Messages from Rev Dave:

Dear Friends, 

I am writing to you today, just a month away from Christmas. Advent begins in just a few days and we will get ready to welcome the Nativity again. This fills some of us with great joy, anticipation and hope, for others of us it causes a sense of foreboding, anxiety, or grief. 

There is no perfect year, every year members of our community faith experience grief and loss and trauma. These are uncertain and difficult days for many for many reasons. Traditionally we at Fifth Avenue Memorial have lived into uncertainty and a difficult holiday season by holding a Blue Christmas Service that acknowledges Christmas is not always merry for everyone. This service was usually held on a Sunday afternoon or evening and has become sparsely attended.   

Last year we moved this service to Sunday Morning on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday where we often lift up love. What unfolded was a powerful experience of worship and Spirit where God was present reminding us the “We are not alone.” Everyone carries a little grief, a little pain, a little brokenness so why not give everyone a chance to recognize that.   

On behalf of the people of Fifth Avenue Memorial I would like to invite you to join us December 21 at 10 a.m. for our Fourth Sunday of Advent where we will lift up the light of Jesus in the darkest days of the year. Come light a candle, light many candles, come and hold space for those who you miss, come and be among others who get it who know what it is like to be sad when all of the world seems joyous and carefree. There is a place in the pew for you waiting, there are friends here and of course Christ meets us in the house of God so come lean in on faith, where tears and hurt are welcome for sure but Jesus will bind those wounds and in spite of that which binds our hearts, we won't be alone.   

Blessings All, 

Rev. Dave