Tis the season of Advent and waiting. I hope you find moments of quiet as the days shorten and the darkness and cold envelop us. Advent is also a season of preparing our heart for what is to come. I am busy preparing what will come after the start of the New Year for Faith Development.

It is evident we will still be online for a while so the faith development team has been considering what we can offer that is meaningful and doesn’t require a long-term commitment, because for some of us that is just not possible right now. So here are our ideas as of today:

Offer a monthly discussion on a film, podcast, or article. This will be in conjunction with the Social Action team and be similar to the discussions on policing and the discussion on Just Mercy held this past year.

• Have an online asynchronous book group focused on learning more about our own relationship to racism and historical perspectives of oppressed peoples. Format: read the same book, one chapter a day; comment weekly on a closed app, most likely Padlet, and respond as so moved to individual reflections.
• In addition to these two offerings, you can still join a learning circle for the year. Acorn groups for new(ish) members is planning a start-up again in January. Contact membership@liveoakuu.org if you are interested. And, you can still sign up for Chalice Circles, although that does require a commitment of twice a month attendance in your circle. We have a circle waiting to start once we have enough people.

Wondering what these groups are about and what other groups exist at Live Oak? This article from Rev. Joanna offers a brief explanation.

*See* you on Sunday!

Carrie Krause, DLFD