Advent 2 2020

Having posted Advent 1, now I can post Advent 2.

Week 2: peace, justice, gift, reflection, freedom, faithfulness, wonder

December 6. Today's word is "peace". Today begins the 2nd week of Advent. Where do you see peace around you? What brings you peace? What does peace mean to you? As you reflect on today's word, you are invited to share what comes to mind-- your thoughts and any photo or drawing. #peace #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is peace. I saw this stick on the ground last week on my walk in the woods. It reminds me of a peace symbol. Being in the woods always brings peace to my soul. Creation/nature therapy is a large part of my self/soul care. The 2nd photo is my Advent wreath. I turned over my peace mug today. @godw1nz. Peace to me has potential to run deep, like the calm on the ocean floor, even when there is tumult on the surface. May it be so. #peace #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 7. Today's word is "justice". How does justice fit into your Advent journey? Where do you see justice lived out? Where do you see the need for justice? What does justice mean to you? Share your reflections and any photo or drawing that depicts justice to you. #justice #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is justice. This quote by Abraham Lincoln causes me to pause and reflect. It also brings to mind a favorite verse, Micah 6:8. These muscadines were super sweet. Their owner was kind enough to share the crop with any of us who wanted to use them up. That was a gift, founded on relationship. Another verse that comes to mind is from Amos. It speaks of justice rolling down like water. #justice #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 8. Today's word is "gift". As you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? What gifts are needed/desired this Advent season? What gifts have you noticed? Sometimes gifts come to us in unexpected ways, places, or people. Have you ever considered that you are someone's gift? As you reflect on today's word, consider making a list of all the gifts that come to mind. Share a photo or drawing that represents today's word and reflections. #gift #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is gift. Gifts came in many forms today-- this heart on the counter at the grocery store, folks helping in many ways, a flu shot, some homemade cookies, several incredible conversations, a duck for my bike, encouragement, stories and memories of a retired colleague who has entered the heavenlies, and more. When I am present, so much of life is a gift. I am grateful. #seeaheartshareaheart #gift #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 9. Today's word is reflection. The Advent Season is a time for reflection. What are the things that are coming to mind this year for you? How does reflection change you? As you consider today's word, what photo or drawing depicts it for you? #reflection #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is reflection. This is from a sunset at Chester Frost Park on October 19th. The sky and the colors were perfect. They reflected their images into the water because the water was still enough and the light just so. I enjoy my reflection times when I can think clearly. Peace, be still. #reflection #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 10. Today's word is freedom. What comes to mind as you reflect on this word? How are you experiencing freedom this Advent season? If freedom isn't something that is currently in your life, where would you like to see freedom? What would freedom look like for you? How would you depict today's word in a photo or drawing? #freedom #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is freedom. I have never felt so free as I did when I was in the air doing this. Today, reflecting back 7 years, I think the freedom came because I knew I was in good hands. I could trust and let go. I could live into the moment and be. There is freedom in all of that. Those are just some of the thoughts I have on freedom today. If I were to share more, I would mention freedom from sickness, illness, cancer, and pain-- as I know several who are free from those things. Their freedom is important to me, even though it brings me loss and sadness. #feedom #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 11. Today's word is faithfulness. As you think about this word, whose faithfulness comes to mind? How has faithfulness been part of your faith journey and/or your Advent season thus far? What does faithfulness mean to you? You are invited to share your thoughts on faithfulness in writing and in the form of a photo or drawing. #faithfulness #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is faithfulness. Cliff is a faithful companion to Charlie. As of today, they get to spend some time together, after 3 months apart. Another thought about faithfulness today is the faithfulness of a life well lived-- Sullins M. Lamb. #faithfulness #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 12. Today's word is wonder. How does today's word play a role in Advent for you? Where is there wonder in your life? What causes you to wonder? As you reflect on today's word, you are invited to share your thoughts and any photo or drawing. #wonder #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is wonder. Nativity scenes cause me to wonder. They engage my thinking and imagination. What was it like? Truly? How does one ride a donkey bareback when they are close to giving birth? Even sitting side saddle, how does one do that? That could not have been comfortable. That is just one sacrifice as a mother that Mary made. I wonder how I might continue to learn and grow as I allow myself to be in relationship with the Christ child. #wonder #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

As you reflect on each of these words, what comes to mind for you? 

Peace on your journey, 

Rev. Deb

Advent 1 2020

I realize that we are in the season of Lent, but I didn't get my Advent posts posted, so I am going to get that done first.  In fact, today, March 11, is the first day I've even checked my blog since October.  What does that tell you? It tells you that I haven't had the time or space to think about words beyond sermons and newsletters for the faith community I serve.  Well, those plus the encouraging posts I put on FB. 

I will hopefully get the Advent posts up fairly quickly and then I can work on the Lent posts for this season. :) 

Here we go..... Advent 1 2020:

Week 1-- Hope, Wait, Darkness, Preparation, Light, Sign, Ponder

November 29. Today's word is "hope". Today is the first day of Advent. As we begin this Advent season and this new calendar year, what does the word "hope" mean for you? How do you depict hope in a photograph or drawing? If hope seems too far off to reach in the moment, reflect on when you last experienced hope. When was that? How was that? How would you depict that in a photograph or drawing? #hope, #adventphoto, #saintelmoumc

Today is the beginning of Advent. Today's word is hope. As I reflect on today's word, hope to me is like this candle--- one sole flame offers light. May I be a light, may I be hope. #hope, #adventphoto, #saintelmoumc

November 30. Today's word is "wait". We touched on the subject in yesterday's sermon as we explored active waiting. What comes to mind as you reflect on today's word? How do you respond to "wait"? How do you depict this word in a photograph or drawing? #wait, #adventphoto, #saintelmoumc

Today's word is "wait". I went to Blood Assurance to donate today, but my blood, though high in hemoglobin, decided it wasn't going to flow well. We waited in hopeful expectation that the machine and my blood would connect and flow. It wasn't to happen today. I will wait another week. There are many things for which I have been waiting over the past nine months. I am waiting to see the flock again. I am waiting to see my family. In today's waiting, I had a wonderful conversation with a worker at Blood Assurance. It encouraged me to chat with her. In the waiting, we can engage. We can be kind. We can live and love well. Advent is a season of waiting. While I wait in any situation, may I continue to live, love, and lead like Jesus. #wait #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

 

December 1. Today's word is "darkness". What does darkness mean to you? How have you experienced darkness? As you reflect on this word, how do you express it in a photograph or drawing? #darkness, #adventphoto, #saintelmoumc

Today's word is "darkness". Darkness is part of the journey. There is healing and transformation through the darkness. This circle of friends reminds me that when I go through dark times, I am not alone. There is support. Even a small light in the midst of darkness can brighten the space. #darkness #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 2. Today's word is "preparation". What preparations are you making this Advent season? Do these preparations prepare you for the coming of the Christ child? (If so, how?) Do you have a favorite preparation that you look forward to year after year? What comes to mind for you as you reflect on today's word? How do you share that with others in a photo or drawing? #preparation #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is "preparation". Every week, twice a week, you can find boxes lined up like this in the gym in preparation for the next food distribution day. It is encouraging and heartwarming to see how the team of volunteers has worked to get food out safely and creatively during the pandemic. As we make intentional preparations for the safety of ourselves and others, may we make intentional preparations this Advent season for the presence of Christ among us. #preparation #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 3. Today's word is "light". As you reflect on today's word, what comes to mind? How does light fit into your Advent celebration? Share your thoughts on light and your photography or drawing. #light #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is "light". Last week on the way home from an outing, the moon's light was bright. As the day turned to night, its light shone through the darkness. The light was captivating, holding my attention as it guided me home. This Advent season I am encouraged by light that shines in the darkness, offering guidance and hope. I see it in many forms and in many people. I am grateful. #light #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 4. Today's word is "sign". The Advent season is a time to watch for signs. Is there a sign you are hoping for or waiting for? Is there a sign you see daily that catches your attention? What comes to mind for you as you reflect on today's word? Share your reflections, along with a photo or drawing. #sign #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is "sign". I ventured outside this morning briefly and saw these shoots coming up. A sign of new life and growth. This sign reminds me that life happens underneath the surface, in the dark. One day, that it will push through. Growth is happening the entire time. There are simply different stages. It was, it is, it will be. We all need reminders, encouragement, hope. This sign of life was that for me today. #sign #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

December 5. Today's word is "ponder". What are the things on your mind these days? What causes you to ponder? As you reflect on this word, what comes to mind? Post your thoughts and any photo or drawing. #ponder #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

Today's word is ponder. In our walk today I pondered many things. As I seek to live my life for an Audience of One, I recognize that I will always be darned if I do and darned if I don't. Time in creation wandering and pondering refills me. I ponder the time singing with family members and their father just a few days ago, as that was a gift to me. These two photos show the largest grapevines I have ever seen. We looked them over for a while. I pondered whether or not the large one could hold me. It did. Pondering can lead to creativity and freedom. May these days of Advent allow time for pondering. #ponder #adventphoto #saintelmoumc

That does it for Advent, week 1 2020.  Week 2 will be forthcoming.

Peace on this adventurous journey, 

Rev. Deb