Yesterday we lit the first candle on the Advent Wreath. (Thanks to the Holt family for leading us in the candle-lighting!) It was the candle of Hope. We are reminded on the first Sunday of Advent that we wait in hope for the coming of our Savior.

Hope is a word that comes up a lot in our vocabulary. I hope I make it through that green light! I hope the movie isn't sold out. I hope I find a new i-Pod under the Christmas tree!

The hope that we speak of at Advent, though is a different kind of hope. It is the hope of expectation. It is the kind of hope that changes our lives. The hope of Advent is not a frivolous hope or a sentimental hope. We know that the baby Jesus will arrive on Christmas and our creches will be complete. The hope of Advent is the hope that Christ came to us as a baby and Christ comes to us today and Christ will come again in glory. We look forward to the coming of Christ. The hope of Advent can inspire us to live differently because we believe that Christ is with us even now and Christ could return at anytime.

What are you hopeful for this Advent season? Has the expectant hope of Advent changed your life? Are you hopeful for Christ's return?

Happy Thanksgiving friends! Whether you will be traveling or staying home, joining with a large group or sharing an intimate Thanksgiving meal, I pray that your Thanksgiving will be blessed. During our prayer time on Sunday we were encouraged to name our blessings, so I open this space to you to share those things for which you give thanks.

Today I give thanks for a beautiful place to live, a safe home and nutritious food to eat. I also give thanks for meaningful work, caring family and friends and a hobby that brings me joy. What are you thankful for today?

Last week I spend a few days of Spiritual Renewal time at the Weston Priory. It was my first experience at the Priory and I didn't really know what to expect. Now I can honestly say that it was so much more (more uplifting, more renewing, more inspiring) than I ever could have expected.

The "uplift" came from being welcomed into community with the monks. As a guest, I was invited to take my meals in the dining room with the monks. While the meals were silent the fellowship before and after the meals was genuine. Before each meal one of the monks would join the guests in the parlor for conversation. Following the meals we were invited to help them clean up the kitchen. Amongst the dish washing and drying there was much laughter. I was touched by the hospitality of the monks as they continue to welcome strangers into their home day after day, week after week as the guests come and go.

The renewal came for me in the times of extended silence. Between meals and prayer I had significant blocks of time on my own for my own personal reading and reflection. I did some reading and some writing. I also walked the grounds and visited the animals that the monks raise ~ chickens, rabbits, sheep, pigs and a llama. Much of the time, though, I spent in silence and in conversation with God. Having unstructured, uncluttered time allowed me to connect with God in a deeper way than my usual devotional practice allows. Because of this I feel better prepared to be a spiritual leader during the important upcoming seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany.

The inspiration came from the prayer times with the monks in their chapel. Much of their prayer time is in song or chant. Wow! The stated aim of their music is to blend their voices into one. I surely felt the presence of God as I listened to and participated in these times of prayer which took place at 6am, 2pm, 5:30pm and 8pm. The rhythm of the day of meals and prayer and silence gave structure and discipline to my retreat time.

Thank you to you ~ my wonderful congregation ~ for encouraging me and allowing me this time of renewal. I hope and pray that I am a better pastor because of it.

Last weekend's School of Congregational Development was a wonderful, inspiring event. I have to admit that I was skeptical as to how the presenters would come across over a telecast. Not actually *being* at the event, I worried that I (and the others gathered) would not engage. Fortunately my worries were unfounded. The speakers were so spirit-filled that their energy came right through the live-stream and on to our screen. It also helped that a few of the presenters engaged us by giving those at the satellite locations a "shout-out."

The question that has stayed with me since leaving the event is ~ How do we bring what we worship inside to the outside? We can consider this from a couple of different perspectives. How do we share what is in our hearts with those outside, those we meet everyday? And how does our church bring our worship inside our church building to those outside our walls.

The different speakers engaged these questions from several different angles. There were conversations about making worship more accessible by using contemporary language and music. There were suggestions for using Facebook, websites and Power Point videos. Some talked about intentionally engaging those on the margins of our society and those from different socioeconomic and racial / cultural backgrounds. The point was made that when we minister we do not minister "to" but "with" because no matter how much we give, we also receive.

As with any good continuing education event, I've come away with more questions than answers. As Jesus' disciples in South Burlington, what are we doing to minister inside out? How are we engaging in ministry with our community? How can we be more transparent to those outside our walls?

I’m live-blogging from the School of Congregational Development satellite location in South Burlington, VT! A small group has gathered here to experience the [Inside / Out ] Event streamed into our sanctuary. We have shared in amazing speakers and inspiring worship and uplifting fellowship. The satellite location allows those on the edges of the Conference unable to travel the several hours to Lexington, MA to take part in at least a portion of the event.

The keynote speakers, workshops and worship services have helped us focus on sharing the love of Christ beyond ourselves, beyond our doors, with the whole world. During the afternoon workshop Steve Smith (pastor of Orono, ME UMC) shared these words. “The grace of God is available to everyone, not just those who have their life together.”

The church is open to everyone, not just to those already on the inside. How do we bring what is inside ~ inside our hearts, inside our church ~ out?

If you weren’t able to join us for the School of Congregational Development this year, I hope you will be with us next year! Check back here or the Conference website (www.neumc.org) for next year’s dates.