Gather, Reflect, Pray

Greetings Beloved Christ the King Community,

Have you had your first warm mug hot apple cider or a pumpkin spice coffee yet?  Is your home decorated with pumpkins and gourds?  Have you trekked out to pick a pumpkin or to go through a corn maze with your family or friends?  October has arrived and these fall flavors and activities are upon us.  Within our spiritual home, we have launched some new fall opportunities to gather, to worship, and to serve with Kids and Kin and Dinner Church.  Fall brings us a feeling of nesting in, of harvest and preparation, and of hope to gather with family and friends.

At the same time, I am keenly aware that our anxiety as a community of faith is on the rise with the upcoming election.  Many are fearful of the division and polarization leading up to the election, of the election results themselves, and of the aftermath of the election, no matter the outcome.  At the same time, our world continues in conflict and violence, bringing concern for the safety and wellbeing of family and friends.  During this time of fear and heightened stress and anxiety, we are called to remember the tenets of our faith and that we are not alone. 

I invite you to spend time together during the next month as a family of faith, supporting each other by recognizing these feelings, while holding each other’s humanity with mutual respect as children of God, reflecting God’s image both within and outside of our spiritual home. Some upcoming opportunities to gather, reflect, and pray include:

Adult forums this month include: Part 2 of a book that John Boles reviewed this summer (The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory by Tim Alberta); learning more about global strife and our ministry with the Central African Republic, led by Véronique Eberhart; and beginning conversations to better understand how the conflict in Israel/Palestine has contributed to anti-Semitism, led by Dr. Matthias Henze.

Self-Guided Pre-Election Prayer stations will be created toward the end of the month to self-reflect and discern how we are individually and communally affected by the election and how we are called to act as people of faith.

A post-election worship service will be held on Wednesday, November 6th at the Rice Village Campus at 7pm with Dinner Church held the same evening at the Memorial Campus at 6pm.

Individual Prayer and Anointing with Oil are offered every Saturday during our 6pm contemplative service and will additionally be offered on Sundays October 20th, 27th, and November 3rd. 

It is not too late to sign up for a pre-election devotional that is emailed daily by LAMPa (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA)

Please also be mindful of your friends and family during this election cycle who may also be experiencing heightened stress and anxiety and consider caring for them by inviting them to come along with you to these and other opportunities at our spiritual home.

May we stand together in hope as children of God and as followers of Jesus during these and all times of trial. 

Grace and peace, and especially hope,
Pastor Jennifer