Calvary’s loving and fun fellowship was on full display this past weekend; the kitchen humming with children baking and decorating cookies, and over 90 people staying after church to enjoy a delicious taco lunch, buy cookies from those baking kids, decorate the tree in Brackenridge Hall and “green” the church with wreaths and garlands. It was such a joyous way to spend the afternoon – lots of smiles, over-sugared kids, and a diverse group of people working together on decorations and clean-up.

Next Sunday at 4 pm, we will have an equally joyous event, albeit very different from cookies and decorating, when our Motet Choir joins with the Chancel Choir of First Presbyterian Church to present Advent Lessons and Carols – first at 10:15 am at First Presbyterian, and then at 4:00 pm at Calvary. Advent continues through December 22, and then we will prepare ourselves for celebrating the birth of the Christ child on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. At Calvary, these events and worship services are important markers of ritual and community that we look forward to every year.

Rituals are important in the Advent and Christmas seasons – important for the church family and for our own families and ourselves. Rituals, fellowship, worship, music, all kinds, help set our minds and spirits for being present in a changing world and in our changing lives, and for preparing for the future. I hope that you and your friends and families can celebrate your own rituals and life rhythms, or start new ones this year, to bring your people together in community and in love.

In the peace of God,

Beth+