Thursday Morning Moment 11.12.15

After a long hiatus, I am emerging to post my Thursday Morning Moments to the Parish--and perhaps other things as they occur. __________________________________________________________________________ Much of my lighter reading material is full of positive and healthy admonitions.  Sometimes, they are actually comforting, like the article I read yesterday in the News and Observer that advised readers that fall comes with a list of things that make us healthier.  (http://www.newsobserver.com/living/health-fitness/article43727730.html)  One of those is better sleep!  The cooler temperatures and earlier darkness work together to help us rest more deeply and for a longer time.  Another factor in fall is the energy it gives us--the sense of an exciting new beginning.  Every fall, I am still transported to my years of school and college and graduate school.  I think that is why I always used academic calendars that started in September; they corresponded with my delight in fresh, unmarked date books. a few new items of clothing, and always the adventures of new books.  Fall was always like turning over--literally- a new leaf. We are racing through November; especially since answering God's Call, my excitement over new beginnings has shifted slightly from September to Advent.  For one thing, that is when the Liturgical Desk Calendar begins. For another, there are so many wonderful contemplative books which focus on Advent.  Since I have been here, I have used a Google Calendar, and I will continue since it is helpful not only to Peggy, but also for the prompts that appear on my telephone.  This year, I am also going back to the written calendar as a back up.  It has been on top of my computer for several weeks, calling to me with its unfilled lines and boxes.  It lets me see time in a more full way than just the week at a glance I see on my computer or the day on my cell phone: fewer trees and more forest. My mother's mother was all about "turning over a new leaf." My misbehavior was endlessly followed by her grace, as I did that at least as often as the opportunities we are given to think about it during the seasons of the church.  We are not yet to Advent, but Mark's spare and unstinting language sets us up for the Lectionary choices that will come with the new liturgical year.  Advent is a time to prepare for both arrivals of our Lord and Savior- the coming of the Christ Child to a stable in Bethlehem and the Second Coming that is promised.  As we face Grace with repentance, the corresponding lightness we feel with a blank slate ahead of us is compelling and joyful. As the New Zealand Prayer Book evokes in the service of Night Prayer, "What has been done has been done. What has been left undone has been left undone. Let it be."  May the energy and rest provided by these lovely temperate days and cool nights prepare you to celebrate Advent; the turning over of a new leaf awaits. All my love, Janey+  Much of my lighter reading material is full of positive and healthy admonitions.  Sometimes, they are actually comforting, like the article I read yesterday in the News and Observer that advised readers that fall comes with a list of things that make us healthier.  (http://www.newsobserver.com/living/health-fitness/article43727730.html)  One of those is better sleep!  The cooler temperatures and earlier darkness work together to help us rest more deeply and for a longer time.  Another factor in fall is the energy it gives us--the sense of an exciting new beginning.  Every fall, I am still transported to my years of school and college and graduate school.  I think that is why I always used academic calendars that started in September; they corresponded with my delight in fresh, unmarked date books. a few new items of clothing, and always the adventures of new books.  Fall was always like turning over--literally- a new leaf. We are racing through November; especially since answering God's Call, my excitement over new beginnings has shifted slightly from September to Advent.  For one thing, that is when the Liturgical Desk Calendar begins. For another, there are so many wonderful contemplative books which focus on Advent.  Since I have been here, I have used a Google Calendar, and I will continue since it is helpful not only to Peggy, but also for the prompts that appear on my telephone.  This year, I am also going back to the written calendar as a back up.  It has been on top of my computer for several weeks, calling to me with its unfilled lines and boxes.  It lets me see time in a more full way than just the week at a glance I see on my computer or the day on my cell phone: fewer trees and more forest. My mother's mother was all about "turning over a new leaf." My misbehavior was endlessly followed by her grace, as I did that at least as often as the opportunities we are given to think about it during the seasons of the church.  We are not yet to Advent, but Mark's spare and unstinting language sets us up for the Lectionary choices that will come with the new liturgical year.  Advent is a time to prepare for both arrivals of our Lord and Savior- the coming of the Christ Child to a stable in Bethlehem and the Second Coming that is promised.  As we face Grace with repentance, the corresponding lightness we feel with a blank slate ahead of us is compelling and joyful. As the New Zealand Prayer Book evokes in the service of Night Prayer, "What has been done has been done. What has been left undone has been left undone. Let it be."  May the energy and rest provided by these lovely temperate days and cool nights prepare you to celebrate Advent. The turning over of a new leaf awaits. All my love, Janey+ 

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