Monday Memo - January 4, 2020
Hello Second Church family,
Perpetually seeking…
Still journeying…
Our calendar year has turned the page. We are in a season of beginning, again. A New Year. And yet. The vision of hope we welcomed just ten days ago illuminates this new ground and all the days ahead. Transformed by the light of God – the birth of the Messiah and the persistent path toward hope – we carry forward the news of the Christ Child and walk together, onward, in search of the truth that leads to worship and overwhelming joy.
The message of Epiphany Sunday captures so much of our own Christmas story this year: in spite of preparing and making room, the moment went by too fast; darkness and grief still hovered; uncertainty sat with us at the dinner table. But our story – our story as followers and seekers of Christ’s light – does not end in a stable in Bethlehem. The Magi remind us of our shared conviction that the light shining in the darkness on Christmas morning has not gone out, but it has gone on.
We know January brings plenty of long nights, and limited sunlight. Remember, this is precisely when the Magi enter the story. What might God be asking of us? How do we mark this story of light amidst winter darkness? We keep our candles lit. We look for signs of light around us. We persist as seekers of the light.
Remember, we have seen the vision from above wrapped in the promise of Christmas and carried into a New Year through the story of Epiphany.
Arise and shine, Second Church, for your light has come.
With peace and grace,
Chris
LIGHT ALONG THE LABYRINTH
New Year’s Eve 2020
As a community of faith, we walked together through the closing hours of 2020. Reflecting and readying, praying and pondering, so many of you participated in our New Year’s Eve Labyrinth walk – an ancient Christian tradition used for meditation, discernment, spiritual renewal, and healing. Remember, the Labyrinth is available to you (located in the North parking lot at Second) as you journey forward – carrying, seeking, pursuing the light – into this New Year!
SECOND ACT
Lighting the Way, January 11, 3:30 p.m.
Zoom in next Monday, January 11 to learn about what’s happening at Second, and listen to our leadership set our course of light for 2021. Email Sherri McMonigle for Zoom details!
SECOND STEPS CLASS
Stepping into the Light, January 17
SecondChurch.org/SecondSteps
Walk with us! Journeying still, perpetually seeking … take the next step in your journey of faith and learn more about Second at this January new members class! Would you like to know more about classes, worship, mission, and other ministries at Second? Maybe you’ve been joining us on Sundays and want to meet our leadership and engage more deeply in 2021?! We welcome you to Second Steps and would love to get to know you and your family! Register at SecondChurch.org/SecondSteps today!
TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH LIGHT
Spiritual Formation 2021
SecondChurch.org/Adults
SecondChurch.org/Youth
SecondChurch.org/Children
How will you keep seeking, keep journeying this New Year? Wherever you are on your journey of faith, our ministries are here to meet you. From online classes to mid-week studies, Sunday School Zooms, and more, spiritual formation at Second is here to grow with you. For children’s ministry please contact Ann Van Meter or Kat Green-Ross; for youth engagement please contact Tom Markey or Tyler Wolfcale; for adult Sunday School and online classes please contact Dr. John Franke.
SHARING LIGHT AS A COMMUNITY
A Welcoming Community of Faith
SecondChurch.org/Serve
As Rev. Chris Henry asks above, “What might God be asking of us? How do we mark this story of light amidst winter darkness? … We look for signs of light around us. We persist as seekers of the light.” Would you like to learn more about serving within our community this year? Ways to welcome, volunteer, walk with our neighbors, seek and share the light of Christ through mission work? One way to pass the light is to volunteer with our Northside Food Pantry. Be sure to visit SecondChurch.org/Serve this month and watch for ways to shine this light as a welcoming community of faith!
END WELL. BEGIN, AGAIN.
Gifting and Pledging in the New Year
SecondChurch.org/Give
We are ALMOST there –nearly 90 percent of the way! As our 2021 budget is finalized this month, we are only 89 pledges short of our 2021 pledging goal! Our operating budget for the New Year is underway with meetings beginning this week; help us cross the finish line and reach 100 percent of our 2021 pledging goal! You can make your pledge today at SecondChurch.org/Give or by emailing Dr. John Koppitch.
#HoldingFaithTogether
#SecondPresIndy