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Peace to Bring Healing

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." -- Colossians 3:15a

Advent begins with an observance of peace.

This year the World Methodist Council is calling on Christians to join together in this Adventure in a fervent prayer for peace.

In the many resources offered on the council's Web site at www.WorldMethodist.org, Boris Trajkovski, president of the Republic of Macedonia and a Methodist pastor, says, "If you want peace, live righteously and work for justice."

As churches celebrate the first Sunday in Advent, they will probably notice that it falls very close to World AIDS Day on Dec. 1.

For people living with HIV/AIDS, and for us all, peace is more than the absence of war. It is Shalom "“ the presence of the wholeness of God.

Advent may seem like an odd time to focus on issues like AIDS, but according to the Rev. Donald Messer, of the General Board of Church and Society, "Advent proves to be a perfect time to demonstrate that religious belief is not simply liturgy without meaning or ritual without substance."

In the past 25 years, AIDS has killed 27 million people, infected another 33.2 million, and left 16 million AIDS orphans struggling to survive. Christians are awakening to the crisis and searching for ways to put their faith into action.

To support the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund, give to Advance #982345. Make checks payable to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and include the Advance number on the check. Checks can be dropped in church collection plates.

This Advent, we join together to sing, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."

Offering Christmas hospitality

Christmas Eve can bring an influx of new worshippers, allowing for outreach to the community within the church walls.

Here are a few tips to maximize your Christmas Eve hospitality:

• Literally walk into your church with the mind-set of a newcomer. Are things easy to find? Is there signage to direct you? Is there a place to drop off small children? What might encourage you to come back?

• Take extra care with the bulletin, or have an insert that details the church's ministries. Give newcomers a reason to want to come back. Newcomers might be more comfortable with initially getting involved in service projects or yard sales. This will allow them to meet church members and possibly get more connected in the future. Don't assume your audience knows where the "fellowship hall" is located or what the council chair's name and contact information is.

• The two minutes following the service are most crucial. If a newcomer isn't approached by anyone in that time, they will leave. Remind your congregation before Christmas Eve that everyone needs to participate in approaching new people "“ not just the greeters at the door.

• Set up a welcome table in the back if you don't already have one. Send new worshippers home with a bag of goodies that is informative and fun. This also allows for dialogue with an involved church member that can answer questions.

• Try something new. Some community members only attend church on Christmas and Easter. If you have your regular lineup of Christmas carols and the same standard Christmas Eve message, think about doing something different and creative this year.

Think of ways to make worship more interactive and applicable for the average person. Christ came to be in our hearts, not for us to watch as spectators.

Joy points us Godward

Amid all the decking of halls for the Christmas season, it's easy to get caught up in the need to feel happy. 'Tis the season, after all. But happiness can be a fleeting emotion tied to external things. For Christians, Christmas is a time to sing about joy.

Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God. The 15th century mystic Julian of Norwich said, "The greatest honor that you can give to Almighty God "¦ is to live joyfully because of the knowledge of his love."

According to Mother Theresa of Calcutta, "Joy is prayer. Joy is strength. Joy is love. Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."

Unlike happiness and pleasure, joy is something we can claim. Even amid some of life's darkest moments, Christians can decide to be joyful people. Placing themselves in God's care, they can reach out to others "“ loving their neighbors as themselves.

Joy requires us to live in the moment. To recognize that life is a gift and that we are called to participate in God's love.

When you become the Gospel, joy follows.

Joy is a deep thing. Joy is a shared thing. Joy is born in grace and grows in hope.

The poet Maya Angelou said, "When you wish someone joy, you wish them peace, love, prosperity, happiness ... all the good things."

This Advent, churches can share this gift of joy with their members by also acknowledging that Christmas can be a time for the blues. Insisting on merriment is not always the faithful response "“ but offering joy is.

Look at your season's celebrations and reflect upon how joy is reflected in the wisdom you share, the way you behave and the service you offer.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

"Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star, the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love."

-- Lucinda Franks

Creating hope through ministry

Christmas is a time for churches to become more engaged in the church community as people come for the worship services. Here are a few ideas for the Advent and Christmas season that might help you and your congregation create a truly joyous Noel.

• Recruit a larger welcoming committee. With holidays comes an influx of patrons and visitors to church. Create a group of Advent Greeters to be ready to welcome members, new and old, to your place of worship during the holiday season.

•Organize a caroling night. Meet with the music director and inform the congregation of a time and place where all can come together to sing the songs of the holidays. You can either go door to door, or just pick a time, perhaps before, during or after a Sunday service, to get everyone's voices singing.

• Create "Greatest Gift" trees for display. On multicolored pieces of paper have congregation members write little stories about some of their favorite Christmas memories. Turn the pieces of paper into ornaments, which can then be used to decorate trees or areas around the social hall.

• Host a Christmas potluck/recipe swap. One of the best ways to socialize and enjoy the company of others during the season is to pick a Sunday after church to have everyone in the congregation bring a favorite holiday dish, along with a friend who has never before come to the church. Tell everyone to bring in copies of the recipes so that people can take them home.

• Hold a Christmas card writing party for out-of-area members. For members who are traveling abroad, serving in the military, have moved away or are just unable to come home for the holidays, host a party to write and send them notes to remind them they are thought of throughout the season.