December 2009
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We often hear talk in the church about “Lenten disciplines,” ways to spiritually prepare ourselves during the season of Lent for the joy of Easter that is to come. Advent is also a time of preparation, this time for the coming of the Messiah. But we rarely hear about an Advent spiritual discipline.

I have one to propose – the practice of compassion. The idea is not original to me. I recently came across an interview with religious scholar Karen Armstrong, who, along with Desmond Tutu and other influential religious leaders, has proposed the Charter for Compassion reprinted below. As we close a decade marked by war, let’s usher in a decade focused on compassion. What better gift could we give the Christ child?

For more information go to www.charterforcompassion.org.

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical, and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the center of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with justice, equity, and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others – even our enemies – is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the center of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions, and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings, even those regarded as enemies.

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Announcements

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A Christmas Prayer

Work of Christmas Begins

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with the flocks,
then the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal those broken in spirit,
to feed the hungry,
to release the oppressed,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among all peoples,
to make a little music with the heart.
And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day,
in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.
Then the work of Christmas begins.  

— Howard Thurman

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Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany Happenings

Advent Lessons and Carols – 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 – Has the busyness of the season made you want to scream? Are you longing for some time of peace, beauty, and reflection? Come hear scripture readings and the music of the season and help yourself truly prepare for the coming of the Christ child.

Christmas Carol Sing – 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 16 – Bring your family and friends and gather around the piano in the church to sing your favorite Christmas carols. Bring a dish and stay for the potluck supper afterwards. Adult choir practice and Christmas pageant rehearsal will follow the dinner.

Christmas Pageant – 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 – What would Christmas be without the children (with some help from their grown up friends) re-enacting the story of Jesus’ birth, as told by Luke and Matthew? The pageant will be followed by the service for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. After church, stay for a reception honoring the Episcopal Church’s newest deacon, the soon-to-be-Reverend Tim Black.

Christmas Eve Services – 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 24 – Come celebrate the birth of the Christ child in the most beautiful liturgies of the year. The services are preceded by special instrumental and choral music by St. Dunstan’s many talented musicians. And this year, the prelude music will also include congregational singing.

Christmas Lessons and Carols – 10 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 – Only one service this Sunday, but it is a beautiful one. Come hear the scripture stories of the season and sing your favorite Christmas hymns. No Sunday School this day.

Second Sunday after Christmas – 10 a.m., Sunday January 3 – Start the new year off right by coming to church. The one service of the day will include a blessing of your clocks and calendars. No Sunday School this day.

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Adult Christian Education

We will spend the first three Sundays of Advent studying the birth stories of Jesus, looking at the context of the times in which they were written and what their meaning is for us today. The class is taught by Tricia, and uses Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan’s book The First Christmas.

• The fourth Sunday of Advent (December 20) all ages will participate in or watch the annual Christmas pageant during the Sunday School hour.
  
• NOTE: There will be no Sunday School on December 27 or January 3. Classes for all ages will resume on January 10. The adult class will be a series on “Working for Justice.” See the January Bellows for more details.

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Children and Youth

A Spiritual Practice for Advent

Every year I yearn for a relaxed, enjoyable Advent…a time when I can enjoy the wonder of the season instead of run around like a chicken with my head cut off! A few years ago, I actually succeeded at getting almost all of my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving and that did make for a refreshingly stress-free Advent. Unfortunately, with a house renovation project underway this fall, I haven’t even begun my Christmas shopping this year. I was about to resign myself to behaving like poultry when I got to thinking…maybe the very craziness of the season that so often leaves me feeling tired and empty can actually provide me with opportunities to practice a different way of being this Advent. Instead of fearing and avoiding the craziness perhaps I can respond to it in a way that is life-giving for myself and others, especially my family. So, borrowing a page from Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s lovely children’s book Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons, here is what this spiritual practice might look like:

Generosity is thinking more about what I can give to or do for others rather than all the stuff I want.

Creativity is making presents or baking cookies for people instead of going to the mall.

Patience is staying calm and considerate when I’m stuck in that traffic jam when I do go to the mall.

Stewardship is making the time to sit down with my family and deciding which organizations to make donations to.

Forgiveness is being kind to myself when I don’t get around to sending out those Christmas cards…again.

Beauty is tuning out the consumerism and noticing nature and people.

Rest is giving myself permission to sit, put my feet up, have a cup of tea, and go to bed early.

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Music Notes

Lessons and Carols for Advent