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The Shell Newsletter – January 3, 2019
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From the Rector – Making Christmas & Epiphany Traditions Today is the tenth day of Christmas and I have a confession to make: I’m great at “keeping Advent” and having family traditions to prepare for Christmas, but I’ve really fallen down on the job of creating ways to celebrate the whole season of Christmas…
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The Shell Newsletter – December 27, 2018
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Presiding Bishop Curry’s Christmas Message 2018 In the Third Chapter of John’s Gospel, Jesus says at one point, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” For years, I’ve often thought that that passage only referred to…
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The Shell Newsletter – December 20, 2018
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From the Rector – Joy is not a Constant In one of her older books, The Gifts of Imperfection, Professor and author Brené Brown, shared this wisdom, which hits on the holiday imagery and emotions of the holiday season: TWINKLE LIGHTS are the perfect metaphor for joy. Joy is not a constant. It comes…
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The Shell Newsletter – December 13, 2018
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From the Rector – The Hospitality of Christmas In Advent, as we look toward Christmas, we prepare our hearts to welcome the Christ child. At home, we often prepare our houses for holiday guests. When we prepare, we offer hospitality – that is, the disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a…
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The Shell Newsletter – December 6, 2018
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From the Rector – St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra Long before the legends of a round, gift giving fellow named Santa Claus were heard, there was Nicholas, Bishop of Myra in Turkey. He was born in the year 280 ce and after his death he became a saint. Today, December 6th is his feast…
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The Shell Newsletter – November 29, 2018
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Vestry – Congregational Life Cycle A few months ago, Rev. Kristin shared her reflections on the education and training we received at the College for Congregational Development last June. In her Shell article she explained that Congregation Development (CD) is the development of congregations of all sizes, locations, and conditions into more faithful, healthy,…
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The Shell Newsletter – November 22, 2018
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From the Rector – Advent, The Way Of Love Turn. Learn. Pray. Worship. Bless. Go. Rest. These are the practices that our Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, has put forth as the path to living a Jesus-Centered life. Take a few minutes and learn a bit about them by watching this video:…
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The Shell Newsletter – November 15, 2018
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From the Rector – The Blessing of Our Work Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in…
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The Shell Newsletter – November 8, 2018
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From the Rector – Shining a Light So Lovely Today we woke to news of another mass shooting in our nation. Every day it seems as if forces are working to stoke fear and deepen divides among us. What can we do in times such as this? First and foremost we are called to…
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The Shell Newsletter – November 1, 2018
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From the Rector All Saints and All Souls, A Celebration of Faith and Remembering Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those…