starting January 1st. I will continue to take Mondays off, and normally plan to be in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. I’m adding Friday but will work from home that day or use it for pastoral visits.
Our Outreach & Justice team are leaving the Advent Giving Tree up in the Gallery until January 8, so there’s still time to donate to the three groups represented there. These groups are Outside In, Community Transitional School and a large Syrian refugee family new to the Portland area.
The Search Committee officially handed their work over to the vestry at last Thursday’s vestry meeting. Senior Warden Helen Crandell will guide the vestry as the process to select a new rector continues. The vestry will begin by reviewing the vast amount of information amassed by the Search Committee in their part of the search process. The vestry must examine not only the written material submitted by the candidates, but interview transcripts and videos of their sermons as well.
Giant storms, world-wide drought, record floods, extraordinary temperatures, and massive wildfires, are but a few of the devastating effects of Climate Change that are already happening on our planet. All of this has been predicted since the 1980s. But the necessary changes in our human way of living have been ignored. Today the Episcopal Church is determined to make a difference.
The Winter Solstice on December 21st is the longest and darkest night of the year. It can be uncomfortable being in the dark, and we feel that discomfort living in these dark times of uncertainty, confusion, chaos and change in our own lives, the life of our community and in our world. The darkness may seem more intense as we live in the midst of what, for many, is a joyous festive season. We wait for and long for light, healing and renewed hope in our hearts. On Tuesday, December 20, at 7:00 pm we will come together to celebrate the Longest Night Service and pause to honor the fullness of the darkness in our lives at this time and our dream of returning light.
All youth in middle and high school are invited next Sunday, December 18, for the Annual Youth Group Christmas Party. It will be happening in St. Michael’s House from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. There will be a gingerbread decorating contest and, back by popular demand, a White Elephant gift exchange.
Advent has much wisdom to share with us as we journey through this season of darkness, seeking light and hope. Thomas Merton is known for his prayer which begins, “My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end.” This uncertainty is familiar to us. But, this uncertainty about our vocation, our path, about our life and the future life of our community is comforted in the hope we find in Advent. Merton trusted that though he didn’t have all the answers, God would not leave him to face his life journey alone. This is the meaning of Advent. We are not alone.
Sunday Worship Schedule
7:30 – Spoken Traditional language (Rite 2 with no music)
9:00 – Traditional Service with Choir
11:00 – Inclusive Language with Choir
1:00 pm – Misa en Español
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