Christians have lots of opportunity for fresh starts.  Along with the rest of the world, we can make New Year’s resolutions. But we also get a fresh start at the beginning of the church program year. Each September our Christian formation programs (for both children and adults) start anew, as do ministries like Food For Friends and Youth Group. Episcopalians get yet another fresh start late in January when we have our Annual Meeting—a chance to endorse the parish’s budget and elect lay leaders.

But the truest fresh start for Christians around the world comes in late autumn. Here in the U.S., it almost always occurs at the end of our long Thanksgiving weekend. Hence, it’s a drowsy Sunday that goes unacknowledged anywhere except in the liturgy of the church, and if we miss that particular Sunday, even Christians would probably neglect it.

It’s called the First Sunday of Advent and it begins the countdown to Christmas.

As such, it inaugurates the first of the sacred periods of the church’s annual calendar. Around the world and throughout the centuries, Christians have meditated on Jesus’ life. Special seasons echo his birth, or certain distinctive moments in his ministry, or the final week of his life, his resurrection, and the birth of the church following his ascension.

Without a doubt, Advent and Christmas are the most fun. Accordingly, they have been adopted by western culture independent of the church—so much so that we now worry that these seasons are too commercialized and secularized. The themes of joy, hope for a more peaceful and gentle world, of generosity and lightness of heart are well known to all of us. It’s my hope that everyone attached to Church of Our Saviour will once again find the upcoming season to be warmed by these good things. My prayer is that the traditions of every one of our households once again brim with an abundance that can’t be bought or tinseled up, but that come from hearts open to the magic and mystery of life. The pages of this edition of the parish newsletter will remind you of the various ways that your friends at Church of Our Saviour will once again intertwine with your holiday plans. Tradition always looms large here in your parish church, but never more so than the darkening days that lead up to Christmas.

At the same time, it is a moment for new beginnings. As your rector, I am always interested in renewing my sense of commitment to the parish and to the many different people who make it up. As a reminder to everyone, I’ve been at Our Saviour for over 10 years. But most of that was as an assistant (and one who worked only 1/3 time). I’m still getting to know you all as rector and chief pastor. In this new year I am all the more

interested in getting to know the various households that make up this church. Although the holiday season itself may be too busy with many other activities, please know that I am happy to meet members of the parish in your homes, at your places of business, or in any other environment you like… even at church. We are launched on a new relationship of rector and people and have many years to build on the foundations already set. I look forward to a new season with you all and a fresh start at becoming parish community together.

Blessings of the season.

Brian