Dear Friends,
It certainly can be said that 2020 has been a year like no other in recent memory. It has been a huge challenge. We have faced worry, anxiety, loneliness, fear, and grief. We have also experienced kindness and joy. This pandemic has shown us more openly that the inequities of age, race, gender, and income have led to very different outcomes within our society. Advent this year is overlain with another layer of waiting. We long for the end of this pandemic when we may gather again, to laugh and hug, to worship and sing, and to eat together in community.
Times like these can lead us to a greater understanding of ourselves and what is really important to us. This year, the Christmas story resonates in a different way. Yes we still want that Hallmark moment of joy and wonder that we see in our Christmas cards or The Grumpy Innkeeper. But we have a greater understanding on an emotional level of the Christmas story which is a story of more than the day of Jesus' birth. We have a deeper understanding of the Jewish people living under occupation wishing and waiting for the Messiah, a saviour (can you say vaccine). We remember Zachariah rendered speechless when he didn't believe God would grant, he and Elizabeth a child. How that joy must have been tempered with worry. The fear and awe inducing angels with unexpected messages, messages that would turn lives upside down. A young women accepting God's favour. Joseph's shock and acceptance. An expectant couple leaving the security of home for another place facing an unexpected homelessness and lack of support at a critical time.
Bravery, acceptance, joy, kindness, loneliness, fear and so many other emotions that the people in the first Christmas story lived with, we have also lived with this year. We have seen the courage of health care workers and other essential workers who have filled in on an emergency basis and have put their lives on the line for others. We have seen the creativity and dedication as people of faith reach out to those around them to provide comfort and support.
Attached to this letter is a list of Advent/Christmas events and projects. This list is subject to change both as a result of public health restrictions but also other planning. I hope you will join us at some of our events and participate in our Advent projects.
Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a new start and beginning. It seems appropriate to use a piece of a poem that we have posted on New Year's Eve for the last several years. It became famous in its use in King George VI 1939 Christmas message at a time when the world had entered WWII. It is from The Gate of the Year (the author called it God Knows) by Minnie Louise Haskins.
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way." So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
May we know deep in our hearts this season that we are not alone, that God is always with us. May the hope, peace, joy and love of this season fill and overflow our hearts and our lives.
Debbie, Laurissa, Robert and I wish you all a very joyfilled Christmas.
Yours in Christ’s Service,
Rev. Stephen Fram
Enclosed is a Christmas Envelope for your use.
Advent/Christmas Events
Sunday December 20
11am Service of Readings and Music online/in-person (dependent on public health guidelines) - Registration necessary
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24
3:30 pm Children's Christmas Eve Service online ONLY
7pm Christmas Eve Service online/in-person (dependent on public health guidelines) - Registration necessary
Advent Projects
Gift Bags Program and volunteers for NDORC Christmas Food Hampers and Gift Bags
The North Dartmouth Outreach Resource Centre is looking for volunteers and personal care items for its Christmas Food Hamper and Gift Bag Program. Volunteers are needed to put the hampers and gift baskets together, call clients, and to do a curbside delivery (Thursday, December 17th) of 170+ hampers and gift bags. We are looking for donation to the adult gift bags full-size personal care items such as - bars of soap, deodorant, shaving foam, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, facecloths, socks, hairbrushes and individually wrapped treats. All donations are most appreciated.
Volunteers can contact Sam Schwartz at sammyk51@hotmail.com. Donations can be dropped off at Grace by Friday, December 11 or Tuesdays at Stairs Memorial Church 8:00 am-10:00 am (side door off the parking lot) by Tuesday, December 15.
Tree of Warmth
We "decorate" a tree with winter clothing accessories - gloves/mittens, undergarments, socks, hats, etc. All items will be shared with Margaret's House, Out of the Cold Shelter in Halifax and other emergency shelters for both men and women in Metro. While all donations are very much needed and appreciated, there is a special need for underwear (including long) and gloves. Items for the Tree of Warmth can be dropped off at the church during regular office hours. If you wish, money/cheques can be dropped off (at front door or mail slot on ramp door if in a sealed envelope) or mailed to the Church and items can be purchased. Deadline of articles to Grace Office is Friday, December 18.
Memory Tree
Light a bulb and hang an ornament in memory of a loved one on a Memory Tree at the front of the Sanctuary. Their names will be acknowledged in a slide show. The cost is $10 (cash or cheque made out to Grace United Church). If you are unable to pick up a Memory Tree envelope (if in-person worship is not allowed), provide the following information to the Church: your name, the name of the person(s) who you are doing it in memory of, from whom (if more than yourself), and the amount of money. Indicate if you wish the name of the honoured person and who its from to appear during the service which will be videoed and appear on FaceBook, YouTube and the website.
Envelopes with money/cheque can be put in collection plate, mailed to the church, or dropped in during office hours or if in a sealed envelope through the mail slot on the ramp door. Deadline is Friday, December 18.
Office hours: Tuesday-Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm; Fridays 9:30am-4:30pm