Five Things You Don't Know About the Big Game

Here's an eye-opening consideration of some numbers associated with the Super Bowl - and how they stack up to some other things going on in the US.

WEBS - Women's Ecumenical Book Study

There's a great group in Bozeman called WEBS. WEBS is an acronym for "Women's Ecumenical Book/Bible Study." Coming up in February, WEBS will be offering several book study groups, reading different books and meeting at a variety of times and locations.

From the WEBS site online:

The mission of WEBS (Women's Ecumenical Bible Study) is to build connection; as we explore God's story, we share our stories. WEBS offers Seekers and Christians, who enjoy the perspectives of other women, a safe, engaging environment to nurture their faith through Bible Study (for the month of February, a BOOK Study) and in relationship.  WEBS provides both a spiritual and scholarly environment in which each woman can live her own spiritual journey in community.

For the month of February, women will have a choice to explore three different books in small groups.  Feel free to join more than one book group.  We selected the following three books from which to choose because they cover a range of spiritual topics (theology, outreach, spirituality) from a range of perspectives (evangelical/emergent, main-line Protestant, Roman Catholic/contemplative) and invite thoughtful discussion. Books are listed below with a link to their descriptions and group meeting times.

The books for February are What We Talk About When We Talk About God, by Rob Bell; Get Off Your Donkey!: Help Somebody and Help Yourself, by Reggie McNeal; and Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, by Richard Rohr.

I (Lindean) get to lead a group on the Rob Bell book, Fridays in February from 10:00 - 11:15am at Bozeman United Methodist Church. There will even be free child care available!

For more information, check out the WEBS website, or contact Jen, the WEBS administrator, at admin@websbozeman.org .

Annual Meeting of the Congregation THIS Sunday

Sometimes I wonder what percentage of this blog's readers are members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bozeman, Montana. It's hard to know.

If YOU are a member of the congregation, or a regular visitor and participant in the worship life of the community, please plan to attend the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, this Sunday, January 26th. After worship, a light lunch will be served instead of the usual coffee hour fare. At 12:00pm, folks will return to the sanctuary to review the ministry of the congregation over the past year, to pray, to dream, to hear from the elected leaders of the community - and to elect new leaders and representatives/ambassadors, to approve a spending plan to fund our ministry in the year ahead.

Your participation is needed. There is no "Them" in the life of the church. We are all in this together. TOGETHER we are the body of Christ, and your voice, gifts, faith and participation ARE the church. Part of a life of discipleship is joining with brothers and sisters in faith to be and do the work of community.

Please pray for God's Spirit to guide the congregation in conversation and discernment as we move forward in faith together.

PS - There will be a second gathering to discuss the spending plan, prior to the meeting, on Sunday during the Education Hour - anyone interested is encouraged to attend, in the social hall beginning at 9:00am.

Happy New Year!

So, we're more than a week into 2014. How does it feel?
Most folks who had significant time off, or changes to their usual routines, during the holiday weeks around Christmas and New Year's are now back to "normal" schedules. I saw on the news on Monday that some psychologists referred to that day as "Blue Monday" - because the festivities were over and "real life" was back underway.
The festivities weren't quite over at our house on Monday, since it was the 6th of January, which is The Epiphany of Our Lord. We had our neighbors over for a pizza party and then chalked our door and prayed for blessings in the new year. Fun!
Did you make any resolutions for the new year? Lots of folks do. Lots of folks don't. I appreciated a blog post on  ... In the Meantime" from Luther Seminary Professor David Lose about new year's resolutions. He calls them "tweaks" this year. As for me, I've made goals - things to work toward, but not things that are either on or off...
If you are someone who needs a little accountability to achieve goals, or keep on keeping on with resolutions, feel free to post in the comments, or give me a call. I'd be happy to check with you on your progress as the year unfolds...

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

On this tenth day of Christmas... Christmas seems just about over for all but the most stubborn die-hards. Why is it that while the commercialized aspects of the season seem to appear earlier and earlier each year, everyone is always in such a hurry to get on with things after the 26th of December? Why not linger in the warmth of the celebrations and lights?

And, speaking of lights... The 6th of January is the Epiphany of Our Lord. Here at CtK we'll be celebrating a day early, this coming Sunday the 5th. So be prepared to sing "We Three Kings" and "The First Noel" and a few more Christmas carols. The celebration continues!

If you enjoy the visual arts, poetry and liturgical fun, then check out Jan Richardson's Epiphany reflections and blessings here. Enjoy!

CtK hosts New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk

Once again we have the privilege of hosting the Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association New Year's Eve Labyrinth Walk. Families with young children are invited to walk tonight from 7:00-8:00pm, recognizing that it could be a little noisy. Adults and older children/youth are invited to walk the labyrinth any time between 8:00pm and midnight.
Labyrinths have been used as tools for meditation and prayer for hundreds of years, in a variety of cultures. There's a famous labyrinth mosaic in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral (upon which the labyrinth at CtK tonight is patterned), which in the middle ages people walked as a symbolic pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
There is only one path in the labyrinth, so you can't get lost. Come and check it out as we let go of 2013 and greet 2014 with faith and hope.

Christmas Greetings from the Presiding Bishop of the ELCA

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant."

We all know the story. The shepherds traveled to Bethlehem and found the little Lord Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
But what I think we often overlook is what the shepherds did after they left the manger. "When they saw this, they made known what had been told about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them" (Luke 2:17-18).
The shepherds shared the good news that God is now with us, has become one of us and remains with us, bringing abundant life to all. As we gather this Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Christ child and hear the wondrous story, let us join together as a church to proclaim the good news. "Christ the child was born for you!"
This time also marks the completion of our observance of over 25 years together in Christ as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We are a church that belongs to Christ, and we give thanks and praise to God for the many ways in which the coming of Jesus has blessed this church and our world.
It is all too easy for us these days to be constantly aware that this world is fraught with turmoil and danger. The same was true for the world in which Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus lived. But the ultimate hope for all people across all times is the hope God gives us in the Word made flesh, our Lord Immanuel.
"O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord!"

Christmas blessings,
Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America