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We have all kinds of good stuff planned this advent season, even though it is different than usual. Check out what we have coming up from quiet meditative connection points to boisterous (virtual) fun, as we ground ourselves in goodness, hope, and joy!
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A simple weekly grounding- a ritual moment as we let our soul settle into the season. It doesn't require significant preparation or supplies other than a candle and sometimes a basic household object. They are made for everyone, young and old. Each week centers on the Hope that is our “accompanier” and “coach”, our midwife at the threshold of change- both new life and grief, leading us into this holy threshold of transformation when Emmanuel - God with Us - is born in our midst.
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We know, we know- we ALL LOVE Christmas music (right?!). But we also know that sometimes when you turn on the radio to the 8th rendition of Chestnuts Roasting on An Open Fire you may be tempted to pull your own hair out! So instead of leaping to Christmas music, we have created an Advent Playlist filled with songs of ache, grief, waiting, longing, love, joy, hope, and expectations- songs that hopefully hold the full story of what many of us are experiencing in this Advent season.
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The Colors of Christmas -
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An Old-Fashioned Christmas Eve Radio ShowIn the style of an old-timey radio show, tune in on The Naked Sermon Podcast Special as we gather with friends Pastor Jesse and Pastor Heather and tell stories of Christmases past and present and reflect on our connections to Luke's Gospel story.
Besides Charlie Brown Christmas.... what's your strongest memory of hearing the words "And there were... in the same field, shepherds...." We'll end with a local recording of neighborhood voices singing Silent Night. So turn down the lights, light as many candles as feels necessary, and listen in! |
Advent Gathering Schedule
We have a lot of exciting, life-giving, and kid-friendly Gatherings, and resources planned for you throughout this Advent Season! And we want to help you keep them all straight, because, well, we know how crazy our schedules can get around this time!
SUNDAY DEC 6th @ 10am
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Advent Gathering- Hope Prepares: Isaiah 40-1-11
We will be Gathering together via Zoom as we normally do, but with an emphasis on the themes that you will find in your Advent Kit. And don't forget to bring candles and a lighter/match to light the second Advent candle with us. You will find the regular Zoom info here! |
SUNDAY DEC 13th @ 10am
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Advent Gathering- Hope Anoints - Isaiah 61:1-11
We will be Gathering together via Zoom as we normally do, but with an emphasis on the themes that you will find in your Advent Kit. You will find the regular Zoom info here! This is also Gaudette Sunday! So if you feel so inclined, come wearing pink (or with a pink tablecloth or glitter, or anything that tickles your fancy!) |
(Anytime before) WED DEC 16th
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Big, Messy Online Christmas Choir
Are you missing the chance to go caroling? To sing Christmas carols with your community? Well, like so many things we are adapting! And our friends at Oak Grove United Methodist are hosting a BIG, ONLINE MESSY CHRISTMAS CHOIR SING-ALONG! Individuals and families of all musical skills are invited! Click on the button for instructions! Recordings are due by Dec. 16th! |
WEDNESDAY DEC 16th @ 7pm
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Merry, Merry Happy Hour
Join us via Zoom for a holiday season check-in. We know there's a lot going on, and we want to provide a safe place to check-in with our emotions, and to take care of each other in a place of community! Bring a drink, a snack, and whatever messy emotions you have brewing inside of you. |
SUNDAY DEC 20th @ 10 am
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Advent Gathering: Listening Sunday
We will be continuing our practice of committing our third Sunday to listening; listening to voices that are not often centered in our communities and allowing ourselves to be challenged by those stories. You will find the Zoom info for our listening Sundays here! No Naked Sermon Podcast today! Rev. Jesse Christopherson and some of our friends from Milwaukie Lutheran will be joining us to listen!
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MONDAY DEC 21st @ 7 pm
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Longest Night
Longest Night is a time to gather and be grounded in the whole of the story we bring to the manger. A story that also carries grief, confusion, anger, and exhaustion. If this season feels dissonant, if you carry the grief of loss and hard-lived days, this gathering is for you. Come gather yourself around candles and words of courage and acknowledgment on this longest night of the year. |
THURSDAY DEC 24th @ 10am
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Christmas Eve Pajama-Clad Story Hour
Join with us for a short time of grounding, color and connection as we gather around the story of Christmas; a story that is beautiful even in a time of Covid Christmas. Bring your favorite morning beverage, coloring utensils of choice and come clad in your cozy Christmas jammies! We'll ground ourselves in the ever-living, ever-colorful story of Christmas and find our place at the manger together. |
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Christmas Eve Old-timey Radio Show
In the style of an old-timey radio show, join us as we tell stories of Christmas, ground ourselves around the mystery. Or just tune in to walk outside into the silent night, light a candle, and sing along as our local choir sings Silent Night. Stay tuned for links! |
SUNDAY DEC 27th & JAN 3rd
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Sabbath Sunday (squared!)
We know that between all the Zoom calls with families, the gathering with those who are in your quarantine bubble, the cooking, and the cleanup, you may be in need of a breather. So the first Sunday after Christmas is a Sabbath Sunday. Taking some time to breathe and refresh your soul. Additionally, we want to start 2021 by recentering and reorienting ourselves around our familiar rhythms. So we will be returning to a rhythm of setting aside the FIRST Sunday of each month as a Sabbath Sunday for rest and breath and connection. |
The week after Christmas (date coming soon)
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Storyline Kid Hang!
In the week after Christmas (date and time TBD), we will be hosting a kid hang! It will be a fun, easy movement-based class so the kids can connect, see each other, laugh together, and have fun! We will have a tween group, a 3rd-grade group, and one for the younger kiddos if enough are interested! Shoot us an email and let us know if you're in and we will get you the details! |