2020 Advent at Bethel Community

In the book Shalom and the Community of Creation, Indigenous theologian, ecologist, and writer Randy Woodley invites us into a bold name change, exchanging “Kingdom of God” with the title “community of creation.” Woodley’s vision is one of making space for all of God’s created beings and things to be a part of the loving, generous, and redemptive purposes of God.

In the same text, Woodley narrates the birth of Jesus from the perspective of the entire creation community, especially the members whose voices are often silent or silenced during Advent: the domestic animals, the saliva-filled hay, the stars, and the humans whose witness, in that day, was discounted: shepherds, the (likely Syrian) wise men, the women (Mary and Elizabeth).

What does the entire community of creation have to say about the birth of Jesus? How does all of creation give witness to the birth of salvation? And what might be saying to us as we enter this season of Advent?

Advent Adventure Box

We are working with Jill Gidlund, a local writer, speaker, and children’s ministry practitioner, to create a multi-valent Advent experience. We are excited for how this experience will make its way into our church spaces, but we are especially excited for how this Advent experience will enter your homes and hearts. So, we have created an Advent Adventure Box! This box contains objects and activities that we are hoping can enhance your household’s experience of Advent this year.

To sign up to receive a box, please click on the link below. Also, if you are not interested in a box, but would like to follow along with our series, you can download the prayer guide we are sending in each box with the link below.