The Star in the Sky (and in your hand)

Biblically, it’s a little early to be talking about stars in the sky. We haven’t gotten to that part of the story yet; Epiphany isn’t for another couple weeks!

But as the days grow just a bit darker ahead of Saturday’s longest night, there is more time for the stars to show off their brilliance. In some areas, anyhow. From my often-foggy window in the middle of the city, the closest thing to stars that I see are houses and headlights.

When we visited the Wallowas, though, looking to the sky was well rewarded. Late one night we journeyed to the lakeshore where even tent lights did not cloud our vision. As soon as our headlamps clicked off, it seemed that the whole universe clicked on. It was both dizzying and breathtaking. We picked out different constellations, marveling at the particularly bright stars that helped our eyes navigate the star-dotted sky.

As I think on it now, I wonder what it would have been like to look to the sky above Bethlehem in these last days before Christ’s birth. The stars would have been magnificent in the Judean hill country, with just oil lamps and fires to dampen their appearance. I wonder if anyone else noticed that one particular star getting brighter as both the star and Mary’s time came near. I wonder if it alarmed anyone: it’s one thing to follow a star (as the story of the Magi goes), another thing to have a star coming toward to you!

To have a guiding star sounds rather nice: something always ahead of you, showing you the next steps of the journey.

This Sunday, the star won’t be in the sky but in your hand.

For a few weeks we’ve shared about the Draft Vision/Values Open House that the Vision Task Force will host this Sunday, December 22, from 11:30am -12:30pm in the Fireside Room.

There, you’ll find your star (stickers)!

Along with a set of star stickers, you’ll see a couple draft vision statements, a set of seven core values that we need to narrow down, and members of the Vision Task Force to chat with and offer feedback to.

At the open house you’ll use your star stickers to mark which of the seven core value options you think are especially important to our church. This can be a hard decision! We believe the values that have been chosen are faithful and fit the gifts and passions of our church, but we also know that there are a few that uniquely rise to the top for us. Your stars will help us figure out which ones.

 You’ll also have the opportunity to comment on the draft vision statements.

For those who will be with us online, a link to provide feedback and select the top core values will be included in this Sunday’s morning email.  Make sure you look out for this if you want to give your thoughts but you’re not on campus! This link will be open all Sunday, December 22.

Everything you’ll see on the 22nd is a draft born out of hundreds of hours of prayer, data gathering, conversation, and discernment. It is the culmination of the congregation’s celebrations, wonderings, and dreamings.

After some feedback is provided for these drafts, the Vision Task Force will finalize our vision and core values for everyone to celebrate in January. Then will come the truly fun and energizing part: getting to see how much of this we already do so well, then dreaming and doing even more of the ministry that matters to us most.

These vision and core values will be like our own guiding star(s), helping us to navigate amongst the many wonderful things that could be done and to narrow down what is ours to do.

I am so thankful for the congregation and especially the Vision Task Force for the dedication it has taken to see this process through. There is never a slow season, but carrying this through December has taken extra perseverance! Because of everyone’s willingness and work, we will have a fresh vision and core values to lead us through challenging decisions in the new year. For this, we give many thanks.  

I am also thankful for you all because of the way you have shaped this church community. It is one that we are proud to share with our guests, as we will on December 24 at our Christmas Eve services. I hope that you along with any friends, family, and neighbors can join the celebration of Christ’s birth at 7pm or 9pm either via the livestream or in person.

If you’re online, make sure you have a candle handy. If you’re in person, we’ll have a battery candle ready for you at the door.

Can’t wait to worship with you and to find our guiding stars together!  

With love and gratitude,
Pastor Karyn