987: open our hearts to the mystery of your love and the invitation of your grace

Day 987: Monday, November 28, 2022

Open our hearts to the mystery of your love and the invitation of your grace.

What does it mean to prepare the way of the Lord? Jacqueline and Patti gave us many insights during our celebration. How do we keep this time in our hearts alive and active? What are the rituals we use -- maybe each day. I find the opening prayer and closing blessing to be something I can say each day - and maybe even light a candle or walk around the block concentrating on the lines of a favorite poem.

Advent Prayer:

God who dispels all darkness,
Come to be with us, in each one of our situations;


Come to live among us, live with us and in us;


Come to fill the distances that divide and separate us;


Come to reconcile us with You and with one another.


God of Light, open our hearts to the mystery of your love and the invitation of your grace.

Let our complacency give way to conversion and our judgments to compassionate acceptance of others.

Turn oppression to justice and transform conflict to peaceful accord.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, who draws near, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Closing Blessing:

Emmanuel, Our world waits in darkness longing for Your light. In the midst of darkness, enkindle our hope.
 As we long for lasting peace in the midst of war, Be with us.
 As we long for families to be reunited, Be with us.
 As we long for enemies to be reconciled, Be with us.
 As we long for cures and healings, Be with us.
 As we long for decent jobs and economic security, Be with us.
 As we long for love and community, Be with us.
 Fulfill the deepest longings of your people and
Dispel the darkness in our hearts and in our world.
 Let your Word ignite the hope the world needs to bring to life your love and justice.

Amen

Announcements:

#1: Concerts!

The Advent-Christmas Music events with Doug Harman and son James are as follows: They all begin at 3:00 pm.Each concert is an hour and a half long.

December 4th at St. John's Healdsburg

Time: 3:00

December 11th at Resurrection Parish - SR

Time: 3:00

December 18th at St. Vincent's in Marin County

Time3:00

#2 Palestine in our Hearts this Advent

On the struggle for life in Palestine: Dear Sisters and Brothers - It's a desperate tome in Palestine / Isreal with the ascendency of the far right government which is determined to further demonize and threaten Palestinians living in the state of Isreal. Be it an entire service or a single prayer, we are asking you to once again Preach Palestine this Advent and lift up the Palestinian people such that they would come to experience the joy, justice, and peace of Christ's liberating reign. Can you commit your congregation to Preach Palestine this Advent season? Learn More

FOSNA kicks off it’s annual Christmas Appeal on Giving Tuesday (November 29), a day which corresponds this year with the International Day Solidarity with the Palestinian People. As a friend of Sabeel, we invite you to stand alongside us in solidarity with the people of Palestine as a peer fundraiser. To learn more about how you, as an individual or group, can join together with us in raising support for justice, please click on the link below: Click Here

#3 Wild Church Petaluma Retreat Announcement! The Work that Reconnects Wild Church Petaluma is thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a weekend experiential retreat on the Work that Reconnects, March 10-12, in Inverness. The Work that Reconnects practices, based on the work of Joanna Macy, build motivation, connection, solidarity and vision, and renew the courage to act for the healing of our world. Macy’s teaching that grief is the flip side of love is one of the underpinnings of the Wild Church practices, which seek to reconnect us to the natural world and re-member our belonging. We are excited to be offering this experience in the North Bay, and particularly to the Wild Church Petaluma community. There are only 12 spots remaining on the retreat, and it will fill quickly. First priority will go to the Wild Church mailing list, so please register ASAP if you are interested.

December Wild Church & Community Events We had a gorgeous and nourishing gathering this morning at Helen Putnam park. Thank you to all who were able to join us. Saturday, December 10th — Releaf Tree Planting. Every tree expands our urban canopy which creates multiple benefits for our parks, our neighborhoods, and our environment. More info here. Friday, December 16th — Labyrinth Walk St. John’s in downtown Petaluma hosts an indoor, candlelit labyrinth with live music at 7pm on the third Friday of each month. Please join us for this beautiful contemplative practice. All are welcome, by donation. Find more information here. *Sunday, December 18th — Wild Church @ Rusty Hinges Ranch We will gather on the Sunday before the Solstice (and Christmas) to prepare for the return of the light. *Wednesday, December 21st — Wild Church Solstice Lantern Walk Join Wild Church at 5pm on 12/21 for a family-friendly lantern walk to mark the Winter Solstice. Save the date; more details to follow! Friday, January 6th — Full Moon Gathering: Sound & Dance Journey at Tara Firma Farm. 6:30pm-9:30pm More info here. *Wild Church Petaluma events ________________________________________________________ Wild Church Petaluma is an emerging expression of community and sacred conversation among the human and non-human inhabitants of the Petaluma watershed. We are a diverse, inclusive and inter-spiritual community. All are welcome. Children are welcome to explore the space and participate as much or little as they desire. There is no fee to attend, but donations to cover expenses are appreciated. Please contact me with any questions, feedback, or suggestions, as we grow this community together. with much gratitude, Emily

#4 Restorative Justice Training: IT'S FREE AND OH SO GOOD!

We have rescheduled RJ Training for those interested in becoming a Restorative Resources Volunteer!! We are also encouraging our valuable current volunteers to join us to refresh and reconnect to share your knowledge, experiences, and wisdon with prospective volunteers. Please note that all classes are free to those that commit to volunteer 10 hours for Restorative Resources in the 2023 Year. If you would like to attend for your own development and not volunteer, the classes are $50 an hour. Easy signups - just email me and I will reserve your spot! Dates are as follows: 8-Dec-2022 Thursday1-3 pmIntro to Restorative Justice & Volunteer Opportunities

8-Dec-2022 Thursday 3-4 pmVolunteer Orientation & Information Session

10-Dec-2022 Saturday 9-11 amIntro to Restorative Justice & Volunteer Opportunities

10-Dec-2022 Saturday11-12 pmVolunteer Orientation & Information Session

10-Dec-2022 Saturday1-3 pmIntro to RC for Volunteer Community Members & Practice

10-Dec-2022 Saturday3-5 pmIntro to Restorative Mentoring Volunteers & Practice

15-Dec-2022 Thursday1-3 pmIntro to RC for Volunteer Community Members & Practice

15-Dec-2022 Thursday 3-5 pmIntro to Restorative Mentoring Volunteers & Practice Verónica R Cruz Executive Director 707.542.4244 (o) 707.480.8376 (c)

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