[st uriel's] St Uriel's Community Liturgy Dates and Information for December

[Tim Mansfield]

Hi folks,

As we enter the month of December we enter a solemn period of the  
ecclesiastical calendar called Advent, a term that means "coming". In  
Advent we deliberately enter a period of quiet, preparation and  
contemplation as we wait for the coming Incarnation of the Light at  
Christmas. As we count through the days of Advent a sense of  
anticipation grows – symbolised by the old tradition of Advent  
calendars, on which each day has a window behind it which can be  
opened to reveal a new picture (or these days, chocolate).

In the Northern hemisphere this festival overlaps with the natural  
approach of midwinter and the old Pagan Yule festival, so the coming  
of the Light is also the passing of the darkest days of Winter and the  
literal coming of the longer, brighter days of Spring. For us in the  
Southern hemisphere and particularly in our temperate climate, we  
often welcome the relief of cooler weather instead.

One of the distinctive marks of the Gnostic liturgical year is that we  
place more emphasis on the Incarnation than on the Passion – we take  
greater delight in the Bridegroom's arrival than His torture and  
death. I'd like to invite you this year rather than merely bemoaning  
the increasing commercialisation of Christmas, to take the opportunity  
to use this Advent season as a period of increasing reflection, to  
take the opportunity for charity where it presents itself, and to  
prepare for the Incarnation of the Very Word as the Christ descends to  
take up His throne in your heart in the place where He has always been.

Here's a list of the major dates, intentions, readings at services at  
St Uriel's over the season. Especially note Saint Philip K Dick day on  
Dec 16 and the Agape Feast planned for Dec 23.

2 Dec - Advent Sunday
Intent: Seeking the Light
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect001.htm

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy at St Uriel's with meditation. All  
welcome. Liturgy followed by tea and discussion of some of the ideas  
in "Inner Christianity" by Richard Smoley.

9 Dec - 2nd Sunday in Advent
Intent: The God Within
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect003.htm

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy at St Uriel's with meditation. All  
welcome. Liturgy followed by tea and discussion of some of the ideas  
in "Inner Christianity" by Richard Smoley.

16 Dec - 3rd Sunday in Advent; Saint Philip K Dick Day
Intent: Recognition of the Messenger
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect005.htm

Service: 7pm - Logos Liturgy. One of St Phil's core ideas was that in  
the modern world, the Divine sneaks into the world through discarded,  
ignored aspects of manifestation, through the trash. So to celebrate  
St Phil's Day, I'm asking everyone to bring along some glittery  
rubbish to dress the chapel for the day. Something shiny or garish,  
feel free to drop into a bargain shop and buy some really tacky  
religious paraphenalia. Don't spend more than $20. We'll dress the  
chapel together and share some ideas about the ways the Divine is  
hidden where we least expect Her.

23 Dec - 4th Sunday in Advent and The Incarnation
Intent: Nature of the Redeemer
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect007.htm

To cater for people who will be out of town and visiting with family  
(including me!), on this Sunday we will also celebrate:
25 Dec - Nativity of the Divine Light, Christmas Day (http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect009.htm 
)
27 Dec - St John The Beloved

Service: 7pm - Agape Feast. An early church tradition in which the  
members of the community celebrate their bond as a community and their  
union with the Divine. We'll share a meal, say some old prayers  
adapted from ancient church practice and simply be with each other for  
the last time in the year. I'm asking everyone to bring along a  
vegetarian dish you've cooked yourself, something you poured some love  
into.

Please make a special effort to set this evening (and some time to  
cook!) aside. Bring a friend, especially someone you think could use  
some company.

Rev Mr Tim's Weeks Off

I'm off to Queensland for some downtime and visiting with family and  
old friends. I'll be back in the first week of January. I may be back  
in time for Epiphany - it's a significant day, so I'd like to be, but  
we'll be driving home from Brisbane, so it's hard to be sure. I'll do  
my best to send an email out closer to the day.

Here's the readings and intentions for those weeks just in case.

30 Dec - First Sunday After Christmas
Day of General Thankgiving
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect167.htm

6 Jan - The Epiphany
Intent: Divine Guidance
Readings: http://gnosis.org/ecclesia/lect013.htm

This is a great time of year to make it along to a Sunday liturgy and  
start or re-establish your connection to the St Uriel's community.  
Whether or not you're able to join us during this time, please accept  
my prayers and good wishes for you and your family and friends over  
the Christmas season.

With Love,

Rev Mr Tim Mansfield
Lay Leader, St Uriel the Archangel Gnostic Community
Apostolic Johannite Church

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