A Word from Dean

Dear Western Friends, 

Advent has arrived! It is the season that begins a new Christian liturgical calendar (Year B assigned readings, to be exact) and calls us to both reflect somberly on our own faithfulness – like Lent, and to celebrate exuberantly in the promised coming of the Baby Jesus, our Savior.  

The mixed feelings of repentance and delight, added along with the pressures and pleasures of the secular celebrations can be overwhelming, can’t they? And if one associates the season with sad experiences like grief, the emotional load can become too much. I understand more and more people are choosing to travel at Christmas to try to avoid the sad feelings or the pressures.  

My hope is that our Advent worship services will be a time when you can sit and soak up the wonder of God’s promises and let go of external cares. If you are following the readings in the Advent Calendar you received in the mail, I hope those times will be calming and uplifting, too.  

Should you be finding it hard to cope, reach out and let’s set up a time to talk. At Western you are not alone. Indeed, let’s not forget that God’s love always surrounds us, and the Holy Spirit strengthens us.  

Blessings, 

The Rev. Dr. Dean McDonald, 

Bridge Pastor