Perryman's Ponderings (Grady Perryman,
Pastor)
T
Perryman’s Ponderings
Abstract
church words taking on human form. The first time such a thing ever
happened to me was during Lent more than twenty years ago. Making my
usual visit to the hospital, as I passed by the open door of a room,
I saw a father helping his young, eight years old or so, son get to
the bathroom. In a cruel twist, a kind twist, compassion worked a
miracle – for just a second, the father’s heart and my heart were
one. I turned my head and hurried down the hallway. I did not want
him to see me crying for and with both of them.
It was the
first time such a thing ever happened to me – the first time some
abstract church word became incarnate, took on human form. What I
experienced that day, what I felt that day is what the Church calls
Lent. Lent was no longer just a season of preparation for Easter in
the church year. Lent was a human experience, actually a human form.
Lent became flesh and dwelt among us.
On the four
Sundays of Advent (November 27, December 4, 11, and 18) we will
light the Advent candles. Many times those candles are given names –
Hope, Peace, Love, Joy. Great qualities of the Christian life. Oh,
but this year I realized that the four candles of Advent represent
so much more than qualities. This year particularly these candles
became incarnate, they took on human form. A gift from God that I
never imagined possible. A single candle of light that God sent into
my life that broke through the darkness of my despair. Thus, Advent
and Advent candles became a human experience, took on human form.
Advent was transformed from an abstract church word; Advent became
flesh and dwelt among us, dwelt with me.
I pray that
those four special Advent qualities – Hope, Peace, Love, Joy – are
for you more than brightly shining candles. I pray that they
represent brightly beaming human forms in your life. May you too see
beloved human faces in those candles this year.
Thank you, God,
for Advent’s “candles”!
Grace and peace,
Grady
Education CommuniKA (Karen
Allen, Associate Pastor)
Sunday, December 11
4:00—5:30 p.m.
We
will meet in the Ashe Street parking lot at 4:00 p.m., and return at
5:30 p.m. for a Chili Supper in Fellowship Hall.
This
year you are invited to bring mittens, scarves and hats to decorate
our Christmas tree for the Coalition. Please join us for one or both
events.
Invite your friends and neighbors to join in spreading Christmas
cheer!
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Brownson Youth Connection (Kris
Brammer, Youth Director)
~ Youth Events ~
Middle School Youth
Dec. 4th
@ 6:00 p.m.
Christmas themed
night of faith, food, and fellowship!
Dec. 11th
@ 4:00 p.m.
Caroling and Family Night Gathering Chili Supper
Dec.
18th
@ 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and a Christmas Movie!
Senior High Youth
Dec. 4th
@ 6:00 p.m.
Homebound Service
project. We will be making a gift for our homebound church
members. We need individual socks (kids socks too) and scrap
fabric for this project. So if you have socks who have lost their
mate, bring them to church (washed).
Dec. 11th
@ 4:00 p.m.
Caroling and Family Night Gathering Chili supper
Dec. 18th
@ 6:00 p.m.
Sr. High Christmas Party!
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Pastoral Care (Cynthia Strickland, Parish Associate)
Prayer Shawl Ministry
will meet on
Wednesday, December 7,
at
12:15. in
the
Atrium.
This is a new time to meet!
We invite all those who are interested to join us for a brown bag
lunch, fellowship and of course, knitting. You do not need to be an
expert knitter, the shawls are surprisingly easy to make. We will
teach you! Hope to see one and all in the Atrium on the 7th
of December!
Silent Night Service of Healing and Hope
will be held on
Wednesday, December 14,
at
5:00 p.m.
This special service recognizes that, for many people, Christmas is
a sad and difficult time. With scripture, music, reflections, and
candles, we affirm that the “light of Christ” shines for those who
walk in darkness. A reception hosted by Martha’s Friends will
follow. Please invite friends or family who might appreciate this
service. Please call the office if you need transportation.
Stephen Ministry
has been a vital,
caring ministry at Brownson for three years. We have trained over
30 individuals as Stephen Ministers, and they have reached out with
love and care to over 50 individuals in that time on a one-on-one
basis. We have seen the great value of this ministry and are
planning to begin a new training session for Stephen Ministers in
January 2012. We are looking for some compassionate men and women to
become Stephen Ministers. If you are interested, or to find out more
about this program,
contact
Cynthia Strickland at 692-6252 or cynthia@brownsonchurch.org.
Flower Ministry
~ Everyone
loves to get flowers! Did you know that every week our beautiful
Sanctuary flowers are divided into smaller arrangements and taken to
our homebound or those who are hospitalized? We need some help with
this important ministry. Would you be able to help deliver these
small arrangements on Monday or Tuesday of every week? Maybe you
could do it once or twice a month? It will take about an hour, and
you will bring sunshine to someone’s day! If you are interested,
please contact Peggy Calhoun..
Poinsettia Delivery
~ Thanks to
our Congregational Care ministry, Christmas poinsettias will be
delivered during the second week of December to those who are
homebound or unable tocome to church during the Christmas season.
If you or someone you know would appreciate a poinsettia, please
contact Cynthia Strickland at 692-6252 or cynthia@brownsonchurch.org.
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Presbyterian Women
Presbyterian Women
will be collecting applesauce cups again this year for Back Pack
Pals. Last year, Brownson members contributed 1,459 cups and we
hope that we can do as well or better this year.
Barbara Ross will
be asking for volunteers to support the annual Blood Drive which
will be held in the Spring. The Drive requires
20 to 30
volunteers, plus donors.
Those women who
may have questions about a circle or wish to join one may call Carol
Misegades, Membership Chairman. Circle meetings are a time for
fellowship, Bible study, and joining together in missions. Other
missions for PW this year were chosen
by the different
circles. They include Meals on Wheels, Barium Springs Home for
Children, Sandhills
Children’s Center, the Empty Stocking Fund, Friend to Friend, and
Family Promise.
PW events
scheduled include:
December 12 –
Christmas fellowship with a cookie swap and white elephant exchange
March 19, 2012 –
Diana Turner-Forte, a Lenten Program including Liturgical dance
April 16, 2012 –
“A.B.C.” (About Brownson Circles)
May 15, 2012 –
Installation of 2012-13 Coordinating Team and Lifetime Membership
Presentation.
PW will provide
the funds for a pizza party and get-together for college students
when they return home for the Christmas holidays. The youth of the
church are also invited to attend this event. Kris will let you
know when the date is set.
.
Merry Christmas
and Peace on Earth to All,
Barbara Dunn
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