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Advent 2011
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"It's a mystery to me." Even in this age of tell-all media reporting, computer search engines, reality TV, advanced medical technology, criminal and partner compatibility profiling . . . there is still mystery. The essential human longing for meaning is often masked by the busyness of our lives as we balance information overload and jammed calendars. The longing is often distorted by titles and possessions, by righteous attitudes, by the lack of hope or compassion. It was ever so.
The Advent season offers us an opportunity to slow down, to take stock of our lives, to contemplate mystery. How can it be that the creator of the universe would reach from all eternity to become human? How can it be that the source of life would enter life as a helpless baby, dependent on the love and nurture of others for sustenance and growth? It is a mystery.
The solution to the mystery is, by definition, beyond our ability to comprehend. But, as believers, we explore the mystery hoping to gain an insight into what the mystery means in the concrete circumstance of our daily lives. Our faith teaches us that God is, first and foremost, a community of love: one God, three persons, the Trinity. To accept that mystery is to acknowledge that our lives are not solitary pilgrimages from birth to death, stoically enjoying or enduring events that transpire in between. Community is the reality of the God who is the creator, redeemer and sustainer of our lives.
Human beings are made for communal life. We are not created to live in self-protective isolation, but to share our joys and sorrows, to love and help one another. That's a tall order but one that gives us the perspective of Immanuel, God With Us. It is in living the mystery of community that we most fully understand the vulnerability, generosity and commitment of the Incarnation, the gift of God's life to humankind. Advent is a time to reflect how well we live that life.
In the midst of your preparations for Christmas, take time to gather with your small community to wonder at the gift God has given us in one another. That gift of communal life and love, the very mystery of God's life, is meant to be shared for the life of the world. Where and how can you best share the gift this Advent?
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Is Your Small Church Community Looking for an Advent/Christmas Outreach Project?
It goes without saying that there are many, many needs this holiday season. If your small community has the heart to help and doesn't know where to channel your kindness, please consider any of the worthwhile outreaches listed below.
- Growing Home helping homeless families move into self sufficiency. Adopt-a-family donations for the holidays, contact Meghan or Rose at 303-426-0430.
- Catholic Charities is seeking caring folks willing to provide Christmas gifts to families in need. Call 303-742-0823 x 3510.
- The Arvada Community Food Bank is always in need of non-perishable food donations. The Back Pack Program provides weekend food for kids who qualify for weekday subsidized breakfast and lunch. Call 303-424-6685.
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Small Church Community Retreat
Friday, Feb.3rd 7 -9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4th 8:30 - 3:30 p.m.
 I Reinforcing the Foundation
*Prayer
*Community
*Ongoing Learning-Scripture/Tradition
*Mission
A lively weekend to gather as Small Church Community members to explore the *basic building blocks of church outlined in Acts of the Apostles 2: 42-44. We will examine how to better incorporate and strengthen those elements in our small churches. You are promised meaningful prayer; opportunity for dialogue; fresh ideas from inspiring speakers who are expert in their field, AND great food! The Cost is $15 per person and includes lunch on Saturday. Download a registration form. Email or call the SCC Office, 303-867-9165, if you want more information. This is going to be a great weekend so be sure to touch base with your SCC members and get your registrations in soon so that you can be part of the experience! The retreat will be held in the Spirit Center.
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Featured Advent SCC Resources
One Session Advent Materials
[CONTACT THE SCC OFFICE]
There are some Advent resources in the Small Church Community Office that can provide faith sharing material for one Advent gathering. The titles of the one evening resources are:
- Advent: A Time to Wait in Joyful Hope
- What Are We Waiting for During Advent
- Evening of Advent Reflection for Small Church Communities
Phone 303-867-9165 or email to request one or more sessions.
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Welcome New SCC Members!
Marsha Sturm,
Cate Wright,
Barb Slubowski,
Marsha Casey, Don Roberts,
Howard and Virginia Boggs, Faye Jones, Jorge Zetino,
Theresa and Daniel Bickford, Tim Sexauer, Kevin Skillen, Terri Miller, Helen Fleming,
Voni Dotterweich,
Mary Ann McCarthy,
Denise Crookshank,
Mary Willnerd,
Victoria Aguilar, Linda Crow,
Jim and Gina Seamans,
Cathy Anderson,
Adam and Debbie Bjelica,
Charles and Jenny Arellano
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The Right Address
(An Advent Reflection)
Dear Lord,
Forgive my ignorance, forgive the ignorance of those who taught me that You were far away, where You are not. Always there and never here.
I thought You were in the churches, the convents and the sacristies.
I thought You were hidden somewhere in the millions of books written about You, in some unfamiliar theology, or in some intricate philosophical system.
I thought You were beyond the stars, the moon and wherever my telescope cannot reach.
I forgot, Lord, that You loved the world so much that You became flesh among us, one of us, so that the secular, worldly life of ours could become Your chosen residence.
I forgot--maybe I thought it was not possible--that Your address was in our everyday life, with me.
I forgot--maybe I did not want You to be involved in what I was doing--that You were in the mundane realm of running a machine, driving a car, baking breads, cooking eggplants, making carrot juice, emptying my garbage basket, playing tennis, writing a book and sweating in this hot weather or freezing in this cold weather.
I forgot--maybe I do not even want to believe--that You like to be right in the factories, shops, offices, farms, in the political parties and government agencies, in the relationships between nations, ethnic groups and social classes and divisions, in the thousands of different faiths and in the millions of various beliefs and opinions that claim You and claim the truth, in the countless homes, rich and poor, in the press, radio and television, in the next door neighbor and in every man and woman I meet, or I may never have the chance to meet.
I forgot--maybe I did not want to admit--that You wanted to live on every street, be in the small apartment that has no heat and no air conditioning, in my ever demanding partner, and my annoying children.
Please Lord, forgive me for forgetting Your correct address. Forgive me for having looked for You where You were not, so far away, while You promised to be with us, one of us, in us, right here until the end of time.
Please Lord, be totally involved with me and forget my forgetfulness.
(Bold Prayers From the Heart, Jean Maalouf)
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