“A voice cries out: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” (Isaiah 40:3)
Greetings, all! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
I’m writing this watching the snowplough go by on a snowy and windy Tuesday, thankful of the work that our county workers provide, and thankful and slightly frustrated for the snow which nourishes God’s Creation. The metaphor is a bit heavy-handed: preparing the highway for our God. Yet sometimes the season hits us with that blatant image. We celebrate the chance to prepare for a Christmas season, as altered as this year might be. There is a lot going on in our congregations right now that is this call to prepare lived out.
And some of us are even more keen, looking into the unknowns and possibilities of 2021, and planning and preparing to the best of our abilities. I want to thank the governing bodies of the congregations for all of the discerning and wisdom-sharing that is going into our preparing for next year.
I also want to thank my Lay Supervision Team for their insight and eagerness to prepare as well. As many of you know, my appointment to these churches is also an educational opportunity for me as I head to ordination. The Lay Supervision Team, among others, have encouraged and helped me discern how I might best serve these communities, and what programs or ideas can be offered further along into the winter and spring. Preparing also means constructive criticism, so if there are some ways that I can better serve, or any ideas you might want to offer and may not feel comfortable bringing them to me directly, you can let one of the Lay Supervision Team members know. This team includes Sharon Dalton and Nancy Roe from Blyth, and Beth Earl and Kathy Workman from Brussels.
Upcoming Events:
- Blyth United Church will be accepting food bank donations to go to the North Huron Food Share. Donations can be dropped off at the church on Saturday Dec. 5th and 19th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the same time as pie pick-up times. If you are not able to drop off donations on these dates, reach out to the church for alternate arrangements.
- Previous lesson and craft packages of our Youth Ministry from the past several weeks are still available for families to pick up or get delivered to them. Reach out to Alex for more details.
- We are currently determining a lay pastoral/visitation team to help make phone calls, deliver worship materials, and other pastoral needs for congregants going into the winter, ensuring that those who are more isolated are still connected to their church community. If you want to learn more about pastoral care, or if you are wanting to live out your discipleship in this way, reach out to Alex for more information!
- Brussels United Church will be putting on a static Live Nativity as part of the village’s Christmas Experience. This display will take place at the Mill in town from 6-8 p.m. For any questions, or if you want to help participate or set up, please contact Beth Earl (519-887-6401), or Alex.
- Our Christmas Eve service this year is going to happen on Zoom, as the Spiritual Growth Team and I figured this would be the easiest platform for us all to see each other and share in communion safely. Alex is preparing a couple of practice sessions for those who may not be comfortable with the technology. If you want to participate in a practice session, or want to partake but don’t have the technology, contact Alex.
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday December 5th – Drive-by Live Nativity at the Old Mill in Brussels from 6-8 p.m., as part of the Brussels Christmas Experience.
Sunday December 6th – Second Sunday of Advent Service available on Youtube.
Sunday December 6th – Online Youth Sunday School session from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Packages can be picked up outside of either church building. Contact Alex for more information.
Wednesday December 9th – Blyth Official Board meeting at Blyth United at 7 p.m.
Sunday December 15th – Third Sunday of Advent
Monday December 21st – Longest Night Time from 5-8 p.m. at Londesborough United Church. This is a quiet drop-by time of remembrance, grief, and hope. A short litany will be offered every half hour, and the space is open for all to sit, reflect, and light candles. Offered jointly by Brussels, Blyth, Londesborough, and Knox (Auburn) United Churches. Contact Alex for more information.
Blessings and Christ’s Peace be with you all!
Alex Jebson
Student Minister – Blyth and Brussels United Churches
Email: minister.brusselsandblythuc@gmail.com
Blyth Office Number: 519-523-4224
Brussels Office Number: 519-887-6259
Emergency Pastoral Number: call/text 705-344-3385
Feature Photo by Francois Olwage on Unsplash
Brussels & Blyth United Churches 