As we discussed last Sunday, Luke uses the Greek verb sumballo συμβάλλω, (which is usually translated pondering) to describe Mary's internal process as she brings Jesus into the world. As I suggested in my Advent blog, "Sumballó/pondering is not linear. It’s a winding journey from present, to past, and back to present. It involves remembering, feeling, thinking things through, tossing them together, and listening for the voice of the Holy- all while cultivating hope for the future." And so we continue our spiritual practice of pondering in the Non-Canonical Gospel of James with young Mary, who has taken on a very special sewing project for the temple. As she is immersed in her important and time consuming work, things get more than a little weird. Join us this Sunday as we continue our pondering with James' midrash of Mary trying to make sense of the ordinary and the extraordinary in her young Jewish life. I look forward to being with you for  "Stay, Wait, There’s Something On The Horizon: Pondering (Sumballó:συμβάλλω) With Mary the Restless Weaver (From the Non-Canonical Gospel of James)"  Don't forget to bring your communion elements to worship so we can share holy communion. I look forward to being with you for Zoom and Live-Stream as we ponder and journey through Advent together. -Rev. Jeanne

Join us on Zoom, or by phone (audio only): (669) 900-6833 or join us here for the sermon live stream.

On the first Thursday of each month our Transitions group gathers on Zoom from 10:30-12:00. We provide a safe place- a circle of love, support, and wisdom for everyone who is in transition. Some of us are in places of not knowing about health and family issues, some are on cancer journeys, some have lost jobs, are having financial struggles, are grieving the loss of loved ones, or just trying to find the ground after the trauma of the pandemic. We have a covenant of confidentiality with one another and use poetry (Currently Jan Richardson's book "Blessings in times of Grief") as a container and talk about how the Divine is present and moving in our lives. And we do it  in a very ecumenical openhearted way- so no matter what your spiritual background (or not) you are welcome to join us. Rev. Jeanne leads this group and offers gentle group care and guidance for our conversations. Please contact us via the form on the contact page of the website if you are interested in attending or have questions.  We are grateful to have this ministry opportunity to offer the big-hearted journey support that is one of our core strengths at UCH.  

P.S. This is safe, welcoming space for lgbtqia+ folkx.   

We will continue our series about overlooked and underrated women in scripture during Advent through the lens of Mary's wisdom and memory. Luke tells us she pondered things in her heart as they unfolded. Sumballó/pondering is not a linear process. It's a winding journey from present, to past, and back to present. It involves remembering, feeling, thinking things through, tossing them together, and listening for the voice of the Holy- all while cultivating hope for the future. What did Mary toss together in her heart and mind? What did she ponder as things unfolded? Who and what did she remember? What did she struggle with or hold close? My suspicion is that one of the things Mary remembered and pondered was the wisdom of the women who were formative in her life, who prepared her with their love, stories, and strength to give birth to the light of Christ that was now appearing on her life;s horizon. So on this 1st Sunday of Advent we begin our journey by pondering the story of Mary's mother Anna from the non-canonical Infancy Gospel of James.. Anna has quite the story to tell as Mary appears on her horizon. Join us for .Stay, Wait, There’s Something On The Horizon: Pondering (Sumballó:συμβάλλω) With Mary Through the Season of Advent as Mary Ponders the Memory of Her Mother Anna. I look forward to being with you on Zoom and Live-Stream for this unique Advent conversation. -Rev. Jeanne

Join us on Zoom, or by phone (audio only): (669) 900-6833. or join us here for the sermon live stream.