The Long Season of Longing

Hey folks – welcome to winter! Brrr…too much cold and dark! I think there’s something in this season that isn’t just to be endured, but to be explored for its power to stir our deepest places. It’s a time that can remind us of ways in which our longings for things like spring (is it too soon to mention that?) point to other great longings and help us keep our heads up and our hearts open to a Love that is bigger than all of that. We’ll explore that some more in the Talky Bit when we gather on Sunday.

Important Details:
-There will be no supervised Kids Table program this Sunday. Last week we had a banner crop of Littles running around (or maybe just plain running) the place, which is pretty awesome! I feel enormous gratitude for both the leaders and the parent volunteers that help care for our young ones. Thank you! And in advance, for the parents that will help keep their kids and our kids safe and occupied this week in the absence of that program, thank you.

-Kids Table Resources Project: Our Kids Table leaders are sometimes “out of pocket” for supplies. We would like to change that, and the people who work with the Littles have suggested that Dollarama (or similar) gift cards would be a good way to do that. So…if you want to encourage that team, feel free to bring a gift card to leave at the Giving Station at the back of our gathering space any time between now and Christmas. If you want a receipt for those gifts, leave them in an envelope with your name and address.

-Resources in General: A reminder that financial donations over this final month of the year are a critical part of our remaining financially healthy going into the sometimes lean months of January and February. Thanks to those who have already stepped up, and thanks in advance to those that still will. We sustain what we treasure, and I’m grateful to be part of a community that shares what it has.

-Christmas at The Table: Our “post-Christmas Christmas” gathering will take place on the evening of December 29th. We will share a potluck meal at 6:00 p.m. Plan to attend whether you feel like you have something you can bring to the potluck or not. We will share what we have, and will not go hungry. Our program will be at 7:00. If you want to dress up, go for it. If you don’t want to, don’t. Show up in your ‘jammies, for all I care. It’ll just be good to share the feast of good food and good company.

All of this will happen at Creative Manitoba (245 McDermot Avenue, 4th floor). We’ll make sure there is a pot of hot coffee or water for tea, some snacks of uncertain but tasty provenance, and a warm space in which to explore what we believe.

I’ll see you on Sunday.
Peace
Tim Plett