February: Generosity & Joy

Dear friends and members of RLC,

This past Christmas, our children presented the program, Sleepover at the Stable. In the program, the children played the parts of animals, present at the birth of Jesus.

In preparation for the program, the children received small banks and were invited to collect funds to buy animals for people around the globe through the ELCA Good Gifts initiative. The day of the Christmas program, the children were asked to place their filled banks in the manger: their gift to Jesus.

Several adult members of the congregation also participated and the result was beautiful! RLC was able to purchase 1 fish farm, 3 piglets, 1 goat, 6 flocks of chicks, 2 roosters, 1 hive of honeybees and 2 goats for our partners in Tanzania. Thank you, children, for leading us in this effort!

It was an example of the kind of generous, joy-filled activity that is at the heart of this congregation. Generosity and joy, however, do not always translate to “happy”.

There is great generosity in our sharing of our lives through discussion and prayer on Thursday nights at 6:30 as we reflect on the topics presented in the book by Brene' Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection. All are welcome to attend; there will be three meetings this month: February 6, 13 and 20. For a list of the chapters being discussed each night, please see last month's blog.

Also, there is great generosity in the sharing of time, conversation and a meal as members participate in the Divine Intervention Homeless Ministries on behalf of us all. Hold all involved in this ministry in prayer and sign-up to help out as you are able.

The season of Lent begins this month on Wednesday the 26th. What we remember during this season is Jesus' generous gift of his very life. Following Jesus, we are invited to “spend” our lives in loving service to one another. This year, we will encourage acts of kindness as our spiritual discipline for Lent. Rather than giving up something for Lent, you will be invited to take on specific acts of kindness. Listen for more information as the month progresses.

The kind of generosity and joy that include a very happy celebration will be on full display on Sunday, February 23rd. RLC celebrates “Fat Sunday” on this day at a potluck meal following worship. All are welcome! Bring a dish to share and join in the festival celebration!

Visitors: if you want to speak with me more about this place, please contact me at [email protected] or at 262-930-2726. Members: watch out for each other. If someone has been absent for a while, reach out and check on them. Remember those who grieve: their pain and sorrow continues. You do not have to “say the right thing” but simply be present in love.

Peace, my friends,
​Pastor Mary

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