Archive for December, 2010

Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
Holy Covenant United Methodist Church
December 24, 2010

Luke 2:1-20

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Mary wonders: Where is my place?
Will anyone love me, accept me? After all, I’m a pregnant teenager, 14 and unwed; a child myself, not ready to care for another child. My family has disowned me: my sisters and brothers, once my truest companions, won’t even look at me and my swelling belly. My mother only talks to me about my impurity, instead of giving me advice and support. Even my friends push me away, for they think I’ve gone crazy—telling them stories about angels of God visiting me. Nobody believes I’m really a virgin. And maybe they’re right—did I really see an angel? Has my pregnancy made me hallucinate? Where is there a place for me, a girl with no friends, no husband, no money, who has crazy visions?

Joseph wonders: Where is my place?
I’m traveling to my home city, Bethlehem, to be counted yet again. The government doesn’t care who I am, what I care about….they just see me as a number. A number to be counted so they can take more of my money. All I want is a safe and comfortable home, nothing fancy, but to be able to feed my fiancé and our new child without worrying where our next piece of fish or loaf of bread will come from. But the government is so oppressive that everyone in our town is kept in severe poverty, while the emperor feasts day in and day out. Will I have a place when I return home, a place to make a home for my family?

Mary and Joseph wonder as they wander; but they don’t have much time to dwell on the big picture, their place in the universe—what they really need right now is just a place to stay the night. Mary can’t walk much farther, and Joseph needs to be up early in the morning to get a good place in line for the census. Every motel they pass has a “no vacancy” sign out front; their distant relatives have already taken in other distant relatives and don’t even have a spare patch of floor. Finally, they knock on the door of the last inn on the edge of town and the innkeeper answers. They ask, expectantly, is there a place for us? (more…)

Dear Holy Covenant Family,

“The angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,
‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace among those whom God favors!’”
Luke 2:10-14

What glorious good news we receive this week! Christmas blessings to all of you, near and far. For those in Chicago, I look forward to Christmas Eve together, services of candlelight and communion at 7 and 11, with nursery care available at 7. For those traveling, may the joy and peace of this season fill your hearts, and may Christ find a home in you this Christmas.

Receive this prayer:

Holy God, whose power comes to us in vulnerability, in an infant,
Through the birth of Jesus, you are Emmanuel, God-with-us, a human being.
Divine and human, whose birth turns the world upside down.
Turning violence to peace,
hatred to forgiveness, revenge to grace, hierarchy to equality,
death to life.
Like shepherds, we follow your light and give thanks that you come to us in our common lives.
Like wise men, we humble ourselves and give generously.
Like the innkeeper, we are forgiven for our thoughtlessness.
To you we bring our joys and celebrations
Our sorrows and doubts and questions
Our grief and pain and loneliness
Knowing that as a human, you feel with us and for us.
Like Angels, may we sing your praises,
Shine your light, turn the world upside down, and proclaim your peace on earth.
Alleluia and Amen.

Grace and Peace,
Kate

Get these reflections and more in our weekly eNewsletter

by Matt Piechocinski

I was asked to write a blog post for Advent, and once again, I said “sure” … with an unspoken caveat being: “Oh man, I don’t know what I’m going to write! The church folk and I are on different wavelengths.” So, I thought about Rebecca’s and Kate’s sermons on hope, justice and joy, and tried to figure out how to relate what I heard with what I was going to write under the umbrella of great expectations.

Then, tragedy hit. Uncle Ron Santo, beloved Cubs broadcaster, and shamefully denied Hall of Fame player (as he’s one of the best third basemen ever to play the game) died. Thankfully, I was alone that Friday as I watched his televised funeral, because the tears freely flowed. Santo was great, but was pigeon-holed as a “homer,” because he was clearly biased towards the Cubs. It was like having a fan in the booth calling the game. He never gave up … both as a player, and as a broadcaster. The Cubs could be down double digit runs, and you would hear Uncle Ron saying something like: “Oh man. All we need is a stolen base, a double, then a grand slam … and we’re back in this game!”

He expected to win.

Fast forward two days later … the Chicago Bears vs the New England Patriots. No one expected the Bears to win, even the Bears players … you got the feeling that they were starting to write this one off as a loss. That is until Brian Urlacher stepped in and said something incendiary to motivate his teammates. What happened? Blood bath … the game was over when Knox fumbled the ball early in the game.

“Wow. Awesome stuff, Matt, but what’s your point?” My point is this: you have to expect victory in life. That’s a great expectation, right? No matter what the odds, you have to believe that you will win, and eventually, you will. Why, a very real example happened just this month! Both the state of Illinois and the country expected victory over injustice with equality, and what happened? BAM! Civil unions, and the repealing of that goofy mandate of “don’t ask don’t tell.”

That, I guess, is ultimately what I’m saying. You have to expect victory over the ills of the world … expect victory over war with peace. Expect victory over hate with love. Expect victory over ignorance with education. To use another baseball analogy, we might not win today, but there’s 152 games in the season, so we’ll probably win tomorrow.

Law of averages, church folk … law of averages.

by Vicky Nabors

Perception of one’s actions is a funny thing.

You see, as a child I expected to find lots of toys and other goodies under the tree on Christmas morning. As a teenager, and the “assigned” oldest, I struggled to help my divorced mother place one gift under the tree for each of my siblings. I expected nothing. As a young adult, I expected to get bonuses from my employer to provide gifts for my two children. I expected nothing. As an older adult comfortable in my professional career, I lavished my daughter and son with gifts and clothing. I was even able extended my gift giving to my parents, friends, and strangers in need. Still, I expected nothing.

But as I write this blog, I realize I did expect something … all those years. I expected smiles, appreciation, gratitude, more smiles, more appreciation, and more gratitude. I guess in my own way, I’ve been in denial of the fact that I am a “serial giver.” I thirst for the warmth of knowing I’ve brought a smile to someone’s heart. And during Advent, I ask God to give me eyes to see even more acts of kindness as I know “I alone am not enough.”

I’ve learned that sometimes we are so focused on giving that we block others from giving back. I have been guilty of this many times. Yesterday, I was talking to God in a journal entry; I asked that He allow me to see wonderful miracles in my life and in the lives of others on that day. And I expected that God would grant my request because I’ve learned to believe. So I became a river of tears later that day when I learned that my son-in-law had two job offers, and a lost friend asked to work through our differences, and my son volunteered to pay for my car repairs, and 200 kids got new gym shoes from a private donor, and my terminally ill step-father’s heart still beats, and and and! I believe in miracles …

Advent is my favorite season; a time of giving and loving and hoping. Therefore, my great expectation is to continue loving God’s people because I most certainly expect something wonderful in return: affirmation of simple humanity in the form of a smile. It moves me deeply.

Dear Holy Covenant Family,

What a joyful, spiritually stirring Advent we’ve experienced together. From carol singing to retreating, gift fairing to special music, we’ve expected and lived out great things this season. As we move closer towards the manger, towards Christmas, there are still more ways to fill your soul (and belly) at Holy Covenant. Please join us for:

*Christmas Movie Night THURSDAY
Join us Thursday evening for Christmas favorites and cocoa. We’ll pull down the screen in the sanctuary and from 7-8 watch The Grinch and Charlie Brown Christmas (my all time favorite holiday movie), followed by It’s A Wonderful Life. Bring friends, blankets, pillows, and Christmas cookies!

*Party at the Parsonage, Sunday from 3-5
You’re invited to my house for a Christmas party on Sunday December 19th for a time of food, fellowship, and Christmas music. No need to bring anything but yourself-refreshments provided. Please come and bring a friend or partner-all are welcome! Take the wooden stairs up from the back door of the church and knock on the door to the 2nd floor.

*Longest Night Service, Monday December 20th, 7pm
Join us for a service of hope and healing for those experiencing grief, depression, or anxiety during the holidays. This is a safe space where you can bring your full self and range of emotions, acknowledging that this season of joy is often the most difficult for many of us. Special music, candle light, and silence will fill the sanctuary.

*Christmas Eve Services
7pm and 11pm, Candlelight, Communion, and Carols
Spread the word!

*Alternative Giving Fair Update
Many thanks to all of the organizers, volunteers, and generous shoppers who made our 2nd annual Alternative Giving Fair a great success! We had twice the number of shoppers this year and so far have raised $3,000 for Haiti. And check out this article in Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune.

There’s still time to donate and to shop (at clearance prices!) after church on Sunday.

May the Advent blessings of hope, justice, joy, and love continue to wash over you as we wait. See you on Sunday and think about who you can bring with you.

Peace and Grace,

Kate

Get these reflections and more in our weekly eNewsletter

Dear Holy Covenant Community,

As we continue in this Advent season of great expectations, I hope you’ll join us at Holy Covenant as we expect Jesus to change everything. A few reminders:

*This Sunday, December 12th, join us at 9:30 and 11:15 for an Advent Lessons and Carols service with special music by our choir at BOTH services; Then after the 7pm service join us for cocoa and carols around the piano!

*Thursday December 16th: Christmas movie night! Popcorn, cocoa, and classic Christmas movies. Bring friends. Bring a blanket or pillow; you can even wear your pajamas if you want! More info on our Facebook invite.

*Sunday, December 19th: Christmas Party at the Parsonage (my apartment, 2nd floor of the church), from 3-5pm. All are welcome!

And this Saturday is our Alternative Giving Fair. Read this invitation from Brit Holmberg:

***
Holy Covenanters,

Take a minute to think about what you gave others for Christmas last year. How bout the year before? It’s hard to remember isn’t it? It just sorta runs together. Sure there are a few memorable gifts, but its not like it was when you were a kid. Nothing that captures the power and joy of this holy season.

Why not change that this year? Why not help us reclaim Christmas from endless consumerism: the 5am sales, boring gift cards, and silly gadgets.

Last year we started a new tradition at HC to help bypass the craziness that Christmas giving has become. We hosted the Alternative Giving Fair (AGF) and turned the sanctuary into a space to make low-cost homemade gifts for loved ones (most are between $5-10). The gifts were fail-proof and meant for all ages and ability levels: each station had all the ingredients needed to successfully complete the gift – including packaging containers- and a leader to answer questions or help guide the process. We even had a gift wrapping station.

We had a blast! Over 75 people came and we learned and laughed and listened to Christmas music – it was magical! And the best part is, with the money we saved from not spending hundreds of dollars on store-bought presents, we raised over $2,000 for clean drinking water in Liberia!

We got great feedback after Christmas too. Many participants shared how appreciative their loved ones were for the time and care they put into making something special for them. Others reported that the AGF taught them new skills that they now use on a regular basis. For example, Katie Wickman enjoyed making granola so much that she now bakes a big batch every couple of weeks! In other words, participating in the AGF is a gift that keeps on giving – to those in need, to loved ones, and even giving back to us, the givers!

So, won’t you join us this year, for the 2nd annual AGF this Saturday, 12/11 from 10:30-2pm. This year we are offering several great new gifts, as well as some of last year’s favorites: 1) our own Maria Cupp will be teaching participants how to make Buckeyes candies, 2) we’ll demonstrate how to make vintage wind chimes out of common kitchen items, 3) and show you how to make homemade play dough. We’ll also be selling handmade soaps that a group of Holy Covenenters made at Amber Kujath’s house a couple of weeks ago. And that’s just a small sampling – you’ve got to come to see all that’s offered!

This year, all the proceeds will go to a Methodist Haiti Emergency Relief Fund to help them recover from all the devastation they have experienced in the past year, from the fatal earthquake to the lack of clean water, to the recent outbreak of cholera. The need is tremendous, but our donations will help alleviate some of the suffering.

We need your help though to make this year another success. First, please come this Saturday! Stay for an hour, or for the whole fair. Invite friends and co-workers and make it an outing. I promise you will have fun! Second, volunteer; we need help setting up and cleaning up and we also still need contributions – wrapping paper, jars, fabric, tins, etc. Contact me with any questions. See you Saturday!

Blessed Advent,

Brit Holmberg

***

See you on Saturday AND Sunday, and think about who you can bring with you.

Grace and Peace,

Kate

Get these reflections and more in our weekly eNewsletter

Expect Justice
Holy Covenant UMC, December 5, 2010
Second Sunday in Advent
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd

Matthew 3:1-12

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

When I was growing up, I loved superheroes, and my favorite was She-Ra, Princess of Power. She’s He-Man’s sister…together they worked for justice. I spent countless hours on the preschool playground pretending to be She-Ra, using my power to save the world. We live in a culture that loves superheroes, longing for someone to swoop in and save us. We love for a superhero to reward the good guys and punish the bad guys. And we can’t get enough of their superpowers, and wish we had them ourselves (that longing hasn’t gone away, even as I’ve grown up): the power to fly, the power of night vision, the power to be invisible.

John the Baptist is like a superhero of the 1st century.
You can picture him on the front of a comic book: Hands on his hips, hair long and blowing in the wind; he wears a cloak of camel’s hair, flowing behind him like a cape; all held together by a leather belt with a shiny JB on the buckle; wilderness in the background. Across the top of the comic are the words: The Wilderness Wonder: Reversing Power. (more…)

by Maria Cupp

Expectations are funny things. They are usually set with the best of intentions, but rarely can ever be truly met. As a culture, or maybe even as a generation, met expectations seem to lose some of their appeal. They are no longer quite good enough. Instead, we raise the bar again and again, always wanting more. Like a hamster in its wheel, we keep running and running, trying to reach an phantom destination; forgetting to enjoy the journey along the way.

I definitely live my life with high expectations. I don’t meant to say that goals and standards are a bad thing, but there is something to be said for gauging how realistic or important the expectation is. This can be especially hard for those like me who are blessed with a “Type A” personality. For example:

My first semester of college I got four A’s – on accident. Seriously. I wasn’t even trying. I got my grades and was stunned. My entire family, however, thought it was the best thing ever. Once I realized the attention those A’s got me, I wanted more. So the next semester I got straight A’s. Every semester after that I expected all A’s from myself. While I managed to maintain a good balance my first three years, my senior year was a challenge. I got those A’s, but I sacrificed what I now realize was my last year of freedom. If I had it to do over again, I’d have lived my life more freely and worried a lot less about getting A’s.

After working so hard for those A’s I got my first job. I remember thinking that the salary — $30,000 — was a fortune. It wasn’t long though before I moved on to a new position and an even higher salary. Then annual raises started kicking in and before I knew it, the salary that seemed so bountiful at the beginning was never quite enough. I was living my life always waiting to have a little bit more. I realize now that if I had focused on what I had instead of what I didn’t have, I’d have known just how lucky I really was.

Instead of enjoying the gifts God has given me as they are, I constantly try to push them just a little bit farther.  As a trained pastry chef, my strengths lie in baking.  Decorating is not my forte.  In fact, I don’t enjoy trying to fancily decorate cookies, cakes or cupcakes.  Inevitably, however, I decide that instead of sticking to what my strengths are — and enjoying myself – I’ll try to bake and decorate the perfect cake.  Inevitably I end up frustrated, covered in sugar and butter, and terribly disappointed.

So what is my point? To quote my mother, “We always have the most fun when we least expect it.” Or when we aren’t trying so hard. Or when we simply let life happen. So this Advent Season, instead of trying to keep up with Joneses, planning the most elaborate holiday party on the block or spending hours searching for the perfect gift, try to expect less. Focus on what we have to be thankful for in our everyday lives. Spend time with family talking and laughing. Share a meal with loved ones. Take in the crisp smell of a cold night, enjoy the beauty of the unblemished snow, and marvel at the world in its natural form. Revel in the glory of our lives – here and now.

We may find that it surpasses all of our expectations.

by Adam Bogucki

I’m one of those weird individuals that people hate: I love the Holiday Season. I LOVE that the stores are busier. I love writing Christmas cards. I love buying presents. I love baking Christmas Cookies. I love the cold and snow (but only during December). I especially love the Peppermint Mochas at Starbucks. I love it all. It feels like Christmas to me.

Last year was the first time I really thought about Advent and what it meant to me and in general. I knew right away that Advent was perfect in describing my feelings for the Christmas season. The waiting. The anticipation. The extra Church services. And this years theme “Great Expectations” is perfect.

I think each of us expects many things during the holidays. Whether that be something as simple as a Christmas card from a good friend, a bonus check at work, or Christmas parties with good friends. I think all of that is important. I think it also offers the perfect opportunity to think about what is expected of us. We are called to “Seek God, Love All People, and Change the World.” What better time to do all of that than in the Advent season?

There are so many opportunities for each of these EVERY day during Advent. Holding the door and smiling at the mom with her three kids and billion bags of gifts. Donating a toy to a local toy drive. Making a homemade gift to really show your love for a friend. Baking goodies to share with friends. It’s all amazing.

So, scoff if you will, but I am going to spend my Advent with my Peppermint Mocha in my hand, smiling up and down the street dreaming of my white Christmas!

by Mark Owen

So, I was again approached about writing a blog regarding the Advent Season yesterday morning. To be honest, I’d shelved it, as I’ve been bogged down with so many of life’s more mundane issues having to do with my work load, job security, possible employment changes, finances, family, insomnia, not to mention searching for inspiration to share with the HCUMC prayer team and Men’s Group, as well as feeling guilty that I’ve not spent near enough time on my choir music for the worship service next Sunday.

Ever felt that Advent and the Christmas holidays simply created more for the ‘to do’ list and all you were going to have to show for it when all is said and done is a shredded calendar after you snapped?

The view in the picture above brought me great peace as I contemplated writing my Advent blog today. Here, in a simple view looking from my living room window at the Chicago skyline and lake front I found a “breakthrough,” a light shining through the clouds. Interestingly, if you’ll notice, it’s somewhat distanced from the city’s intensity. It calls me out, draws my eye away from all the activity and offers rays of light coming through even the busyness and density of the clouds. There, in a simple “breakthrough.”

I’m shown that, above it all, and despite it all, there is light… There is hope…. There is peace.

This Advent Season, as we work through the days ahead, may we, with great expectations, anticipate God breaking through with His light, with His Son, and may we actively anticipate the ‘breakthrough’ of His presence.