November 20, 2024
A Note from Marilyn Hoeflinger
Dear Friends,
I love our church, my church. I love and respect our pastors, our staff, those that are in leadership, and the entire community that aligns itself with the core values and principles of our faith community.
Being encouraged to continue to learn about what God through Christ is asking of me in these tumultuous times, I humbly remain optimistic that I still have much to learn and offer as we navigate and demonstrate the unconditional love that is promised through grace.
Deeper Waters
This past year I have been involved as a participant in Deeper Waters, a place where I am challenged to do inner work about who I am in Christ and how that is shown through leadership in multiple areas of my life.
I truly understand now why I did what I did as a young person, my reactions to others, and how I continue to need the tools to be still, contemplate and hear God and act when offered opportunities.
As a retired educator, I have connected this inner work to learning theories, educational psychology, and thinking strategies, which strengthens my understanding of how my professional career and my spiritual path have been intersecting and deepening through the context of my life. There is much to learn and use as a faithful follower of Christ in 2024.
The people I have met during this Deeper Waters cohort have been extraordinary (above is my Deeper Waters Circle Group). Hearing other interpretations of ideas, who they are (using the Enneagram), and helping me see my tendencies from another lens is worth its weight in gold. I’m not finished with my journey, but I don’t see gatekeepers to my limitless ability to learn and lead.
Advent is near
As one of my interests surfaced during Deeper Waters, I will be leading an Advent reflection study on Sunday mornings beginning this Sunday, November 24, from 10:05-11:05am in the parlor (Sanctuary building, room 206, accessible). (There’s a link online to order your own copy, about $6; if that’s an obstacle, reach out to Beth Palmer, who will be happy to order one for you!)
It is based on the book Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, by Jon Pavlovitz who is a writer, pastor, and activist. There is a daily reading (with scripture), along with reflection questions for each of us to ponder following each of the daily readings.
We will be operating a week ahead of the liturgical calendar of the church. The author has deconstructed each day’s reading with a word of focus, such as “mess,” “relationships,” “uncertainty,” “privilege,” and “freedom,” to name a few. Who would think these words associated with Advent could be so closely related to what many of us are feeling and experiencing around our nation’s next steps?
I hope you will consider joining me in this Advent study. I look forward to learning from and with you.
None of us is finished learning or leading until we take our last breath, and I’m not even sure we are finished with our work then.
May this Advent season provide space for all of us to engage where we are and deepen our spiritual journey.
Peace,
Marilyn Hoeflinger
