Friends,

As the Covid-19 new cases and positivity rates in the state and in Polk County are climbing, it becomes more and more apparent that we will be continuing online only worship into the Advent season.  While all of us would prefer to be able to be in person for this important season, we are underway with our planning at the church to make this a meaningful time.  Here are a few of the things that we are working on:

  • I am inviting each of you to read together this season the Advent devotional Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem: Daily Devotions for Advent and Christmas by Todd Outcalt. I think you will find the daily readings thought-provoking and inspiring, especially as you know that many other Aldersgate members are reading the book with you.  For those of you who choose to take the reading another step, each week there will be opportunities to discuss the reading in Zoom discussion formats.  The books have been ordered* and we want each person/family to have a copy of the book.   In order to be sure we have enough books we are asking that you call or email the church office to reserve a copy. Once the books arrive we will arrange for times that you can pick up a book or have one mailed to you.
  • During Advent we will be providing several times each week when you can stop by the church for individual prayer/refection times in the sanctuary. Masks and Social Distancing will be required and we will ask that you limit your time to 10-15 minutes.  We plan to have some guided readings or prayer mediations available.  Our goal is to provide you with some times of quiet contemplation in what is for many of us a sacred and special place.  The times during the week when the sanctuary will be open are still being identified.  A list of times will be available in upcoming newsletters.
  • This year we will be inviting each person, couple or family to make an advent wreath to use week in your home and especially during the time you watch the worship recording. We will be offering some ideas and suggestions in the next couple weeks about how you might assemble your own advent wreath, but I’ll give this much away now – it’s going to be very simple!  If you have 5 candles of any size, shape or color you have all the materials you will need.
  • We are working on several more ideas as well and will provide updates on those in upcoming newsletters.

 

I hope to see you soon,

Eric

*The cost of the Let Us Go Now to Bethlehem book is $10.  If you would like to make a gift towards the cost of a book, or make a gift towards the cost of books for others in the church, you are welcome to do that.  However, what we want is for every person/family to have a book.  Please plan to pick up a book, or have one mailed to you.