Welcoming Advent

Thursday, December 1, 2022 
6pm for dinner; 7-9 pm for discussion
at the Toronto School of Theology (47 Queen's Park Cres E)

Dear friends,

Every year at Advent, we mark together this season of waiting and longing for Jesus to come. It is a season where we lament all that is wrong with the world and long for Christ's return and all things being restored to how they ought to be. It is a season of waiting, and this provides space to reflect on the reality of waiting in our own lives and in the world. 
 
This season there remains a lot to lament. There is much unrest and suffering around the world: wars, imprisonment, famines. The high number of cases of flu, RSV, and Covid-19 are overwhelming our health care systems, and many people are feeling overwhelmed. On top of that, we lament injustices in society, such as housing insecurity and racism. 

Advent is a moment we remind each other of both the goodness of lamenting and holding on to hope. Just as much as we need the lamenting of Advent, we also need the hope of Christmas. We need the hope that can come only from Christ's coming to dwell among us humans, Christ's coming that turns the world upside down and means that everything, including justice, is possible.
 
This week we'll participate in an Advent liturgy, allowing our waiting, lamenting and longing to be shaped by scripture, reflection, and song. We'll also spend some time praying for each other. 
 
In this Advent space of waiting, lamenting, longing and hope, join us on Thursday to read, reflect, sing and encourage each other on the journey.
 
Living in Advent hope,
Brenda and Carol

The following are some details and logistics for our meeting on Thursday:

Announcements

Once a term, we approach the GCF community about supporting the ministry financially. See this week's email from the campus ministry this week for ways to support the ministry.

GCF Bowling Night on Friday December 9 at Playtime Bowl, near Yorkdale Mall. If you can confirm your availability to come, please e-mail Robert  . 

Silent Retreat, Sat Jan 21, 2023 - Looking for some calm, quiet space in the midst of your busy life? Interested in a time of listening to God in a beautiful and holy place? Join members of the GCF and WBB communities at a one-day silent retreat at the Anglican Convent, a short bus ride/walk from Finch Station. The cost is $55 which includes two coffee breaks and a hot lunch. Bursaries available. Want more information or to register? Connect with Carol. 

Join us at Wine Before Breakfast (WBB) for our last service of the semester - Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. at Trinity Chapel. This week we'll be singing some Taizé songs and having a time of silence instead of a sermon. The early morning Eucharist service is followed by breakfast. To read sermons and prayers from previous weeks, see our website.

ADVENT RESOURCES
The following are some advent resources to help you in a season of reflection and in a time of year when the campus ministry gathers together less frequently.

Earth Advent: Watching the Ground, Waiting for Light: 4 devotions for the Sundays of Advent from CRC campus minister, Jacqui Mignault. "Each one is a small story of noticing the earth under our feet that hopefully will help lead us to encountering the land and the Christmas tale both anew. Because we need a transforming encounter with both. Both the land and the Christmas stories can too fast become useful commodities. But they are meant for our healing and they both can transform us - if we let them."

Free Advent Devotion: Prepare the Way (from the Christian Reformed Church): Join World Renew, Resonate, and CRCNA Social Justice as we reflect on what it means to “prepare the way for the Lord” in the midst of injustice, conflict, and creation that groans. Sign up to receive reflections every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Advent at crcna.org/advent

Free Advent Devotions written by Sylvia Keesmaat (from the Anglican Church): As we enter the season when we live and wait, in hope, for the birth of one woman’s child, we are invited to journey from the birthing of creational hope to the time of climate grief experienced by the women of the flood, to the embodied hope of women climate refugees, and finally to creational hope as it is lived out by women. Along the way, we are invited to make connections between the women of the biblical texts, and our own hopes and griefs in this time of climate crisis. Sign up to receive daily scripture readings, reflections, prayers and PWRDF stories in your inbox, starting Sunday, November 27 or download the entire PDF.

Recommendations of books to read or buy connected to Advent from Hearts & Minds Books (heartsandmindsbooks.com)