Awake

Throughout Advent, we are exploring the biblical theme of Jubilee and its economic significance for our gospel imagination.

The Hebrew scriptures lay out a series of teachings about economic rhythms that the people were instructed to practice on a cyclical basis: every 7 days to rest and cease from productivity, every 7 years let the land rest and recover itself, and every 49 years for full economic recovery - debts would be cancelled, slaves freed, leases expired, and land would be redistributed.

So then in Luke 4:16-21, when Jesus is giving his inauguration speech in the synagogue, he gives a nod to this Jubilee imagination as a way to define his ministry - "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor".

America has it's own perspective on the ideals of economic flourishing. It's the world we live in, and the season of Advent in particular invokes a tendency to gorge ourselves on the capitalist ideal of it. We see that the ancient imagination of the Jubilee cycle offers a radical and probably more inspiring alternative. Jesus came to bring fullness of life - not only to those who are able to amass disproportionate quantities for themselves, but fullness of life for all, and for our neighborhoods and communities.

May this anticipatory season of Advent be a time to question what is guiding our imagination about flourishing and to wonder: How do we work together towards the Jubilee proclamations of Jesus?

Join us for daily reflections:

Advent 2017 Advent reflections, 2017: Exploring the themes of Jubilee this Advent season.

We're in need of volunteers in both the areas of hospitality and children's ministry this Sunday. To sign up, open a recent Awake Weekly and click on the appropriate link. Thanks!

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Tear down the church, develop a vacant lot, & tell stories

We're forming five fabulous groups for this next season of small gathering communities. Sign up today by emailing Ben Katt!

Aurora Commons Breakfast Group: Ever want to get more involved at the Commons but your schedule never lines up with the Commons'? This group will provide an opportunity to connect with our Aurora neighbor's by opening the doors of the Commons and hosting a breakfast on the fourth Sunday of the month.

Body Movement: Our bodies hold so much: shame, pleasure, strength, vulnerability, passion, fear, anger, etc., and each of these experiences reveals something of our relationship to God and to ourselves.Through group discussion and movement, this group will explore what it means to be embodied, spiritual beings and how that affects our relationships to each other and God.

Christian Rythmns of life that wrestle with issues of race and justice: Are you disturbed by the way people of color in our country are treated? Do you want to have a deeper understanding of your identity in light of these issues? Are you curious about how you, as a Christian, could think and live differently to effect change around race and equity? If this peaks your interest, join us to explore this profound moral issue through films/media, scripture, exercises and conversation.

Creativity & Fear: We are all creative and deeply need to find ways to live out our creativity, despite how scary it can be. This group will explore this struggle to initiate creativity and the fear that tells us we shouldn't make art. Through reading, playing, learning, and experiencing, this group will invite you to (re)discover your particular creative voice.

Intimate Mystery Couples Group: This group will engage Dan Allender's Intimate Mystery material which helps couples address "leaving, weaving, and cleaving" within their marriage relationship. These areas speak to family of origin (leaving your family), communication (weaving your lives together), and the sexual relationship (the beauty and challenge of cleaving your body).