I'd like to take a fresh path with these ARC monthly updates and introduce and highlight some of the other leaders in the ARC.

 

I recently read Mike Sares' newsletter for December and he brought up the church calendar, Advent in particular.

I like his reference to Isaiah and festival keeping and it's one of the things I like about the church calendar. It presses us to focus on the things that truly shape our worship--like the Incarnation, and the Resurrection, and the outpouring of the Spirit as the new covenant community is launched on its mission. Advent and Lent are preparation times to re-engage these central truths and the Realities that they hearken once again.  (read more)