Dec
21
2012
Waiting is a difficult posture, especially when you don’t know when the wait will be over. Children often mark Advent with an “Advent calendar;” the days may seem to them to pass slowly, but their numbers are clearly limited—the desired end comes at a marked point. The characters of our familiar seasonal sacred story of …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/21/sermon-sneak-peek-the-song-of-mary/
Dec
20
2012
As winter solstice comes and we cross through the longest night, I am mindful that many of my friends are being blanketed by the first snow of the season—some are facing blizzard conditions. I really enjoy the spiritual linguistic work and images of Edward Hayes; below is a psalm from him, “Winter Psalm of a …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/20/winter-psalm-of-a-prayerful-pyromaniac/
Dec
19
2012
I have several seasonal “listen and/or watch” traditions. Among them, A Christmas Carol; I prefer the 1984 version with George C.Scott (it was my first), but I’m also rather fond of Patrick Stewart’s Scrooge (1999). I usually get a nice balance by listening to Stewart read the book. I listen to and watch How the …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/19/joyeux-noel/
Dec
18
2012
I offered the following poem (“The Ponds”) at the staff meeting yesterday. Mary Oliver’s language and imagery is rife with meaning, particularly this Advent. Every year the lilies are so perfect I can hardly believe their lapped light crowding the black, mid-summer ponds. Nobody could count all of them—the muskrats swimming among the pads and …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/18/float-a-little-above-this-difficult-world/
Dec
17
2012
Sunday’s Sermon (16 Dec 2012) Revisited: The Gospel lesson for the Third Sunday of Advent sends us to the River Jordan to hear the desert preacher. As it turns out, Jesus’ birth is not the only surprising birth narrative of the season; Elizabeth and Zechariah, even though they were “getting along in years” have a …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/17/this-advent-lets-go-down-to-the-river-to-pray/
Dec
16
2012
If your browser does not allow the video to load below, you can click here for a cute, but powerful message from the UCC.
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/16/there-is-room-at-the-inn-for-you/
Dec
15
2012
The Centering prayer at Central UCC, Atlanta, for the Third Sunday of Advent is inspired by a poem from Caitlin Matthews: “Holy One, as winter deepens and daylight lessens, give comfort to those who are without, give ease to troubled hearts, restore hope to those who are hopeless and give them the lasting blessing of …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/15/the-spinner-of-seasons-journeys-with-us/
Dec
14
2012
A sermon sneak peek for this Sunday (16 December): The Lectionary readings for Advent include more than one surprising birth: John the Baptizer is born to Elizabeth and Zechariah, who were both “getting on in years” (Luke 1:7). John and Jesus are related by more than their family tree; their advent is steeped in anticipation …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/14/through-the-river-to-the-manger/
Dec
13
2012
The reflection from NPR’s Scott Simon about Jeffrey Hillman and NYC Police Officer Lawrence DePrimo highlights the moral and ethical dilemma we all face in response to those who are in need. I suspect that all of us have faced “signs at the stop light,” an inquiry about spare change around the metro, or …
Permanent link to this article: http://whereheartandmindmeet.ccuccatl.com/2012/12/13/advent-we-are-all-on-a-journey/
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