Inspire: Light

INSPIRE

LIGHT

a m a g a z i n e f o r t h e s t. p h i l i p t h e d e a c o n c o m m u n i t y

Festival of Lessons and Carols • A Thrill of Hope • God With Us: An Epiphany Meditation • Bringer of Light • I Refuse to Give Up: An Interview with Bishop Michael Curry winter <¤<+

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Light & Life To All He Brings Please join us for the wonder of Christmas at St. Philip the Deacon

EVERY ISSUE 3 Editor’s Letter

4 Scripture Connection

5 Read, Watch, Listen

6 Ref lections on Faith

8 Devoted Living

DECEMBER 12

DECEMBER 20

Festival of Lessons and Carols All Weekend Services Blue Christmas 7 pm

28 Modern Day Pilgrims

33 Out & About

CHRISTMAS EVE

Family Service 11 am Worship Service with Holy Communion 2, 4 pm Candlelight Worship Service with Holy Communion 5:30, 7:30, 9, 11 pm

34 Giving Thanks

35 Calendar of Events

CHRISTMAS D AY

Worship Service with Holy Communion 11 am

36 Familiar Faces

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St. Philip the Deacon

F E AT U R E A R T I C L E S

GUIDE

REVEAL

IGNITE

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16

24

A Light of Remembrance

A Thrill of Hope

Lighting the Way

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18

26

Bringer of Light

I Refuse to Give Up: An Interview with Bishop Michael Curry

A Light That Just Shines

14 Festival of Lessons and Carols

22 God With Us: An Epiphany Meditation

30 Arise, Shine: Recipes for Christmas Morning

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INSPIRE

Vol. 4, Issue 2, Winter 2021 Published by St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church 17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 475-7100 editor in chief

Tim Westermeyer m a n ag i n g e d i t o r

Amanda Berger design

Malley Design s ta f f w r i t e r s

Cheryl Mathison, Kate Sterner

Public conversations where faith comes to life.

contributors

2021-2022 SCHEDULE

o n t h e c ov e r

Nancy Carlson, Norah Long, Valerie Strand Patterson, Jason Scherschligt website

spdlc.org/inspire email editorial

aberger@spdlc.org Photo by Adam Gonzales

The Faith & Life Lectures are open and welcoming public forums where members of the Twin Cities community can hear nationally known speakers ref lect on how Christian faith intersects with different dimensions of everyday life. We invite you to join us for the 2021-2022 series of lectures.

M ICH A E L CU R RY

February 1, 2022 SO H R A B A H M A R I

March 17, 2022 M AT T B I R K

May 5, 2022 All events scheduled will be offered both in-person and via livestream. All lectures begin at 7:00 p.m. Free and open to the public. www.faith-and-life.org

©2021 St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church. All rights reserved. submissions

Do you have an idea for a story or love to write? Contact our managing editor with your submission, but please keep in mind the following guidelines: (A) Your article may be edited for length and content. (B) Articles must fit in the larger themes of our publication and reflect the mission of St. Philip the Deacon. (C) All submissions will be reviewed by our editorial staff to determine the suitability for our publication.

While we would love to include all submissions, space and cost limit our ability to do that.

Submissions will not be returned.

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St. Philip the Deacon

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. JOHN 1:5 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Even as a toddler my daughter insisted on a pitch-black room— sometimes even sleeping with an eye mask—to make sure it was the darkest of dark for her.

This has led to problems as she’s grown older and wants sleepovers with cousins who prefer a nightlight, making it so that Charlotte must compromise her own sleep or grudgingly admit that she cannot share a room; instead going to her quiet, dark, sleeping cave.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BERGERS!

Charlotte has never been afraid of the dark. But, with even the tiniest light, her fears would come alive. For with the light, there were shadows. And the shadows, lurking and shifting were too much, too unknown. Better to be in the dark.

Without the light of grace and love and truth, we bump around in the dark, running into things and each other, but also safe from admitting to what we fear most about ourselves: our brokenness.

And our shadow side can be frightening, easier to leave in the dark and pretend that it doesn’t exist. But Christ comes to shine a light, to reveal and guide us out of the darkness, reminding us that we are not our shadows. Jesus is truth and light, and by his light, we are freed.

During this season where the days are short and the night is long, Christ comes to call us out of the darkness. He calls us to light and calls us beloved—our shadows and all. And when we recognize that it is by Christ’s love and not by our perfection nor our hard work that we are redeemed, it kindles a f lame within that cannot be hidden or dimmed, making us a light to the world, a city on a hill.

In this issue, we celebrate all things light.

Pastor Cheryl Mathison enlightens us with the history of the Festival of Lessons and Carols (pg. 14). We also share the two beautiful essays about hope from our first ever Inspire essay contest (pg. 16).

And may Grace Kyllo’s passion for philanthropy ignite your own spirit of giving and service (pg. 26). There’s so much in the pages ahead—so, please, light a candle and make a warm drink, and settle in to savor these ref lections on light.

As Christ comes during this Christmas season, may his light scatter the darkness. And as Jesus reaches out his hand to us, may we be led from darkness to light.

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SPD BOO K CLU B Book club will meet both in-person and virtually at 7:00 pm. Find the Zoom link in our most recent E-newsletter or by contacting social@spdlc.org.

JA NUA RY 18

Breaking from our usual, there are two recommendations for January—both related to the same topic.

Discussion led by Susan Path.

SCRIPTURE CONNECTION FEEL THE WAIT

BY C H E R Y L M AT H I S O N

It is such a shame that the season of Advent gets hurried over each year. While the world makes a mad rush toward Christmas (beginning often as early as the day after Halloween), the church stands strong remaining firmly committed to honoring this important season: a season of reflection and preparation; a season to remember Christ’s coming in the manger in Bethlehem as well as to anticipate his coming again.

Of Advent, author Scott Erickson said: “You are supposed to feel the wait—the anticipated arrival of something you want so badly—and by feeling the wait deeply, you will be even more satisfied by the arrival on Christmas Day.” What a wonderful way to think about waiting and to see its value and potential!

Feel the wait.

Unfortunately, as you can well imagine, this is one of those “easier-said-thandone” kind of things. Most of us, most of the time, do not wait well. Depending on the circumstances, waiting can leave one feeling impatient: waiting for the light to turn green, worried as when waiting for an out-too-late child to come home, irritated as when waiting in a long line, or anxious as when waiting for test results. But as Erickson suggests, waiting can also leave one giddy with anticipation.

To encourage you in your waiting this Advent, here are four Bible verses. Cut them out and tie them where you need to be reminded of the blessing of waiting. Put one in your car, keep one at your bedside, leave one where you eat breakfast, and carry another in your wallet or purse.

Consider these words to be gifts for the season. Blessed Advent to you.

“The Advent season is a season of waiting, but our whole life is an Advent season, that is, a season of waiting for the last Advent, for the time when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.”

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede.

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, GOD IS IN THE MANGER

Psalm 62:5

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

Isaiah 40:31

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; Psalm 130:5

Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving, and Finding the Church by Rachel Held Evans.

Discussion led by Mark Schmid.

Psalm 27:14

FEB 15

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Channel of Peace: Stranded in Gander on 9/11 by Kevin Tuerff.

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Read I L L U M I N AT I N G T H E WAY: E M B R AC I N G T H E W I S D O M O F M O N KS A N D MYST I CS

Faith & Life LECTURE SERIES T H U R S D AY, MARCH 17 7: 0 0 P M

Sohrab Ahmari is the op-ed editor of the New York Post, a columnist for First Things, and a contributing editor of The Catholic Herald. Join us for his conversation on Faith & Freedom: Finding Joy in Duty.

Ahmari’s talk will contrast the Christian (and classical) account of true freedom— doing what we ought to do—to the modern account— freedom as mere “choice” or individual autonomy. Life narratives, including those of Saint John Henry Newman, Saint Maximilian Kolbe and Alexander Solzhenitsyn, underscore the poverty of the modern account and remind us that another way—another world—is possible. One that better satisfies the demands of both natural reason and the Gospel.

The Faith & Life Lecture Series is free and open to the public.

All are welcome!

By Christine Valters Paintner.

This gorgeously illustrated devotional explores the lives of saints and mystics as Jungian archetypes. Through art, poetry, meditation and

Biblical ref lection Paintner invites us into a deeper understanding of ourselves and God.

Watch F E AST O F T H E S E V E N F I S H ES Rated R, Amazon Prime Video.

Follow an Italian-American family through Christmas past and present as they celebrate Christmas Eve with the traditional Feast of the

Seven Fishes. Released in 2018, this charmingly retro film captures 1983 perfectly.

Listen SPD HOME FO R C H R I ST M AS P L AYL I STS Spotify. We’ve put together four playlists (peace, hope, joy and love) that we think capture the essence of the Advent and Christmas season with a variety of musical

styles, artists and vibes. You can find these playlists by searching for “SPD Home for Christmas” on Spotify.

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BY TIM WESTERME YER

I recently tr av eled to New York Cit y and the surrounding area w ith my youngest son, A ndrew.

While there, I was struck again and again by the presence of light.

There were, of course, some big, obvious lights. The towering, almost oppressive lights of Times Square, for instance. Or the beautiful sparkle of lights that make up the skyline of Manhattan.

There were iconic symbols of light. The Statue of Liberty’s flame, for example, which has served as a beacon to welcome countless millions to the shores of this country. Or the spire atop One World Trade Center, built in the aftermath of the devastating events of 9/11 to serve as the main building of the new World Trade Complex.

Or there was the light that flowed in through the stained-glass windows of St. John the Divine and St. Patrick’s Cathedral—two historic and impressive and beautiful churches in Manhattan.

But more than any of these, I think the lights that struck me most were much smaller. Each of them just a candle, actually.

One of them is a candle that hangs above a pew in the famous Cadet Chapel at West Point. The candle symbolically reserves that pew for those lost or missing in action.

The other was a candle lit at the base of a statue in Jersey City, New Jersey—just across the Hudson from Lower Manhattan.

The statue memorializes a massacre of Polish officials and leaders by Soviet troops in Katyn, Poland, in 1940, and now also includes a plaque commemorating all of the victims of the 9/11 attack.

I suppose part of what struck me about these last two was their size. One was a small candle hanging in the cavernous space of

a large and impressive chapel. The other was a small flame at the base of a memorial whose background included all of the bright lights of the New York City skyline.

And yet, in each case, my eye was drawn to that small candle and the seemingly trivial and insignificant light it put off.

Despite their size, something about those flames said: “Look at me. Here you will find meaning. Here you will find warmth.

Here you will find significance.”

We’re now at the time of the year in the church when we anticipate the birth of Jesus. And one of the passages that comes up during this season is from the prologue of the Gospel of John—a Gospel that doesn’t have a birth narrative of Christ.

Instead, in towering, poetic language, John talks about the Word made flesh, and about the coming of the light. And we are reminded in these beautiful verses that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

Those two small candles were reminders for me of how even a small amount of light can penetrate the most profound darkness. So this season, while we appropriately look to the coming of the one who is, as we confess in the Nicene Creed, “God from God” and “Light from Light,” perhaps we might also think about how we, in our own small ways, are reflecting that same light back out into a dark world.

Said differently: You were made to be a candle. So—this time of year especially—let your light shine.

Radiantly,

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M E D I TAT I O N

“A beam of God’s countenance is enough to fill the heart of a believer to overflowing. It is enough to light up the pale cheek of a dying saint with seraphic brightness, and make the heart of the lone widow sing for joy.”

R O B E R T M U R R AY M C C H E Y N E

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DE VOTED LI V ING

Scripture

BY AMANDA BERGER

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For Christi ans, a deeper connection to God through scripture is a vibr ant and important part of our faith lives. M aybe you’re even determined to create a little more space in 2022 for Bible reading.

Wh at you m ay not yet h ave considered is how to go about connecting more deeply with God’s Word and wh at th at might mean for how you approach your devotional time.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself: What do you want from your experience of reading God’s Word? Are you looking for lots of facts and explanations, or do you long to just soak in the beauty of the words? Are you looking to connect the dots between God’s Word and your lived experience of faith? Is something hands-on or more active your style?

There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, and no “one size fits all” way to spend time with God’s Word. However, depending on how you answered the questions, here are some ideas for shaping your personal scripture study.

If you’d like guidance in knowing what or how much to read each day, try searching online for “printable Bible reading plans” and you’ll find many different options to fit your goals.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light on my path.”

PSALM 119:105

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A S T U DY B I B L E

If your perfect way to connect with scripture is to read all the notes about Biblical history, the culture of the time it was written and to deeply understand the nuances of each word or phrase, you might consider investing in a study Bible. With notes written by experts in Biblical scholarship, you will get all the details, word studies on the translation of phrases from Hebrew and Greek, timelines and maps, as well as many other detailed bits of trivia. Pastor Cheryl Mathison recommends the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible for its readability and notes—without being too much.

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D E VOT IO N A L READING

There are so many different translations of the Bible, with a wide variety of styles depending on the goals of the translator.

If you are looking for a more story like reading or more modern language, there are Bibles translated for those goals. Translations like The Message, The Voice, or The Passion Translation are written with this goal in mind. And while they are not necessarily word-for-word translations, they try to capture the emotions and meaning of the scripture—worth checking out if you are looking for something that may help you think about God’s Word in a different way.

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BIBLE ART JOURNALING

While there are specific Bibles you can purchase to use for this practice, it is the practice that is more important than what Bible you use. In Bible Art Journaling, readers are invited to ref lect on a passage of scripture by making art—right in their Bible! Using a process similar to Lectio Divina, combined with paint, paper, glue and creativity, this kind of Bible reading engages multiple senses. We even have a group of Bible Art Journalers who meet regularly at SPD to share this creative practice with one another.

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FA M I LY H E I R L O O M BIBLE

Do you have a Bible rich with markings, handwriting and thoughts spilling throughout the margins? One that perhaps belonged to a parent or grandparent? What would it look like to spend the year reading through this Bible, not only connecting with scripture, but encountering the faithful thoughts of your beloved family members? Or, if you do not have an heirloom like this in your family, what would it look like to create one for future generations, filled with your own thoughts and experiences of faith and God lining the margins?

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A Light of Remembrance

BY VA L E R I E S T R A N D P AT T E R S O N

F

or those who have experienced the death of a loved one, the holidays can be especially difficult. The holidays are a time to think carefully about what is right for you— will keeping traditions as close to the same as possible bring you comfort, or do you need something different? When accepting invitations, you may want to let your host know that you plan to attend but may not feel able to do so when the day arrives. Give yourself grace to take care of yourself.

Find a way to meaningfully honor the person who died—perhaps by attending St. Philip the Deacon’s Blue Christmas service on December 20 at 7:00 p.m. or at home, with a ritual like the candle lighting ceremony below. Volunteering with or giving a gift to a cause important to them, sharing memories and stories with trusted family and friends are other good ways to honor your loved one. Know your grief is another expression of your love.

For this candle lighting ceremony, you will need five candles. You can repurpose your Advent wreath or simply gather four candles in a circle and one in the center.

Then, use the outline below to guide your ritual of remembrance.

As we light these five candles in memory of and in honor of our dear ones, we light one for our grief, one for our courage, one for our memories, one for our love, and one for our hope.

LIGHT THE FIRST CANDLE

This candle represents our grief. The pain of losing you is intense. It reminds us of the depth of our love for you.

Scrip t ure: Psalm 147:3 “God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

LIGHT THE SECOND CANDLE

This candle represents our courage— the courage to confront our sorrow, to comfort each other, and to grow through our grief.

Scrip t ure: Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”

LIGHT THE

the special place in our hearts that will always be reserved for you. We are grateful for your life and our love for you continues.

Scrip t ure: Rom ans 8:38-39 “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

LIGHT THE FIFTH CANDLE

This candle is for our hope. It reminds us of the gifts, the beauty, the love you put into our lives that carry us forward here on earth. And, in this holiday season, the hope candle shines with sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life.

THIRD CANDLE

This candle is for our memories—the times we laughed, the times we cried, the times we were angry with each other, the silly things you did, and the caring and joy you gave to us.

Scrip t ure: Philippi ans 1:3 “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.”

LIGHT THE FOURTH CANDLE

This candle is for the light of love. As we enter this holiday season, we cherish

Scrip t ure: John 16:22 “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

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Bringer of Light

BY K AT E S T E R N E R PHOTOS BY JUDI BLOMBERG

Natten går tunga fjät, rund gård och stuva; kring jord, som sol förlät, skuggorna ruva. Då i vårt mörka hus, stiger med tända ljus, Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!

“Darkness creeps across the ground on heavy feet, around the gardens of the house. All over the earth that the sun has forgotten, shadows roam like thieves in the night. But then in our dark little house, a vision of light and hope steps forth: Saint Lucia!”

In Sweden on Dec. 13 people rise ridiculously early and drive to schools and workplaces, and participate in a traditional celebration of St. Lucia Day with songs, a special breakfast, and children dressed in white robes processing in candlelight.

The leader of the parade is usually a tall,

older girl who wears a red sash around her waist and a crown of candles on her head, representing the saint. As the children process amongst the assembly, they sing the traditional St. Lucia song.

These Lucia Day celebrations are a cherished tradition in Sweden, Norway, and parts of Denmark and Finland. They harken back generations when Lucia Day was celebrated at home among individual families. The oldest daughter of the house would dress as Lucia, and with the younger children dressed as her attendants, they would wake up their parents with singing and a traditional breakfast of coffee and special pastries. Nowadays, most Swedes celebrate Lucia Day with early morning gatherings in community settings. Teenage girls across the country compete in competitions for the honor of representing their schools and cities, even on a national level.

St. Lucia was a Sicilian maiden of the 3rd century. The details of her legend vary,

but the central story is that she resisted her arranged marriage to a non-Christian by selling her dowry to help feed the poor.

Her enraged fiancé had her punished by burning at the stake. Some stories portray her delivering food to Christians hiding in the catacombs of Rome, where she set a crown of candles on her head so that she could carry more food in her arms as she moved through the darkness.

The image of a beautiful woman bringing symbols of light and hope to a people in darkness was a useful metaphor to those who brought Christianity to the north of Europe. At such high latitudes, Sweden and the other Nordic countries see only a few hours of daylight by the time the winter solstice arrives. On the Julian calendar, Dec. 13 was the day of the solstice; but when Europe shifted to the Gregorian calendar that we still use today, the winter solstice then fell on Dec. 21.

Lucia Day remained on Dec. 13.

SPD member Judi Blomberg has fond memories of celebrating St. Lucia in Albert City, Iowa, where her Swedish-American heritage church held such a pageant every year. Later as an adult, when she had moved to Houston, Texas, Judi got involved in various organizations that honored their Swedish heritage.

Here she was able to celebrate St. Lucia annually and share the experiences with her daughter, Julia.

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Judi remembers one celebration in particular that Julia was able to participate in for the local Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce. As the children were getting ready to begin, the musicians found that someone had forgotten to bring the sheet music. But the Chamber members, who were mostly older Swedes, many of whom were born and raised in Sweden, began to sing the traditional Lucia song a cappella, as the candlelight procession began. “I will never forget it because it was so pure, so simple, and sung with such tender passion. To me it was the loveliest Lucia celebration I’ve ever been involved in. It had such an impact on me.”

Judi also got to volunteer at the Children’s Museum of Houston for several years,

COUSIN VEDA’S CARDAMOM ROLLS This recipe was given to Judi Blomberg by her friend Gail Glass in 2007. Gail’s cousin Veda had given the recipe to her many years ago. Judi and Gail were members of Linneas of Texas, a Swedish American women’s organization in Houston, Texas.

Gail was born and raised in Duluth and these rolls were made every year as the Lucia buns for the Linneas Lucia program.

where she participated in teaching about the many ways that various cultures celebrate festivals of light. (Think Hanukkah or Diwali.) For 10 years, Judi enjoyed teaching children about the St. Lucia tradition. She fashioned costumes for the children to dress up as Lucia and all her attendants and taught them how to make traditional decorations and treats.

Now as a Twin Cities resident, Judi loves volunteering her time at the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. “It’s such a great group of people. The staff and volunteers make up a wonderful community and we have a lot of fun. I enjoy giving tours and getting into conversations with visitors about heritage, because most of them have Swedish roots, too. It’s a way to

½ cup Butter, softened ½ cup Sugar 1 tsp Salt 1 tsp ground Cardamom 2 Eggs 1 cup 2% Milk, heated to 110° before adding to other ingredients 2 packages Yeast in ½ cup lukewarm water with 1 tsp sugar (allow yeast to proof before adding) 5 ½ cups Flour (amount is approximate, use less may be needed)

celebrate and appreciate people who were important in my life.”

“And it’s so nice having an understanding of your own heritage. In America we really are a beautiful mixture of cultures, and I love that. I know that not everybody in America has such a strong attachment to their heritage, but the real benefit is having a sense of knowing where you came from. This beautiful and touching St. Lucia celebration is something that is handed down from our parents and their parents, and that really is priceless. It gives such a feeling of connection to the people who have shown love and light into my own life.”

Cream together butter and sugar. Add salt, cardamom and eggs followed by milk. Beat all together well. Add flour one cup at a time. After the second cup of flour, add the yeast. Beat thoroughly and continue to add flour until bread can be handled for kneading. Knead about 10 minutes until the dough is satiny and smooth. Put in bowl and let rise until double. Punch down and knead a little more. Make into S-shaped Lucia rolls with a raisin in each curl of the “S.” Bake at 350° for 10-15 minutes for Lucia buns or 25 minutes for pans of rolls.

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FE S TI VA L LESSONS

AND

OF CAROL S

BY C H E R Y L M AT H I S O N

I

was excited when asked to write an article on the Festival of Lessons and Carols which is loved by millions, and which for many signals the start of the Christmas season. Each December, on the third weekend of Advent, our worship here at St. Philip the Deacon follows the traditional pattern for this service, taking shape around nine readings and a selection of carols, anthems and hymns.

It is such a beautiful and meaningful worship experience, and I thought it would be interesting to write about the structure of the service and to comment on the nine readings which are the same from year to year.

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And then, in my research, I came across this quote:

“There is little justification for any extended set of reflections on the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. The whole point is to allow the carols and the readings to speak for themselves ... commentary can actually intrude.”

I really like that: “allow the carols and the readings to speak for themselves.” It is true, sometimes we can say too much and distract from the simple and clear message in God’s Word. It is enough to know that the nine readings were chosen to trace the story of Jesus Christ beginning at creation, continuing through the fall and God’s repeated promises of a redeemer, and concluding with the birth narrative as recorded in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.

The roots of the Festival of Lessons and Carols date back to 1880 when E. W. Benson offered a service of scripture and carols for a Christmas Eve worship which took place in a woodshed; a temporary structure while the Cathedral in Truro, in Cornwall, England, was being built.

Of this service, Benson’s son wrote, “My father arranged from ancient sources a little service for Christmas Eve—nine carols and nine tiny lessons.”

Years later, Eric Milner-White, Dean of King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, adapted the structure of that service in his desire to offer a “more imaginative” worship experience for Christmas Eve in 1918. Since then, the Festival service held every year at King’s College Chapel has been broadcast by the BBC since 1928

(with the exception of 1930), and churches all around the world have adapted the service for their own use.

While the carols, anthems and hymns change from year to year, the readings do not. Each year, these same nine lessons are read providing the backbone to the service (see sidebar).

Beyond the readings there are two other unchanging pieces: The opening of the service always begins with a solo voice singing the first stanza of the hymn “Once in David’s Royal City” and the Bidding Prayer is offered and followed by the Lord’s Prayer.

Linda Armstrong has been bringing leadership to our Festival of Lessons and Carols for many years. Part of what makes our service so unique is her commitment to incorporate all our choirs, from the young Chancel Choir to the adult Sanctuary Choir and everything in between.

Our service concludes each year with “Peace, Peace” sung by everyone. Armstrong said, “My greatest joy comes from watching the faces of the youngest singers as they experience the service and sing ‘Peace, Peace’ with the adult choir and congregation.”

Armstrong devotes many hours each summer selecting just the right pieces for each reading and each choir, and the singers begin working on their pieces as early as their rehearsals in September.

As indicated earlier, there are many, many adaptations of this service. To fully enter and experience the wonder of this service, Armstrong invites you to listen to different recordings (there are many available online) and/or to attend other services offered live at different venues. Perhaps you will hear something new in a reading or become acquainted with a new carol or anthem. Either way, you are sure to be blessed by the beauty and solemnity of the Festival of Lessons and Carols.

The Fall of Humanity G E N E S I S 3 : 8 - 1 5 , 1 7- 1 9

God Tests Abraham GENESIS 22:15 -18

God Promises a Child I S A I A H 9 : 2 , 6 -7

The Branch from Jesse ISAIAH 11:1-3A , 4A , 6 -9

The Birth of Jesus Foretold LUKE 1:25 -36, 38

Mary and Joseph go to Bethlehem L U K E 2 : 1 -7

The Angel of the Lord Appears to the Shepherds LUKE 2:8-16

The Magi Visit the Messiah M AT T H E W 2 : 1 - 1 2

The Word Became Flesh JOHN 1:1-14

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A Thrill of Hope

BY NANCY CARLSON

A Thrill of Hope We recently held our first Inspire Essay Contest inviting members and friends of St. Philip the Deacon to submit their own reflections on the theme “A Thrill of Hope.” We are pleased to share with you the winning selections by Nancy Carlson and Jason Scherschligt.

T

he words “a thrill of hope the weary world rejoices” are from the wonderful hymn “O Holy Night.” A friend of mine used to sing this song on Christmas Eve and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he was done. Several years ago, I saw a print with these words and so I bought it and hung it up in my office. Only God knew how much hope this weary world would need over the last few years.

I work in healthcare as a chaplain and VP of Spiritual Life for an organization that serves older adults in long-term care, memory care, assisted living and independent living facilities. When COVID-19 came on the scene in early 2020, we lived on the hope that we would get through this and prayed that it would happen soon. We kept that thrill of hope alive during 2020, though I must admit that at times it was just a glimmer. We hung onto hope and watched with sadness as beloved residents died. We comforted one another when one of our team members died. We supported each other while we figured out the constantly changing regulations and PPE requirements. We washed our hands and sanitized everything. The world was weary from dealing with COVID-19, political upheaval, societal unrest and increasing hostility, along with climate change and uncertainty around every corner.

Yet, somehow during those difficult days, a thrill of hope kept my faith alive as I heard of residents who were surviving COVID-19. After living long and full lives and overcoming many obstacles,

they were resilient enough to conquer COVID-19, too. I rejoiced! A thrill of hope buoyed my spirits as I talked with people who were discovering new hobbies in lockdown. Someone took up crocheting again after not doing it for many years.

Another took up a renewed emphasis on prayer. A thrill of hope settled in my soul as I saw the wondrous ways God was at work in this pandemic world. God was faithful in encouraging, guiding, leading and supporting us, especially on those long, difficult days where we experienced decision fatigue and burnout.

One of our residents, who is a WWII veteran and survived a kamikaze attack in the Pacific theater, told me that he calls one of our rehab facilities “A Place of Hope.” He told me that people come in after having had surgery or surviving a fall and they might have little to no hope that things will get better. Some people are in pain, some are weak, and some are dealing with multiple health issues. But that little thrill of hope increases week after week as their body begins to do things they didn’t think were possible. I love seeing someone who, after weeks in a wheelchair, takes their first few steps down the hallway. We rejoice when that happens!

Even when death is near, we have hope in the promise of the resurrection.

Though we will face trouble in this world, and we know how weary that trouble makes us, we can take heart that Jesus has overcome the world. Through Jesus Christ, a new and glorious morn breaks and that thrill of hope becomes a promise fulfilled for you, for me and for this weary world. Thanks be to God!

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St. Philip the Deacon

Frivolous Hope

BY JASON SCHERSCHLIGT

“H

ope is Not a Strategy,” blared the title of a business book a few years ago, attempting to put the quaint practice of “hope” in its place. Hope, says this worldview, is the domain of fools or failures. And as I look around this weary world, I gotta say: that business book author has a point.

Look at what Hope is up against.

Pandemic has gripped our planet: affecting us physically, socially, spiritually in ways we may not understand for years. It has spurred shortages of ICU beds, horse dewormer, and collegial interactions.

Other civic unrests seem unresolvable. Good-faith debates about how to sustain a healthy, just society have all but disappeared; in their place is factionalism based on identity and resentments.

Even old reliables like facts, experts, and language have cracked, as professions dedicated to seeking truth—journalists, scientists, epidemiologists, professions complete with oaths and standards—are set upon by wingnuts with too much time on their tweetin’ hands.

In our time of f lattened information, where ever yone’s the editor of their ow n feed, and has the same access to a globa l audience as a renow ned expert— what’s the effect on Tr uth? A nd w ith Tr uth assaulted, who has time for f rivolous hope?

My cousin told me that her son was excited about a school trip, but tempered his anticipation by saying, “I hope it doesn’t get canceled because of COVID.”

My college daughter was recently invited to speak at a national conference. “I hope it actually happens,” she cautioned. In these heartbreaking anecdotes, hope seems a desire for mere reliability.

Thinking hopelessly about hope, and frankly feeling grumpy about the whole project, I spent some time considering Emily Dickinson’s “‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers,” a poem of haunting strangeness. At first, I couldn’t figure it out. Feathers? Hope is, like, a bird? C’mon, Ms. Dickinson.

Then I got a text message from my brother-in-law: he proposed that we arrange a bad dad band version of a classic rock song and record it for the family. After that, I texted a friend going through a tough transition; we had an overdue chat. I made time for a golf outing with guys I hadn’t seen in a while.

All this engagement with fellow humans turned me from my moping about hoping, and then I reconsidered Dickinson’s line: “Hope’ is the thing with feathers.” So, Ms. Dickinson, you’re telling me that Hope is strange, precious, ancient, delicate. Hope needs nurturing; it seeks freedom; it sings. Hope is alive, and it’s in my care.

So, I take some responsibility for my thing with feathers. Now I’m doing things with other people. I meet a coworker for lunch. I arrange breakfast with another friend. Even better, now I’m doing things for other people. I take my son to lunch with his grandparents. I check on a friend who’d experienced a grave loss. Let’s keep it going. Buy a book for one daughter and surprise another with coffee. And

feathery hope f lutters a bit, even breaks into song.

And with that thing with feathers now warbling in my mind, I consider the unexpected gift of hope at Christmas, given to us every year, and every day.

Sure, business book guy, hope is not a strategy; so what? Gifts of hope, thrills of hope, are far bigger than sales strategies, and when we experience those thrills in the presence of one another, well, then the weary world rejoices.

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St. Philip the Deacon

I REFUSE TO GIVE UP AN INTERVIEW WITH BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY

BY TIM WESTERMEYER

B

ishop Michael Curry has been the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church since 2015.

He became familiar to much of the world in 2018 when he presided at the Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. He is also a well-known author and speaker. We are delighted to be welcoming him to St. Philip the Deacon for the Faith & Life Series on February 1 at 7 p.m. He spoke with Pastor Tim for this interview in October.

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You have been the presiding bishop of the Episcopal church since November 2015, which gives you a unique and privileged position from which to see the Christian landscape, both in this country and around the world. Given that position, can you say a few words about what gives you most hope for the Church and the world? It may sound cliché to say it, but my hope is in Jesus Christ—and let me tell you what I mean by that.

I don’t always understand the vagaries of life and existence, its ups and downs, and the dynamics that go into it, especially when you get into more complex social engagements.

There are times when I, like other people, cry, “How long, O Lord?” How long do we have to continue to struggle for just basic human rights and decency—and common decency of treating each other as brothers and sisters? How long—how long?

But my life is founded on the conviction that Jesus of Nazareth came with a message of love and carried the cross as an act that represented unselfish sacrificial love.

But death did not have the last word. The empire of Rome did not have the last word.

God raised him from the dead.

Now, if I didn’t believe that, then despair becomes a viable possibility. I refuse to live by despair. I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead and that the God that we’re talking about is love and that love can do that.

[That God] can handle this world now, so I refuse to give up.

What most worries you about the state of Christianity today or, if you want to broaden it, the state of the world? Christian complicity with the way things are. I happen to believe in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. He is my Savior, he is my Lord, but he was my teacher before that.

I mean the disciples came to know him as rabbi. And then they realized, “Hey, this

brother, he’s got a direct connection to God!” And then they came to conclusions about Savior and Lord, Messiah and all that stuff.

I believe we must reclaim the teaching of Jesus. We must reclaim the Jesus of the Sermon on the Mount, the Jesus of the parables. We must reclaim that Jesus and the Jesus behind the great “I Am” sayings.

We need to reclaim that Jesus and walk in his footsteps and ask the Spirit to guide us.

That’s what keeps Christianity Christian and not in compromise with the culture.

There is the danger of Christianity becoming complicit in its cultural environment. I think we wrestle with that here in the United States.

We’re realizing that there have been versions of white Christian nationalism that have been complicit with the culture.

I’m not talking about Hollywood.

I’m not talking about the arts.

I’m talking about political ideologies that are inconsistent with Jesus Christ, and that kind of complicity is a very dangerous thing.

and things that clearly don’t represent the average person sitting in the pew in most of our churches. And yet, if you ask people what their perception of Christianity is about, they will gravitate toward that, rather than the kind of Christianity that tries to actually follow in the footsteps of Jesus.

And that may be the greatest challenge— the selling of the soul of Christianity itself in our time.

Your term concludes in 2024. What do you hope your legacy as bishop will be? Do you have a vision for that? My hope is that there will be a spirit or an atmosphere for us, in the Episcopal church at least, that we will be perceived, and we will perceive ourselves, as people who have tried by God’s grace to follow Jesus for real.

“Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself.”

And I would submit that kind of complicity, we are seeing again in our time. It was that complicity that gave us the Doctrine of Discovery, that justified the seizing of the lands of Indigenous people and the killing of Indigenous people on religious grounds.

You have complicity of Christianity with chattel slavery of Africans in this country and enslavement of other peoples around the world.

Last January the 6th (the riot at the national Capitol) there were many symbols of Christianity—crosses and religious f lags,

My hope is that we will have been perceived and see ourselves as people who have taken the way of unselfish, sacrificial love to heart—and have tried by grace as best we can, to live it. And that action has produced a kind of evangelism that has integrity. That produces a kind of engagement with social justice and ref lects a church that is summoning the courage, however frightening it may be at times, to walk in the footsteps and in the way of this Jesus of Nazareth and his way of unselfish love, unashamedly.

A lot of people became acquainted with you for the first time at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Can you share a couple thoughts about what that experience was like? It was a wedding, you know? It was a happy occasion for the couple and for the family.

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St. Philip the Deacon

And those of us who have participated in or perform weddings know what weddings are like. They’re human occasions and have really human emotions.

It was wonderful—even if it was kind of like it says in Camelot, “for one brief shining moment.”

Even if it was for one brief shining moment—there were apparently two billion people watching that wedding.

And for one brief shining moment, we were happy for somebody. For one perfect shining moment, we smiled.

For one brief shining moment the human community, with all of its diversity and variety, was a family. Happy for two members of their human family getting married and creating a family.

We crossed racial divisions, and we crossed national differences. It didn’t matter that one was American, the other was a British. People crossed all sorts of divisions and we saw how two people’s love did that. That’s the power of love.

We saw it, but one moment, and then you know how we humans are—we go back to business as usual. It’s kind of like after Christmas is over. We celebrate, and then we forget. But for me, that was something I’m not going to forget.

That word love also comes up in the titles of your most recent books. Can you tease out a little bit more why love should be the driving, motivating force for the Christian life? Well, because if it’s not, then Christianity runs the danger of becoming merely another ideology and it also runs the danger of selfishness.

Jesus has this conversation with a lawyer in Matthew’s [Gospel]. Jesus says, it goes back to Deuteronomy and Leviticus, “Love the Lord your God and love your neighbor as yourself,” and then he adds, “On these”—listen to this language—“On these, love of God and love of neighbor, hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

He’s saying that the entire thing that God has been trying to say and do from the dawn of creation is love God and love each other. At the heart of the universe, is a heart.

This is about being willing to seek the good and the best and the wellbeing of others as well as the self—but before the self. We’ve got to get to a new revolution, where God and his way of love is the center of our lives, the center of our world, and then we will have a very different world.

For this issue of Inspire, the theme is “Light” and will come out during Advent. How do you think of light as it relates to our Christian faith? Well, light and darkness obviously are metaphors, and the experience of darkness can weigh heavily on you.

The early days of the pandemic, which is something we’ve all shared, became dark and dreary. And then there was the hope—just a momentary hope—that vaccines are coming. There was light in the darkness, there was some hope.

We are lost, but with just a little bit of hope, humanity can live and actually can figure out how to thrive. If you don’t have hope, you don’t do anything—you quit.

But all you need is a little bit of light. If you got just a little bit of light, you got hope and you can make it. To quote Anne Lamott, “You can march through hell for a heavenly cause if you have to, if you got a little bit of light.”

This issue is also, in addition to being during Advent and Christmas, coming out in the middle of the NFL season. I believe

you’re born in Chicago, correct? I was born in Chicago.

Then, you grew up in Buffalo, New York, I believe. So, the question is: Are you a Bears or a Bills fan and are you even allowed to answer that question, given the office you hold? I am an evangelist of the Buffalo Bills. Talk about hope! I’m a Buffalo Bills fan through thick and thin. One day we’re gonna get there. I’ve been a fan since the old days and I’m not quitting!

The title of your upcoming Faith & Life talk is “Faith and the Way of Love: Finding Hope in Troubled Times.” We’re looking forward to hosting you February 1. When people join us that night, what can they expect to hear? An honest recognition of the challenges that are before us and an honest affirmation of the hope that can move us.

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GOD WITH US

An Epiphany Meditation

BY AMANDA BERGER

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St. Philip the Deacon

Th e wor d “ e pi ph a n y ” com e s f rom a G r e e k wor d m e a n i ng, “show i ng fort h , m a n i f e stat ion, or r e v e l at ion.”

Spe c i f ic a l ly, it i s con n e c t e d t o t h e m agi m a k i ng t h ei r way t o Je s us’ n at i v it y a n d Ch r i s t be i ng m a de k now n t o t h e G e n t i l e s (non-Je w i sh pe opl e), w hom t h e m agi r e pr e se n t.

In our own Lutheran tradition, we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany 12 days after Christmas and mark it on the nearest Sunday, reading of the arrival of the magi at Christ’s nativity. Additionally, Epiphany is celebrated as a season of light and revelation, extending for many weeks, depending on the date of Easter. The gospel readings of the lectionary throughout this season— our “reading plan” for worship—offer us many different accounts of Jesus coming into his power as a preacher, teacher, healer, and miracle-worker, as he is revealed to his followers, and to us, as the Son of God. Use the following script as a guided meditation or journaling exercise, inviting you to consider how Christ has been revealed in your own life. If you choose to do this as a journaling exercise, be sure to have a pen and paper handy.

To begin, find a quiet, calm place where you can sit comfortably and won’t be disturbed. Consider closing your eyes as you begin and notice the slow inhale and exhale of your breath. Follow the rhythm of your natural breath for several cycles as you grow stiller and quieter.

Then, either out loud or to yourself, say the following prayer (or make up

your own) before moving into the meditation section. After the meditation, simply sit and ref lect on the words you read. After a few minutes move on to the ref lection questions, either journaling your answers or simply ref lecting on them in your heart. Close with the final prayer.

There are so many more moments that could be named and counted, each revealing just a little more of Jesus’ holy sense of justice and his compassionate ability to meet people right where they are. No huge production, just humble, real, earthly encounters that provide hope to all.

P R AY E R

“Jesus, you are the light of the world. In your holiness and your earthliness, you display the truth about who God is and God’s desire to be present with us. Open our eyes, ears and hearts to the ways in which you continue to reveal yourself to us today—through word and sacrament, through creation, and through holy encounters with other believers. By your light, may we truly see. Amen.

M E D I TAT I O N

Over and over in the Gospels, the majesty and truth of God with us, Immanuel, is made known, mostly in small moments with everyday kinds of people.

Jesus is presented at the temple, and Simeon and Anna proclaim his divinity.

As a child, Jesus reads the Torah and explains it to those listening with certain, otherworldly knowing. John baptizes Jesus, knowing exactly who Jesus really is. Jesus transforms water into wine at a wedding in Cana. He gathers a handful of unlikely disciples and calls them to follow him. Jesus heals. He feeds multitudes. Then, in front of just three of his closest friends, Jesus meets on a mountaintop with Moses and Elijah and is transfigured right before their eyes.

QUE STIONS FOR REFLECTION

When you consider the scripture stories that reveal Jesus’ true nature, which one speaks to you the most?

What is it about that story that connects to your experience of Christ?

What or who has made Christ most real to you in your life? Consider the details of that encounter. What was revealed to you by the person or experience?

Because we believe in a living God, the revelation of Jesus is not over and done in this world but continues to be ongoing. Where do you need Jesus to show up? And what do you need from him in that space? Consider writing a prayer, asking to be open to new revelations of God and how God is at work in our world.

C L O S I N G P R AY E R

Gracious Lord, dismiss me, your servant, in peace. My eyes have seen your salvation, which you have given for all people. Immanuel, God with us, you are a light and a revelation.

Allow me to see through your eyes with love, mercy and justice for all people. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

For a r e cor de d v e r sion of t h i s g u i de d m e ditat ion, v i sit spdl c .org/ l i n k s .

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LIGHTING THE WAY

BY NOR AH LONG

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St. Philip the Deacon

WINTER IS UPON US. The darkest season of the y ear w ith the longest nights, ev en longer up here in Minnesota. This bleak midwinter can be a challenge.

Thankfully, light plays an important role in the season of Advent, and in many of our holiday traditions. What traditions of yours involve light? Perhaps candles in the windows or twinklers on your tree?

Caroling with lanterns or more frequent fires in the hearth? At church we have the Advent wreath, lit a bit brighter each week. And then on Christmas Eve, with full wreath aglow, we get the bonus of that most glorious tradition: candlelight worship. I always wish the candlelight portion of that night’s service lasted longer. Alas, no one would be able to read their bulletins if we f lipped the switches earlier. So, we hold off until the final moments, until we can no longer bear to wait, until the traditional closing hymn “Silent Night” begins to play, and the f lame is passed.

The third verse of this beloved hymn is my favorite, and not just because it happens to be when all our candles are finally lit: “Silent night. Holy night!

Son of God, Love’s pure Light, radiant, beams from your holy face with the Dawn of redeeming Grace! Jesus… Lord at your birth.” It is as if we are singing, “Little baby Jesus, you’ve got the light of Love streaming from your eyes, and it’s as bright as the morning sun, as bright as our future, because we know you bring with you a new dawn, a new day, a new way: salvation by grace, not by works!

Hallelujah! We stand in silent awe at the holiness of it all.” Ah! No wonder our candles come out during this glorious text. The f lame of Love has been lit!

What heavenly peace!

Light is an important thing, and never more so than when we don’t have it. Light is pretty easy for us to take for granted these days. Flip a switch, there it is. It emanates from practically every device we own, carry and use. In our 21st century United States, even in these darkest days, it’s almost impossible to get away from.

For my grandparents who were born around the turn of the 20th century, however, pitch-black darkness was a common occurrence, and likely often an obstacle. Imagine making your way around a dark, unelectrified Iowa farm at night, no streetlamps to be found, no nearby cities lighting up the sky. Candles must have been at a premium.

This year has found me staying often at my grandparents’ former home to deal with our family estate. At my own house, getting up in the middle of the night becomes a bit of a game; I don’t want to wake up any more than I have to, so I leave the lights off and navigate to and from the bathroom by feel. Since I know the terrain so well, I can *usually* make the round trip without catastrophe. My family home, on the other hand, is a home I am familiar with, but not so much that I can keep from stubbing my toes without a nightlight.

In most homes, nightlights are plugged into wall outlets. However, due to this home’s unique layout, the nightlight has to be plugged into an extension cord which runs across the hallway. (Don’t ask; it’s hard to explain.) I thought at first this strange setup would prove helpful: I could put the light in the center of the f loor, which would surely provide the most guidance because there would be nothing nearby to block its glow. But I soon discovered that when placed in the middle of the hall, the glow actually kind of disappeared—dissipated into the void around it. It was far more effective when placed beside another structure; then, both the source itself and the neighboring ref lections could

light my path. It was really the ref lectors of the light that helped me to see. They clarified where to walk and what to avoid.

They amplified my experience of the light and its surprising power and greatness.

Christmas Eve is like this. The f lame of hope enters the space in darkness, far in the corner of the sanctuary, making its way toward the people. As it comes closer, it ref lects off the first worshiper’s face and body, brightening the space a bit more and helping guide their neighbor’s candle to find the f lame. Over and over, each worshiper comes close to the source of light, then radiates it to their neighbor, until soon all people, illuminated, have amplified the light and by their own radiance participated in creating enough light to see, to read, to sing by.

Each year, as we pass the small f lame of our candles and lift our a cappella voices in harmony, I cry. Maybe you do, too.

Why? Perhaps it’s the power of tradition.

Perhaps it’s the sentiment of the holiday.

Perhaps we’re all just worn out from getting ready for Christmas. For me, it’s because from the choir loft, I get to see all of your faces, every one of them, illuminated with light, ref lecting and radiating and golden and warm. You, the family of God, are the beautiful glowing structure overcoming the darkness and amplifying the True Light’s power and greatness. You help me see clearly that I am surrounded by love and hope and peace and community. And in that moment, all is calm, and all is bright.

Household of God, draw near. Our newborn Jesus, Light of Light Eternal, is radiant with pure love for all the world this Christmastide. Come close to the cradle. Lean in to see Jesus, our tiny nightlight. Let his radiant beams shine on you, bounce off of you. Your glow will light the path for others as they too search for his manger, in the bleak midwinter and all the year through.

You are the light Th anks be to God.

of

Christ.

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kind of healthcare role,” said Kyllo. “I want to make a difference, be hands-on, to see and help people get better. Right now, I’m thinking about epidemiology, but I’m not totally sure. Maybe a master’s program or law school.”

A LIGHT T H AT J U S T S H I N E S

BY AMANDA BERGER

W

hen Grace Kyllo talks about the work that she’s done in raising awareness of and funds for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, she simply lights up—she can’t help but smile, and the sparkle in her eyes makes it clear that this work is important to who she is and what she’s doing in the world. But Kyllo’s connection to St. Jude isn’t a new thing—it began when she was just 6 years old.

Thirteen years ago, Kyllo’s cousin, Marit Francis, was a kindergartner when she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of pediatric brain cancer. (Grace remembers the very day—May 29). At first, Francis was treated at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis, but then she was transferred to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. “I don’t remember a lot about Marit’s illness and treatment, but I remember little things like taking care of [the Francis’ dog] and praying for my cousin. It was only as I got older that I really realized how sick Marit had been,” said Kyllo. Francis is now a 13-year cancer survivor and Grace’s best friend.

During high school, Kyllo helped to co-lead the St. Jude Teen Gala along with Marit her junior and senior years. This event was originally started by Grace’s

older cousin (Marit’s sister) and from the beginning Grace was interested in the event and helping with it. From there, she basically grew into leadership of it.

Kyllo was also a part of the St. Jude Leadership Society, a leadership development program that helps high school students give back to their communities and St. Jude. Then, each summer, St. Jude hosts a leadership conference for the society with hospital tours, speakers, fundraising experts, and breakout sessions to help develop the participants’ skills as leaders and fundraisers. “You have to see it to understand, it’s just the most incredible place and experience,” said Kyllo, who attended the conference in 2019.

No family ever wants to hear that their child is sick. And St. Jude believes that no family should have to worry about money when they are just trying to get their child healthy. “No family receives a bill,” said Kyllo. “[St. Jude] wants the family to focus on their child living and getting well.

That’s what our fundraising supports.”

Now 20 years old and a sophomore at the University of Alabama, Kyllo is studying public health, with a minor in statistics.

“Being around so much healthcare and St. Jude has inspired me to go into some

Another big part of Grace’s life at Alabama is her membership in the Tri Delta Sorority—which, not coincidentally, supports St. Jude as their philanthropy. “I’ve known for a long time I wanted to join a sorority,” said Kyllo. “Sororities sometimes get a bad reputation for being all about partying, but they’re not. We’re all smart girls who care about our philanthropy and the fundraising that we do.” And while the connection to St. Jude wasn’t the only thing that drew Grace to Tri Delta, it was certainly a big factor.

Due to the pandemic, Tri Delta’s normal fundraisers were put on hold, but Kyllo still served on the philanthropy committee, where she holds a chair for community service, using her creativity and experience with events to plan fundraisers on campus.

In 2021, they held “Sweets for St. Jude”—a drive-thru bake sale where people ordered online, then drove by the sorority house to pick up the baked goods. Kyllo is looking forward to this year, hopeful that Tri Delta can return to their regular fundraisers like the Jam for St. Jude and their Delta House of Pancakes fundraiser.

When asked about her future plans, Kyllo is reluctant to name this passionate support of St. Jude as a calling, but she doesn’t entirely rule it out either. “Whenever I’m doing something for St. Jude, there’s a light that just shines. I’m giving back to others and I think that’s what God wants for me. It feels right,” said Kyllo. “It could be a calling, but I’m still on that journey to discover my purpose.”

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St. Philip the Deacon

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03 01

Chasing Da Vinci

BY AMANDA BERGER

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St. Philip the Deacon

It

sounds like the start of a movie: a gorgeously restored villa, ancient cathedrals, and sun-soaked wineries … a quest throughout Italy looking for images of The Lord’s Supper. But this is not the plot of a luscious cinema travel piece, but rather the itinerary for avid art and history enthusiasts Greg and Susan Path’s trip to Italy in June 2019.

Inspired by the 500th anniversary of Leonardo Da Vinci’s death, the Paths decided to engage tour guide Sara Cerri (recommended in Rick Steves’ travel guide) for a guided tour in Milan, who was integral to securing tickets to see the famous painting of Da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” at Santa Maria delle Grazie, a small church and Dominican convent.

This church, which was damaged during World War II, somehow managed to protect the famous painting which resides on the wall of the refectory (dining room) of the convent. “I think about [the painting] during Easter week and how important this Last Supper painting was to the monks and nuns that dined there every meal,” said Susan. “To have Christ and his disciples present during all of their meager meals, the presence of community even when they were sworn to eat in silence. The overwhelming grace of having a visual of Christ at your table.”

Although Da Vinci’s depiction formed the centerpiece of their art journey, the Paths also spent time in Florence, on a quest for other images of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples. “We explored favorite old haunts of the Duomo,” said Greg. “And hunted down Last Supper paintings in hotels, monasteries and random buildings to see who inf luenced Da Vinci’s Last Supper and who Da Vinci inf luenced in other artists’ Last Supper frescos.”

Seeing gorgeous artwork is often a large part of any trip that the Paths take. Susan said, “I am so inspired by the artists’ work—their stories and the labors of love and faith they brought to them. It is heart-

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warming to be so close to masterpieces I have studied and to know of their process of being produced and having been saved or restored after all these years.”

Any trip to Italy is incomplete without a nod to the amazing food. “We had many fresh fish dinners in Milan and Cinque Terre, very amazing wine and aperol spritzes. The salads were local fresh produce, and the pasta was amazing!” said Susan. Each city had a specialty food that was important to their history. “One we learned to make before we left was the chickpea pizza-like food, Cecina or Socca, in the city of Lucca.”

The Paths also rounded out their trip with time for hiking in the Cinque Terre, as well as joining up with three other couples to stay in a restored villa on the city wall of Trequanda. Other memorable moments— with food, of course—included engaging a local chef, Alessandro Piccinini, to come cook at their villa. With his help, they made panzanella salad, fresh pasta and Bolognese sauce, chicken bundles with prosciutto, spinach and local pecorino cheeses, sautéed zucchini and panne cotta, then eating it on the outside patio of their villa by the pool.

The Paths were quick to point out that while all these experiences were a part of their plan, some of the unexpected things became the most memorable: helping an elderly Scottish couple whose car had gone off the road, getting caught up in the procession of a medieval pageant in Cortona, or the exotic and mysterious foods at the Italian markets and stores.

“We learn so much about each place’s culture and history, meeting the people of the areas we travel to and being immersed in their food, art, history and faith.”

0. Susan prepares food according to

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Chef Alessandro’s instruction in the villa kitchen.

The whole group enjoys their meal poolside at the villa.

An image of the Lord’s Supper that was a part of the Paths “treasure hunt” in Tuscany.

Sunrise from the villa in Trequanda.

Susan and Greg Path in Milan.

Susan Path with Da Vinci’s Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie.

A third artist’s interpretation of the Last Supper.

An Italian market displaying the Cecina, or chickpea f latbread the Paths learned to make.

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ARISE, SHINE: RECIPES FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING

RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY

BY AMANDA BERGER

THE DAY OF JOY RETURNS, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will. HELP US rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wisemen. CLOSE THE DOORS OF HATE and open the doors of love all over the world… LET KINDNESS COME with every gift and good desires with every greeting. DELIVER US FROM EVIL, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. MAY THE CHRISTMAS MORNING make us happy to be thy children, and the CHRISTMAS EVENING bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. AMEN. A PRAYER FOR CHRISTMAS MORNING Henry Van Dyke

INSPIRE

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St. Philip the Deacon

PA IN AU C H O C O L AT (C H O C O L AT E C RO I S S A N T S ) While these aren’t entirely authentic, they ARE easy. Enjoy with café au lait or hot cocoa for an especially decadent start to the day. Serves 6 (two croissants each).

CARAMEL PECAN BAKED FRENCH TOAST Prepped the day before, this crowdpleasing dish comes together quickly during a busy Christmas morning— allowing the cook to get out of the kitchen and enjoy the festivities! Serves 6.

1 lb. French Loaf, cut into 1” cubes 6 Eggs 2 cups Half and Half 2 tsp Vanilla ¼ tsp Cinnamon ¾ cup Butter 1 1/3 cup Brown Sugar 3 tbsp Light Corn Syrup ¼ cup of chopped Pecans Maple Syrup, for serving Butter a 9 x 13” pan. Arrange bread cubes in it. It’s okay to overlap and create layers—the bread will barely fit. In a large bowl beat the eggs, half and half, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over bread, soaking completely. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, allow the bread mixture to set out while oven heats to 350° F. In a small saucepan combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup. Heat until bubbly and pour over bread mix. Sprinkle with pecans.

Bake at 350° for 40 minutes. Allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Drizzle with maple syrup for serving, if desired.

1 package (2 sheets) Pepperidge Farm* Frozen Puff Pastry 12 oz (24 tbsp) good quality Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips 1 Egg 1 tbsp Water Powdered Sugar Remove the sheets from the packaging and place on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Allow to stand at room temperature for about 30 minutes to thaw.

half in the opposite direction, making 12 rectangles. Make an egg wash by whisking the egg and water together in a small bowl.

Place 1 oz (2 tbsp) chocolate chips in the center of each rectangle. Fold the right side of the dough over the chocolate and use a pastry brush to brush with egg wash to moisten. Now fold the left side over the first side and press gently to seal, pinching the sides together at each end. Place on the baking sheet. Brush the tops of each croissant lightly with egg wash.

Bake the croissants for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar.

Serve warm.

Preheat oven to 425° F. Once thawed, unfold the sheets and cut along the fold lines using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, then cut each pastry sheet in

*I prefer this brand; when I’ve used other brands, the dough has tended to unfold in the oven, making for a less pretty croissant.

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GINGERBREAD MUFFINS I love the taste of gingerbread. Bittersweet molasses, spicy cinnamon and earthy cloves combine for the perfect warming holiday f lavor without being too sweet.

Coarse sugar adds a little crunch and the perfect bakery-style finish. Makes 12 muffins.

2 ½ cups All-purpose Flour 1/2 cup Brown Sugar 2 tsp Baking Powder 1/2 tsp Baking Soda 1/4 tsp Salt 1 ½ tsp Ginger 2 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Ground Cloves 1/2 cup Molasses 1/2 cup Milk, at room temperature 1/2 cup Butter melted and cooled to room temperature 2 large Eggs, at room temperature 1 ½ tsp Vanilla Extract Coarse Sugar, for sprinkling Preheat oven to 425° F and line a muffin pan with muffin liners.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Using a rubber spatula, mix together just until combined. Overmixing will result in dense muffins.

Add the batter to the muffin pan, filling each muffin liner just over 3/4 full.

Sprinkle the coarse sugar on top of each muffin.

In a large bowl combine f lour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt.

Bake for 5 minutes at 425° F, then lower oven temperature to 350° F. Cook for an additional 15 minutes at 350° F or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the muffin comes out clean.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk molasses, milk, eggs, butter and vanilla extract together.

Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

INSPIRE

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St. Philip the Deacon

OUT & ABOUT Each fall, we invite all of our members, friends and neighbors to the Family Fall Festival. Children’s Ministry Staff member Trisha Ragner put together a “boo-tiful” afternoon of games, snacks, costumes and trunk-or-treating on Sunday, October 24.

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GIVING THANKS

LIVESTREAM AV TEAM

W

e have a brilliant team who work diligently each week to make sure that our livestream events—from worship to Faith & Life—look and sound their best. Not only has this team ensured our continued ministry throughout the pandemic, but also continues to be a major part of our ministry team as we expand our mission throughout all 50 states and many countries around the world.

Thank you to Christopher Hart, Paul Liebenow, Scott Peterson, Steve Uppman, Darin Nederhoff, Kate Sterner and Fran Flatten for all the ways they support our mission and ministry, allowing the light of Christ to be made known throughout the world.

INSPIRE

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St. Philip the Deacon

S U N D AY DECEMBER

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THE APOLLO MEN ’S CHORUS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

WINTER CALENDAR

The Apollo Club of Minneapolis is a choral organization founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The organization has been in operation since 1895, making it one of the oldest continually performing ensembles in the United States. Check theapolloclubmn.org for ticket information.

T H U R S D AYS U N D AY JA NUA RY

27-30 8TH A NNUA L ICE FISHING R E T R E AT T H U R S D AY, D E C E M B E R 1 6 S I L E N T N I G H T: YO G A FA I T H WITH HARP

7 p.m. Join yoga instructors Amanda Berger and Kathy Hagedorn and harpist Rachel Brandwein for a gorgeous, meditative evening of slow f low yoga, prayer and music. A chair yoga version is also available. Please register at spdlc.org/register.

S U N D AY, J A N U A R Y 1 6 DE ACON DINE RS V IR T UA L COOKING CL ASS

5-7 p.m. Connie Blanchard of Blanchard’s Catering will teach a virtual cooking class, for the January Deacon Diners event. The menu will be favorites from Provence. Come cook with us! Grocery list and equipment list prior to class along with wine pairings.

S U N D AY, F E B R U A R Y 1 3 SOUP ER BOWL OF CARING

A special offering will be taken at all worship services during this weekend, raising funds for our mission partners in Haiti. Funds go toward purchasing and distributing food for those in the Cap-Haitien region.

Led by Pastor Mark Schmid, this weekend on Lake of the Woods is a perfect chance to take a break, connect with others and spend time in our Creator’s winter wonderland. Registration is open until all the spaces are filled. Sign up at spdlc.org/register.

S U N D AY FEBRUA RY

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FA M I LY W I N T E R F U N D AY

Lowry Nature Center in Victoria. Enjoy a winter afternoon outdoors, sledding, cross-country skiing or snow shoeing at the Lowry Nature Center. Of course, there will be cocoa and smores around the campfire.

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FA M I L I A R FA C E S KRAIG WINDSCHITL

then being received into the community through first or simple vows. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have lived and prayed with the St. John’s community.

While the monastic life is rich in many ways, I ultimately decided that life “out in the field” is a better fit for me.

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What are three things on your lifetime to-do list?

Visit Iceland, improve my chipping/short golf game, and perfect Grandma’s recipe for sour cream raisin coffee cake.

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When Kraig joined the St. Philip the Deacon staff in August of 2021, he brought with him a deep sense of purpose and a contagious joy.

Taking on the newly created role of Associate Director of Music Ministry, he provides support throughout music ministry and oversees our contemporary service.

Describe when you knew you’d be going into ministry. I don’t think I ever considered NOT being in some sort of ministry. My mom and dad raised me with an instilled appreciation of music. My mom, Joanne, worked at the Cathedral in New Ulm as organist/director of music. Therefore, childhood was spent either next to the organ bench, or better yet, doing the odd jobs around a large sanctuary that only church workers or volunteers know about—like sorting hymnals, filling holy water fonts, or swapping out candles. I value the community connection that comes through group work within the church. When doing ministry in groups, it makes the world seem a little bit smaller.

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What’s one thing that people would be surprised to know about you? I remind myself daily: life is a journey not a destination.

I spent the first three years of my 30s as a Benedictine monk at St. John’s Abbey, in Collegeville, Minnesota. I did my undergrad at St. John’s University and then became an oblate of the Benedictine community there. The call to the three Benedictine vows of stability, obedience, and conversion continue to remain a constant in my life.

At St. John’s I discerned through the process of being a postulant, novice, and

How do you take care of yourself—spiritually, emotionally and physically—so that you stay healthy in ministry? One of the best pieces of spiritual advice I received while at St John’s was about the importance of spiritual care. Spiritual direction and having a spiritual director is a vital piece of who I am and who God wants me to be. Having a spiritual director that I can go to, not only as a prayer buddy, but with ways to grow, not only helps my own spiritual life, but allows me to be open and available to others who are looking to grow through Christ.

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What are you passionate about right now? SAINT PHILIP THE DEACON! I feel blessed and honored to be added on staff here.

The new adventures and challenges inspire me to jump in headfirst! You pray for me; I’ll pray for you—SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!

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IN JOURNAL

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S AT U R D AY S 1 0 A M - 2 P M • F I R E S I D E R O O M

All are welcome. No experience necessary.

Each gathering will include instructions for a new technique as well as a prompt for documenting your faith. Bring your own Journaling Bible (or purchase one at your first session) and any supplies from home that you love. Fee is $10 per session and covers all materials.

JA NUA RY 2 2

Please register at spdlc.org/register as space is limited and so we can ensure enough materials.

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Letters of the New Testament Lost Art/Envelopes with wax seals FEBRUA RY 1 9

Song of Songs 2:12 Painted fussy cut images

1 Thessalonians 5:17 Summer Prayer Journal

CIRCLE ROCK CONCERTS FOR COMMUNIT Y

Uptown Brass from the Minnesota Orchestra and renowned organist David Cherwin will present an eclectic, entertaining and virtuosic program featuring songs of joy from all around the world.

Sunday, February 27, 2022 3:00 pm St. Philip the Deacon Uptown Brass Features: Douglas Carlsen, Trumpet Charles Lazarus, Trumpet Michael Gast, Horn R. Douglas Wright, Trombone Steven Campbell, Tuba Proceeds from the concert support Mental Health Connect.

17205 County Road 6 Plymouth, MN 55447

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”

2 CORINTHIANS 4:6

V I S I T U S O N L I N E AT S P D L C .O R G