Christmas in India!

Hello All,

For those of you who don’t know, one of our group, Keely, is in India. I see that a few of you are on her email list, but not all. So, I thought you might like to hear what Christmas in India is like. Her update was LONG…so below is just some of it. The attached pic is one that she took. There’s some great insights here – thanks so much Keely!

”Christmas was obviously a lot different this year than other years. I attended a Catholic mass with Aditi’s mom at a church not too far from their place just to see what a Christian service would be like here in India. The priest spoke a great deal about the important role that Christianity has had in India despite the fact that only some 2.5% of the population is Christian. One man (along with one or two other musicians) played Christmas carols on an electronic keyboard, meaning that we enjoyed a sort of disco version of the music... haha. With the weather being so sunny and mild (the service was outside), it was hard to think of singing any songs about “bleak midwinters.” It’s interesting when you think about it – the celebration of Christmas outside of the Western world, especially when it’s removed from that particular snowy atmosphere and bustle of shopping. In some ways, perhaps it’s more religious than marketed. But there were still
plenty of people on street corners trying to sell Santa hats :o)”
…
”After church, Aditi’s mom and I went to a Sikh gurudwara (temple) across the street, which was a really neat experience. The gurudwara was beautiful! We had to cover
our heads with kerchiefs and take off our shoes before entering. Apparently around 4am, a particular scripture is chosen from the holy book, which becomes the verse of the day that people should focus on. Rather than having images of gods to pray to like in Hinduism, Sikhs worship the holy book, which is set upon an alter in the middle of the
temple’s main room. Musicians play tablas (a set of two drums with different pitches) and the harmonium while they sing hymns throughout the day. After you leave the temple, you are given a piece of hulva (sweetened semolina paste) as a prashad (kind of like a blessing). The religious diversity here in India is so fascinating. Between my
visits on Christmas day to church and the gurudwara and walking around the neighborhood today seeing people prepare for Eid-ul-Adha tomorrow (where the sacrifice that Ibrahim was willing to make for God by sacrificing his son Ismael is commemorated), it’s incredibly apparent – even more so than in the U.S., I’d say. I still haven’t made it to a Hindu temple, but that’s certainly on the list before I leave.”
…
”Missing you and wishing you health, happiness, and all of that good stuff for 2007!!

Take care,
Keely”

Yeah, what she said! Have a great New Year everyone. AND HERE’S A REMINDER: THERE’S A DROP-IN AT GARY KUCSAN’S HOUSE (THAT’S LAURA’S DAD) AT 7PM ON THURSDAY, 1/4.

If you need directions, write me!

Peace,

Kevin

To all the Whos in Who-ville...

Greetings and salutations!

I have some great news: I’m done with finals!! To those of you who are as well, congrats, you made it ;) To those of you who aren’t finished yet, we’re rooting for you. To those of you not in school, I hope you’ve hung up something Christmassy in your cube or near your desk.

Well, its Advent. Or, as I like to call it, College Bowl Season! Starting Friday there will be some college football championship games, and bowl games start next week. Exciting stuff, if you’re into college football.

Say, what’s your favorite Christmas TV special? Is it the Grinch? How about Rudolf? Anything involving Scrooge? If you’ve kept up with this blog, you know I’m a Charlie Brown guy. And here is one of the reasons why: the Charlie Brown Christmas special is the ONLY one I’ve seen that talks about the real Christmas story (A Claymation Christmas gets close because it uses a couple hymns, but it isn’t shown anymore from what I can tell). The Peanuts gang (ie, Charlie Brown) actually uses a passage from the Bible. The others tend to talk about Santa Claus is some way, shape, or form. Its something to think about...just who's holiday is this, anyway?

The Christmas Tree Fundraiser was a lot of fun. We didn’t make much money, but I really enjoyed the fellowship we had…and the spinning Christmas tree that was at one house. The next fundraiser is Saturday, January 13^th when we will be preparing and providing lunches for the District Day of Learning.

Next, about our trip into NYC on Saturday, 12/23. I need a headcount, for a couple reasons. First, I need to know how much $ I’m signing the church up for in terms of partially subsidizing this excursion. Second, knowing how many people will help determine mode of transportation (train all the way in vs. driving part way and then taking the train vs. whatever). SO, LET ME KNOW IF YOU THINK YOU’LL BE ATTENDING. I mean it, I need to know!

OK, about the calendar. I have a previous engagement to watch Rutgers play in the Texas Bowl on Thursday, 12/28, so we’re going to have to cancel the last Ecclesia and Coffee. In its place, however, let’s have a couple drop-ins. I’m working on dates and locations, but they will both be mid-weekish: one between Christmas and New Years and one that first week after New Years. You can be proactive by letting me know (by phone, email, texting, carrier-pigeon, etc) if a particular date works for you. We’ll get it hashed out by like Monday or Tuesday of next week – so keep an eye out for an email and periodically check the calendar.

Alright, folks, that’s all for now. I’m about to head out of town for a few days and won’t be getting back until Sunday evening. So, if you are home this weekend I unfortunately won’t see you in church. But I really do want to meet up with as many of you as possible that I haven’t met yet (as well as those I have met!), and this time of year is the best chance. Call me or email me while you’re home. Make it to a drop-in and/or the trip into NYC. Come find me at church and introduce yourself. Without Young Adults there isn’t a Young Adult Group – this is all for you and all about you.

Peace!,

Kevin