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NEWS & NOTES DECEMBER/JANUARY GLENNON HEIGHTS MENNONITE CHURCH 2017/2018

December 1 Hanging of the Greens decorating party, 6:00 p.m.

December 3 Hanging of the Greens, 6:30 p.m.

December 31-January 7 Family Promise rotation

January 6 Taking down the greens, 10:00 a.m.

January 28

Congregational business meeting

I’m still processing

learnings from my

sabbatical in 2016. The

time spent with my

daughter, Rita, her

newborn twins and 2-year-

old son, Adrian, in May

and June of that year was

intense. It was also, at

times, very slooow. And

that’s what’s got me thinking.

Recently in a Mennonite Church USA

blog post I came across this quote from John

Orthberg. It comes from his book, The Life

You Always Wanted: Spiritual Disciplines for

Ordinary People:

“The most serious sign of ‘hurry

sickness’ is a diminished capacity to love. Love

and hurry are incompatible. Love ALWAYS

takes time, and time is the one thing that hurried

people do not have. … Hurried people cannot

love.”

Slowness makes love possible, this

author is saying. As I read this I remembered

the long and meandering walks that Adrian and

I took in 2016, the hours of “playing cars,” the

many books that we read. And I connected

them to Adrian’s recent video message for me.

“I love you, Grandma,” he says. “I love you.”

That time of unhurried slowness that we spent

together was a great gift. It made our love for

each other very real.

Not only is unhurried slowness a gift,

but according to Orthberg it is necessary if we

are to truly love. “Love and hurry are

incompatible,” he says. Well, that’s food for

thought. We are often in a hurry. And we are

often impatient, wanting things to come fast,

wanting to get more done, wanting be here and

do that, all at the same time. In the midst of it

all we take our relationships for granted, or

maybe we just settle for less. Maybe we settle

for skimming the surface when complete

immersion is what we need. Maybe what we

Adult Sunday School schedule December 2017 – January 2018

December 3 – Hanging of the Greens, no

Sunday School December 10 – “God lives in Africa,” led by

Bruce McCrae December 17 – Singing Christmas carols

December 24 – Christmas holiday, no Sunday School

December 31 – New Years holiday, no Sunday School

January 7 – “Building relationships with

differing perspectives,” led by Barry Bartel, Charlene Epp and Duncan Smith

January 14 – “Refugee stories,” led Tim Ruth

January 21 – “Monkeys and Mennonites,” led Nathan Graber-McCrae

January 28 – Brunch and congregational meeting

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ANNIVERSARIES: 19 - Audrey & Don Ruth 19 - Jason & Rachel Stutzman 23 - Bob & Jody Bertsche 31 - Ellen & Nathan Graber-McCrae BIRTHDAYS: 2 - Linda Welty 5 - Margo Wiebe 5 - John Franz 6 - Don Ruth 7 - Jeff Bontrager 12- Nina Hoffert 13 - Karen Penner 17 - Peggy Owen 22 - Larry Rudnicki 25 - Shanna Rocovits 29 - Tim Hoffert

BIRTHDAYS: 3 - Andy Yoder-Horst 5 - Shane Blough Simpson 7 - Larry Kennell 10 - Jan Hussey 13 – Eva Freeman 14 - Dave Yoder 14 - Jody Bertsche 15 - Claire Wiebe Franz 16 - Rhoda Blough 20 - Doris Hjelmstad 20 - Cindy Yoder 23 – Joel Freeman 29 - Virginia Stone 31 - Frank Bontrager

From the Pastor, continued settle for is actually less than love. Maybe in

our race to have or do it all we are seriously

shortchanging ourselves and those whom we

purport to love. “Hurried people cannot love,”

Orthberg says. Hmm….

So, what might it mean to really slow

down, not just during a sabbatical, not just in

special circumstances, but in our everyday lives,

and perhaps especially now in the holiday

season and as we look forward to a new year? I

suppose it has a lot to do with expectations.

Expectations, by their very nature, have us

thinking way ahead. I’m very good at

expectations. But what I were to use that skill

for a different purpose.

What if instead of planning for and

expecting whatever is coming down the pike, I

expect that I will focus single-mindedly on what

is right at hand, say a phone call from my sister,

an impromptu visitor in my office, the chance to

take a meandering walk with Sam? What if

instead of hurrying on to the next thing, I expect

that I will linger over conversations in the

parking lot or that I will spend an hour chatting

with a neighbor? What if I expect unexpected

interactions or detours to be interesting instead

of annoying? Will these changed expectations

help me practice the unhurried slowness that

cultivates love?

Cultivating love is what Jesus was

getting at, I think, when in Luke 10 he says to

bustling hurried Martha, “You are worried and

distracted by many things.” Slow down, he

says. Come and sit with me. Be fully present

with me. Give the love between us a chance to

grow.

As this year comes to an end and a new

one begins, may we be able to slow down and

let the love between us grow. May we see each

other with eyes of welcome and wonder. May

we focus single-mindedly on what is right in

front of us. May we give each other – and our

families, our co-workers, our neighbors, even or

especially God – the gift of fully being present.

May our capacity to love be increased.

With love, your pastor,

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Yes! Let it be! Advent 2017

Mary had just heard an amazing plan – and from an angel, no less! The plan was for her to carry, and give

birth to, the Son of God! Mary responded, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to

your word” (Luke 1:38). Let it be!

Mary is often characterized as a meek and passive, obedient servant. Meekness and obedience do have value,

but a close look at the language Luke uses suggest a more active engagement with God’s plan. Mary is

actually giving voice to an active commitment. She is expressing a strong desire to be part of God’s plan. We

can faithfully image her saying, “Bring it on!” She’s ready to go. Mary’s holiness lies not in merely accepting

God’s path for her, but in wishing for it.

This Advent season we are invited, along with Mary to make this our prayer to God: Let it be! Bring it on!

Advent 1 – December 3

Scripture passages: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37

Focus statement: We awaken to God’s purpose, which begins in darkness – whether seed in

the ground, child in the womb, or new self in the soul. We are shaking, fearful, and resistant,

yet we call upon God to tear open the heavens and be present with us in our uncertainty.

Advent 2 – December 10

Scripture passages: Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

Focus statement: We long to be comforted, we long for change. Moving from

uncertainty and fear, we call upon God to make things ready – the mountains leveled,

the paths made straight, our hearts prepared.

Advent 3 – December 17

Scripture passages: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:46-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24;

John 16:8, 19-28

Focus statement: Rejoicing in God’s comfort, we catch God’s vision of shalom. We

choose to join the Spirit that is already at working restoring creation.

Advent 4 – Christmas Eve

We will have a service of lessons and carols, reading and singing the

Christmas story.

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Joy to the World Written by Peggy Owen

Many years ago I joined my brother and his wife at a Christmas Eve service at their church. Near the end everyone left the pews and circled the sanctuary holding unlit candles. The lights snapped off. The darkness flooded the room. The first candle came to life. Only one, yet all eyes turned toward the light. I thought back to Old Testament times, when Abraham and his family were the only light in the world. Nations noticed and watched. They saw God bless Abraham’s descendants, saw how they multiplied until God’s promise was fulfilled and they were as numerous as the sand on the shores.

“You have enlarged the nations and increased their joy. They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest” Isaiah 9:3

In this little church a second, fifth, tenth candle gained light from the previous one. Shapes of people became visible. More light revealed the color of clothing. So many people wore red that night. Later, faces came into view. As time passed, the Israelites’ light flickered and almost went out. Yet God was still faithful. Still loved them, even though they treated God badly and forgot about the blessings, the protection, the promises, the discipline. “Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together,

as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing” Luke 13:34 When about half the people held blazing candles, an almost audible sigh of relief filled the room. The darkness receded and we felt safe again. Now we could see who had black hair, or gray, or blond. It was clear who had the light and who waited for it. At Christmas, Jesus was born. God came to God’s people in person and offered love to everyone— the poor, the slaves, widows, orphans, those society looked down upon, even Gentiles. No more was anyone an outcast, no one was considered unclean, no one was without hope. Everyone was offered the opportunity to be adopted into God’s own family. It became clear who lived with the light and who did not.

”For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given…and he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father Prince of Peace” Isaiah 9:6

The last candle flamed and the sanctuary shone with light. All were included. God is with each one of us. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the

shadow of death, a light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:2

“You have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of the oppressor.” Isaiah 9:4

We are loved. We have hope. Light will overcome the darkness. God is with us. May our lights shine, for even one candle is enough to dispel the darkness in someone’s life.

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Setting the Table for Civility By Mennonite Church USA on Nov 21, 2017 10:02 am

Ervin Stutzman is executive director of Mennonite Church USA.

Over the next days and weeks, many of us will celebrate the holidays. Perhaps we’ll sit at the table with friends or loved ones, or gather for meals with work associates or fellow church members.

While we might wish the holidays would be all laughter, love and

light, the reality for many will be more complicated, particularly if the

conversation turns to politics or sensitive social issues.

I sometimes wring my hands in despair at the tone of discourse in our

nation’s political debates. For example, a political hopeful in my home town just promised to conduct a “ruthless,” “vicious” campaign, with “no holds barred.” It’s not just true in government, but also across the church. It appears to be worsening over the past year, with deep polarization in our nation’s

capital that reflects the strong feelings in our local communities. How then should peace-loving followers of Jesus respond? How can we be “salt and light” to the people around us?

One helpful approach is to join with others who seek to bridge these painful fissures in our common life. To that end, Mennonite Church USA has agreed to promote the Initiative to Revive Civility sponsored by the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD). This is a nonpartisan national group that organizes a variety of activities to promote civility and encourage people of different political views to improve the tone of our public discourse. We are promoting their resources because their mission is consistent with our belief that each person is created in the image of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect — whether we agree with them or not.

This holiday season, the Initiative to Revive Civility invites people across the country to

participate in “Setting the Table for Civility.”

The goal is to call Americans to come together over the holidays for reflection and dialogue about

how we can bridge the deep divisions in our country. There are many things you could do to raise the issue of civility this holiday season. The Initiative to Revive Civility has resources that can assist you on their website at www.revivecivility.org. I find their ideas and conversation guides to be useful. I hope that we, along with other people of faith, can take the lead in reviving civility in our nation. Let’s plan now to participate in some small way in “Setting the Table for Civility” in our congregations and/or communities. I signed the following pledge, and I encourage others all across MC USA to so as well: To help revive civility and respect in my community, I will make a conscious effort to:

Seek out a variety of reliable news sources with different perspectives in order to learn more about the forces that divide — and also unite — our country.

Listen respectfully to people who have views different than my own, be mindful to avoid stereotyping and not use language that is insulting or derogatory.

Encourage and support efforts to bring people of different points of view together in our community to have civil and respectful conversations

Invite other people to join me in the Initiative to Revive Civility and get involved in helping to connect people across political divisions.

During this holiday season, may we all have the joyful occasion to celebrate God’s love and generosity with those we love. And if we find ourselves in sharp disagreement with someone at the table, may God grant us the grace to listen and share our food for thought with civility and respect. Bon appétit.

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Goodbye Blessing for Dave & Edith Yoder

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December 2017/January 2018 Calendar

Friday, December 1 Putting up the Greens, 6 pm Saturday, December 2 Choir practice, 10 am _____________________________________________________________________ Sunday, December 3 Hanging of the Greens, 6:30 pm Monday, December 4 Bipolar/Depression support group, 7 pm _____________________________________________________________________ Saturday, December 16 Men’s breakfast, 9 am Sunday, December 17 Leta Bontrager’s students’ recital, 2:30 pm _____________________________________________________________________ Monday, December 18 Bipolar/Depression support group, 7 pm Tuesday, December 19 Daytime Mennonite Women, 9:30 am Wednesday, December 20 Elders meeting, 7 pm _____________________________________________________________________ Dec. 31 – Jan. 7 Family Promise Rotation Monday, January 1 Bipolar/Depression support group, 7 pm Saturday, January 6 Taking down the Greens, 10 am _____________________________________________________________________ Monday, January 15 Bipolar/Depression support group, 7 pm Tuesday, January 16 Daytime Mennonite Women, 9:30 am Wednesday, January 17 Elders meeting, 7 pm Saturday, January 20 Men’s breakfast, 9 am Worship Team meeting at Bontragers’, 9:30 am _____________________________________________________________________ Sunday, January 28 Congregational Business Meeting, noon

GLENNON HEIGHTS MENNONITE CHURCH ghmc.office@gmail.com 303-985-3606 11480 W. Virginia Ave. Lakewood, CO 80226 www.glennonheightsmenno.org Pastor Betsy Headrick McCrae ghmc.betsy@comcast.net 303-985-3930; Cell 303-716-2890 Hours: Tuesday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Kate Rempel Administrative Assistant Office Hours: Tuesday, 8 am – 2 pm Friday, 8 am – 2 pm

NEWS & NOTES

Compiled by Betsy Headrick McCrae and Kate Rempel Layout by Kate Rempel

Our Mission

To be a faithful community of Jesus Christ

Our Vision

Empowered by the Holy Spirit,

We envision growth;

building a community of faith which practices

constructive responses to conflict;

and, in a world driven by fear, promoting a

Christian voice of love and nonviolence.