The ECM gathered today for breakfast with 12 in attendance. Our numbers included the Rev. Christopher Agnew, above, who presented the devotional. Chris expanded upon the collect for Advent 1. This was written by Thomas Cranmer and is intended to be said daily during Advent:
"Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
His family recited it during Chrismas. He remarked that his daughter Nancy could even remember it after she married and been away for some time.
He also talked about the history of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew 1883 in Chicago which led to the establishment of Acoholics Anonymous and the Gideons. The Brotherhood was originally organized to minister to men living in rooming houses and hotels around the church. He encourage us to learn more about that organization
The main order of business was to complete the planning for the family we plan to support for Christmas. Gifts will be delivered on Sun. Dec. 18th. Cindy Fields will be helping us buy the gifts.