Month: December 2020
MONONA — “When you find something that you really love to do, and you’re passionate about it, it changes everything,” said Sr. Anne Joseph from the Sisters of Mary Morning Star in Monona. She was speaking about her recent involvement in the practice of “writing” icons, an ancient Christian art form that dates back to the earliest centuries of Christian history.
The Wisconsin State Journal asked a cross-section of area Christian clergy members to share with readers excerpts from the sermons they plan to deliver on this most extraordinary Christmas. In most cases, the messages are being delivered online as churches adjust to new forms of worship during a pandemic, although some are also holding in-person services. At least one — Gateway Community Church in Middleton — planned to hold a drive-in service on Christmas Eve. Here are excerpts of their glad tidings.
On one of the holiest nights of the Christian year, there will still be candle-lighting, the singing of “Silent Night,” children’s pageants and sermons heralding the birth of a savior. It’s just that much of it will be live-streamed, prerecorded, in very small groups and — in at least in one case — conducted in the bitter cold. The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing Madison-area churches to come up with inventive, 21st century ways to celebrate Christmas Eve — perhaps the most traditional of Christian services when people pack the pews to sing hymns, listen to the story of a pregnant…
When the world hits the longest night on Dec. 21 in this year that has had more than its share of darkness, four congregations from very distinctive traditions will be worshipping together to bring a bit of light into the lives of the folks who join in.
(RNS) — Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Sister Mary Bede was no stranger to quarantine life. Sister Bede and 22 other Cistercian nuns who live with her at Valley of Our Lady Monastery in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin, are cloistered in silence according to the rule of their ancient monastic Catholic religious order.
Think of it as driving around to see Christmas lights, but based on the Christmas story.Think of it as a way to honor Christmas traditions in the time of a pandemic.Think of it as a venture in cooperation among seven congregations that could be the groundwork of future collaboration.Seven Lutheran churches that stretch from McFarland, across the east side of Madison and touching the city’s south side have come up with what they are calling an Advent Adventure. Starting Dec. 6 and running through Jan. 6, each congregation will have an outdoor lighted display that tells a part of the…