a late night resolution

With the little time left before 2011 arrives, I find myself thoughtfully making lists. Lists of the many things that need to get done next week before my seminary applications are due (yikes!). Lists of things I should have done in the past year, or just sometime before today. Lists of things I hope to do before the end of next year. Of all these, I'm having the most trouble coming up with my list of resolutions. Typically, resolution making is something I enjoy- picturing how my life will be better in the year to come if I live by a new set of "rules." But this year is different.

I'm usually a fan of the "eat less, exercise more, save money..." type of resolutions. And, although those are all things I probably should do, I'm finding them a little hollow this year. Maybe it's because I'm riding an incredibly powerful advent wave that helped me keep focused on the spiritual side of this season. Or maybe I'm just ready to add some depth to my vision of a "better life." Either way, I'm feeling challenged to (in the next few minutes) make some God-centered resolutions.

This Sunday, as we celebrate Epiphany, we'll look at the story of the wise men, and their gifts to a newborn Christ. The new year will soon rush in, and with it come countless new opportunities for us to offer ourselves, and our own gifts to God. I pray that through resolution making, we may each seek to deepen our faith, and offer what we can to God in 2011. May we find new joy and strength in doing so.

Holiday Dessert Exchange

Holiday baking is definitely a tradition in my family. And, like others this time of year, we end up giving a lot of those cookies and treats away as gifts. We also end up receiving a bunch, which means we always have more sweets and treats that we can possibly (or really should) eat ourselves. If you have extra, lovingly-made treats you can't bear to throw out, pack them up and bring them with you to worship this coming Sunday, 12/26. Just after worship, we'll share in a time of good fellowship and festive desserts. Let's put those extra cookies to good use, and spread a little more Christmas joy with our Water's Edge family. What could be better?! :)

expecting

Here are are in the midst of Advent; for a season that's supposedly (at least in our churchy circles) about waiting, I feel like things are flying by.Which is, maybe, why I'm still hungry for Advent this year. I want to pause from busyness and take time to focus on the things I'm really hungry for: justice for all people, hope for situations that seem impossible like immigration reform, our financial systems, local schools.

This Advent, we've been making a holy icon out of your junk mail advertising from the holiday season. I like the simple subversion embodied in taking time to dismantle the mail, find useful bits inside, and paste them into something beautiful. I can't wait to post it as it comes together...

I hope you'll join us in worship as we do all this. I believe it's important. Holy, event.

See you Sunday?

-Molly

p.s. This advent poem from the Iona Community in Scotland has been a favorite of mine for the past several years--maybe you'll find it helpful, too.