Hi friends,
I’m sending this email out a little later than planned because that’s the season I’m in right now. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way toward the end of each year. Life has gradually (but also kind of all at once) become abundantly full—overly packed with delights and obligations both mundane and magical—and it’s a bit more than I can gracefully manage.
This is one of the reasons why I love living alongside the rhythms of the liturgical year. By the time we reach the end of November, I need something to help slow me all the way down to a stop. It’s not that I’m bothered by the rest of the world rushing merrily into (and then often right past) Christmas. It’s just that I need reminders to slow, stop, and savor. Otherwise I wind up going so fast I start to lose focus and miss what really matters.
I say yes easily. No is harder. So for me, Advent is a season of shedding those heavy layers of obligation, of setting aside my thirst for approval and drive to perform, of intentionally “missing out” on lots of fun things and great opportunities. But that’s the best way I know of paring down to what is essential and true so I can make space for the things—and especially the people—that are uniquely mine to care for and to keep.
Advent begins on November 27 and I can’t wait to begin this season of waiting and hoping and longing with you and your kids. We’ll have some Family Advent packets for you to take home soon, to help you embrace this gift of slow time together as a family. Until then, I’m praying for us in the midst of all this fullness. May the balance of abundance tip toward delight rather than obligation, and may even the most mundane moments be shot through with the magic of grace.
In hope,
Brooke
P.S. This Sunday during church, we’ll be listening some of the LGBTQIA+ voices in our congregation. We have three folks who will be sharing some of their journey with us and are excited to be formed more into the people of God through their witness.
We do want to offer a content warning: Depending on what our friends choose to share with us, it is likely we will hear stories that include trauma and abuse. At the very least we will hear stories about how the church has harmed to the queer community. If you have any questions, please contact toph@ubcwaco.org.
For the Month of November
On Sunday mornings from 10:45-noon, our 2-year-olds through 4th graders are busy learning who God is and what God is like through the stories of scripture. Our lectionary-based curriculum is fun, interactive, and tailored to each age group. In the month of November, they’ll be learning...
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) - 11/6
God’s Love is Forever (Luke 21:5-19) - 11/13
The Day Jesus Died (Luke 23:33-43) - 11/20
God Will Bring Peace (Isaiah 2:1-5) - 11/27
On Wednesday evenings from 6:00-8:00, our 5th and 6th graders are exploring the overall story arc of scripture and how it connects to the foundations of our faith. They’re walking through the Old Testament with an eye toward understanding the history of God’s people and adding context for who Jesus is and why Jesus is so important. In November they'll be exploring...
Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:22-31) - 11/2
12 Sons (Genesis 49:28) - 11/9
Joseph (Genesis 41:14-16, 39-40) 11/16
Moses (Exodus 3:1-12) 11/23
Exodus (Exodus 14:21-30) 11/30
We’re working on something special we can offer our offer 5th and 6th graders on Sunday mornings. In the meantime, we do want to extend a heartfelt invitation for our 5th and 6th graders to join the Youth group in the backside from 9:30-10:30.
Use the lesson links above to download the corresponding Family Pages so you can continue these conversations with your kids at home. (You can also find printed versions of the Family Pages on the UBC Kids bulletin board at church.)
For Your Calendar
Thanksgiving Lovefeast - Sunday, November 13th at 5:30pm
UBC Families Meetup-Mini Golf - Monday, November 14th, 5-7pm
Post-Thanksgiving Evening Service - Sunday, November 27th at 6pm
Youth + 5th & 6th Grade Christmas Party - Wednesday, December 14th at 6pm
Christmas Eve Service - Saturday, December 24th at 5pm
UBC Family Retreat - Friday, March 3-Monday, March 6
For Your Family Formation
My two favorite family traditions of the year are our Advent wreath and Advent calendar. These are sweet, simple ways to mark the passing of this season together as a family—to wait and hope and watch the light grow together.
I am not crafty, so we keep our Advent wreath pretty simple. Last year I set five votive candles on a platter and put them in the center of the dining table, it doesn’t have to be fancy. Although if you happen to be crafty and that’s something that gives you life, by all means, go to town! (And send me pics, please?) The first week of Advent, we name and light one candle, then each week as we go along we add another and another until we reach Christmas day and light our fifth and final candle, the Christ candle. There are lots of different ways to name the themes and mark the time, of course. (More on that below.)
Our Advent calendar was a gift from family at Addie’s first Christmas, but there are lots of options to either make or buy here, too. We tuck pieces of a tiny nativity behind the doors of our Advent calendar (baby Jesus arrives on Christmas day), with an occasional sweet or treat. I try to include a couple notes with a “special activity” we were probably going to do anyway (like watch a Christmas movie in our pajamas with popcorn and hot cocoa or bake Christmas cookies and share them with friends and neighbors). I’ve loved finding tea Advent calendars the past couple years and I even saw a dog treat Advent calendar the other day. What I’m saying is, the world is your oyster if you want an Advent calendar! I think the point, though, is the family ritual and the shared anticipation.
My friend Jenn at Sacred Ordinary Days has been curating and sharing resources for each liturgical season, including Advent, for seven years. If you’re looking for ideas (or other traditions to make your own), this is the place to start. She shares playlists for each season, as well. And her early podcast episodes walking through the liturgical seasons are a treasure. I revisit them every year.
