A Conference E-Pistle

Larry Kleiman

Rev. Larry Kleiman,

GAP Writing Group

Rev. Larry Kleiman is the senior pastor at St. Peter's UCC in Carmel, Ind., where he has served for the past 15 years. Wilderness hiking and backpacking, gardening, biking and running are some of the experiences which provide renewed energy. He is married to Rose, and has one son and two grandchildren.

December 10, 2012

When a baby is born, the future of who that child will become is a mystery of wonder and beauty. Family and friends dream hopes for the future of the child. Adults gaze into the child's eyes, yearning to recognize a part of themselves in the new life which has become part of their own. So much of the joy experienced with a baby is because the future is unknown and can only be imagined, dreamt and entrusted to hope. This mystery invites all of those who share in the new life to make room for another by changing a part of what has been. Everyone becomes filled with new life to an extent.

As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, have you ever wondered why the Scriptures say that God came to be with the people through the birth of a baby? Why not someone old and wise, or someone powerful and rich? With our annual celebration of this baby's birth comes the sense that we already know everything about the person he will become. Expectations based on what we already know prevent us from seeing what could be new. Most of the mystery evaporated with our own growing into adulthood. Assuming that we already know how this child will grow into adulthood also means that we cut off the possibilities of seeing something new in ourselves and others. Our lives become predictable, ordinary and less joy-filled. The mystery of wonder and beauty surrounding who we and that child might become together is left unwrapped under beautiful trees of lights and ornaments.

Perhaps the stories of God coming into the world through the gift of a baby have been told to inspire us into a place of mystery... a place where we can see ourselves in that child, where we can dream and wonder and imagine again. How do our expectations, based on what we know of people in our congregations and conference, prevent us from seeing the new possibilities God is offering us in this baby? Too often, the Church and our congregational communities are drawn into a place where we live as though we already know. We have forgotten that the joy of hope is often experienced through not knowing. How might our congregations thrive in the Indiana-Kentucky Conference if we were to see each other without assumptions based on past experiences and expectations? Remember: the birth of a child is not only about the child's growing and changing and becoming, but also our own making room to find new life deep within ourselves. The best part of the Christmas story is finding time to gaze into the eyes of that baby and wonder again about who I will become as I make room for this new life as part of myself. Who will we become as a conference grounded in the mystery of the one we call the Christ-child?

Larry Kleiman

larry@stpeterscarmel.org

Closing

For Sale: A complete Malmark Classic 4 Octave Handbell Package, which includes folding tables, table covers and pads, is available for only $10,000 (new value of $23,000). If interested or for additional information, please contact Mr. Bill Kiesel, IKC Asset Manager, at (317)442-8186 or wmjen2006@embarqmail.com.

Merom Fundraiser

Do you love Merom? Do you love eating? Come to the Noodles and Company store at US 31 and Shelby Street in Indianapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 12 and support or beloved church camp. Merom Conference Center will receive 15% of what you pay if you mention Merom at the register - it's that easy.

Eden Seminary To Hold Holiday Open House

Do you know a college student who would like more information about seminary, particularly the new Explore Scholarship offered at Eden Seminary? The Explore Scholarship provides full tuition for all first year Master of Divinity degree students at Eden Seminary.

The admissions office at Eden Theological Seminary is holding a holiday open house on Thursday, Dec. 27 from 10 am to 2 pm on the Eden campus (475 East Lockwood Ave. St. Louis, MO 63119). The admissions suite is in room 140 of the Press Building.Come and learn how accessible theological education can be. For more information call Rev. Carol Shanks, Eden Seminary Director of Admissions, (314)918-2501 or cshanks@eden.edu.

Bright Lights Of Brooklawn

The children of Brooklawn invite you to their second annual Bright Lights at Brooklawn celebration this Sunday, Dec. 16 from 5:30-7:30 pm. Tour the Brooklawn cottages, view their artwork, drink hot chocolate and sing around the Brooklawn Christmas tree. For more information, contact Missy Fountain, Director of Community Development, at (502)451-5177.

Sincerely, IKC Logo Transparent

Indiana-Kentucky Conference

United Church of Christ

ikc@ikcucc.org

The Indiana-Kentucky Conference of the United Church of Christ

was selected as a 2011 Constant Contact All Star

Indiana-Kentucky Conference
United Church of Christ
1100 W. 42nd Street, Suite 350
Indianapolis, IN 46208
(317) 924-1395
http://ikcucc.org