This year our church reaches a milestone. The cornerstone lists 1904 as the year our church building was built here at 571 Farmington Avenue. Throughout 2009 we will be celebrating 105 years of ministry at this location (and looking ahead to many more), culminating with an anniversary party on Consecration Sunday. Watch here for further details.

Luke 2:22-40
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

It is tempting, as the New Year approaches, to engage in that popular tradition of making a list of resolutions. Often, when the New Year begins, I find myself reading the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People once again. I construct a new personal mission statement, based on the dusted-off version from last year that I haven’t looked at since I wrote it. And I commit myself once again to lose weight, organize my finances, spend more time with friends and take up a new hobby. (more…)

Luke 1:26-38
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

When I was younger I used to invest a lot of time and energy this time of year in creating a list of desires – all the things I wanted for Christmas. I would edit this list for a while, and submit to my parents a final version that included all the items I could think of that I would like to find under the tree. My secret to you today is that I still kinda do that. I still make a list of things I would like to have in my life. But the lists look quite different. (more…)

Hands On Hartford is in need of winter coats for people who badly need them right here in Hartford. Providers of coats from previous years have been unable to collect them this year, so there is a serious shortage. If you have a coat in good condition that you can donate, please bring it to the church so we can deliver it to Hands on Hartford for distribution to a person in need.

During the season of Advent, the Christmas Tree of Love will return to our sanctuary. The focus this year will be on financial contributions to our Feeding Ministries: Loaves and Fishes; South Park Inn; and the West End Food Pantry. As you bring in your support, we will place an ornament on the tree, decorating the tree and symbolizing your generous gift. Make sure your check is designated for “Feeding Ministries” so that we can distribute the money to whichever program needs it the most.

The Chancel choir adds wonderful music to enhance our worship services. Consider joining the musical experience and warm fellowship of our choir. The only requirements are that you be able to sing in tune and attend Thursday evening and Sunday morning rehearsals. Speak with Pastor Bryan, or Cheryl Wadsworth, our new Music Director.

Advent is the start of the new year for us in the church. While others might take the time to reflect on their lives as January 1 approaches, I like to use the entire season of Advent as a time to consider what I am up to and what I want to become in the year ahead. I often take a moment to review my personal statement of values, consider any goals I wish to achieve or changes I want to make in my life, and review the highlights of the past year.

It’s an informal thing for me. I don’t make it a big deal. I take into account all the realities of the past year – the struggles as well as the lucky breaks. And I always find myself giving thanks – for there is much to be grateful for in my life.

This year, I look to complete my fourth year here at UMC of Hartford. My how the time has flown!! And I can see how I have grown and changed in so many ways. And I can see more ways that I still need to grow and change. But most of all I see a caring church, struggling with the challenges of an urban context, a diverse community, a Methodist pragmatism, an aging building and increasing costs. It’s wonderful to be caught up in all that – to be partners in the struggle to be faithful to God’s call for all of us.

Our church vision statement is worthy of reflection as we prepare for the birth of Christ and the start of a new year: Be rooted in God’s love. Grow in grace. Bear fruit of justice and peace. It is a vision of a process of ever deepening faith as we grow in community together. It is a statement of our faith, that what God has begun in us, God will be faithful to complete. And it is a bit of an inspiration to me, as I wonder about all the ways I am being rooted, growing, bearing….and all the wonderful ways God will continue to work on me in the year ahead!

Mark 1: 1-8
Rev. Bryan Travis Hooper

I don’t have a baby. I count this fact as one of my many blessings. I have a dog, but that’s not the same. Some of you have had babies, so you know what’s involved. But I am always amazed at all the things one has to do when one is expecting a baby – a room has to be prepared, a crib acquired, supplies stashed, baby manuals read, classes taken, doctors consulted. A lot of work goes into preparing for a baby. (more…)