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A Christmas Season Meditation
O God, a great and holy mystery surrounds this scene. A manger in a stable. A mother named Mary lying on her back, thoroughly exhausted after giving birth to a child on a hoof-packed dirt floor. A man named Joseph, pacing anxiously back and forth, relieved the dangerous ordeal is over, thankful that mother and child are both alive and well. A newborn infant, red and shriveled, crying out from the bewilderment of his passage from mother to world.
He is…You are…Emmanuel. God with us.
O God, at this scene before us, we gaze in utter amazement. A spirit, an energy, a light radiates outward from this odd yet beautiful drama of human birth in a smelly animal stall. For in the lowliness and poverty of it, we discern the holy mystery of Your presence.
We sense, we feel…You. Almighty God. Spirit That Moved Over The Waters. I Am Who I Am. Strong Deliverer. Holy One Bigger Than Life Itself.
And now…tiny infant. Wiggling and crying.
O God, this event is joyous yet confusing.
For how are we to relate to You now? You, who create space, stars, earth, and seas. You, who create life itself, breathing and pulsating. You, in whom we live and move and have our being. You, who drops us to our knees and takes our breath away in awe. You, who transcend space and time itself. In this miraculous event called Christ’s birth, we sense that we have all become a Mary or a Joseph to the child You have become. Quite suddenly, You, Creator of the Universe, have birthed Yourself into our trembling arms, and have entrusted Yourself into our care.
How can we comprehend such a thing? Infinite Glorious Mighty God. Provider and Protector. You have gone and reversed roles on us! You hold the entire universe in Your hands, while at the same time, we hold You close to our hearts and let You nestle Your soft head on our shoulders.
Rock of Ages, it is now we who must feed You and keep You warm and secure. We who must rock You in our arms and reassure You with soft lullabies. We who must provide You with a safe and quiet resting place where You may sleep peacefully. We who must bend our ears to Your cries of distress and run to Your side when You need us.
We, who are weak and vulnerable and completely dependent upon You, now find You, among the weakest and most vulnerable, completely dependent upon us.
God of the Highest Heavens, by coming to us in the flesh and the blood, by making each one of us a Mary or a Joseph to You, Holy Child, You have transformed our very lives. You have stretched our imaginations far beyond the limits of human logic. You have awakened a nurturing love so deep within us that we ache with desire to love You. To hug You and kiss You. To feed You and change You. To empty ourselves and offer you permanent room in the depths of our souls, so you may dwell within us forever.
O God, You have come to us. You have come to be with us, dependent, vulnerable, weak, small, and in need, that we may notice You, be attentive to You, and open our hearts to You in a new way.
O God, within whom we are born, and who is born to us and within us and for us, Your name be blessed forever. Amen.
Tom
FROM THE DEACONS
The Board will lose Steve Domingue and Jim Howicz this year. We greatly appreciate their many contributions and look forward to their continued participation in other activities and Boards in the years ahead.
On our agenda for 2008 are:
-- Friendship Dinners (be in touch with Andria Miner or Betty Bodman if you would like to attend or host) coming up January 19 and February 23
-- Matching drivers and those who need rides to church (see sign-up in Fellowship Hall).
-- Easter Sunrise Service on Mt Bonnell, March 23
-- Providing in-care support for our candidates for UCC ordination -- Will Heimbach, Jack Harris-Bonham, and Dan Nieto
-- Welcoming visitors and supporting those in our congregation who need care, and
-- Planning for an arts-focused Spring Retreat at Slumber Falls Camp, April 11-13. Put it on your calendar now, and expect to see more soon.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Many thanks to all who worked on the December 16th production of the annual children's Christmas pageant. Once again, it was a triumph! The pageant told the story of "The Little Drummer Boy." Care-giver Melissa McFerrin and her daughter Lillie Alvarado were the mother and daughter sharing the story. Bringing it to life were Giovanni Fracasso as the little drummer boy, Emily Howicz as the wise woman, Savanna Tucker as Mary, Megan Goff as the sidekick, Cameron Goff as Ben, the bad guy, Stella Fracasso as Baabaa the lamb, Harrison Tucker as a cow, Tess Howicz as Goliath the camel, Isabella Dietz as an angel, Francesca and John Dietz as horses, and Jacob Alvarado as a soldier.
CHILDREN'S CORNER
The children have been very busy getting ready for the pageant. We have enjoyed art projects and building with blocks. The children still ask for play-doh every Sunday. Snack is also becoming more popular and is asked for consistently.
MEN'S BOOK CLUB
Our January meeting will be the time we choose our books to read for 2008.
All are welcome, and we invite you to join us at the home of Dave Ross, 6705 Lexington Road, at 7:30 on the evening of Wednesday, January 16.
SAVE THE DATE(S)
Information has come to the office about the CROP Walk for 2008.
The dates will be:
Saturday, March 1st; registration at 9:30 am with the walk beginning at 10:00 am
Sunday, March 2nd, registration at 1:45 pm with the walk beginning at 2:30 pm.
The walk will take place at the Roy Guerrero Colorado River Park at 8200 Grove Dr.
If you want more information you can contact Amy Prichard Tutt at 386-9145 Ext 11 or e-mail her at atutt@aaim.org
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
John and Eleanor Towery have a new address as of December 20. They have moved to:
Parsons House
1130 Camino la Costa, Apartment 116
Austin, TX 78752.
Daughter Mary was working with the phone company to keep the same phone number they have had for 50 years (453-1800). It is an assisted living place near their old home.
JANUARY BIRTHDAYS
1 Bob Breihan
3 Suzanne VanderPoel
18 Brad Ferguson
Betsy Ferguson
Paul Deisler
Kaitlyn Newell
22 Mary Masters
23 Danny Masters
28 Yoshikuni Kaneda
30 Robin Chapman
PERSONALS
by Pat Oakes
Robin Rosson and family would like to express their deep appreciation to members and friends of the church who contributed so generously to enable him to purchase a new cello to replace the one that was stolen from his music locker at Texas State in October. They feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and are so grateful for the love and care shown by our church family! Robin was able to purchase a beautiful handmade German cello by Rudoulf Doetsch, with an antique finish, which he is now playing with the trio on Sundays. Thank you!
Carol Burlinson responded to this month's news query by writing this with voice recognition software because her right hand was in a splint. She broke a finger in a fall on her driveway. She surely appreciates that her one handedness was temporary. Jake is doing his National Guard training in San Antonio and finished up mid-December; they were able to see him most weekends. They miss us and hope to get back to church again soon.
Former member Brita Jenquin, proud mama of an eighteen-month-old son, dropped us a note to say how much she enjoys the Visitor and the e-mails with photos. She is eager to see the renovations at the church, but that will have to wait. She also can't believe how much the kids are growing. Maryland is just too far from Austin! She says, " I miss you all -- while I know that you are very aware of this, the Congregational Church of Austin is a very unique community. I've found nice churches to attend in all of my moves, but nothing quite like y'all:-) I particularly miss the great Advent services this time of year. Please tell everyone I say hello." Consider it done, Brita!
We had a wonderful service of baptism on Sunday, December 9. Cora Gordon (Aunt Cora to Joe--and to all of us) and Joe McMillan were delighted to have a number of family members in attendance for the baptism of his godson and grandnephew, eighteen-month-old Jaiden Joseph (what a great choice for a middle name!) Farrow. Joe's niece Kaia and her husband Perry are the parents of Jaiden. Perry had to stay in New Jersey and work, but Kaia and Jaiden made the trip for this special occasion. Also joining in the celebration were Joe's sister Pam, grandmother of Jaiden, and Kaia's cousins Tabia Ellis and Maryam Krob (who came in from Michigan). Jaiden was a trifle alarmed when pastor Tom held him, but he--and Tom--did very well. In true McMillan style, Joe and the family hosted coffee hour with a delicious repast for one and all.
During the service and coffee hour we not only celebrated the baptism of Jaiden, but we bade a fond farewell to Carol Barrett. We won't be seeing as much as Carol as we have in the past few years while Carol has been working in San Marcos. She has accepted a position as planning manager for the city of San Gabriel, an inner ring city near Los Angeles. She will be near one family member, her mother-in-law Pat Barrett, who lives in Huntington Beach. Carol's husband Gary will be out there periodically as he commutes fairly often via LA to Indonesia on business. Carol will also be visiting here in Austin periodically, so it is not good-bye for good--but she will be sorely missed!
John and Eleanor Towery celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary on Sunday, December 9th. Eleanor has improved enough that she was able to come home from Buckner Villas for the day. The whole Austin-area family turned out. They ordered food from the Olive Garden and celebrated all day long. Eleanor has progressed to walking with a walker and is doing much better--so John is, too!
Faithful correspondent Rizer Everett has a new address. He moved in early December from Inglewood Estates in South Austin where he and his late wife Hildegard moved eight years ago. Ninety-one-year-old Rizer felt he was in need of more assistance, so , with the help of his daughter Dorothy Waldrip who came in from New Mexico, he has moved to the Summit in Northwest Hills at 5715 Mesa Drive, Apartment #112, Austin, TX 78731. His phone number is 512-323-2943. His son and daughter-in-law also came in from D.C. to help with hanging pictures and getting him settled in. Rizer says he feels good, is being fed well, and that the folks at the Summit are taking good care of him.
Lois and John Drachenberg had a great trip to Apopka, Florida, and then on to Miami over the Thanksgiving holidays. They were gone for two weeks and two days and Lois did just fine health-wise. They celebrated Thanksgiving with John's daughter Laurie Drachenberg who lives in Apopka. Laurie is the director of human resources for Starwood Resort Hotels. They visited in Lakeland and went by the Parke Davis plant where John used to work--and then drove on to Miami for 5 days. John worked for the YMCA in Miami between 1955 and 1959--did some work at Coral Gables High School at the exact same time Pat Oakes was in high school there. The. highlight of that part of the trip was visiting Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens. They really enjoyed their tour guide whose last name was Abell--John says he bore a distinct resemblance to our own Vic Appel.
Former members Steve and Jeanine Neuse (who now live in Arkansas) are back from their "ten planes flight" to Ouro Preto, Quito, and the Galapagos Islands. The Partners of the Americas conference was informative, interesting, and fun. They renewed their friendship with three Texans who partner with Peru. Quito was a fascinating city with many lovely churches. The B & B they stayed in was great for comfort and breakfast (fresh fruit and juices, smoothies, souffles, etc.) The building was beautifully remodeled for one million dollars. They traveled to the "center of the earth" and stood on either side of the equator. The Galapagos Islands was an incredible exploration of God's creation...although Darwin would disagree! They enjoyed their first cruise (94 people) and met some interesting people from all over the world. Jeanine's birthday was acknowledged by the crew. It was great to be back home and they were planning to be staying home for Christmas.
Mary Sinclair sent this note in mid-December from cold and snowy Canada. "We've had a bit of an eventful few weeks. Richard slipped on an icy step two weeks ago Tuesday and broke his left lower leg quite badly. He went out to call for Spirit (their fourteen -year-old dog who is suffering from dementia and sometimes gets lost in the back garden) when he took a misstep on the ice. I heard this mighty roar and found him sitting on the back step with his left foot pointing in the wrong direction. EMS came very quickly, considering we're in the boonies out here, and took him to the hospital 10 miles away. He had surgery the next day to put a whole lot of titanium "rebar" to support the bones which were broken in three places. He is now home and using a walker to get around very well. There is no cast on his leg; just dressings to cover the incisions. Full recovery will take 12 weeks but he's managing to get downstairs to his office using a crutch - you know Richard can't survive without his work! I've forgotten how much fun it is to live in the frozen north. It's a good thing he showed me how to use the new snow blower before his accident; we've had two big snowfalls since." The dog, Spirit, was Corliss Gaspari's dog, who was a much loved member of our church who died of cancer five years ago and for whom our church library is named. Get well soon, Richard!
Mel and Pat Oakes had a good Thanksgiving trip to North Carolina where they visited with Pat's widowed sister Sandra, her daughter Jennifer and son-in-law Randy and three grandchildren, and her foster sister Jean. Sandra's house burned to the ground in August, so there has been a great deal of dislocation and sorrow. Jennifer and Randy and the 3 kids were living with Sandra at the time, so two households were lost. While their two dogs died in the fire, no one else was home when it happened. In the midst of all of this, Sandra has fallen in love, so it was an opportunity to meet her new fiancé and visit with sister Nancy and her husband who came in from New York for the family gathering.
Rich and Jane Thompson are enjoying their life in Colorado. Rich, who served as interim pastor of our church twice, reports that the highs of 2007 for them were certainly not limited to the Rockies. They got as far Costa Rica on a mid-winter Elderhostel. But they managed to route themselves through Texas where they enjoyed a reunion with a number of friends from the church. They were also able to tell their television friends in Austin that both of them are now doing the local Interfaith Dialogue radio series, with Jane becoming Roz at the console, while I am a somewhat more serious host than Frasier. It was their second year to attend the 18th annual Literary Sojourn in Steamboat Springs, some three to four hours up the Cache La Poudre Canyon and over the Continental Divide. This year the featured authors included Austin's Amanda Eyre Ward, Luis Alberto Urea (whose the Men's Book Group was reading at the time), Jane Hamilton, known for her award-winning novel Ruth, and Michael Connelly whose newest book is Ireland . Last, but not least, Rich (who with Jane got our Church Ladies spelling team going almost 5 years ago) mentioned finding at the literary event Totally Weird and Wonderful Words, edited by Erin McKean and described as "A Whimsical Lexicographical Petting Zoo." He couldn't help but think of the Church Ladies when learning of "qualtagh," the first person you meet after leaving your house on a special occasion, or "nimptopsical," meaning drunk, or "dromaeognathous," having a palate like that of an emu.
The Howicz Family is thrilled to report that the Gold Canyon Candle fundraiser for the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program brought in $1,400! Their heartfelt thanks to everyone who bought candles and gave donations, and for all the outpouring of love and support toward the project.
The Deacons hosted a wonderful Advent lunch on Friday, Dec. 14, at the church. Florence Castle was in fine form as she played for the worship service which preceded the lunch. Attendees included Lois and John Drachenberg, Barbara Burnham, Betty Bodman, Dave and Sara Ross, Mel and Pat Oakes, Vic Appel, Jaime Hadley, Cathy Hubbs, Don MIles, George Carruthers and Marilyn Gaddis--all the way from San Marcos, Doyal and Tommie Pinkard, and Tom VandeStadt.
Cathy and Clark Hubbs reported that son John had come in from Tennessee and their daughter Laura and her daughter would also be visiting the 19th-22nd of December. Their plans were to spend Christmas with daughter Ann in Morgantown, West Virginia, flying via Pittsburgh.
Don Miles got more driving than he bargained for during his Thanksgiving travels. He drove to Boston by way of Washington, D.C. While in Boston attending an advisory board meeting on the design of a new museum planned for Gainesville, Florida, he and his daughter-in-law got word that her father had died. Her father, Dr. Robert Cade, was well-known for the invention of Gatorade. The museum is being planned to be a museum of science innovation, including the development of Gatorade, and will also showcase his collection of 164 Studebakers. His daughter-in-law flew home, but Don drove to Gainesville, stopping at a Walmart on the way to buy the cheapest suit he could find. When he arrived at the funeral, family members whom he did not know assumed that he was representing the funeral home. Don then drove back to Austin and was quite glad to be home.
Saturday afternoon, the 15th of December, a group of 20 went to the Paramount Theater to see a performance of Ballet Austin's "The Nutcracker." What was most exciting for all of us was to watch our own Michelle Thompson dance several roles in the classic Christmas ballet--the Dresden doll and the main flower in the "Waltz of the Flowers." Attendees included Alan Lippert and Andria Miner, Nodie Murphy, Joe McMillan and his two nieces and his great-niece, Mel and Pat Oakes, Robin and Tom, Zoe Castro and her friend Dave, Jim, Jen, and Emily Howicz, Jaime Hadley, Whit and Betty Bodman, and Rhys Ulerich (Michelle's rightfully proud husband). Most of the group adjourned for hot chocolate at the Driskill Hotel--very posh!
The Joyful Noise Orchestra was busy on Sunday, the 16th of December also. They rehearsed on the 16th and played after services on Sunday, the 23rd. Musicians included Nodie Murphy as director and flutist, Rambie Briggs on accordion, Dan Jeffery on guitar, Sara Ross on violin, Marilyn Vaché on viola, Jaime Hadley on soprano saxophone, and Andy Ross on oboe.
“Soup, Beautiful Soup!”
Periodically I am moved to make a testimonial. Here comes one now: I am so thankful to be blessed by the delicious soup that is the music of the Congregational Church of Austin. As Director of Music, I am the “stone” that is plunked into the pan.
Joining me in the pot is the “Do-It-Yourself” Choir. In addition to the devotion of singing in worship week after week, various members silently contribute to the music we create: Don Miles brings plastic sleeves for the music; tissues and cough drops miraculously show up (I think Dr. Briggs is somehow involved); Cathy Hubbs provides expertise in Latin and Spanish; Matt Blackstock slips pencils, sharpeners, and other offerings onto our plate; John Drachenberg posts a church calendar so we know which color stole to wear on any given Sunday; Sara Ross makes copies and transpositions of music; Dennis Murphy takes pictures of our performances; Sarah Gourlie helps organize the supplies; Fran Briggs, Hannah Norton, Zoe Castro, all choir folks faithfully bring refreshments in support of musical events.
This group of motivated, talented individuals worked intensively preparing to sing “Lux Aeterna” with the University Christian Church Choir. Amy Harris, our gifted singer and violinist, arranged for the string players who accompanied the work. Chester Rosson commuted from Crockett to sing with us (and even provided a black shirt on the spot for another choir member who needed one for the performance). I am grateful to the choir for having said “yes” to this artistic and interdenominational opportunity. All who sang this piece now carry the beauty of that work within them.
In October my daughter had a baby, so I was suddenly called away, but Barbara Burnham, our able back-up pianist, handled rehearsal and worship service that Sunday beautifully. Then I was sick and Barbara was gone, so Aaron and Sarah Gourlie prepared the choir for the worship service another Sunday. Norma Hawes has directed the choir during my absences in the past. Various choir and congregation members suggest music for us to sing and enjoy. We are so fortunate to have such depth of talent and musical interest in our small church.
Our trio is wonderful; I can ask for improvisation, original works, classical pieces, jazz numbers, nothing is beyond them. Their artistic maturity blesses me every Sunday. The “Congregation of Strings” concert in September was amazing. Aaron Carter-Cohn’s original pieces, plus contributions by Stephanie Phillips, and terrific performances by all the participants made me so joyful I couldn’t stop smiling for weeks!
Preparing for the Christmas Pageant: “The Little Drummer Boy,” I wondered what we would do for a drum? It so happens that our pianist has a drum. Who can play it? Robin Rosson, our cellist. Amy can play the finger cymbals while singing. When the “Joyful Noise Orchestra” played for Christmas, who could create parts for instruments that need transposed music? Sara Ross could and did.
“Worship Gifts” continue to surprise me—Beth Placek’s heart-felt dancing, Rambie Briggs’ moving rendition of Handel’s “Largo from Xerxes,” Emily Howicz’ flute offering, Jaime Hadley’s wonderfully entertaining saxophone quartet—how touching that these people are inspired to spend their time preparing and offering their gifts to us.
You can’t give a gift to someone who doesn’t want it. What a blessing to worship with a congregation whose members appreciate and accept these gifts, who show this by attending concerts and recitals, by contributing money to replace a cello, by kind words of encouragement, and by opening themselves up to be nourished by the delicious, beautiful soup that is our music ministry.
News from the Brazos Association
The National Youth Event, open to all United Church of Christ youth ages 13-18 along with their youth advisors and chaperones will be held Thursday through Sunday, July 24-28, 2008 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. This event, which is held every four years, provides about 3000 youth from UCC churches around the US an opportunity for worship, workshops, faith, fun, and fellowship. The Brazos Association has sent youth from our churches in the past, and the reviews have been good.
The Association has money set aside to give at least partial help with registration and travel costs. This year, registration is $345 per person, which includes accommodations and meals from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. Our South Central Conference representative in charge of coordinating this conference’s trip, Laurie Doyal-Lampman, is currently investigating ways for youth and adults from our conference to caravan or travel together to the event with the goal of building ties among our youth and adding to the fun and fellowship.
Registration opens in late February. I encourage all of our Association churches to start thinking now about how to send youth and to encourage kids to plan to go. In the meantime, I will be seeking more information about how people from our conference will be traveling to NYE, as well as talking with our Association Executive Board about making Association money available as our youth make plans to go. I invite you to contact me at liznash@austin.rr.com or at (512) 231-0045 if you or youth from your church are considering a trip to the National Youth Event. We need to know who is going to be able to distribute scholarship money from the Association and to make travel plans. For more information about the event itself, check the website postings at http://www.ucc.org/youth/nye/ and http://www.ucc.org/youth/nye/nye-frequently-asked.html.
Blessings in Christ,
Liz Nash, Associate Conference Minister, Brazos Association
The Return of the Friendship Dinners:
Last fall and spring many of us enjoyed meeting together for dinner in smaller groups at people's homes. The primary purpose of the gatherings is to build community and friendship. The groups of 6-10 people will change for each date. Hosts would provide (besides their home) a main course and would assign others to bring appetizers, salads, etc. If you don’t drive, we’ll help you find a ride. The dates for this season are: January 19; & February 23. We’ll have sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall and hope you can participate on at least one of the dates. Andria Miner, Betty Bodman
COFFEE HOUR
Please sign up in the Fellowship Room to be coffee hour hosts on an upcoming Sunday. The coffee hour time is such a good opportunity to visit old friends and meet visitors. We keep coffee and ginger ale and some punch fixings in the pantry in the kitchen. There are usually paper napkins, and we use coffee mugs and punch cups to avoid wasting natural resources. Your menu can be as simple or complicated as you want. Cookies and/or chips and salsa are just fine! If you have questions, talk to Pat Oakes, Tommie Pinkard, or Lynne Lemley.
Deadline for FEBRUARY VISITOR — January 18
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