Rev. Art Wille Associate Conference Minister

These days we live in a world of deep socio-economic ferment. At the same time, scholars like Phyllis Tickle in her book The Great Emergence suggest that those of us in the church are experiencing a major "rummage sale" which happens every 500 years - or so- when former "ecclesial furniture" is placed on "the curb" while new ways and items are not yet put in place for the future. During this Advent, when church and society are in major change, we hear the promises of a Messiah who will be with us in all circumstances.
 

"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" we sing. We wait for God to break into our lives and make a difference. Psalm 40:1 begins: "I waited patiently for God, who inclined to me and heard my cry." The Psalmist reveals the blessings that come when one waits for God who is the creator of the entire cosmos, and has a different time orientation than humans. "For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4) We can gain strength and hope from a deeply rooted faith that embraces this divine perspective.
 

In a devotional booklet for Advent, the late Henri Nouwen observed that just as humans wait for God, God also waits for humans - to respond to God's divine love. He writes: "We can learn to be obedient people who do not always try to act but who recognize the fulfillment of our deepest humanity in passion, in waiting. The spirituality of waiting is not simply our waiting for God. It is also participating in God's own waiting for us and in that way coming to share in the deepest love, which is God's love." (Living In Hope, 2007 by Creative Communications for the Parish)
 

Nouwen reminds us that God waits for us to respond: to be connected through prayer, worship, and loving service which continues the ministry that Jesus began. Passive waiting for God to do something that is helpful or pleasing to us during these turbulent times limits our faith experience. Actively responding to God who is waiting for us will enhance our connectedness with God and one another and will reveal the fruit of our discipleship.
 

With the greatest of hope, may we prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ this year. We trust in and worship God who repeatedly breaks into human history seeking and saving, loving and redeeming the whole creation. Praise be to God!

Shalom,

Art

by Barb Powell
November 28, 2011
 

With funds still being counted on Nov. 28, Thanksgiving prayers were answered as the final goal of the United Church of Christ's Mission:1 campaign -- raising $111,111 for East Africa famine -- was surpassed.

"Mission 1 shows that we as a community of faith are not powerless, even in the face of a major crisis - we have topped our goal for East Africa famine relief and boldly advocated for food justice," said the Rev. James Moos, executive minister of the UCC's Wider Church Ministries. "Because we are not helpless, others need not be hopeless."

In addition to the monies raised for famine relief, the churchwide Mission:1 campaign to fight food-related injustice also eclipsed its three other goals: collecting more than 1 million food and household items for local food banks, writing more than 11,111 letters to Congress advocating for hunger-related causes, and raising more than $111,111 for hunger-related ministries.
 

At this time of year, it seems there are never enough hours in the day, or weeks before Christmas to accomplish all we sent out to do.  So if you find yourself on a crazy sprint through Advent - a time of year that should be more reflective and spiritual - take a few minutes and try a few of these ways to get through the holidays. 
  

A dozen ways to survive the holidays. 

Shining its little light for more than 171 years, St. Paul's UCC in Colgate, Wis., now has 50 more reasons for its sunny disposition.
 

A 70-foot bank of 50 solar panels capable of producing 9,500 watts - enough to power 95 100-watt bulbs - has been in place for the past three months.
 

"Sunny days produce more energy, but even on a cloudy day, we'll generate several hundred watts," said the Rev. John Helt, project catalyst and pastor at St. Paul's for the past 2½ years.

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