Dreaming toward Christmas and the year ahead

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Dreaming with hope as Christmas draws near

Grace, peace, and every blessing to you, my friends. My heart and mind are increasingly embracing the final days of Advent and the celebration of Christmas that leads into Epiphany. Yes, I celebrate all 12 days with joy and full participation.

One of the joyful aspects of my Christmas traditions is dreaming about the new year. As hope is born into the world with Jesus, we are dreaming and working with excitement as your pastoral staff, your council, and your team coordinators. As we remember that Jesus came for people across genders, nationalities, classes, and cultures, we continue to commit to being church together. That means your voices are both needed and actively desired.

As I began my time as lead pastor at Community Lutheran Church, I gathered the interviews conducted in July along with voices from surveys and congregational discussions that took place before I arrived. With support and input from the council and staff, I created a set of shared priorities titled The First 100 Days of Carla at Community.

I believe much progress has been made and many adventures have been had, but I would love your thoughts, suggestions, celebrations, and questions. As congregational leadership moves into the final weeks of the first 100 days and prepares to finish January poised for rich and love-filled outreach and ministry, I invite you to review this summary and email me with your ideas or reflections. Please feel free to share how you feel called to participate. Requests for coffee or tea are always welcome.

I am deeply grateful for this holiday season together and even more excited to enter a new year of ministry and mission with you.

Pastor Carla

Read the First 100 Days summary here

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

Advent contemplative prayer group – final meeting

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

Register: Click here to sign up

Tax-free giving: Yes, it really can be that easy

Did somebody say free? Oh yes, we did.

If you are one of our “youngsters” who is over age 70 and have an IRA, you may make a direct distribution from your IRA to Community Lutheran Church. That distribution will not be taxable to you. This is called a Qualified Charitable Distribution, or QCD, because the IRS never met an abbreviation it did not like.

You may make a QCD at any time during the year, even right before year end (hint). As long as the distribution goes directly from your IRA trustee to the church without touching your pocket first, it will not be taxable.

Why is this good news?
A QCD can lower your taxable income, even if you take the standard deduction. If you itemize, a QCD may also reduce your adjusted gross income, which can help you qualify for more medical expense deductions. The only bad news is that for 2025 the maximum QCD is 108,000 dollars. Shucks.

If you are age 73 and required to take a minimum distribution (an RMD), a QCD may count toward that requirement. It is as easy as ABC. (Oh please, stop already.)

Your IRA trustee will still send you a 1099-R showing all distributions from your account. When preparing your tax return, the QCD amount may be excluded from income. So keep track of all QCDs to get the most bang for your buck.

Another tax saving gift option
If you have long-term appreciated stock that you would love to sell but do not want to pay the capital gains tax, we have a deal for you. You may donate that stock to Community Lutheran and:

• avoid capital gains tax
• receive a deduction for the fair market value
• support the church at the same time

Contact Jim Landis or me if your portfolio needs a little tax relief.

Happy giving.
David Nilsson, CPA, Treasurer

Trauma-informed Yoga

Focus on strength, balance, breathwork, and relaxation while learning techniques for chronic pain and healthy movement.

When: Jan. 7, and Jan. 14, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Community Lutheran Church
Who: All are welcome
Cost: Free

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.

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
• Mari Satterlee — president@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:

• December 24: Cocoa and Carols at 4:30 p.m. followed by Christmas Eve worship at 5 p.m. The worship service will be live-streamed.
• January 10: Creation Care Ministry Movie Night – Join us in Luther Hall to watch The Biggest Little Farm from 6-8 p.m. Pizza and popcorn included.

Lift one another up

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