by DCC Life Deacon Nancy Hill
originally published in the
2022 Advent issue of the
DCC Good News
We learn early the meaning of waiting – with anticipation, with anxiety, with mystery, with fear. My first memory of purposeful waiting rests in my very early years, when Mom, at the sound of a warning siren at night, would gather her three young ones into the dark corner of the hallway, with a flashlight and soda crackers, waiting for the air raid siren to sound that all was clear. Dad, who was out on air raid patrol, would soon be home, safe with us again. Some memories linger always and memories of times of war especially do now.
Raised within the liturgy of a Lutheran church, I have long been drawn close to the drama and anticipation of the season called Advent, indeed a season of waiting, with a clear beginning and a closing celebration with the gift of special time in between. Near to Thanksgiving and my birthday, Advent long ago became my favorite season of the year and remains so.
Waiting brings anticipation…
of connecting with friends and family near and far, old and new,
of decorating my space with light and with hope,
of watching with my heart and not just my eyes,
of listening for angels in my world,
of nurturing my faith with daily reading and reflection,
of celebrating the Gift of Gifts.
Advent holds the magic of waiting while being in the Presence of that for whom we wait. Advent comes to a quiet close with candlelight, moves into joyful celebration of renewed birth, a new beginning, a fresh start, a new year….and leads us into the season of Epiphany.
Hallelujah indeed!
DCC will be having an amazing fun-raiser for Hope Solutions. This will be a Mardi Gras party complete with a jazz band (sponsored by the Feltons and Kennedy/McGraths) and complementary food provided by Carol Gilliland of A Loveable Feast! The event is fun with a purpose as this will also be an opportunity to hear the great work Hope Solutions is doing in Contra Costa County.
As most of you know, Hope Solutions (previously Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, CCIH), provides permanent, supportive housing for the most vulnerable in our very community. And, as we all know, the cost of housing is at an all time high, which is causing an increase in those unhoused. At the fun-raiser, you will learn how Hope Solutions is taking a very unique path to help solve this problem, one house at a time! Plus, dance and eat and have a blast! Mark your calendars now!
All are welcome – childcare will be provided and you don’t have to attend DCC to come!
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
His mercy is for those who fear God
from generation to generation.
Mary, in Luke 1: 48b–50
Despite the challenges and vulnerability she faced, Mary could glimpse the scale and scope of the good news she was part of bringing forth. This good news transcends time and space—it was and is bigger than just her. Christ is coming for collective liberation: God’s redemption is at work for years to come. Therefore, the promise is meant to be lived out and passed on from generation to generation.
We are invited to look at the characters in our scriptures and wonder: What did each character pass on or contribute? How did each character participate in God’s liberation and love? Which characters try to thwart God’s justice and what can we learn from them? What is our role now? What is our generation’s task? What will we carry forth, and what should we leave behind?
The root word of “generation” is “gen” meaning “origin” or “birth.” Our theme is also a call to action: what are we being called to generate or bring forth? What have your ancestors and those who have come before you passed on for you to continue? Who are the spiritual elders in your community who planted the seeds for the things that are now blooming? What seeds are you planting for the future?
From Generation to Generation…reminds us of the ways our lives, histories, actions, and stories are interconnected and woven together. In the midst of narratives, policies, and rhetoric designed to divide us, what does it look like to practice belonging to one another? The work of God is always unfolding— in and through us.
This Advent season, how will we carry it forth?
“A Genealogy of Jesus Christ” was compiled by Ann Patrick Ware of the Women’s Liturgy Group of New York, included in A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A by Rev. Wilda C. Gafney, PhD.
A genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of Miriam, the daughter of Anna:
Sarah was the mother of Isaac,
And Rebekah was the mother of Jacob,
Leah was the mother of Judah,
Tamar was the mother of Perez.
The names of the mothers of Heron, Ram, Amminadab,
Nahshon and Salmon have been lost.
Rahab was the mother of Boaz,
and Ruth was the mother of Obed.
Obed’s wife, whose name is unknown, bore Jesse.
The wife of Jesse was the mother of David.
Bathsheba was the mother of Solomon,
Naamah, the Ammonite, was the mother of Rehoboam.
Maacah was the mother of Abijam and the grandmother of Asa.
Azubah was the mother of Jehoshaphat.
The name of Jehoram’s mother is unknown.
Achaliah was the mother of Ahaziah,
Zibiah of Beersheba, the mother of Joash.
Jecoliah of Jerusalem bore Uzziah,
Jerusha bore Jotham; Ahaz’s mother is unknown.
Abi was the mother of Hezekiah,
Hephzibah was the mother of Manasseh,
Meshullemeth was the mother of Amon,
Jedidah was the mother of Josiah.
Zebidah was the mother of Jehoiakim,
Nehushta was the mother of Jehoiachin,
Hamutal was the mother of Zedekiah.
Then the deportation of Babylon took place.
After the deportation to Babylon
the names of the mothers go unrecorded.
These are their sons:
Jechoniah, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel,
Abiud, Eliakim, Azor and Zadok,
Achim, Eliud, Eleazar,
Matthan, Jacob, and Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.
The sum of generations is there: fourteen from Sarah to David’s mother;
fourteen from Bathsheba to the Babylonian deportation;
and fourteen from the Babylonian deportation to Miriam [or Mary], the mother of Christ.
Recently, flyers were distributed in our Tri-Valley disparaging Jewish people and blaming them for the COVID pandemic. Danville Congregational Church has joined other members of Interfaith San Ramon Valley in signing a proclamation against hate in our communities.
I-SRV Solidarity Day Proclamation
Our Advent journey this year takes us through the following themes, featuring a variety of voices and paired with beautiful music—beloved traditions and some surprises—carefully chosen by our Music Director John Kendall Bailey.
Worship each Sunday is at 9:30am—in-person and via Zoom.
Saturday, October 23
2:00pm–4:00pm
All our young friends are invited to come in costume for the costume walk and trunk or treating, and afterwards we’ll have some games, a spooky-fun scavenger hunt, and crafts on the patio. Parents are welcome to costume too!
Danville Congregational Church
989 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
Rooted in Saint Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures and our love, care, and concern for our non-human animal friends and companions, the Children’s Ministry of Danville Congregational Church invites the community to a “Blessing of the Animals” on Sunday, October 3. Pets of all kinds—puppies, bunnies, birdies, and kitties who wouldn’t be freaked out—are welcome to accompany their human friends to receive a blessing from one of our pastors following worship, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. And our young friends are welcome to draw a picture of their pet for our Blessing Board and take home a special memento.
We warmly invite you to worship with us in-person or online via Zoom Sunday mornings at 9:30am.
(Learn more about who we are.)
First time at DCC? Welcome! Here are some links to get you started: