Good morning,  .

Last night after a dinner out, my family and I took a drive through neighborhoods around Nashville. We were out seeing the lights, listening to Christmas music, and chatting. There was one light display I really wanted my teenage daughter to see. Each year a family not far from our church pulls a sailboat into their front yard and covers it in lights. The sailboat also has small passengers including Snoopy and Pooh. It is surprising. Delightful. Hopeful.

On these longest nights of the year, we do whatever we can to bolster surprise, delight, and joy. Look at twinkle lights. Cook up our favorite foods. Wrap presents. Drive around in the dark listening to music. 

This Thursday evening, December 21 for the Longest Night, we are planning a time when we gather to bolster each other through this time. We'll do our best with attending to sacred presence, seeing one another, listening to music, and offering prayer, stories, scripture, and conversation. 

Thank you for registering to attend the Longest Night service this Thursday 12/21. Please find your Zoom link below. 

Throughout Advent we have been offering prayers for deep peace for people of all ages, all over the planet facing loss, war, grief, loneliness, illness, heartbreak, and threats both natural and human generated. This “Prayer for love and longing and loss” puts words around the vulnerable feelings that can arise in this season.

We will make space on the Longest Night for you to breathe, connect, grieve, and experience a sense of deep peace. Author and Pastoral Artist Julia Goldie Day will join us to talk about the gifts darkness can bring. 

It might be a little like gathering on a sailboat and navigating through the holy darkness, watching for a guiding star, calling for all hands on deck. I hope there will be a surprise, a delight, some hope. I look forward to being with you!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81568868868?pwd=ZXZJMVMwQ2hqVkN4dzk4SXNlYnIvZz09

Meeting ID: 815 6886 8868
Passcode: 633769
 

Advent Series 

Have you explored the art and music for Advent and Christmas we are featuring this year? it's not too late to appreciate the offerings of pastoral artist, Julia Goldie Day, and music of John Rutter's Gaelic Blessing as guides for visio divina.