John 1:1-14In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. |
Daily Reflection QuestionsOn Christmas eve, many of us light the center, white candle in our Advent wreaths. The Christ Candle represents the hope that Christ offers us in the darkness. In many churches, on Christmas Eve the congregation will light candles from the Christ Candle to represent the way that that light can grow and be shared throughout the world.
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Seminary Spotlight:
Virginia Theological Seminary
Virginia Theological Seminary is a seminary of the Episcopal Church that has since 1823 served to further the universal mission of Christ’s church by providing graduate theological education and serving as a theological resource for the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the wider church. In preparing its students as servants of Jesus Christ, as lay and ordained leaders of the church, the Seminary has placed theological education in the context of residential community marked by common life and worship.
To learn more about VTS, read below, or click the button.
To learn more about VTS, read below, or click the button.
Field Education Placements that bring Hope & Joy to the World
The Church of the Epiphany in Washington, D.C. has a long history of engaging faith and justice issues. In addition to empowering primarily homeless men and women in DC through their Welcome Table, Street Church and Gospel Art ministries, Epiphany seeks to transform their lives by ending homelessness (Pathways to Housing program), providing employment assistance (Samaritan Ministry) and educating youth about the importance of service and advocacy (Youth Services Opportunities Project).
St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. In 2008, the parish co-founded Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), a non-partisan, non-profit, multi-faith, multi-ethnic coalition of approximately 50 faith communities and civic organizations committed to empowering middle and low--income populations. Members of VOICE actively engage justice issues such as promoting access to affordable housing, health and dental care, as well as advocating for the rights of emigrants.
St. Mary's parishioners also devote time, energy, skills, and financial resources to their ministry partners, including:
Becoming Church is committed to dismantling mass incarceration as well as assisting men and women to rebuild their lives after incarceration. In addition to being a member of the Church of Our Savior, a constellation of small faith communities, Becoming Church has two teaching congregations: Newborn Church and Church of Christ, Right Now.
St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Arlington, VA. In 2008, the parish co-founded Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), a non-partisan, non-profit, multi-faith, multi-ethnic coalition of approximately 50 faith communities and civic organizations committed to empowering middle and low--income populations. Members of VOICE actively engage justice issues such as promoting access to affordable housing, health and dental care, as well as advocating for the rights of emigrants.
St. Mary's parishioners also devote time, energy, skills, and financial resources to their ministry partners, including:
- The Arlington Food Assistance Center
- The Arlington Pediatric Center
- Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- Friends of Guest House
- L'Arche
- Rebuilding Together
- Carpenter's Kids
- Offender Aid and Restoration
Becoming Church is committed to dismantling mass incarceration as well as assisting men and women to rebuild their lives after incarceration. In addition to being a member of the Church of Our Savior, a constellation of small faith communities, Becoming Church has two teaching congregations: Newborn Church and Church of Christ, Right Now.