Rev. Rebecca’s Note - The Work of Christmas (After Christmas and Epiphany) with Rev. Howard Thurman
Have you heard of Howard Thurman? He was many things - pastor, prophet/mystic, poet, professor, activist, and author - really an amazing human being who overcame several adverse circumstances for him to be all those things and be known to us still today.
As it’s February and Black History Month (and we know that Black history is, well, history), and while we’re glad to have a month to particularly lift it up, we celebrate the histories and contributions that Black people have made to our society all year long.
What brings Howard Thurman to mind, though, particularly right now, is his excellent poem, “The Work of Christmas.” It is a brief poem (see the picture above) and such a necessary reminder of the work that Jesus calls us to - what it really means to follow him. And I don’t know about you, but I find that Christmas and all its festivity can wear me out, and it can feel like a relief to encounter this reminder that after all our celebrating is done, the holy, sacred work of Christmas: actively being love in the world, remains.
I think it’s worth considering the question: what do you think your work of Christmas is?
This coming Saturday as we think that through we’ll meet (yes, this is the first Saturday of the month; we’ve shifted the schedule for this one time) and will watch the film Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story. Hope you can make it!
Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story (Journey Films), 2019.
Howard Thurman, “The Work of Christmas,” in The Mood of Christmas (New York: Harper and Row), 1973.
“Who Is Howard Thurman?” on The Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground at Boston University, https://www.bu.edu/thurman/about-us/who-is-howard-thurman/
- Rev. Rebecca
The Board’s Note - Next Online Group
The Winter Online Spiritual Group, Learning to Be, will go on until Lent. You are welcome to join us anytime, for one or for all seven. They will have a brief spiritual practice, a video of the author reflecting on an idea for us to discuss and reflect upon together. Friday's group will view the video described last week and Sunday will start off a new week.
| Join us on Sunday Nights at 6 pm or Fridays at noonFor the Online Spiritual Group about Learning to Be Sign Up Here for the Link! |
In this session, Juanita reflects on how she was Loved Into Living. She challenges the rigid, rule-based perceptions of God that many of us hold, revealing instead a God who desires for us to live fully and freely. By sharing her journey from judgment to joy, she encourages viewers to embrace a life that is rich with love, adventure, and authenticity. This session emphasizes that the purpose of life is not to earn God’s approval, but to live in the fullness of Divine love. See you online!
What’s Next
| Feb 1 - 7 | Daily Bible Reading Numbers 15-16 - 27-28 |
| Fri, Feb 6, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to Be Join us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Sat, Feb 7, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2725 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering lunch, worship, activity in community |
| Sun, Feb 8, 5-6:30pm Amen House 4111 Connecticut St, StL 63116 | South City Youth Group meeting Middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to come enjoy fun activities and pizza |
| Sun, Feb 8, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to Be Join us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Fri, Feb 13, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to Be Join us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Sun, Feb 15, 6pm Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to Be Join us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Mon, Feb 16, 10am MLK Bridge, St. Louis | Rally to Bridge Faith and Justice Interfaith clergy and faith communities call upon us to join in a President’s Day rally to bridge faith and justice on the Martin Luther King Bridge. |
| Fri, Feb 20, noon Online - sign up HERE | TPA Online Spiritual Group: Learning to Be Join us on this into a deeper understanding of what it means to live authentically, love fully, and embrace our true selves. |
| Sat, Feb 21, 10am | MICA: Organizer Training Series: Building a Community Defense Group Come to this training to learn how we can leverage existing resources and relationships to care for our neighbors, particularly those who could be more vulnerable to ICE activity. |
South City Youth Group Meeting
Do you know that Think+Pray+Act is part of the South City Youth Group with Compton Heights Christian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Oak Hill Presbyterian Church? The youth group’s next meeting is on February 7 from 5-6:30pm at Amen House at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, 4111 Connecticut Ave, StL!
Rally to Bridge Faith & Justice
Interfaith clergy and faith communities call upon us to join in a President’s Day rally to bridge faith and justice on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Bridge. Join us on Monday, February 16, from 10-11am as we raise a moral voice and hold space for those who long to stand with our immigrant community and call for an end to the devastating treatment so many are facing.
MICA - Building a Community Defense Group
Deportation raids are nothing new but the scale and severity requires a new response. We refuse to allow federal and local law enforcement to harass and threaten our communities. There is already incredible hyper-local organizing and response work happening in pockets across St Louis city and region.
In this training we will help identify, connect and support folks within their neighborhoods to learn how to map existing resources and relationships in your area, identify gaps, make direct asks of your neighbors to join efforts, and determine how we can reinforce the lines of care and defense our communities need.
This training is best if you bring along neighbors, friends, coworkers, or other parents/caregivers to make a collective plan of action together! Join us on Saturday, 2/21 at 10 AM. Sign up at bit.ly/MICA2-21-26
Welcome to Think+Pray+Act! We are an open and affirming faith community that strives to maintain open and free theological learning as an act toward justice. We welcome all spirit seekers into full participation in the life and membership of the community. We actively and faithfully accept as they are people of every race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnicity, relationship status, physical and mental ability, family type, and economic background.
We believe God calls us to do justice and love kindness, giving assistance and healing to others and the planet by following the teachings of Jesus. We promise to love our neighbors, respect differences, and build authentic relationships by learning who we are, taking just action, and breaking bread together. In our actions, God’s love moves and shines.
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