THIS THURSDAY: Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, December 24, 2020, Christmas Eve, and Zoom; Celebrating Christmas Day (Dec. 25, 2020) and Christmastide (Dec. 27, 2020). If you have any questions, or are interested in a conversation, contact Pastor Brett Webb-Mitchell (919) 444-9111; brettwebbmitchell@gmail.com and visit www.communityofpilgrims.com.
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Dear Pilgrims of Advent,
As I write this newsletter column for this holiday season, it is the season of Advent for less than 24 more hours. In other words, it is the last day of Advent! Soon, it will be Christmas Eve day, then Christmas. The end of one season, and the beginning of another. As we started this pilgrimage some weeks ago, we entered a land and time of anticipation and anxiety. Advent is always a season of anticipation of the celebration of the Christ child. The anxiety came with the world caught in a pandemic, the likes of which none of us have seen or been part of before. Hopefully, with the Christmas decorations surrounding many of our communities, and our worship and gathering times focused on the celebration of many anniversaries in which we celebrate the coming of the Christ, we celebrate “anticipation” more than “anxiety,” knowing that God so loved the world, in its past and current conditions, that God in human flesh appeared among us. More to the point, God, in the form of Spirit, known in the body of Christ, celebrates with us in our celebrations of these seasons. For one more day, happy Advent.
In the next few days, there are several Scripture readings for us to navigate the first days of Christmastide. The first is Luke 2:1-14, in which Luke tells the story of the birth of Jesus, as well as the announcement of the angels heralding the birth to a scattered gathering of lonely shepherds in the field. This is a message of reaffirmation. After all, we know this story like the back of our hands, but it is good to reaffirm this old gem of a story we know “right well” as they say in the American South. This story is told on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, we can re-read parts of this story, as well as take in and focus on vv. 8-20, in which the shepherds actually make it to the place where Joseph and Mary are taking care of the child, telling the tired couple all they heard from the angels. On Sunday, December 27, we read the portion of the story that shows the Holy Family on a pilgrimage, going down the road (literally) to Jerusalem, to present the child to God and the people at the Holy Temple, while also offering a sacrifice. It was here in the Temple that elderly Simeon and Anna’s wish to see the birth of the Messiah has come to fruition (Luke 2:22-40). In these three stories, over these three days, we have, first, a story of reaffirmation: God has come to the people of Israel, now appearing in the flesh as a tiny baby. Second, this is a story of redemption, which is clearly what the shepherds came to celebrate with the good news of God’s grace-in-flesh born on that day. Third, this is a story of re-naming, in which the very titles and names tossed between Simeon and Anna about this one born in Bethlehem reveal the Holy heritage or lineage of this child, who is a fulfillment of the prophecies made long ago. On this Christmas day, with this gift, we remember that we are not saved by our words (prayers and sermons, and the like) or our many deeds (charitable, political and religious), but by grace, as exemplified in the birth, and thus gift, of the Christ child, God-with-us, for us, and for our salvation. Let us join our voices with the voices throughout the ages that celebrate this gift of wonder! Hallelujah! Amen!
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Thank you, ALL, for the generosity of heart shown to those at the Gresham Women’s Shelter, part of Human Solutions! I know that they appreciated such wonderful gifts! You are all amazing people, and a fabulous community of faith.
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Thank you, all, for your contribution of time, talent, service, and financial gifts to us and to the wider PCUSA in 2020. As we draw to the end of the year 2020, there is still time to give to the Community of Pilgrims in terms of what people have pledged for 2020. You can either send a check to the Community of Pilgrims c/o Brett Webb-Mitchell, 9460 SW Martha St., Tigard, OR 97224, or go to the www.communityofpilgrims.com, and go to the “Take Action” page and give on our website. During Advent 2020, consider how much you would like to pledge—in terms of time, talent, service, and financial support—to the Community of Pilgrims and to the healing of this world. Many thanks!
Likewise, in a separate email I sent out a pledge form for everyone to download and fill out for 2021. As all of you know, we have been supported in large part by the generous gifts of the PCUSA 1001 New Worshiping Communities and the Presbytery of the Cascades New Ministries Team funds since we began in 2017. We are one of the rare new communities of faith ventures that have been granted funds from the Seed Grants, Investment Grants, and Growth Grants! At the end of 2021, we will be dependent upon the financial gifts, time, service, and talents of the membership of the Community of Pilgrims Presbyterian Fellowship, with possible help from other non-profits. Thank you for considering your gift in support of the Community of Pilgrims in 2021!
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Events!
Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, Gather and Devotion on Zoom! Join us at 4 pm (Pacific Coast time) for a short time of reflecting on the meaning of Christmas! Bring your own drink!
Dec. 25, Christmas! Merry Christmas, everyone!
Dec. 27, Christmastide! A Holy Holiday! See you on Jan. 3, 2021
Jan. 3, 2021, Epiphany (well, we will celebrate it, though Epiphany is on Jan. 6); Gather, devotion and Zoom.
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Prayers of Celebration and Concern
· Birthday celebrations for Chris's best friend Kathy and her ZOOM party tomorrow evening.
· Thanksgiving for the gifts to Human Solutions.
· Karen's friend David Weizmann who passed away from COVID and his two sons who survived him. His passing was expected but painful at this time when we cannot gather together.
· Brett's son-in-law Scott as he waits to learn if he has COVID after being exposed.
· The stimulus plan just passed by Congress.
· Support for small businesses so they can survive during the pandemic.
· People without homes around the world.
· A smooth transition in administrations and making the best of the worst situation.
· Our mother earth which is experiencing unprecedented weather conditions in all parts of the world.
· The generosity of Chuck's family in Norway who is sending gifts to America as their Christmas present.
· All grand babies, new and old.
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Poem
Christmas Eve, by Christina Rossetti
CHRISTMAS hath a darkness
Brighter than the blazing noon,
Christmas hath a chillness
Warmer than the heat of June,
Christmas hath a beauty
Lovelier than the world can show:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
Earth, strike up your music,
Birds that sing and bells that ring;
Heaven hath answering music
For all Angels soon to sing:
Earth, put on your whitest
Bridal robe of spotless snow:
For Christmas bringeth Jesus,
Brought for us so low.
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Buen Camino!
Pastors Brett & Karen Cornwell Fortlander.