Dear friends,
Lentil soup. Squash pear soup. White bean kale soup. Chicken soup. Carrot ginger curry soup. Parsley soup. We’ve been enjoying a lot of soup in Sue Dickerman Hall these days. In early fall, choir members gathered to sing together, enjoy soup, reflect on loss and change, and name the values that will shape our next steps. In October, the Ministry of Spiritual Life sponsored a soup lunch for musicians, artists, theologians and teachers to brainstorm ideas for Advent. The next week, the Ministry of Congregational Life shared soup as we gathered folks who like to visit, make calls and send cards, developing plans for how we can coordinate efforts. In November, the Faith Formation Team supplemented our soup with homemade guacamole as we considered ways to engage our growing group of middle school youth.
These soup lunches offer, for me, a vivid picture of how our new organizational structure enables broad, creative participation. Each gathering included folks who might not normally attend meetings but have lots of ideas and energy to offer. Each gathering brought together people from different age groups and backgrounds. Hearing musicians, chancel artists and faith formation leaders reflect together on our Advent theme was so rich. Learning how much caring, visiting, driving and baking already happens behind the scenes was so empowering. Reflecting together on the values that shape our music and our faith formation efforts was inspiring.
In this upcoming Advent season, we will see some of the fruits of these soup lunches. Our Advent theme, “Finding your Advent Calling: Who are you in the story?” offers rich opportunities for music, altarscapes, deep reflection for people of all ages, and intergenerational projects. Because of the ideas that emerged in these gatherings, our Advent music will include a duet by Willie Sordillo and Zoë Krohne, a Sunday with On the Fence, choral music, piano and organ. Our altarscapes will reflect each of the characters in the biblical story. We will make gingerbread houses. Our young people will prepare gift bags for children living in motels. Our pageant might include moveable scenery.
I am excited by the broad and creative participation of congregation members in planning our Advent season, and I look forward to a rich, meaningful, and inspiring season.
Peace, Debbie