Merry Christmas!
The Season of Advent, when we await God’s Presence, has given way to Christmas and Emmanuel, God with us. The darkness before Solstice is giving way to longer days, and the Light is more and more here.
I’d hoped to participate in Jan Richardson’s online Advent Retreat, but I wasn’t able to make it happen. It’s difficult to take a proper time out in our culture, and I, too, succumb to the busyness of the
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Pastor's Page
I invite you to read my bi-weekly newsletters below for reflections on Sunday worship and updates on congregational life. I hope, and believe, you will also enjoy my Sermons. I look forward to seeing you and sharing worship with you.
Blessings,
Pastor Ellen
Please call or e-mail to schedule time with Pastor Ellen:
M, W, Th: Appointments and visits
Tuesday: Day off
Friday: Sermon and study day
Here are some spiritual resources that I find myself returning to time and again. I hope you will also enjoy them.
UCC Feed Your Spirit
Bite in the Apple
Patheos.com
The Listening Hermit
RickMorley.com
Larry Patten.com
From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Advent Greetings~
Last night, a small group of us gathered for a service that honored both darkness and light: remembering our loved ones, acknowledging our losses, and praying for hope amidst it all.
This Blue Christmas Service is the first I’ve ever led or attended. And, though I have some ideas for how to tweak next year’s, I’ll never go another Advent without one. Here’s why:
- Our church is a community of people who’ve covenanted to love, support
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Autumn Greetings~
I love the years when Advent doesn’t begin until after Thanksgiving Weekend. Not because I’m a Grinch who thinks Christmas decorations shouldn’t go up until much later (confession: I’m listening to Christmas music as I write). But because I love the illusion of time and space this extra week between holidays gives me. I don’t care if you put up your Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, but I’m feeling fine about the pumpkins and dried corn
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Happy Snow, Sleet, Slush Day!
As I write in Maryland, the snow is falling heavily, but I’m told it will switch over to sleet and rain later on. I hope, wherever you are, you’ve had some of the beautiful white stuff before it turns to slush.
This is life, isn’t it? Sometimes soft beauty, others grimy slush. Both are bound to happen, so I suggest embracing beauty wherever and whenever it is. The trick, as Hemingway once wrote:
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From Rev. Ellen Jennings
Happy All Saint’s Day!
I hope you had a safe and fun Halloween (All Hallows Eve) and that you’re now enjoying a more low-key All Hallows Day. There are three main things on my mind this week: my son Tate, the upcoming elections, and this Sunday’s service. So here goes!
Tate: As many of you know, Tate started Goucher College this fall after struggling with a chronic illness for years. He was doing well and enjoying school, and
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