Dear Friends,

I so enjoyed our Thanksgiving and hope you did as well.  I love that the first week of advent (hope) is following Thanksgiving, because we can have more hope for the future when we find gratitude in our past and present.  We must be willing to move on from them for hope to be realized.  So it is very fitting that our first Sunday of advent is hope.  We hope for the future even when the present looks dim or is difficult. We have to search in our hearts to find things for which to be thankful on some days.  But we know that blessings are all around us and in us.  I know reality is not always looking hopeful no matter how thankful we have been.  It is difficult as a people as we struggle with the idea of so many wars and acts of war in our world today.  Let us all hope for a more just and compassionate world.  As boots are on our grounds even in America, let us find hope that peace will prevail even given the shortcomings of human nature.  Let us take heart that human nature is centrally good.  When our whole brains and spirits engage, humans are very tender and gentle beings of love and light. Let us help others and ourselves be mindfully aware so that all of who we are engages in the moment.

There is a handout at the church house on the entry table about the history and definition of Advent.  As we expect good and love to manifest on earth, we embody the real meaning of Christmas.  May what we need to satisfy this world manifest.  May we be the spiritual beings we are called to become.  May our defensiveness and scars of the past fade in the light of love.  May this season be a blessing to many.

One of the many blessings this church has is talent among so many.  We are thankful to Jill Nelson for designing a new sign to go up at the front of the church.  Please look at the design attached and come on Sunday ready to discuss and hopefully pass it as part of church stewardship.  We will be having a meeting for worship with attention to business at the end of meeting for worship this Sunday.  We ask that you come on time and know we are worshiping while we are doing business and honoring the many blessings that have been poured out in our congregation.

In hope,

Leigh