God is doing a new think among us

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Notes from the field

I want to offer a brief reflection with a few notes from the field as I continue the early work of developing a new community of faith in the Lewes, Milton, and Rehoboth area.

This work has been nothing short of life-giving for me. That does not mean I do not miss you or the ministry in Frankford. I spent almost three years among you helping this congregation grow, and that is part of my calling. Planting and nurturing communities of faith that were once dying is sacred work. Thank you for your support as I step into this next chapter and new role at Community.

In these first four weeks, I have found myself in deep conversations with young adults in coffee shops, in stores, outdoors, with area clergy, and with people whose lives look very different from what we see here in Frankford. There is no single way to grow a community of faith. Every place has its own culture, its own longings, and its own barriers to trust.

Here is just a glimpse:

A young adult who is trans and passionate about nonprofit work.
Another grieving the recent death of his grandmother while preparing for the Air Force.
A man in his thirties energized by service and social justice.
Young women navigating faith as pastors’ kids.

Almost without exception, these individuals carry little trust in institutional religion. Yet they are hungry for connection.

Statistics reflect what I am experiencing. Young adults today report the highest levels of loneliness of any age group. Up to 61 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds say they are seriously lonely. Many between 30 and 44 report feeling lonely daily. Still, for reasons I can only describe as holy moments, they choose to sit with me even with a clerical collar that for many symbolizes exclusion or harm.

A few coffee shop owners are tentative too. I suspect they are concerned a collar may feel standoffish to customers. They also carry anxieties about organized religion. They may be the hardest nuts to crack with love.

What I am discovering is that the younger demographic in Milton, Lewes, and Rehoboth is not looking for conversations about liturgy or church structure. They are longing for belonging and meaningful relationships. If you imagine the new ministry will look like what we do in Frankford, I want to gently say that it will not. The demographics are different, and the shape of worship and community must reflect that.

Young adults are drawn to smaller, digitally connected gatherings. Even the word worship can feel like a heavy bridge to cross when attached to an institution. They want to talk about vocation, justice, and mental health, the very conversations we have already been having over coffee. They value intimacy over production and outdoor gatherings over large worship bands.

As we approach Christmas, I will host Pastor Pop-Ups in the Rehoboth, Lewes, and Milton area to listen to holiday stress, family dynamics, or the experience of having no family at all. I know some of you are excited and want to join me in these moments. But for now, I need you to trust me and not show up. This new community needs space to grow in its own way.

If you want to support outreach in Frankford by setting up a listening table at Kisa, that is wonderful. But please allow me to build trust in this new setting with the people who live there.

You have also asked how to support this new ministry when I am asking you not to show up physically. Here is how you can help:

Pray for the people I am meeting, for the trust forming, and for a safe spiritual home to emerge.
Donate to help us grow a community designed for people who have never had a safe place to explore God’s presence.
Spread the word, even before we fully know what this new ministry will become.
Encourage, because encouragement is one of our core values at Community.

Some of you have called from the hospital in Lewes asking if I can stop by since I am nearby. I love hearing from you. But that is Pastor Carla’s role as your lead pastor. My role has changed. I am now a mission developer.

We can be one church with different expressions. Liturgy means the work of the people, and that work looks different in different places.

I am grateful for your support as I continue this work. And I encourage you to keep doing the good work you are already doing in Frankford and the surrounding communities. With Pastor Carla leading you, you are in excellent hands.

Pastor Karis

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

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.

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

Evening Classic Vinyasa Yoga

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

When: Dec. 10, Dec. 17, 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.

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:

• 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.

Empowerment Campaign Timeline

• December 7 – Celebrate! Announce campaign results and give thanks!

Please remember to turn in your Statements of Intent if you have not already done so. Simply email to clcomarfinance@gmail.com.

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