Dear friends,

Today is January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, the day we remember the story of the Magi bringing gifts to the baby Jesus. The season of Epiphany, (from January 6 to Ash Wednesday) is often known as the season of light. There is the light of the star that guides the Magi to Bethlehem, stopping over the manger where Jesus is born. And there is the light of Christ coming into the world.

Sadly, January 6 now has another meaning in our country; one associated with darkness rather than light. Every four years January 6 is the day that Congress certifies the results of the previous fall’s presidential election. Until four years ago that was a routine action that was barely noticed in the news. That changed on January 6, 2021, with the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by those trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. No matter how many times I have seen the videos of that horrifying day it still gives me chills. And as we now know the events of that day were not a spontaneous riot, but were part of an attempted coup planned at the highest levels of our government.

I’ve thought a lot about the irony of these polar opposite events we remember on January 6. And I’ve realized that the events at the Capitol in 2021 were also an epiphany of sorts. 

The dictionary definition of epiphany is “a revelation, a revealing moment, or a moment in which you suddenly see or understand something in a new or very clear way.” The Church season of Epiphany is about the revelation of God in the flesh and blood infant Jesus, and the adult Jesus’ continuing revelation of God through his actions and teachings.

The events of January 6, 2021 were also a revelation. It was a moment of clarity that revealed that the divisions in our country go far deeper than differing opinions on issues. They are a crack in the foundation of our democracy, a revelation of just how fragile our system of government is, and how easily we could descend into a facist authoritarianism. The events of that day were horrific. But the revelation is hopeful. The whole truth of our situation is necessary if we are to heal and protect our democracy and our country. We need the light to reveal the reality of our situation to do that.

It also helps me to remember that the first Epiphany occurred in a very dark world. Jesus was born into a land occupied by the foreign and often brutal Roman empire. He came in poverty and vulnerability into a world filled with violence and evil.

Today Congress certified the results of last fall’s election. It was a very different scene from four years ago, There was no violence. No senators or representatives lied that the election was stolen. All our elected officials certified that the election results were accurate, whether they were happy with those results or not. 

Those who tried to overthrow the election four years ago are now, or soon will be, lawfully in office. But the cracks in our democracy that were exposed four years ago are still there. 

On this Epiphany I remember these words from the Gospel of John about Jesus’ birth: “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it.” It is our call as Christians to help that light shine.

One way we are doing that at St. Dunstan’s is by sponsoring a family of refugees, who will be arriving sometime within the next two weeks. We are still collecting things that the family will need as they begin their new life in this country. Our outreach chair Suzanne Johnson says what is needed most are the various items for the queen and twin beds.

Here is the link to the gift registry and instructions about how to use it. The registry is immediately updated as people indicate what they are donating.

https://www.giftster.com/gift/public/jDxhm

Shower with Love

Our refugee family will be arriving in the next couple of weeks. As part of our welcome, we want to equip their new home with basic necessities (and some extra nice touches). From now until January 12th, you are invited to “Shower Them with Love” by contributing items on the attached link. The link is to a gift registry app that will let us avoid duplication. If you have any problems with the app or questions, contact Suzanne Johnson

Some important things to note:

  1. Gently used items in good, clean condition are fine.
  2. The app indicates particular brands and particular stores. You can ignore those suggestions. They are part of the advertising embedded in the app. Just click on the “purchase” button rather than the store button and buy or bring whatever brand you want.
  3. Bring your items to the church by January 12th and place them on the tables at the front of the parish hall. If you are ordering items online, you can have them delivered to the church. If you are donating twin beds or mattresses, call Suzanne to arrange for pickup.
  4. If you have other items that you think the family could use that are not on the list, please contact Suzanne before donating them.
  5. Most of the items and quantities are what is required as part of the US government’s refugee resettlement protocol, so it is important that we provide as many of these items as possible so that the cash we donated can be used by the family for rent and utilities until they find jobs.

Thanks to Suzanne, Jessica Peoples (who created the registry) and all who are donating and volunteering to help give this family a loving welcome to their new home.

With love,
Tricia

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