With 2012 around the corner, there has been media attention about the end of the world. Before that, you've probably seen at least one movie about "the end of it all" -- whether its due to cosmic divine intervention or a more ordinary stray asteroid.

The Advent and Christmas seasons that we will immerse ourselves in during the next several weeks are about the expectation and arrival of Jesus the first time. Yet many of the biblical readings we hear especially in the Season of Advent also are about the return of Jesus in the future, if not the end of time.

The Gospel according to Mark is thought to be the oldest of the four Gospel accounts of the life and ministry of Jesus.  But Mark doesn't talk about the birth of Jesus at all, like the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  Instead he raises for us some provocative questions about the return of Jesus in the future.

•  And how does Mark treat the topic in his gospel?

•  Does this apply to our lives and spirituality, anyway, as Christians living in the 21st century?

Please join St. Thomas's seminarian Becky Zartman from Virginia Theological Seminary and her lay committee from our parish in a four-part Advent adult education series, to be held after the 11:00 service on November 27th and December 4th, 11th, and 18th.

The discussion will be about an hour, and light refreshments will be served.

Please join us in learning and discussion as we wait and prepare during the season of Advent.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2011 - BISHOP GENE ROBINSON, CELEBRANT AND PREACHER. 

The Third Sunday of Advent in the Episcopal Church goes by the slightly tongue-in-cheek moniker of "Stirrup Sunday," probably first doodled on the back of some anonymous Sunday bulletin by someone not listening to the sermon but rather reading again the words of the Collect of the day that begins,  "Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us ..."!

So we're going to "stir things up" a bit on December 11th by hosting the Bishop of New Hampshire, The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, who will be joining us at worship as Celebrant and Preacher and then for Coffee Hour and Conversation after the 11:00 a.m. service.  +Gene is a long-time friend of St. Thomas' Parish; he and and our rector, Nancy Lee Jose, have known one another for longer than he has been famous in Episcopal and Anglican circles, having met at a conference they both were attending at The College of Preachers at Washington National Cathedral more than a decade ago. 

He has been with us as "Bishop Robinson"; to kick off our Capital Campaign to raise the money for our new sanctuary; as "Gene" to eat and laugh and pray and play with us.  We are proud to welcome him into our midst again during this holy season of Advent -- and his deliciously wicked wit, soul-deep spirituality, and clear-eyed vision of what God's Reign looks like when it breaks through into the midst of ordinary people on their journey of faith together as the church. 

Put December 11th on your Calendar, and be there.  It's sure to "stir up" some more memorable moments!

The First Sunday of Advent, begins the Christian Calendar's New Year.

To mark this, we are doing several things to call our attention to
the spiritual themes of the season.

As our Worship Committee reminds us: "Advent is a time of waiting, of watching, of hoping for the coming of Christ. ... We are marking this season of reflection and preparation by re-orienting our worship space with two sections of seats facing each other and a central table, upon which the Advent candles will be lit. As we approach Christmas, this table will come to life with the foliage of the season." And through scripture, prayers, music, and quiet contemplation we will invite God's Word to speak to us all.

1. The Advent and Christmas Seasons both focus our attention on the core belief of Christianity -- that in Jesus of Nazareth, God's eternal Word took flesh and came to dwell among us as one of us. The Gospel of John says it eloquently:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory ...." (John 1:1, 14)

So for a while the Altar is brought closer into our midst, as God drew nearer to humanity
in the child in the manger. And the lectern draws nearer, as we gather around the Word.

 2. The First Sunday of Advent also comes right on the heels of Christ the King Sunday. The symbolism is intentional -- the King of Glory, whose arrival we await with expectation in Advent, will come in an entirely unanticipated way at Christmas, not as royalty, but as a fragile child born to a working class family. St. Paul later described this dramatic reversal:

"Christ Jesus, ... though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, ... being born in human likeness." (Phil. 2:6-7)

So we are seated facing one another, with everyone on the same level. 

This is so we don't focus on seeing things as we do on hearing them -- we focus no on the leaders of our worship experience in the Seasons of Advent and Christmas, but rather on the miracle that God came in the midst of people just like those all around us, whose faces we see more directly. You might want to change the side where you sit, just to notice different things.

Symbolizing the Word being emptied into the world,
at the distribution the altar party and bread and wine come down
into the middle of the congregation.

We celebrate our common humanity by serving, and being served by, one another. Those not wishing to receive Bread or Wine simply remain seated -- still part of us -- as we all are blessed by Christ passing among us, "really present" in our midst.

We hope these changes will help us all look at ourselves, and one another, and the miracles of the season, in fresh ways. Advent turns our attention inward in anticipation, as our chairs have been turned inward. Then Christmas will turn our attention "across" to each other as Christ-bearers, as extensions of the incarnation, carrying the miracle of Christmas to others.

In the meantime, be "hospitality incarnate" to our guests, who may not realize that you're temporarily as disoriented as they are! Be gentle. Be generous. Let Christ into the middle of your unfamiliarity, as Jesus came into the world of creation, a vulnerable child with much to learn, but even more to give.

Rector, St. Thomas' Parish

CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY
FESTIVE PARISH COFFEE HOUR / POTLUCK

Sunday, Nov. 20, Noon

 The Parish Life Cluster invites the entire parish to an internationally themed coffee hour on Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. We'll be making crowns, hosting games for the young at heart, and enjoying each other's favorite food and drink from around the world in honor of the theme. We're also asking everyone to Think Globally - Act Locally by bringing a donation of canned goods/non perishable food items so that we might corporately express a bit of Christ's love right in our own back yard.

Please email Jeremy Ayers (jeremyayers2@hotmail.com) about your own beloved dish or beverage - this will help us plan a Parish Potluck to savor! We'll also let you know about some upcoming opportunities to slow down in Advent and prepare for the season ahead.

St. Thomas' Harpers Ferry Hike
Saturday, November 19, 2011

Join us for a hike along the Potomac River and C&O Canal to Weaverton Cliff. This beautiful hike will start in historic Harpers Ferry, WV. Our route will lead us across the scenic footbridge over the Potomac River, along the C&O Canal tow path (part of the Appalachian Trail) parallel the River, and up the Weaverton Cliff trail for a stunning 180 degree view of Harpers Ferry, the Potomac, and three States.

This nine-mile hike will cover approximately 1600 vertical feet and take about 4 hours, including lunch and breaks. We will carpool from the church parking lot at 8:30AM SHARP and drive to the Harpers Ferry rail depot where we will begin our hike. For those interested in a longer day in the mountains some of us may linger for a trip to a winery. We will carpool accordingly.

Bring plenty of water, pack a lunch, dress in layers, and wear appropriate hiking boots/ footwear. Clouds and sprinkles will not deter us!

Please sign up on the sheet posted on the doors in the coffee hour room and indicate if you can drive! For further information, see or e-mail Jerry Donahoe at maineescape@aol.com.