Advent with The Well

Advent is a time of waiting & anticipation. It’s the time before Christmas when we think, pray and prepare ourselves for God's arrival.  Instead of getting consumed with over-buying and over-scheduling, it's possible to allow this to be a significant season for us.

It can be a time for us to share our hopes,to seek courage together,to join with the suffering andto reflect on the surprising ways God intervenes.

I hope you will consider being a part of this meaningful time in the life of our community.  Join us for any or all of these gatherings:

• Dinner Church at St. John’s: On Sundays, we will gather for “dinner church” at 5 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran (1950 Silver St.).  We will enjoy a potluck meal, hear & share stories, sing, pray, light our Advent candle & share communion together.  Sign up to bring something to share here: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094aada6292-dinner1 .

November 30th: Candle of Hope, Isaiah 40:1-5December 7th: Candle of Courage, Luke 1:26-38December 14th: Candle of Suffering, Matthew 1:18-25December 21st: Candle of Surprise, Luke 2:8-20

• 3D Group: On Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. during Advent, we will meet in various homes in Springfield for dinner and deeper exploration of our scripture text for that week. We will also hear and discuss excerpts from Brian McLaren’s We Make the Road by Walking related to our Advent scriptures. Bring your questions, doubts, stories & insights.

December 3^rd at the Lyles’ home (1440 Pearl St.)December 10^th at the Rogerses’ home (1443 Silver St.)December 17^th at the Shaws’ home (36 W. 3^rd St.)

• Throughout Advent, you are invited to conspire with us to make a difference this Christmas (aka “Advent Conspiracy”) by supporting Amani Sasa, a ministry of healing, restoration & empowerment for refugee women in Uganda. You can give a personal gift or give in honor of a loved one. Please indicate how many gift cards you wish to receive with your donation.
• Our homemade (or recycled) gift exchange will happen during dinner church on Sunday, December 21^st. Those who want to participate will draw names and make or recycle meaningful gifts for one another.  Also on this evening, those who wish to share the gift of song, dance, poetry or any other (appropriate :) intangible gift are invited to do so.

Looking forward to how the Spirit will move among us as we worship, celebrate, mourn and share gifts with one another.

Peace + love,

Susan