Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, c. 342

In addition to being the day of the annual Bozeman Christmas Stroll (three cheers and many thanks to those who organized, set up and cleaned up the CtK booth and to all the singers who joined in the caroling), today (December 6th) is the feast day of St. Nicholas, bishop of Myra. He's one of the church's most beloved saints, though relatively little is known about his life. In the fourth century he was a bishop in what is now Turkey.
There are lots of legends that tell of his love for God and neighbor. And there are lots of web sites that can help us understand how the "Saint Nicholas" remembered by Christians for centuries, became the "Santa Claus" that gets plastered all over everything this time of year.
I suggest a visit to The St. Nicholas Center and some anonymous gift-giving to remember his life of faith and service.

Random thoughts on a snowy evening

What to get Papa for Christmas?

I am faced with a challenge every 25th of December. What gift should I give to my father? Does he want or need another neck tie? Would he appreciate a box of peanut brittle from Harry and David? I know, he loves to read and listen to music. I’ll buy him a book and a Carrie Underwood CD! He loves coffee. How about giving him a Starbucks gift card?
The good news is my father has requested that for his birthday (December 5th ) and for Christmas he desires no gifts. He has encouraged his family and friends to give to the local charity of our choice, or to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America “Good Gifts” campaign, which helps feed hungry people across the globe.
My father Robert is a faithful volunteer in his own parish, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church in San Luis Obispo, CA. His special emphasis is ministry to the homeless.
With that thought in mind, I will make a gift in honor of my father Robert’s birthday to “Family Promise of the Gallatin Valley.”www.familypromisegv.org It is a ministry that helps shelter families by using a network of churches and places of worship all throughout southwest Montana.
I became acquainted with Family Promise when I served a parish in the greater Phoenix, AZ area. It is a worthy cause.
So here’s to you, Papa. No neck ties. No peanut brittle to rot your teeth or make you fat. No books, CDs, or coffee. Here’s to you, for helping homeless families find hope in the midst of hard times.

Time to sit down and be quiet

Happy Advent!

Advent is one of my favorite times of the year - the preparations, the blue paraments and evergreens adorning our spaces of worship, the lights shining in the midst of the darkness (and let me tell you - last night, driving the rest of the way home from California, it was DARK!), and the opportunity to slow down and be still in the midst of our culture's rush and frenzy.

Advent is easy enough to miss. Our "consumer" culture doesn't have a lot of time for the prayer and reflection the season offers as we prepare our hearts and lives for Christ to be born in us. It takes an intentional pace and disciplined space-making, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Even if you aren't usually one for sitting still or contemplation, during these next days and weeks, give it a try. Light a candle (or the appropriate number of candles on an Advent wreath), set a timer if you have to - start at even just 3 to 5 minutes, sit comfortably, breathe deeply, and join Mary in "pondering these things" in your heart, or think about the words to one of your favorite Advent or Christmas carols.

Tomorrow evening we begin our Advent mid-week services here at CtK. We'll have a soup and bread supper at 6:15pm (kids activities start at 5:30pm) and then Evening Prayer at 7:00pm. We will be using the Holden Evening Prayer liturgy, which is a favorite for many. Come sing, pray, reflect, read Scripture, and have a chance to slow down for an evening. Following worship, those who are interested are invited to stay for a conversation about "Whose Birthday is it, Anyway?" a magazine of reflections, activites, how-to's and more, all ideas for a Christ-centered holiday. Free copies of the magazine will be available.

May this Advent be filled with blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. May you be blessed with the love of family and friends, and enjoy the bounty of the earth.

Remember in prayer those who will go without this season, and ask God to show you how you can help.

Peace-
Pastors Lindean & Grant

PS - Don't forget Thanksgiving Eve worship here at CtK on Wednesday evening at 7:00pm, followed by the Pie-Luck at 7:45pm. Let them eat PIE!

New Issue of Cafe zine

Check it out here.

The Story of Stuff

'Tis "stewardship season" in many congregations, including CtK, as if choosing how we use our time, money, energy and talents only happens during one "season" for a few weeks. But still - better to have the conversation only occasionally than to fail to have it at all.
Grant had a lot to say about stewardship this morning - about Scripture's call for us to give intentionally, first, regularly, proportionally and cheerfully (hope I'm not forgetting any of those adverbs). It's good stuff.
Thinking and making decisions about how we give is good for us - we give because we need to give - to keep things in perspective and our priorities clear. After all, where our treasure is, our hearts will be also: our hearts follow our money, no matter how much we tell ourselves it's the other way around.
And here in the US, our hearts can get pretty stuck on "stuff."
If you've never seen The Story of Stuff, I encourage you to watch it - it's about 20 minutes long, and hopefully it will help you see with new eyes how much "stuff" matters. Here's a preview...

Presiding Bishop's Statement on 2008 Presidential Election

The Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Mark Hanson, has issued this statement in response to yesterday's election.