Goodness Weekly 11.06.23

Nov 6

“Happiness has a chance to grow when we see dandelions as flowers.”
–Kat Lehman

What’s Good

What an incredible Thanksgiving Supper Church we shared this week as more than seventy of us gathered around the tables, breaking bread, laughing, and sharing our thankfulness in the form of conversation and leaves added to trees. This was a beautiful labor of love by our kitchen crew of Scott, Caroline, Kyle, Tony, Charlotte, Riley, Kelly, Gregg, Jess, Nathan, Luca & many more! We can’t wait for next month’s gathering and hope to see you there.

Save the Date

Camelot Community Christmas

Each year we partner with our friends over at Camelot Elementary to provide affordable Christmas gifts to families at the school. This year this exciting event will take place on our campus Friday, December 8th. Save the date and be on the lookout for ways you can help support a family this Christmas!

A Message from Jess

“The future is so bright, I gotta wear shades.”

Do you remember that song? I was thinking of it the other day as I left church without my sunglasses. Thankfully my husband Nathan had a pair in the car. I put them on and noticed suddenly that my vision was a little different–the colors were more vibrant. Suddenly when I looked in the rearview mirror I noticed that the road looked like a rainbow. Somehow the combination of polarization on the glasses and oil buildup on the highway made a magical rainbow cast and I felt a sense of gratitude. A little glimmer, as we’ve talked about before.

I had just heard Riley Stirman preach the opening of a series on gratitude and it felt like a little gift to have the eyes of wonder, even if only for a moment.

You know the studies that are out there proving how important the practice of gratitude is for your whole being? I wonder why we forget. There is a magical world of enchantment that is right in front of us at every moment. Those are the glasses our children wear throughout the world.

We talked with curiosity in our parent group last week about how and why we lose those lenses.

When do we get so closed off, hardened, and cynical? Because we experience pain, we witness suffering, we read the news. And we have an opportunity today and every day ahead to choose the present moment and to see the beauty that is right in front of us, like a rainbow that suddenly appears in view. We can simply notice and say thank you.

My prayer is that we would practice gratitude, glimmers, thanksgiving, presence–whatever you want to call it–not only this month but every day of our lives, for our whole lives.

You are a gift to me.

Love, Jess

This Week

Saturday, Nov 11th Second Saturday featuring Yoga with Krystal at 9am (donation-based, $10 minimum) on the front lawn and Storytime and crafts for all ages (free) at 10am.

Sunday, Nov 12th

4:30pm Chapel Worship
6-7pm Every Season Sacred (open to all parents of school aged children, dinner & childcare provided)
6-7pm Youth Group

Coming Up

Friday, Nov 17th Kid’s Night Out. Please RSVP here.

Sunday, Nov 19th

4:30pm Outdoor Worship
6-7pm Every Season Sacred (open to all parents of school aged children, dinner & childcare provided)
6-7pm Youth Group