Page 1 - 2020-December 2021-January Newsletter

Southern Pennsylvania District

Church of the Brethren

A Message from our District Executive

What came into existence was Life, and the Life was Light to live by. The Life-
Light blazed out of the darkness; the darkness couldn't put it out. There once
was a man, his name John, sent by God to point out the way to the Life-Light.
He came to show everyone where to look, who to believe in. John was not
himself the Light; he was there to show the way to the Light. The Life-Light was
The Word the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the
became flesh world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn't even notice. He
and dwelt came to his own people, but they didn't want him. But whoever did want him,
among us. who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be
their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not
John 1:14a blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten. The Word became flesh
and blood and moved into the neighborhood. John 1:4-14 (The Message)

Do you have your tree up or your lights on the outside of the house? I am
beginning to see the houses with lights in our neighborhood as I write this the
day before Thanksgiving. Light has always been a symbol of the Advent season.
We talk and sing about the light of the world coming to our world, or
neighborhood as Peterson renders it.

Volume 38, Issue 6 I really think we need to receive that light in a new and powerful way this
Dec 2020/Jan 2021 Christmas. Our world seems dark and for many our world has shrunk as they are
forced to work from home, limit travel, and not visit with family and loved ones
this year. I think of colleagues who have lost spouses or family members, and
this is the first Christmas with that proverbial empty chair around the table.
I N S I D E T H I S
I S S U E :
COVID-19 19 has affected us all even if we have not been sick. And lest we
forget, a rather rancorous and divisive election season has given us all a bad
New & Events 2-23
Throughout the taste in our mouths. And then there is the schism in our beloved denomination.
District
As Christians, we are to be bearers of that light that has come into the world. I
believe that even in our darkest moments there is hope. And that hope is Jesus.
Training 24-29
Opportunities
We see Jesus’ hope in the love that others show as they minister in His name. I
Giving Report & 10-11 thank God for the dedicated pastors who have slogged through all the changes
Budget Planning that this pandemic has forced upon them. I see the light in their service. I see the
light in our congregations who share the Gospel in word and deed and care for
others, not just when it is trendy during the Christmas season, but all year long.
Meeting & Event 33
Schedule
Where do you see the light? But more importantly…Where are you being the
light? 2020 is almost over. One day, things will change for the better when it
2021 Events 34-37 comes to the pandemic. I hope and pray that the lessons we have learned by
Calendar going together through this time will last and inform our lives moving forward.
Jesus has indeed moved into our neighborhood and we can rejoice.

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