Carey's Conversations

"Revelation is the end of the scriptures but God did not quit talking!"

Daylight saving time has ended and the days are growing ever darker on our way to the winter solstice - the darkest day of the year. It's Advent and the Church once again puts forth another highly countercultural directive - to wait. In the midst of the hustle and bustle that is the modern holiday season we are called to pause, to theologically reflect on our lives and to stay awake for Christ's coming ('comings').

Yesterday we began an Advent series on examining our dreams and considering the possibility that God might be trying to communicate with us through them. We discussed how in Jewish tradition and in Hebrew scripture we see evidence of God speaking to the patriarchs through their dreams. We further looked at how this tradition of paying attention to dreams carried forward into the early Christian tradition. But beginning in the 3rd and 4th centuries this making use of dreams took a markedly different turn. St. Jerome had a series of disturbing dreams that caused him to take issue with the historical view and determined that dreams were "the work of the devil." His opinions held great sway in the western Church and as a result the Church adopted his view relegating them to obscurity.

From the Organ Bench 

"What is all this? What does it mean?" I was asked recently what this Advent was that we observe.   Of course the simple answer to the query is that it's a complicated liturgical countdown to Christmas. But on second thought, is that really what Advent is or is there a little more to it than just a Christmassy waiting game involving candles and evergreen?  

When I was growing up, there were no decorations in early December until Christmas. No tree, no garlands. The only seasonal d�cor was the Advent wreath: a simple green ring suspended around a table-top stand from four points by four bands of red ribbon. Atop the wreath stood four red candles - red in the German tradition. The wreath was lighted at family meals for four consecutive weeks. Accompanying the lighting of the wreath, among other typical German carols, was Alle Jahre Wieder. "Each year once again, the Christ child comes from heaven to earth where we people are," goes the first verse, the one that everyone knows by heart. This simple traditional carol reminds us why it is we light these candles. The text recalls the cyclical nature of our anticipation: we do it again and again, over and over each year.   And each year we wait. Each year we hope. Our goal in this time is not an outward rejoicing, but to experience a quiet, distant joy of looking forward to an anticipated event, an expected arrival. In the meantime, we sit. We sit, and we take spiritual inventory. We sit and clean our spiritual house.   We engage in spiritual work, reflection, and renewal.

More... 

Advent Event THIS SUNDAY 

Join us on Sunday, December 7th for a potluck, alternative giving fair, and to celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas after the 10:30 service.

Eat lunch with St. Nikolas and take part in the alternative giving opportunities

Who will be there:

Rice depot

Heifer

St. Francis House

ERD giving tree and cards

Rick and Helen from Camp Mitchell

St. Luke's water bottles, lanyards for sale as well as Joanna's new book, Taste and See and her Christmas and Peaceful harp CD's

ECW food gifts

Local Artist's table

St. Nicholas table for activities for children

Sign up for the Pot Luck in the Narthex!

Vestry Nominations

Are you interested in helping to lead St. Luke's as we grow and develop? Do you know other members who would make good leaders?*  In January, we will be electing 4 new vestry members, each for a 3-year term, and we are now accepting nominations. The twelve members of the vestry are charged with the care of the property and business of the church. Working with the rector, they exercise leadership in the development of the congregation. There will be a basket in the Narthex for nominations, or you can contact Caroline in the church office with your nominations. Requirements are: having been confirmed, at least 16 years of age, a giver of record, and have been a member of St. Luke's for at least 6 months.

*Before nominating anyone to be on vestry, please make sure you have cleared this with that person first! 

Lessons and Carols, Dec. 21st

The St. Luke's choirs will offer a service of Advent Lessons and Carols on December 21, the fourth Sunday of Advent, at the 10:30 service in lieu of the customary Liturgy of the Word.   The services of Lessons and Carols are steeped in Anglican tradition and reveal through spoken word and music the mysteries of the Incarnation, from its first announcement to the Blessed Virgin to the witnessing of the new-born Messiah.  Join us December 21 for this program of Scripture and Sacred Music for Advent.

Greening of the Church

We will have our Greening of the Church on Dec. 21st following the 10:30 service. Please join us in this Advent tradition. Contact Wanda Dunwoody for more information.

End of year donations

If you wish to make any donations towards the 2014 tax year, they must be received in the church office by noon on December 31st. Anything turned in after that point will count towards the 2015 tax year.

Annual Reports

Annual Reports will be due on Monday, January 5th. If you have any questions about what to submit, please contact Caroline in the Church Office. The Annual meeting is on Sunday, January 11 after the 10:30 service.

New Lock

There is a new coded lock on the outside door to the Adult Classroom. Some of you have received a code to this door. If you have not and need one, please contact Caroline in the church office. Your church key will still open this door, but you must turn the key and push the handle down at the same time. If there are any issues with this lock, please contact the church office.

Advent Study on Three Tuesdays in December 2, 9, 16

Advent Dream Journey: Wisdom, Warnings, and Wonder. Join us for a three-week journey into the world of dreams. As we look at biblical stories we will learn how God has spoken through dreams to his people in the Old Testament, New Testament, and today. Come hear how God speaks through dreams. Dinner begins at 6. If you need childcare, please contact the church office: 753.4281

Advent materials are available in the Narthex.

ST. LUKE'S ENDOWMENT FUND AWARENESS

Funds are managed by the Endowment Board which consists of the Rector, Senior Warden, a Vestry Member, two members from the parish and an independent Investment Manager.

The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Katharine Jefferts Schori, will be present for a forum with our own Bishop Larry Benfield on Saturday, December 6th at Christ Episcopal Church in Little Rock at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome and invited!

FORMATION 

Adult Formation

People of Faith Christianity in America: How Christianity developed in America

1. Faith in American from Monarchs to the Marketplace
2. Many Mansions
3. Rebels with a Cause
4. Challenges and Change
5. Home Grown Saints
6. The Future of Christianity.