By RJ Walters, Editor
Advent by Candlelight
Think of “ladies night out” — with a little time for much-needed reflection, some soulful singing and of course dessert and plenty of female hysterics.
Ten years ago women at the FUMC of Birmingham decided they wanted some type of festive, non-threatening evening that would appeal to a broad range of women and invite in the spirit of Advent and Christmas.
They have struck gold.
On Nov. 29 and 30 the church celebrated the season with nearly 1,000 attendees total at two evenings that included Christmas music and carols, several testimonies and beautifully decorated tables in the Christian Life Center.
Each table had a host, who was responsible not only for adorning the table where the ladies shared dessert, but also for making sure the seats were filled by the way of invitations.
“Clearly the prime purpose is to gather people evangelistically and to invite women from across the community and to hopefully, invite women who might, if they don’t have a home church, be interested in this one,” Birmingham Pastor Rev. Jack Harnish said. “One of our goals is radical hospitality and we work on that in many different ways. I see this as one of our primary, kind of flagship events.”
This year’s theme was “And the angel said…” focused around when angels visit mortals in scripture.
Emily Everson, part of Birmingham’s programming steering committee, said each year the event also raises money for a charity. This year’s beneficiary is HAVEN, a crisis and recovery center for sexual assault.
While it’s a night away from the men in their lives, the male influence is not totally ignored.
“You know what the clergy do?” Harnish quipped. “We work in the parking lot — we manage the traffic in the parking lot. We’re out there with flashlights and everything. It’s great.”
So great that Birmingham members have initiated smaller services of a similar purpose at city churches like Conant Avenue UMC, Central UMC and People’s Church.
Harnish said churches of all sizes can benefit by “setting the tone for what quickly becomes a hectic time of year.”
“Christ Inspired Christmas”
Are you looking for a bit different perspective on gift-giving this Christmas season?
Or something that doesn’t include the words “black” or “Friday” and doesn’t require four-hour long lines of agitated pedestrians?
Then try an idea of the UMC of the Dunes on for size.
In December the Grand Haven church is hosting “Christ Inspired Christmas” where 20 human service agencies from around west Michigan will be displaying goods and services from the organizations they represent.
The agencies will provide visitors with an opportunity to take tags from their booths and supply items needed by the organizations.
Attendees can also purchase gift cards, which will be sent to persons in need in other countries where they can purchase basic living items.
“These gift cards will be used by people in third-world countries to purchase the things that will simply help them start up their own businesses, share basic necessities with others, or help send their children to school,” said Sondra Metzler, member of the UMC of the Dunes.
SERVV has a booth where people can purchase fair trade crafts and gifts, and coffee and cookies are provided by the church.
The recording also includes well loved traditional music in fresh arrangements, including: "Rock of Ages", "Amazing Grace", "Blessed Assurance", and "Jesus Loves Me".
