Walking together through Long Advent

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Rooted in gratitude and growing in service

Welcome to the blustery beauty of a proper autumn, my friends!

Did you know that November is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month and Native American Heritage Month? As we continue to dream about how to live out our call to ministry with and for God’s people, I wanted to share a few examples of the inspiring resources that exist within the ELCA world that root and center us.

Consider spending some time this month of “Long Advent” learning about our biblical foundations for these calls and the creative ways Lutherans are living them out across the country. You’ll find videos, Bible studies, and book recommendations that encourage faith in action.

Let’s dive in together and each find something new to share with a neighbor this week.

Blessings on the journey,
Lovingly, Pastor Carla

Resources on Ending Hunger:

• ELCA World Hunger
• Social Message on Homelessness
• Homeless and Justice Handbook Directory
• ELCA Blog: Homelessness

For Native American Heritage Month:

• ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal Relations

This Advent season, join us in reflection, prayer, and study as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.

Advent study: The Journey by Adam Hamilton

Join Rev. Deb and Pastor Carla for an in-person, four-week Advent study based on Rev. Adam Hamilton’s The Journey. This fascinating look at the birth of Jesus takes participants from Nazareth to Bethlehem, using history, archaeology, and reflection to explore the meaning of Christ’s coming.

• When: Sunday, Nov. 30 (after worship; bring your lunch) and
  • 10 a.m. on Fridays, Dec. 5, 12, and 19
• Where: Luther Hall
• Cost: Book available on Amazon for about $10
• Video: Available through Amplify Media
• Register: Email PastorCarla@BridgeBuilder.church to sign up (walk-ins welcome).

Advent contemplative prayer group

During the Advent season, join us for contemplative prayer focused on Lectio Divina, or sacred reading. Together we will meditate on scripture and the themes of the Advent wreath: hope, peace, joy, and love.

• When: 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Mondays, Dec. 1, 8, 15, and 22
• Facilitators: Spiritual Director Gale Wenk du Pont and Pastor Carla Christopher
• Location: Online via Zoom

Register: Click here to sign up

Advent journey toward justice: Lunch ‘n Love

Join us for a weekly online gathering that connects the Advent story with the work of justice and compassion. This LGBTQIA+ celebrating, immigrant-welcoming study explores community-led efforts to end hunger, poverty, and oppression.

• When: 12:15 – 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, Dec. 2, 9, and 16
• Facilitator: Pastor Carla Christopher, with community guests

Register: Click here to join

Koinonia Advent afternoon of celebration and fellowship

Saturday, Dec. 6, 1–3 p.m., Luther Hall

Enjoy hot cider, cocoa, snacks, and crafts as we celebrate the season. Create your own Advent wreath and connect with others in fellowship and fun.

Bishop Gohl’s 25th ordination celebration

All DE-MD ELCA congregations are invited to celebrate Bishop Gohl’s 25th ordination anniversary at Grace Lutheran Church in Hockessin on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 3–5 p.m.
RSVP at demdsynod.org/bishop25.

Community joins World AIDS Day worship service

World AIDS Day, recognized on Dec. 1, is a time to remember all who have died of AIDS. CAMP Rehoboth, in partnership with Sussex Pride, will co-host a community worship service with multiple area congregations, including Community Lutheran Church. Pastor Carla will serve as one of the worship leaders.

Date: Sunday, Nov. 30
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Avenue, Rehoboth Beach

Trans Day of Remembrance service

Community Lutheran will join local faith partners for the Trans Day of Remembrance service to honor the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence and to stand together for hope, justice, and love. Pastor Carla will participate in the service.

Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Time: 6:30–8 p.m.
Location: Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware, 30486 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Lewes

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Service

Join Pastor Carla and others for this interfaith candlelight service honoring those who have died without a place to call home.

When: Sunday, Dec. 21, 6 p.m.
Where: Our Lady of Lourdes, 528 E. Stein Hwy, Seaford, DE
Hosted by: Housing Alliance Delaware and community partners.

Christmas Gift Drives

For Pantry Families:

The Food Pantry would like to provide Christmas gifts to children of pantry participants during the Dec. 16 distribution.

Participants will have the opportunity to select items for their children from donations collected in advance. We are asking for unwrapped gifts (valued at no more than $20) to be brought to the church and placed in the collection box in the narthex. A suggested gift list will be available near the box.

Suggested items include:

• Games or toys
• Books
• Stuffed animals
• Crafts or puzzles
• Art supplies

Ages: Gifts should be appropriate for children ages 2 to 14.
Drive begins: Nov. 9

Thank you for your generosity.

Questions? Contact Lorie at 301-247-9711.

For John M. Clayton Elementary School:

Provide new, unwrapped toys or clothes by Dec. 7. Items will be distributed to families who select gifts for their children. This is a separate collection from the gifts that we will be collecting for the families of our food pantry clients.  The following is a list of the items that the staff is requesting:

Holiday Gift Ideas for Ages 5-12

• Crafts
• Dolls
• Plushies, Stuffies
• Fishing Rods & Tackle Boxes
• Goo jitzu
• Indoor Snowballs
• Jewelry
• Legos for boys and girls
• Make-up and Mirrors; Hair supplies
• PJ’s & Blankets
• Remote Control Vehicles for boys and girls
• Robots for boys and girls
• Skateboards, helmets, knee and elbow pads
• Speakers
• Sporting Equipment: baseball bats, balls, gloves; footballs; basketballs
• STEM kits
• Transformers
• Board Games (Some) & Books (Some)

There will be a separate collection box in the Narthex for the school.  Questions? Contact Terri Windlan at 703.405.5316.

Friendly reminder: Updated contact emails

Please double-check the email address you’re using when reaching out to Community Lutheran staff. All accounts are now working correctly.

Contacts:

• Pastor Carla — pastorcarla@bridgebuilder.church
• Pastor Karis — pastor@bridgebuilder.church
• David Nilsson, Treasurer — treasurer@bridgebuilder.church
• Morgana Wilkes, Technology Support —  tech.clc.30897@gmail.com

Our ministry is always moving through worship, service, and care. Here’s what’s coming up at Community:

• November 19: DAV Veterans Benefits Seminar
  9 a.m.–1 p.m. in Luther Hall. Open to all veterans and families seeking guidance on benefits.
• November 22: Thanksgiving Food Distribution
  Volunteers should arrive by 9 a.m. Drive-through at 11 a.m. Bring warm clothes for outdoor service.
  Items needed: instant or canned potatoes, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, applesauce, canned vegetables, sweet potatoes, cream of mushroom soup, fried onions, bread or cornbread mix, and desserts.
• December 2 and 16: Food Pantry distributions
• December 24: Cocoa and Carols at 4:30 p.m. followed by Christmas Eve worship at 5 p.m.

Community Lutheran’s fall Empowerment Campaign: a season of growth and vision

Community Lutheran is embarking on an exciting new chapter as we continue to grow in faith, service, and impact. This fall, we’re launching our Empowerment Campaign, a time to celebrate where we’ve been, cast vision for where we’re going, and invite everyone to play a vital role in sustaining and strengthening our shared ministry.

At the heart of this campaign is the introduction of our three Signature Ministries, which will help guide our mission through 2026 and beyond. These ministries reflect our deepest values and the unique call God has placed on this congregation.

Below is the timeline for this fall’s Empowerment Campaign:

Empowerment Campaign Timeline

• November 23 – Commitment Sunday: A sacred moment to offer our pledges and prayers
• December 7 – Celebrate! Announce campaign results and give thanks!

Lift one another up

Get involved