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An Early Christmas Present: Our 2006 Advent Dinners at St. Augustine's by Ted Fogel, St. A's Parishioner As new members of St Augustine's, my wife Ingrid and I attended the three Wednesday evening Advent dinners last month with no ideas about how events would unfold, how that series of meals might make the Advent season meaningful in 2006 or how we would participate, if at all. I guess we anticipated no more than that we would have good fellowship with other parishioners, good leadership from the events' organizer Rev Laura Queen and good cheer from our always welcoming Rector, Hartshorn. Fortunately for us and the others who also were able to be there, the Advent dinners met and greatly exceeded our hopes for the Advent season of "expectation." The fellowship at the evening repasts was terrific. We had time to talk with other parishioners−some of whom we hadn't met before−as we dined on delicious fare including hot soup that took the bite out of the cold night air, salads with crunchy tidbits like dried cranberries and walnuts, hot fresh bread, and deserts such as the homemade brownies crafted by Laura's very own hands. At table we and the others discussed everything from people's plans for the Holidays to what we felt were the answers to questions posed by Laura, including what our hopes were for Advent. As is so wonderfully typical of St Augustine's, everyone who wanted to speak had the chance to do so and their thoughts were greeted with enthusiasm and positive responses. Simply put, the dining experience was fun, satisfying both physical and emotional appetites. So, thankfully, we did become active participants in the dinners from the very start. Participation in the dinners didn't end with the food and dinner table conversation. After the meals, Laura and Hartshorn guided us to and through a spiritual quest that indeed did make Advent−at least for us---a most meaningful season, a calming prelude to the joys of celebrating Jesus' birth only a brief time after the series ended. Here's how. Shortly after dinner at tables on the stage of Pierson Hall concluded, everyone moved to chairs arranged just below the stage so that half of them faced the other half, creating a sense of togetherness as well as one's own private space. Once each of us had a few moments to peruse a short Biblical lesson, we were instructed about the Lectio Divina process, a technique that includes listening closely to the words of the lesson, reflecting on them, prayerfully offering up our reflections to the Lord and being silent so God's presence really could be known. Following that instruction, in each session three different people read the lessons out loud. Every time someone read, I heard something different and really got to reflect on what the lesson meant. When the third reading ended, we sat in silence to reflect further and feel God's presence. Truly it worked! You could just feel God's warmth and love in that quiet room, which seemed so intimate and personal despite its rather vast square footage. And there was more. When the readings and silent meditations were over, we were told the history, purpose and methodology for walking the labyrinth. Then we all had the opportunity to walk the labyrinth if we so desired. I did it on foot the first two sessions; the third time I took my "journey" tactilely on the lap-sized plastic labyrinth, tracing my "path" with an index finger. The slow pace of the circuitous adventure−made alongside others silently taking a similar walk−enhanced further reflection on the readings, on the Advent and Christmas Seasons, on one's hopes and concerns, and on the incredible blessing of being included in this special Advent series at our very special church. I don't know what Advent 2007 will bring. But this much I feel confident in predicting: at St Augustine's, it will be a unique, spiritually fulfilling event. Copyright © 2007 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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