This coming Sunday is Epiphany Sunday. It’s the day we remember the visit of the Magi (or Wise Men) bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Since the Magi were from a foreign land, the celebration of Epiphany is also an affirmation that God sent Jesus not just to the people of Israel, but to people everywhere. Even to you and me. The word Epiphany means, in church speak, a manifestation of the divine. In that sense, Epiphany is a celebration of God made manifest not just some 2,000 years ago, but even today….even to us!

This may lead us to ask some questions of ourselves. Questions like: What are the signs of the sacred among us? Where do we see God's presence? How does the coming of the Christ child change our lives?

Here is an Epiphany prayer I found in my devotion time. I don't know the source, but I invite you to pray it in the Spirit of Epiphany wonder:


Epiphanies, the making manifest, the showing forth,
the coming together of end and beginning – thanks be to you, O God,
for all that you do for us and to us.
Be with us in this season and let us comprehend the birth of your Son.
Let us change our lives because of it – and grow in us now. Amen.

Next year, on July 1st, Vermont United Methodists will officially join the New England Conference. As a member of the New England Conference, I know both Bishop Susan Hassinger of Troy Conference (formerly of New England) and Bishop Peter Weaver of New England Conference. I was commissioned by Bishop Hassinger and ordained by Bishop Weaver.

One of the blessings of the United Methodist Church is that we are connected. Our connections go beyond Districts and Conferences to stretch across the whole world. Regardless of our Conferences, we are all members of one United Methodist family.

I invite you to click the link below to see a Christmas Card created by Bishop Weaver and I wish all our United Methodists across the connection ~ bishops, clergy, lay people, youth ~ a blessed Christmas filled with joy!

Christmas Card 2009

On the Fourth Sunday of Advent we focus on Mary, the mother of Jesus. I belong to a web-ring called "RevGal Blog Pals." It is a group of women pastors who meet on-line weekly to discuss, among other things, the Scriptures. In preparing for Advent, one of the "RevGals" shared this poem by Mary Frances Leischaker. I share it with you to use, if you wish, as a reflection for your Advent waiting.

Mary, Woman of the Promise
Mary, woman of the promise
Vessel of your people's dreams:
Through your open, willing spirit
Waters of God's goodness streamed.

Mary, song of holy wisdom
Sung before the world began
Faithful to the Word within you
As you bore God's wondrous plan.

Mary, morning star of justice;
mirror of the Radiant Light;
In the shadows of life's journey
Be a beacon for our sight.

Mary, model of compassion;
wounded by your offspring's pain:
When our hearts are torn by sorrow,
teach us how to love again.

Mary, woman of the gospel;
humble home for treasured seed:
help us to be true disciples,
bearing fruit in word and deed.

Next January we will be holding a "New Member Orientation." The orientation will cover topics including the history, beliefs, and structure of the United Methodist Church. We will also touch on the particular gifts and graces of Faith United Methodist Church. I'm sure we'll spend some time discussing the history of our congregation and how it grew as a church plant from First UMC in Burlington about 45 years ago.

Everyone is welcome to attend whether a new church attendee or a long time member. Even those that are not sure if they want to join the church are invited. This will be a time of learning and exploration. The Sunday after the last session folks will have the opportunity to stand before the congregation and take membership vows.

Why, one might wonder, would anyone want to join? What are the benefits of becoming an official member? Practically speaking, there are few 'benefits.' Members do get to vote at our annual Church Charge Conference. Other than that members and nonmembers are virtually indistinguishable. Membership, it seems to me, is less about benefits and more about spiritual commitments. By joining a church ~ any church ~ one makes a statement of commitment to the spiritual journey with a particular group of people in a particular place. The journey might not always be easy, but as members we are in it together.

As part of the membership vows, United Methodists make a commitment to support the church (which is not just the building, but the people of the church) with 'prayers, presence, witness, gifts and service.' What a blessing it is to know that there is a group of people here in South Burlington committed to sharing the Faith journey and supporting each other in this way!

How has your membership been meaningful to you throughout the years? Are you contemplating membership? What appeals to you? What is challenging?

Yesterday we had our first 'real' snowfall of the season. On top of that, it was my first Vermont snowfall ever! There is nothing like freshly fallen snow to get one in the mood for Christmas.

And that is a good thing, because we have two important Christmas traditions awaiting us this weekend. First is our annual Christmas Caroling at 5pm on Saturday. Christmas Caroling is something I have done since I was a kid. My father would throw hay bails in the back of his pick-up truck and all of us Sunday School kids would jump in for a hay-ride Christmas Caroling adventure. We would then return to church to warm up with hot chocolate and cookies. Those we visit this Saturday may remember Christmas Caroling traditions of their own. What a blessing to share the joy of Christmas across generations!

Then, on Sunday, our Church School children will lead our worship with our annual Christmas Pageant. This year's pageant is called "The Shepherd's Tale."

These are two great blessings in our community. They are also opportunities to be infused with the Christmas Spirit so we can be blessing agents ~ sharing the Spirit of Christ with everyone we meet!

In last Sunday's sermon I challenged us to embrace opportunities to share God's Advent love. These last two weeks of Advent can be busy ones, but they are also rich with possibility and promise as we anticipate the arrival of the Coming One. It is tempting to bury our heads in our secular holiday preparation and forget the meaning of the season. Yet, if we take a few moments to look around we may notice the opportunities God puts in our path. Opportunities to offer a helping hand or a smile. Opportunities to stand up for someone in the name of justice. Opportunities to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves.

As I mentioned on Sunday, sometimes those opportunities are inconvenient. Sometimes they require us to alter our plans. Sometimes they call us out of our comfort zones. Yet, the first Christmas was not convenient or comfortable and it changed the world. How can you be... how have you been... God's Advent love this week?

We've officially entered the season of Advent! As Christians we recognize that we do not enter the season of Christmas until December 25th ~ despite all cultural evidence to the contrary. The Christmas Season lasts from December 25th until January 6th which is Epiphany. Advent is our season of preparation for Christmas, much like Lent is the season of preparation for Easter.

So how do we prepare? In our Gospel lesson this Sunday we have John the Baptist calling us to repentance. "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." Repentance is acknowledging and turning away from sin. Instead of just a season for shopping and baking, Advent is a season to prepare our hearts to meet the Christ Child anew through prayer, repentance and devotion. In this way, Advent is a penitential season.

There is an interesting website called "Advent Conspiracy" that challenges all Christians be mindful of their (our) Advent preparations. The creators of this movement ask, "What if Christmas became a wold changing event again?"

Don't worry! I'm not advocating that we get rid of all gift giving and festivities of the season, but I do think we can take a closer look at our Advent preparations. Christmas is about hope, peace, joy and love. What matters most is not what we put under our Christmas Trees, but what we find in ~ and share from ~ our hearts! Amen?