Saturday, December 15, 2012

Presiding Bishop's Christmas Message

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued her 2012 Christmas message.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined. Isaiah 9:2

These words were spoken long ago to people living in anxiety, fear, and despair, people feeling bereft of security, safety, and any sense of God’s presence. We hear them early on Christmas, forgetting that they were first spoken hundreds of years before the birth we celebrate. Human beings across this planet still yearn to know that a more gracious and divine reality is active and evident in our lives.

The birth we celebrate is meant for this world mired in darkness and fear, yet it also becomes easier to discover in a tiny voice crying in protest over being cold and wet and hungry. We hear that cry in the midst of war’s ravages in Congo and Afghanistan, in the rubble of hurricane and earthquake, in the demeaning of chronic poverty, behind prison bars. That flickering of hope surges as the world turns to investigate this surprising new life, one heart at a time. The light grows as hearts catch fire with the same light that illumines the stars, pulsing hope and new life, even out of black holes.

Those who search in dark and despair, in dank dungeon and deep devastation, will find divine light given for the world. Light that will not be put out, so long as any creature remains to receive it, until and beyond the end of time. The darkness will never put it out.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5

Go and look – and discover the love of God poured into our world in human form. Hope reigns abroad, in the cosmos and in human hearts. And rejoice, for a child of the light is born in our midst!

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Portsmouth Arts Guild Holiday Sale and Open House

On December 8, the Guild will hold a Holiday Sale and Open House from 10:00-2:00pm. This is a family-friendly event with live music, artist demonstrations activities for kids and holiday refreshments, perfect for the entire family.  The Guild's multi-media Holiday Exhibition features small-scale, affordable art, $200.00 or less—unique pieces that could make the perfect holiday gift!  Hand crafted jewelry, paintings, photographs, notecards and tote bags for sale.  The Open House and Sale event is free and open to the public.  You can find the sale in the St Paul's Episcopal Parish Hall at 2679 E. Main Rd in Portsmouth right next to the church and across from the Portsmouth library.  For more information on Guild exhibitions, artists, and art go to PortsmouthArts.org .

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A Celtic Christmas

The Greater Tiverton Community Chorus will giving three performances of  A Celtic Christmas this weekend. These will be 7:30 PM Friday December 7 at St Michael's Episcopal Church in Bristol, 7:30 PM Saturday December 8 at St John the Baptist Church in Westport and 3:00 PM Sunday December 9 at St Theresa's Catholic Church in Tiverton. Tickets are $12.00 for adults and children 16 and under will be admitted free. For additional information call (401) 253-7987 or visit www.gtcchorus.org .