HELLO!

I received this email from Jerry Jackson early this morning, “Gerald Settle sent me this photo. I love the image and the message…Be the Light”. We are all called to “Be the Light”. This morning, I stood in a small metro cemetery with a grieving family as they witnessed the Light of their sister, aunt, friend. I spent time with them learning about Judy’s Light, designed our time together to reflect that specific Light. Later, at a very large gathering of friends and family, in a conference room, I was asked to “come into the space, make room for a time of song/reflection/gratitude, give opportunity for others to speak and Reflect James’ Light. These two requests came with very different needs, the former were a handful of tight relationships, all known to each other, the latter, a large crowd of younger people, many of whom did not know each other. The former are familiar with the sacred words of the church, the latter, “not so much”. I received these needs with my own Light, an orientation to hear stories, know others are not me, and offer a loose structure allowing the Light to shine. Though not a huggy person, or someone who is demonstrably emotional, I can distill the unique Light that is the other. I grin sometimes when people who call themselves “empaths” will say with their words how open, inclusive, and diverse they are but through their actions treat me as “other” because I am not like them. Sometimes it’s hard to escape the conceit that others are not always like you. You need to listen to be aware of how others feel too.

A reminder: Sunday, November 30^th at 5 pm there will be an ADVENT POTLUCK meal (crafts, conversation, and food) in the Brick Hall.

And in the morning, we begin our Advent journey, I am eager to hear/see how this Advent Light reveals the Spirit. Our scripture lesson, Matthew 24:36-44, bids us not just to wait, but to keep awake, and to watch, and to be prepared. However you may feel about this apocalyptic story, I still think it’s awfully good advice at the outset of Advent. There is so much that can distract us from the life of faith, from service to neighbour, from recognizing God in our midst. Scholars affirm many in Matthew’s time were losing confidence in the expectation God’s presence would make itself known. Matthew wrote to those who appeared asleep. His message was a loud, “Wake up!” and “Open your eyes!” The Light is shining.

Be the Light. Peace, Kevin