This Week from Mitch

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I am delighted to say that this Saturday I will be running a 5K race with a young member of our parish. Her elementary school is doing a running program and she needs a running buddy. I have to admit this young child is very prepared. I on the other hand have run twice in the last four days as preparation. If you see me moving slowly on Sunday, you will now know the reason why.

Advent is a period of preparation. A time where we prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus again. We prepare in many ways. Some people say a prayer each day, others use Advent calendars to remind them that the day is coming near. We decorate our homes and we worship. Preparation is a process, like a runner working to get a little more fit each day, starting small and working toward a greater distance or faster speed, or a child memorizing one line and then another for our upcoming Christmas pageant. Each step takes place one after another and builds on each other.

Coming back to worship if you have been away is also a process. It requires intentional purpose -- that purpose could be any number of things. Things like wanting your child to have a faith community to support them, or wanting your life to be more prayerful, or perhaps it could be as simple as, "I am lonely, I need time with people and my Lord." Whatever that purpose is, I encourage you to find it. I then invite you to take the step of setting your alarm for Sunday morning or evening. Then all that is left to do is come.

I invite you to a Holy Advent. Our doors are open, our worship is holy and good and our church space is warm. Come and prepare again for the coming of your Lord.

In Christ,

Mitch+