The theme this week is Hope Is Worth the Risk; scripture is Matthew 1: 18-25 & Luke 1: 46-55. I’ve been thinking a lot about risking hope; hoping for something, voicing it, putting it out there into the community, universe, or whatever, is both an act of courage and of vulnerability. I am not sure where this will take me on Sunday at this point… As I said to a colleague, everything is ready for Christmas Eve… this coming Sunday, not so much!
The weeks have been really full… a two funerals last week, one for a family that Matattal’s called me about that were looking for a minister, and of course, Judy van Ryckevorsel’s on Saturday. What a privilege it is to preside over these rituals that are so significant to a family. And of course, Sunday afternoon’s concert. A big thank you to everyone who made the Christmas Readings and Carols Concert a success! Carillon Bell Choir, St. James Choir, Accents Music Learning Center, Ekko Mindful Music, along with a variety of readers! What a lot of talent shared so willingly! I look forward to our next shared venture!
The calls for assistance with food and other things have increased in the last few weeks. I try to treat each encounter as if I were meeting Jesus… sometimes it’s a bit challenging! I’m grateful that I am able to offer some sort of assistance most of the time.
You folks had entirely too much fun throwing socks at me last Sunday; I haven’t counted how many pairs, but there are many; that along with $250 collected at Christmas Magic for the Downtown Dartmouth Navigator will help keep some folks warmer this winter
Tuesday at lunch time, the Food Bank volunteers enjoyed their annual Christmas lunch together at The Millstone at King’s Wharf. There was good food, good conversation and words of appreciation from Brian McLeod.
We had a wonderful Blue Christmas Service in partnership with Mattatall Funeral Home on Tuesday evening. Along with readings and music, folks were invited to write something they wanted to let go of on dissolving paper and place it in a bowl of water and later in the service, they were invited to light a candle. An opportunity for conversation over tea and sweets was appreciated as well.
The Wednesday Craft Group enjoyed a potluck lunch today! As always, lots of delicious food. There were a few more folks present than in this photo, but they asked to not have their photo on-line.
St. James United Church Dartmouth 