How well we are loved . . .

 Dear Friends,

Writing on the 20th of December, we are yet in the midst of late Advent, with the fourth Sunday of the season approaching in days.  And yet, yet, the feeling is more and more of the feast of the Nativity of Christ in just a few days.

The Incarnation, so central to the faith of Christians across the world and over the generations, says so much.  It affirms what our instincts tell us: that we are messed up, and that left to ourselves we will make it worse.  But that's not all it says, not by a long shot.  If that were so Christmas would be much less of a celebration and much more of a downer.

The truth of the Incarnation affirms how much we are worth in the eyes of God, how dear we are to the heart of God.  In a word, the Incarnation proclaims that we are worth: everything.  It reminds us - on December 25 and on every day of the year that we call Jesus' coming to mind - that we are the beloved of God.

May you and yours know this saving truth deep at heart this Christmas and always!  And may our efforts here at Mercer School always assist you in holding that affirmation in both mind and heart.

Wishing you every blessing of the season,
John McGinty+


January

22 - Safe Church Renewed Guidelines meeting for parish leaders.
25 - The Responsible Treasurer, a workshop appropriate to anyone involved in the preparatinon of a congregation's annual Parochial Report.

February

11 - Preaching the Lectionary for Lent and Easter, with Dr. Gordon Lathrop;
12 - Godspell and Bernstein's Mass: Faith and Unbelief in a Secular World; 6 sessions with Gregory Eaton at St Ann & the Holy Trinity, Brooklyn Heights;
20 - Training for new Lay Eucharistic Visitors;
22 - Safe Church Training (SHE-CAP) at Mercer.

March

8 - Mercer Institute of Spirituality Inaugural Event: Being Human -
Focusing and Spirituality: exploring a foundational practice for both pastoral conversation and spiritual growth , with Dr. John McDargh of Boston College;
15 - Leadership Day - "Leadership in the 21st Century Church," including presentations on Who Are We as Church?, Vestry Leadership, Clergy Leadership, Good Meetings, Planning for the Future, and more;
19 - Lenten Retreat Evening - the first of three: Come Aside - Silence and Prayer in Lent.

May

3 - 2nd Annual Faith Formation Convocation: a daylong exploration of formation resources from Sunday School through adult education;
31 - Bishop's Youth Bash.

June

14 - Safe Church Training (summer programs/camps);
21 - 50th Wedding Anniverary Celebration.

Further Spring 2014 events are listed on the Mercer Online Calendar.
For further information and registration, visit www.mercerschool.org.  Click from the homepage on Coming Events/Register.  On the calendar, find and click on the event date.  Locate the event title and click directly on it to open information on the event and how to register.  And you can always phone us at 516.248.4800, extension 140.

All these gatherings and more are at your service to help you serve well, to find your call and to live it well.