Friday, January 4, 2008

And we're off... 2008 has begun!

Happy New Year! And welcome to this Winter Wonderland!

There's nothing like a good snowstorm (or a whole series of them in rapid succession!) to transform the landscape. So often we get so used to our environment that we fail to see what's all around us, until a blanket of white makes everything new. As the snowbanks grow higher and higher... as the slush under our feet and the tires of our cars forces us to take a slower pace... as the branches of the trees are highlighted in white and glimmering with ice... as our very breath becomes visible... in all these signs of the season, God nudges us to see and experience the world with fresh eyes.

We're so glad you're checking out our New Light blog. If you're visiting for the first time, you'll notice that what follows is a whole series of reflections, one for each day of the Advent Season through which we have recently journeyed. Interspersed with these reflections, you'll find news about some of the ways we have practiced our faith and interacted with our community in the days leading to Christmas. In true blog fashion, these are all mixed together in progression.

Especially we hope you'll notice the invitation to join us for a new Monday night group called "Living the Questions" about to begin on January 14 - 5:30 pm in the downstairs community room at O'Naturals Restaurant (83 Exchange Street, Portland). We'll share dinner each week, watch a short video clip in which some theologians and teachers reflect on questions of faith, and then spend time in discussion and sharing. We hope you'll plan to join us for this group! If Mondays don't work for you, there's another group meeting on Thursday evenings at 6:00 pm at our home (31 Sheffield Street). Newcomers are welcome in both groups!

Please keep checking back for updates! It's so exciting to take on this journey - rethinking what it means to follow Christ. As a community, we're striving continually to love God more deeply and love our neighbors more fully. Welcome to the journey!

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