Ready or not, here he comes!

Friends,

It’s true! Whatever we have left to do, to create a meaningful and joyful Christmas for our communities of faith, our friends, and our families – no matter how imperfectly we get it all done: the Christ Child is coming! I am praying for you during these final few days of the Advent marathon, that you will find moments to open yourself to the hope and peace, love and joy, that the Christ Child brings, even in the midst of it all.

You have no time to read this now…but please bookmark it to return to you’ve had time to rest after all your hard work this season. 

LeaderSHIFT “save the dates” for the year 2024 are....

Daring Justice:
Uniting in Dialogue and Reflection, with Jane Dawson.

  • This six-session exploration will meet 1-4pm, Thursdays, beginning Feb 15, and closing on April 25. Details and registration will be posted to LeaderSHIFT's website soon.



Stewardship Webinar:
Narrative Budgets, Tuesday, January 23, 1 pm.

  • As you prepare for the annual meeting of your community of faith, come and learn the practice and wisdom of creating a narrative budget, to communicate more effectively the ministry and mission of your congregation. Offered by Vicki Nelson, Community of Faith Stewardship Support, and LeaderSHIFT. Registration for this free webinar will be available early in the new year.



Anti-Racism Work and Action
First Third Ministry Leadership Conference runs April 4-6, 2024 onsite at Vancouver School of Theology.



GUATEMALA PILGRIMAGE
for Ministry Leaders: NEW DATES – August 2-12, 2024.

May you be blessed with energy, creativity, and joy this coming week… and then have time to rest and savour the gifts of the season! You have surely earned it, and your efforts are appreciated by so many.
 
Faithfully,

Michelle

Advent of Generosity! An invitation to Explore Stewardship Resources For In Advent and Christmas

 

Hello Friends,

The great poet, writer and artist Jan Richardson writes,


“We all carry a cave, a hidden place within us, into which God longs to be born.  Advent is a season to enter that place, to turn inward and encounter Love’s presence who seeks to emerge through us.”


One of the many gifts of Christian community is offering a place, and practices, to allow Love to emerge, to be embodied in the world, through us and our ordinary lives.

Advent and Christmas can be a time to invite generosity or deeper participation in those who are already part of our community of faith. And, it’s an opportunity to tell seekers and visitors about our ministry, and invite their support.  

You are invited to join Vicki Nelson, Community of Faith Stewardship Support, and me to explore ways community of faith leaders might engage such practices in their settings.

Advent of Generosity
Tuesday November 21, 2023
1pm Pacific / 2pm Mountain
Online Webinar, via Zoom

This (free) 60-minute session will share different ways to bring conversations of stewardship into Advent, Christmas Eve, and beyond. Full event details are on the LeaderSHIFT website here, or you can click right to the Advent of Generosity online registration form: forms.office.com/r/Q6syQnngNX

Hope you can join us!
Blessings on your Advent preparation,

Michelle