Narnia and Nicholas

C.S. Lewis’ timeless adventure, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opens in theaters on Friday. If you are planning to see any movie during the holiday season, go see this one. It is an allegorical tale of the Christian faith that follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings---Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter—during World War II England. These four children enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of hide-and-seek at the rural estate of a mysterious professor. Once there, these “sons of Adam and daughters of Eve” discover a charming, once peaceful land called Narnia that is inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants. Narnia is now a world cursed to “eternal winter with no Christmas” by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the magnificent lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome Jadis’ powerful hold over Narnia in a spectacular, climatic battle that frees Narnia forever from her icy spell.

In the book, a mysterious figure enters the scene before the final conflict. Called "Father Christmas" by C.S. Lewis, as was the English custom of his day, this man in a long red robe and white beard gives presents that he cautions are “tools, not toys” to equip the children for the struggle ahead. “I’ve come at last,” he said. “She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch’s magic is weakening.” Peter is given a sword and shield for battle; Susan is given a bow, a quiver of arrows and a magical horn which, when sounded, will bring aid; Lucy is given a dagger to defend herself and a vial of magical elixir that will restore any who are wounded. Not the kind of gifts that one would expect from a “jolly old elf.” But certainly the armor of God that would be given by the historic saint named Nicholas.

Orphaned by wealthy parents who died in a plague, Nicholas was raised by his uncle who was a monk. Nicholas was wealthy but he gave his wealth away secretly to the poor and needy. The best-known tale of his generosity concerned three girls whose impoverished father had no money for their marriage dowries, and who faced slavery or lives of prostitution as a result. Over the course of three nights, Nicholas tossed bags of gold coins through the girls’ windows at night. One version recounts that he dropped the third bag of coins down the chimney because the windows were fastened shut. Each of the girls was able to marry as a result of these gifts from “nowhere.” Nicholas wanted to become a monk, but as a result of a dream when Jesus gave him a jeweled copy of the four gospels, he became a priest at the age of 17.

St. Nicholas suffered persecution, torture and imprisonment for his faith in Jesus. He eventually became Bishop of Myra (now in western Turkey) after Christianity became the legal religion of Rome. He died on December 6, 342. A champion of the orthodox Christian faith we now have recorded in the Nicene Creed, his generosity, dedication to Jesus, and tireless efforts to equip and protect his people in their spiritual battles against evil and heresy make his gifts of protection to the children of Narnia even more insightful and fitting.

J. Derek Harbin, priest

Around Beloved… Advent, the season when we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, is a great time to bring your friends, co-workers and neighbors to worship as new ones to Charlotte begin to seek a welcoming place to celebrate the Savior’s birth…Christian Formation for adults and children resumes this week. The adult focus for 2005-2006 is Living a Passionate Life following Jesus. Thus far we have explored planning a Spirit-led financial future and God’s directives for a balanced and fruitful life of rest and work. Fr. Derek continues the third segment this Sunday in the hospitality area on “Finding God’s path in the messiness of living”…The Beloved Band's incredible first CD, Looking through Windows, is a great gift for that person who needs a little something or a stocking stuffer. CDs are on sale each Sunday, at Beloved Garden, or by mail. For more details, click here…Mark your calendars now for the annual Greening of the Church and Potluck Chili Supper that will take place on Wednesday evening, December 21. Sign up sheet will be in the Hospitality Area after worship on the 11^th and the 18^th. (Needs: crackers, salad, chili (in crock pot), or dessert. Beloved will supply paper products, ice and drinks). Worship Set up begins at 5pm and decorating begins at 6pm….we will eat after the decorating is finished so the more hands to help, the quicker to eat…..Job posting: Needed sheep, angels, or shepherds to participate in Beloved’s 5^th Annual Epiphany Pageant to be held during 9:30am worship on Sunday, January 8, 2006. Respond to the Development Office or sign up in the Hospitality Area after worship.

Let’s Go High Definition…Tickets went on sale last Sunday for Beloved’s raffle of a 42” plasma HDTV to be given away on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2006 (or when all 1000 tickets are sold). Because the donor is a national vendor, we are able to sell a raffle ticket to anyone residing in the continental United States. We are grateful to Fred Mellon who secured this generous donation and who is coordinating this effort on behalf of the funding team. We need folks to assist in the selling of these $20 tickets, either now or after the holidays. Let’s make someone’s Super Bowl Sunday a spectacular one and further the mission of Beloved at the same time! For tickets, please see Fred at worship on Sundays or email him.

Giving to Christ at Christmas… is an annual holiday tradition at Beloved based on a simple idea. It’s our Savior’s birthday. That’s why we give gifts to each other. So let’s begin our gift giving with a gift to Jesus. Through Giving to Christ at Christmas, we are able to touch in a unique way the twin heartbeats of Jesus: the Church, through which Christ seeks to draw all people to himself, as well as those in physical need. Each year since Beloved’s Christmas 2001 birth, followers of Jesus at Church of the Beloved have been asked to give the most generous, one-time cash gift we can—above and beyond our normal giving as we would with any gift—to fund these twin heartbeats of our Lord.

In just four celebrations of our Savior’s birth, we have collectively given $26,236 to Jesus that assisted the children of Bethlehem during the height of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict; provided food, clothing and utility payments during a brutal Charlotte winter; cared for AIDS children in Africa and assisted ministries that continue working to eradicate the spread of this disease; partnered in the launch of Samaritan House, a ministry which provides basic recuperative care for the homeless of Charlotte after a hospital discharge; up fitted and furnished Beloved Garden as a spiritual enrichment center for adults and children; and funded the continuing Direct Mail Campaigns that are reaching more and more people in Charlotte’s South Perimeter.

This year’s annual gift to Christ at Christmas has a more personal Beloved connection. Many of you may know that our assisting priest, Fr. Benjamin Udochukwu Nnaji, will be leaving the United States on Christmas afternoon to complete his education in Switzerland. Fr. Ben loves Jesus and has a passion for children and for spreading God’s Kingdom. Half of Jesus’ Christmas gift this year will assist the secondary school, where Fr. Ben once served as chaplain and teacher, in its life-changing ministry among the children of Okigwe, Nigeria as well as provide funds towards Fr. Ben’s future as he completes his education and prepares to use the technology skills he has learned and intends to use in sharing the Gospel. The remaining half of Jesus’ Christmas gift this year will launch a Beloved Garden Scholarship Fund for children whose hearts are open to learn more about Jesus the Good Shepherd but whose family finances would otherwise prevent them from considering enrollment in FaithQuest.

How do you get involved? Bring your gift, marked Giving to Christ at Christmas, to Christmas Eve worship. If you can’t be present on that night, place it in the Sunday offering basket or mail it to the Development Office. Through these investments, countless lives will be transformed for Christ both now and in years to come. Our prayer is that this gift will truly honor the One whose birthday we shall soon celebrate.

For Those Who Desire to Serve…there are plenty of ministries open to you! Do you want to read from from the Bible in worship? Does your child want to serve at the altar carrying the cross, or torches, or Gospel Book as an "acolyte"? Would you like to bake the communion bread or distribute the consecrated wine as a “Lay Eucharistic Minister”? Would you be willing to pick up the doughnuts or bring the coffee cream for hospitality following worship? Can you help with worship PowerPoint projection? Are you good with numbers and would like to be part of the team that counts and deposits the weekly offerings? Even the youngest child can serve by passing the offering basket. And everyone who is willing is encouraged to take a turn presenting bread, wine and water during worship. All these ministries are open to any person able to offer their time, energy and enthusiasm. Training is provided and schedules are distributed on a regular basis. Contact the Development Office or sign up any Sunday in the Hospitality Area after worship.

The Beloved Tithe…Beloved's Servant Member Community will soon be deciding which outreach and evangelistic ministries will receive the Beloved Tithe--10% of the funds collected in our offering baskets throughout this year. If you would like to nominate a non-profit agency, person or group for consideration this year, please contact the Development Office by December 13. Recipients must serve Jesus through evangelistic or human needs service.

In our Prayers…we pray for peace during this time of Advent preparation and for the conflicted regions of the world…for those serving in Iraq, especially Tom Friend and Scott, Dan Hood's brother…for the Harbin family as they travel to Fort Benning (GA) to witness Clifford’s nephew, Bob, graduate from Army Boot Camp…for Nancy and Tony Hodgson's granddaughter, Emily, whose health is rapidly deteriorating…for Marilyn Doyon, Laurel Durham, Marie Duty, and Julie Haarstick who are expecting babies this upcoming year…for Susan Jordan as she continues treatment for rheumatoid arthritis…for Michelle Dezzutto, John Montagnino, and J.R. West who are recovering from surgery…for Herbert, Deb Seidel’s grandfather…for Jessie, Julie Sanniota’s mother who has been hospitalized…for Dorothy, Mary Reid's sister who has lung cancer….for Ed and Jean, Dick Reif’s parents who are in declining health in Oklahoma….for Bill, Lee Frickhoeffer’s uncle who has terminal cancer.

Upcoming Calendar through Christmas...click here