Journey in the Light

December 13, 2017
Advent, Advent Event

On Saturday, December 9th, amid New England’s very first snowfall, more than a dozen families joined us for a special Advent experience centering around the tradition of Las Posadas. We read a story and sang an interactive song dramatizing Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem and their search for lodging (las posadas) and then journeyed together in song to our darkened sanctuary and lit candles one by one around the large labyrinth. Our crafts for the evening included creating lanterns, decorating a celestial map, and coloring a huge Advent poster (and don’t forget snacks, stories, and special nativity set explorations in the parlor!). And of course, each person experienced walking our labyrinth (some people walked it many times!) – some with their lanterns, some with their children or parents, and some just by themselves – and journeying in the light. It was an exceptional night of wonder and joy and peace for all. Please enjoy the many photos!

The Lodgings

December 6, 2017
Advent, Advent Event

Sunday Fellowship entered the Sanctuary on December 3 to find it utterly transformed. One hundred lit candles and a twelve circuit labyrinth invited us to enter the space with wonder and curiosity. Music and the tradition of Las Posadas became our guides as we began to explore what the familiar story of Jesus’ birth has to say to us and to our world at this moment in history?

Las Posadas or “The Lodgings” was first developed hundreds of years ago by Spanish religious leaders as a way of communicating the Christmas story to people unable to read the scriptures for themselves. While there are a variety of ways to celebrate Las Posadas, dramatizing the holy couple’s search for shelter in Bethlehem is always central.

Members of Sunday Fellowship acted out the story with wonderful music, costumes and a candlelit walk of the labyrinth. We took turns playing the roles of the weary travelers and the overwhelmed innkeepers. How would we respond to a stranger at our door in the middle of the night? How would we feel being refused shelter in our hour of greatest need? Las Posadas challenged us to get in touch with both our compassion and our vulnerability. Will we be prepared to offer both to God’s own child wherever and whenever he comes? We felt a little more prepared by the end of our time together.

Labyrinth Set-Up and Walking

December 5, 2017
Advent, Advent Event, labyrinth

This year, we are borrowing a large canvas labyrinth for our special Advent events. After worship on Sunday, a great crew of folks moved our platform and chairs to make room, and then set it up. At night, we lit the sanctuary with candles and filled it with music for a time of prayer.