Dear Friends in Christ,
Growing up, watching the Sound of Music was an annual event. My mother would gather me, my brother, and later younger siblings around the television with snacks and pillows on the floor. Over the years, like many, we memorized the words to all the songs. A few years ago, I noticed “My Favorite Things” included among the Christmas mix on the radio and in stores. It seemed odd not a word about Christmas itself, I thought. “Brown paper packages tied up in string” could be any occasion. “Sleigh bells,” Santa, Clause perhaps, “snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes,” a sign of winter in certain places.
I recently discovered “My Favorite Things” was first sung on a Christmas show by Julie Andrews in 1961, four years before the television musical.
To me, it still seems a bit out of place to be Christmas given the complexity of the season: joy, sorrow, hustle, bustle, stress, increased activity, the excitement of anticipation, and more…but maybe not. In some ways, the weight of the world seems to come down in December with several months found in the rearview window. I love decorative wall calendars, and this time of year, usually one has trouble staying put with all the weight of each month nestled at the top instead of the bottom. For some, 2023 will be the best year of their life, while for others, it will be the worst. Perhaps it will be somewhere in between for most.
The more I ponder the lyrical simplicity of “My Favorite Things” and the whimsical tune, my mind has begun to change. We all have our ups and downs. Our favorites have a way of lifting our spirits.
“When the dog bites…when the bee stings…when I’m feeling sad.
I simply remember my favorite things and then I don’t feel so bad.”
Tomorrow is Gaudete or Rose Sunday! (Wear pink!) The pink Advent candle joins two blue candles, and their collective light points toward the manger. Three-quarters of the way through the Advent season, we wait patiently for the annual celebration of Jesus’ birth. Waiting is active, not passive. Patiently recall your favorite things and welcome them as God’s gifts to brighten your spirit as though for the first time.
Here are three videos to jumpstart your favorite things. The scene from The Sound of Music. For those seeking a meditative experience John Coltrane’s instrumental. Finally, the Pentatonix’s pop music video.
Have a meaningful Advent and a blessed Christmastide.
Faithfully,
Angela+
My name is Reverend Deacon Florence Cooper Mitchell. I was ordained in 2022 as deacon in the Dioceses of Atlanta. Prior to becoming a deacon I taught science in the following Georgia counties and city school districts: Dooly, Crisp, Dougherty and Atlanta Public Schools. During my tenure as an educator I taught: chemistry, biology, physical science, mathematics, forensic science and environmental sciences. I was born in Brooks County Georgia and reared on my maternal grandparents’ farm in Quitman, Georgia. Upon graduation from Brooks County High School, I enrolled in Fort Valley State College where I earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Chemistry. I continued my education by earning a Master of Science in Biology from Albany State University.
Karen Dickey was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and has called Atlanta home for the last 28 years. She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and her master’s degree in accounting from Keller Graduate School of Business. Karen has been involved in church accounting for the last 10 years. She considers church accounting “her ministry” where her skill, working with God’s people, and passion for social justice intersects. Her hope is to use her gifts to enhance St. Bartholomew’s community centered mission.
Maquita is a published storyteller with a deeply rooted dedication to truth-seeking and narrative change work in overlooked communities. Maquita has seven years of experience in marketing and content communications for the financial, higher education, and government sectors. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English with an emphasis in Journalism. She was the editor-in-chief of two teen magazines, the author of three books, and now ghostwrites and documents some of life’s precious moments through video, podcast, and an online journal.
My name is Rev. Shirley Porter. I am a Priest Associate at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church at the invite of the Rector, Rev. Dr. Angela Shepherd, and I look forward to meeting with you!
Hello, I’m Kristi Painter is St. Bartholomew’s Parish Administrator. Kristi has a Master of Divinity from Candler School of Theology and a degree in Industrial Engineering from The Georgia Institute of Technology. She recently moved back to Atlanta after spending several years in Philadelphia working as a United Methodist young adult missionary with a homeless services organization. Her calling is assisting congregations in living out their faith through both service and advocacy.
Hello, I’m 
The Rev. Alex Sherrill
The Rev. Canon Dr. Angela F. Shepherd 
Debbie Kerr 
The Rev. Peter Wallace 
The Rev. Dr. Stefanie Taylor
Audry Gagnon
Stephen Frketic 
Kenneth Hilson
Deacon Katharine Hilliard-Yntema
The Rev. Bill Deneke,
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