As I write this, Advent is about five weeks away. Each year we have a listing of readings from the lectionary, that goes in a three year cycle, with years A, B, and C. We are currently finishing year C in the cycle, in a lectionary listed in the Book of Common Prayer (BCP). With Advent 2007, we are starting not only a new three year cycle, but also a new lectionary, commonly referred to as the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). This is a lectionary used by most other Protestant Churches since 1994. The Episcopal Church's General Convention in 2006 has made it the church's official lectionary with optional use beginning in 2007, and mandated to be in place by Advent 2010. The vestry and I have decided to begin using it this year and we are in the process of getting materials for use by the beginning of Advent. How will this be different? Most of us will not notice much difference from what we have been using. Many of the readings are parallel, but some places, readings in either lectionary may have more or fewer verses. The main difference is in the post-Pentecost season, when there are two tracks of Old Testament readings. First, the thematic, that is, the Old Testament lesson being selected to follow a theme that is reflected in the coinciding lessons. It is similar to what we already have in place. Second, a narrative version. This version follows a story line over several weeks. It would give us a broader exposure to the OT scriptures, and I would like to use it, even though it might mean a change in gears as to how I prepare sermons and what I preach on. So probably the person most affected by this will be me. As mentioned earlier, we are in th process of getting the new materials. The Altar Guild had offered to put up the money needed to purchase the new materials, but will need your help. I will be making announcements about this in the next few weeks, asking for donations to help offset the cost of this purchase, which will include; a Gospel book, a new lectern, and as some of you may remember, we have not had a lectern in some time, since our last one was stolen out of the church along with our service book that sits on the altar. The total cost will be in the area of $500, but if we each give something the cost will be easily absorbed. I invite you to come share in this new venture in our spiritual life!