I think that we all know our outer lives are
only as good as our inner lives.  (Pico Ayer)

This Advent’s theme of Belonging—Inside and Out will set us on an unfolding and surprising pilgrimage of belonging across the year ahead. Our inner and outer lives are not meant to be distinct from one another as are the two pathways above. Rather, when they are intertwined, they can yield the possibilities of life-giving wholeness. During Advent, the four traditional words of the season – hope, peace, joy, and love will illumine that wholeness. These are the days of incarnation – attentiveness concerning the meaning of Emmanuel – God with us – the promised and full belonging of human and divine – within us, around us, and through us – an intersection that defines us across a lifetime.

Advent-Christmas Schedule

Sunday, December 2 – Advent 1 – Belonging Through Hope – Advent visuals will include the Advent wreath and this year’s banner. After an abbreviated communion service featuring a wide circle of welcome, we will assemble on the lower level for our annual Intergenerational Advent Event with multiple hands-on mission stations. Thank you Roger and Becky for our banner and Dawn for your organization of the intergenerational event.

Sunday, December 9 – Advent 2 – Belonging To Peace – Today will begin with an Advent breakfast at 9 am. A tasty meal will be served, and we will be invited to participate in this year’s special Advent offering that will help us and others to belong more fully to the earth on which we dwell. We hope to raise $800 this month to cover the costs of driving our large collection of plastic caps to southern Indiana and the costs of processing that accumulated plastic into sturdy and lovely benches for our Monarch Waystation. As you look around the sanctuary and gathering area today, you will notice how beautifully our Deacons – Jan, Karen, and Theresa – have decorated for the season. We will continue to make gift bags after worship.

Thursday, December 13 – Mayfield Fellowship will meet at Rita and Wilma’s home, 12922 Williams Circle, Genoa at noon. Bring a delicious dish to share and board books for Court Watch. It will be time to decide about the distribution of proceeds from this year’s attic treasures and bake tables to area agencies. We will also enjoy our annual rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas.  And a special Christmas story will be read.  All are welcome.

Sunday, December 16 – Advent 3 – Belonging With Joy. The third confirmation labyrinth walk will take place at 9 am. Our text will be the journey of Mary to see Elizabeth as both women unexpectedly carry the joy of birthing life.  New members will join Mayfield today. You are invited to bring poinsettias – red, white, or pink, to add to the seasonal beauty in our space. Help us make some more gift bags for Toys for Tots.

Tuesday, December 18 (9 am – 5 pm) Toys for Tots Wrapping. Let Dawn know when you can help us wrap at the Salvation Army.

Wednesday, December 19 (9 am – noon) Toys for Tots Wrapping. Check in with Dawn about when you can participate in our annual wrapping at the Salvation Army.

Sunday, December 23 – Belonging Into Love – Bring more poinsettias if you have them. Pause together in worship after the flow of preparations in recent weeks.

Monday, December 24 – Christmas Eve Worship – 5:00 pm – Belonging Inside The Story. Worship will be a service of Lessons and Carols. After a closing circle of light, refreshment and conversation time will be a Bethlehem (House of Bread) Table. Everyone is invited to bring a special holiday treat to share. Special thanks are extended to our musicians for their leadership in recent weeks. Merry Christmas.

Sunday, December 30 – Belonging Throughout The Season. On this sixth day of Christmas, we will glimpse deeper into where we are in the familiar story of these days, our points of belonging as we remember the birth of Jesus.

Sunday, January 6 – Epiphany – Belonging Across The World. The coming of the Wise Ones today represents the gifted intersection of who we are and what we believe with the world at large. We will complete the Advent/Christmas cycle as we began it with a wide circle of welcome at our communion table.

We belong together in a deep solidarity which the heart discerns.
(Brother David Steindl-Rast)