A Bright Light, A Loving Mission

I’d like to make a friendly amendment to the Season of Epiphany also known as The Season of Light. I’d like for us to think of Epiphany as the Season of Light and the Season of Warmth. The Star in the sky at the birth of Jesus lights the way of the wise ones to the manger. And, their presentation of gifts to the babe, Jesus, is a warm exchange between the Holy Family and foreign, royal powers. There’s a dynamic at work there with the light and the generosity, and the warm welcome of those who are different and powerful by those who are vulnerable that’s wonderful—so wonderful that we want to recreate it.

Over the course of the last few years, The Season of Epiphany has had a greater significance to our own church community. Just a few years ago, some of you wondered if we might be able to help people struggling to pay their light and heat bills during winter, wondering if that might be a way we could live out our faith. Your dreams became bolder. Could we stand in the gap and help everyone? And so we began quietly trying to do just that. Last year, you continued that loving mission and stood in the gap.

Just after Christmas 2019 we lost a bright, warm light in our own church family when Carolynn Hawtin died. Carolynn was the very incarnation of light and warmth with her bright intellect, her warm heart, and that infectious laugh. Some of you wondered if we might make our mission to provide light and warmth a testimony and memorial to our sister, Carolynn. And, The Carolynn Hawtin Season of Light Fund was born.

Inspired by your love and Carolynn’s warm legacy, your generosity and faithfulness provided so many with light and heat in their homes during times that were most certainly cold and dark for them. You let your light shine, and you shared it with others generously.

Of course, we’re doing it again. (Really, we never stopped! The funding of power bills for hardworking folks down on their luck happens 52 weeks a year from our log love outpost here in the mountains.) I’m inviting you to consider making a gift to The Carolynn Hawtin Season of Light Fund, again. We have more light to shine and more warmth to spread. Thank you for your generosity, light, and warmth, and thank you, God, for our sister Carolynn.

Love,

Jimmy