Musings Along Life's Way: Walking in the Luminous Dark: Transformation and Change in our Lives

He told me that once
He forgot himself & his
Heart opened up like a
Door with a loose latch
& everything fell out &
He tried for days to put
It all back in the proper
Order but finally he
Gave up & left it there
In a pile & loved
Everything equally.
Brian Andreas

This Sunday, December 2 and again on December 16 and 23,I will be leading a series of discussions on transformation and how we change. Howard Thurman once preached a series of sermons during Advent reflecting on the “Luminous Dark.” This time of year has the quality of luminous darkness. Just as the nights get long, paradoxically, we talk about the new light and new day that is coming. In the Christian church we talk of the coming of Christ into the world and into our individual lives. We speak of new hope, peace, love and joy. Life is rekindled, we might say. What is this rekindling? This change? How does it come about? Let’s discuss this matter and see how change has come into our lives, how new life has emerged.

I received this from the UCC Vitality People today. It is one of their Advent Meditation pieces – they are sending them out one a day until Christmas. If you would like to receive these messages by UCC minister, William Green, go to http://www.uccvitality.org/generosity/get-our-daily-advent-devotional-by-email.html and sign up. This is a nice piece on how Christ comes to us.
Blessings, David

Musings Along Lifes Way

Dear Friends,

Once again, I will deviate from the course that I set for myself a few weeks ago when I promised a continuing exposition of our Vision and Mission Statement. This Sunday will be a special day in the life of our church and I would like to share with you what will be happening:

1. It is Faith Promise Sunday. Join us as we recommit ourselves to our church’s life and ministry. During our service of worship we will be gathering our Faith Promises for 2008. The service itself will be filled with music, with thanksgiving and joy – reminders of the abundance we experience in the grace of God. This is reason enough make sure that we are all in church. However, there is a special treat….
   
2. At the 10:30 service, the Chancel Choir will premiere an anthem commissioned in memory of Laverna Brown, longtime member of our church and strong supporter of the United Church of Christ in Northern California and beyond. The anthem, based on Psalm 1 and entitled, Blessed Be the One, was written by Allan Robert Petker. Laverna’s family, including her sister Carolyn, from Washington, DC will be attendance. The choir has been working long and hard on this anthem. We will be there to remember Laverna and to support our Chancel Choir.
   
3. After 10:30 Church this Sunday, the UCC/DOC Conversation Committee is sponsoring a time reflecting on the history and polity of the United Church of Christ, our denomination. Long-time members who have attended new members classes have remarked on how much they have learned through presentations like this one. A light lunch will be served.

So, there we have it, another busy Sunday at church. I hope to see everyone there as we continue to celebrate our common life in Jesus Christ, thanking God for God’s presence in our worship and fellowship.
Blessings,
David