Are you looking for a way to connect with others in the spiritual community during the holiday season, but your schedule tends to fill? The Nurture Commission has an opportunity for you!
There will be an online discussion forum to go along with the Brethren Press devotional that extends from Advent through Epiphany. Here’s how it can work for you. You pick up a copy of the devotional, Simple Gifts, by Kathy Guisewite, available at the church at no charge to you, or you can order one from Brethren Press. Then, throughout the holiday season, you read the daily devotional entry and recommended Bible verses. From the church website, at your convenience, any time of the day or night, you click on the devotional discussion forum tab from the church’s website to read the daily reflection question and what other people are thinking about the devotional entry. Enter your own thoughts and responses as you feel led. The beauty is that you can do all of this in just a few minutes and whenever it suits your schedule! There is no Zoom or in-person time schedule, but the opportunity to connect is available on screen daily for all. With each additional person who participates, the more connections we make as a spiritual community.
Our stress-free online forum seems to work right in with this year’s devotional theme of simplicity. The Brethren Press describes the devotional this way: “Every part of the Christmas story is miraculous. God’s love was made manifest in a lowly barn, in the dark of night, for ordinary people. We need not believe that we must do anything extraordinary to make this season magical. There’s no need to worry about shopping for it or allowing the stresses of life to weigh us down. Perhaps if we practice leaning into the simplicity of the holy story and the sacredness of our ordinary lives, we will find joy and peace.”
The Nurture Commission is always striving for ways to include those who attend our church online. The discussion forum could be a great way to get to know people. We hope to hear from many of you in the online forum!
Submitted by Ellen Flury, Nurture Commission