Nazareth Protestant Community
December 3, 2015
As we move through this second week of Advent, I'm having a hard time with it's theme: peace. In this year alone there have been 355 mass shootings in our country. That's more mass shootings than there are days! It is hard to see peace when blood runs down city streets.
But a child was born in the room where the animals were kept, and he would be known as the prince of peace. Yet even this little prince would not be spared from the horror and violence of this world, as a jealous and evil ruler, Herod, ordered the massacre of all of Bethlehem's baby boys aged 2 and under. As blood ran down the streets of Bethlehem, Jesus and his family fled as refugees to Egypt where they would wait out the carnage and the reign of Herod.
The violence of today is not new. That there are people who pick up guns and shoot others is not new. That there are wars that make refugees of millions of people is not new. That we live in a world desperate for peace...that too is not new.
So what do we do? How do we hold the peaceful "silent night" of Christmas together with the chaos and evil of this world?
Advent is a season of tension. It is a season of waiting and expectation. It is a season of hope. Advent asks us to stop and look at our world and all of the ways in which it so desperately needs saving. How are we called to participate in the work of bringing peace?
This week we will welcome Rev. Dr. William Wilkinson to Protestant Worship where he will share a message about peace and how we are called to be peacemakers. It's an evening not to be missed!
Peace is not something we wait for. Peace is something we hold within us and something we work to bring about. Your challenge is to find ways in which you can bring and be peace in a troubled world.
Peace,
Nadia
Upcoming in Worship
Weekly services are held Sunday nights at 8:30 pm in Linehan Chapel. Note that the final service for the semester will be December 13th, 2015.
All are welcome. You are welcome to enjoy food and fellowship following the service.
This week, Reverend Dr. William Wilkinson, will be the featured speaker. The topic will be, "Why does Peace Matter". Dr. Wilkinson is the Pastor/Teaching Elder of Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he began his faith journey in the American Baptist tradition. He was a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War under the guidance of the Quakers.
His career path to the ministry has been diverse- ranging from academics, in medicine as an hematologist/epidemiologist, in public health and as a sheet metal worker. Dr. Wilkinson resides in Webster, NY with his wife Sherrie. They have three school-age children and seven that are adults. The family shares a mission focus on peacemaking and enjoy the outdoors in their leisure.
For the December:
12.6 - Guest speaker - Rev Dr. William Wilkinson- "Why Does Peace Matter?"
12.13 - Final Vespers for Fall- Rev. Nadia Mullin "Why does Home Matter?"
Holiday Party- You are Invited!!!
Rev Nadia Mullin's House
4:30 to 6:30pm
Celebrate Christmas and relax over good food and fun at the end of the semester.
Bring a white elephant gift (Something you already have, or could make) to exchange.
All are welcome, but please RSVP to nmullin7@naz.edu.
If you need a ride or have dietary restrictions, please let us know. Looking forward to seeing/meeting you!
Divine Doughnuts
Tuesdays @ 9:15AM in GAC 151
Coffee. Sprinkles.Prayer
Joint weekly gathering of the Nazareth Catholic and Protestant Communities
Weekly Quaker Worship!
Thursdays at 8 pm in the Meditation Room in GAC. All are welcome to join us for Quaker worship.
Prayer, Reflection, and Exploration
Spring Break service retreat to Clairvaux Farm! March 6-12, 2016
Who will we be serving? Deep Roots at Clairvaux Farm is a community that aims to serve children and families affected by homelessness and poverty. They provide transitional housing, educational opportunities, and spiritual support to families in need.
What will we be doing? We will provide support by completing necessary construction and clean-up projects and interacting with Clairvaux residents. We also take a day to explore Washington D.C. and meet with representatives from the National Coalition for the Homelessness.
If you are looking for a way to engage your faith and serve in the spirit of Christ over this spring break, I encourage to come and by and pick up an application at GAC 164 or to email nmullin7@naz.edu to get an electronic application. This is a life changing opportunity to serve others and live in community for a week.
Naz Christian Fellowship (NCF)
Here's the final event for the Fall 2015 semester:
12/9 Christmas Party - cookie decorating!
NCF also offers rides to three local churches. If you are interested in getting a ride to church contact Nadia at nmullin7@naz.edu
"NCF is a community that welcomes and supports one another by modeling Christ in service to others."
Question(s) of the week-
November 22nd's question was:
How do you show thanks?
Answers given were:
Showing love, giving hugs and saying thanks.
November 29th's question was:
All I want for Christmas Is...?
Answers given were:
Peace and restfulness, being home, my two front teeth, a hippopotamus, energy, food and love
Most popular answer: SLEEP
Local Church Connections
About Us
Email: nmullin7@naz.edu
Website: https://www.facebook.com/NazarethCollegeProtestantWorship
Location: 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, United States
Phone: 585-389-2306
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NazarethCollegeProtestantWorship