My favorite part of Advent worship is lighting the candles on the wreath, one each week as the light grows progressively brighter on our journey. The Advent wreath has a fascinating history, beginning among German Lutheran in the 16th century. It didn’t receive its modern shape until 1839, when John Hinrich Wichem, a German Protestant pastor and urban missionary, made a ring of wood to teach impatient children about waiting for Christmas. The ring had 19 small red taper candles and four large white candles. Every morning, a small candle was lit, and every Sunday, a larger candle. To this day, we’ve only kept the larger candles.
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We’ve received news that the Afghan family our Welcome Team is supporting is the Nawzdee family of 5. They are currently planning to move into their new housing THIS FRIDAY, Dec. 3!
We need YOUR HELP in getting the family's personal items, household supplies, and bedding moved in. See this Housing Supply List with a list of things that we should obtain for the family!
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Afghan refugees are being resettled to Bloomington very soon! First Methodist is organizing a Welcome Committee to walk alongside an Afghan family as they begin this new chapter of their life in Bloomington. We want YOU to join our Welcome Committee!
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On behalf of the stewardship team, we are pleased to update you on our 2022 Stories of Generosity stewardship effort, as well as update you on October giving to First Methodist give you our wish list!
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Click here for reflection questions and goal-setting prompts!
Who in your life would benefit from social justice education? Invite them on your justice journey!
How can you use your new knowledge to practice being inclusive and anti-racist your personal life? How about in our church community?
How will you engage in difficult conversations when you recognize and respond to racist comments?
What actions will you take to deliberately implement inclusion in your home, workplace, or church?