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Journey into Advent: “While It Was Yet Dark”

Nov. 22-24

Join us for Journey into Advent, our annual deeper exploration into our faith as we enter the Advent season of our spiritual calendar.

As we witness the encroaching darkness in our social, political, and spiritual environments, we can welcome the darkest time of the calendar year (the Winter Solstice) as a time to ponder new territory, which can be discovered “While It Was Yet Dark.”

This year’s featured speaker, Julia Penner-Zook, member of Community United Church of Christ and member in discernment for ordination with the UCC, will collaborate with a musician and a photographer, inviting us to encounter the darkness from an entirely different angle.

Julia, a theologian and poet, has served in ministry and social services for over 30 years. She has lived and worked in Canada, the US, and Europe. She has an M.A. in Theology and works in areas of grief and loss, and professional and personal coaching. Julia’s prophetic poetry focuses on issues of social justice and spiritual wholeness. The desert, the darkness, and the divine provide the foundation for this weekend’s focus.

Collaborating with Julia are Jenny Regehr and Stacey Rhoades.

Jenny is a Canadian pianist, well-known for her solo recitals, duo and chamber music performances, and Lieder collaborations. Jenny served on the faculty of the Glenn Gould School of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, where she was a senior piano instructor for 15 years. She continues to provide master classes and adjudicates competitions and festivals in Canada and overseas.

Stacey, a licensed clinical professional counselor who has worked with active duty military members and their families in the US and overseas for the past 12 years, says she feels most at home behind her camera. In 2016 she traveled to all 50 states, photographing 36 National Parks. Her photography has gained her a significant social media following, and she has been a finalist in photography competitions.

“While It Was Yet Dark” — a collaboration

• 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 in the CUCC Sanctuary: we will gather for an inspiring evening of poetry, music, and photography, introducing three biblical women, each of whom experienced the Divine within profound darkness. (Drinks and snacks follow.)
• 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 23 in Hayden Hall and the Sanctuary: after a light breakfast, we will offer an interactive morning to consider how various mediums (music, visual, writing) can provide tools for us to encounter the Divine in the darkness or the desert of the Advent season.
• 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 in the Sanctuary: worship with Julia as she continues to lead us in our Journey into Advent. Special music by Jenny Regehr; photography by Stacey Rhoades to underscore elements of worship .

*Childcare is provided on all 3 days.

Cost is $25 per person for this event. Full and partial scholarships available upon request. Or if you are able, please fund a scholarship.

To register or for more information, call Marilyn in the Church Office at 559.435.2690 .