December 6 - #AdventWord #Everlasting
The seven hour tenure of the Swedish Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, certainly points to the transience of human governments and fond hopes for power and control. In contrast, the dreamer, prophet, and mystic Daniel sees, in a night vision, one who is like a son of man – that is a human being - to whom was given an everlasting dominion and a reign that shall never be destroyed. This word asks a question – where, then, shall we invest our lives, hopes and dreams? One who answered that was St. Nicholas of Myra whom we remember today. St. Nicholas gave away his fortune and invested in the lives of poor children and those adrift on the margins of life. May we, like him, turn anew this Advent to the One who is EVERLASTING. —The Rev. Dr. Jennie C. Olbrych - Pastoral Associate (Retired) - St. Mark's, Charleston
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“Hallelujah! How pleasant it is to honor him with praise!”- Psalm 147:1
Whenever I feel uplifted by a crisp Fall day, or down & out of sorts, I go for a long walk along the Ashley River, or along the paths at BG. Being in the middle of God’s Creation, I look, listen and praise God for all his blessings. Beauty & fresh air are stirring to my soul. Reading any of the “Praise Psalms” (145-150, 111-117, & 48) lifts us all into the greater life of God & his plans for us. Praise is the centerpiece of our faith and prayer. Thanks be to God for awakening praise in our hearts. —The Rev. Mary Johnstone, Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, (and a resident at Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community) December 4 - #AdventWord #Heart
“At the heart of” is a phrase we use often, referring to the critical, important, central or innermost part of something. Physiologically, we all know our heart is just that – it keeps us alive by pumping our blood through our bodies. And yet, my favorite definition of heart is “courage, passion.” In this time, as we look to prepare, make space and wait, I think about Mary. Mary is the heart of the Christmas story, but I dare say it’s not just her central role of birthing the Christ child. It is because of her heart – her courage. Can you imagine? I am in awe at the courage she had to accept this seemingly inconceivable, outlandish task asked of her. The courage she showed as an unmarried pregnant woman in a society that did not accept such. The courage to trust and follow, and put her faith in God to simply walk the path ahead. This Advent, I invite you to tune in to your own heart, your own courage – to trust in God as Mary did, to take the journey of faith, and to be in the person you are called and loved to be as a child of God. —Lauren Kinard, a member of Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, has served as Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Diocesan Administrator for the Diocese of South Carolina since 2013. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to the son of God, and Christmas is a reminder that God fulfilled this, and many, promises. How do we, in turn, fulfill our promises to God? In the Baptismal Covenant, we promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself.” Every time I have volunteered my time or made an effort to help others, I have found it is true that it is much better to give than to receive. The path to true fulfillment is found in living out that covenant, and sharing God’s love with those around you.
—Molly Hamilton, member of Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, and Director of Communications for the Diocese of South Carolina Our Sunday morning readings for Advent highlight prophetic voices - from Jeremiah to John the Baptist - that cry out for justice. These voices invite us to consider the need for justice in our time and place. Yet, Advent also invites us to trust that the love of God made known to us in Jesus is both with us and actively at work in the world drawing all things closer to the dream that God intends. We participate in this coming dream as we strive for justice and peace and respect the inherent worth and dignity of every human being. For “justice,” as theologian Cornel West once said, “is what love looks like in public.”
—The Rev. Dr. Adam Shoemaker, rector of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Charleston, and a member of the Standing Committee One of my spiritual disciplines is walking. I love a path in the woods opening before me not knowing what is around the next corner as I wonder in God’s beautiful creation. My faith journey is also a path. I look behind me and see all those who have shaped me to become the person I am today. Sometimes the path was smooth and flat and other times it was a rocky climb. As I look at the path before me now, I do not know where it will take me but trust in God to help me take each next step.
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#AdventWordAs part of this effort to create a global, online advent calendar -- led by Forward Movement -- we will share a new word each day from November 28-December 25, 2021, with meditations from people around the diocese. Each day, the meditation will be accompanied by an image relating to the word of the day as well. Archives
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