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Where Hopes and Fears are Met

Advent Project Photos and Messages - 7
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Our Advent Star. A quilt pieced two generations ago, being hand-finished by the Epworth Quilters.

On Sunday, January 5th, the Epworth congregation decommissioned the Advent Project during the Epiphany Sunday Communion Service.

The Celebration of Epiphany





Selections from Ron's Sermon

Epiphany means "manifestation." From now until the beginning of Lent, we celebrate the ways that God was manifest, particularly in Jesus. But we have no corner on God's manifestations. There is no limit on the places we can shine our light....When we said, "Tell us your hopes and fears. We're listening," we made news – good news, I would say. But as the Bible says of John the Baptist, we were not the news, we bore witness to the news – shined a light on the news.

No one knew why Clark insisted on hanging these windows up high in the sanctuary. Actually, I'm pretty sure Clark didn't know either. Now I know. They remind us that the church is not defined by walls but by windows. They remind us that we have been given a light to shine:

• a light to shine on the hopes and fears of all the years and all the people
• a light to shine on to boundless riches of God's wisdom in all its incredible variety.

Richard Turner's quote courtesy of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, Advent worship web site.

Our Closing Hymn
"Bethlehem of the Heart," by Richard W. Turner

"I always believed that what the world didn't need was another Christmas song, hymn, or carol. But after the siege of the Church of the Nativity and the devastation to the town of Bethlehem last spring (2002), I began to realize that there was a real possibility that Bethlehem could be utterly destroyed as an actual place. Even though I visited Bethlehem myself several years ago, I reflected on an image of Bethlehem as a place in the heart. Hence the following hymn."

Epilogue

As we dismantle and photograph the contributions, we reflect on the meaning of the Advent Project. While fulfilling its role as a community art installation, it has moved us in personal and often unexpected ways. One of the most profound observations comes from correspondent Michael Nausner, who wrote, "What we think and do does make a difference, and what the consequences of this seemingly small difference are, is not in our hands."

Our deepest appreciation to all who took part in the project and to those who have returned to this web site to watch it unfold.

Epworth United Methodist Church, Berkeley, CA

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1/24/03


	Our Advent Star. A quilt pieced two generations ago, being hand-finished by the Epworth Quilters.

Our Closing Hymn "Bethlehem of the Heart," by Richard W. Turner
"I always believed that what the world didn't need was another Christmas song, hymn, or carol. But after the siege of the Church of the Nativity and the devastation to the town of Bethlehem last spring (2002), I began to realize that there was a real possibility that Bethlehem could be utterly destroyed as an actual place. Even though I visited Bethlehem myself several years ago, I reflected on an image of Bethlehem as a place in the heart. Hence the following hymn."


As we dismantle and photograph the contributions, we reflect on the meaning of the Advent Project. While fulfilling its role as a community art installation, it has moved us in personal and often unexpected ways. One of the most profound observations comes from correspondent Michael Nausner, who wrote, "What we think and do does make a difference, and what the consequences of this seemingly small difference are, is not in our hands." Our deepest appreciation to all who took part in the project and to those who have returned to this web site to watch it unfold.