The Wesley Crier Facebook: Wesley UMC Dover E-mail:
[email protected] Webpage: www.wesleyumc-dover.com Twitter : @doverwesleyumc I can remember being a child visiting my grandparents OUR VISION for Thanksgiving. My grandma was an excellent cook. I remem- ber sitting at the dining room table with all of the good dishes, Historic Wesley Church in down- the homemade apple sauce, the sweet potato casserole, turkey, town Dover, Delaware is an open and welcoming congregation, stuffing, mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. I also remem- which makes disciples of Jesus ber sitting on the most comfortable sofa ever made (it’s still in Christ by proclaiming God’s love the family) and the television advertising for “Black Friday” through sales. I remember my family talking about how early the Christ- ✞A variety of Worship Services mas shopping was beginning- all the way back to Thanksgiving. which speaks to both heart and Now we consider Thanksgiving to be perhaps the mid- mind, point of the holiday shopping season! As I reflect upon what ✞Bible study, fellowship, and nur- this season has become, I think it is important for us to think ture which lead to meaningful and about how we celebrate Christmas as a community of faith. We disciplined Christian living, all know that Christmas has become the biggest commercialized holiday in our country. I wonder if the Magi might have left the ✞Christian outreach ministries which serve those near and far, gifts at home, if they could have known what the gift-giving tra- dition would eventually become: buying and giving material ✞Combined activities which in- possessions crowds out the celebration of God being born into volve other area churches and faith communities.