tridd forums

From Father Tom

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Dear Ones,
First, I thought that it might be important—especially for those of you who might be “new” to the O.C.W Community in Tyler—to describe briefly what our Christmas Eve Service will be like.
While I have always enjoyed the color, sound, and pageantry of Christmas services in larger churches, our service is kept intentionally simple, mainly as a reminder of what we are celebrating: holy birth in more or less “outcast” circumstances. This does not mean, of course, that our service is “holier” or “better” than others—it simply implies our perspective.
The service [or “Mass” as we call it] is communion, using the “Liturgy of Gratitude” in our Prayer Book. As we never promote a “denominational” perspective, all people are welcome to receive communion, and to participate in all aspects of the celebration. You might be relieved to know, too, that our “sermons” are very short! Also, we do not expect people to “dress” in a certain way…and we do not exclude children from the service or from receiving communion. After the service, we share food…and then laugh a lot in the midst of the annual “silly gift party.”
So…I believe that our time together is joyful, celebrative, and sacred.
The Mass will be at 7:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve in Hosanna House at Sanctuary [12033 CR 496, Tyler]; if you need a map, let us know and we’ll email it to you.

Secondly, as some of you know, there is a Gathering scheduled for Sunday, December 21, 9:00 a.m., in Hosanna House at Sanctuary. If you [and/or other folks you know] are planning to attend, it would be very helpful if you could let me know. If that date turns out to be inconvenient for folks, I’ll simply re-schedule for January.

Be well…and I hope to celebrate with you in these holydays!

Love & Blessings,
Padre


Fr. Tom Jackson
Abbot
Order of Christian Workers
P.O. Box 4155
Tyler, TX 75712-4155
Office: 903-595-3191
Cell: 903-521-0490