CentralNEWS December 2010

VOLUME 18 NUMBER 11

296 Angell Street  Providence  RI 02906   401-331-1960

FROM YOUR SENIOR MINISTER

Dear Friends,

“Give sorrow words” admonished Shakespeare.  He reminds us in MacBeth of the grief that does not speak which whispers the o’er fraught heart and bids it break.

It seems to me that in these early days of Advent, all is not sweetness and light, although pop culture would have us believe it so.  (When I was grumbling about the radio playing Christmas music before Thanksgiving, Ezra did remind me that it is good to have joyful Christmas thoughts all year long!  There may be something to that line of thinking, but I think I will go with Shakespeare and not the local radio stations for these beginning days of Advent.)

Each of us bears a burden of sadness, of hopes unfulfilled, of loved ones no longer with us, of dreams broken, of change we never asked for.

And yet, it doesn’t end there.  Advent reminds us of the hope that does not die, of joy that overcomes despair, of everlasting life, of God’s presence with us no matter how dark and dank the stable we find ourselves in may be.

Remember Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem…. which ends with this stanza.

Christ climbed down

From His bare Tree

This year

And softly stole away into

Some anonymous Mary’s womb again

Where in the darkest night

Of everybody’s anonymous soul

He awaits again

An unimaginable

And impossibly

Immaculate Reconception

The very craziest

Of Second Comings.

Give sorrow words this Advent, but remember, Christ waits for you and all with unbelievable promise.

Rebecca

Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is an important part of our worship life together. In an effort to uplift our celebration of Baptisms in our community of faith, we will be offering Baptisms during the following Sundays of the church year.

Sunday after Epiphany    January 9, 2011

Sunday after Easter      May 1, 2011

Meetings to prepare parents for Baptism are usually held in our Fireplace Room at 9 am on the Saturday of the preceding week. For the January 9th Baptism, the parent meeting will be held on Saturday, January 8. Please speak with The Rev. Rebecca Spencer if you would like to be included in this very important part of life at Central— The Sacrament of Baptism.

Our prayers and sympathy are with

The family and friends of Robert W. Radway who died November 11, 2010.

A Memorial Service was held at Central Congregational Church on November 16.

Lois McLaughry who died November 21, 2010. A Memorial Service will be held at Central Congregational Church at 3 p.m. on December 17.

Ellen Miller, her mother died on November 23.

May God’s comfort surround all those who mourn.

Kathy Jellison Her mother, Ruth Jellison, died on November 4, 2010

Generous Matching Gift Announced!

At the congregational meeting on November 14, the Step Forward! capital campaign announced a $50,000 matching challenge from a member of the congregation who cares deeply about our church and wishes to remain anonymous.  For Central to receive this gift, members and friends must Step Forward! and match this amount before December 31, 2010 with new pledges and donations up to $50,000 resulting in a total gift of $100,000.

This will go a long way toward replacing original electric wiring, further roof work, masonry repairs or any of our other building needs. This is a great opportunity to make a new pledge or additional donation. In just a few days, we have already received 9 new gifts to meet this challenge.

Consider it an extra Christmas gift to the church that you and generations to follow will enjoy as you worship in a restored Central Church.

Please write “Step Forward! matching gift” on your check and mail or bring it to the church. And please accept the thanks of many who love our church and want to see it fully restored for your generosity.

Join Central

New Member Orientation*

Tuesday, January 25

Faith Exploration*

Wednesday, February 2

New Member Sunday

February 6

*These meetings are held at 7pm at the home of The Rev. Rebecca Spencer, 15 Taber Ave.

From Kat

Put “a new heaven and earth” on your shopping list!

Greetings and welcome to the Advent Season! Advent and Christmas at Central are full of thoughtful reflection as well as celebration, and I am excited about all of the events coming up this month. I especially enjoy our Advent services on Wednesday nights—I look forward to seeing you there!

While we reflect and joyfully anticipate the arrival of Christ, the secular culture is undoubtedly joyfully anticipating big sales this season. With the economy still recovering, the Christmas season could be a real boost for struggling businesses. At the same time, for those of us on tight budgets, especially those who have lost jobs, it may be a painful experience to fall short financially in a season of consumption and generosity in the form of presents.

Feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless can certainly take away from the joy of the season, but our faith offers us encouragement, especially when it comes to generosity! I recently heard a message about stewardship at Old South Church, UCC in Boston that inspired me. This past month, our Confirmation class traveled to downtown Boston on a field trip to Old South UCC’s Thursday evening jazz service. In a candle-lit, cavern-like space, we celebrated worship in the round, accompanied by a bass guitar, piano, and saxophone.

A message spoken there by preacher Matthew Boulton stuck with me. The scripture was from Isaiah 65, which reads, “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth” (Go read more in your Bible!). And he asked us—when we write out our monthly budgets and list our expenses, in addition to putting groceries, utilities, tuition, etc., what if we include the item “a new heaven and a new earth”? How will we invest in that?

What an empowering message! The coming of God’s kingdom, that glorious place where there is no hunger, where tears are forgotten, where justice is done, and where the “wolf and the lamb shall feed together,” is not only God’s but our responsibility. We are the Body of Christ, quite literally God’s hands and feet on Earth.

Putting “a new heaven and a new earth” on my shopping list has dramatically shifted my perspective. The secular Christmas culture sets us up to fail—as consumers we are always asked to spend more, and what we give will never be enough. In contrast, the Advent season for Christians sets us up for success. We become hopeful, active co-creators of God’s Kingdom.

While we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we also anticipate the coming of Christ into the world as the living Body of Christ (us!). So this Christmas, I challenge you to put “a new heaven and a new earth” on your shopping list and explore new ways to bring into being the greatest gift of all.

May your holidays be blessed and may God inspire you in this season of creativity!

Kat

From Claudia

A while back one of you shared a Mary Oliver poem with me called Making the House Ready for the Lord.  This poem about preparation seems especially appropriate in this Advent season as we prepare ourselves for the coming of the Christ Child.  At this time of year we prepare the way for this Child who ignites the world with the light of heaven.  At this time of year we put our “houses” in order to welcome this Child who is indeed the Light of the world.  Here’s the poem:

Dear Lord,

I have swept and I have washed but still nothing is as shining as it should be for you. Under the sink, for example, is an uproar of mice—it is the season of their many children. What shall I do? And under the eaves and through the walls the squirrels have gnawed their ragged entrances—but it is the season when they need shelter, so what shall I do? And the raccoon limps into the kitchen and opens the cupboard while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow; what shall I do? Beautiful is the new snow falling in the yard and the fox who is staring boldly up the path to the door. And still I believe you will come, Lord: you will, when I speak to the fox, the sparrow, the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know that really I am speaking to you whenever I say, as I do all morning and afternoon: Come in, Come in.

What shall we do in this season of Advent?  In this season of waiting and watching do we too say “Come in”?  The liturgical colors for this season that begins the Church year are purple—the colors of penitence.  As we begin this new year in the Church calendar we are called to seek out those places that may not be “shining as they should be.”  This is a time for reflection and for belief.  This is a time that is so very special in the life of the universal Church.

As we prepare our homes and our hearts this Christmas may we take this time for reflection and may each one of us be able to wholeheartedly say, “Come in, Come in” to this Child who is our Savior.

Advent and Christmas Blessings,

Claudia

ADVENT SERVICES

Wednesday, December 1, 8, 15

5:30 – 6:00 pm

These midweek services provide an opportunity to center and receive the gifts and blessings of Advent. It is a wonderful time to come for quiet and restoring of your soul during this busy time. These services are especially for those who seek God’s healing presence at this time of year. Please invite your friends to the quiet meditation of Advent.

CHURCH SCHOOL NEWS!

Greetings, Dear Church School families!

Winter’s coming on, and we can feel ourselves being drawn inward and inside.  In our church calendar, we are entering into the season of Advent, and then Christmas.   It can be a most challenging time for families, as we are all caught between the ‘sacred and the profane’, which is especially pronounced in this season.  What can we do to keep focusing ourselves and our families on the sacred, rather than the commercial, during this season?

If you don’t have one, I encourage every family to make, find, create, or (lastly) buy an ADVENT WREATH.  This is a simple circle of FOUR CANDLES, with one special candle — the CHRIST CANDLE– in the middle of the circle.  The candles are purple; the color of Advent.   The Christ candle is white or gold, the color of Christmas (hey, you mean it’s not red and green??!).  Lighting one candle, then another, through the weeks of Advent is a beautiful and simple ritual.  The first candle is the candle of HOPE.  Talk with your family about what gives you hope for the world.  Also talk about the hopelessness we see and feel as well.  Light the candle!  The following week, you light HOPE and PEACE.  Talk about peace; and about war.  Light the candles!  Then comes JOY, and the following week LOVE.  And on Christmas Eve we light the Christ Candle.

Our Church School curriculum provides us with a weekly family reading pamphlet for Advent/Christmas/Epiphany.  You can read it each week as you light your Advent candles!   These will be available in the Gathering Space, or Church Office, or from your child’s teacher.

Blessings and light,

Cathy Clasper-Torch

A Special Word about our Church School curriculum, Seasons of the Spirit:

Our Church School curriculum is a wonderful guide through all the “Seasons of the Spirit”, or the ‘church seasons’.  Seasons of the Spirit is written by a wide variety of church educators, teachers, ministers, and published by Lake Wood Publishing in Canada.

The scripture focus each week is LECTIONARY BASED, which means that what we read in Church School is chose from the same Bible selections that you read in worship, and that churches worldwide are reading together.  This reading is based on a 3-year cycle, in which most of the Bible is read.  Our curriculum uses INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE which provides fresh images of God, rather than relying on gender-based images.   Our curriculum is ECUMENICAL, meaning a variety of churches, from United Church of Christ (that’s us!) to Lutheran and Episcopal churches in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia use and write this curriculum.  It also includes fabulous artwork (posters) and music and creative ideas which you can learn more about on-line: www.spiritseasons.com

I encourage each of you to check it out!

CHURCH SCHOOL DATES TO REMEMBER:

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18TH — 10:15 – 12:00 noon, DRESS REHEARSAL for the Christmas PAGEANT

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH — 9:30 a.m. Arrive at church, dressed in pageant attire, for final run-through, then performance at 10:30 worship.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9TH — Church School classes resume for the new year.

MUSIC AT CENTRAL

We present our annual CAROL SERVICE on Sunday, December 19, at 4 p.m.   We continue this annual tradition of the telling of the story of the Birth of Christ in scripture and song beginning with the Creation story in the Garden of Eden.  Music echoes the theme of each reading with carols that are favorites, as well as some new ones we introduce.

This year we proudly present the American premiere of a setting of “Adam Lay Ibounden” by British composer Giles Swayne.  Commissioned and for and premiered at the Service of Lessons and Carols at St. John’s College, Cambridge, the piece takes the medieval text and sets it to music that of today.  You can read more about the text and the music at our website under the music section, and by attending the Adult Education class before church on Sunday, December 5 at 9:15 a.m. where we will discuss the piece with demonstrations by the choir.

Other carols you will hear include “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming” (both included on our Christmas CD) “O Holy Night,” and “Silent Night.”  The service ends blissfully peaceful with a candlelit tableau and “The Sleep of the Infant Jesus” with organ, harp, and cello.

A Silver Tea follows in Chapel Hall, sponsored by the Social Committee.  Please join us, and invite your family and friends to share in this gift of music to our God, our congregation, and community.

Good Christian Friends, Rejoice!

Our new Christmas CD “Good Christian Friends, Rejoice” made its debut on Sunday, November 21!   Featuring carols for choir and organ, the newly released CD from our choir features many of your favorite Christmas carols — and some by YOU when we recorded congregational carols in May!

Selections include “In Dulci Jubilo,” J.S. Bach (organ); “Christmas Day,” Gustav Holst; ” “For Unto Us a Child is Born” and “Glory to God” with preceding recits from Messiah, G.F. Handel; “O Come, All Ye Faithful” arranged by David Willcocks; a combination of the baroque French noel for organ by Claude D’Aquin set with a text and arrangement by Francis Snow; “Lo, How A Rose E’re Blooming;” Michael Praetorius; “Hodie, Christus Natus Est,” J.P. Sweelinck; “Improvisation on ‘God Rest Ye Merry,’ ” Myron Roberts (organ); “Hark the Glad Sound,” an American Traditional hymn; “Gesu Bambino,” Pietro Yon; “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” arranged by David Willcocks; and “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella” arranged for organ by Keith Chapman.

You can get your own copy of “Good Christian Friends Rejoice!” for a donation of $10 each.  We still have copies of our first release “Thanks We Bring,” music for the church year, for a donation of $20 each.  For $25 you can get both! CD’s will be available in Chapel Hall after worship through Christmas and in the church office.

Got Mission?

Have you Got Mission?  Be part of the numerous activities of the Mission & Action Committee.   On Saturday, September 25th from about 8 a.m. until noon, almost 50 members and friends of Central of all ages participated in Mission Day and volunteered at organizations across the state.  Volunteers gave their time and talents to the following organizations, all of which Central supports throughout the year in various ways:  Amos House, Habitat for Humanity, Camp Street, The Blessing Way, Johnycake Center, Irons Homestead, The Mount Hope Learning Center, Crossroads, Bethany Home, Hamilton House and our own Central Congregational Church.  Thank you to our team leaders and all those who participated!  Another Mission Day will follow in the spring.

Opportunities for involvement in our Mission projects are on-going throughout the year.  Each Tuesday, members serve breakfast at Amos House from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 a.m.  Contract Tracy Baran for more information.  On the first Saturday of each month, members serve with Habitat for Humanity for a half-day from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., no experience required.  Contact Sandi Seltzer.  On the second Saturday of each month, members assist with the Mount Hope Learning Center cooking club from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Contact Janet Anderson for more information.  Starting back up again in January, members participate in the Camp Street Neighborhood Ministries food distribution on the last Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m.  Contact Beth Taylor  for more information.

Please also watch the church bulletin for more opportunities, including special holiday collections and the upcoming Mission Lunch in January.

Join us for Central’s 20’s/30’s Group!

January 14—Providence Bruins (email Kat to reserve a $10 ticket)

March 11—Movie Night Out

April 8—Lazer Tag

May 13—BBQ in the Park

Email: kat@centralclhurch.us to get on the 20/30s mailing list and hear more about upcoming events.

News from Stewardship

Your Stewardship Committee is working to develop an exciting program for our 2011 – 2012 Campaign.  More details will follow in early 2011!  Mary Hazeltine and Ann Scott, Co-Chairs of the Stewardship Committee were meeting in Starbucks to prepare for our December meeting and were struck by this thought on the window:  ’When I give gifts,

I always get more in return.’

Attention all Central Church Committee Chairpersons!

Now that the Advent season is upon us, we are reminded that budgets for the next fiscal year are due to the Finance Committee on January 5th 2011.  The Finance Committee will be receiving the budgets from the committees that night for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.  It is very important that you spend some time with your committee to determine what you anticipate the financial needs of the committee will be for the next fiscal year.  The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and we would encourage you to stay and hear the reports from the other committees as well.  We have found that this can be an enlightening experience for some as they hear about other programs in the church.

We do anticipate some lively discussions on the budget this year as there are many areas to review and address. As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to discuss your budget ahead of time. The committee looks forward to seeing you and/or a representative on January 5th. Thanks!

-Donna Chace-Larson, Chair-Finance Committee

CCC WOMEN’S RETREAT

February 11-13, 2011

St. Benedict Abbey, Still River, MA

It’s time to start thinking about our yearly time away for relaxation and renewal!! Our annual retreat will take place February 11 through 13, 2011 at the beautiful St. Benedict Abbey in Still River, MA (just an hour from Providence). The cost is $165 for six meals, your own room and all materials. Our theme for the weekend is Standing at the Threshold exploring the importance of being in touch with one’s physical, emotional, and spiritual surroundings.

No cooking, planning, appointments, or deadlines for an entire weekend! Just come, and find nourishment for the body, mind, and soul.

As discussed at the last retreat, there is the option of coming early on Thursday, February 10 for an additional cost of $65. Payment is due January 11th (and fully refundable if you cancel by January 25th). If cost is an issue, there are reduced payment possibilities available. To add your name to the women’s retreat list, contact Claudia, 331-1960.

Remember…

Central Church will receive the CHRISTMAS FUND offering for the VETERANS OF THE CROSS during our Christmas Eve services.

Delegates Attend Conference Meeting

On a bright Saturday in early November, nearly 100 delegates, clergy and guests representing 24 of the churches in the Rhode Island Conference of the UCC met at the United Congregational Church of Westerly.  The occasion was the 204th Autumnal Meeting of the Conference, and was hosted by the Westerly Church.

With the theme, Changing Live’s,

That’s Our Church’s Wider Mission, we heard presentations on mission activities in Haiti and Southern Africa led respectively by Suzanne Swanson and the Rev. Chuck Barnes. A worship service preceded the slide presentations.

Fifteen early risers who attended a Peace Breakfast learned of opportunities and methods of becoming involved in the legislative process to achieve marriage equality in Rhode Island.

At a business meeting in the afternoon the delegates considered and approved an operation budget for the conference for the coming year. Two changes to the Constitution and By Laws of the UCC proposed at the 27th General Synod concerning pathways to ministry and related language changes were ratified.

Central Church members attending included John & Ginger Harkey, Frances & Gardner Munro, Julia Woodward, John Peters, Claudia Demick, and Kat Townes.

Tree Trimming at Central

It’s back! On Sunday, December 12, immediately following worship, we once again will trim Central’s Christmas Tree. There will be Christmas carols, crafts, a light lunch and more. Please bring an ornament so your family can be represented on the Central family tree. Don’t miss this joyous holiday tradition!

Adopt a Pipe

Last year, the Central Congregation overwhelmingly supported the Adopt-a-Pipe program, which raised close to $4,000 for the Organ Restoration Fund/Capital Campaign. Adopters were welcome to pick up their ornaments after the holidays, but most did not. So for our Second Adopt-a-Pipe “fun-raiser,” you can reclaim your previously adopted ornaments for a small “babysitting” fee: $1 for children, $5 for the $5 ornaments and $10 for all others—though we will gladly accept donations of any size.  If you didn’t adopt a pipe last year, and would like to, ornaments—personalized with your name and the name of the pipe—will again be available, priced from $10 to $100, with special $1 pipes for kids. To Adopt a Pipe, contact a music committee member or visit our table during the Church Bazaar or Tree Trimming.

BURSTING POMEGRANATE SALE DATES

The Bursting Pomegranate Shop sells Fair Trade gifts & crafts from artisans in developing countries around the world, a mission outreach program of our church.

The Shop will be open in Chapel Hall after church on three Sundays this month:

December 5 – “Christmas at Central”

December 12

December 19

Unusual gifts that do good for the world— come browse and buy!

The Angel Tree

The Angel Tree is up in Chapel Hall! This is our chance to brighten a child’s or teen’s holiday by selecting a tag with the child’s name, age, sex and purchasing a gift for him or her.

Please wrap the gift in traditional Christmas wrap and indicate the contents on the back of the name tag. Attach the name tag SECURELY on the package and deliver it to the church by Sunday, December 12. These gifts will be distributed by Christmas. Please call Cathy Clasper-Torch with questions.

All-Church Christmas Caroling

Sunday, December 12 at 12:30 pm

Experience the joy of giving to others while sharing a very special moment in the life of our church!  ALL are invited to stay for lunch and the tree trimming event that day, and then to top it off by embarking on a caroling excursion to our shut-ins.  This is such a fun event for all ages, and really exemplifies the real meaning of Christmas—giving the gift of ourselves!  Sign up in Chapel Hall during Coffee Hour or email Carolyn Birbiglia.  OR JUST COME!!!!  You’ll be glad you did…

COOKIE SWAP

Thursday, December 16

6:30 p.m. in Chapel Hall

Come and enjoy a fun way to cut down on the amount of baking you need to do and to socialize with your friends at Central at the same time!  Simply bake 6 dozen of one type of cookie (no brownies or bar cookies, please) and bring the cookies to Chapel Hall.  We’ll swap cookies so that everyone goes home with a delicious variety of treats!  Don’t forget to bring a platter or container to bring your swapped treats home!  Questions?  Call Claudia.

Welcome New Members!

The following united with us in membership on Sunday, November 7. Please join us in welcoming them warmly into our church family.

David Beauchesne & Diana Dansereau

Pawtucket

Diana is on the faculty of Boston University and David is with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. David enjoys music, reading, gardening & boating and Diana’s interests include cooking, golfing, skiing, & reading. They are interested in becoming active in a progressive church that is inclusive.

Elizabeth Daley

Providence

Beth is a journalist with the Boston Globe and enjoys running, piano, reading, & volunteering.

She hopes to volunteer in the community. Her daughter, Mintiwab, attends our Church School.

Michaella Griffin

Cranston

Michaella is a Residency Program Coordinator with RI Hospital. She is a native Rhode Islander who enjoys reading, kayaking, photography, and volunteer work. She is seeking a spiritual community and is interested in Central’s mission opportunities. She is the mother of 3 grown sons.

Renee Grinnell

Providence

Renee is a Research Assistant with Butler Hospital. She enjoys reading, clinical psychology, cooking, French horn, outdoor sports, animals, & learning new things. She grew up in a UCC church & misses it. She hopes to become involved in visiting/making food for people, mission work and perhaps the choir.

Kay Orzech

Providence

Kay recently moved from Tucson, AZ and is a RI Hospital/Brown University postdoctoral fellow. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, 2 ½ year old daughter, Audrey, and exploring Rhode Island. As she becomes more familiar, she may be interested in our choir or technology committee.

Elizabeth LaValley

N. Kingstown

Beth is a self-employed nanny whose interests include singing, music, theology, politics, philosophy, reading and cooking. She finds Central has a wonderful sense of community, a wonderful music program, and is open and affirming. She feels comfortable and happy at Central.

Patricia Tanalski

Pawtucket

Patty is an administrative assistant who enjoys reading, cooking, music, gardening, and swimming. She has been coming to Central for about a year. She and her husband, Tag, have a daughter, Anna, who is in the 9th grade.

Molly Tracy

Providence

Molly has moved to Providence last year via Minnesota-Chicago-Boston. Her hobbies include triathlon- swimming, biking, and running. Central was recommended by a friend and she hopes to explore faith issues, become part of a community in that is close to her home. She and her husband, Mark, are the parents of 8 month old Kate.

Barbara Welt

W. Warwick

Barbara is recently retired and enjoys knitting, needlepoint, reading, traveling, and spending precious time with family and friends. She feels at home at Central and is eager to become part of our active church community which includes her son, Andrew, and grandchildren, Emily and AJ Welt.

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON FOR THE BLIND

Thursday, December 9

Central Church is one of several organizations sponsoring a monthly activity in cooperation with IN-SIGHT, an agency which helps visually impaired persons develop skills to make living with limited vision easier.

We need volunteers to prepare casseroles (recipes & pans provided), act as greeters, coatroom attendants, and luncheon servers (9:00am-3:00pm). Sign-up sheets are available in Chapel Hall during Sunday’s Coffee Fellowship and in the church office during the week or you may call Marilyn Edwards, 751-2763.

Book Group

Rebecca’s Noon Book Group meets Thursday, January 27 to discuss Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. All are invited to join this lively group.

CUB SCOUT CHRISTMAS TREE SALE

Friday, December 3,  5-9 pm

Saturday, December 4,  10am-6pm

Sunday, December 5,  11:30am-5:30pm

FROM THE DEACON’S BENCH

Giving Thanks

At Thanksgiving dinner, it’s traditional in many families to go around the table asking each person what he or she is thankful for.  Here’s a very incomplete version of what I’d like to say, when my turn comes.

I’m thankful for a late autumn evening in the kitchen, stirring soup with one hand and reading a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows that I hold in the other, while the dogs circle, hoping that I might drop something interesting.  My son is upstairs doing his homework, occasionally groaning theatrically, and Beth is on her way home from work.

Thank you, God, for my family; for our home; for the food we eat; for stories to read; for jobs; for schools; and for reasonably well-behaved dogs.

I’m thankful for a Sunday afternoon basketball game.  The gym was completely remodeled after last spring’s floods, but we’re a few weeks into the season and the familiar smell of teenage boys is wafting its way back up to the crowded bleachers.  With seconds to go and trailing by three, my son pulls down a rebound.  The ball finds its way out to the team’s best shooter, who hits a last second three-pointer to send the game to overtime.

God, thank you for kids and for parents who love them; for your presence with us through disaster and its aftermath; and for the wonderful instant of silence as a long jump shot arches toward the hoop.

I’m thankful for the interruption on a Tuesday morning when my daughter, who’s been away at college since August, sends an instant message.  She’s opened up her laptop while eating breakfast, just before her calculus class and she tells me about her volunteer work with a Burmese refugee family.

Thank you, God, for technology that can evaporate distance; for minds that can understand math and hearts that are eager to help others; for a country that can offer hope to the oppressed; for children who have things to tell me and for parents to whom I still have things to tell; and that my daughter remembers to eat breakfast.

I’m thankful for Sunday morning in the choir loft, jammed full today with the adult and children’s choirs, trumpets, and timpani.  I’ve just learned that Patrick has rewritten the text of the difficult Mendelssohn piece to eliminate the masculine pronouns.  This is a concern, not for artistic or theological reasons, but because I could just barely make it through this one singing it the way we rehearsed.  I frantically cross out every instance of “is He in His judgments” and scrawl below it, “abounding with justice.”  When it’s time for the offertory, I do my best, though a few “judgments” still manage to slip in here and there.

God, thank you for a Church so sincere in its desire to serve you, yet so lovingly patient with our shortcomings; for the magnificent organ and a gifted choirmaster to play it; for all the remarkable people chatting over coffee in Chapel Hall; for music that takes us to places we can’t get otherwise, and for the irises in the west transept window. Amen.

-Stephen DeWitt

Christmas at Central

Sunday, December 5 11:30 am – 2 pm

• The Lunch Room
• Grandma’s Attic
• Ye Old Bookcellar
• Toy & Sports Treasure Box
• Sweet Shoppe
• Gift Baskets
• Craft Workshop
• The Gallery
• Bursting Pomegranate
• Wreaths by WORD
• Local Artists & Vendors