Six New Things – Week of December 14
One
Invite family, friends – and KIDS! – to United Theological Seminary’s Goblins, Ghouls and Holiday Good Cheer Arts Lunch (zoom 252-534-6666; password: Awes-Freem): , where they’ll share readings of Charles Dickens’s, The Story of the Goblins Who Stole a Sexton and Eric Kimmel’s, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.
For additional family fun, join Michel Gribble-Dates for online Embodied Faith Formation in either her new Facebook group or her Instagram group.
And be sure to look into our Advent Family Connections Toolkits, created in conjunction with the MN Conf. UCC, Danger Boat Productions, Doing Good Together and musician Claire Klein.
Two
We’re closing in on The Longest Night, otherwise known as the Winter Solstice. Several beautiful liturgies are available for sharing lament, grief, and sadness to make way for Christmas celebration. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites in our Worship: Advent & Christmas lib guide.
Two recent additions include The Plural Guild and The Many in two identical Longest Night events, Wed. Dec. 16 and Mon. Dec. 21 and the Women of the ELCA’s Blue Christmas Service, also on the 21st.
Three
On Dec. 17, join MNIPL for two opportunities to spread the love around the state: Solidarity & Prayer: A Water Protector Gathering with Winona LaDuke, Honor the Earth and diverse religious leaders, either for an in-person all day prayer circle and gathering, or the livestream event at MNIPL’s Facebook page.
At 7:00 PM CST that evening join Rep. Patty Acomb, leader of the MN House Climate Action Caucus, for a webinar on their Action Plan, with chances to connect with policy advocacy opportunities through MNIPL. RSVP to let them know you can attend.
Four
Also Dec. 17 at 7:00 PM CST: At the request of Ramsey County Attorney John Choi, Interfaith Action is inviting faith communities to provide volunteers for Restorative Justice Circle training. United Seminary will facilitate the trainings, which begin in January, 2021. Learn how your congregation can join the the work of restorative justice, an alternative to incarceration that can make a significant difference in a young person’s future.
Learn more and RSVP here (link coming soon).
On the theme of reconciliation, do not miss OnBeing with Krista Tippet talking with Bishop Michael Curry and Dr. Russell Moore on being Spiritual Bridge People.
Find more resources for working through Conflict, Division & Reconciliation in our Congregational Life: Social Justice lib guide.
Five
Find some personal sustenance via The Many’s Brokenhearted & Brave weekly Advent podcast and their powerful video, For Those Who Dream (you may need to share it with your congregation, too).
Six
Let Scott Bader-Saye empower hope for today in, Following Jesus in a Culture of Fear: Choosing Trust over Safety in an Anxious Age (Updated Edition); allow Michelle Torigian to inspire you to keep up with the times in her post ~God Goes Pop Culture; and look ahead with digital ministry expert, Keith Anderson, whose Practicing Ministry in Digital Space considers how pandemic practices might shape the future narrative of the church.
FYI: The Ministry Lab is taking a Christmas break, starting next week. Six New Things will post on Dec. 21, but texts, emails and phone calls will not receive a response between Dec. 21 and Jan. 4, 2021.
Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas and Happy (secular) New Year!
